Sin has the tendency to put short term happiness over long term happiness. The nature of sin is that it leaves the sinner empty.
What is offered in the moment is at the expense of the long term joy. God tells us to follow him because his yoke is easy and the burden light.
The commands of God are difficult in the moment. The commands of God also are easy in the long run as the protect us against our tendency to sell out our happiness.
Showing posts with label happiness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label happiness. Show all posts
Sunday, June 5, 2016
Monday, September 21, 2015
Sin, Want, and Unhappiness
Sin causes a great deal of unhappiness in life. One common example is how sin causes us to be unhappy by wanting things.
It is not that desire for things is wrong, but often we are perfectly happy and then our sinful nature beings to fixate on something we want. Maybe the thing is out of reach or will take a while to obtain.
And now we are unhappy and there is no reason we should be unhappy. Often we are unhappy because we do not experience the good things around us because we are focused on what we feel we lack.
We do not really lack anything. Sometimes we need to have a reality check.
We are not unhappy because we lack, but because we are greedy. Often the greed is a cultural norm, but it is greed none the same.
God wants us to be happy. That is why scripture calls us to be content. True happiness is found ultimately not in material things, but in right relationship to God.
It is not that desire for things is wrong, but often we are perfectly happy and then our sinful nature beings to fixate on something we want. Maybe the thing is out of reach or will take a while to obtain.
And now we are unhappy and there is no reason we should be unhappy. Often we are unhappy because we do not experience the good things around us because we are focused on what we feel we lack.
We do not really lack anything. Sometimes we need to have a reality check.
We are not unhappy because we lack, but because we are greedy. Often the greed is a cultural norm, but it is greed none the same.
God wants us to be happy. That is why scripture calls us to be content. True happiness is found ultimately not in material things, but in right relationship to God.
Thursday, November 27, 2014
The Bible and Debt
The bible always teaches us to be wary of debt. Our culture often promotes a view that buying now and paying later is normal. In a sense buying on credit is normal in our culture.
The issue of course is that something being normal does not equate to it being good. The bible teaches about being wary of debt because we are spending future income (which may or may not be what we expect) for present gratification.
Debt has destroyed the lives of many people. The bible does not ever absolutely condemn debt but asks us to think. It asks us to think if our inclinations of what we need and want are really so good for us.
The bible's teaching on debt, like many of the bible's teachings, are to protect our happiness. We have a tendency as fallen people to value pleasure in the moment far above the long term costs of our decisions. We often suffer from a shortsightedness which is why the bible teaches us to be wary of debt.
The issue of course is that something being normal does not equate to it being good. The bible teaches about being wary of debt because we are spending future income (which may or may not be what we expect) for present gratification.
Debt has destroyed the lives of many people. The bible does not ever absolutely condemn debt but asks us to think. It asks us to think if our inclinations of what we need and want are really so good for us.
The bible's teaching on debt, like many of the bible's teachings, are to protect our happiness. We have a tendency as fallen people to value pleasure in the moment far above the long term costs of our decisions. We often suffer from a shortsightedness which is why the bible teaches us to be wary of debt.
Monday, November 17, 2014
Our Hearts are Restless
Augustine wrote that "our hearts are restless until they find faith in God." It is a great truth. It is easy to overhear many conversations of people who had a bad week trying to fill the hole in their lives with shopping, parties, and activities.
Many good things are used as medication to avoid dealing with our real issues. It is difficult to face the void that often exists in our relationship with God. It is often far easier to try to forget our problems in the area of faith than to deal with them.
Of course putting off issues of faith, while easy, is ineffective. Since man is made for relationship with God his need to have reconciliation with God is a fundamental need.
We often do not see the fundamentalness of this need, but it is none the less fundamental. The pushing off of the issue never really helps since it reemerges nearly constantly because of its priority.
A right relationship with God is ultimately very fundamental to human health and happiness. Often we see religion as an unhappy thing. It is of course because we often presuppose what true happiness is.
We imagine happiness is something which it is not. We exclude the idea where true happiness can be found before we even consider the possibility that true happiness may be found in God.
I suppose you will find many atheists who say that faith in God made them miserable and then they grew and rejected God. I cannot in every case say why they feel as they do, but often you see that it is not faith in God that made them miserable but that they disliked what God had asked of them.
God asked for sacrifices in their lives that were "unacceptable" and that "no good God would ask." Since God had demands then God was unjust they say. The reality which this shows is how little they valued God.
Anyone who has been happily married for a time will know that certain sacrifices are always made in a true relationship. A relationship of value is worth the inconveniences that naturally come with it. If we despise the inconveniences faith in God brings than it simply shows that we do not understand the true value of our relationship with God.
Many good things are used as medication to avoid dealing with our real issues. It is difficult to face the void that often exists in our relationship with God. It is often far easier to try to forget our problems in the area of faith than to deal with them.
Of course putting off issues of faith, while easy, is ineffective. Since man is made for relationship with God his need to have reconciliation with God is a fundamental need.
We often do not see the fundamentalness of this need, but it is none the less fundamental. The pushing off of the issue never really helps since it reemerges nearly constantly because of its priority.
