The Sacrament of Happy: What a Smiling God Brings to a Wounded World

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: Surprised by the Secret of Genuine Joy, 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 readers closer to the heart of God . . . with naturally a few genuine laughs and grins to enjoy along the way.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Faith, Religion, Christian Non Fiction, Christianity

208 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2017

About the author

Lisa Harper is a hilarious storyteller and theological scholar―a gifted communicator whose writing and speaking overflows with colorful, pop-culture references that connect the dots between the Bible era and modern life. “Her God-given ability to not merely teach the Word but package it in a way that stirs the heart and calls to action is incomparable” says Priscilla Shirer. For six years Lisa served as the director of Focus on the Family's national women's ministry where she created the popular Renewing the Heart conferences. The next six years found her serving on the local level as the women's ministry director at a large church in Nashville. As the author of eleven books, and a Masters of Theological Studies with honors from Covenant Seminary, she is now a sought-after Bible teacher and speaker. Lisa was on the Women of Faith national arena tour and speaks at many other large events as well as at hundreds of churches all over the world. Lisa describes her greatest accomplishment to date as getting to be Missy’s mama.

Reviews

[Lynne Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance digital copy of the book from the publisher.
I just finished this book and read it all in one day. Having not read anything by Lisa Harper before, I was not sure what to expect, but I honestly loved thè book. Lisa writes with humour and honesty, and it is all backed up with Scripture. As I read I had highlighter and Bible in hand, to make sure I recorded some of her pearls of wisdom. The truth is God is a happy God, who is happy with us. This quote from early in the book really struck a chord with me:
Here’s the liberating truth about God being happy with us : it’s not up to us! We don’t have to work harder to make it into some elusive “ I deserve to be happy ” club. We can’t instigate or impel divine happiness, nor can we lose or lessen divine happiness. God’s joy is self-generated and sustained with and through His Spirit and His Son. So when we put our trust in Jesus and receive the accompanying infilling of the Holy Spirit, we become heirs of His divine delight. We are grafted in, so to speak, chosen to be the apple of God’s eye and beneficiaries of His good pleasure."
Also: "Real, God-imbued happiness is not the absence of sadness or badness. Rather, it is hanging on to the truth of His sovereign goodness regardless of what’s going on within or around us. "
I cannot recommend this book enough!

[Ioana · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a liberating book, giving people permission to break away from the grumpy and gloomy attitude we think we must have in order to prove we are good Christians.

Lisa Harper makes a case for the happy God that changes a forlorn Christian into a happy one. Although I enjoyed reading this book, especially because there were a lot of Bible passages from various versions, as well as personal anecdotes, I still think that the happy the author talks about is deeply grounded in the joy we Christians hear a lot about. Despite these nuances, it was a good reminder that there is more to the Christian life, and that there is always the choice to approach each situation in two ways, one of them being the choice of happy.

This was the second book by Lisa Harper I read and I enjoy her writing style. It's not pretentious, but it comes from a good and happy heart who deeply loves God. She sounds like a genuine and relatable person, and this makes her books easy to read.

I received a free advanced e-book copy of this book from the publisher via Net Galley. All thoughts expressed here are my own.

[Paula Vince · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoy reading and reviewing the occasional book about happiness theories, as there's always a lot to get out of them. This one's sound premise attracted me. In years gone by, happiness got a bad wrap from dour Christians who thought it was based on shallow, swinging emotions, but in reality, God actually wants us to be happy. It may even be one of his major purposes for us. Lisa Harper reminds us that there are thousands of direct or closely related references to happiness in the Bible, which suggests that it might be our calling.

However, her style of writing frequently caused me to lose her thread. She begins sections with interesting questions, such as, 'How do we cultivate happy?' or 'How can we recover our happy?' or 'Can happy change the world?' Then she launches into long, humorous personal anecdotes that tend to ramble off on tangents. Reading the book became an exercise of seeing how she could wind her stories back to the points she was trying to make. In fact sometimes they went on for so long that I had to keep flipping back to remind myself what the initial question even was.

