Tag Archives: joy

Are social media companies making promises they can’t fulfill? – Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:12, Part 4

Have you seen the recent commercials by Facebook or Tik Tok? Look at the smiles and joy emanating from the people in the commercials. What message would you say these commercials are sending? Here’s what I think the message is: “If you participate in our network you will experience joyful life, true community, fulfillment andContinue reading “Are social media companies making promises they can’t fulfill? – Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:12, Part 4”

The Source of True Joy – Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:12, Part 3

If money can’t buy happiness, what can? In the previous post I mentioned that we humans can allow ourselves to believe that wealth is our hope, our savior, our peace, our life. As we continue this week’s five-part blog series on Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:12, open your Bible and read how the Teacher illustrates this false trust inContinue reading “The Source of True Joy – Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:12, Part 3”

You can have joy in the midst of hard times – Ecclesiastes 3:1-15, Part 4

Do you ever struggle to find joy in life? I’m writing this in September 2020, and it feels difficult to have joy. We’ve been in a global pandemic, Covid-19, and nearing 200,000 deaths since March. Wildfires ravaged the west coast of the USA, while hurricanes flood the south. Partisan politics have made the presidential electionContinue reading “You can have joy in the midst of hard times – Ecclesiastes 3:1-15, Part 4”

Make the choice to rejoice – Acts 16, Part 5

Our study through Acts 16 has been filled with drama, and in the final verses, 35-40, there’s one more dramatic loose end to tie up. Though the local magistrates give Paul and Silas their freedom, Paul says, “No. We’re staying.” What? He voluntarily stays in prison? Why? Paul is making a point, letting the magistratesContinue reading “Make the choice to rejoice – Acts 16, Part 5”

Be a Refresher of Hearts! Philemon 1-7, Part 5

How do people come away from interacting with you? Think about some of the recent times that you have interacted with people. Maybe it was your family members. Perhaps it was co-workers. Or even social media posts. Try to put yourself in the shoes of the people who were with you, or who were readingContinue reading “Be a Refresher of Hearts! Philemon 1-7, Part 5”

God wants me to be happy, not angry, and never to doubt? [False ideas Christians believe about…God’s desires for Christians. Part 4]

In 1 Timothy 3:12 we read that “all those who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”  Woah.  Maybe God doesn’t want us to be happy, and only cares about us becoming godly or holy, even if it takes us being persecuted? How are we to understand this? Does GodContinue reading “God wants me to be happy, not angry, and never to doubt? [False ideas Christians believe about…God’s desires for Christians. Part 4]”

A Christmas Surprise [Fourth Sunday of Advent]

Today we’re going to meet shepherds.  But as I studied these passages, what emerged was something surprising, something unexpected!  During Advent, we have been following the readings in the Lectionary, and our first passage is Micah 5:2-5a. Micah gives us in verse 2 a prophecy of a future ruler who would come to rule overContinue reading “A Christmas Surprise [Fourth Sunday of Advent]”

When I’m not feeling happy or content in my relationship – 1 Corinthians 7:17-24

Are you feeling discontent in your relationships? Maybe you’re not feeling happy about a relationship?  But are you feeling joy?  Is there a difference?  And what does it matter? When we are unhappy or discontent, we are very tempted to RUN!  In our passage from this past Sunday, Paul says “Remain in the situation inContinue reading “When I’m not feeling happy or content in my relationship – 1 Corinthians 7:17-24”

Follow up to Joy & Peace (aka “resting in the liver”)

What an amazing Sunday!  We got to celebrate with seven people as they were baptized, proclaiming their faith in Christ and their desire to be his disciples for life.  That visual image of moving from death (under the water) to life (rising above the water) is so clear. Through those baptisms on Sunday we sawContinue reading “Follow up to Joy & Peace (aka “resting in the liver”)”