Category: Joy

I love The Lord of the Rings trilogy, a compelling story and brilliant piece of literature.  My wise wife has often talked about the difference between reading the books and watching the movies is the absence of feasting in the film version.  Throughout the books are many examples of joy-filled feasts (which you want so… Continue reading Enjoy →

I was camping with the family in Banff this weekend.  No shortage of joy there - first of all, there's not much that can beat Banff pretty much any day.  I love being surrounded by the mountains, encountering various wildlife (we saw deer, elk, and a moose), enjoying the town, hiking, and then simply to… Continue reading Fireworks of the heart →

I don’t pretend to have anything near omniscience, not even down the street from the ball-park of omnipotence, and I’d just wear out my welcome if I was omnipresent, but I do aspire, in a delusional sort of way, towards omni-competence.  I like to be able to do a variety of things and do them well; I… Continue reading My jedi joy master →

Joy, no doubt, can be experienced alone.  I take delight in things Betty doesn’t (e.g. Monty Python's comedy, Bruce Springsteen’s music, skiing).  But I’m noticing how joy becomes wider and deeper and richer when enjoyed in community. I simply find joy more frequently with others rather than by myself (when I’m left to stew on… Continue reading In the company of others →

Today was one of those perfect summer days in Calgary – sunny, slight breeze blowing, hot enough to seek out some shade but not too hot to be uncomfortable.  After a winter that gets stretched out over three seasons, your body starts aching to feel the warmth of the sun.  And on a sunny summer… Continue reading Drenched in joy →

I'm not sure of anyone who has reflected longer or deeper on joy than C.S. Lewis (aka. Jack), who considered joy "the serious business of heaven."  Here are a few thoughts of his on how joy is really a pointer to a greater glory that our lives are meant for. "All joy reminds.  It is never… Continue reading Jack on joy →

In 1931 The Joy of Cooking was first published and set off a movement (and publishing boom) of finding joy in the everyday things of life.  Below are real titles of books and blogs about the joy of … Cooking (and do invite me for dinner, except if lima bean casserole is on the menu)… Continue reading The joy of … →

Joy is a matter of faith.  We mostly think joy to be primarily an emotion; it does touch our emotions, but only secondarily.  Joy is derivative; it flows from faith. So what do you believe about joy?  Do you believe a merry heart is actually possible?  A lack of joy is often a lack of… Continue reading I believe in mirth →

I'm sure you've heard the term kill-joy.  This past Sunday Pastor Mike's message explored the kill-joy of more (feeling like you never have enough) and comparison. There's a long list of these joy-muggers: fear, boredom, busyness, suffering.  What's the big bully of gladness in your life?   The picture in my mind of a joy-killer is a skeet shooter, in which a hunter… Continue reading Roughing up kill-joys →