Harper doesn't always make allowances for different temperaments either. 'How does happiness express itself?' is a good example. Her self-proclaimed temperament is different from mine. Harper is energetic, loud and sanguine, and some of her advice seems crafted for people who are similarly wired. Those of us who enjoy more low-key styles of happiness can find good points in the book too, though. And some advice is great across the board, such as regularly frisking our thoughts, making sure we keep moving, and exercising intentional gratitude.

I could imagine this author being a stand-up comedian and getting crowds laughing, which I'm sure she does. Overall, it's not a bad book, although you may find some parts more relevant than others for you.

Thanks to B&H Publishing Group and NetGalley for my review copy.

[Jessie Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ms Harper is hilarious. She is an amazing story teller. She had me laughing out loud so hard at some of her stories. I thoroughly enjoyed them. The issue I had with the book is that the stories distract from the main points. Ms Harper makes very good points but it's hard to connect everything through the stories. The stories take so long to tell that by the time I'm done with the story I've lost all focus on the points being made before the story and the points after (and how they all connect together). What I remember more from the book is the crazy stories (the airplane story was hilarious) and not the points about happiness. I had a hard time following the point of the book. It was an enjoyable read... but I feel like I didn't take much away. The best line of the book was: "Real, God-imbued happiness is not the absence of sadness or badness. Rather, it is hanging on to the truth of His sovereign goodness regardless of what’s going on within or around us."

[Kiersten · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a digital copy from the publisher to read and review before the release. And I am so glad I did! I have read a couple of Lisa's other books and knew that this one would be just as good. Lisa has an incredible talent for writing in a funny and inviting way and remaining true and honest to the teachings of Jesus in Scripture. You can see the love she has for Jesus, her daughter Missy and her life in general through her written words. In The Sacrament of Happy she dives into the idea that our God is a God who is happy and wants us to be happy as well. Not in a health and wealth gospel way. But in a truly happy and joyful in who God is, who He created us to be and the life He has given us way. And being the amazing Bible teacher she is, all of her lessons and stories have solid Biblical backing. It's a great read and one I will return to again and again.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

"While God doesn't need us to be happy, He chooses to include us in His joy." ~ Lisa Harper

Harper does a phenomenal job of showing us how happiness is Scriptural. She does so with her flair for storytelling. Every word touched my heart. But especially those of having an eternal life with a happy Heavenly Father. It's also a reminder for me to enjoy the happiness He gives me daily and make sure those around me see it.

[Georgann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not too deep, Harper has a great sense of humor and some good lessons to teach.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If we will choose to love hard, even when it is hard, I’m willing to be all the hot bread and tortilla chips of my future on the fact that our planet will be a much better –much happier–place to live.” Lisa Harper The Sacrament of Happy

The Sacrament of Happy combines Scripture with Lisa Harper’s life experiences ranging from childhood through her present life with her adopted daughter Missy.

Life has not always been as joy-filled as her present circumstances might lead you to believe. And that is what make Lisa Harper one of many experts on the subject of God-given happiness.

Happiness is something I’ve been exploring lately, and it hasn’t been out of a need to find a way to be happy. Life has been going well for the most part, which has made this the perfect time to read about the subject.

Lisa Harper refers to other resources throughout this book and explains aspects of her personal study of happiness. Her relatable life examples of motherhood and heartbreak had me cackling and tearing up. Her insights into scripture were deep and thought-provoking.

Harper’s writing is refreshingly humorous and transparent without the layer of sarcasm that seems prevalent in other books I’ve read recently. That alone will has created a repeat customer. But Harper doesn’t stop there. After pointing to the Bible for teaching on why happiness is important she then reveals how to begin the process of understanding the happiness Scripture refers to.

[Brandi (Rambles of a SAHM) · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her newest book, The Sacrament of Happy, Lisa Harper reminds us that happiness isn't the absence of sadness. That thought is kind of mind boggling. How in the world can I be happy in the midst of great sorrow? It has the tendency to seem foreign to us, yet we've all met that rare person that seems to be happy and content in the midst of a great tragedy or an overwhelming sorrow.

