Word for Today, Tue, 30 Aug 2005: Sometimes You Just Have to Laugh!
Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>
Dear friends,
I have some more good news from the personal front. I have been
working for the past nine days in a row, and tomorrow is the
tenth and final day of a series of two short term contracts. But
the even better news is that I just spoke, this evening, with a
recruiter at a major financial investments firm, and they have a
software testing position, similar to what I have done in the
past, and they have an interest in me. This would be a very good
job, paying nearly as well as some of my better paying jobs
several years ago. If I actually get this job, my continuing
financial troubles will finally begin to turn around, though I
have a long way to do to once again be debt free. I am elated at
this prospect. I would greatly appreciate your prayers as a
potential interview with the hiring manager is possible.
A friend of mine has been lending me a car, and another friend
thinks he has found someone who can fix my long broken vehicle at
a reasonable price.
I would appreciate it if you keep all of these matters in your
prayers.
My friend Larry Davies writes a weekly devotional series. Here
is his latest message about finding humor and laughter in the
every day things of life. Some of us undoubtedly need some humor
today.
Remember to thank God, not only for the things that He has
provided for you, but also for the privilege of knowing the
author of humor, God Himself.
Yours in Christ,
Brian
___________________________
SOWING SEEDS OF FAITH...
"Sometimes You Just Have to Laugh!" Larry Davies
"Preacher, preacher, SOWING SEEDS OF FAITH...
As Hurricane Katrina rampages across Mississippi, Louisiana and
other areas, we urge you to join us in praying for everyone
trapped in the huge winds and flooding. We will soon be looking
for opportunities to offer more tangible ways to help but until
then, please join us in prayer.
At the same time, the situation in Iraq has become increasingly
more dangerous with the new constitution in danger of rejection
and more unrest and acts of terrorism to follow. Please pray for
the troops and the people of Iraq as they search for a path
toward peace.
Read a Sowing Seeds Ministry Devotion every day of the
year. Simply click here and save this page to your favorites
list: http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/Devotions.htm. Every day
you can read a devotion offering encouragement and also have a
practical Bible Study at your fingertips.
-----------------
"Sometimes You Just Have to Laugh!" Larry Davies
"Are there any prayer needs today?" I asked during a worship
service. One person mentioned a neighbor who was sick. Another
spoke of a couple with financial problems. A young man asked us
to pray for the family of a friend's grandmother who
recently died. After hearing what seemed to be all the requests,
I said, "If there are no other concerns then let us bow our heads
and pray."
Shortly after beginning the prayer, I felt something tugging on
my pants leg and at the same time heard a loud whisper:
"Preacher... Preacher... "I 'needs' something
too!"
Still speaking, I slightly opened one eye and took a peek. A
little boy was on his hands and knees below me, tugging on my
pants leg as hard as he could and earnestly whispering:
"Preacher, I 'needs' something too!"
The choir members behind were beginning to lose their composure
and I could hear giggling in the background as the boy continued
tugging on my pants and was by now speaking loudly: "Preacher, I
'needs' something!"
"Oh no!" I thought to myself. "In my arrogance and pride, had I
ignored the prayer need of a small child? Maybe he knew of
someone who was ill that we needed to include?" Feeling guilty
and ashamed, I stopped the prayer and gently asked the young boy:
"Yes son, what do you need?"
"Preacher, preacher... I 'needs' to go to the
bathroom!"
Sometimes, you just have to laugh! I know what you're
thinking, "Larry, being a minister is serious business!" Yes it
is. As a pastor, I'm exposed to the most sensitive and
tragic moments in a person's life. Often, when there is an
illness, death or marital dispute, I receive the call to listen
and offer the soothing comfort of God. In the midst of tragedy
the church is called to respond.
But over the years, I have discovered something profound. God has
a great sense of humor and we have been created to laugh as well
as cry. Jesus said it himself in Luke 6:21. "God blesses you who
weep now, for the time will come when you will laugh with joy."
What a great promise!
This is what I've learned about laughter:
* Laughter can calm your fears.
* Laughter can restore your hope.
* Laughter can ease your pain.
* Laughter can strengthen your resolve.
* Laughter can turn arrogance into humility.
I was returning to my home church for the first time since
becoming a minister. I was also very nervous about how friends
and family would respond. After all, these people only knew me as
a wise-cracking teenager and as a manager of a local automobile
dealership. Now, I was coming back to their congregation as a
preacher? What a change! How would they react to this new me?
There was no need to worry. After the worship service, everyone
gathered to offer congratulations and praise. Well, all except
for one older gentleman who knew me since childhood. For a moment
he stayed in the background and quietly watched. Then, he slowly
walked forward, planted himself directly in front of me and
stared deeply into my eyes for several seconds. (It seemed like
hours!) With just a trace of a smile beginning to crack his stony
face, he uttered the words that would shatter any sense of false
pride, I might consider claiming.
"Larry, if God can turn you into a preacher, He can save just
about anyone!"
What could I say? Sometimes, you just have to laugh!
Read Sowing Seeds of Faith... everyday! Click here:
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/Devotions.htm
Are you receiving prayer concerns from around the world? Join our
prayer team today. Check it out by clicking here:
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/sign-up.htm
How can I regularly support your ministry? Become a Sowing Seeds
Ministry partner. Click here:
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/ministry_partner.htm
Jesus said: "You are the light of the world -- like a city on a
mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your
light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine
for all." (Matthew 5:14-15)
"Breaking the Peanut Butter Habit: Following God's Recipe
for a Better Life" now on sale only through our
website. http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/peanbutt.htm
--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: http://www.geocities.com/masinick/
____________________________________________________
Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs