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335th out of 1,940 books
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1,874 voters
The Christian's Secret Of A Happy Life (Hendrickson Christian Classics)
Hannah Whitall Smith truly believed God intended His creation to enjoy a happy, prosperous life. Her devotional classic, published over 100 years ago, is just as applicable today and overflowing with substance for thought. The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life is practical, personal, and powerful-an invitation to lead life at its fullest and most blessed.
Hardcover
Published
May 1st 2004
by Hendrickson Publishers
(first published 1883)
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This book, " The Christians Secret Of A Happy Life" by Hannah Whiteall Smith, has had a profound effect upon my life. I read it first time in the 50's from a very worn copy given to me by one of the elders, who was a founder and charter member of the church I was attending, knowing I was seeking to better know God and walk in happiness. It made an impression on my mind & heart but as I grew older I visited it many times finding as I matured as a woman and spiritually, it had deeper meaning....more
This book is not presented in a ten easy steps-type format, thank goodness. After a while that gets pretty tiring. This book is based directly from scripture and was written by a Quaker.
This sounds like a prosperity Gospel but wait for it....
Christianity is not complex, it's hard.
Hard because our spirits don't want to submit, let go, and fall under Christ's leading.
When we do, however, it's surprisingly "easy" for the committed, tenacious soul to find fulfillment in Christ regardless of what happens to us.
This book pulls back the layers of human over-complication and simply calls us to claim the promises of God and submit to Him as to a faithful creator. When done, suddenly our...more
Christianity is not complex, it's hard.
Hard because our spirits don't want to submit, let go, and fall under Christ's leading.
When we do, however, it's surprisingly "easy" for the committed, tenacious soul to find fulfillment in Christ regardless of what happens to us.
This book pulls back the layers of human over-complication and simply calls us to claim the promises of God and submit to Him as to a faithful creator. When done, suddenly our...more
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Kung ikaw ay Kristiyano, dapat basahin mo 'to.
Ang buhay ay di isang mathematical equation na happiness = success + a + b + c raised to the nth power.
Tingnan mo ang underlying principle at teorya ng buhay mo that greatly influences how you conduct your daily affairs.
Life is much like economics: may demand at supply curve na periodically tume-trending (rising upward, or rapidly declining). Kung hindi ka marunong tumingin sa mga essential indicators at lifetime trends, pwes, umpisahan mo na.
Ang bo...more
Ang buhay ay di isang mathematical equation na happiness = success + a + b + c raised to the nth power.
Tingnan mo ang underlying principle at teorya ng buhay mo that greatly influences how you conduct your daily affairs.
Life is much like economics: may demand at supply curve na periodically tume-trending (rising upward, or rapidly declining). Kung hindi ka marunong tumingin sa mga essential indicators at lifetime trends, pwes, umpisahan mo na.
Ang bo...more
I was thrilled when Ben found an old copy of this at a bookseller's in Boston. I'd long heard about it, and having a hardback, thick-paged, decades-old version seemed to give it even more weight. It's interesting to read this as a reflection of its time, with its answer to any doubts or troubles in life simply being, "believe more." It seems that now, the conversation in Christian and theological circles has turned, viewing doubt as not necessarily a bad thing. I find myself feeling in between:...more
Aug 05, 2007
Jessica
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Christians who desire meat!
Shelves:
inspirationdevotional
This title really seems a bit trite for the magnitude of wisdom and mature Christian discipleship which it's pages contain.
Plan to be enlightened (seeing biblical principles and scripture in a new way-even though the book was authored in 1875). Plan to be challenged (all our modern self focused-self absorbed Christianity is refuted bit by bit). After all this we see through a clearer glass, a more simple Christian life wich does indeed bring happiness- or what I would refer to as true biblical j...more
Plan to be enlightened (seeing biblical principles and scripture in a new way-even though the book was authored in 1875). Plan to be challenged (all our modern self focused-self absorbed Christianity is refuted bit by bit). After all this we see through a clearer glass, a more simple Christian life wich does indeed bring happiness- or what I would refer to as true biblical j...more
I first read this book, at least part of it, when I was in college in the mid-1950s. I read it again, partly for nostalgia reasons. I was happy to read it again, but I probably enjoyed it far less this time than when I read it the first time. Not only has my theology and view of Christianity changed over the last fifty years, but the general milieu of American society and American churches have changed quite a bit also--except, perhaps for fundamentalist churches.
