The Sacrament of Happy

What a Smiling God Brings to a Wounded World

By: Lisa Harper

Narrated by: Lisa Harper

Imagine hearing your physician tell you that chips and queso contain more nutritional benefits than kale and quinoa. Or opening an envelope that looks like just another bill, and unfolding instead an official document declaring you the sole beneficiary of an anonymous billionaire's estate.

In her new book, The Sacrament of Happy, Lisa Harper unveils a similarly extravagant, unexpected surprise, declaring that happiness - just plain feeling happy - is a gift from God that you can unashamedly enjoy.

Wearing the twin hats of seminarian and belly-laughing adoptive mom, Harper delivers a warm, vignette style built upon solid theological scaffolding. She observes, for example, that God's choice of wording for the first verse of the first psalm (a word often translated as "blessed") literally means happy - one of many biblical reasons for dismantling the old-school idea that joy, not happiness, is the truly spiritual one of the Christian family. In truth, they're more like fraternal twins than distant cousins, meaning we as Christ-followers are not called to jettison happiness - like a no-longer-needed set of spiritual floaties - as we learn to swim in the deep waters of intimacy with God. Beyond merely a circumstances-based, up-and-down emotion, happiness comes from a deep conviction in the unmitigated goodness of our Creator-Redeemer, freeing us to feel and express genuine joy, fulfillment, and contentment, regardless of personal or global tumult.

The author's personal story includes such happiness killers as sexual abuse, the deaths of near loved ones, a heartbreaking failed adoption, followed by the arrival of an adopted daughter from Haiti who is HIV-positive. Yet she writes on themes like:

• The lost sacrament of laughter
• Does happy have a personality type?
• Tuning out the Pharisees who try to mute your happiness in the context of spiritual maturity

So this is obviously not a book of trite, untested clichés. It goes well beneath most people's surface understanding of happiness, gently guiding listeners closer to the heart of God...with naturally a few genuine laughs and grins to enjoy along the way.

©2017 eChristian (P)2017 eChristian

Fantastic audio book. So uplifting and encouraging!

I’m touched by all the stories Lisa shared in this book. Is so easy to miss basic things in our life and we just let things keep passing by and lose focus on Jesus. She bring the bible to live so anyone can relate and understand our Heavenly Father love for us. Highly recommend to get this book!

Endearing

Lisa I’ve always wanted a sister listening to your book is contagious you’re a precious soul I’ve enjoyed every moment of this book God loves you and Missy so keep writing I’ll keep listening

So so good…

I am so ‘happy’ Lisa Harper read her book in her own voice. Her stories and teaching within this title give enlightenment and balance to the everyday walk with God…our happy God.

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

I simply love Lisa. Her daughter Missy brings joy to my life on a daily basis as I follow their story on Facebook. Lisa's use of scripture and stories from her life make this book a great read.

Great Book

I so loved this book and by Lisa reading it has made it even better.

Phenomenal!!!

Absolutely loved it!! Highly recommend this book. Lisa Harper does a phenomenal job narrating also.

It was over too soon!

I have long admired Lisa’s speaking and teaching gift through social media. This book was a delight to listen to and a true work of heart. I found myself crying several times at the stories she told to illustrate an often overlooked and undervalued characteristic of the Christian life. Happy has often been thought optional, but to pursue it isn’t frivolous or selfish, it’s God honoring because happiness reflects His heart.

Eye opening & healing

For so many deep & beautiful reasons, this book touched my heart & inspires me to let go & get moving.

My Favorite Bible study teacher

From the first time I heard Lisa speak many years ago, her love of Jesus blew me away. I had never heard the Bible ever come to life in such a easy to understand way! Grace! She teaches grace, love and laughter! This audio book is a wonderful story from her own life. Happiness is all throughout the Bible! God wants us to laugh, dance and enjoy His many blessings.
I promise you will enjoy Lisa reading her own words and you will smile and laugh more freely! She makes Jesus smile! And, laugh out loud.

A Treasure

I highly recommend Lisa Harper’s book The Sacrament of Happy. I’ve often said happiness is a choice Lisa’s book takes that statement and points it right back toward Jesus as the way to full understanding of how to be happy even when you don’t feel that way. Thank you for the laughter and the tears. Love the book!