If you haven’t read the “Wednesday Encouragement” (posted on 10/22/25) by Pastor Schwanke entitled, “Worry Fear Solution,” please do. If you’ve already read it once, read it again. Twice? Again. Three times? You get the point. The self-guided Bible study provided there is rich in encouragement for your heart and soul through the Word of God!
So, today in this space, the spiritual encouragement may be a bit on the lighter side, but still of great importance.
What is your “happy” place? Disneyland is the self-proclaimed “happiest place on earth.” I’ve been there several times with children and grandchildren. My very first visit to the House of Mouse was at his Florida address back in 1993. That was the summer before my wife and I became parents. Our visit coincided with Princess Diana’s visit to Disneyworld with her two sons – the paparazzi were in full force.
At “the happiest place on earth” there are moments of joy and happiness. Memories made are lasting though the actual happiness itself is fleeting. Have you spent time at a Disney property? The crying, the screaming, the temper tantrums, the sad faces, the despairing looks – and that’s just the adults in the place.
Earthly “happy places” for me include a bookstore, or just a book. Time with my dear bride of 38+ years. Time with my adult children and grandchildren. Time in the boat with family – panfishing with the kiddos and musky fishing with the adults. On one occasion toward the end of October, we didn’t get a fish in the boat, but we did meet the “Jaws” of a local lake. A trophy-size, reproduction-worthy musky swam into shaft of the trolling motor and then bounced against the front of the boat. Even with my hearing limitations, I heard that in the back of the boat. And felt the impact! Jaws, indeed.
Does God have anything to say about a happy place?
“How blessed is the man who does not walk in the advice of the wicked, who does not stand on the path with sinners, and who does not sit in a meeting with mockers.
But his delight is in the teaching of the Lord, and on his teaching he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted beside streams of water, which yields its fruit in season, and its leaves do not wither. Everything he does prospers.” (Psalm 1:1-3)
The word translated “blessed” can also be translated “happy” but we’re talking about much more than happiness. The world’s version of happiness is fleeting, based on the moment, dependent on circumstance. Like a gift-card, a weekend away, a wallet-emptying vacation of any kind – these bring us happiness for a bit, but when they’re gone, happiness is gone, True joy/blessedness is deep rooted, long lasting, based on God’s Word and found only in Christ Jesus.
Look back at the picture that accompanies this article. The lush tree with many roots at a water’s edge. That’s you, planted by the streams of living water, the Word of God. Planted in the Word, you grow, you live, you thrive, and you remain close to the Savior who holds you in the palm of his hand. That’s lasting joy, not fleeting happiness; enduring delight, not momentary pleasure.
The happiest, most blessed place on earth is a heart touched by and filled with the Word of our loving, gracious God.
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand
So, today in this space, the spiritual encouragement may be a bit on the lighter side, but still of great importance.
What is your “happy” place? Disneyland is the self-proclaimed “happiest place on earth.” I’ve been there several times with children and grandchildren. My very first visit to the House of Mouse was at his Florida address back in 1993. That was the summer before my wife and I became parents. Our visit coincided with Princess Diana’s visit to Disneyworld with her two sons – the paparazzi were in full force.
At “the happiest place on earth” there are moments of joy and happiness. Memories made are lasting though the actual happiness itself is fleeting. Have you spent time at a Disney property? The crying, the screaming, the temper tantrums, the sad faces, the despairing looks – and that’s just the adults in the place.
Earthly “happy places” for me include a bookstore, or just a book. Time with my dear bride of 38+ years. Time with my adult children and grandchildren. Time in the boat with family – panfishing with the kiddos and musky fishing with the adults. On one occasion toward the end of October, we didn’t get a fish in the boat, but we did meet the “Jaws” of a local lake. A trophy-size, reproduction-worthy musky swam into shaft of the trolling motor and then bounced against the front of the boat. Even with my hearing limitations, I heard that in the back of the boat. And felt the impact! Jaws, indeed.
Does God have anything to say about a happy place?
“How blessed is the man who does not walk in the advice of the wicked, who does not stand on the path with sinners, and who does not sit in a meeting with mockers.
But his delight is in the teaching of the Lord, and on his teaching he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted beside streams of water, which yields its fruit in season, and its leaves do not wither. Everything he does prospers.” (Psalm 1:1-3)
The word translated “blessed” can also be translated “happy” but we’re talking about much more than happiness. The world’s version of happiness is fleeting, based on the moment, dependent on circumstance. Like a gift-card, a weekend away, a wallet-emptying vacation of any kind – these bring us happiness for a bit, but when they’re gone, happiness is gone, True joy/blessedness is deep rooted, long lasting, based on God’s Word and found only in Christ Jesus.
Look back at the picture that accompanies this article. The lush tree with many roots at a water’s edge. That’s you, planted by the streams of living water, the Word of God. Planted in the Word, you grow, you live, you thrive, and you remain close to the Savior who holds you in the palm of his hand. That’s lasting joy, not fleeting happiness; enduring delight, not momentary pleasure.
The happiest, most blessed place on earth is a heart touched by and filled with the Word of our loving, gracious God.
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand
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