As I read through the book and absorbed Lisa's thoughts that are backed up with Scripture it began to make sense. Not only did it make sense but it seemed achievable. Lisa goes on to tell us that happiness can be ours when we remember the fundamental truth that God is and does good. It's what He desires for us. It's what He gives us in the midst of tragedy if we will let Him.

This is a short book, only 10 chapters, but it will make a huge impact on how you think about happiness and where it originates from. We live in a society that tells us that happiness comes from things and experiences. The truth is it comes from the One who made us.

I think this would make a wonderful small group read. Each chapter ends with very thought provoking questions that relate to the chapter's topic. While most of the personal stories obviously have a female feel to them I still think the subject matter would go over well in a mixed small group.

I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are several aspects of the book that I like. I like that she gave scripture and in some cases scientific reference for the points that she made. Some of her stories, I found funny and I appreciated her transparency; however sometimes they were too long and left me questioning the relevancy of the story to the point she was trying to make. Members of the book club, really like the book and one member hopes that she comes to the area where she lives, so that she can hear her speak.

[Carrie Daws · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! Lisa's writing style reminds me a bit of the parables of Jesus in that she makes her point then launches into a story. Those who listen closely both see her point within the story and remember the story, and therefore her point, later on in their day.

One of the things that struck me over the years is the differentiation between joy and happiness. When I express I'm happy, people want to point me toward joy. Like happy isn't good enough. Like joy is the only important goal. Why? After reading this book, I think the author would agree that such talk is pharisaical in nature. It's adding weight to people who, at least at the moment, are pleased. I understand that perhaps they may be faking it, but if it is genuine happiness, why is it not good enough?

God is a lot of things: holy, love, faithful, mercy, grace, and more. Could He also be . . . happy? And if He is, shouldn't we seek more of it in our own lives just as we seek to be loving and merciful and holy? Reclaim happy! Joy and happiness are interlinked, and I'm convinced you cannot have joy without showing your happiness. So smile. Laugh. Dance. Enjoy the moments of blessing. Because God is good and He does good every day.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an enjoyable read! Lisa shares with us the "sacrament" of happy along with several book recommendations. She brings to light the choice to be happy and let your heart move with great love and joy even though it will, at some point, also be broken with disappointment, grief, betrayal, disease or any number of other hard emotions. We honor God with the smile and kindness toward another and we are healthier for it.

This is an excellent read. I would recommend it to anyone!

[Angela W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa makes me cackle aloud, but I shed a few tears as well. She is a masterful storyteller. She delves deep in Scripture and without dumbing it down, she makes the Word accessible to all.

[Sue Sefton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sacrement of Happy- Lisa Harper (20.1.19)
Lisa is real, gives true examples and is hillarious.
Happiness is a gift from God we can unashamedly enjoy.
Pg 111 the truth is no ones happiness is based on luck of his or her joy is genuine. Happy is not the result of happenstance. It’s not a fluke, an accident, or largely dependent on our circumstances . Scientific research... 10% happiness connected to circumstance, 50% genetic factors and temperament, other 40% is entirely within our control because it’s determined by our choices, thoughts and behaviour.
Safeguarding our happy
1- frisk your thoughts
2- get your butt out of your rut. Literally got moving, go for a walk or go grocery shopping. Also change your thought pattern, get out of where your heads been at.
UN Volunteer experience- Syrian refugees washing up on the shores of Greek island Lesbos, feeling ISIS extremists. Assessed- triaged, sorting system for help. Children’s tent- hokey pokey universal favourite. A child’s mother asked for Lisa to pray for her son to have joy returned, (which she did with her hand on sons head and holding mums hand) as she saw him smile for the first time in weeks doing the hokey pokey, his little sister was killed a few weeks earlier in Syria.
*Look ppl in the eyes. It’s a sign of respect and relationship. Pass this onto your kids. It’s difficult to have a deep relationship without it , a genuine heart-to-heart connection that matters. As image bearers of a perfectly relational God, we’re all wired for this type of connection. Lets ppl know that they matter.
*Love hard, even when it’s hard.

