All of my life the Church of God has been known for it's musical talent. Many of the great Southern Gospel singers of both yesterday and today have come from our churches. Some of the finest musicians and songwriters have also been recognized worldwide that grew up in the COG. Several of us were talking just the other day about how many groups are still recording Brother Charles Wycuff's song, "What A Lovely Name." Horace Mauldin, Tim Hill, and others have had songs that have charted and made our musical recognizable throughout the world of gospel music.
Along with our music, we have always been known for our worship. Shouting, dancing in the Spirit, clapping hands, lifting hands in praise, even foot-stompin' (as we call it in the South) was a regular part of our services. I can remember as a teen-ager wondering about how non-pentecostal folks visiting in churches my dad served would react when the Spirit moved. Sometimes it was funny to see the looks on their faces and even their reaction when the power of God fell on the congregation. We had a full band with drums, while many of the visitors came from churches that barely had a piano and organ. When the anointing would fall people would be blessed in a wonderful fashion.
One thing I can remember about growing up in this church was the balance that we had between music, worship, and the preaching of the Word. My dad believed in the moving of the Spirit, as do I, but he also believed the Word of God was what brought strength to people's lives when the shout was over. I served with two great men, Pastors Bobby Johnson and I. C. Morris, Jr., who taught me the same thing. Sing, worship, praise, but always make sure the people are founded and grounded on the Word.
When the Neo-Pentecostal movement began to make inroads into the traditional Pentecostal churches it basically changed our style of worship. More emphasis was put on praise rather than preaching or teaching because this is what seemed to attract the masses. Sometimes the music and praise goes on for the majority of the service today and little attention is given to the preaching of the Word. We, along with our other traditional Pentecostal denominations, saw the growth many of the entities were experiencing so we began to do some the same things they did. Instead of being trendsetters in music, worship, and preaching we changed our styles to be more acceptable to the Non-Pentecostals just the Neo's did. Instead of seeking God for the proper balance in our services, we tried to emulate what was working elsewhere. In some cases it prospered, but in other cases we are now beginning to see the shattered results of people only founded in a shout rather than on the Word.
Again, these are my opinions and they only matter for what they are worth, but in many situations these things have occurred:
-We have substituted praise for prayer when we need a combination of both. Praise for the most part is enjoyable (except to the people that get tired of standing! LOL!), but prayer is work. It takes a mighty strong effort today to get people to take time to prayer each day to have something to praise God about. However, many have been taught that praise is the key to heaven and not prayer. To me that is just wrong. Prayer is the key that gives you the ability to praise when the music's playing and when it's not. Prayer is the open door into the throne room of God that allows the avenues of praise to be opened unto Him. Without prayer, my praise is pretty much worthless.
-We have the most copied music style in the church world. There's an Independent Baptist church that uses our old songbooks an hymnals in my city. There are countless services that I have visited in non-Pentecostal churches where the music sounds the same (if not better) and the singers are prepared and really seem to be into the music as we were when I was a kid and even as a younger pastor in the COG. Many of these churches have progressed to almost a Pentecostal style of worship (without tongues) because that's what seems to attract the people aged 20-45 in America today. The Gen-Xers and Mills are looking for music that makes them feel good about themselves and for performance as well as presentation. We in the COG cared about the performance for sure. We didn't want it to be unto men, but we wanted it to be unto God. I'm to sure that's the case anymore because we have lost that distinction in so many ways.
-Lastly, many of our churches are out of balance. When shouting replaces the Word and becomes more important, it's easy to get out of balance. You see at age 58 I struggle inside when I pray about music for a service. Not because it is a burden, but because I seek balance. I could get up and sing a song for a certain length of time and wear people out, or I could find that song that people can really prepare themselves in worship for, sing it for a short time, and they be ready for the World. People do not know how hard it is for a person who have served in music as I have for most of my ministry.
I could sing a couple of songs I know for 30 minutes and keep the crowd excited, and if the Spirit is in it I would and will, and it would not affect the preaching of the Word in a negative fashion. However, if I'm trying to work up a shout and drawing attention to myself rather than lifting up praise to God, then I am doing more harm than good. Prayer should lead into praise and praise lead in to preaching. If I'm worn out from standing and singing for an hour, my flesh will no doubt attack my Spirit and keep me from hearing the Word as I should.
