| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “Laugh Again” Our Bible verse for today: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 (CSB) Our thought for today: “Lighten up and enjoy life” I would like to be able to tell you that I thought-up the title for this month’s devotional series, but that would be a lie. The truth is that I stole it (which probably isn’t much better than lying about it I suppose). Unless … unless we can all agree that I didn’t really steal it I just “borrowed it”. Yeah, that’s my story, “I borrowed it”. Let’s go with that. “Laugh Again” was actually the title of a book written by Pastor Chuck Swindoll back in 1991. It was a life application commentary on the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians (The Epistle of Joy). In the book Chuck tried to help us see how we can go through life with an upbeat and positive outlook, finding joy and humor along the way. I especially like the back cover of the dust jacket. There we see a picture of Chuck and his wife Cynthia riding Chuck’s Harley Davidson motorcycle. (It has a personalized license plate that reads “The Sermonator!”) Although Chuck and Cynthia are grey-haired senior citizens they often climb on his Harley, rev up that engine nice and loud, and go roaring off down the road hooting and hollering, laughing and having a good time. I can relate. I also have a Harley, and although Linda is handicapped and uses a walker to get around, we have on occasions pushed that walker up to the Harley, put her on the back of the bike, and roared off down the road, leaving the walker sitting there in the driveway. My friends, too many Christians are frumpy and grumpy. They walk around with their heads down, grousing and complaining, grumbling and mumbling into their moustaches, criticizing and finding fault with everyone and everything. That should not be. God doesn’t want us to live that way. Sure, life can get hard and we all have our problems, but it’s not all bad. Lighten up! Psalm 118:24 reminds us that every day is a gift from God and it is filled with many wonderful things to enjoy and to be grateful for. I encourage you to count your blessings today. Resolve to be joyful. And for heaven’s sake, lighten up and laugh a little. By the way, did you hear about the pistol-packing pastor who died and went to heaven? When he got to the Pearly Gates Saint Peter asked in astonishment why in the world any pastor would pack a pistol. In his defense the pastor cried out, “But Peter, I was a Southern Baptist Pastor!” Suddenly the expression on Peter’s face softened and with a knowing and sympathetic look he said, “Bless you my son. Those Baptists can be a tough crowd. Enter heaven and receive your reward!” Enjoy your day my Baptist friends. Rejoice and be glad in it. And be sure to find plenty of things to laugh about. God Bless, Pastor Jim |
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