[Angela Sangalang · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

While reading "The Sacrament of Happy: What a smiling God brings to a wounded world" by Lisa Harper, I wrote a little note that turned out to be that thing this book made (is making) me wrestle with. I wrote: I’ve been grasping with the idea…the fact that God loves me no matter what. But, I guess, I still thought He loves me, but He’s not always happy with me. Like when we love our family, but doesn’t always like them. Not always happy with them. God will never stop loving me, but He must not always like me, like when I mess up. He must not always be happy with me, right? To think that God actually is always happy with me no matter what…well then!

In her new book, Lisa shares heartfelt stories from her own life about happiness and how it doesn’t just fit in or belong in the Christian life, but that “we’re quite literally called to be happy” (Lisa Harper). Lisa also lays down a Biblical foundation for happiness and challenges readers with question prompts to reflect and think through.

Like Lisa, I was also taught about JOY (Jesus, Others, Yourself) vs. happiness. I was taught that joy was eternal and happiness temporary. I was taught that we could never lose joy, but happiness is fleeting. Lisa turns that thinking upside its head in a way that I’m still mulling over.

“Here’s the liberating truth about God being happy with us: it’s not up to us!” – Lisa Harper, "The Sacrament of Happy"

Can we sit with that for just a few seconds? Happy is like Grace. Just as God’s grace is given to us not because we’re worthy or did anything to deserve it, God is happy with us not because we’re worthy or did anything to deserve it. Is it just me that feels so very free to hear that?!?

"The Sacrament of Happy" is for anyone who’s ever struggled with happy. What does it mean to be happy? How do we pursue happiness? What does God say about it? How does it fit into the Christian life and the serious Christian doctrines? How do we live in happiness when the world mourns?

I have so many favorite stories from those that Lisa shared in her book, but one of my favorites is when she found out that the Hokey Pokey is a universal favorite children’s song. I won’t spoil the story, but get ready to shed a few tears and then laugh out loud.

Part of the proceeds of this book will go towards building a sustainable garden in Neply, Haiti, where Lisa’s oh-so-very-adorable daughter, Missy, was born.

[Courtney Stuart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lisa Harper
The Sacrament of Happy – What a smiling God brings to a wounded world


The Sacrament of Happy is a sweet little book full of laugh out loud moments, deep insights and Biblical truth. It can be read in a couple of hours easily and you will not be bogged down with more questions than answers it offers.

**Happy. The word itself conjures up idyllic images, doesn’t it? Like a toddler in overalls splashing through puddles while gleefully chasing a frog…. The kind of word a middle school girl might doodle in her diary with big loopy p’s and a flower woven into the tail of the y, right?**

Harper asks the question of what is our view of God. Is He a stern, gruff face full of authoritarian anger, or is God a smiling, joyful, happy being that we view with kindness? God is most often described by Christians as holy, but very rarely happy. And it’s that very mindset that Harper wants to challenge and change. She explains through the exegesis of different passages in the Bible how the original words written in Greek meant the word happy, and how it changes the whole view of the passages to what we generally view it to mean.

There are actually thirty-seven references to ‘happy’ in the Old Testament and forty-eight in the New Testament. Randy Alcorn’s book…notes more than 2,700 pages where terms related to happy – gladness, merriment, pleasure, celebration, cheer, laughter, delight, jubilation and feasting – are used.

Harper asks questions such as is God happy, is being happy even holy, is happiness an absence of sadness and can happiness change the world. She answers the questions with stories from her own life as a busy single mum of a little girl with HIV to looking at stories told in the Bible and how they related to the truth Harper is trying to teach.

