Diamondhead United Methodist Church

Diamondhead United Methodist Church	By now hundreds of people have wished me a “Happy New Year” including: the woman checking out our groceries, numerous telemarketers, email solicitations promising everything I desire and some things I haven’t thought about. People of many faiths and some without faith enthusiastically “hope” that I have a new year filled with happiness. I either initiate or return the greeting to dozens, if not hundreds of others including you. What do we mean when we utter a cheerful “Happy New Year”? Do we mean a year without tragedy, significant illness, job loss or depression? Is our idea of happiness the same as the person promising that if we will buy his or her product/service then we will be happier? Does happiness depend upon outward circumstances of success and comfort? A few weeks ago a ranking of the happiest states was released. One surprise jumped out. The “happiest” states are in the poorest region of the United States. Louisiana ranked first while Mississippi took sixth place. Mississippi is the most generous (per capita) state in the nation. Might happiness and generosity be more important to one’s emotional health than exterior wealth? The Christian faith promises something more precious than happiness – joy. Christian joy rejoices in all things knowing that our life is in the hands of a God drawing us into the Kingdom, moving hearts to be generous toward others, enabling us to forgive while offering reconciliation with our Creator and opening our eyes to the beauty of all God created and called “good.” A believer looks at the sunset I witnessed Sunday over the Mississippi Sound rejoicing in its beauty more as one who knows and appreciates the heart of the One creating the sunset. The sunset exists for our enjoyment and to declare the glory of God. The little children playing in the aisle Sunday morning are more than an evolutionary process initiated by chance. They were created in the image of God! Can we ever look at children, even those we do not know, and not experience the joy of their Creator? Have a joy-filled New Year! For the cause of Christ, David
5305 Noma Dr. Diamondhead, MS 39525 Phone: 228.255.6888 Parsonage: 228.216.6567 Pastor: David Newton "Serving with Christ, Making Disciples" Suggested Sites to visit: The Mississippi Annual Conference Seashore District of the UMC Upper Room Daily Devotional United Methodist Volunteers in Mission Mississippi United Methodist Volunteers in Mission
Updated: February 4, 2010

By now hundreds of people have wished me a “Happy New Year” including: the woman checking out our groceries, numerous telemarketers, email solicitations promising everything I desire and some things I haven’t thought about. People of many faiths and some without faith enthusiastically “hope” that I have a new year filled with happiness. I either initiate or return the greeting to dozens, if not hundreds of others including you.

What do we mean when we utter a cheerful “Happy New Year”? Do we mean a year without tragedy, significant illness, job loss or depression? Is our idea of happiness the same as the person promising that if we will buy his or her product/service then we will be happier? Does happiness depend upon outward circumstances of success and comfort?

A few weeks ago a ranking of the happiest states was released. One surprise jumped out. The “happiest” states are in the poorest region of the United States. Louisiana ranked first while Mississippi took sixth place. Mississippi is the most generous (per capita) state in the nation. Might happiness and generosity be more important to one’s emotional health than exterior wealth?

The Christian faith promises something more precious than happiness – joy. Christian joy rejoices in all things knowing that our life is in the hands of a God drawing us into the Kingdom, moving hearts to be generous toward others, enabling us to forgive while offering reconciliation with our Creator and opening our eyes to the beauty of all God created and called “good.”

A believer looks at the sunset I witnessed Sunday over the Mississippi Sound rejoicing in its beauty more as one who knows and appreciates the heart of the One creating the sunset. The sunset exists for our enjoyment and to declare the glory of God.

The little children playing in the aisle Sunday morning are more than an evolutionary process initiated by chance. They were created in the image of God! Can we ever look at children, even those we do not know, and not experience the joy of their Creator?

Have a joy-filled New Year!

For the cause of Christ,

David