-
The Bbc ...
Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 5, 2009 (message contributor)
The BBC (news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3157570.stm) did a study five years ago and published some interesting conclusions. According to the October 2, 2003 article, the happiest localities in the world are (in order): Nigeria, Mexico, Venezuela, El Salvador and Puerto Rico.
What might surprise us is that none of these peoples are noted for being wealthy (Puerto Rico would be the best off, financially). People do not typically go hungry in these nations, but these people live in poverty (most of them, deep poverty).
The United States was rated as the 16th happiest nation (even though we are the wealthiest nation in the world). Wealth does affect ones sense of happiness, but other factors are more influential.
The BBC study found that the following ten factors (in order of importance) determined ones level of personal happiness: genetic propensity to happiness, marriage, making friends (and valuing them), desiring less, doing someone a good turn, faith, refusal to compare ones looks with others, earning more money, growing old gracefully, and not stressing oneself about ones personal intelligence.
(By Ed Vasicek, from Kokomo Tribune)
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
Some Time Back, My Father-In-Law Told Me Of An ... PRO
Contributed by Vernon Murray on Mar 11, 2004
Some time back, my father-in-law told me of an experience he had in the wilderness of West Virginia. He was strolling through a field when he heard the joyous chirping of a robin. He enjoyed its melodious praise for a while before his eyes caught sight of the bird. It was perched high in a wild ...read more
-
Michael Faraday, The Great Scientist, Was Taken ...
Contributed by Evie Megginson on Jun 19, 2004
Michael Faraday, the great scientist, was taken ill. When it became evident that the sickness that had fastened itself upon him would soon result in his death, a group of fellow scientists came to see him--not so much to talk about science as to talk about death. One of them said to him: "Mr. ...read more
-
There Is Tremendous Power In The Word Of God. ... PRO
Contributed by Evie Megginson on Jun 19, 2004
There is tremendous power in the Word of God. This truth is illustrated in a story told by C. H. Spurgeon. Out of curiosity, an agnostic who belonged to what was known as the "Hell-fire Club" attended a service where George Whitefield was preaching. At the next meeting of the club, the young man ...read more
-
John Wycliff –"…to Be Ignorant Of The Scriptures ...
Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 20, 2004
John Wycliff –“…to be ignorant of the Scriptures is to be ignorant of Christ.” 1. He also stated: “All those who love Christ, whether priest, knight or laborer, must carefully study the gospel in that tongue in which the meaning of the gospel was clearest to them; for all the faithful were bound ...read more
-
Song By Paul Overstreet- God Is Good All The Time ...
Contributed by Davon Huss on Jan 30, 2007
Song by Paul Overstreet- God is good all the time He put a song of praise In this heart of mine God is good all the time Through the darkest night His ...read more
Related Sermons
-
The Refiner's Fire
Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Aug 18, 2017
The prophet Malachi wrote that the Lord would send his messenger of the covenant, and asks, "who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap." What is the answer to Malachi's question?
-
I Think Myself Happy
Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Apr 5, 2016
No matter what goes on in my life, I will contend for happiness. Therefore in the midst of the most difficult circumstance, whatever I am faced it, may be uncomfortable but it does not shake my joy. Whenever I feel the adversary trying to steal my joy, I must find and Content for my Happiness.
-
Happiness Or Joy
Contributed by Peter Sapp on Aug 8, 2013
God is not concerned with His children's happiness. He is concerned with their joy. Happiness is fleeting, joy is eternal.
-
The Abundant Life
Contributed by Dr. Steve Newton on Oct 1, 2017
Happiness is not in the amount of things you have but rather it is a condition of ones heart and soul. How full is your life?
-
The Center Of My Joy
Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Oct 10, 2020
This message is about Jesus being the center of our joy. Our joy is not based on what happens externally to us, but on Who exists intenally within us.