This is a big week for me (and not just because it’s about to snow here in our beautiful city). I’ve got a book coming out!
My new book, Crazy Happy: Nine Surprising Ways to Live a Truly Beautiful Life, comes out this wherever you like to buy books! Now I know that some of you are wondering why we’re talking about a new book. The thing is, having a book is like having a baby. (Okay, maybe not exactly like having a baby. It doesn’t wake up crying in the night or need me to co-sign its student loans, but stick with me!)
This book is my labor of love. When you pour your effort and energy into something, you can’t help but talk about it. I love taking this time to talk about the things I’m excited about, and right now, I’m so excited about this book!
It’s been a tough year for everyone. We’re still in the midst of a global pandemic. We’ve seen massive political tension in an election year. The economy is confusing. Many people have lost jobs and been stuck inside with their families. Some people have lost family members. I know how hard it is to be happy right now.
Believe it or not, Jesus actually talks about happiness quite a bit in one of his most famous teaching passages: The Sermon on the Mount. In this passage, Jesus lists the unexpected groups of people who are called “blessed.”
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted
And blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.
Matthew 5:3-4
That word for “blessed” really means happy! (Crazy, right?) If you look a little closer at those verses, you’ll notice that Jesus’ idea of happiness is a little different from ours. What are the qualifications for happiness? Poverty, mourning, and meekness.
See, here’s the thing, our world gives us a picture of what it thinks happiness looks like. Jesus turns that idea on its head. The world tells us that happiness comes when we just fill ourselves with more emptiness. The world tells us that happiness requires us to run after what we want, even if its harmful to ourselves or others. Jesus tells us that we find life when we die to ourselves. The world tells us to paste a smile on, even when we’re suffering. Jesus sits with us through our suffering and turns our mourning into dancing.
Feeling super successful and self-reliant right now? (Yeah, me neither.) Anybody else know what it’s like to be poor in spirit? What it’s like to mourn? (Hands go up all over the room, right?) Guess what, if you’re at the end of yourself, you are right where you need to be. You are ready for the crazy happy blessings of God.
This week, you can find this book wherever books are sold! (Don’t worry about your favorite local Indie shops, they’ll be able to order it for you!) I can’t wait for you to dive in and begin to cultivate the life that God designed for you.
Good Morning Daniel,
I’ve been waiting for this book since I heard about it and I have only the last two chapters to read and I will be doing it today. I have all of your books and I love to hear from you. I especially love to talk to you when you come to Calvary Tucson and we laugh about N.J. 🙂 I am 80 years old and feel I am definitely on a new journey of this Christian life. Many years to remember, but excited and wondering what God has in store for “an old woman”. I think I’ve had the privilege of experiencing all of these blessings because of the life experiences and still, here I am. Right now contentment, grateful for good health, and I still have my car keys – that can count for Crazy Happy. Thank you for the book. Thank you for the special relationship I feel with you. Take care of that family of yours and I hope to see you again one of these days soon. Carole
How do I pre-order copies of the book?
Happiness is living God’s first commandment. When that becomes concreted within us, then all the strifes, struggles, along with successes, will be put into perspective. The Holy Spirt anoints and blesses the way in which we see and feel about of life’s moments. We are able see life in its whole and not in its temporal moments of storms or “Top of the Mountain” experiences.
God gives us the desire to work for Him, to show love, humility kindness, servitude, etc, the ability to bring our shortcomings to Him and be forgiven, the realization that all things happen to strengthen our armor, for battles to come, and to praise and worship Him, like never before. Seeking God and having nothing but God in front of your future, is the only true happiness. Seek God and all things, including all things with the perspective of your desires, shall be given unto you. God bless and He still reigns!