Comments on: Does God Really Want Us to be happy – Above All Else?

By: helloredds@gmail.com

helloredds@gmail.com — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 18:26:25 +0000

Hey Jackson,
Thanks for stopping by to make a comment.
It’s great to hear from you. And, I’m glad to hear Joel is talking more about hard breaks.
He has such influence, and he is a preacher that I pray for often!
Blessings to you,
Melanie

By: Jackson Musya

Jackson Musya — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 07:08:48 +0000

Hermeneutics….
Your ‘gentle rebuke’ of the Osteen ministry has an alternative view of various criticisms of Joel’s preachings… it’s palatable for me and does not seem to demonize him or paste a joker’s smile on him…
my criticism is simple: words and how they are used over time matters… “happiness” is increasingly replacing “joy” in our world just as “love” replaced “charity” (the older KJV). Osteen continuously speaks of “hard/ tough breaks” as much as being happy. Perhaps he is learning.

By: helloredds@gmail.com

helloredds@gmail.com — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 16:15:24 +0000

In reply to Heather.

Hey Heather,
Thanks so much for stopping by today. It’s nice to hear from you.
And, I appreciate your comments and your feedback.
I’ll try to stop by and read your house story. Sounds like we have some things in common.
Hope you have a wonderful Monday~
Melanie

By: Heather

Heather — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 14:39:22 +0000

Agreed! I think we are more about our happiness (the problem with prosperity teachers), but God is more about our holiness and pursuit of righteousness, that we glorify Him in all we do and seek His Will, and that we find our joy and contentment in Him. And prayer (as you said in a previous post) is more about “Not my will but yours be done” than it is about getting what we want from God. It’s more about getting done what God wants than getting what we want. Great insights. (I, too, have written about these things and my concerns over prosperity teachers. And like you, it came from a deep desire for a home after renting for 11 years – written about at sweetlybrokengirl.blogspot.com. I feel your pain there. God bless.)

By: helloredds@gmail.com

helloredds@gmail.com — Mon, 19 Sep 2016 16:07:36 +0000

In reply to Lori Schumaker of Seaching for Moments.

Hey Lori,
Thank you for stopping by to leave a kind word.
I’m enjoying taking part in your link up group each Monday!
Appreciate you and your encouragement~
Blessings,
Melanie

By: Lori Schumaker of Seaching for Moments

Lori Schumaker of Seaching for Moments — Sat, 17 Sep 2016 19:49:31 +0000

“But, when I seek Jesus Christ above all else, I find deep and abiding peace, joy, rest, and happiness.” Amen! Love this, Melanie! Thanks so much for sharing the hope we have in Jesus at #MomentsofHope!!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori

By: helloredds@gmail.com

helloredds@gmail.com — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 16:32:15 +0000

In reply to Zim.

Hey Zim,
How interesting that you were just talking about this topic with your kids. Sounds like you had a fascinating discussion.
I appreciate your visit and your kind words today.
Hope you have a blessed day~
Melanie

By: helloredds@gmail.com

helloredds@gmail.com — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 16:28:51 +0000

In reply to Sarah Jean.

(Yes. My college daughter and I have been known to spend Monday nights cheering for our favorite Bachelor!)
And, isn’t it crazy – when we seek what we want, we come up short. But, when we seek Him – we find fulfillment.
Thanks for stopping by to leave a kind word today! Seems like I’m bumping into your posts pretty often on Pinterest. Try to repin them when I see them.

By: helloredds@gmail.com

helloredds@gmail.com — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 16:24:36 +0000

In reply to Lauren Gaskill.

Thank you, Lauren.
My prayer is that God will use these truths to touch some hearts that have gotten too immersed in the culture! I know how easily mine can go there. Appreciate you and your kind words~
Blessings,
Melanie

By: Zim

Zim — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 03:35:36 +0000

I love your post because it touches on a discussion I had with my Sunday School class last week. The kids’ conclusion was that, if we follow God’s commandments and love our neighbor, we will be fulfilled and happy. Happiness should not be our pursuit, but rather a result of a life lived well. Thank you for the post

By: Sarah Jean

Sarah Jean — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 20:02:37 +0000

Thank you so much for this post (And subtle shout out to the Bachelorette…) 🙂 It’s true though, when we seek what we want (or more like what we think we want) we will come up empty. But Jesus fulfills all happiness!

By: Lauren Gaskill

Lauren Gaskill — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 14:16:37 +0000

I love this post, Melanie. And oh, how desperately our culture needs it. I especially loved this quote: “The true gospel is a call to self-denial. It is not a call to self-fulfillment.” Amen sister. Amen. <3