“There is no virtue in the Christian life which is not made radiant with joy; there is no circumstance and no occasion which is not illumined with joy,” opined William Barclay in his commentary on Philippians. “A joyless life is not a Christian life, for joy is the one constant in the recipe for Christian living.” Continue reading
“Man is made for joy and joy is for man,” wrote the 16th-century Catholic bishop Francis de Sales.
“I think joy is not joy at all unless it is in man’s possession,” de Sales continued. “The human heart is so dependant upon joy that, without joy, it cannot find rest. Joy is true joy only in so far as it is possessed in the heart of man.” Continue reading
I have seen the above snow scene with its accompanying advice posted on facebook several times lately. And most recently by my preaching colleague John Maddocks in Toronto, Canada. I suspect John will have opportunities for a lot of joy this winter.
While this thought may elicit a chuckle, it speaks to a universal truth and a Biblical principle. Accept the inevitable. Learn to be content. And find joy in all circumstances.
The apostle Paul expressed it this way. Continue reading
Filed under Joy
Erma Bombeck, the late American author, and humorist once related a scene she witnessed at church one Sunday. “I was intent on a small child who was turning around smiling at everyone. He wasn’t gurgling, spitting, humming, kicking, tearing the hymnals or rummaging through his mother’s handbag. He was just smiling.” Continue reading
Filed under Joy
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., was a member of the U.S. Supreme Court for 30 years. His mind, wit and work earned him the unofficial title of “the greatest justice since John Marshall.”
One time Justice Holmes was asked about his career choice. He answered by saying, “I might have entered the ministry if certain clergymen I knew had not looked and acted so much like undertakers.” Continue reading
Filed under Joy
In the early days of our country’s founding Benjamin Franklin often spoke on the greatness of our newly formed Constitution.
Once at the conclusion of a stirring speech on the guarantees of the Constitution, a heckler shouted, “Aw, them words don’t mean nothin’ at all. Where’s all the happiness you say it guarantees us? Continue reading
Filed under Joy, Word of the Week
“There is no virtue in the Christian life which is not made radiant with joy,” wrote William Barclay. “There is no circumstance and no occasion which is not illuminated with joy. A joyless life is not a Christian life, for joy is the one constant in the recipe of Christian living.”
The word of the week is joy. Continue reading
Filed under Joy, Word of the Week
Sunday’s post raised the question “Is the purpose of life to be happy?”
In it we spoke of the happiness craze in our country today. However, we pointed out that life is about purpose. Meaning. Significance. We received many good responses including one from reader, Leslie Maddox who commented, “Love this! Contentment/Joy is different from happiness, but I’m afraid that most people don’t make the distinction.”
Thank you Leslie! What a great observation. So, what is the distinction and difference between joy and happiness? Continue reading
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