Tag Archives: Joy

December 14, 2020 · 6:51 am

Word of the Week: Joy

“Joy” is a word often heard during this holiday season.

Google “Christmas joy” and you will get 624,000,000 hits. You will learn that there is a movie, a novel, and a project all entitled “Christmas joy.”

Hallmark bills its many holiday movies as spreading “the joy of Christmas.” You will receive Christmas cards with a cheerful message of “joy.” Then, of course, there is the popular 18th-century song by Isaac Watts, “Joy to the World.”

Joy, however, should not to be relegated to one season, one month, or one day of the year. Continue reading →

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November 8, 2018 · 6:21 am

Finding Joy In All Circumstances

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 →

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October 17, 2017 · 7:17 am

3 Keys To Happiness

Yesterday I caught just a bit of the Today Show and a segment they’re doing on happiness. They were interviewing an author whose name I missed and then revealed the happiest places in the world.

The author said there were 3 factors to happiness. (1) How much pleasure you have in your life. (2) How much pride you have in your life? (3) If you’re fulfilling your purpose in life. Continue reading →

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December 11, 2016 · 6:12 am

Sunday Seed Thoughts: Joy

Seed Thoughts

In the 2007 movie The Bucket List, Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman meet in a hospital as roommates where they both learn they are terminally ill.

Nicholson is wealthy, but spoiled. Miserable. And soured on life. Freeman, however, is a middle class auto mechanic who can answer every question on the game show Jeopardy. Continue reading →

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June 22, 2016 · 5:51 am

GREAT VERSES OF THE BIBLE: Romans 15:13

romans15-13

File this under “I didn’t know that.”

“Every second, the world conducts more than 40,000 Google searches, creates 5 new facebook profiles, and opens YouVersion’s Bible App 112 times.”

I learned this when, as one the 40,000, I Googled “most popular verses in the Bible.” Since I write on a special verse each Wednesday, I was curious what the average internet user considered an important passage. Continue reading →

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April 12, 2016 · 7:05 am

Should We Guided by Law or Love?

Pope.Francis.Joy of love

 

“Pope stresses spirit over rules” read the front page headline of Saturday’s Kansas City Star.

The article reported Pope Francis’ news conference at the Vatican Friday unveiling his latest 260 page writing entitled “Amoris Letitia” or “The Joy of Love.” According to the article “Francis’ worldwide challenge (is) to minister to the consciences of people in all their fragile imperfections and not be cornered by rigorous doctrine.” Continue reading →

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October 21, 2015 · 5:50 am

GREAT VERSES OF THE BIBLE: James 1:2

Jas 1,2

My favorite author, anonymous, tells the story about his grandfather who worked in a blacksmith shop when he was a boy. He would relate stories of how he had toughened himself up so he could stand the rigors of black smithing.

One story was how he had developed his arm and shoulder muscles. He said he would stand outside behind the house and, with a 5-pound potato sack in each hand, extend his arms straight out to his sides and hold them there as long as he could.

After a while he tried 10-pound potato sacks, then 50-pound potato sacks and finally he got to where he could lift a 100-pound potato sack in each hand and hold his arms straight out for more than a full minute! Continue reading →

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November 13, 2013 · 7:27 am

Happiness is a Choice!

HappyWords

Bruce Bakker is a friend of mine. Along with his wife, Barbara, and their daughter, Kim, He’s a part of the Church-Family where I preach. And one of the most cheerful guys I know!

Yesterday he had hip replacement surgery. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen anyone go into surgery with a more positive attitude than Bruce. He was jovial. Joyful. And positive. Plus he had that big, infectious smile on his face. Continue reading →

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July 8, 2013 · 7:36 am

Word of the Week: Joy

joy2

“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 →

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January 15, 2013 · 7:08 am

Are You Happiness Driven? Or Joy Filled?

JoySunday’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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