God is a God of laughter
Methodist Pastor Karl R. Kraft of Dover, DE, found this passage in Catherine Marshall's book, A Man Called Peter, a biography of her husband, the great Presbyterian preacher Peter Marshall, Chaplain of the U.S. Senate, from one of his sermons:
"God is a God of laughter, as well as prayer,
a God of singing, as well as of tears.
God is at home in the play of His children.
He loves to hear us laugh.
We do not honor God by our long faces, our austerity.
We must try to make the distinction between worship and work and play less sharp.
If you can't take God into your recreation,
there is something wrong with the way you play.
If God, for you, does not smile
there is something wrong with your idea of God."
Catherine Marshall added this comment: "Jesus Himself demonstrated to us, at times like the wedding feast in Cana, that Christianity can be fun, that fun can be Christian, and that it is the King's joy to share our good times."
©2024 the Joyful Noiseletter. All Rights Reserved
Articles
Two that belong near the manger scene
Where did all the peacemakers go? And where did all the impartial journalists go?
Christian Performer Matthew West Lets Humor Bring Gospel Joy in Songs of Grace
Fairly Spiritual Worship Service
God's kids say and do the funniest things
The Gospel according to Erma Bombeck
Abe Lincoln's sanity saved by his humor
ON MY SERIOUS SIDE: WHERE DID ALL THE PEACEMAKERS GO?
THE HOLY GHOSTWRITER Rejoice in the different ways people worship God
A laugh a day keeps the psychiatrist away
God's kids say & do the funniest things
Will Rogers - America's greatest journalist?
Christian Civil War? A Joyful Jesus or a Sad Jesus?
After the Winter, God sends the Spring
The Holy Ghostwriter: Unpraiseworthy Band
Pastor lifts congregation's spirits
An old Orthodox prayer to end an unorthodox war
IT'S A MIRACLE! A health and diet book with a spiritual focus
A New Year's prayer to end all epidemics
The healing power and joy of forgiveness
The Holy Ghostwriter: First Christmas News Reports
The Gospel according to Erma Bombeck
GESUNDHEIT! What we all can learn from Tom Brady, 'St. GOAT'
Is the Press Sleeping on the Job? Beyond Pesticides & the rise of interest in organic foods
IN THE MARRY MONTH OF JUNE - The funny side of weddings and marriages
'St. Mugg's' resurrection: 'Laughter is God's therapy'
An Easter Reflection: Where did the Pharaohs go?
Whatever happened to 'good works'?
185,000 members spread Joygerms worldwide
What the news media didn't tell you about pandemics
Patch Adams calls for 'a revolution of loving'
Messianic Jewish wit full of one-liners
Celebrating JN's 35th Anniversary
Why not invite brains to the coronavirus press briefings?
Groucho Marx mask befuddles coronavirus
A 'Resurrection Day' for healed parishioners?
'March of Prayer' is 'March Gladness'
| Shopping Cart |
| Cart is empty |
You can subscribe to the printed or electronic version of JN by:
- using our secure online store.
1 Year Subscription or Renewal — $29.00
1 Year Gift Subscription — $29.00
- filling out the Printable Order Form and mailing it, along with your check for $29, to The Joyful Noiseletter, PO Box 895, Portage, MI 49081-0895 (foreign printed subscribers add $10).
- calling TOLL-FREE, 1-800-877-2757, and using VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express.