A right relationship with God is ultimately very fundamental to human health and happiness. Often we see religion as an unhappy thing. It is of course because we often presuppose what true happiness is.
We imagine happiness is something which it is not. We exclude the idea where true happiness can be found before we even consider the possibility that true happiness may be found in God.
I suppose you will find many atheists who say that faith in God made them miserable and then they grew and rejected God. I cannot in every case say why they feel as they do, but often you see that it is not faith in God that made them miserable but that they disliked what God had asked of them.
God asked for sacrifices in their lives that were "unacceptable" and that "no good God would ask." Since God had demands then God was unjust they say. The reality which this shows is how little they valued God.
Anyone who has been happily married for a time will know that certain sacrifices are always made in a true relationship. A relationship of value is worth the inconveniences that naturally come with it. If we despise the inconveniences faith in God brings than it simply shows that we do not understand the true value of our relationship with God.
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
True Friendship
Friendship in the deepest sense requires an interest in the well being of the other. It places us in the odd situation of desiring the well being of the other even if it means we will see far less of the friend.
We can find that at times our friends seem resentful of good things which place some distance in our relationship. In a sense these friendships fall far short of ideal. The friendship is placed above the mutual good of those in the friendship.
It is a strange dynamic but the best friendships are those where the friends place the happiness of their friend above the friendship. Many shallow friendships tend to place the friendship over the happiness of each other.
You see the difference is that in the shallow friendships each person is searching for happiness on their own. In a deeper friendship each friend is searching for their own happiness and the happiness of the other in the friendship.
You often see that joy is more complete when we have a bit less desire in finding it for ourselves. We should desire to have joy and happiness, but if we do not desire it for others often our joy and happiness is incomplete.
It is as if an essential element of joy and happiness to be truly full is that we actively seek the joy and happiness of others. It is of course what one would expect from the bible.
The bible describes the law of God as sweet and pleasant. Love for God is a joy presented in the bible and the Christian walk as a easy burden compared to living in sin.
You see we often doubt the bible's correctness on these issues. How can the law of God and worship of God make my life better? We are often tempted to think this way.
We act as if God doesn't know us better than we know ourselves. The other fact is that we place individuality to such a degree that we cannot imagine religion and many of the laws fitting into that mold.
Of course if we tried out the bible we often find that its way is better. But it often takes time. Sin tends to look for good in the moment at the expense of the future. The bible always protects human happiness in the long term against shortsightedness.
When we meet the bible and we feel the bible is wrong it is usually just a matter of time if we keep an open mind before we see the wisdom of the bible.
We can find that at times our friends seem resentful of good things which place some distance in our relationship. In a sense these friendships fall far short of ideal. The friendship is placed above the mutual good of those in the friendship.
It is a strange dynamic but the best friendships are those where the friends place the happiness of their friend above the friendship. Many shallow friendships tend to place the friendship over the happiness of each other.
You see the difference is that in the shallow friendships each person is searching for happiness on their own. In a deeper friendship each friend is searching for their own happiness and the happiness of the other in the friendship.
You often see that joy is more complete when we have a bit less desire in finding it for ourselves. We should desire to have joy and happiness, but if we do not desire it for others often our joy and happiness is incomplete.
It is as if an essential element of joy and happiness to be truly full is that we actively seek the joy and happiness of others. It is of course what one would expect from the bible.
The bible describes the law of God as sweet and pleasant. Love for God is a joy presented in the bible and the Christian walk as a easy burden compared to living in sin.
You see we often doubt the bible's correctness on these issues. How can the law of God and worship of God make my life better? We are often tempted to think this way.
We act as if God doesn't know us better than we know ourselves. The other fact is that we place individuality to such a degree that we cannot imagine religion and many of the laws fitting into that mold.
Of course if we tried out the bible we often find that its way is better. But it often takes time. Sin tends to look for good in the moment at the expense of the future. The bible always protects human happiness in the long term against shortsightedness.
When we meet the bible and we feel the bible is wrong it is usually just a matter of time if we keep an open mind before we see the wisdom of the bible.
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Happiness in the Christian Life
Some traditions and common sayings in Christian circles may lead people to believe that Christianity is only about self-denial. The Bible mentions this, but the Bible has a specific meanings for it, and when done in the right way (following the true meaning of it and with wisdom), it leads to happiness.
Christianity is about seeking your happiness and the happiness of others in God. The self-denial of Christianity promotes the long-term happiness of ourselves.
Often people focus too much on the denial, of not doing things, like denying themselves pleasure instead of positively doing things for others. When we help and love others we find we are much happier than if we were always alone.
When we talk about the Christian life, it's important to not forget the freeing aspect of Christ's work for us and how God's commands are really good and freeing in a sense. Sin is what tries to convince us that there is a better way than God's commands when truly there's not.
Here are five posts related to this topic:
Christianity is about seeking your happiness and the happiness of others in God. The self-denial of Christianity promotes the long-term happiness of ourselves.
Often people focus too much on the denial, of not doing things, like denying themselves pleasure instead of positively doing things for others. When we help and love others we find we are much happier than if we were always alone.
When we talk about the Christian life, it's important to not forget the freeing aspect of Christ's work for us and how God's commands are really good and freeing in a sense. Sin is what tries to convince us that there is a better way than God's commands when truly there's not.
