Eeyore Theology Vs. Christian Hedonism

“Perhaps God just wants me miserable.” That’s my wife’s current view of the world. Eeyore theology. My view of the world: Christian Hedonism.

As I’ve been pressed toward God, I’ve found my joy running ever deeper. The rich, from-down-deep-in-your-soul laughter is truly much richer. And happens much more often. And so too does the ‘waiting for hot chocolate’ kind of joy.

On a backpack trip many years ago, camp was at the end of twelve miles of trail. That’s twelve miles of trail through snow and ice. On that particular day my level of hiking comfort ended at mile eight. Miles nine through twelve were a blur, except for the thought that at the end of the trail lay a warm tent, change of clothes, and hot chocolate. Only the thought of hot chocolate kept my legs and body moving forward.

The experience of Christians on the whole is recorded in Psalm 16:
You will make known to me the path of life,
In Your presence is fullness of joy,
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

Resolutions-Live Fiercely

I really like this resolution from Jonathan Edwards. His life is impossible to emulate, his resolutions way above where I am at now. But hey, I've got to aim at something. I aim to low and I get bored; I aim to high and I get discouraged. But this one I can realistically shoot for.


22. Resolved, To endeavour to obtain for myself as much happiness in the other world as I possibly can, with all the power, might, vigour, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.

Quote of the Month (or week, or year, or until I find another one I like)

"The real lesson of the Year of Doing Everything Right is this:
If you want to do things right, you must think about them constantly. They have to be part of your conciousness. You make mistakes when you're tired or distracted, or doing one thing while thinking about something else....."
Stephen Madden, from Bicycling Magazine

I Said, "God Said": Is That A Problem?

"I have a relatively good track record," he said. "Sometimes I miss." So said Pat Robertson about his previous prophecies.

To much in the public spotlight and it's easy to like the sound of your own voice, or worse, to listen to other voices and think they're yours. That leaves the rest of us having to explain that you don't speak ex-cathedra like the pope. And about that "relatively good track record"; nah, I won't even go there.

Thanks to Allahpundit and the gang for this one.