Ecclesiastes 12:10

    Lots of folks try to cure the blues by getting themselves something nice. A little “Retail Therapy” to cheer them up. When surveyed, most folks believe that buying themselves something is a good way to improve their happiness and that if they had more money to spend on themselves it would make them overall happier.   However, research says that is dead wrong. Spending on yourself may give a small boost, but it quickly goes away. This also has a diminishing return as well, so the more you do the less help it is. However, spending can bring you happiness, you just can’t do it on yourself.   Elizabeth Dunn from the University of British Columbia did a couple of studies, one that surveyed people that had recently received a bonus and one where participants were given a sum of money to spend in a day and found in both that those that used the funds on others, such as friends and family ended up feeling significantly happier than those who treated themselves. ...

  People love the holidays. Some people a little too much. I mean really do we need to put our trees up before Thanksgiving? This year I heard Christmas music before Halloween! Yet those early birds don’t seem to put much of a damper on things. Why do people love this time of year?   Well, some of it is obvious. Family, faith, and fun. People seem more joyous. Even in the coldest dreariest weather, there is something special in the air.   There are parties. Kids are excited about Santa. People singing. Things are decorated. Yet maybe there is another reason. We give gifts.   Wait, that the worse part right? The chaotic shopping, the commercialization, the cost. However, let’s consider a statement Paul quotes from Jesus in Acts 20:35 'It is more blessed to give than to receive” . We might get caught up on how many presents we have under the tree but true joy, real happiness is found in what we give. For some, this is the only time of year they show charity...

  “God wants me to be happy”.   You probably heard people make this comment as a justification. I can do this thing that is clearly a sin but it is OK because God wants me to be happy. Now there is some discussion there, but let’s assume God does want you happy. Wouldn’t he tell you how to be happy? Let look at some verses: But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye 1st Peter 3:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you 1 Peter 4:14  Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.  Behold, we count them happy which endure. James 5:10-11 Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. Romans 14:22   These verses paint a different picture of how God says one is happy. Suffering for righteousness. Being insulted for the name of Christ. Happy be...