Here are five posts related to this topic:
- Our True Selves: "Often our feeling about Christianity from the outside or inside is that it may destroy our personality. ... The reality is that we find our true selves when we accept God. ..."
- Suffering as Non-Ideal: "Various Christian groups have promoted suffering as a Christian virtue. While the bible does suggest that suffering produces virtue, the bible does not promote a life of suffering. ..."
- The Word "Sacrifice" Should Be Used More Carefully
- Pleasure Is Not the Enemy
- Reflections on Being "Selfless"
Friday, October 17, 2014
Pleasure Is Not the Enemy
The other day I read a quote that basically said that pleasure must be avoided in order to not sin. Since when is sin and pleasure the same thing? Sin comes in a variety of forms.
The quote might have been trying to say that it's wise to think first about what God wants before making decisions. That is true. We should aim to follow the Bible in what we do. But in no way should we make sweeping statements that make it sound like Christianity is against pleasure.
God wants us to have pleasure. After all he created a world where we find pleasure in looking at the variety of color and beauty in nature and simple things.
Life isn't always pleasurable and surely some wise decisions will be painful in the short term. Following Christ sometimes feels difficult, but it also has its pleasures that include knowing and being loved by him.
The message that we would love to share with non-Christians, and even with each other in forms of encouragement and praise, is the beautiful pleasure of being together in Christ and the knowledge that his commands are good, and there is meaning and purpose in life beyond ourselves.
To be able to show the world the pleasure and freedom we have in Christ, some of us might need to aim to take more pleasure in things.
The quote might have been trying to say that it's wise to think first about what God wants before making decisions. That is true. We should aim to follow the Bible in what we do. But in no way should we make sweeping statements that make it sound like Christianity is against pleasure.
God wants us to have pleasure. After all he created a world where we find pleasure in looking at the variety of color and beauty in nature and simple things.
Life isn't always pleasurable and surely some wise decisions will be painful in the short term. Following Christ sometimes feels difficult, but it also has its pleasures that include knowing and being loved by him.
The message that we would love to share with non-Christians, and even with each other in forms of encouragement and praise, is the beautiful pleasure of being together in Christ and the knowledge that his commands are good, and there is meaning and purpose in life beyond ourselves.
To be able to show the world the pleasure and freedom we have in Christ, some of us might need to aim to take more pleasure in things.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Generosity Affects All of Life
Post By
Michelle Dowell, Contributor
Giving brings joy and happiness to a person who gives with the right heart, but what are the ways and reasons it does?
In some ways it's a mystery--we just feel happy when we know we're helping someone. And in another way, we feel good to be following God's command to us to be generous in different ways. The Bible says that those who follow his commands end up finding his ways are sweet.
Here are some specific other reasons/results. I think that giving really helps our worldview re-align with what God would like us to see and have a better knowledge of.
(1) We may feel the peace to slow down or stop on the race to find ways to earn even more money, because giving is a reminder that the center of life shouldn't be money--it's to be able to help ourselves and others in need to the best of our ability.
(2) A reminder that we need others. Taking part in a system of grace reminders us of how we daily need God's grace and grace from others. It's impossible to get anything done without some help. Often the help comes in exchange from money, but there is still a care that needs to be done in doing that work well that the money is exchanged for.
(3) It's a step that acknowledges God's soverignty over all of life. Words only help us so much. We can talk about a concept as much as we like, but action helps re-enforce that concept to truly help us to know the concept better and more truly. God tells us to give and that he will provide for us.
Michelle Dowell, Contributor
Giving brings joy and happiness to a person who gives with the right heart, but what are the ways and reasons it does?
In some ways it's a mystery--we just feel happy when we know we're helping someone. And in another way, we feel good to be following God's command to us to be generous in different ways. The Bible says that those who follow his commands end up finding his ways are sweet.
Here are some specific other reasons/results. I think that giving really helps our worldview re-align with what God would like us to see and have a better knowledge of.
(1) We may feel the peace to slow down or stop on the race to find ways to earn even more money, because giving is a reminder that the center of life shouldn't be money--it's to be able to help ourselves and others in need to the best of our ability.
(2) A reminder that we need others. Taking part in a system of grace reminders us of how we daily need God's grace and grace from others. It's impossible to get anything done without some help. Often the help comes in exchange from money, but there is still a care that needs to be done in doing that work well that the money is exchanged for.
(3) It's a step that acknowledges God's soverignty over all of life. Words only help us so much. We can talk about a concept as much as we like, but action helps re-enforce that concept to truly help us to know the concept better and more truly. God tells us to give and that he will provide for us.
Thursday, June 26, 2014
The Downside of Forgetting Self
By Co-Contributor
Michelle Dowell
God cares deeply for us. Seeing a person not take care of one's self doesn't bring God happiness. "Love others as you love yourself" implies that we should love ourselves. Christ coming to die for us, for our hope and overall/eternal happiness, is a big sign that we are valuable to God and should reflect that sort of thinking.
Some people may read this and think they are all set and love themselves the way God would like just fine, but the fact of how many people are overly busy, without time for much or any rest, would indicate otherwise.