The Bible talks about the foolishness of preaching. It also talks about the act of spiritual discernment in the church today. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. Worship ushers in the presence of God and even takes us face to face with Him. So every part of our service is special and needs prayer. but on should not override the others. We must have balance if the church is ever going to be the church again.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Can The Church Ever Be The Church Again (Part 3)
No matter how much we try to hide it there is still a huge difference in the traditional pentecostal and neo-pentecostal movements today. In fact, I believe this is why so many young people and young families are turning from our traditional pentecostal churches to the neos or to non-pentecostal churches.
Traditional pentecostal churches are the hardest to turn toward reaching the Gen-Xers and Millennials. Most have a great heritage and history, but they are leaning more on reputation than they are ministry. It is harder to bring in new methods and new techniques to those churches because it takes an effort to make changes. Many still believe it is their accomplishments of the past that will take them into the future, but in reality it is causing them to die rather than to live.
Many traditional Pentecostals still talk about the glory of God in the old days, yet this generation doesn't see the move of the Spirit as the Boomers saw it growing up. As with anything the Xer's and Mill's want to see what we're talking about, not just hear about it. They are tired of excuses and the reasons why God doesn't move like their parents and grandparents talk about. They not only want to see it, but they want to experience something real and genuine.
Yet even still today many under a certain age are put off or turned away from the church because they don't look like the traditionalists want them to look or they like a different style music than they do. How many of us have forgotten that we looked rather different when we were younger to the generation that proceeded us? How many of our musical tastes had a different twist on it than that of our parents? Could this be the reason why the majority of folks attending the traditional pentecostal churches in America are over the age of 55?
I have determined in my heart that even at age 58 I still can be relevant with the times I live in. My sole purpose in my ministry from this point forward is to somehow reach the Xer's and the Mill's with a gospel that is life-changing and fulfilling. I also believe that we in the traditional pentecostal churches can change our methods and not our message and reach those that need to be reached with the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is still the answer and He is still able to build the church.
Traditional pentecostal churches are the hardest to turn toward reaching the Gen-Xers and Millennials. Most have a great heritage and history, but they are leaning more on reputation than they are ministry. It is harder to bring in new methods and new techniques to those churches because it takes an effort to make changes. Many still believe it is their accomplishments of the past that will take them into the future, but in reality it is causing them to die rather than to live.
Many traditional Pentecostals still talk about the glory of God in the old days, yet this generation doesn't see the move of the Spirit as the Boomers saw it growing up. As with anything the Xer's and Mill's want to see what we're talking about, not just hear about it. They are tired of excuses and the reasons why God doesn't move like their parents and grandparents talk about. They not only want to see it, but they want to experience something real and genuine.
Yet even still today many under a certain age are put off or turned away from the church because they don't look like the traditionalists want them to look or they like a different style music than they do. How many of us have forgotten that we looked rather different when we were younger to the generation that proceeded us? How many of our musical tastes had a different twist on it than that of our parents? Could this be the reason why the majority of folks attending the traditional pentecostal churches in America are over the age of 55?
I have determined in my heart that even at age 58 I still can be relevant with the times I live in. My sole purpose in my ministry from this point forward is to somehow reach the Xer's and the Mill's with a gospel that is life-changing and fulfilling. I also believe that we in the traditional pentecostal churches can change our methods and not our message and reach those that need to be reached with the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is still the answer and He is still able to build the church.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Can the Church ever be the Church again? (Part 2)
The paradigm shift in today's church world has become very distinctive. You have the mega-churches with plenty of people, money, and ministries along with the little country churches that are about the same as they were 50 years ago. You have the congregations in which every service is a huge production and then the regulars that are so unorganized you wonder how they survive.
I have served in both settings. I served on staff in 3 churches that were mega before the term was born. In two of those we broke every attendance record held by our state churches at that particular time. We had more people than we really knew what to do with and the other evangelical churches in the area tried to match what we were doing to grow as we did. That was the day when the church was the focal point of our society rather than an after thought.
Then I have pastored churches in small towns and out in the country where we touched sinners and backsliders almost every week. Thankfully we were on a main highway or at least close to one on most of those occassions. But in most of those situations people that came in wanted to see what they could do to make the church better in every way possible.
Today going to church seems to be nothing more than something people do out of habit, rather than because it is important to have fellowship with God and with other believers. The philosophy today has become what can the church do for me rather than what can I do for the church. It's the same in small towns and cities as it is in metropolitan areas. People today are looking for ministries that can provide for them instead of trying to figure out how they can minister and help others. Because of this pevailing attitude many churches are busy trying to figure out what to do to keep their heads above water. Again, in trying to fulfill this attitude of me first we have almost lost sight of casting out nets to bring in the harvest.
