Tag: happiness
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Thankfulness Pt. 2
16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). I used to be a very pessimistic and cynical person. I questioned everyone’s motives…
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Ministry Monday: Stop Casting New Vision
People don’t need us to cast a grand vision. They need us to be faithful. You’ve heard it before: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Great leaders stand on their podiums and at their pulpits to cast a grand vision about how things can be and how we will get there! I ask,…
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Stop Casting New Vision; A Reflection on Proverbs 29:18
People don’t need us to cast a grand vision. They need us to be faithful. You’ve heard it before: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Great leaders stand on their podiums and at their pulpits to cast a grand vision about how things can be and how we will get there! I ask,…
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The Source of Happiness and Blessing in Psalm 119
In the first two stanzas of Psalm 119, we saw the psalmist reject his own selfish ways in favor of God’s ways because God’s ways are better. He came humbly to God, asked God to train him, and beseeched his Lord not to forsake him utterly. Stanzas 3 and 4 (ג , ד) sound very…
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Pastoral Contentment and the Success Syndrome
I have been in full-time ministry for 13 years. Before I started my ministry career (for lack of a better term), I had one instructor notice my goal-oriented zeal and offer a book from his personal library. That book still sits on my shelf in my office, stamped with his seal on the title page.…
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God’s Formula for Happiness
“You can’t date ’til you’re married. You can’t get married until you’re 30,” said the stereotypical father to his daughter. You’ve heard the statement. In Corinth, it had become customary for fathers to dedicate their children to the Lord, which meant that their children became the picture of purity and devotion to God alone. Apparently,…
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True Prosperity
In the last month, my wife and I were sitting in a Bible study for young adults and an illustration was made by the group leader. As part of his illustration, he asked if anyone ever knew anybody who naturally did well in school, getting A’s without even trying. Immediately my wife looked at me…
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Joy in Sorrow?
There are moments in our lives that make us stronger. I remember being in the second grade and being sent to the principal’s office at school. I walked into the principal’s office and as soon as I saw the principal, I started sobbing uncontrollably. My infraction was minor and I was only going to receive…
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Living in Bad Circumstances?
Do you ever feel like you are in the worst possible situation? If you were to design your own life, what would you change? How many negative circumstances throughout your life would you have avoided? Would you want to have more money, more friends, or more influence? Would you want a different family? Would you…