Made for Laughter

A cheerful heart is good medicine.

Proverbs 17:22

Nancy and Craig constantly looked for little ways to make each other laugh and enrich their marriage. This particular morning found Nancy headed out the door for the day as Craig was finishing breakfast. They never parted com­pany without a what-if kiss: What if something terrible happens and we do not see each other again? So, getting up from the table, Craig joined his beloved at their favorite spot: the doorway between the dining room and kitchen. Nancy stood on the step above the threshold, Craig on the kitchen floor, several inches below her. This offset their height difference, making for the perfect fit.

As they embraced and kissed, a mischievous thought came unbidden to Craig. Not given time to brush his teeth prior to Nancy’s heading out the door, he realized, with increasing amusement, here was a moment given by God! Leaning back while still holding her around the waist, he looked into Nancy’s eyes and said, “I guess this makes me a cereal kisser!” Spontaneous laughter with a twinkle in their eyes gave testimony to the love they shared. These pre­cious moments given of God deepened their relationship with each other and God.

†

We were created with an expressive nature, and it testifies to what’s going on in our heart.

Many of us suffer from heavily burdened hearts, rarely displaying any sign of joy or happiness. God Himself desires to bring complete joy to our lives that we might recognize His nature and learn to emulate it.

It is my belief that we bring a smile to our Creator’s face when we laugh with abandon. One of my favorite paintings is of a head-thrown-back, all-teeth-showing, belly-laughing Jesus.

We weren’t created to walk around with a downcast countenance, showing everyone how miserable we are. We will find what we look for; joy is optional. Yes, there will be sorrow, but if we look for a light heart, we just might find one filled with laughter.

Prayer

“Help us look to create those seemingly insignificant moments in life, Lord. Teach us to laugh as You intended, to love each other

“Undefeatable!”

But thanks be to God! He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1Corinthians 15:57

Gerald awakened with complete recollection of his dream: A soldier in uniform, he had suffered defeat at the hands of a vicious and cunning enemy. He felt shame and self-loathing for what he considered utter defeat! Crouched on one knee, one arm resting on his other knee, his helmet tucked under the other arm; he was contemplating his incompetence when Jesus showed up!   

“Oh, Lord, please go away!” he exclaimed. “I am not worthy of Your presence. I cannot endure Your gaze!”  

But Jesus did not retreat. Instead, He placed His hand on Gerald’s shoulder and said, “You are not defeated. You are a great warrior! You focus on this one battle. Yet, you have won many victories in My service!”   

“But Lord…” Gerald said, “It was such a strategic battle!”

“And what valor you displayed!” Jesus proclaimed. And after a moment He questioned, “Son, did you learn from this battle?”

“Yes, Lord.” Gerald answered.

“And what did you learn?” Jesus prompted.

“Not to take the enemy’s advancements lightly!” came his impassioned response.

“And will you?” Jesus asked.

“Will I what?” Gerald asked, momentarily lost in his anger.  

“Take him so lightly the next time?” Jesus asked with a smile turning up the corners of his mouth.

“No!” Gerald said with resolve.

“Then you were not defeated.” Jesus said.

He lifted Gerald to his feet, placed his helmet on his head, and declared, “I have already defeated the enemy, Gerald. Remain in Me. For in Me you are undefeatable!” And with that, Gerald had awakened with new and valuable understanding.

†

Satan would have us focus on failure, looking at things with a distorted perspective.

Jesus speaks a different language; one of truth and encouragement: “You can learn from each battle!”  

By focusing on Jesus, and taking what we learn from each skinned knee, bump or bruise, we become more seasoned in battle, and learn to lean on His strength instead of our own. We come to understand that the only way we can lose is by giving up our will to fight.  

Prayer

“Lift me above my failures, Lord Jesus. Show me how to remain in You, so I don’t become distracted by the enemy. Help me become undefeatable in battle! Amen.”