There is such an emphasis in popular thinking these days on doing more, and not much about resting in God's grace, that people can become stressed easily. Stress can cause worry, frustration--all sorts of things that aren't helpful to that person or others. God calls us to help others, out of a desire to bring him glory, but he also wants us to be humble and know our limits as humans. Limits mean we need sleep, lots of food, and time to just sit and reflect on truth and blessings. Jesus took time to be alone and rest at times. The Sabbath is a day a week God wants us to aim to rest.
For some people with families it's hard to make time, but planning ahead and thinking through ways to help get as much rest and taking care of one's self as much as possible is worth it.
Michelle Dowell
God cares deeply for us. Seeing a person not take care of one's self doesn't bring God happiness. "Love others as you love yourself" implies that we should love ourselves. Christ coming to die for us, for our hope and overall/eternal happiness, is a big sign that we are valuable to God and should reflect that sort of thinking.
Some people may read this and think they are all set and love themselves the way God would like just fine, but the fact of how many people are overly busy, without time for much or any rest, would indicate otherwise.
There is such an emphasis in popular thinking these days on doing more, and not much about resting in God's grace, that people can become stressed easily. Stress can cause worry, frustration--all sorts of things that aren't helpful to that person or others. God calls us to help others, out of a desire to bring him glory, but he also wants us to be humble and know our limits as humans. Limits mean we need sleep, lots of food, and time to just sit and reflect on truth and blessings. Jesus took time to be alone and rest at times. The Sabbath is a day a week God wants us to aim to rest.
For some people with families it's hard to make time, but planning ahead and thinking through ways to help get as much rest and taking care of one's self as much as possible is worth it.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Suffering as Non-Ideal
Various Christian groups have promoted suffering as a Christian virtue. While the bible does suggest that suffering produces virtue, the bible does not promote a life of suffering.
The bible has a great care about the well being and happiness of mankind. Jesus wishes for us not to worry and has concern for the emotional well being of others. The Christian church has often had many groups within itself which promote suffering as the path of obedience. It is going without which is the best path of faith and having which is a lesser path.
Such a position is a philosophical one which greatly distorts the bible's teaching. The bible teaches contentment whatever the circumstances.
The bible teaches sacrificial giving, but it also talks about wise financial management and that it is good for an inheritance to be left to an heir after one dies.
You see the bible never has easy answers to questions. It has significant guidelines. It does not judge circumstance or suggest circumstance has relevance to ultimate reality.
Each of us has our own path in God's plan and the promotion of suffering as the path to follow God is a great oversimplification and thus an errant teaching.
Most errors in Christianity are not additions to scripture, but rather half truths. Part of scripture is taken without the counterbalance in scripture that comprises the whole truth.
The bible has a great care about the well being and happiness of mankind. Jesus wishes for us not to worry and has concern for the emotional well being of others. The Christian church has often had many groups within itself which promote suffering as the path of obedience. It is going without which is the best path of faith and having which is a lesser path.
Such a position is a philosophical one which greatly distorts the bible's teaching. The bible teaches contentment whatever the circumstances.
The bible teaches sacrificial giving, but it also talks about wise financial management and that it is good for an inheritance to be left to an heir after one dies.
You see the bible never has easy answers to questions. It has significant guidelines. It does not judge circumstance or suggest circumstance has relevance to ultimate reality.
Each of us has our own path in God's plan and the promotion of suffering as the path to follow God is a great oversimplification and thus an errant teaching.
Most errors in Christianity are not additions to scripture, but rather half truths. Part of scripture is taken without the counterbalance in scripture that comprises the whole truth.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Deep Christianity
Christianity is a very positive thing. The bible has a lot to say about what the Christian is and what he is to be doing.
But often we see many Christians move into a very negative form. They focus on what the Christian is not. The Christian is more characterized by what he is not that what he is to them.
You see this is a flaw because it is very close to the error of the Pharisees. You see they understood exactly what being a true follower of Yahweh was not, but did not understand what it positively was.
And you see the point is what Christianity is in fact is more important than what Christianity is not. Christianity is a relationship with the living God first and for most.
It is as if we have a tendency to describe our marriage by what we should not do. I should not do these 25 things. Yes, it is true. But that is not your marriage merely part of why if functions.
You see our union with God is or needs to be something. What our relation to God negates is far less important than what our relationship to God is.
Sometimes as C.S. Lewis says we are "far too easily pleased." You see this in many human marriages. Couples settle for getting along rather than being in love.
And this is why so many marriages break apart. Many people do not seek their own happiness in marriage. It is very subtle but true.
You see we should seek happiness in God. Christianity is about being happy through our union with Christ. But true happiness is very different that we expect.
You see the world is unhappy because it rejects the source of happiness. Many in churches reject the source of happiness when they move faith into a list of negatives.
The negatives of course only serve to protect the positives. As we have boundaries and ideals which enable marriage so the law supports proper faith.
But you see the law is not faith. Our relationship with God is faith.
But often we see many Christians move into a very negative form. They focus on what the Christian is not. The Christian is more characterized by what he is not that what he is to them.
You see this is a flaw because it is very close to the error of the Pharisees. You see they understood exactly what being a true follower of Yahweh was not, but did not understand what it positively was.