Easy to read, full of things to explore further and learn, Harper shares stories from her own life to give greater impact to what she is teaching, which are often hilarious. She asks questions such as if its possible to be happy even after horrible things have happened to us or to the ones we love and treats the topic with gentle tenderness. She gives examples and backs up things Biblically. This is a great book to read, ponder and then act upon.

**While God doesn’t need us to be happy, He chooses to include us in His joy.**

[Cassie Troja · Rating 5 out of 5]

**I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

Introduction
Lisa Harper is back with another engaging, hilariously relatable book that reads like a fond missive between friends. Can Christians be truly, deeply happy? What does the Bible have to say about happiness? Spoiler alert: it is not only permissible, but actually encouraged! God wants his people to be happy!

The story
Lisa has certainly faced some trials in her life, a fact about which she is consistently honest and vulnerable. The amazing thing about her is that every time you see her, she has a million-watt smile that could probably be seen for miles in the Tennessee wilderness where she resides. How is she always so happy?! She's human, which means she leads an imperfect life just like the rest of us. Lisa Harper has, however, stumbled on a very simple, foundational Biblical secret: that is that God desires for all His people to know true and lasting happiness. This does not mean life will be perfect, that we'll get every material thing we desire, or that we'll never know suffering. On the contrary, we are promised suffering and even persecution. In her typical light-hearted but heavy hitting way, Lisa mixes personal (and often hilarious) anecdotes with Biblical truths that are life-changing. This book gives practical advice and examples of how to be truly happy in Christ.

Literary analysis
This book occasionally felt a little disjointed, but I honestly didn't mind. I am not ashamed to admit: I love and admire Lisa Harper for the wonderful, exuberant woman of God that she is. Her spirit is one of encouragement, her heart is bigger than a Montana sky, and her joy is infectious. Some people are put off by her story-telling; I love it. I enjoy the way in which Lisa manages to stay true to herself while seeking to lead others to Christ. Her books so far have had wonderful nuggets of truth sprinkled in among stories and conversation that often make you feel as though you're sitting right next to her, sharing a cup of coffee and a heart hug or two.

I did not find any grammatical or spelling errors in this first reading.

Conclusion
I recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick, encouraging, Biblically sound read!

[Courtney Stuart · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sacrament of Happy is a sweet little book full of laugh out loud moments, deep insights and Biblical truth. It can be read in a couple of hours easily and you will not be bogged down with more questions than answers it offers.

Happy. The word itself conjures up idyllic images, doesn’t it? Like a toddler in overalls splashing through puddles while gleefully chasing a frog…. The kind of word a middle school girl might doodle in her diary with big loopy p’s and a flower woven into the tail of the y, right?

Harper asks the question of what is our view of God. Is He a stern, gruff face full of authoritarian anger, or is God a smiling, joyful, happy being that we view with kindness? God is most often described by Christians as holy, but very rarely happy. And it’s that very mindset that Harper wants to challenge and change. She explains through the exegesis of different passages in the Bible how the original words written in Greek meant the word happy, and how it changes the whole view of the passages to what we generally view it to mean.

There are actually thirty-seven references to ‘happy’ in the Old Testament and forty-eight in the New Testament. Randy Alcorn’s book…notes more than 2,700 pages where terms related to happy – gladness, merriment, pleasure, celebration, cheer, laughter, delight, jubilation and feasting – are used.

Harper asks questions such as is God happy, is being happy even holy, is happiness an absence of sadness and can happiness change the world. She answers the questions with stories from her own life as a busy single mum of a little girl with HIV to looking at stories told in the Bible and how they related to the truth Harper is trying to teach.

Easy to read, full of things to explore further and learn, Harper shares stories from her own life to give greater impact to what she is teaching, which are often hilarious. She asks questions such as if its possible to be happy even after horrible things have happened to us or to the ones we love and treats the topic with gentle tenderness. She gives examples and backs up things Biblically. This is a great book to read, ponder and then act upon.

While God doesn’t need us to be happy, He chooses to include us in His joy.

