Are We Happy Yet?

Normally, folks don't write or talk about their
personal misfortunes, especially if there is no
happy ending. The stories of grief and loss
with a happy ending are considered
inspirational. I've read alot of them over the
years. Good things happen to people in
difficult situations, every now and then. But
if that was the norm, then Disney World would
lose some of its 'magic', because not every
story has a happy ending. And the fact of the
matter is that being a Christian is not like
the Rolling Stones lyrics where all your dreams
come true. Not in this life, anyway. What does
it mean to have a Happy New Year?


How much of the happy versus unhappy ending is
based upon perception? What's the criteria
that defines 'happy'? Scripture provides a
hint. The word translated 'blessed' is also
translated 'happy'.


Ps 1:1 Blessed is the man who doesn`t walk in

the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the way

of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers;

2 But his delight is in the law of Yhwh; On

his law he meditates day and night.

3 He shall be like a tree planted by the streams

of water, That brings forth its fruit in its

season, Whose leaf also does not wither.

Whatever he does shall prosper.

4 The wicked are not so, But are like the chaff

which the wind drives away.

5 Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the

judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the

righteous.

6 For Yhwh knows the way of the righteous, But

the way of the wicked shall perish.


Jesus had a few words to say on the subject.


Mt 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for

theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall

be comforted.

5 "Blessed are the humble, for they shall

inherit the earth.

6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after

righteousness, for they shall be filled.

7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall

obtain mercy.

8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall

see G-d.

9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall

be called sons of G-d.

10 "Blessed are those who have been persecuted

for righteousness` sake, for theirs is the

Kingdom of Heaven.

11 "Blessed are you when people reproach you,

persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against

you falsely, for my sake.

12 "Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great

is your reward in heaven. For that is how they

persecuted the prophets who were before you.

13 You are the salt of the earth, but if the

salt has lost its flavor, what will it be salted

with? It is then good for nothing, but to be

cast out and trodden under the feet of men.

14 You are the light of the world. A city set on

a hill can`t be hid.

15 Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under

a bushel basket, but on a stand; and it shines

to all who are in the house.

16 Even so, let your light shine before men;

that they may see your good works, and glorify

your Father who is in heaven.

17 Don`t think that I came to destroy the law or

the prophets. I didn`t come to destroy, but to

fulfill.

18 For most assuredly, I tell you, until heaven

and earth pass away, not even one smallest

letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way

pass away from the law, until all things are

accomplished.


When did you last read an 'inspirational' story
that included these criteria? When did a happy
ending include a tearfully sad outcome, with a
healthy dose of slanderous accusation on top?
Does the crucifixtion of Christ come to mind?
It's not the sort of happy ending that leaves us
with a warm fuzzy feeling. It's the sort of
ending that seems to me to be more of a real
world experience. Jesus points out that this is
what to expect from the real world, but adds the
little caveat that this temporal experience is
not the end of the story. Then he went on to
demonstrate that minor nuance of the
resurrection, the victory that overcomes all the
struggles of this life. In other words, it
doesn't end after we draw our final breath.
That's really the beginning, it's when eternity
begins.


As it was 2000 years ago, so it is today. The
gospel of the resurrection is perceived by the
unbeliever as a fantasy. Yet, when you pause to
consider it, the idea of living forever is an
idea that is deeply rooted in the minds of men.
G-d created us in his image. Part of that image
is his eternal nature.


When you look closely at the physical structure
of our biology, there isn't any particular
reason why we age and die. It seems to be
programmed into the genetic code. And when you
read the book of Genesis, you find that in the
earliest history of man, ageing was a much
slower process. Although I realize that there
is no insignificant controversy surrounding the
subject, it is plainly stated in the
genealogies. There is evidence to support long
life spans, that has been suppressed because it
is a doctrine currently out of fashion. You
won't likely complete a PhD thesis in defense of
this doctrine. They don't burn heretics at the
stake anymore, there are modern means.


Here is a famous document from Church history,
largely forgotten in these days of the
neo-pantheistic influence. I can't remember
the last time I heard anyone preach about this
in the evangelical world, although I know that
it is or was recently part of the Catholic
tradition.


The Apostle's Creed

I believe in G-d, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
who was conceived by the power of the Holy
Spirit born of the Virgin Mary.
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand
of G-d the Father Almighty.
From thence he shall come again to judge the
living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostles'_Creed


On the Jesus Bus, I hope to be able to find much
happiness in the New Year. Not necessarily by
definition of a bigger house or SUV or other
criteria of the american dream. Instead, I hope
to be able to know Jesus better.