Champagne for the Soul: Rediscovering God's Gift of Joy

by Mike Mason

"The injunction 'Get real' usually means 'Leave your world of fantasy and return to what really is.' True Realism always and everywhere is to find out where joy resides. In the past year this magical gift got lost or mislaid in my life. Mike Mason has located it, given it voice, and helped me to recover it. Even one sip of Champagne for the Soul is a heady, exhilarating experience." -Brennan Manning, author of A Glimpse of Jesus: The Stranger to Self-Hatred If you were given the chance to be happy for the rest of your life, wouldn't you jump at it? In Champagne for the Soul, bestselling author Mike Mason explains that the Bible does make this offer. Yet most of us hang back, reluctant and skeptical. Theologically most Christians will agree that the Bible teaches and offers a life of joy; yet deep down we're not convinced that such a life is practical-for us or any ordinary person. But, says Mason, such joy truly is ours to claim and embrace. What you now hold in your hands is a call to throw off all worries and complaints and to "come and share your master's happiness" (Matthew 25:21). Is it possible to live every day in joy? You will never know if you don't try. These pages, drawn from the author's own ninety-day experiment in actively pursuing joy, will lead you on a journey that will help you-no matter what your circumstances-to escape the trap of worry, fear, and dullness and grab hold of the joy of the Lord. Mike Mason is the best-selling author of several books, including The Mystery of Marriage, The Mystery of Children, The Gospel According to Job, and Practicing the Presence of People. He and his wife, Karen, an M.D. in general practice, live in Langely, British Columbia, Canada, with their teenage daughter, Heather.

Genres: Christian Living, Spirituality, Faith, Devotional, Christian Non Fiction, Nonfiction, Christianity

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Mike Mason is the best-selling, award-winning author of The Blue Umbrella, The Mystery of Marriage, The Gospel According to Job, Champagne for the Soul, Twenty-One Candles, and many others. He has an M.A. in English and has studied theology at Regent College. He lives in Langley, BC, Canada, with his wife.

Reviews

[Cindy Rollins · Rating 5 out of 5]

For many (all years) years I struggled with the Christian concept of joy. I tiptoed around it and ignored it. I was afraid to go anywhere near it. In fact, I finally realized I couldn't partake of the joy that was offered me in Christ because I didn't think I deserved it and I was right!

This last year one of my sons recommended this book to me. I loved the format. Just my style. 90 short readings which could be read daily.

This book gave me permission to accept the joy that God had been offering me for years but I was too afraid to embrace.

Isn't fear the most effective of all the evils under the sun?

Sometimes suffering is the only gateway to joy that we will allow, but I don't believe it is the only one. It is a gracious gift we have only to accept and very much at the center of our faith. Do we believe the Gospel? Is it offered freely to us? Does it cleanse away all of our sins? If we truly believe that then we have only to reach out and accept the joy that is offered with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Loved this book!

[Jennifer Bogdanowicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last year, in a deep depression this book brought me comfort and peace and most importantly, revealed the JOY in all aspects of my life. I Highly recommend it for those who are struggling with a lack of consistent joy in their life.

[James Passaro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been challenging. At times the nuggets of truth are extremely helpful and hopeful, other times it feels as if I'm reading about someone who is boasting in something impossible to experience. Either way, what Mike Mason has described is what I desire most, the joy of the Lord to consume me entirely

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book again this year for Advent and Lent. I enjoyed it much better the second time. Knowing the sometimes counter-cultural (at least to the reformed church culture) assertions he makes, I was better able to focus on his message.

[D.J. Lang · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plan on this being more like a 90-day devotional. I confess that I struggled with some of Mason's 2 page essays knowing he was going to wring joy out of the day no matter what, and knowing (because he says so at the very beginning that he had "not faced, either during [his] experiment or since, any dire personal tragedy." Since my family had/has experienced such sorrowful losses since 2019, I somewhat felt Mason had not walked in our shoes. Nonetheless, I read to the end, and I actually appreciated some of his later essays when he struggled more. I picked up this book when Mason was quoted in another book I was reading (but I can't recall which one). It might be a worthwhile read for someone like Mason who has not experienced tragedy, but has experienced unhappiness and depression. Or maybe a reader who hasn't experienced those either, but could still use the encouragement to look for joy.

[Josh Bucher · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't think there's anything wrong with the information that is presented on joy. My rating is more so because I was intrigued by the author's 90 day experiment and I was hoping to read more narrative about that and how he was transformed and renewed in joy. It was sort of a disappointment to open the book and find just 90 devotional pieces about joy instead. Call me a grump, but it just wasn't what I was hoping for.

[Brian Bundesen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have reread this book several times, and intend to continue to reread. I love the authors writing style. It is conversational and relatable. Joy is missing from our lives, and we need to learn to make it intentional, and we need to be more conscious and practice it with discipline. Chapters neatly broken out into palatable, daily chunks. This book has been a real help to me. Highly recommended.

[Brianna K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A difficult read for me, as this is not how I naturally think, but one I intend to reread every so often because I do seem to learn something from it about the nature of joy if/when I can be receptive to it.

[Steve Truesdale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots and lots of food for thought.

Very well written, in short chapters easy to do one a day. Every chapter has many thoughts in it that are good to think over for days. Many new perspectives on Joy and living the Christian life.

