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RE: Are You Happy.... - 6/24/2008 4:43:41 PM
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oldmethuselah
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Since when was a state of happiness a relevant question or marker for the Christian life?
I think, sometimes, our American friends, with their "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" and all that, have mixed up the theological and political goals.
I think Canadians and indeed ALL First World countries (a tiny bubble of community worldwide) have eagerly followed suit.
We in North America particularly, FORGET that such criteria for spirituality is COMPLETELY Beyond the Reach of the millions living on the Trash Heaps we have created in our wanton pursuit of the "The Good Life"
< Message edited by oldmethuselah -- 6/24/2008 4:53:58 PM >
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RE: Are You Happy.... - 6/24/2008 5:09:09 PM
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allisonbrett
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Happiness, as some describe can often been described with situations or circumstances. Contentment has to do with so much more. It's not joy per se but more of an acceptance. True joy is only found within the Lord.
There are areas in my life that I'm content with, others that I'm still working on. I can say that I'm joyful which to me means thankful and in the state of praise.
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Allison's World My Blog
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RE: Are You Happy.... - 6/24/2008 8:59:05 PM
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SonInMe1
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From: my mom by God
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Joy comes when you need it.
I was in the hospital a few years ago, in great pain and did not know what it was. You would figure I would be ancious, if not upset. I wasn't.
My roomate was in for some allergic reaction and during the tests they found a spot on his kidneys. It was a 90% chance it wasn't cancer but all he heard...was cancer. He was upset.
I think God gave me His peace then as a witness to him. He is a jew, an "elder" in his temple. He asked me to pray for him, so, I did but said I woild pray in the name of Jesus. He said ok.
I don't know what I said, but I prayed with eyes open hands raised and head raised to God, not my usual prayer "attitude".
I had great joy.
I think it was for that time because later, just before they put me into surgery ( gangreen gall bladder ) my blood pressure went up to 150 over 120 and it was...a little close there and I lost my temper a little, not much peace in that.
_____________________________
You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
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RE: Are You Happy.... - 6/25/2008 1:01:43 PM
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catlady11
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I'm happy when things are going my way, unhappy when they are not BUT I do have joy in the Lord when I'm not the center of my universe.
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RE: Are You Happy.... - 6/25/2008 11:47:06 PM
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Covaan_Meshuga
Posts: 3509
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From: a mother who let me live
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Walker, may G-d bless you with a flow of the best memories of your mother. She was blessed to have you as a son, as you were blessed to have her.
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Bluntly, I don't know the difference between joy and happiness. What is the difference? Seriously!
I am happy. That's just who I am. On rare occasion, I will feel badly about something, but I am always amazed when I do. I am just one of those people with a perpetual smile.
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Abiyah
"Ladies and gentlemen, there are things that you will only be able to learn by the weakest among us, and when you snuff them out, you are the one that loses." ~~Gianna Jesson, 1977 LA, CA, saline abortion survivor
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RE: Are You Happy.... - 6/26/2008 12:08:18 AM
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Walker311
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Thanks everyone for the kind words concerning my mom.
I wanted to mention that I learned from mom and dad how to be happy and content in whatever state you may be in. During this time following my mom's death and the planning stages my dad was not moping and crying but constantly talking about how even with their aches and pains that they both suffered with, they continued to laugh together often picking on each other and giggling like little kids.
All the way to the end of life these two are teaching me, their offspring, how to live and I am paying attention... soaking up the little secrets in life that so many seem to be deprived of.
It is possible wherever you may be in this sea of life to find joy and happiness if you are perceptive and wise enough to know that God's gift to us should be a celebration of life. Jesus did not come for us to live in a perpetual state of misery. To do so is a choice!
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RE: Are You Happy.... - 6/29/2008 1:19:15 PM
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Covaan_Meshuga
Posts: 3509
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From: a mother who let me live
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Does anyone besides me wonder about people who complain about happy people? About people who smile a lot?
I have heard people complain about this publicly, calling happy and/or smiling people ignorant, stupid, etc. -- even in sermons and in public teachings! I have had them look me in the face and say it while, knowing me, they knew that I am one of those they are describing. I have decided to answer them back, when it is appropriate.
Some of us have been through personal hell, and when we find ourselves on the other side of that personal hell, you betcha, we're happy! We have already lived out all the things that bring horror, sadness, uncertainty; living on the other side of that, why should we not have a positive outlook, a nearly-perpetual smile?
When people have a problem with that, they walk in ignorance.
< Message edited by Covaan_Meshuga -- 6/29/2008 1:25:34 PM >
_____________________________
Abiyah
"Ladies and gentlemen, there are things that you will only be able to learn by the weakest among us, and when you snuff them out, you are the one that loses." ~~Gianna Jesson, 1977 LA, CA, saline abortion survivor
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RE: Are You Happy.... - 6/29/2008 6:55:27 PM
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pstrdebi
Posts: 653
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From: So. Oregon, by way of So. Cal.
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Covaan_Meshuga
Some of us have been through personal hell, and when we find ourselves on the other side of that personal hell, you betcha, we're happy! We have already lived out all the things that bring horror, sadness, uncertainty; living on the other side of that, why should we not have a positive outlook, a nearly-perpetual smile?
When people have a problem with that, they walk in ignorance.
I can identify with this... I have been through many personal hells... and when you celebrate liberty, there are those who cannot rejoice in the freedom, joy, or deliverance of others. They don't know how because they not only remain in ignorance, they are dead to the true joy of fellowship and unity of Christ.
I was just remembering the other day... About 10 years ago I had gone to a garage sale in a resort community of California. There were two elderly Jewish couples there who I think were visiting the people having the garage sale. They were laughing and shooting the breeze and just having such a pleasant afternoon... and as I stood amongst the joy watching these elderly people I began to share in the conversation. After visiting for a while... the conversation somehow turned to their identification numbers that were tattooed on their arms.
How in the world could these people have joy indescribable? I have come to learn it's because they are over-comers... they're survivors. Not just from the holocaust; But from life... their personal hells. They could laugh and have joy and yes... even perpetual smiles.
It has taken me a while to learn this. How to be happy... content... even though we go through personal hell. But, praise God... It is through these trials and tribulations that God makes us strong... and it is the hope that dwells within that makes me smile!
Hallelujah!
< Message edited by pstrdebi -- 6/29/2008 7:04:13 PM >
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"For in Him we live and move and have our being..." Acts 17:28a
http://www.therockfellowship.org
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RE: Are You Happy.... - 6/29/2008 8:57:48 PM
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Covaan_Meshuga
Posts: 3509
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From: a mother who let me live
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Beautiful. Just beautiful, Pastor Debi. And we think we have had personal hells. But really, we have. We are not to compare pain but we are to recognize it in others and rejoice in their joy. Wonderful anecdote.
_____________________________
Abiyah
"Ladies and gentlemen, there are things that you will only be able to learn by the weakest among us, and when you snuff them out, you are the one that loses." ~~Gianna Jesson, 1977 LA, CA, saline abortion survivor
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RE: Are You Happy.... - 6/30/2008 9:12:24 AM
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SonInMe1
Posts: 3520
Joined: 4/16/2005
From: my mom by God
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...and if course we all knoiw the plastic christian...big smile on all the time...always a cheerful greeting....the bubbly personality....
that has some big fall.
My pastor calls these christians...parking lot christians. They can be yelling and argueing and all upset getting to church but once they hit that parking lot..the big plastic smile comes on their faces.
_____________________________
You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
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