As I said in my blog yesterday these are my opinions. An opinion is only worth what you let it be worth, but hopefully I will write something that will stir up your thinking.
(1) Why have people in general lost faith in the church?
They have heard so much from us vocally, but have not seen it physically put into practice. People have heard politicians and world leaders talk about reformation and change, but have never seen it with their own eyes. That's the same way with the church. We know how to talk a good game, but we seldom ever put it into practice in today's society.
The church I grew up in cared for people of all ages and showed it. We didn't have much money or a lot of training, but we knew how to love people and help them through the transitions they needed to make when they became a Chrisitan. We weren't perfect and yes, we had a few judges back then as well; but the majority of people cared about seeing the lost changed and church was all about them or what they needed. It was about reaching those who couldn't reach up and rescuing those that were sinking. We also cared about discipling them into becoming workers and leaders in the Kingdom.
The difference today is that most churched people say, "What are you going to do for me? I pay the bills, I've been here a long time, so I have certain rights. I should be the one that matters most!"
The church today has become like the complainers in Matthew 20:1-16. If we are going to change the world, we must change the church back to what it is supposed to be-a hospital for the sinsick and a healing station for the wounded. It's not about what we want within the church, it's about changing the opinion of the unchurched by the life that we live in a sin-cursed world.
(To be continued)
I have served in both settings. I served on staff in 3 churches that were mega before the term was born. In two of those we broke every attendance record held by our state churches at that particular time. We had more people than we really knew what to do with and the other evangelical churches in the area tried to match what we were doing to grow as we did. That was the day when the church was the focal point of our society rather than an after thought.
Then I have pastored churches in small towns and out in the country where we touched sinners and backsliders almost every week. Thankfully we were on a main highway or at least close to one on most of those occassions. But in most of those situations people that came in wanted to see what they could do to make the church better in every way possible.
Today going to church seems to be nothing more than something people do out of habit, rather than because it is important to have fellowship with God and with other believers. The philosophy today has become what can the church do for me rather than what can I do for the church. It's the same in small towns and cities as it is in metropolitan areas. People today are looking for ministries that can provide for them instead of trying to figure out how they can minister and help others. Because of this pevailing attitude many churches are busy trying to figure out what to do to keep their heads above water. Again, in trying to fulfill this attitude of me first we have almost lost sight of casting out nets to bring in the harvest.
As I said in my blog yesterday these are my opinions. An opinion is only worth what you let it be worth, but hopefully I will write something that will stir up your thinking.
(1) Why have people in general lost faith in the church?
They have heard so much from us vocally, but have not seen it physically put into practice. People have heard politicians and world leaders talk about reformation and change, but have never seen it with their own eyes. That's the same way with the church. We know how to talk a good game, but we seldom ever put it into practice in today's society.
The church I grew up in cared for people of all ages and showed it. We didn't have much money or a lot of training, but we knew how to love people and help them through the transitions they needed to make when they became a Chrisitan. We weren't perfect and yes, we had a few judges back then as well; but the majority of people cared about seeing the lost changed and church was all about them or what they needed. It was about reaching those who couldn't reach up and rescuing those that were sinking. We also cared about discipling them into becoming workers and leaders in the Kingdom.
The difference today is that most churched people say, "What are you going to do for me? I pay the bills, I've been here a long time, so I have certain rights. I should be the one that matters most!"
The church today has become like the complainers in Matthew 20:1-16. If we are going to change the world, we must change the church back to what it is supposed to be-a hospital for the sinsick and a healing station for the wounded. It's not about what we want within the church, it's about changing the opinion of the unchurched by the life that we live in a sin-cursed world.
(To be continued)
Can the Church ever be the Church again? (Part 1)
I will be 59 years old 5 weeks after our General Assembly in July. I have served in just about every ministry position on the local level and even had a chance to do state work years ago, but turned it down. I have always felt that the church lives and breathes by what it does on the local level. Yet I have seen a change in the atmosphere regarding church in the past 25 years that really frightens me for the future should the Lord continue to withhold His return. I will try to address these things over the next few days, but here are some of my concerns:
(1) We have seen a total shift in people's faith in, attitude about, and allegiance to the church in general. The word "loyalty" doesn't mean much anymore.
(2) There is still a huge gap in doctrine and style between the traditional Pentecostals and the neo- pentecostal/charismatic groups that seem to be growing by leaps and bounds.