This Man I Call ‘Dad’

“You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.

2Kings 2:10

One day as my father and I visited, I made a request, “Dad, I want a double portion of your anointing…a double portion of your Pastor/Evangelist/Teacher mantle!”

He smiled and teased, “You know that Elisha asked Elijah the same thing, right?”

Pretty sure of where this was going I said, “Yeeees…”

“You have asked a difficult thing,” he said, eyes twinkling. “Yet, if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not!”  

We both laughed. I knew there was truth in his jest, but the way he’d said it tickled me.

While driving home, I reflected on the rest of the conversation. I knew I had already received much of who Dad was. And although I didn’t realize it as it was happening, Dad had managed to pour into my life by example.   

He had taught me many things; how to be a man, a good husband and father. He taught me how to use my hands, and not to be afraid to dive right in and get things done. Yet in all the things I learned from watching my father, none was more significant or vital than observing his example of how to be a Christian.   

Dad taught me that Christianity is a lifestyle, not a cliché, and that a life lived unto the Lord is wrought with challenges. Watching him meet those challenges without complaining or grumbling said a lot about the character of this man I call Dad.  

†

My father is a great man of God. He has faithfully served the Lord for more than half a century. I aspire to do the same in my lifetime.   

1Peter 2:21 says, “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” Having had my Dad be that example has been a tremendous blessing, one for which I will be forever grateful. I pray that it would be true in your life as well.

Prayer

“Thank You, LORD, for my father. I ask for a double portion of his anointing in my life. In Jesus’ Name I ask this, amen.”

  

Dedicated to my ‘Dad’, Rev. John A. Clouston

From: More Snapshots: continuing the spiritual journey

By: Craig Clouston

©2011 c.clouston creations, LLC

Prepare To Be Great

Greater love has no one than this...

John 15:13

The man stood quietly, head bowed in humility, as he accepted the award for heroism. You got a sense he didn’t feel comfortable with such attention. He did, however, hold the Mayor’s gaze as the man shook his hand and spoke something private. Then, as the Mayor moved on to the next recipient, the man’s gaze returned to the floor.   

As the eyes of the audience moved to watch the next person to be honored for a different act of bravery, one pair remained on the man. No one but her truly understood the act of selfless compassion that found him here today; for her’s was the life he had saved.

In one blinding moment her world had exploded in twisted metal and fire. Coming upon the wreck just moments after it had happened, this quiet man had risked his life to extricate her from the wreckage of her crumpled and burning vehicle. In the process he had received third degree burns on his hands and arms yet had refused to leave her to die.

He had declined all subsequent interviews, stating he’d done nothing to warrant attention; “I only did what needed to be done.”

†         

The same selfless attitude that caused this man to shun the accolades of his peers is the very attribute that enabled him to put another’s welfare ahead of his own. Not that he did not value his own life, but rather, was willing to disregard personal injury and risk death in the hope that he might save another.  

In our day-to-day life, great love is not usually measured in the literal laying down of our lives. It is more often than not measured in our willingness to be used to meet the every-day needs of those within our sphere of influence.

Each of us has an innate desire to help others; it’s God-given. But fulfilling God’s gift through us requires our participation; He never imposes His will on us…even for the sake of another.

Doing the every-day things right, unselfishly helping meet the needs of those around us when possible, prepares our hearts and minds to be inclined to take affirmative action in a perilous situation if called upon. Be prepared.

Prayer

“Help me be a selfless servant to those who need me today, Lord Jesus. Amen.”

“Grace Is For Today”

We urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain…now is the time for God’s favor,

2Corinthians 6:1, 2

Sharon awoke with a migraine, “Lord, I’m not sure I can do this again today…” It wasn’t as much a statement as it was a frustrated plea. Actually, it wasn’t the headache that caused her frustration; it was her four-year-old daughter, Kaylee’s medical condition that continued to wear on Sharon’s resolve.

