Saturday, September 12, 2009

happiness - where do i start?...

how do you handle the inevitable crises of life? those crises that happen to everyone of us. i love the picture in matthew 8 of JESUS in the back of the boat when the life-threatening storm came up on HIM and his disciples. that is a great picture, everyone else was frantic, panicking but JESUS was sleeping.

now the truth is we each one can choose our response in almost every circumstance or crises of life. we can look at JESUS and see HIS confidence or look at the storms, the circumstances and panic.

there is a great portion of scripture just over a few chapters from this storm story that is a great place to look at one of these choices that we have. it is the choice to be happy or blessed in these circumstances of life. and even if you don’t realize it, happiness is a choice. it is.

now matthew the tax collector tells us in chapter 5 verse 1 (ms) that, when JESUS saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, HE climbed a hillside. those who were apprenticed to HIM, the committed, climbed with HIM. arriving at a quiet place, HE sat down and taught his climbing companions. and HE started this sermon on the mount with what we call the eight beatitudes or eight choices that we have to be happy or blessed. happy is another way to say blessed.

so that is where we are going to be for awhile here on bill’s front porch. we are going to be looking at happiness...

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