(3) Most evangelical churches have adopted our style of music and now even do it better than we have in the past, which has either eroded or enhanced pentecostal worship
(4) Worship is becoming an undiscovered country due to the diversity concerning worship that people have been taught through their years in various church organizations.
(5) Heritage and honor have been replaced with men's tradition and what's hot at the time.
(6) We kill our wounded more today and make light of the fallen, when we should be in the business of restoring them.
I am not only concerned about our denomination, but about the church in general. I've tried to be sensitive to the Lord in all areas of my ministry as a pastor and have even changed some things hopefully for the better. I have had some fellow ministers brand me as a heretic because I don't have Sunday night service every week and others because I have tried to help minister's that have fallen. I guess there are some things that will never change.
However, I have seen out and about 100's of young people that I served during youth camp as a State Youth Board member that are away from God and also out of church today. In fact, the numbers are staggering to me and this causes me great sorrow. I often ask myself, "Where did we mess up when it comes to this generation?"
Hang on with me the next few days. What I will write are my opinions and mine only. Some will agree and some disagree, but I got to get this out of my heart.
Just maybe somebody will read this, change their opinion, and join me in prayer for a return of our heritage in a generation that has become selfish and self-centered. If ever we need Jesus, we need Him today!
(1) We have seen a total shift in people's faith in, attitude about, and allegiance to the church in general. The word "loyalty" doesn't mean much anymore.
(2) There is still a huge gap in doctrine and style between the traditional Pentecostals and the neo- pentecostal/charismatic groups that seem to be growing by leaps and bounds.
(3) Most evangelical churches have adopted our style of music and now even do it better than we have in the past, which has either eroded or enhanced pentecostal worship
(4) Worship is becoming an undiscovered country due to the diversity concerning worship that people have been taught through their years in various church organizations.
(5) Heritage and honor have been replaced with men's tradition and what's hot at the time.
(6) We kill our wounded more today and make light of the fallen, when we should be in the business of restoring them.
I am not only concerned about our denomination, but about the church in general. I've tried to be sensitive to the Lord in all areas of my ministry as a pastor and have even changed some things hopefully for the better. I have had some fellow ministers brand me as a heretic because I don't have Sunday night service every week and others because I have tried to help minister's that have fallen. I guess there are some things that will never change.
However, I have seen out and about 100's of young people that I served during youth camp as a State Youth Board member that are away from God and also out of church today. In fact, the numbers are staggering to me and this causes me great sorrow. I often ask myself, "Where did we mess up when it comes to this generation?"
Hang on with me the next few days. What I will write are my opinions and mine only. Some will agree and some disagree, but I got to get this out of my heart.
Just maybe somebody will read this, change their opinion, and join me in prayer for a return of our heritage in a generation that has become selfish and self-centered. If ever we need Jesus, we need Him today!
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Deleted
If your name is deleted from someones Facebook or Twitter account don't take it personally. However, there is probably a reason behind it. It could be:
-That there is a difference in philosophy about life in general with the person who owns the account and you.
-That some of your posts were too suggestive or had sayings that were very off-color that reflect negatively on the other account owners beliefs.
-That your ideas were considered too radical or your social commentary to far-fetched for others to be associated with.
-That the person behind the posts and the person in life is nowhere as perfect as you appear to be as a poster online.
-That you know half the things you are posting about are based on untruths and others get upset when they read them because they really know the truth about what happened.
-That you used that forum to express your opinion as fact and sought to defend your failures by appearing to be honest and truthful online.
So here's a radical idea for the SN account holder who gets frustrated everyday by the things they see posted by their "friends" on their home page. You have two choices as far as I see it.
-First, you can choose to delete your Facebook account or Twitter account and just stop with this social network stuff entirely.
-Second, you can quit getting upset about what people say or post on your page by hitting the delete button. In the social network game, "Unfriend" is not a bad word if it keeps you from being stressed, defeated, agitated, aggravated, or upset everyday.
Delete is not defeat in the SN game. In fact, it might be the first step to real victory for someone who allows it.
-That there is a difference in philosophy about life in general with the person who owns the account and you.
-That some of your posts were too suggestive or had sayings that were very off-color that reflect negatively on the other account owners beliefs.
-That your ideas were considered too radical or your social commentary to far-fetched for others to be associated with.
-That the person behind the posts and the person in life is nowhere as perfect as you appear to be as a poster online.
-That you know half the things you are posting about are based on untruths and others get upset when they read them because they really know the truth about what happened.
-That you used that forum to express your opinion as fact and sought to defend your failures by appearing to be honest and truthful online.
