Strongly related to finding happiness through meaning and purpose in our lives is the role of employers and the economy. We define our lives by scarcity, the supposed mechanism of capitalism (supply and demand). We hitch our wagons to these. But the thing is, they have no official role in this. Their sole purpose is to make money. “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly... Read more
Jobs, family, meaning and purpose, etc. The “Great Resignation” has shown that many people are deeply unsatisfied with their jobs, which historically are often called the “Rat Race.” The Apostle Paul had an interesting take on this: “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have... Read more
Have you ever noticed that when you buy expensive Christmas or birthday gifts for people, they are happy for a day or a few minutes, then they are back to the same state of mind? The thing that was to make them happy often languishes in the closet or garage. Material possessions (things) don’t make people happy, and for those who are materialistic even less so. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they... Read more
Hopelessness and despair are robbing us of happiness and people. I talked to a college professor this week who mentioned that suicide is becoming accepted and glorified among college age people. This is so sick and broken on so many levels. How dare we create and accept a society that robs people of hope! Buying into thoughts of helplessness, hopelessness, and despair, and giving yourself permission is acceptance of our and society’s failure. We are masters of our own destiny... Read more
If we can just get out of our funk and fear, we can be happy. Funk means feeling sad in slang. Fear is a natural state for those who focus on what they don’t have and what bad things might happen. We are what we think, so if we dwell on sadness, negativity, and fear, that’s what we are, and it can become permanent. An attitude of gratitude is transforming. It refocuses our attention and attitude on the positive, and... Read more
Number 3 in the Happiness series. The Socialist Revolutionary Karl Marx, author of The Communist Manifesto, said, “Religion is the opiate of the masses.” Critics such as Marx have charged that religion is an invention designed for people incapable of coping with life’s pressures. When we surrender our responsibility, Marx was correct. Road to destiny or road to freedom? We’re all under incredible pressure to accept change. We now have instantaneous global communications (often from a point of view). Our... Read more
I understand change, having been a leading agent of change in family, major businesses, and churches. It’s often a daunting task and often creates chaos and loss if you don’t deal with it properly. If you think getting people to changing from the King James Version of the Bible to another version is a difficulty bordering on mutiny, just try getting sales people to adopt a software program that they find alien to their way of thinking. The challenges of... Read more
What does it take to be happy? I was on my high horse again, pointing to the heavens, calling down fire from heaven, when I heard in my wife’s kindergarten teacher voice say, “Use your words!” In my imagination it was my wife yelling at me. She’s even right in my imagination. New adults need to learn these secret magic words: “Sorry Dear, how could I have been so wrong!” I don’t have the power to call down fire from... Read more
“… My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” – Matthew 27:46 Daredevils who lost their lives doing insane stunts – YouTube video The test of Jesus’ faith Jesus’ test of faith came as he was completing the mission to which he was called: dying on the cross as the last sacrifice ever needed for forgiveness of sins. In the Garden of Gethsemane, knowing what was about to happen to him, “He went a little beyond them, and fell... Read more
Beyond Postmodernism Implications for new generations, the church, and employers Postmodernism has faded as a philosophy that has impacted religion with ideas like not-knowing, deconstruction, and a skepticism toward absolutes and metanarratives. But what replaces it? Let’s see if Jesus had something to say. Jesus the reformer Religion has always had people whose philosophical view of things are different. Jesus looked at Judaism with a critical eye and implied that what he was seeing was not truth and not... Read more
Select your answer to see how you score.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In