.000 | Why We Live Joyless Lives
6 C. S. Lewis once described joy as “serious business”: C. S. Lewis, Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer (San Diego: Harvest, 1964), 92–93: “Joy is the serious business of heaven.”
.001 | A Choice That Changed Everything
11 20 percent of mammograms miss finding dangerous masses: “Mammograms,” National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet, National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health, http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/detection/mammograms.
18 I define joy as a spectrum of emotions, actions, and responses: To better understand the breadth of joy God wants to give us, check out Fight Back With Joy DVD Bible Study filmed with LifeWay. For a sample session or to order, visit www.margaretfeinberg.com.
20 “God saw that it was good”: Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25 NIV.
20 “It was very good”: Genesis 1:31 NIV.
20 the kind of creative high an artist experiences upon completion of a great work: Karl Löning and Erich Zenger, To Begin with, God Created … : Biblical Theologies of Creation (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical, 2000), 68.
20 “Then I was constantly at his side …”: Proverbs 8:29–31 NIV.
21 his beloved Son, with whom he is “well pleased”: Matthew 3:17.
21 a cheerful word: Proverbs 12:25.
21 a surprise birthday party: Job 3:7.
21 a good day’s work: Ecclesiastes 3:13.
21 an aged bottle of Merlot: Judges 9:13.
21 extra virgin olive oil: Psalm 104:15.
21 just out-of-the-oven artisan bread: Psalm 104:15.
21 sex: Song of Songs 1:4.
21 the birth of a child: Psalm 127:3.
21 a fiftieth wedding anniversary: Proverbs 5:18.
21 the dawn of harvest season: Isaiah 9:3.
21 … and more: Psalm 104:15.
21 his goodness extends to all humanity: Matthew 5:45.
21 promised a new dimension of life and joy: The exact cause of this expanded capacity for joy is debated. Some attribute it to the removal of sin. Others suggest the quality or intensity of joy bumps up among those who believe. Whatever the cause, those who are redeemed should live palms up, ready to receive God’s rich gifts expressed through creation and experienced through redemption, and keep in mind that even these most wondrous gifts are only foretastes of what we will experience when we live in heaven as we spend the rest of eternity with him.
22 forgiveness: Psalm 32:1–2.
22 restoration: Psalm 30:11.
22 salvation: Psalm 51:12.
22 comfort: Psalm 94:19.
22 the law and decrees: Psalm 119:111.
22 God’s presence: Isaiah 12:6.
22 homecoming: Isaiah 35:10; 60:15.
22 give ourselves wholly to Christ: Luke 15:10.
22 “I bring you good news of great joy …”: Luke 2:10.
22 “These things I have spoken to you …”: John 15:11.
22 “See, I will create new heavens …”: Isaiah 65:17–19 NIV.
23 this life is not the end of the story: I am indebted to Terence E. Fretheim’s essay “God, Creation, and the Pursuit of Happiness” for the thoughts and biblical insights throughout this chapter. See also Strawn A. Brent, ed., The Bible and the Pursuit of Happiness: What the Old and New Testaments Teach Us about the Good Life (New York: Oxford University Press, 2012), 32–55.
.002 | The Living, Breathing Gift of Joy
30 a bizarre description of the size of a cow tongue: I double-dog dare you to Google the size of cow tongue.
31 his letter to Philemon is directed toward one member: William Morrice, Joy in the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1984), 126.
32 “Your love has given me great joy …”: Philemon 1:7 NIV.
32 rabble-rousing, belligerence, and badmouthing: Acts 13:50, 16:19–21, 18:12; 2 Timothy 4:9–10, 14.
32 kindness, loyalty, and generosity: Acts 9:26–27; Philippians 2:25, 4:18; 2 Timothy 1:16.
33 paraklesis, a Greek word meaning “encouragement” or “comfort”: Strong’s #3874.
33 a spark of sincere gratitude: Philemon 4.
33 the Greek word anapauo, which suggests calming someone: adapted from New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology, s.v. “refreshed.”
33 Paul uses this same word four times: 1 Corinthians 16:18; 2 Corinthians 7:13; Philemon 1:7, 20.
34 the Greek word used is splanchna, meaning “bowels”: Strong’s #4698.
34 Someone who reminded him that he was fiercely loved: Notes for this taken from “Finding Philemon” preached by Troy Champ at Capital Church, Salt Lake City, Utah, on February 2, 2013. Thank you, Troy and Suzanne, for being Philemons to us.
35 gave me glimpses into the holy: One well-meaning but unhelpful comment we received from people was, “I’ll do anything to help.” This popular response is thrown around whenever someone faces adversity, but most of my friends going through a tough time have been heartbroken by this false promise. The needs in seasons of great adversity are immense, and most people are ill-prepared to do “anything” it takes. One friend admitted, “We’ve learned to ask my friends who say they’ll do anything, ‘What does anything look like to you?’ If they don’t quantify their anything, we’ll be hurt and disappointed.” Rather than making the false promise that you’ll do anything, simply ask, “What can I do to help?” That way you can decide if it’s something you can or cannot do.