And you see the point is what Christianity is in fact is more important than what Christianity is not. Christianity is a relationship with the living God first and for most.
It is as if we have a tendency to describe our marriage by what we should not do. I should not do these 25 things. Yes, it is true. But that is not your marriage merely part of why if functions.
You see our union with God is or needs to be something. What our relation to God negates is far less important than what our relationship to God is.
Sometimes as C.S. Lewis says we are "far too easily pleased." You see this in many human marriages. Couples settle for getting along rather than being in love.
And this is why so many marriages break apart. Many people do not seek their own happiness in marriage. It is very subtle but true.
You see we should seek happiness in God. Christianity is about being happy through our union with Christ. But true happiness is very different that we expect.
You see the world is unhappy because it rejects the source of happiness. Many in churches reject the source of happiness when they move faith into a list of negatives.
The negatives of course only serve to protect the positives. As we have boundaries and ideals which enable marriage so the law supports proper faith.
But you see the law is not faith. Our relationship with God is faith.
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Our True Selves
Often our feeling about Christianity from the outside or inside is that it may destroy our personality. Christianity asks us to live in a certain why which limits our freedom and forces us to conform to principles.
It is often viewed that autonomy from religion is true freedom that preserves personhood, and therefore we are giving up freedom to accept religion.
The reality is that we find our true selves when we accept God. You see our personhood is based on the image of God in us which has been marred by the fall.
It is through our union with Christ through faith that the image of God in us which is marred slowly is restored.
God has always had man's happiness as a priority. We rarely see the fact that God has our happiness as a priority.
The problem of course is we see each moment in isolation and are lost in the thicket of the moment and cannot see the whole story of our life from start to finish as God can.
People often wonder why this or that happened. How can God use it. Often we can see this or that that God uses.
But he never shows us everything. We must always live by faith in his promises.
It is often viewed that autonomy from religion is true freedom that preserves personhood, and therefore we are giving up freedom to accept religion.
The reality is that we find our true selves when we accept God. You see our personhood is based on the image of God in us which has been marred by the fall.
It is through our union with Christ through faith that the image of God in us which is marred slowly is restored.
God has always had man's happiness as a priority. We rarely see the fact that God has our happiness as a priority.
The problem of course is we see each moment in isolation and are lost in the thicket of the moment and cannot see the whole story of our life from start to finish as God can.
People often wonder why this or that happened. How can God use it. Often we can see this or that that God uses.
But he never shows us everything. We must always live by faith in his promises.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Joy, happiness, and honesty
In life we meet many Christians who try to fake happiness. They feel commanded to be happy and so they go around with a smile on their face when they are clearly miserable. It is as if it is a sin to be sad.
You see they miss the fact that joy (which is commanded) and happiness (which is not commanded) are very different. You see joy is at a much deeper level and it is a state of character and faith more than an emotion.
And the issue is greater that we are commanded to morn with those who morn. You see we can be expected and godly to be unhappy! We can have joy and morn. God's commandments are difficult and we always fall short and have a sympathetic high priest in Jesus.
Scripture challenges us always. It defines things as God sees them rather than as we see things. Many things we see as exactly the same God sees differently. Many things we see as completely different God sees as interconnected.
It is always that we are too small and too nearsighted to see all the realities. That is why we need for God to tell us of the realities and later we usually figure out why God was right all along for ourselves.
You see they miss the fact that joy (which is commanded) and happiness (which is not commanded) are very different. You see joy is at a much deeper level and it is a state of character and faith more than an emotion.
And the issue is greater that we are commanded to morn with those who morn. You see we can be expected and godly to be unhappy! We can have joy and morn. God's commandments are difficult and we always fall short and have a sympathetic high priest in Jesus.
Scripture challenges us always. It defines things as God sees them rather than as we see things. Many things we see as exactly the same God sees differently. Many things we see as completely different God sees as interconnected.
It is always that we are too small and too nearsighted to see all the realities. That is why we need for God to tell us of the realities and later we usually figure out why God was right all along for ourselves.
Monday, March 3, 2014
Humor as a Part of Theology
Laughter in the bible is portrayed equally as positive and negative. The role is based on context.
God is one who laughs at the folly of men. Jesus promises to bring the oppressed laughter.
There is laughter which is linked to unbelief and thus put into a negative context. But you see that laughter in and of it is good.
Its connection to the fall at times has turned it into an ugly thing, but in its nature there is nothing wrong with laughter.
There are those in the church which seem to have lost the idea of a joke as having an appropriate context. The bible does not follow this viewpoint.
Ultimately the Christian life is about joy. It is about real joy though. Not some canned joy that the world provides that is here today and gone tomorrow.
God wants us to be happy, but not some fleeting happiness mixed with misery and pain. The problem often is that as C.S. Lewis says that "we are far too easily satisfied."
Paul counted all things as loss for the surpassing glory to come. Why? Because to see correctly is to see that real joy and real happiness is found in relation to Jesus.
The bible is concerned with the happiness of men. But it is concerned about eternal happiness and not in a quick fix here and now immediate happiness.
God is one who laughs at the folly of men. Jesus promises to bring the oppressed laughter.