[Monica H (TeaandBooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

When offered a chance to review The Sacrament of Happy by Lisa Harper, I knew I had to read this book. I didn't grow up believing God wanted us to be happy. Rather, for me, God was a distant God who judged us every day. I was told that one day we would have to be accountable for our wrongdoings so I viewed God as rather stern and constantly appraising my imperfections. To me, He just seemed rather unhappy with me and I could never measure up. Even after becoming a Christian, I struggled to believe differently. Although I knew Jesus did pay the price for my sins, I struggled to see God and Jesus as happy with me when I still felt I had to measure up. I read this book because I wanted to see God in a different light.

The Sacrament of Happy did help me see God differently. I enjoyed Harper's humor and her writing style. I think her positive, uplifting outlook is contagious. I could also relate well to Christine Caine's forward where she shared her family's fatalist outlook and common phrases she heard. I heard many of those too and sadly they became ingrained in me to pass on to my son. But no more. It stops here with me. This year my word of the year is Delight. It was my goal to see how God delights in me, in others and in our world. This book has been helpful for me on my journey to learning how God has these attributes and how he truly loves me as I am.

This book shares many personal stories, many of which are quite humorous. I am about the same age as Harper so I could relate so well to much of what she shared. The Sacrament of Happy was a quick read for me with me reading much of it over two days. Harper shares how God is a Happy God, how we get happy, what we do during sad times, how we cultivate happy, and how happy changes the world. If you are also needing to change your outlook about God, I highly recommend this book. The Sacrament of Happy is an uplifting and encouraging book and one I think I will re-read on occasion.


I received an electronic copy of The Sacrament of Happy from the publisher and NetGalley.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lisa Harper brings us a quick look at happiness in her newest book, The Sacrament of Happy. This book is a reminder to us to remember that happiness is a gift from God. Happiness isn't something we can get through life without. But at the same time, many of us forget that happiness is a gift from God, something he delights in seeing us settle into.

Harper shares with the reader deep knowledge and understanding about happiness while at the same time providing hilarious stories that help you see the beauty and happiness in the regular moments of life.

No matter where you come, what your background story is, happiness can be something you experience regularly when you seek to remember that God has given you the gift.

Happy is not the result of happenstance. It's not a fluke, an accident, or largely dependent on our circumstances. 

Lisa Harper, The Sacrament of Happy

When we choose to look beyond the things that life hands us, we can remember that God has still gifted us with so many good things.

Real, God-imbued happiness is not the absence of sadness or badness. Rather, it is hanging on to the truth of His sovereign goodness regardless of what's going on within or around us.

Lisa Harper, The Sacrament of Happy

The Sacrament of Happy was a quick read for me, and a great introduction to the idea of happiness being a sacrament and act of worship to God. I didn't feel like the book necessarily took a deep dive into the topic, but Harper definitely did point out more books to read that will help further develop your understanding of happiness.

I received a copy of this book from B&H Books. This review is my own, honest opinion.

[Holly Buxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa Harper is a phenomenal storyteller and I loved listening to her read this book. Lisa teaches much like Jesus did...through stories. Her weaving of humor and careful attention to Scripture is a refreshing read. Her firm but loving encouragement to “get your butt out of the rut” and find happiness is just what this world of victimhood needs to hear. . . Including myself.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Lisa Harper writes as though she is right there in the room talking with you. She tells a story in a way that makes you want to hear more. Her writing is clear, clean and to the point - and what excellent points she makes. I am so very happy that I found her because I will certainly be reading more of her writings.

