Undiscovered Genius 2018

17 Joy III I have recently made a 2-part presentation on the subject of Joy; next week my final meditation on joy will come from a few sayings of Kierkegaard, but today we will continue discussing the subject, drawing on some ideas of Novalis, DesCartes, Kant, and Schopenhauer. But first here are some scriptures whose relevance to the subject will be gradually revealed: Song of Solomon 8:13-14     "Thou that dwellest in the gardens, the companions hearken to thy voice: cause me to hear it.     Make haste, my beloved," Proverbs 13:12     "Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life." 2 Corinthians 5:2     "Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our     heavenly dwelling," Romans 15:13     "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in     believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you     may abound ...

Call to Worship  Ecclesiastes 2:1-26:  "I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But behold, this also was vanity. I said of laughter, “It is mad,” and of pleasure, “What use is it?” I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine—my heart still guiding me with wisdom—and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life. I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. …" 16 Happiness/Joy II Last week's sermon was called "Happiness/Joy I". It was the first of a two part message, the first part being about happiness, and the second part, this one, to be about joy. In these two messages, I am making a distinction between the words "happiness" and "joy"; I do not know for sure if this distinction is even worth mak...