Monday, July 27, 2009
- LOL
- In case you’re not into Internet slang, LOL means laugh out loud. I heard that children laugh 300 times a day and adults only laugh 20 times a day. Isn’t it sad that something we used to enjoy so much we do so little as we get older! Did you know that a good, hearty laugh can help relax our muscles for up to 45 minutes? It’s hard to feel anxious, angry, or sad when you’re laughing. You just can’t beat a good belly laugh, can you? A few weeks ago I went with a group of friends to hear The Funniest Man in America James Gregory, known for his clean southern humor. Our gang spent two hours in side-splitting laughter and have such fun memories of our evening together. For a taste of James Gregory comedy, check out this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11VwGlRI8Zg
I’m so glad the Bible encourages laughter. I love the humorous exaggerations found in Proverbs.
Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion. Proverbs 11:22
Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. Proverbs 25:24
God showed a sense of humor when he told Abraham to name his son Isaac, which means “he laughs,” because Abraham and Sarah laughed when they heard Sarah would give birth to a son (Isaiah 17:19)
God even used humor with those ungrateful Israelites when they complained so much about manna not being good enough and demanded meat. What did God do? He gave them meat, “until it comes out of your nostrils and you loathe it.” Numbers 11:20.
Sarcasm is a form of humor. When Job cried out to God in frustration and questioned God’s handling of Job’s crises, God responded, “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?” (Job 38:4). In our language it might sound like this: “When you create your own world, then you can tell me how to run mine.”
In uncertain times, in stressful times, in extraordinary times, and in just every day ordinary times, let’s remember to loosen up and lighten up.
You might try some of these tips -
- Surround yourself with reminders to lighten up: Keep a toy on your desk or in your car. Put up a funny poster in your office. Choose a computer screensaver that makes you laugh. Frame photos of you and your family or friends having fun.
- Watch a funny movie or TV show.
- Go to a clean comedy show such as, “Funny for a Reason,” a Christian Comedy Show by Michael Jr, Saturday, August 8, 7 p.m., Tivoli Theater.
- Read the funny pages.
- Check out your bookstore’s humor section.
- Host game night with friends.
- Make time for fun activities (e.g. bowling, miniature golfing, karaoke).
Hope you’ll get a chuckle out of this:
The Ten Commandments Southern Style:
- Just one God
- Put nothin' before God
- Watch yer mouth
- Git yourself to Sunday meetin'
- Honor yer Ma & Pa
- No killin'
- No foolin' around with another fellow's gal
- No tellin' tales or gossipin'
- No tellin' tales or gossipin'
- Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff