August 14th, 2025
by Pastor Mark McAdow
by Pastor Mark McAdow
By Pastor Mark McAdow
What determines your happiness? Does everything have to go your way? Is happiness inside or outside? I understand the word “hap” means luck. Feeling lucky? Joy is one of the characteristics of The Fruit of The Spirit — “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” — found in Galatians 5:22-23.
Happiness is often based on our circumstances, while joy comes from within. We have a sign in our main bathroom that simply says, “Choose Joy!” Joy is a choice!
Last Sunday was my first Sunday back in a while. I was so happy to see each of you and meet some new folks as well. We had our best worship participation in several months at both our services. Praise the Lord! (I guess folks hadn’t heard I’d be back!) After worship, I went out to start my car and the battery was dead. Thankfully, Michael and Scott were able to give me a jump, and we made it to lunch nearby. Afterwards, I needed another jump. After a home visit, I was able to get back home on my own. Monday my battery was dead again.
Joy is a choice, because I certainly was not happy! After waiting for an hour and a half for AAA to give me a jump and another hour wait to purchase a new battery, I was finally “on the road again!” Joy is a choice. What was the good news? The battery failure happened at the church with Christian friends nearby to help, and its final “death” came in my own driveway — not on the road to OKC or someplace else. God is good!
I saw a TV interview this week with an author named Arthur Brooks who has researched “happiness” for several decades. He said happiness among Americans is in real decline, but he identified four “Happiness Habits” that build people up. Are you ready? His results: 1. Faith, 2. Family, 3. Friends, and 4. Work that is meaningful.
Christians are the “happiest” — and may I add the most joyful — people in the world. Life is still extremely hard at times, but we know where to go to find our help. The Holy Spirit is our helper!
This Sunday I’ll be sharing from God’s Word about how to handle anxiety and worry according to Jesus. I hope you’ll be here to encourage others and to be encouraged, too.
(If you need a jump, I have some cables in my trunk!)
Yours in Christ’s love,
Pastor Mark
PS: My beloved bride comes home today from Montana, and trust me, I will be incredibly happy and most joyful! School started today, so I know there are a lot of happy parents, too! See you this Sunday!
What determines your happiness? Does everything have to go your way? Is happiness inside or outside? I understand the word “hap” means luck. Feeling lucky? Joy is one of the characteristics of The Fruit of The Spirit — “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” — found in Galatians 5:22-23.
Happiness is often based on our circumstances, while joy comes from within. We have a sign in our main bathroom that simply says, “Choose Joy!” Joy is a choice!
Last Sunday was my first Sunday back in a while. I was so happy to see each of you and meet some new folks as well. We had our best worship participation in several months at both our services. Praise the Lord! (I guess folks hadn’t heard I’d be back!) After worship, I went out to start my car and the battery was dead. Thankfully, Michael and Scott were able to give me a jump, and we made it to lunch nearby. Afterwards, I needed another jump. After a home visit, I was able to get back home on my own. Monday my battery was dead again.
Joy is a choice, because I certainly was not happy! After waiting for an hour and a half for AAA to give me a jump and another hour wait to purchase a new battery, I was finally “on the road again!” Joy is a choice. What was the good news? The battery failure happened at the church with Christian friends nearby to help, and its final “death” came in my own driveway — not on the road to OKC or someplace else. God is good!
I saw a TV interview this week with an author named Arthur Brooks who has researched “happiness” for several decades. He said happiness among Americans is in real decline, but he identified four “Happiness Habits” that build people up. Are you ready? His results: 1. Faith, 2. Family, 3. Friends, and 4. Work that is meaningful.
Christians are the “happiest” — and may I add the most joyful — people in the world. Life is still extremely hard at times, but we know where to go to find our help. The Holy Spirit is our helper!
This Sunday I’ll be sharing from God’s Word about how to handle anxiety and worry according to Jesus. I hope you’ll be here to encourage others and to be encouraged, too.
(If you need a jump, I have some cables in my trunk!)
Yours in Christ’s love,
Pastor Mark
PS: My beloved bride comes home today from Montana, and trust me, I will be incredibly happy and most joyful! School started today, so I know there are a lot of happy parents, too! See you this Sunday!
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