The gift of laughter

We live in a serious world today.  In every newscast, we learn about something else depressing that has occurred.  It gets extremely disheartening after a while.  Plus, we have the normal deadlines, stresses, and responsibilities that pile up on us.  My point is that life can get overwhelming at times.

What a wonderful thing God provided for us when he gave us the opportunity to escape the pressures and challenges of daily life simply by laughing at something humorous!  Yet I think a lot of us take this fantastic gift for granted.

I’ve learned from personal experience how wonderful this gift of laughter really is.  I love to laugh. Sometimes I’ll get towards the end of the day, and I’ll think to myself, “I need to laugh.”  So I’ll put on something light, humorous, and entertaining, such as a DVD of a TV show from yesteryear.  By the way, I didn’t plan on saying this, but if you really want to laugh, one of my favorite sitcoms from the past is the show “Perfect Strangers” with Bronson Pinshot and Mark Linn-Baker.

The Bible actually says that a merry heart is like a medicine (Proverbs 17:22).  There really is some sort of medicinal property when we laugh.  There’s something therapeutic and healing about laughter. I believe that’s why God gave us this great gift in the first place!  He knows how difficult life can be at times.  He knows that we need an occasional escape.  I love this quote by comedian Milton Berle: “Laughter is an instant vacation.”

Kevin

Seven sins to avoid

Recently, I’ve been thinking about a list of sins that is traditionally called the “seven deadly sins.”  The reason for this is because they were mentioned in an episode of “Batman: The Brave and the Bold” where Batman teams up with Captain Marvel.  These seven sins are as follows: pride, envy, gluttony, lust, wrath, greed, and sloth.  This is not an exhaustive list, of course (for example, consider another list of sins in Proverbs 6:16-19), but it’s still an applicable list.

I did some Internet research on these seven vices, and according to one website, this list has been around since way back in the 4th century.  Despite its age, they are still relevant and timely today.  If I took the time, I could provide you with a Bible verse or passage showing that God wants us to steer clear of these seven sins.

I don’t know about you, but when I read this list, I am humbled as to how far short I fall.  I’m not guilty of everything on that list, but I certainly battle with several of them.  You’ll never hear me claim that I am a perfect man, because that’s not so.  I have recently obtained great comfort from the words of 1 John 1:7, “The blood of Jesus, his [God's] Son, purifies us from all sin.”  Not some sins, all sin.  Once again, as I often say, we can’t use this truth as an excuse to just go out and sin all we want.  But we can celebrate that God will forgive us of our shortcomings.  Praise the Lord!

Kevin

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Today is my parent's 37th wedding anniversary!

Chuck Swindoll once wrote a book entitled "Marriage from Surviving to Thriving."  That's one of the words I think of when I contemplate my parent's marriage: thriving.  They have an obvious love and devotion for each other.  It is obviously not a drugery or a decision to stay together 'for the kids.'

Congratulations you two!  You are an example to many on a successful marriage. 

Kevin

A thought from Truett Cathy on giving

I’ve been reading Truett Cathy’s book “Eat Mor Chikin: Inspire More People” lately for a homework assignment.  In case you were wondering about the spelling that’s how the famous Chick-fil-A cows write out ‘eat more chicken’ (they can’t spell very well).

One of the things that Truett said in chapter 1 caught my attention.  I thought it was an instructive word, in the heels of what I said in the last blog about giving and generosity.  He writes, “Nearly every moment of every day we have the opportunity to give something to someone – our time, our love, or our resources.”  It’s so true.  Then he adds this important statement: “I have always found more joy in giving when I did not expect anything in return.”

I can echo that for myself.  Personally, I think that this is the attitude to have when giving to others.  Among other things, this means giving with no ulterior motives.  There are some who give to others, but they have a hidden agenda.  This is unfortunate.  This is essentially nothing more than a facade.  No, the kind of giving I’m talking about – and Truett would evidently agree with me – is giving with no strings attached.

So let's all give that way.  And by the way, eat more Chick-fil-A chicken; it's a great product and a great company!

Kevin

Thou shalt be generous

Today I want to encourage everyone (myself included) to provide a generous act in the not too distant future.  Why?  Because the Bible says that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).  Generosity is a beneficial trait for both parties.  The recipient receives a wonderful benefit, but the giver also feels good for having given something.  I know this from personal experience.  I think I receive more of a blessing when I have given someone a gift than when I have received one. 

Don’t get me wrong; I’m not at all saying that I don’t appreciate receiving gifts or that it’s wrong to do so.  To have someone think enough of you to present some kind of gift is wonderful (the old adage “it’s the thought counts” applies here).  I’m simply saying that there is great value in being a giving person.

Whenever someone mentions generosity – or least when I hear it I’m tempted to think this way – we naturally assume that the gift has to involve the spending of money.  This is not necessarily so.  It might mean that, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

I love the TV show “Home Improvement” with Tim Allen and Patricia Richardson.  In a Thanksgiving episode, one of the characters declared, “Real charity is about giving of yourself.”  I think that’s true.  You may be inclined to simply give of your time, not your money.  Maybe that means offering to babysit for overwhelmed parents.  Maybe that means taking the time to write an encouraging e-mail to someone who needs it.  Maybe that means mowing your neighbor’s lawn for them.  There are countless examples.  Let me quote that line once again: “Real charity is about giving of yourself.”