.003 | Three Simple Words to Set You Free
44 “thorn in the flesh”: 2 Corinthians 12:7 NIV.
44 Malaria? A herniated disc? We don’t know: It’s believed that the beatings Paul endured would have meant a lifetime of back, neck, and leg pain, and possibly severe bowleggedness. Hardship descriptions include 2 Corinthians 11:25–28; Acts 16:19–23; and 1 Corinthians 15:32.
45 “I rejoiced greatly in the Lord …”: Philippians 4:10–13 NIV.
45 “I have learned the secret of being content …”: Philippians 4:12 NIV.
45 “I can do all this through him who gives me strength”: Philippians 4:13 NIV.
48 Greek word autarkes … means “self-sufficient”: Philippians 4:12. See Strong’s #842.
.004 | The Biggest Myth about Joy
59 “Consider it pure joy …”: James 1:2-4 ESV.
60 Within each container, God is at work: 2 Corinthians 4:6–7.
69 plucking hair was an expression of mourning: Numbers 6:18; Ezra 9:3; Jeremiah 7:29.
.005 | When You’re Tearing Your Hair Out
71 “You are blessed when the tears flow freely …”: Luke 6:21 MSG. More literal translations like the New American Standard Bible render this verse, “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh,” but the idea is the same. Grief is not the antithesis of joy but often the accompaniment.
71 The Greek word for “blessed” is makarios: Strong’s #3107.
73 I decided to return to my Jewish roots: My last name is Feinberg. Please forgive the pun.
73 “theology in action”: For more information about Hebrew mourning rites, see http://www.rabbidebra.com/support-files/ritesofdeath.pdf. I am indebted to the insights from this article for this chapter.
74 a period of mourning known as aninut, or “deep grief”: This time is often brief because the dead are buried according to the command to not “let the body remain all night” (Deuteronomy 21:23).
75 The practice of keriah, or “tearing,” has deep biblical roots: Genesis 37:34; 2 Samuel 1:11.
76 mourners rip the fabric of their garments: A ribbon is sometimes used instead of a garment. Neither the garment nor the ribbon is torn in half. Mourners leave a few threads attached, symbolizing that as long as the memory is alive, the connection between the deceased and bereaved is never severed. (Source: http://www.rabbidebra.com/support-files/ritesofdeath.pdf, used with permission.)
76 “God has given …”: Job 1:21.
79 “You are blessed when the tears flow freely …”: Luke 6:21 MSG.
80 write a lament of mourning or find a garment: I’ve found healing and clarity in writing laments based on the Psalms. Some of my favorite songs to rewrite in the grief I experience include Psalm 13, Psalm 22, and Psalm 74.
.006 | How to Throw the Best Party Ever
86 weeps at the crumbled mess: Nehemiah 1:4.
86 team up to restore the walls of God’s city and the holiness of God’s people: Nehemiah 2:17–18.
87 fifty-two days: Nehemiah 4, 6:1–15.
87 “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength”: Nehemiah 8:10 NIV. The call to celebrate doesn’t contradict that grief is necessary; rather, it expresses the sentiment of the writer of Ecclesiastes that there is a time for weeping and for laughter. We need discernment and both are essential. The Scripture provides us pictures of holy grief and holy celebration—including feasting during a difficult time.
87 the leviathan: Psalm 104:26.
88 exclamation point on the character of God: Proverbs 8:30–31.
88 the Year of Jubilee: Jubilee is seven cycles of seven years. Scholars debate whether the final year is inclusive or exclusive. Some consider the forty-ninth year Jubilee while others consider the fiftieth year the year of Jubilee as to not break the ongoing seven-year cycles of Sabbath. See Leviticus 25:3–4, 8–11, 20–22.
88 dinner party where we all worship Christ together: John 2:1–12; Revelation 19:6–10.
91 Leif made his famous black-eyed pea hummus: Leif’s Black Bean Hummus Recipe
2 15 oz cans of black beans (drained)
2 cloves of garlic
1 tbsp of olive oil
2 tbsp of lemon juice
2 tsp of cumin
1 tbsp dried parsley or cilantro
Place in blender for two minutes. Serve with tortilla chips, pita bread, crackers, or fresh cut vegetables including celery, carrots, and cucumber.
91 food created points of connection: In light of all the eating in the Bible, sharing of food is a fun and sound practice. In John 21, Jesus even made breakfast for the disciples and dined with them after the resurrection in a sense to reveal his humanity to them.
.007 | The Side of Joy No One Talks About
102 Why would the Lord use evil to bring about good?: Habakkuk 1:12–17.
102 “I’m not leaving until you show up and answer me!”: Habakkuk 2:1.
102 Habakkuk never tells us how long God makes [him] wait: Habakkuk 2:2–20.
103 “Though the fig tree does not bud …”: Habakkuk 3:17–18 NIV.
108 the apostle Paul’s instruction to “rejoice always”: 1 Thessalonians 5:16 NIV.
.008 | One Prayer You Don’t Pray But Should
110 whoever captures the land can marry his daughter, Achsah: Judges 1:1–10. A parallel account of Achsah is found in Joshua 15:16–19.
