Happiness Happiness is not a word we can understand by looking it up in the dictionary. In fact, none of the qualities of the Christian life can be learned out of a book. Something more like apprenticeship is required, being around someone who out of years of devoted discipline shows us, by his or her […]

A Lighthearted Spirit " I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." …As Christians who want to bring joy to our lives (and marriages) we might do well […]

“How can I experience joy in my Christian life?”…Periods of sadness and depression can enter the life of even the most devout Christian. We see many examples of this in the Bible. Job wished he had never been born Job 3:11…"Why wasn't I born dead? Why didn't I die as I came from the womb? […]

What Does it Mean to be In Love?……Being in love is a mysterious thing. What is its purpose? Why did God create it? Sexuality still works without being in love. Affection, agape love and friendship are all still possible without it. Many arranged marriages throughout the ages have no doubt been happy and healthy without […]

“What does the Bible say about rest and relaxation?”……Answer: "Rest" is defined as "peace, ease or refreshment." "Relax" means "to become loose or less firm, to have a milder manner, to be less stiff." The Bible speaks quite highly of rest. It is a repeated theme throughout Scripture, beginning with the creation week (Genesis 2:2-3). […]

“What does the Bible say about respect?”……Answer: The apostle Peter summarizes the Bible's teaching on respect in his first epistle: "Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king" (1 Peter 2:17). This passage encompasses four major areas of our lives as followers of Christ by respecting all men, […]

“Is there a difference between joy and happiness?”……A dictionary definition of happiness is "a state of well-being, a pleasurable or satisfying experience." The definition of the word "rejoice," from which our word "joy" comes, is "to feel great delight, to welcome or to be glad." Depending on the translation, the Bible uses the words "happy" […]