[Scott Macy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book to encourage on a daily basis

So many great insights into joy. This book will encourage and inspire you. The authors insights on joy are so useful in our lives. Rooted in Scripture, it reads at times like a devotional. I highly recommend.

[Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a definite must-read. This book provides the way for anyone to take a more positive outlook on life, and while heavily based on Christianity, this book is still a great read.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not exactly what I was looking for or thinking of. Set it aside for now. Might finish it another time.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Worth a read at some point. It was a short 90 day devo focused on joy. I just finished and feel like I could start it reading it again immediately.

[Bethany King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read so many books about the Christian life but none have challenged my view of joy like this one has! It really made me reconsider what I believe about happiness and the power of perspective.

[Poetreehugger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just couldn't get enthusiastic about this book as a whole.
For one thing, I was about one third of the way through the book when I realized it might be meant to be a ninety-day daily devotional. I'm still not sure, but there are ninety two-page 'chapters', so that must be the intent. In the introduction, the author states "this book is the record of that experiment in joy", and so I expected a kind of journaling of the process. Instead it seems to be a collection of observations, meditations, and encouragements.
There are many wise and poetic insights which make it worth the read, and I found myself making notes to record some which I wanted to return to. "...We avoid rest because we think of it as doing nothing...", page 11. Thoughtful. "Forgetting that the kingdom of God is fundamentally about peace and joy, we act as if it's really about work, doing our duty, making enough money, building the church, organizing prayer meetings, or keeping other Christians in line." This sounds like an accurate assessment, as it would explain some situations I can think of.
Because the possibility of living life in constant joy was at the least difficult for me to envision, and at most impossible to achieve, this book did not completely "click" with me. Because the author admits to struggling with anxieties all his life, I value this book as a testament of someone who has actually achieved that kind of life, and so I will keep this book in my possession to refer to the quotations I have collected, and quite possibly give it another try in future.

[Mj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Canadian author Mike Mason wrote Champagne for the Soul: Celebrating God's Gift of Joy. He designed it for ninety days of reading at the rate of two or three pages per day. Each day starts with a passage from the bible. Mason explains the passage a bit and then ties it into what is currently happening or has happened in his own life.

Mason is a recovered alcoholic and he is very generous and honest with his wisdom and sharing - foibles and all. Despite the brevity of each daily reading, I learned a lot and reflected on much of what I had read. The brevity of each reading turned out to be a big plus because I could always find time to read just a few pages. I found the readings impactful and a great way to start a new day. This book would make a nice bedside companion for someone of Christian faith. I did not find the readings at all preachy. 3 1/2 stars rounded up to 4 stars primarily due to the positive message and content throughout.

[Ken Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book of 90 two-page chapters unpacking the author's many personal and random thoughts regarding Christ-centered joy, and his experiences in seeking to live out the premise that any Christian should be able to be happy, by God's grace, every day. I found the book both rewarding and frustrating. On the one hand, it was always easy to read a chapter since each one was so brief, but the book often left me feeling like there was so much more to be mined from the subjects of such brief chapters. The resulting lack of thematic momentum made it difficult to keep reading. That said, I found about 20% of the chapters truly impacting, but the rest too often felt overly philosophical and sometimes lacking in obvious Biblical support. I believe this was more due to the limitations of such brief chapters than to the theological integrity of the author.

[Lee Bertsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

In writing 90 short essays or devotional thoughts on the same topic of joy, it is inevitable that the author will circle back more than once and cover similar ground. Nevertheless it was a rewarding to be confronted almost daily with an invitation to welcome the joy that God seeks to bring to us, not in measured amounts but in fullness, not through strenuous efforts but as a gift. Some of us need that many invitations until we start accepting that it is really and genuinely extended.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this devotional. It's a great reminder each day, for 90 days, to choose joy. Having joy is a choice, and also a command. God calls us to have joy in our attitudes; we can decide how to look at a situation and whether to praise God for the blessings he has provided, or to grumble about the frustrations of the day.
Really enjoyed the casual writing style and how open he was about his struggles and his journey in chasing after joy.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book! With tiny, two-page chapters providing daily vignettes on joy, Mike Mason allows his readers to sip slowly the delightfully refreshing, supernaturally given champagne for the soul. If you want to be happy, read this book.

[Bex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Satisfying. A good daily devotional. Or just a daily read. To be reminded each day that joy is a choice, that there is joy to be found. Because Jesus offers us that unending joy, and with him we can live in it forever.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mike Mason's words are so helpful and so profound at this difficult time in my life. I thank God for placing this book in my lap.

[Karyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started off great. A reminder that we should be happy with what we have in this world. It should have been 30 days instead of 90 -- really got old after awhile

[Glen Grunau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any other melancholics out there? God longs for us to experience joy and here is how we can search for it and find it. Great book!

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as a daily devotion for 3 months. Good Read:)

[Kendra Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is an ongoing, looping read, meaning I start at one end, finish at the other, and start all over again.

[Curtis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book with daily readings on joy. 90 chapters allow you to focus on joy daily for 3 months.

[Wayne Presnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book very slowly in a round robin of devotionals over the past few years. I just completed it and would recommend it to others. Very interesting experiment with joy he conducted.