"Humor Is Good For The Soul"

“Humor is Medicinal”

How many here today use email regularly, anyone ever make the slip up of sending mail to the wrong person by mistake.  It can be embarrassing!!!   Listen to this story.  

A man went on a vacation to Florida from their home in Northern Canada. He went ahead and his wife was to come in a  day of two.   In his hurry to send her an encouraging e-mail he makes a slip up and sends it to the wrong person.  It goes to the preacher’s wife who has the same first name, but her husband had just passed away the week before. The message reads: Darling: "Having fun, but it sure is hot down here. Looking forward to your soon arrival."

Readings Ephesians 2: 1-10 Psalm 107 John 3: 14-21

We who were once dead in our trespasses - are now alive together in Christ.  If that statement is or becomes your reality, then your life is a full life - a life dominated by the light rather than the darkness, - a life of both seriousness and of joy and laughter.  It is not a life void of struggles, yet full of endless joy and spiritual wellbeing.   A life in which death does not have the last word folks.  That is the message of our coming Easter and it should remain our focus as we continue our Lenten journey.

There is no life like it and humour is part of that life.    Humour is medicinal – it lifts the spirit and lightens the heart.   Centuries ago Solomon said - "A merry heart is good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones".   

God hears the cries of his people and in love - answers them.  Comfort and meaning can be found in the reading this morning. God hears and cares for each and every one of His children.   God, not only gave us His son but “GOD LOVES THE WOLRD.”  God reaches out in forgiveness to heal those who turn to the Son, those who believe in him, those who are willing to turn a new leaf, surrendering your old ways of living as you pick up your cross and follow Him.  

Today I want to share this serious Lenten gospel message with a mixture of truth and humour.  God never leaves us - or gives up on us - no matter what we do, God makes provision for self-centeredness, pride and the ego in our lives.  Yes, there is a plan for dealing with our shortcomings, it’s called consequences and we have all experienced them when we make choices in our lives.

Three men who showed up at the gates of heaven one day.  To their surprise there was a guard at the gate.  They immediately asked what was going on – “We thought Saint Peter would be there to meet us.”   "Heaven has a new policy", replied the guard.  "Before entering heaven everyone must pass a spelling test." "OK", said the first man.   "Spell the word GOD", the guard asked him.  "G O D" replied the man. The gate opened and in he went.  The second man stepped forward, the guard asked, “are you ready.”  "Most certainly", replied the man, "I only hope that you will not be too hard on me." "No problem", replied the guard.    “Spell GOD” he did and the gate opened and in he went.  The third man appeared quite irritated.  "This is ridiculous", he said to the guard.  "Who ever heard of such silliness?   As soon as I get in, I'm going to register a complaint!!"  "I'm sorry", said the guard, "but the rules are the rules.  Are you ready to spell your word?" Piece of Cake”  “Very well", said the guard, spell   "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious"  Consequences, We can read in  2 Peter 2:16 that it took a miracle to get a donkey or ass to speak.  Now it literally would take a miracle keep this one quiet.  We are sometimes our own worst enemy Folks.  

Jesus came to give life, and give it abundantly - now - and eternity.  In return - he simply asks that we follow him whole heatedly, that we turn our lives over to his care completely, holding nothing back.    A songs that comes to mind are “ Give Them All To Jesus” or  “I surrender all”  

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.  God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world may be saved through Him.  Those who believe in him, will live forever - in God's kingdom.    None of us knows just what that kingdom will really look like - but we do know that in it there will be not more war or suffering, not pain, no tears, no more torment. 

 A suburban lady who was not only disagreeable, but a bit of snob, was chatting over the fence with a neighbor.  "We are going to be living in a better neighborhood soon".   Well said her neighbor.  “Isn’t that nice, we are going to be living in a better neighborhood too!” “Oh Your moving” said the snob?  "No we're staying right here."

In God’s Kingdom we will not be afflicted by peoples ugly attitudes towards life, those whose works are meant for evil, nor will we have to deal with those who walk in darkness.  But in the meantime we do have to deal with them.  A good way of doing so is by not taking their insults too heart, their acts of evil personally, but by turning the other cheek when we can and speaking the truth in love to all whom we meet. 

Perhaps we can take a lesson from this story.    The Caption of a sailing vessel was known to rule with a firm but fair hand.  One day he was approached by a disgruntled revengeful seaman who said "I have a special message from the admiral, Captain.  It is directed to you personally."   Oh said the Caption "Read it to me", the sailor read, "Of all the blundering, stupid, idiotic morons, you take the cake."  The Captain looked straight into the eyes of the seaman and said, “Hah a coded message A, have it d-coded for me immediately sailor.”    You see when dealing with difficult people it’s always best to remember that angry, disgruntled or dissatisfied people are building the walls of their own prison as they generate negative energy. 

Which reminds me of the atheist who asked the preacher "do you honestly believe that Jonah spent three days and nights in the belly of whale?"   The preacher replied, "I don't know sir, but when I get to heaven I will ask Jonah himself."  "But suppose he is isn't in heaven?"    The preacher though for a moment, “you might be right!, then you’ll get to ask him!" 

Remember as well this saying when you are being annoyed by someone who attacks your faith “the man who tries to prove that there is no hell, generally has a personal reason for doing so”. 

But all in all folks remember this - for the believer there is no such thing as hell, why, because Jesus has given the keys to the kingdom of heaven for those who believe in him.   He has opened the gates - and he invites us in, and all he asks of us is, that we believe - and follow him.  Trusts his words, and relying upon his love, a love which comes to us from our Heavenly Parent.  By grace you are saved through faith - and this is not your own doing, it is your personal gift from God.   and the Congregation sang “Amen.”