So here's a radical idea for the SN account holder who gets frustrated everyday by the things they see posted by their "friends" on their home page. You have two choices as far as I see it.
-First, you can choose to delete your Facebook account or Twitter account and just stop with this social network stuff entirely.
-Second, you can quit getting upset about what people say or post on your page by hitting the delete button. In the social network game, "Unfriend" is not a bad word if it keeps you from being stressed, defeated, agitated, aggravated, or upset everyday.
Delete is not defeat in the SN game. In fact, it might be the first step to real victory for someone who allows it.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Is God Dancing On Your Potato Chips?
A friend of mine shared this story with me and I thought I would pass it along to you:
Not too long ago I had "one of those days." I was feeling pressure from a writing deadline. I had company arriving in a couple days and the toilet was clogged. I went to the bank, and the trainee teller processing my deposit had to start over three times. I swung by the supermarket to pick up a few things and the lines were serpentine.
By the time I got home, I was frazzled and sweaty and in a hurry to get something on the table for dinner. Deciding on Campbell's Cream of Mushroom soup, I grabbed a can opener, cranked open the can, then remembered I had forgotten to buy milk at the store. Nix the soup idea. Setting the can aside, I went to plan "B", which was leftover baked beans. I grabbed the Tupperware container from the fridge, popped the seal, took a look and groaned. My husband isn't a picky eater, but even HE won't eat baked beans that look like caterpillars.
Really frustrated now, I decided on a menu that promised to be as foolproof as it is nutrition-free: hot dogs and potato chips. Retrieving a brand new bag of chips from the cupboard, I grabbed the cellophane and gave a hearty pull. The bag didn't open. I tried again. Nothing happened. I took a breath, doubled my muscle, and gave the bag a hearty wrestle. With a loud pop, the cellophane suddenly gave way, ripping wide from top to bottom. Chips flew sky high. I was left holding the bag, and it was empty.
It was the final straw. I let out a blood curdling scream. "I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!" My husband heard my unorthodox cry for help. Within minutes he was standing at the doorway to the kitchen, where he surveyed the damage: an opened can of soup, melting groceries, moldy baked beans, and one quivering wife standing ankle deep in potato chips. My husband did the most helpful thing he could think of at the moment. He took a flying leap, landing flat-footed in the pile of chips. And then he began to stomp and dance and twirl, grinding those chips into my linoleum in the process!
I stared. I fumed. Pretty soon I was working to stifle a smile. Eventually I had to laugh. And finally I decided to join him. I, too, took a leap onto the chips. And then I danced. Now I'll be the first to admit that my husband's response wasn't the one I was looking for. But the truth is, it was exactly what I needed. I didn't need a cleanup crew as much as I needed an attitude adjustment, and the laughter from that rather funky moment provided just that.
So now I have a question for you, and it's simply this: Has God ever stomped on your chips? I know that, in my life, there have been plenty of times when I've gotten myself into frustrating situations and I've cried out for help, all the while hoping God would show up with a celestial broom and clean up the mess.
What often happens instead is that God dances on my chips, answering my prayer in a completely different manner than I had expected, but in the manner that is best for me after all. Sometimes I can see right away that God's response was the best one after all. Sometimes I have to wait weeks or months before I begin to understand how and why God answered a particular prayer the way he did. There are even some situations that, years later, I'm still trying to understand. I figure God will fill me in sooner or later, either this side of Heaven or beyond.
Do I trust Him? Even when he's answering my prayers in a way that is completely different from my expectations? Even when he's dancing and stomping instead of sweeping and mopping:? Can I embrace what He's offering? Can I let His joy adjust my attitude? Am I going to stand on the sidelines and sulk, or am I willing to learn the steps of the dance he's dancin' with my needs in mind? I'll be honest with you: Sometimes I sulk. Sometimes I dance. I'm working on doing more of the latter than the former. I guess the older I get the more I realize that He really does know what He's doing. He loves me and I can trust Him. Even when the chips are down.
Not too long ago I had "one of those days." I was feeling pressure from a writing deadline. I had company arriving in a couple days and the toilet was clogged. I went to the bank, and the trainee teller processing my deposit had to start over three times. I swung by the supermarket to pick up a few things and the lines were serpentine.