This book is not for any but the true seeker of knowledge because the author's language is dated and difficult to follow. For me, it was a gem. The author answered many questions that I did not know I had about my spiritual life. Questions like "If I have truly turned my life over to Christ, why am I still so flawed?" and "How does one really "turn your burden over to him?" I know why it has been a Christian best seller for 150 years. I love her approach to Christianity. The chapters are really...more
I don't agree with Smith on all her points, but she writes a great book. I find it so complelling that it was written over a hundred years ago, but addresses the more fashionable question of our time; happiness. She purposes that true Christian Happiness lies in total surrender and union with God. She covers the topic from several angles (which might have been dull if I had read it all at once, but broken down over a matter of weeks was no trouble), and even gives practical advice and real life...more
A real gem of a book. This was originally written as a magazine article, but was such a success, it was printed into book form. Small enough to carry in your purse, with the kind of wisdom that will suprise you.
This book is such an encouragement, treating common spiritual difficulties practically. The tone is like a good friend, compassionate yet for your own good is not afraid to tell you what you're doing wrong. I especially appreciated the chapters addressing the unfortunate tendency for people to use their feelings/emotions to gauge how they are doing spiritually or even to know what they believe. Smith does a great job clearing this up, and even uses the analogy of a mother-child relationship to d...more
It took me a long time to be ready to read this book, and it was a bit difficult due to some archaic language, but this is a classic and well worth reading.
Really great book. Make me ask myself, am I being a true Christian and am I doing things out of love, fear or duty? One I want to buy and read regularly.
This is one of two favorites this year. This would be a good book for young women to read. I am already looking forward to reading it again.
I was hesitant to read this, but a couple of my friends rated it well so I thought it was worth trying. I was so pleasantly surprised and I can't remember the last time I was so influenced by a book. The perspective she opened up and the analogies she gave were new, yet familiar. I have been a Christian my entire life, so I didn't expect to get much out of it, but was humbled to realize that I have much more to learn. After I finished the first few chapters I thought she would just go over the s...more
Mar 28, 2011
Read1000books
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
christian-living
Although I disagree with her "quietism" approach to Christian living (let go and let Jesus do it all), this remains a Christian classic.
Sep 01, 2012
Katy
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
those interested in Christianity and how to be a true Christian
Read in 1993; I remember being quite impressed with the author's ideas. Would like to re-read it and see what I think of it now.
a wonderful book, I wrote a bible study to this book, and was honored to share it at Christ Community, I need to reread it
This book started off good, then died after a few chapters. Finishing it was long and excruciating. I don't recommend it.
One of my top 10 books I've ever read! The most amazing part is that it was written over a hundred years ago!
Good, practical book on how to live a Christlike life. Shows will versus emotion, dying to self, surrender and trust.
Excellent! Sound scriptural truth for pursuing a higher Christian life. I will definitely read it again.
This is one of those read-every-year books. Depending on where you're at in your life, you will always take away something new and different from it after you've read it. Written in the late 1800's, sometimes the prose is a little complicated, but sticking with it, one will glean much from the book.
Fabulous read. It will sit next to Bonhoeffer's The Cost of Discipleship.
This woman from a century ago really knows her stuff. I can see why Dallas Willard was so influenced by this book. Very inspiring!
Mar 15, 2013
Felix Odogbo
added it
A must read for all believers.
Highly recommend. One of my favs
This book changed my life
recommended by Ms. Frey!
This book changed my life!
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“It is a law of the spiritual life that every act of trust makes the next act less difficult. Trusting becomes like breathing, the natural unconciousness of the redeemed soul.”
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“put together all the tenderest love you know of, multiply it by infinity and you will begin to see glimpses of the love and grace of God.”
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