Category Archives: appreciation

affirmation, appreciation, bible, choices, emotions, Enlightenment, faith, God, Growing, happiness, Healing, Lessons, life, mental challenge, mindfulness, peace, Personal, personal growth, positive, purpose, scripture, self improvement, spiritual enlightenment, Spititual Development, Values

The Difference Between Happiness and Joy

We find ourselves so busy and distracted on most days that we miss out on the real blessings of life. We get caught up in the pursuit of a living a fulfilling life by continually seeking moments of happiness and joy, often using these terms interchangeably and missing out on both. It is good to stop every now and then to take a little bit deeper exploration that can reveal some distinct nuances between these emotions, each carrying its own significance in our emotional landscape and our ability to live the blessed life we were created for.

Happiness is often seen as an emotional state characterized by contentment, pleasure, and satisfaction derived from external circumstances or events. Happiness at it’s best is fleeting, dependent on situations, possessions, relationships, or achievements. This transient nature makes happiness vulnerable to fluctuations; it can be attained and lost quickly. Just as quickly as we get up, we can find ourselves right back down, if we are totally dependent upon happiness for our satisfaction and fulfillment.

Conversely, joy transcends those transient moments; it’s an enduring and profound emotion that originates from within. Joy is an inner sense of peace, contentment, and gratitude regardless of external circumstances. It can coexist even amidst hardships, difficulties, or uncertainties. It’s a profound sense of well-being that springs from a deeper connection with oneself, others, or something greater than oneself. Joy is a gift of God to His creation.

While happiness is often a reaction to external stimuli, joy is more intrinsic and often linked to spiritual, emotional, or psychological well-being. Happiness may come and go with life’s ups and downs, but joy provides a stable undercurrent, shaping our outlook on life and opening us to receive the greater blessings that God has for us, regardless of the circumstances and situations of life.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. -Galatians 5:22-23

Understanding the differences between happiness and joy can be life transforming. Pursuing happiness might involve seeking fleeting pleasures, whereas cultivating joy involves nurturing a sense of gratitude, mindfulness, and embracing life’s experiences with acceptance and openness.

The pursuit of happiness is valid, but solely chasing it may lead to a perpetual state of dissatisfaction, as external factors fluctuate. On the other hand, nurturing joy can provide a more stable and profound sense of contentment and purpose.

In essence, both happiness and joy play essential roles in our emotional well being and personal growth. Happiness brings moments of delight and satisfaction in the external world, while joy acts as an internal anchor, providing a deeper and more profound sense of fulfillment and peace.

Finding a balance between both emotions is key to living a fulfilling life. Striving for happiness in everyday experiences while cultivating joy through practices like mindfulness, gratitude, and fostering meaningful connections can create a harmonious blend, which enriches our human experience.

Ultimately, acknowledging and appreciating the differences between happiness and joy allows us to navigate life’s challenges with a more holistic perspective, leading to a life infused with both fleeting moments of happiness and a steadfast sense of inner joy. A life that is worth the living that gives glory to God and brings blessings to all around…

appreciation, bible, pastor

The Purpose And Role Of A Pastor!

Someone asked me last week: “Why do we have Pastors?” I thought that was a pretty good question and thought I need to try to give it a good answer.

A pastor, often considered the spiritual leader of a religious congregation, plays a crucial role in guiding and supporting their community in matters of faith, morality, and personal growth. Their responsibilities extend beyond the pulpit and preaching, encompassing various aspects of pastoral care, leadership, and service. The multifaceted purpose of a pastor and the impact they have on the lives of their congregants is made up of much more than we realize or tend to think about.

1. Spiritual Guidance And Teaching:

One of the primary roles of a pastor is to provide spiritual guidance and instruction to their congregation. They are responsible for interpreting religious texts, delivering sermons, and helping individuals deepen their understanding of their faith. Through preaching, teaching, and counseling, pastors help individuals navigate life’s challenges and find solace in their spiritual beliefs.

