This post has been revised and is part of Frank’s new book, Hang On, Let Go: What to Do When Your Dreams Are Shattered and Life Is Falling Apart.
Frank Viola | Beyond Evangelical
Official Blog of Author & Speaker Frank Viola. Digging below the surface and moving beyond the shallows in today's Christianity.
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Dear Brother Frank,
I have read the comments written by several people on the blessings they received through your book- INSURGENCE.
How can I get the book in Nigeria and how can I be part of the online course.
Thanks
ERIC
Eric, as the author of the book, I don’t handle book sales. I would recommend you call your local bookshops and ask them to order it.
Baker is the publisher. At the same time, you can contact Baker Books online and ask them where/how you can get it.
Regarding the course, I’m not sure which one you asking about as we have 4 online courses and then many Master Classes. But problem solved.
Just go here and pick the course you would like to order. https://frankviola.info/2015/04/21/courses/
Thx. for your interest.
fv
Hi Frank, I’m a relatively new member of the Insurgence, and just want to say how much I’ve been enjoying being on your email list, and to let you know how grateful I am for your ministry and your willingness to share what God has taught you. For the past year or so, I’ve felt led of the Lord to immerse myself in several of your books, your blog, and your podcast, along with your Living by the Indwelling Life of Christ course, and I must say that I’m being greatly impacted by your ministry!
It all started as I began reading your book, Insurgence. Through that book I was led to go through your “Living by the Indwelling Life of Christ” course, the result of which has been a total change in how I’m now experiencing relationship with our Lord.
Then, through that study I felt led to read From Here to Eternity, which the Lord used to open my spiritual understanding to God’s great eternal purpose, which in turn has caused me to reevaluate the purpose of my own life.
Then, through reading From Eternity to Here, I was led to read Jesus Speaks, which caused me consider the very practical ways that Christ wants to communicate and relate with me.
And finally, I’m currently reading/studying your book, The Untold Story of the New Testament Church, which I’m using as a guide to read through the New Testament chronologically, in order to gain a better perspective of the context of the early church and to receive insight on how our Lord works to fulfill His eternal purpose in this world.
Thank you for providing these resources…the Lord is truly using them to bless and grow me in my walk with Him!
Last of all, regarding your most recent blog, it reminded of a quote I once read by the great 19th century American Revivalist, Charles G. Finney: “Interestingly enough, the less concerned you are about your own happiness – the happier you will be. True happiness consist mainly in the fulfillment of unselfish desires. If you aim at doing good for its own sake, then you will be happy in proportion as you do good. But if you do good simply to secure your own happiness, you will fail. You will be like the child pursuing his own shadow; he can never over take it, because it’s always just so far ahead of him.”
In other words, God did not create us with the ability to secure our own happiness…the happiness that we will experience as individuals will be in direct proportion to the happiness that we seek to bring to others.
Sorry for the long post, keep up the good work, and be blessed!
Thanks Billy. I appreciate the testimonial, kind words, and the Finney quote. Blessings!
Very valid in this day and age – C.S. Lewis makes a similar point in “Compelling Reason”, quoting from “First and Second Things” (1942) : “You can’t get second things by putting them first; you can only get second things by putting first things first.”
Amen. Seek first God’s kingdom and joy will be given to us no matter what the circumstance. Frank, I really appreciate your mentioning of Asian Americans and their situation in your prayer. Blessings.
Very insightful! Felt joy (not happiness) in reading it. It’s become easy for me to refuse the devil’s offer because the best he can give is just initial rush of shallow happiness, which then quickly fades & leaves one more restless than before, which those who have experienced God’s joy resist.
By the way, finished reading the book INSURGENCE last year – started at the very end of Dec 2018 & read slowly word by word, page by page, chapter by chapter & took months to complete it. Have to start again 🙂
Thanks! So glad that you read the book and are taking a second dip. It’s the most important book I’ve produced. It’s not meant to be “devoured” but “digested” in bite-sized pieces, like a feast!
I love your humor. It gives me joy because truth produces joy. I wrote a book entitled “Joy After Failure “. Embracing problems and moving on to its lessons is key. I thank God for you spreading the truth.
I was so happy to get the email with your latest article! Then I opened the link and read it, and it made me…
Only kidding! 😉
I agree, happiness is a fool’s errand. The unwillingness to be content in all things (as Paul said) actually drives some people towards depression because they expect happiness at all times.
Knowing Jesus in all circumstances is key.
The joy and peace that passes all understanding stems from Jesus’s comments about storing up your treasures in Heaven and not in the things of this world.
Thanks for sharing, yes in Jesus we are having true Joy.
This is why I purchased 20 Insurgence books to give away to those who need to hear this word.
Thanks Ray! You made my day. I’m happy now. LOL
Solid, short read, full of truth. Jesus never spoke of being happy or that following Him would lead to happiness, yet this thought has infiltrated Christendom. Thanks for sharing this much needed Kingdom mindset, brother!
Excellent article Frank! I loved the way you wrote this in very understandable terms.
Your introduction to this blog made me think about buying a new car. Whether it is a BRAND NEW CAR or a New-to-me car, it is the same. I buy a car and I am reeling with joy over every new feature (some I didn’t have before) and its smooth ride, beautiful lines, and comfortable interior. I cannot wait to show it off to my friends and family. However, that period of awe, newness, and showing off lasts only a few weeks or months and then it is what your previous car was…a mode of transportation getting you from point A to point B. The newness and happiness of new has worn off and its back to the mundane grind. Right now I drive a 2005 Honda Odyssey with several issues that would cost more to fix than the car is worth. It gets me safely from point A to point B and for that I’m grateful. And every time I think about a new-to-me or a brand new car, I have trained my mind to go straight to what it would feel like to own that “new” car after 6 months. It doesn’t mean that I won’t buy a “new” car any time in the near future, but it helps me buy with better intentions than just wanting the happiness of a new thing. Thanks for your words, I appreciate your email, blog, articles, and books.
Humor that hits home! Some great points! I want to add that if there’s one pandemic to embrace, it would be love, to be totally “infected” with the heart and desire to be a loving person in the way the God is.
Amen!
Absolutely brilliant! Love the wit.
Can’t wait for the virus survival guide. Will this series you’ve been doing on your blog be part of it? I laugh out loud reading them. Eager to read it and share it with my friends.
Thanks for “getting” the humor, Landon.
Yes. The survival guide will include ALL the articles I’ve been writing about the virus crisis on the blog along with other articles that are related.
With the 59 occurrences of Joy in the N.T. which are almost all linked to difficult times or times of heartache, before experiencing joy what is your understanding of Joy?
Paul. There’s a link to the Insurgence podcast episode that answers that very question. It comes RIGHT AFTER the line: “What’s joy?”
Do you not see it?
I totally agree with you. When facing temptation and our heart is not in line with the Lord, we unfortunately believe that what we are about to do or say can make us happy. But once we do it, then sadness begins.
Thank you for the advice. We will keep our Asian brethren in our prayers.
Blessings to you bro.
Thanks for praying for your Asian brethren!
Right on. Happiness is a derivative of Happenings. Joy is Jesus. ????