There is laughter which is linked to unbelief and thus put into a negative context. But you see that laughter in and of it is good.
Its connection to the fall at times has turned it into an ugly thing, but in its nature there is nothing wrong with laughter.
There are those in the church which seem to have lost the idea of a joke as having an appropriate context. The bible does not follow this viewpoint.
Ultimately the Christian life is about joy. It is about real joy though. Not some canned joy that the world provides that is here today and gone tomorrow.
God wants us to be happy, but not some fleeting happiness mixed with misery and pain. The problem often is that as C.S. Lewis says that "we are far too easily satisfied."
Paul counted all things as loss for the surpassing glory to come. Why? Because to see correctly is to see that real joy and real happiness is found in relation to Jesus.
The bible is concerned with the happiness of men. But it is concerned about eternal happiness and not in a quick fix here and now immediate happiness.
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Biblical Satisfaction
To be satisfied is something which is a biblical good. Dissatisfaction is a result of and in a sense the cause of the fall.
We want more than we have. We are given something good by a loved one or God but we want more.
We see many people who are given great things and want just a bit more. You see dis-satisfaction is a result of the fall.
Many times we have real needs and wants and it is fine to feel that we wish they be filled. Dis-satisfaction is different we have everything we should really need including many niceties but we cannot be satisfied.
At the core dissatisfaction is infinite in nature. The human heart has a hole which can only be filled be the infinite God as known through the person of Jesus.
You see why mankind can never be satisfied is because he was meant for something far larger. He may stuff this or that into the hole in his heart but the hole will never be filled.
We are foolish people and our sin tempts us to believe that this or that small thing will finally make us happy. In the end God is all that matters and only he can satisfy.
Dissatisfaction has a positive side. It points us to our need for a relationship to God. God sits and waits for men to come to him all they must do is admit they have need and desire his company and look to the cross and ask for free grace.
We want more than we have. We are given something good by a loved one or God but we want more.
We see many people who are given great things and want just a bit more. You see dis-satisfaction is a result of the fall.
Many times we have real needs and wants and it is fine to feel that we wish they be filled. Dis-satisfaction is different we have everything we should really need including many niceties but we cannot be satisfied.
At the core dissatisfaction is infinite in nature. The human heart has a hole which can only be filled be the infinite God as known through the person of Jesus.
You see why mankind can never be satisfied is because he was meant for something far larger. He may stuff this or that into the hole in his heart but the hole will never be filled.
We are foolish people and our sin tempts us to believe that this or that small thing will finally make us happy. In the end God is all that matters and only he can satisfy.
Dissatisfaction has a positive side. It points us to our need for a relationship to God. God sits and waits for men to come to him all they must do is admit they have need and desire his company and look to the cross and ask for free grace.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Law and Happiness
I've mentioned previously that the law serves to protect human happiness. I'd like to go into some specifics today about how the law actually serves to protect human happiness in some of the less popular parts of the law today.
I'd first like to deal with money. The idea that God desires mankind to support the ministry of the church through the giving of money is something which has been particular offensive to the modern mind today.
Giving is what drove me away from religion is a frequent comment of many former church goers. The reality is that studies show overall charitable giving has a highly positive influence on people. A link to an article which is typical of many studies is
A common objection is that givers to religion are giving to an institution with little benefit to the world when the could be giving to real needs like the poor.
I would object that the church adds little value to the world, but the reality is that church goes giving exceeds non church goers giving in almost all categories of giving outside the church with the exception of the field of giving to the arts and humanities.
I cannot say why people hate the principle of giving in the bible so much. I suppose again it is man hating that God may know better for man than man knows for himself.
Another topic is the principles of marriage in the the bible. I suppose this is beaten to death at times, but no one ever wishes to deal with the research which that suggest that sexual happiness decreases for people the more partners they have.
Always there is a brokenness which remains as people move from partner to partner.
A great thinker once said "the bible is right even when it appears to be wrong." I have found this to be the case.
I have often felt the bible must be wrong, necessarily so. And later discovered it is right.
Now I simply trust if I feel the bible is wrong I must be missing something. It is more likely I am wrong and I simply have to wait and learn how I am wrong.
I'd first like to deal with money. The idea that God desires mankind to support the ministry of the church through the giving of money is something which has been particular offensive to the modern mind today.
Giving is what drove me away from religion is a frequent comment of many former church goers. The reality is that studies show overall charitable giving has a highly positive influence on people. A link to an article which is typical of many studies is
A common objection is that givers to religion are giving to an institution with little benefit to the world when the could be giving to real needs like the poor.
I would object that the church adds little value to the world, but the reality is that church goes giving exceeds non church goers giving in almost all categories of giving outside the church with the exception of the field of giving to the arts and humanities.
I cannot say why people hate the principle of giving in the bible so much. I suppose again it is man hating that God may know better for man than man knows for himself.
Another topic is the principles of marriage in the the bible. I suppose this is beaten to death at times, but no one ever wishes to deal with the research which that suggest that sexual happiness decreases for people the more partners they have.
Always there is a brokenness which remains as people move from partner to partner.
A great thinker once said "the bible is right even when it appears to be wrong." I have found this to be the case.
