Customer Reviews

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

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As a pastor in California, I have just completed a two-week series on joy, and much inspiration came from this book by Mike Mason, who continues to be a personal favorite. Now my congregation loves him, too! We are a group of people who have been greatly touched by the Father's relentless love for us. Champagne for the Soul was a superb reminder that there is more still--and one of the next great things God has for us is joy. We have doubled our blessing, then, by pressing in for love and for joy. Thank you, Habakkuk, and thank you, Mike Mason, for reminding us of Habakkuk, who, when surrounded by trouble, chose joy.

First time through it was sort of like reading Greek. I just had great difficulty grasping the concepts. I put it down for six months and picked it up again at the beginning. For some reason, it resonated with me and has since. Sadly, I am sure there is more than one evangelical that won't touch it because "champagne" is in the title. Their loss.

The title for this book is completely appropriate. Picking it up and reading a chapter is like taking a refreshing drink of the JOY God wants us to partake in. I heard about the book on a talk-radio show that I frequent, but I was not expecting the book to be THIS GOOD! I was somewhat expecting it to be....cheesy? And maybe also unrealistic? I originally borrowed a copy from the library, but the pure meaty content of it was impossible to rush through. I decided to buy a copy for my home library--an honor that is bestowed upon very FEW titles, as I rarely pick up the same book twice--and I only buy books that I will pick up again and again!

The author brings up a very valid point: joy can be ours DAILY. HOURLY! minute by minute. it is not affected by circumstance. It is not the same as happiness--a word that our culture often makes into a god. Joy is far better than happiness! The chapters of the the book are short (2 pages), a perfect length to shed some reflective thought on joy and devour a bible verse. Each chapter goes deeply into joy--nothing superficial. I take one chapter every two days, and reflect on it. I find that each chapter is so full of content (not length) that it takes me two days to really internalize it. I can honestly say that reading this book has helped me keep joy front and center--even though at the time of writing this review I am grieving the loss of a family member. A big thanks to the author for this REFRESHING, thought-provoking book!

Mike Mason books are kept handy in my home for frequent reference and review. "Champagne for the Soul" is insightful, inspiring and a keeper that will be opened again and again for it's truths and challenges (Our worship team is currently using it for devotional in community time). The format of 90 2-page segments, with a verse about "joy" and "gladness" leading off, makes it very accessible to the layperson. Did you know that "the secret of the cosmos is JOY?!" I believe it.... and this self-confessed depressive describes how the God of all joy led him into a 90-day experimental journey seeking the "joy of the Lord" wholeheartedly. You will not only be inspired to do the same, but you'll laugh, cry and resonate with his discoveries. After chewing on his earlier books, particulary "The Gospel According To Job" (which I would want along with my Bible on a desert island), "Champagne..." is refreshingly sweet, and definitely bubbles up in your mind and spirit to draw you closer to the Christ, who " for the joy set before Him, endured the cross..." Do not miss this book.

Mike Mason's literary style is so personable it's easy to read. His honest experiment of living an intentionally joyful life reveals the fundamental flaws of religious indoctrination and sets the caged bird of the soul free. If I could, I'd pass this book out to everyone I know.

This is a very easy to read, practical book on joy. Joy and happiness are not hidden things, but can be experienced daily, as the writer of this book shares. This book has helped me to realize that I don't have to search for happiness as I have done previously in my life. As the author shared his practical experiences of daily joy, I have identified similar events in my life that I realized were moments of happiness. As I practice looking for the happiness that already exists in my life, I am more aware of what's been there all along for me--gifts of happiness from God.

The book is wonderful! It's just like a delicious taste of champagne that really fills you with joy. When I feel down I go pick up this book for a quick "pick-me-up" as the chapters are short and "just enough". I am so in love with this book and I would highly recommend it.

Mike Mason is truly a gifted writer. Each chapter is filled with shiny nuggets of truth and inspiration. I keep my highlighter handy. This is a book to be read over and over again.

I started reading this book like I do most books - by devouring it. But its too good! I had to go back, re-read and savor each chapter like a really good meal. I found myself discussing the chapters with friends and sharing our thoughts and desire to live a life of Joy - the only true joy - from Jesus! I recommend this book to anyone tired of striving to be joyful day to day - it is changing my life and the lives of those closest to me.

Champagne for the Soul: Celebrating God's Gift of Joy
Champagne For The Soul is an excellent treatise of Joy and from where it emanates. The brief chapters, though numbering 90, are brief and to the point. I will never look at Jot in the same way. It is not something one strives to obtain, it comes with surrender of our whole being to our Lord. The freedom in Christ Jesus is Joy that lasts not for the moment but for an eternity!