[Susan Upton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book by Lisa Harper. I have to admit, it is the first book that I have read by this Christian author. I recently heard her speak at a conference and I left wanting to hear more from her. When the opportunity arose to read her new book, I jumped at the chance and I was not disappointed. In the midst of a world that is full of troubles and strife, especially when watching the evening news, the topic of happiness is very relevant. Lisa discusses the answers to questions I’ve often heard about happiness. She tackles everything from “is happiness holy?” and “is God happy?” to “how do we cultivate happy?” and “what to do when happy takes a hike.” Her answers throughout are clearly backed up by scripture and not just her own point of view. She also makes the book very interesting and personal by sharing examples and anecdotes from her own life. I loved exploring the ideas throughout the book, including the question as to whether happy and sad can coexist. (Spoiler alert-it can! And chapter six will give you biblical examples to prove it.)
I also really appreciated the reflective questions at the end of each chapter. This makes the book excellent for both personal and group study. I look forward to the chance to complete this book with my Bible study group or a book club.
Note: I received an advance reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review of the author’s work.

[Rachel B · Rating 1 out of 5]

Throughout the first half of this book, my overarching opinion was that this was simply not memorable – not bad, not good – and I would have given it three stars at that point. 
 
Then in the second half of the book, Harper started to get on my nerves. 
 
For starters, she writes. Like. This. All. The. Time. 
 
She tended to make herself either the hero or the victim in her stories, and she had a habit of projecting her own thoughts and feelings onto other people. She seemed to view anyone who thought differently than her as "bad." (I think she would benefit from studying the MBTI.) 
 
I think what pushed me over the edge, though, was her account of Penninah and Hannah, whose story originates in 1 Samuel. The Biblical account states that Penninah "taunted" Hannah over her infertility. That's as much insight as we get into Penninah's character; yet Harper spends three paragraphs imagining Penninah as inept trailer trash (she has a "high, nasally voice," can't control her children, smokes two packs a day, etc.). I found it very petty, not to mention ironic, that Harper resorted to mocking Penninah for mocking Hannah. 
 
Harper had some really funny stories in the book, but they did detract from her message a bit. That is, I can remember a couple of the stories, but not the "lessons" that supposedly correlated with them. There is some truth in this book, but it's overshadowed by humor and snark.

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley.

[Julie D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sacrament of Happy had me thinking in new ways about how God loves me. It's hard for me to believe that God loves me unconditionally, and the concept that He may actually be happy with me, is totally foreign to my mind and heart. This book has me re-thinking about God's love for us and how much He delights in us.

This book is written in such a way that Lisa makes you feel as though you're sitting across the table from her while she shares her stories. She is open, honest, and her writing is so touching. I found myself wiping away tears one minute and laughing out loud the next.

I really love that she is so faithful to the Word of God in sharing about the idea of happiness and the believer. She also shares ideas from Biblical teachers that I know and trust. The questions at the end of the chapters helped me to really dig deep into my own thoughts and feelings about how I feel about the idea of being happy as a Christian woman.

My biggest take away from this book is that it's really okay to be happy and that our joy and happiness are found in the Lord. Yes, our thoughts can make a huge difference in how we feel but these feelings need to be grounded in what is true from the Word of God. I enjoyed this book so much and will be re-reading it again because I know there are so many concepts I truly want to implement into my life. I highly recommend this book and give it 5 out of 5 stars.

*This book was provided to me for my honest review by B & H Publishers

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is it ok for Christians to be happy and if so, is it ok for them to be outwardly happy in public? This is what author Lisa Harper discusses in her new book, `The Sacrament of Happy`. Lisa was raised in a religion that didn't allow dancing, card playing, or apparently any public signs of happiness. She also experienced child abuse. Her book, `The Sacrament of Happy` is written for all women. Lisa tells her book as if she were sitting with the reader face-face.

The very first chapter had me laughing as she explains an episode where she and a friend were to walk the red carpet. Instead, they wound up falling into a plot of mud with their high heels and fancy dresses on. What could they do but laugh?

Lisa referenced a couple of authors in her book; author Randy Alcorn and theologian John Piper. Randy Alcorn states there are 2,700 passages where terms related to happy (gladness, merriment, pleasure, etc.) are used in the Bible. God wants us to be happy. The reader will also notice that Lisa has done much research on the word `happy`.

The take away from this book on how to be happy is to first focus on God, and then be kind, polite, generous, and respectful of others.

