Day 90 | Wednesday, 17 June 2020

Day 90  |  Wednesday,  17 June 2020

 Noon gathering for the Lord’s Prayer and catching up –
 As of June 17th,  the COVID cases in the county were at 110 with 31 now in our battalion and 1 additional death.
 I thought today I would share some thoughts on happiness that come from the Wesley study Bible that I use under the title Wesleyan Core Term Happiness.

 “God made human beings for happiness and holiness. The happiness God wants for us is not simply pleasure or feeling good, and in fact we can be led away from true happiness by seeking pleasure in the wrong things. Genuine happiness comes from living the life God wants for us, seeking God's wisdom, and living in justice and righteousness. Every aspect of the way of salvation brings us to this fulfillment. God alone satisfies our deepest desires, so we are truly content only when we seek God above all else. We gain this happiness through a disciplined life, which we cultivate through practices such as worship, Bible study, and social action. Happiness and holiness, then, are connected to each other. The deep fulfillment we have through our relationship with God is not threatened by life's difficulties if we depend on God to help us through them. Although we feel sorrow, we can yet be fulfilled in God.” CEB p 575

Since we have been living in a COVID-19 world since February, it might be safe to say that on June 17th we may be suffering from a lack of happiness and maybe even holiness.  It is hard to have a sense of joy when there is so much distress in the world today.  How is your state of happiness right now?  Do you need a booster to bring your spirit back to a happier place and time?  And how about your holiness, where are you now as compared to earlier this year? 

​A hymn that I want to share today is one that reminds us, I think, of both happiness and holiness.

“This Is My Father’s World” words by Maltbe D. Babcock, 1901; music: traditional English Melody; adapted by Franklin L. Sheppard, 1915.

 1.   “This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.  This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; his hand the wonders wrought.”

2.   “This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise, the morning light, the lily white, declare their maker’s praise.  This is my Father’s world: he shines in all that’ fair; in the rustling grass I hear him pass; he speaks to me everywhere.”

3.   “This is my Father’s world.  O let me ne’er forget that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.  This is my Father’s world: why should my heart be sad?  The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!  God reigns; let the earth be glad!”

 God of our happiness come fill our spirits and lift us up to the joy we have in being part of your world.  We hear the songs of the birds.  When the wind blows, we see the movement of the trees.  We awaken to bright sunshine and retire after beautiful sunsets.  This is your world, why should our hearts be sad.  Hear our prayers.  Amen

 Today:  Name at least one source of your happiness.