I have often felt the bible must be wrong, necessarily so. And later discovered it is right.
Now I simply trust if I feel the bible is wrong I must be missing something. It is more likely I am wrong and I simply have to wait and learn how I am wrong.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Moving past Systematic Theology
Systematic Theology attempts to unify scripture into a system of beliefs. A major issue is that at the core of Christianity is paradox.
Paradox is not contradiction. Paradox is difficult to understand and has a tension within but it can be seen to be potentially true.
The heart of the problem with systematic theology is the nature of God one of the studies of theology eclipses the grasp of the human mind to grasp.
Certain well known paradoxes such as the trinity and nature of Jesus as fully God and fully man are handled well in systematic theology.
Usually systematic theology tends to miss many central paradoxes of Christianity such as the freedom of man and sovereignty of God.
Typically this is a major divide in systematic and shifts theologians into a category. It is as if it could not be another paradox of scripture that man is free and God is sovereign.
The reality is that often Christianity exists in the both/and state and not the either/or. We pit the bible law against human happiness when the law is for human happiness.
Always the bible says something which is difficult to understand. Here a set of commandments and these commandments are in place to protect your happiness.
The nature of man always buckles against God. It cannot be as it is said.
The law clearly is a kill joy, but alas in the stream of broken marriages and heartbreak the comes from lawlessness if we are truthful we will find much of the bibles teaching in fact aims to protect happiness.
I suppose the bible is always terribly offensive like this. It tells us we do not know how to conduct our lives and suggests that it knows better than we do.
It is offensive to man that he does not know how to live in this world and how to be happy. I suppose we could dismiss the bible outright if it does not in fact appear that mankind has no sense of how to live well or to exist happily.
Men are often happy and yet throw it all way frequently at the drop of a hat. It is often that men meet their great demise in the midst of going against the suggested order for human happiness.
The bible always claims that it is on man’s side. God has seen the state of man and wishes to make peace with him and invite him into everlasting happiness.
God sits and looks and man and cries and wishes to reach out his hand to help and invite man into everlasting happiness.
Again it is always so offensive to ourselves. God meets us and suggest that we are not happy or not as happy as we should be and we are lost and need something.
Man always feels he is not in need and could not be in need. This is the heart of the problem. The first sin of man.
We do not need God and we suspect he is withholding something from us which is good. But always it is our search from good apart from God which is the issue. It is happiness found in God which is what is good.
Paradox is not contradiction. Paradox is difficult to understand and has a tension within but it can be seen to be potentially true.
The heart of the problem with systematic theology is the nature of God one of the studies of theology eclipses the grasp of the human mind to grasp.
Certain well known paradoxes such as the trinity and nature of Jesus as fully God and fully man are handled well in systematic theology.
Usually systematic theology tends to miss many central paradoxes of Christianity such as the freedom of man and sovereignty of God.
Typically this is a major divide in systematic and shifts theologians into a category. It is as if it could not be another paradox of scripture that man is free and God is sovereign.
The reality is that often Christianity exists in the both/and state and not the either/or. We pit the bible law against human happiness when the law is for human happiness.
Always the bible says something which is difficult to understand. Here a set of commandments and these commandments are in place to protect your happiness.
The nature of man always buckles against God. It cannot be as it is said.
The law clearly is a kill joy, but alas in the stream of broken marriages and heartbreak the comes from lawlessness if we are truthful we will find much of the bibles teaching in fact aims to protect happiness.
I suppose the bible is always terribly offensive like this. It tells us we do not know how to conduct our lives and suggests that it knows better than we do.
It is offensive to man that he does not know how to live in this world and how to be happy. I suppose we could dismiss the bible outright if it does not in fact appear that mankind has no sense of how to live well or to exist happily.
Men are often happy and yet throw it all way frequently at the drop of a hat. It is often that men meet their great demise in the midst of going against the suggested order for human happiness.
The bible always claims that it is on man’s side. God has seen the state of man and wishes to make peace with him and invite him into everlasting happiness.
God sits and looks and man and cries and wishes to reach out his hand to help and invite man into everlasting happiness.
Again it is always so offensive to ourselves. God meets us and suggest that we are not happy or not as happy as we should be and we are lost and need something.
Man always feels he is not in need and could not be in need. This is the heart of the problem. The first sin of man.
We do not need God and we suspect he is withholding something from us which is good. But always it is our search from good apart from God which is the issue. It is happiness found in God which is what is good.
Monday, September 16, 2013
Tough Times
When we go through difficult times in life it is often most difficult because we realize how few people are our friends. Some people we believed to be friends simply do not care about us.
Some friends we soon realize cannot remember a single thing about us. We would not have noticed or cared much had we not realized that they could not remember our pain.
Some friends prove to be sincere but are painful themselves because they cannot figure out how to relate to us in our state.
When we pass through the difficult time we sit and look at our friends. There are those who are true gold, those who have proved to be completely worthless and those that we are unsure of.
The interesting thing is that God wishes to actively be our friend when we are his enemy. Often those who are friends often do not care about use even when we do them God.
God is different he seeks us out even when we do him harm. Some people say that God cannot forgive them for their sins.
