LAUGHTER and JOY

Worshipping the Lord

Psalms 126:2-3

Our mouths were filled with laughter and our tongues with shouts of joy. Then they said among the nations: The Lord has done great things. Let us be glad.

The last five years have been filled with such negativity. The tyranny was real. It still lurks in the background. We wonder if this summer is just a reprieve from what the Deep State overlords are preparing for us in the fall. When we let these annoyances sour our mood and upset our world, it’s easy to overlook - and even forget - all the blessings the Lord has given us.

Let’s never forget to laugh.

Laughter isn't just a quick pick-me-up. It's also good for both your mental attitude and your overall health. Laughter improves your immune system, lowers your stress, improves your mood, and even helps to eliminate pain. Laughter makes it easier to cope with difficult situations. It also helps you connect with other people. When you share a joke or a humorous story with someone, you will have an instant connection.

Even though what we’re doing is important in relation to Eternity, what we do from day to day is much more important than we think!

At the macro level, let’s make a list of the good things that we have come to take them for granted:

• Most people in America live in safe communities.

• Most people are working and have a place to live.

• Our country has ample food and drinkable water.

• We have refrigerators, kitchen sinks, and flush toilets.

• We have cell phones, computers, and cars.

• We have a variety of different types of music, something for everyone.

• We don’t have bombs dropping on our heads; we don’t have to dodge landmines in our streets.

• And after enduring the years of nonsensical lockdowns, tolerating irrelevant masks, and obeying senseless ‘social distancing’ dictums, we can now travel, walk in the park, and worship without fear of being imprisoned.

So, what about you? What are you grateful for today that you have taken for granted? Here’s part of my personal list:

• I am beyond grateful that I have almost fully recovered from the significant stroke I experienced in August 2023.

• I am so grateful for my team, who are more than employees; they are my closest friends.

• I’m grateful for the friends I have across the country and around the world.

• I’m grateful the Lord has used my work to save many lives.

• I love that I have time to write books.

• I love doing podcasts almost daily, and my studio is conveniently located in my basement.

• I love that I have TWO substacks where I can share my thoughts and there are people interested in what I have to say!

• I love my home and its peacefulness.

• I love my little dog, Teegan, the love of my life.

• I love that I have the choice to travel or to stay home.

• I love that I have the honor of having at least eight different versions of the Bible I use for a variety of different research projects.

....you get the idea.

Here’s an idea: Start a Daily Family Gratitude Discussion

In the evening, after dinner or before bedtime, have a family pow-wow to review the day, to pause and be grateful. Think of some silly things that happened that make you smile, giggle, or maybe even made you laugh out loud.

Start with: “This is the day that the Lord has made…let us rejoice and be glad!”

You know God has a great sense of humor. After all, He created humans!

Today’s Prayer

Dear Lord, forgive us for taking the gifts You have given us for granted. We need to remember Your voice in the Meadowlark, see Your love in the sunrise, and feel Your touch as the wind brushes our cheek and messes up our hair. Thank you for Your Word, which reminds us to be happy, filled with laughter and song, irrespective of our current circumstances. We are grateful for Your presence in our lives. Thank you for holding us up when we feel weak, for Your smile when we feel discouraged and have lost hope.

We’re shouting out to You today, Lord, with laughter, joy, and a dance in our step. Thank you for all You do for us. Thank you for reminding us to fill our mouths with laughter and to lift our voices with shouts of joy. You have done great things for us, Lord. And we anticipate with joy the blessings that are coming to us next! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you like what I write in this column, you can find many posts all in one place in my book, Walking With God.

Join us Wednesday night for a Tenpenny Prime event with HBOT and brain health expert, Dr. Ted Fogarty.