Each chapter begins with a quote and ends with reflection questions making this a great book study for book clubs.

Disclaimer: "I was provided a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own."

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've followed Lisa Harper on social media for years.
Always enjoyed her posts.
Though I hadn't read any of her books.
So when the publisher contacted me to be a part of the launch team,
I jumped at the chance!

This book was a delight.
Ms. Harper writes in an honest way.
It felt like time spent with a friend and not someone trying to cram Biblical info at you.
She shared life experiences, many featuring her adorable daughter, Missy.
Her points were followed with Scripture references.
Often different versions were shared, which I found to be helpful.
Sometimes, we can glean a new viewpoint with a different translation.

“This book goes well beneath most people’s surface understanding of happiness,
gently guiding readers closer to the heart of God . . .
with naturally a few genuine guffaws to enjoy along the way.” ~
taken from the above summary

Ms. Harper gave the reader plenty to think about.
Following each chapter was a list of questions to help you dig deeper into the Bible, yourself, and what you read.

I believe this book to be ideal for a small group study or reading alone.


I received this electronic book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this opportunity!

[Carissa Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The Sacrament of Happy: Surprised by the Secret of Genuine Joy is a book that at once feels refreshing and sacrilegious to a good Baptist girl like me. Lisa Harper invites readers to reconsider God as happy--notwithstanding our own behavior and rule-following--and as a source of happiness to us, in spite of the troubles and pain of this world. His joy allows us to have divine happiness in the worst of circumstances, all the while looking forward to the happiness that will be completed in Heaven.
To make her case, Lisa pulls from minds like C. S. Lewis, Randy Alcorn, John Piper, and Tim Keller, and also delves deeply into the lessons we can glean from the Word of God.
Lisa's writing style will make you feel like you are in her stories, laughing right alongside her, and studying the pages of her Bible. The discussion questions at the end of each chapter prompt you to make it personal, and this book should be one that sinks in and affects your life.

[Melanie Walenciak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book so that I could share my honest thoughts, and honestly, I loved this book.

I've always been an optimist, a Pollyanna even, and there are many times I have felt the need to apologize for it, or worse yet been ashamed of it as if being happy made me less "deep" or less intellectual, or more in denial when confronted with the woes of this world.

Lisa Harper does an amazing job of shedding a little perspective on my happiness. Presented as a sacrament or a "visible sign of inward grace" Lisa paints a picture of happiness being a gift from God in this life that foreshadows the unimaginable happiness we have waiting for us in eternity.

To be clear, she isn't suggesting that we deny all the terrible things in life. In fact, Lisa describes some pretty heart-wrenching scenarios and then suggests that even in the midst of that, we can still exercise happy. And she shows us this by example. In one particular chapter, i was crying and laughing at the same time, an emotion I haven't felt since watching that one scene in Steel Magnolias.

Lisa Harper's writing style makes for an easy read, and while it may seem like a light-hearted topic, if we could only latch on to the power of happiness, if we could take this gift from God, this happiness seriously, oh what lives we could lead!

[Julie McComas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lisa Harper is a God-send! The End.

Oh, you mean you need more of a review than that? Well, alrighty.

Lisa Harper is a down to earth, God fearing woman that loves life! She writes books that are so easy to read, it is like a conversation with a dear friend. Honestly! She tells stories that tug on your heartstrings, and then others that make you literally laugh out loud! She has been through some crappy days, and she chooses to cultivate happy.

The Sacrament of Happy is a collection of stories that show us that God does have a sense of humor. It shows us that we can choose happy, how to get happy, and how happy changes the world.

I recommend that you get a hard copy rather than an ebook, because you will want to highlight several parts of this book. You will want to remember some of the wisdom of Lisa Harper. Another reason you will want to highlight is because you will start a story and will know what the main points are, but by the end you have laughed so hard that you might forget what you were supposed to learn from it all. It could just be me though.

I don't re-read a lot of books, but I will keep this one around to read every now and then.

I Received an advanced eARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.