Welcome Visitors

  • We had many newcomers and to the visitors, we say "Welcome"

Weekly Announcements

1/18/09

*We had a fabulous Sunday with the Genesis Class - 49 people in attendance. We missed alot of our regulars to the youth ski trip (we prayed for you!) and to those who missed due to a long weekend. See you next weekend!

Rick and Nan Richards are hosting a "SuperBowl" Genesis Party. Tentative details: 4 p.m SuperBowl Sunday - for shooting of skeet and a "Pig Pickin" to follow. All families are invited. Please bring a dish to share and a beverage (please, no alcohol). More details to follow.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Lesson

9/8/08
Today's lesson is from Chapter 1 of the book, "The Lost Virtue of Happiness" by Moreland & Issler. You can purchase the book for $10 during Sunday School.
Chapter 1 Today's Confusion About Happiness
Julie led us in a great discussion about the differences between Contemporary Happiness vs. Classical Happiness.
Have we forgotten how to live?
Do we forget to seek joy and bring joy into our lives?
What is your definition of happiness? peacefulness, satisfaction, contentment
The Dictionary defines happiness as: "a sense of pleasurable satisfaction"This definition has had a subtle shift over the last 100 years.
Are we obsessed with being happy?
Are we too consumed with the things we "need"
Matthew 6:33 says ... Seek His righteousness & all of these things will be given to you as well...
In today's consumer culture, instant gratification drives our happiness or at least what we think will make us happy.
Contemporary happiness is more selfish, temporary, short lived and based on individual outcome.
That is not to say that we cannot enjoy being a consumer, but that we cannot be distracted by idoletry, addiction, selfish acts in order to find that happiness.
Classical Happiness is a life well lived, a life of virtue and character, a life that manifests wisdom, kindness & goodness.
How do you take your "happiness temperature"?
What defines your happiness?
Contrasting Views of Happiness
Contemporary Happiness:
Intense Feeling, transitory & fleeting - Intense Highs & Lows; Dependent on external circumstances - recognition/rewards; addictive & enslaving - what's next? Split off, empty self - want more for self, strategy: achieved by self-absorbed narcissism.
Outcome: success = celebrity.
Classical Happiness:
A settled tone - steady; Springs from within - satisfaction; More permanent & stable - calm peacefulness; Empowering and liberating - happy with what you have; Integrated, creates true self - wanting more for others, acheived by self-denying apprenticeship to Jesus.
Outcome: Success produces a Hero.

Have a great week,

Beth Upton
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