Kevin

Another great "Veggie Tales" movie

I have yet to see any Veggie Tales production that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy.  For many years, I’ve been impressed with their blend of humor, zaniness and their presentation of truths from God’s Word, the Bible. 

I recently had the opportunity to see one of the newer Veggie Tales films (it was only released last year) entitled “It’s a Meaningful Life.”  As you might have guessed from the title, this is a movie that is parodying the classic film “It’s a Wonderful Life.”  I wouldn’t dare ruin it for you by revealing any of the plot to you here, so let me just strongly recommend that you add this movie to your collection.

I really loved this recent installment in the continuing Veggie Tales saga.  In fact, if this one is not my favorite Veggie Tales movie of all time, it is certainly way up near the top of the list.  What an outstanding film!

I have an idea what you might be thinking: “Veggie Tales is for children.  I don’t want to watch a movie for children.”  I understand if you think that.  It is kind of embarrassing to watch a kid’s show when there are no children around, but let me encourage you to go ahead take that risk and to get the movie anyway, it’s well worth it.  “It’s a Meaningful Life” will be a blessing to you as it is to me. 

Kevin

The power of words

Cary Friedman in his superb book “Wisdom from the Batcave” brings up a fascinating idea in chapter 9 of his book.  He writes, “When a person of few words actually does decide to speak, his words are considered much more seriously.”

Obviously, Friedman’s case study is Batman.  The Caped Crusader is definitely not chatty and talkative, thus when he does finally speak, his words have more force.  You know people like this, don’t you?  I know I do.  Those people who are usually quiet, so whenever they do finally speak, your ears perk up.  It’s an interesting thing to contemplate.

Let me issue an important disclaimer: I’m not in any way whatsoever implying that people who talk a lot are inferior to those who are quieter.  I know that some people are more talkative than others, and this is not a bad thing in and of itself.  This whole issue comes down to a person’s innate personality.  Don’t ever be ashamed of who you are.  Don’t put on a show and try to be someone that you aren’t.  If you are talkative, be who you are; if you are the strong, silent type, be who you are.

Having said all this, it’s important to evaluate the words that we speak.  As Friedman notes in this same chapter, “Words can never be retrieved.”  Whatever your personality, the Bible says that life and death are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21).  The Bible says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit the hearer” (Ephesians 4:29).  The words we speak can either edify or they can devalue.  Are your words life or death?  Are they wholesome or unwholesome?  Words are so incredibly powerful.

Kevin

"Consider it all joy whenever you encounter trails"?

James 1:2 says, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, whenever you encounter various trials.”  I was listening to a sermon, unfortunately I can’t remember the name of the preacher (I listen to a lot of sermons), but he commented that James 1:2, taken at face value without reading the subsequent verses, is a very odd sentiment.  I don’t know about you, but when I encounter various trials, I don’t gleefully rub my hands together and enthusiastically shout, “I’m in a trial.  This is great!” 

Once again, as that pastor commented, we have to read on.  Verse 3: “knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance” (NASB).  I like the way J.B Phillips translates verse 4: “But let the process go on until that endurance is fully developed, and you will find that you have become men of mature character, men of integrity with no weak spots.”  Ladies, I know it sounds like he's only talking to men here, but this certainly applies to you as well!  

I always try to be empathetic regarding the trials that you, the reader, might be going through upon reading these words.  As I’ve said before, you might be going the most demoralizing trial you have ever faced in your life as you read this.  For you to contemplate thinking of it as something good and beneficial seems ridiculous, absurd, and perhaps even insulting.

I understand where you are coming from, but we have to go back to the Word and what it says.  In many places in the Bible (not just James 1), we learn about how God uses trials in our lives for His purposes. For just one example, I recently obtained great comfort from 1 Peter 1:7: “These [trials] have come so that your faith…may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

Granted, on a human level, we may never understand why God allowed us to go through these ordeals.  Consider Job; he never got his answer as to why he was suffering so acutely.  But you and I must trust God in the midst of the ordeal.  Job himself said, “Though he slay me, yet I trust him” (Job 13:15; NKJV).  May that be the sincere heart cry of all of us!

Kevin

Change is inevitable

Entering the new month of August gives me a chance to reflect on 2011 again.  This year has really been a year of change.  For me to try to describe all the various things that have changed this year would take a long time.  The fact of the matter is change is inevitable. 

For example, I have worked at Chick-fil-A for many years, but the company is always unveiling new, innovative ideas.  These ideas are always wonderful and exciting, to be sure.  At the same time, sometimes these new ideas make me feel like a new employee with all the new training and the learning curve that it presents! Change is inevitable.

I thought about devoting an entire blog installment to expressing how happy I am that the NFL lockout is over, but I thought, “Everyone already knows that without me even saying it.”  We are now in the era of time where we see a lot of wheeling and dealing of NFL players.  Pick a team and you’ll see many changes to every roster.  Just look at the changes to the Philadelphia Eagles as a great example.  To me it just reinforces the idea that change is inevitable.

However, I find great comfort in the fact that no matter what changes we experience in life, God Himself will not change.  He says this in the book of Malachi (3:6) “For I am the Lord; I do not change.”  God is faithful, consistent and reliable.  When it comes to God, change is not inevitable!

Let me conclude with a quote from A.W. Tozer in his classic book “The Knowledge of the Holy.”  He writes, “In this world where men forget us, [or] change their attitude toward us as their private interests dictate…is it not a source of wondrous strength to know that the God with whom we have to do changes not?”  Amen belongs here!

Kevin