2. Providing Pastoral Care:

Pastors are often called upon to provide pastoral care, which includes offering emotional support, counseling, and comfort to individuals and families facing difficulties. This can range from helping someone through grief and loss to offering guidance in times of personal crisis. Pastors act as a source of solace and strength for those in need, drawing from their training and experience in pastoral care.

3. Building And Nurturing Community:

Pastors are instrumental in fostering a sense of community within their congregation. They create opportunities for fellowship, organize events, and encourage congregants to support one another. Through community-building efforts, pastors help individuals form meaningful connections and find a sense of belonging, which can be especially vital in times of isolation or loneliness.

4. Leadership And Administration:

A pastor often serves as the leader of their religious community, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the church or religious organization. This includes administrative tasks such as managing budgets, organizing events, and coordinating volunteer efforts. Additionally, they may lead committees or teams focused on specific areas of ministry or outreach.

5. Engaging In Outreach and Service:

Many pastors are deeply committed to serving their wider community, beyond the walls of their church. They may lead or participate in outreach programs, charitable initiatives, and community service projects. By actively engaging with the broader community, pastors exemplify the values of compassion, empathy, and social responsibility, encouraging their congregants to do the same.

6. Providing A Moral Compass:

Pastors often serve as moral guides, helping individuals navigate ethical dilemmas and make decisions aligned with their faith. They offer insight and perspective on matters of right and wrong, based on religious teachings and principles. This guidance can be invaluable in helping individuals lead virtuous and meaningful lives.

7. Whatever May Come Up!

There are many others things that are not planned on that tend to pop up and need the attention of a loving pastor. The role of a pastor is multifaceted, encompassing spiritual guidance, pastoral care, community-building, leadership, and service. Their impact extends far beyond the confines of the church, influencing the lives of their congregants and the broader community. Through their dedication, compassion, and commitment to faith, pastors play a vital role in helping individuals find purpose, solace, and a sense of belonging in their spiritual journey.

For me personally it is a great honor, pleasure and sometimes a challenge, but I love it and consider myself blessed to get to be a Pastor to the precious followers of God.

affirmation, appreciation, bible, choices, Enlightenment, Expectation, faith, God, grace, Gratitude, Growing, happiness, life, love, mindfulness

Life Is Good!

So many times in our life and living, we are so focused on the next goal, the next day, the next accomplishment, the next “whatever”, that we miss the moments that are life. When we measure the success of failure of our lives through the lens of tasks accomplished, goals obtained or actions taken, we miss the biggest part of life by ignoring the obvious.

In the meditation movement, we are encouraged to be present in the moment, so that we don’t miss the life that is happening right in front of us. It is very helpful to take a step back every now and then to make sure that we are focused on what really matters and not on just what we have convinced ourselves that matters.

Being present is our God given capacity to step out of the busyness of life and into the moment, so that we might take in all that our present experience is offering us. Some of us are great at this and some of us battle to slow our minds down enough to allow ourselves the opportunity to enjoy this moment of life.

“15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” -Ephesians 5:15-16

It is possible to live life and yet not really be living at all. It is possible to miss all the good stuff while we are focusing on all the stuff that we are trying to bring into compliance. In those rare moments when we are actually present, life becomes magical. We see and smile at the fluttering butterfly. We breath in the sweet smell of the beautiful flowers and feel pleasure from the inside-out.

There is nothing wrong with getting things done. Accomplishment is a very satisfying gift in and of itself, but don’t allow the goal of accomplishment to cause you to miss out on the precious gift of life and especially life in the moments that all too often get missed.

Life is about so much more than what gets done through our accomplishments. A life well lived is a life that had learned to experience life as it happens by enjoying the precious gifts the moment.

Someone has said that this life is God’s gift to us and what we do with this life is our gift to God. When I give someone a gift and they appreciate and enjoy it, that is a gift to me. The fuller life that God has for each of us can best be experienced by not missing, but enjoying the moments.

Life is a collection of moments, enjoy everyone of them!