Do you ever wonder whether God even cares if we're happy? This world can be so hard, and we aren't promised an easy road. But that's not the whole story. The Bible is filled with verses that prove that ours is a God who not only loves celebrations but also desperately wants his children to experience happiness. Why else would he go to the lengths he did to ensure our eternal happiness in his presence? We know that we will experience unimaginable joy and happiness in heaven, but that doesn't mean we can't also experience joy and happiness here on earth. In Happiness, noted theologian Randy Alcorn (bestselling author of Heaven) dispels centuries of misconceptions about happiness, including downright harmful ideas like the prosperity gospel, and provides indisputable proof that God not only wants us to be happy, he commands it. Randy covers questions like: How can I cultivate happiness in my life? What's the difference between joy and happiness? Can good things become idols that steal our happiness? Is seeking happiness selfish? How can I achieve happiness through gratitude? What does it look like to receive God's grace? The most definitive study on the subject of happiness to date, this book is a paradigm-shifting wake-up call for the church and Christians everywhere.

What do we all humans have in common? We are all incorrigible seekers of bliss or joy. Our minds are wired to be happy. At least that is what our modern scientific studies contend. Yet most of us know we are not joyful. In fact, we struggle most of time to be and stay happy. What has gone wrong? I have attempted to answer this question in this book. It has been my own journey to arrive at lasting happiness and joy. It builds on the informational, computational foundation of our universe developed in the first book of this series, Road to Digital Divine. It combines latest science of mind and matter with spirituality, putting forth a new concept of our self, the quantum self rooted in the informational nature of our being. Most of us are familiar with our physical self that we see in the mirror. It, however, does not define us completely. What is critical for us to know is our informational self. Knowing the true nature of this self and acting accordingly is essential for us humans to achieve good emotional health and realize lasting joy in our lives. In fact, not knowing or ignoring the messages from this essential nature of our self is the leading reason for suffering in our human society. I paint this self as a tale of three minds: emotional, rational, and cosmic. The three minds computationally synchronized lead to the birth of informational self. This self is a computationally astute structure. It computes using two modes of computation. Each of these modes lead to two extreme personalities. One, binary computation, which leads to a nature of self that courts “I, me, and mine” tendencies. I have called this as our binary self. And the other, quantum computation, which leads to a nature of self with “us, we, and ours” tendencies. I call this as our quantum self. Both these nature of self are quite familiar in today’s society. The binary information processing leads to egoic entity, which is present in most of us. It dominates today’s human society. It is responsible for incredible progress that humans have made as a surviving species, but it is also responsible for most of the sufferings that modern humans face today. The quantum self has saintlike nature. It feels love, empathy, and oneness with others. It is truthful and always stays in the company of divinity. It is responsible for widespread altruism in nature and in humans. With two selves of very different nature in one body, modern humans have learned the meaning of the word “suffering.” Which self will win? Which is our true self? Understanding of this fact is not trivial. In fact, it is nothing short of enlightenment as I explain how the understanding of our true self can lead one on to this path. It can make a profound change in one’s perspective. The joy pouring from deep within is at the root of this reality.

To those who see aright, this vast and mysterious universe is packed with deep joy. Its stars throb with joy, its radiations hum with it, its dark or glowing nebula embed it. The dances of the atoms and galaxies are dances of joy. Here below, joy lies hidden deep down at the hearts of all things---of boulders, trees, sharks and ourselves. So says eminent Theosophist Robert Ellwood, who sees the joy pervading the universe as accessible to everyone, not just mystics and saints. Joy can enhance the happiest of circumstances and ease the most adverse. It is our birthright and true nature. Humph! Not mine, you say? Ellwood frankly acknowledges our shifting moods, life's tedium, and the reality of pain and despair. But he invokes Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, and Sufi wisdom to affirm joy despite all conditions---for richer of poorer, in sickness and in health. Then he leads us to find deep joy for ourselves, one precious moment at a time. At once simple and profound, this warm, gentle book is one you will cherish for yourself and as a gift for old friends, young people seeking vision, and any loved one in need.

A rabbi, meditation teacher, and scholar of religion, the author found himself returning to some of the core teachings of contemplative Judaism and Theravadan Buddhism after his mother passed away following a battle with cancer. The result is this collection of eighty meditations on spirituality, poetry, alchemy, and loss.--Adapted from publisher description.

"A Deep and Subtle Joy is an introduction to Benedictine - and indeed Christian - spirituality. It takes the reader on a twenty-four-hour personal tour of Quarr Abbey on the Isle of Wight, England, the monastery where Father Joe, the subject of Tony Hendra's best-selling book, lived. The reader is invited to share in the lives of the monks and enter into their rhythm of worship, work, reading, prayer, and recreation."--BOOK JACKET.

Profound reflections on the cross that help you to meditate on and marvel at the sacrificial love of Jesus. This book can be used as a devotional, especially during Lent and Easter. These profound reflections on the cross from David Mathis, author of The Christmas We Didn’t Expect, will help you to meditate on and marvel at Jesus’ life, sacrificial death, and spectacular resurrection-enabling you to treasure anew who Jesus is and what he has done. Many of us are so familiar with the Easter story that it becomes easy to miss subtle details and difficult to really enjoy its meaning. This book will help you to pause and marvel at Jesus, whose now-glorified wounds are a sign of his unfailing love and the decisive victory that he has won: “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5) This book can be used as a devotional. The chapters on Holy Week make it especially helpful during the Lent season and at Easter.

In a world where fleeting pleasures define fulfilment the need for things pointing fallen man to those of more value and true happiness can't be underplayed. This first offering from Sean C. Harrison explores with depth life's real issues of joy, family ties, pain and faith and mortality through verse. Drawing from varied life experiences and those of others, he gives an insightful, tactful gaze upon the finer threads of life's tapestry which furnish a sharper insight into the rare yet familiar elements which produce true happiness. This book pledges an interesting, meditative read not just for Christian faith-based individuals and groups but people of differing persuasions searching for meaning beyond life's mundane meanderings. Its four chapters; Joy in Christ, Joy in Relationships, Joy in Pain and Joy Ever After detail a journey from birth to moribundity giving sources of hope through expertly penned poetry and a rich treasure store of wisdom sure to strike a chord in every reader's heart, evoking a feeling of empathy for the common grounds touched upon in this moving collection.