The Bible's command to "rejoice continually" seems impossible and, frankly, unreasonable. Yet despite the apparent difficulty in fulfilling this commandment, Gregory Forster argues that Calvinism holds the key—namely that "real Calvinism is all about joy." Forster passionately holds to this belief, and systematically demonstrates it by addressing popular misconceptions of what Calvinism is and is not. Dismantling negative expressions of Calvinist theology, Forster positively reiterates its fundamental tenents, showing how God's love is the driving force behind every facet of Calvin's doctrine of salvation. Written accessibly, The Joy of Calvinism is an important addition to the conversation surrounding Calvinism and its advocates. Skeptics and those who have had negative perceptions of Calvinism, as well as Calvinists themselves, will find this a helpful resource for clearing up the controversies and grasping the winsomeness of the doctrines of grace.
Learn to find the happiness that is natural to you, and enjoy better relationships, better health, more success and a longer life. The peculiar thing about us humans is, we spend a lot of time working to find people and things that will make us happy. In fact, we seem to spend the majority of our time doing this. However, there is no guarantee that any of this effort will work. There are lots of people who have hordes of people around them, and who have lots of things, but have been unable to make themselves happy. The truth is, happiness can be had with little effort. Have you ever been happy for no reason at all? Of course you have. Without anything changing in life, happiness just appears. We see it in young children all the time. In fact, we expect to see it in children. If you happen to ask a smiling child why he or she is so happy, at best the answer may be, “Because.” For an adult this may be an unsatisfying answer, but for the child it is the truth -- happiness exists “just because.” As we age we seem to lose touch with happiness-for-no-reason-at-all. We see a world where everyone is striving for stuff, striving for popularity, striving, striving, striving. The natural fount of happiness we once enjoyed disappears as we join them. However, that happiness is not gone. All that happened is we lost our connection to it. This book is about recovering that connection. We all grow up believing that if we work hard, and if we are good people, we will enjoy good relationships with others, good health, success and a long life. Obviously this is not true. There are a lot of rich old people who are not happy. What we have, what we do, and the other circumstances of our lives do not provide authentic happiness. Instead, happiness comes from inside of us, and all by itself enables us to have secure relationships, good health, more success and longer lives. So, what is the secret of being happy? Being happy is a little like flipping a switch. When it’s on you are happy and when it’s off you are not. It’s so easy. How else can you explain being happy for no reason. What you need to do is learn to turn it on, and keep it turned on. This book discusses seven practices that help you do that. There is a lot of wisdom available about how to be happy. Most of it is thousands of years old, but some is quite new. The seven practices we will look at incorporate this wisdom to help you learn how to turn on happiness in your life. This kind of happiness does not require changing anything in your life. All you have to do is learn to turn it on.
We can be happy in spite of hardship, heartbreak, or a job we hate. Pie-in-the-sky? This down-to-earth guy shows us how. When personal tragedy struck, Howard Cushnir already knew the Zen practice of staying in the moment. But he wasn't prepared for the gift of grace he received. One day, all but lost, he was suddenly suffused with a complete sense of well-being---not a passing experience, but one available from then on. Paying close attention to the changes in his own inner states, Howard soon realized that feeling blissful is a choice we can always make, regardless of our circumstances.
It smelled like orchids, maybe wine and it felt sexy and erotic in the tropical room. The air was humid, just like the east coast beach at night. Her hair looked like red velvet; her eyes were a nutmeg brown. Her long fingers felt great through his hair. She turned. Her long dress clinging to the smooth ride of her hip. "Play some blues," Noah asked her, tasting the slow thickness of a brandy, watching the smoke from her vape pen dissipate in the humidity. "Look," Noah stumbled on his words, then remembered he didn't need them. She turned slowly and locked into his gaze. He held her still with his. He held her still with his thought as he walked towards her. She opened her mouth to ask, but he stopped her with a quick arm around her tiny waist. She was breathing softly, her eyes focused on him and he could see her pulse slightly in her throat. She grabbed his shoulder as he demanded her attention and her touch. His lips stopped directly above her ear and he felt the heat as she waited for his direction. His hand slid down her waist to his hip. He pulled her left arm firmly, slowly until her back pressed up against his chest. His thoughts made her very still. She was soft, sweet and sexy. He wanted her. His focus was very direct. The touch of her hand felt like magic. Her eyelashes fluttered and he could feel their breathing fall into rhythm. "Don't play the blues." He told her softly. He slid her strap off of her glittery, well built shoulder. Her soft breast felt like fire in his hand and her nipples were harder than ice cubes. He couldn't handle wrestling with his mind and his body, forgot to be gentle and removed her clothing without hesitating. He left his rational, civilized self for a moment and became one with the sweetness of life.
Throughout the year, a grandmother expresses her unconditional love for her grandson. The lyrical text is paired with reassuring and warm illustrations to make this a must-have on every child's bookshelf.
This is your year of self-discovery, a journey to create a life filled with grace, meaning, zest, peace, and joy. ONE OF HEALTHLINE’S 8 BEST MEDITATION BOOKS OF THE YEAR With warmth and wisdom from a lifetime of spiritual seeking, inspirational force Agapi Stassinopoulos guides you through fifty-two weeks of letting go of what doesn’t work for you and finding what does. You’ll cultivate the building blocks of self-care (meditation, health, making time for yourself) and confront the common roadblocks we all face, like pouring your energy into other people or living in denial. You’ll explore your “conflict” areas, such as relationships, money, self-esteem, anxiety, and your childhood. And you’ll learn to trust your creativity, keep your heart open, and connect to the bigger spirit that lives inside you. Keep this book by your bedside. It is your loving companion. Be creative and have fun with it. Use it as a tool to unlock your goodness, and wake up to the joy of you!
Whenever we try to be good - or expect others to be good - we disconnect from the freedom, joy and unconditional love that is our natural birthright. It is only when we aim to be happy, and reach for our dreams, that we reconnect with Source energy - and release our loving, creative and unique potential. Leading spiritual writer Gill Edwards explains that a deep, magical and joyous reality lies just beyond our reach - if only we can find the key to unlock the door. In WILD LOVE, she helps us find that elusive key, by giving up our old 'patterns of relating' and aligning ourselves with Source energy. WILD LOVE is a beautifully written and inspiring book which will help you to become wild and free, and to become a passionate and visionary co-creator of your own heaven and earth.
Neutral – The very first step in the process of moving forward. An effort to come to the starting line – beyond the past, the conditioning, the judgments and the baggage – the starting line facing a life of your choice. Get ready to begin. To explore. To create a life you deserve, a life of possibilities and of dreams. To more beginnings and success.
In this unique blend of self-help and moral philosophy, perfect for fans of Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project or Dan Harris’ 10% Happier, talk-radio host Dennis Prager shows us that happiness isn’t just a value—it’s a moral obligation. When you ask people about their most cherished values, “happiness” is always at the top of the list. In this enduring happiness manifesto, Prager examines how happiness not only makes us better people, but has an effect on the lives of everyone around us—providing them with a positive environment in which to thrive and be happy themselves. Achieving that happiness won't be easy, though: to Prager, it requires a continuing process of counting your blessings and giving up any expectations that life is supposed to be wonderful. "Can we decide to be satisfied with what we have?" he asks. "A poor man who can make himself satisfied with his portion will be happier than a wealthy man who does not allow himself to be satisfied." Prager echoes other political commentators in complaining that too many people today see themselves as victims; he submits that the only way to achieve your desires is to take responsibility for your life rather than blaming others. If you're willing to put some thought into achieving a happier outlook, you will find plenty to mull over in Happiness Is a Serious Problem.