God forgave Nineveh, Paul, The prostitute, ect… The only condition is faith which is accompanied with repentance.
That is the issue in the end. We like the idea of grace but not repentance. This is the basis for the liberal God which has no relation the Christian God.
But religion on our own terms is not as nice as it seems. Because the law always serves our joy.
Of course God who is supremely happy created the law and man knew now misery before he disobeyed the law.
I suppose it is a great lie of this age that God does not wish for us to be happy. The bible states clearly that God wishes man to be happy, but God wishes to also set man straight on what true happiness is.
Some friends we soon realize cannot remember a single thing about us. We would not have noticed or cared much had we not realized that they could not remember our pain.
Some friends prove to be sincere but are painful themselves because they cannot figure out how to relate to us in our state.
When we pass through the difficult time we sit and look at our friends. There are those who are true gold, those who have proved to be completely worthless and those that we are unsure of.
The interesting thing is that God wishes to actively be our friend when we are his enemy. Often those who are friends often do not care about use even when we do them God.
God is different he seeks us out even when we do him harm. Some people say that God cannot forgive them for their sins.
God forgave Nineveh, Paul, The prostitute, ect… The only condition is faith which is accompanied with repentance.
That is the issue in the end. We like the idea of grace but not repentance. This is the basis for the liberal God which has no relation the Christian God.
But religion on our own terms is not as nice as it seems. Because the law always serves our joy.
Of course God who is supremely happy created the law and man knew now misery before he disobeyed the law.
I suppose it is a great lie of this age that God does not wish for us to be happy. The bible states clearly that God wishes man to be happy, but God wishes to also set man straight on what true happiness is.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Happiness in Life
Happiness is something which is truly worth having in life. Some thinkers have noted that all men seek happiness and this seems true.
The great difficulty is what brings happiness. The answers are many at times. This or that will bring happiness.
Strangely is always this item or that achievement which will finalize happiness. But always something is lacking.
Lewis notes in his writings that this lack exists because the lack was meant to be filled by God. God is a fullness of which can overflow to fill our lack.
It is interesting that it is always noted by people that God is in some sense against our happiness. When from the beginning of scripture in the chapter of Genesis God lays down rules to protect man.
Man was happy but then he decided that he knew more than God and he was unhappy. It is the same way today people do not like God’s way because it seems to exclude their happiness.
So men reject God and then they are often unhappy. This is not absolute, but I always find when I am far from God a sense of lack is always very close behind me.
When I am near to God there is always peace. The world likes to think that people could not universally like the same things.
The reality is people do universally like the same things overall just the things tend to be bad. This is often used as evidence against God that God tells mankind to do thinks that man does not like.
Of course the bible simply places the picture differently man does not like God’s ideas because man is dead in sin and in rebellion against God.
The great difficulty is what brings happiness. The answers are many at times. This or that will bring happiness.
Strangely is always this item or that achievement which will finalize happiness. But always something is lacking.
Lewis notes in his writings that this lack exists because the lack was meant to be filled by God. God is a fullness of which can overflow to fill our lack.
It is interesting that it is always noted by people that God is in some sense against our happiness. When from the beginning of scripture in the chapter of Genesis God lays down rules to protect man.
Man was happy but then he decided that he knew more than God and he was unhappy. It is the same way today people do not like God’s way because it seems to exclude their happiness.
So men reject God and then they are often unhappy. This is not absolute, but I always find when I am far from God a sense of lack is always very close behind me.
When I am near to God there is always peace. The world likes to think that people could not universally like the same things.
The reality is people do universally like the same things overall just the things tend to be bad. This is often used as evidence against God that God tells mankind to do thinks that man does not like.
Of course the bible simply places the picture differently man does not like God’s ideas because man is dead in sin and in rebellion against God.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Joy In Life Tied to Other's Joy
A lot of times I have found that my joy in life is tied to the joy of others. There is a great satisfaction that you find from helping others.
It is interesting that many people find volunteering and working with animals who have no homes to be an uplifting experience. I believe that this is part of the process of Joy that God intended for the world.
Joy is and never was something that was meant to be found in isolation. Joy is often found through service to others.
It is interesting that the law of God on the surface seems like a bunch of joyless commands. In reality when you dig into the law you begin to find that through grace the law actually protects and promotes our joy.
Sin is a force which destroys joy. It offers short term pleasures and long term darkness. Joy was really meant to always be found through living a godly life.
Acts of service and helping others are really part of God's plan for the world. God's plan is superior to our plan for the world and often surprisingly to the human mind God's plan is more full of happiness then the plans of the world.
It is interesting that many people find volunteering and working with animals who have no homes to be an uplifting experience. I believe that this is part of the process of Joy that God intended for the world.
Joy is and never was something that was meant to be found in isolation. Joy is often found through service to others.
It is interesting that the law of God on the surface seems like a bunch of joyless commands. In reality when you dig into the law you begin to find that through grace the law actually protects and promotes our joy.
Sin is a force which destroys joy. It offers short term pleasures and long term darkness. Joy was really meant to always be found through living a godly life.
Acts of service and helping others are really part of God's plan for the world. God's plan is superior to our plan for the world and often surprisingly to the human mind God's plan is more full of happiness then the plans of the world.
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