The Weekly Epistle 7/21/21

Sometimes, it feels as though there isn’t a whole lot to smile about. Rainy days! World news! Slow service! Family issues! Gas prices! Cost of living! We sometimes just need a laugh break. Even though it isn’t true that it takes less muscles to smile than frown, let’s exercise
those muscles a bit.
 
To help you, here are some bulletin bloopers (you have likely seen them):
If any of you ladies have an electric girdle for the pancake breakfast, please drop it off at the church office.
Ushers will eat latecomers.
The third verse of “Blessed Assurance” will be sung without musical accomplishment.
For those of you who have children and don’t know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
The pastor will preach his farewell message, after which the choir will sing, “Break Forth with Joy.”
Remember to pray for those who are sick of our church.
The peace-making meeting scheduled for today has been cancelled due to a conflict.
If you choose to heave during the Postlude, please do so quietly.
 
Ok, I could go on. The point is we need to laugh more. And laugh at yourself. As I have said before, “I try to laugh at myself and that way I always have plenty of material to work with.”
 
Maybe it is time to laugh again. I am not talking about being frivolous or indifferent toward serious matters or denial of the problems that exist. But isn’t the sound of laughter one way we make a joyful noise unto the Lord? We tend to think that the only joyful noise we can make
means singing. Aren’t you drawn to the sound of laughter? Isn’t it contagious?
 
I grew up in a home that loved to laugh. Our mealtimes were the best times. And it rubbed off on me. I can remember church goers growing up who could quote, “Rejoice in the Lord always,” while looking as though someone had just buried their dog. Or as Joe Aldrich loved to
say, “Some Christians look like they have been weaned on pickle juice.” On rare occasions, someone will say to me, “I don’t care for your use of humor in your sermons. God’s Word is to be taken seriously.”
 
I do not apologize for my attempt at humor from the pulpit. Humor is not the result of the fall. Only perverted humor is. I believe God loves a good laugh. We just might be surprised when we get to heaven how much we will laugh! It is God who says, “A joyful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs 17:22). It is true that a distinction is to be made between joy and happiness. Just don’t dismiss too quickly that a joyful heart is a happy heart and a happy heart can smile even in this sinful world because we know that Satan’s time is limited and that “the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming (Psalm 37:12-13).
 
Yes! People are dealing with heavy matters. Life can be hard. The burdens we feel about living in this upside-down world and seeing people living without Christ are heart wrenching. All serious stuff! I do not tend to make light of any of that.
 
Just don’t forget to laugh! Don’t forget to tell your face that you have a happy heart. “If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it.”
  
Blessings to you, Pastor Brian