Champagne for the Soul : Celebrating God's Gift of Joy

by Mason, Mike

• ISBN13: 9781578566921
• ISBN10: 1578566924
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-05-01
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press

Summary

You Can Be as Happy as You Make Up Your Mind to Be.If you were given the chance to be happy for the rest of your life, wouldn't you jump at it? InChampagne for the Soul, best-selling author Mike Mason explains that the Bible does make this offer. Yet most of us hang back, reluctant and skeptical. Theologically most Christians will agree that the Bible teaches and offers a life of joy, yet deep down we're not convinced that such a life is practicalfor us, or for any ordinary person. But, says Mason, such joy truly is ours to claim and embrace. What you now hold in your hands is a call to throw off all worries and complaints and to "come and share your master's happiness" (Matthew 25:21). These pages, drawn from the author's own 90-day experiment in actively pursuing joy, will lead you on a journey that will help youno matter what your circumstancesto escape the traps of worry, fear, and dullness and grab hold of the joy of the Lord.

Author Biography

<b>Mike Mason</b> is the best-selling author of several books including <i>The Mystery of Marriage, The Mystery of Children, The Gospel According to Job</i>, and <i>Practicing the Presence of People</i>. He and his wife, Karen, an M.D. in general practice, live in Langley, British Columbia, Canada, with their teenage daughter, Heather. A full-time author for twenty years, Mike is currently working on a children’s novel.

Table of Contents

Introduction: An Experiment in Joy	p. 1
Brokenness	p. 5
Rejoice Always!	p. 7
Jubilee	p. 9
Riding on the Heights	p. 11
Going for the Gold	p. 13
What Happened?	p. 15
Fire from Heaven	p. 17
Mirth	p. 19
This Is the Day	p. 21
Ten Joyful Commandments	p. 23
Redefining Happiness	p. 25
Be Here Now	p. 27
The Secret of Happiness	p. 29
Joy and Gladness	p. 31
Soul and Strength	p. 33
Authenticity	p. 35
The Bridegroom's Voice	p. 37
Blessings and Curses	p. 39
A Winning Attitude	p. 41
Spiritual Warfare	p. 43
Love the Struggle	p. 45
The Taste of Victory	p. 47
Standing Ovation	p. 49
Power of Choice	p. 51
Changing Beliefs	p. 53
Commitment	p. 55
The True Gospel	p. 57
Who Am I?	p. 59
Delight Yourself	p. 61
River of Delight	p. 63
Complete Joy	p. 65
Oil of Gladness	p. 67
Pass It On	p. 69
Discernment	p. 71
The Promised Land	p. 73
Overcoming Fear	p. 75
Routing the Enemy	p. 77
Job Description: Joy	p. 79
The Champion Spirit	p. 81
The New Creation	p. 83
Celebrating Communion	p. 85
Song of Heaven	p. 87
The Mystical Friend	p. 89
No Condemnation	p. 91
Divine Conspiracy	p. 93
Song and Dance	p. 95
Stretch Every Day	p. 97
Catch the Wave	p. 99
The Ultimate Sacrifice	p. 101
Good Medicine	p. 103
Compassion	p. 105
Fruit of the Spirit	p. 107
Let God Be Right	p. 109
Shortcut to Happiness	p. 111
Chased by the Light	p. 113
Hidden Joy	p. 115
Just Sitting	p. 117
Yabba-ka-doodles	p. 119
Practicing the Presence of Dog	p. 121
Silent Night, Holy War	p. 123
Glad Tidings	p. 125
Tending the Fire	p. 127
A Continual Feast	p. 129
Is Life Fair?	p. 131
Carpe Diem	p. 133
Next!	p. 135
Champagne of Cana	p. 137
Air Sandwiches	p. 139
No Recipe	p. 141
New Eyes	p. 143
The Language of Love	p. 145
Lavish Worship	p. 147
Let's Celebrate!	p. 149
Joyful Noise	p. 151
Simple Pleasures	p. 153
Closer Than You Think	p. 155
A Firm Foundation	p. 157
Hold On	p. 159
Perseverance	p. 161
Jesus' Secret	p. 163
Raise the Roof	p. 165
A Permanent Change	p. 167
Making It Last	p. 169
Living in Mystery	p. 171
The Divine Gardener	p. 173
Everlasting Joy	p. 175
Resurrection	p. 177
Confidence	p. 179
All I See	p. 181
Ecstasy	p. 183
Epilogue	p. 185
Notes	p. 189
Table of Contents provided by Rittenhouse. All Rights Reserved.