111 “She got off her donkey”: Judges 1:14 NIV.
111 “What do you want Me to do for you?”: Mark 10:51.
111 “Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!”: Mark 10:51.
112 Jacob receives more than he bargains for: Genesis 32:26. Israel means “one who struggles with God.” Jacob doesn’t need to be asked, “What do you want?” before he answers the question with boldness.
112 asks God for a son and soon gives birth to Samuel: 1 Samuel 1:10–11.
112 Solomon makes a valiant request: 1 Kings 1:15–21.
113 “Give me a blessing”: Judges 1:15 ESV
113 “… give me what I need to survive”: Judges 1:14–15.
113 still track the levels of morning dew in the region: see www.weatherspark.com/history/32341/2014/Negev–Israel
113 “the upper and lower springs”: Judges 1:15.
114 thirsted for Jesus’ sweet presence and pined to experience his provision: John 7:37–38. It’s worth noting that in the Greek Septuagint (LXX) Achsah asks for a blessing in the form of a “ransom” (lutron) of water. This is the same New Testament word used to describe Christ as the “ransom for many.”
114 how much more will our heavenly Father meet ours?: See also Luke 11:9–13.
121 The rest of our trip was equally enchanting: Some of our favorite places in Vermont include:
Snowflake Bentley Exhibit: http://snowflakebentley.com/museum2.htm
Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour: http://www.benjerry.com/about-us/factory-tours
Cold Hollow Cider Mill: http://www.coldhollow.com
Rock of Ages Quarry: http://www.rockofages.com/en/gift-shop-a-tourism
Hope Cemetery: http://www.friendsofhopecemetery.com
Knight’s Spider Web Farm: http://www.spiderwebfarm.com
Cabot Creamery: http://www.cabotcheese.coop
Lake Champlain Chocolates: http://www.lakechamplainchocolates.com
World’s Tallest Filing Cabinet: http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/8782
Penny Cluse Café: http://pennycluse.com
Burlington Farmers Market: http://www.burlingtonfarmersmarket.org
Barrows House: http://www.barrowshouse.com
122 We missed the filming of the show: Not to worry. The following year we had the thrill of sitting in the studio audience of Leif’s favorite cooking show.
.009 | You’ve Got to Give This Away
126 Leif was a rock, but I knew he needed a break: Leif asked me to add that whenever you face difficult situations, knowing your motivation, your needs, and your response under stress is critical. We have used a tool called the Birkman Method in our marriage and ministry since 2008. Understanding our individual wiring during this storm helped us strategically get through these times. Check out this resource at www.birkman.com.
129 “It’s more blessed to give than to receive”: Acts 20:35.
130 “Give, and it will be given to you …”: Luke 6:38 NIV.
.010 | When Nothing Means Everything
138 I wanted to go to sleep and never wake up again: One of my sweet friends, Kate, shared that she never understood why her mom, who had survived five rounds of battling cancer, reached a point where she said no to more chemo. To Kate, it appeared her mother had given up on fighting the disease. But after hearing the gruesome details of the chemicals’ effects in my young body, she began to comprehend the tough questions that have to be asked when you’re facing a terminal illness: quantity of life versus quality of life. As The Queen said, many patients refuse the drug because it’s worse than the cancer.
140 shouted out on Facebook and Twitter with #prayforzero: Renovate Church in Morgantown, West Virginia, developed a #prayforzero campaign to support all those in their congregation facing health challenges. They even made T-shirts as a sign of support and reminder to pray.
141 “My daughter has just died …”: Matthew 9:18 NLT.
144 “What if I could finally be healed?”: Matthew 9:21 NLT.
147 “But if not, be it known to you, O king …”: Daniel 3:17–18 NRSV.
149 only piece of the promised land Abraham owns at his death is the burial plot: Hebrews 11:8–10.
149 Moses … dies without ever tasting the milk and honey of the promised land: Hebrews 11:24–28.
149 John the Baptist’s … faithfulness is rewarded with decapitation: Matthew 14:1–11.
149 Jesus … is brutally murdered: Luke 22:39–46.
154 died clinging to the hope that God could do the impossible regardless of the outcome: Hebrews 11:13–16.
.011 | Life Is Too Short Not to Do This
162 “Lord, who is it?”: John 13:25 NIV.
162 “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread”: John 13:26 NIV.
162 into Judas’s palm with the instruction: do it fast: John 13:27.
162 He keeps the disciples fed and manages caring for the poor: Mark 14:50.
163 gape in silence, unable to comprehend what has transpired: John 13:22, 28.
163 Peter … offers an unholy trinity of denials: John 18:15–18, 25–27.
163 Everyone else runs for the hills like their hair is on fire: Mark 14:50.
165 “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”: Luke 23:34 NKJV.
165 Jesus seems to hug him extra tight: John 21:15–19.
166 Pain inflictors break the silence … with cruel or cold comments: Some statements to avoid include: “You poor thing,” “You’re going to be fine,” “You should hear what happened to me,” or “Here’s what I would do if I were you.”