By the time I got home, I was frazzled and sweaty and in a hurry to get something on the table for dinner. Deciding on Campbell's Cream of Mushroom soup, I grabbed a can opener, cranked open the can, then remembered I had forgotten to buy milk at the store. Nix the soup idea. Setting the can aside, I went to plan "B", which was leftover baked beans. I grabbed the Tupperware container from the fridge, popped the seal, took a look and groaned. My husband isn't a picky eater, but even HE won't eat baked beans that look like caterpillars.
Really frustrated now, I decided on a menu that promised to be as foolproof as it is nutrition-free: hot dogs and potato chips. Retrieving a brand new bag of chips from the cupboard, I grabbed the cellophane and gave a hearty pull. The bag didn't open. I tried again. Nothing happened. I took a breath, doubled my muscle, and gave the bag a hearty wrestle. With a loud pop, the cellophane suddenly gave way, ripping wide from top to bottom. Chips flew sky high. I was left holding the bag, and it was empty.
It was the final straw. I let out a blood curdling scream. "I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!" My husband heard my unorthodox cry for help. Within minutes he was standing at the doorway to the kitchen, where he surveyed the damage: an opened can of soup, melting groceries, moldy baked beans, and one quivering wife standing ankle deep in potato chips. My husband did the most helpful thing he could think of at the moment. He took a flying leap, landing flat-footed in the pile of chips. And then he began to stomp and dance and twirl, grinding those chips into my linoleum in the process!
I stared. I fumed. Pretty soon I was working to stifle a smile. Eventually I had to laugh. And finally I decided to join him. I, too, took a leap onto the chips. And then I danced. Now I'll be the first to admit that my husband's response wasn't the one I was looking for. But the truth is, it was exactly what I needed. I didn't need a cleanup crew as much as I needed an attitude adjustment, and the laughter from that rather funky moment provided just that.
So now I have a question for you, and it's simply this: Has God ever stomped on your chips? I know that, in my life, there have been plenty of times when I've gotten myself into frustrating situations and I've cried out for help, all the while hoping God would show up with a celestial broom and clean up the mess.
What often happens instead is that God dances on my chips, answering my prayer in a completely different manner than I had expected, but in the manner that is best for me after all. Sometimes I can see right away that God's response was the best one after all. Sometimes I have to wait weeks or months before I begin to understand how and why God answered a particular prayer the way he did. There are even some situations that, years later, I'm still trying to understand. I figure God will fill me in sooner or later, either this side of Heaven or beyond.
Do I trust Him? Even when he's answering my prayers in a way that is completely different from my expectations? Even when he's dancing and stomping instead of sweeping and mopping:? Can I embrace what He's offering? Can I let His joy adjust my attitude? Am I going to stand on the sidelines and sulk, or am I willing to learn the steps of the dance he's dancin' with my needs in mind? I'll be honest with you: Sometimes I sulk. Sometimes I dance. I'm working on doing more of the latter than the former. I guess the older I get the more I realize that He really does know what He's doing. He loves me and I can trust Him. Even when the chips are down.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Joyful Living (Part 2)
What really brings you joy? Do you commit to doing something fun and joyful every day or at least a few times during your week.?
You have to make joyful activities a priority. They must become the most important things you do every day because if you want a more joyful life you must choose to live that way. You must choose to have more fun and to slow down and enjoy life's gifts. You have to notice the world around you as you pass through the day. Find joy and happiness in every moment and appreciate it. The more joy you experience and share will bring you even greater happiness than you can imagine.
A fellow blogger suggested that you take these steps to begin practicing more joyful living:
-Do your higher purpose activities first.
-Schedule in a fun activity that you enjoy 3-4 times a week.
-Do something new once a week.
-Practice finding joy in even the most mundane tasks.
-Every hour (or as often as you think of it) stop and find something joyful, wherever you are.
-Every morning or evening write down all the wonderful joy you experienced and give thanks!
Lamentations 3:22-24 "It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him."
You have to make joyful activities a priority. They must become the most important things you do every day because if you want a more joyful life you must choose to live that way. You must choose to have more fun and to slow down and enjoy life's gifts. You have to notice the world around you as you pass through the day. Find joy and happiness in every moment and appreciate it. The more joy you experience and share will bring you even greater happiness than you can imagine.
A fellow blogger suggested that you take these steps to begin practicing more joyful living:
-Do your higher purpose activities first.
-Schedule in a fun activity that you enjoy 3-4 times a week.
-Do something new once a week.
-Practice finding joy in even the most mundane tasks.
-Every hour (or as often as you think of it) stop and find something joyful, wherever you are.
-Every morning or evening write down all the wonderful joy you experienced and give thanks!
Lamentations 3:22-24 "It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him."
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