Knowing what she needed to do, yet not really feeling like it, Sharon prayed anyway, “Lord, give me the grace to make it through this day. Help me be the right example for Kaylee. Please hold her and carry her through these last two chemo treatments. Help Don and me to be faithful in the midst of adversity. Teach Kaylee more about You today than she knew yesterday; and show her favor. Guide our steps as well as our words, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”  

Sharon got out of bed, took a couple Tylenol, and headed for Kaylee’s room, “Rise and shine, Kiddo!” Sharon said brightly. “Only two more treatments and you get a vacation!”

“Oh, Mommy!” Kaylee said, matter-of-factly. “I told you…its no big deal. I’m a big girl; ’member?”

Grateful for her daughter’s positive outlook, Sharon smiled a mischievous smile and dove toward her daughter, knocking her onto her back in the bed. The ensuing pillow-fight was just what they needed. And miraculously, when it was over, Sharon’s migraine was gone!

†

Each day we awaken to many of the same problems we had when we went to sleep the night before. But yesterday’s grace won’t cover things today; it isn’t meant to.

We are to draw anew on the favor of God each day, asking only for enough grace to navigate today.

God did not give us the promise of no adversity. He did, however, promise the grace to make it through each new day as we come to Him for solace, comfort, wisdom, and favor.  

God wants to meet you where you’re at today, with exactly what you need.

Prayer

“Lord, I thank you for each new day You provide. Help me look for the possibilities instead of moping around in self-designated grief. Thank You for Your favor and grace this day. I give You praise in Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Elevator or Stairs?

Your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

Isaiah 30:21

As Chris stood waiting for the elevator, he felt God suggest, “Take the stairs.” But I’m in a hurry, Lord he reasoned.  And besides, I’m tired…that’s ten flights of stairs. “Take the stairs.” He heard a second time.

Fine! he silently expressed his frustration.

As he approached to the fourth floor landing, Chris heard muffled crying. Cautiously taking the next few steps, he could make out a woman’s voice, “I can’t do this anymore.” Rounding the next landing, he came face-to-face with a young woman, seated on the stairs, the step below her wet with tears. Chris quickly prayed for wisdom. “She needs to know I love her.” came God’s gentle voice. Chris asked, “Can I help you?”

As the woman’s story unfolded, Chris discovered she had been contemplating suicide. She was trying to get up the nerve to go to the roof and jump, believing this would end her problems.

As Chris shared with her about Jesus’ love and His desire and ability to carry her through her pain, a glimmer of hope appeared in the woman’s eyes. By the time Chris finished sharing, her desperation had been replaced by a desire to know the One of whom Chris spoke so highly. Chris would never forget this morning’s lesson. 

†

Though at first resistant, Chris obeyed, and a life was saved. We’re not sure what his disobedience would have wrought; quite possibly the woman would have taken her life, losing the opportunity to come to know Jesus, and making matters worse for those she left behind. Thanks to Chris’s obedience, we’ll never know.

This lesson applies to us all…in everything we do…at all times of the day or night…whether some else is watching or not…when we feel like it, and when we don’t.

Faith is submitting every decision we make to God for approval, trusting that He always has our best interest, or someone else’s, in mind, while listening for the Voice from behind, ready to safely lead us through life.

Not always, yet sometimes, life hangs in the balance. Wouldn’t it be better to be sure?

Prayer

“Father, guide my steps today and every day, as I bring each day’s choices to You for wisdom and guidance. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

The Wind and the Waves

He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he … rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

Matthew 8:26

The sky was pregnant with rain. In the next instant, it pounded on the metal roof of the ground floor room of the lighthouse. He was uneasy. Watching as the waves buffeted the side of the building, he sensed this was going to be a bad storm.

The salt spray beat against the windows as the wind whipped the waves into whitecaps. Though he was on dry land in a lighthouse that had stood the test of time, he was afraid.

It was then he noticed the smallish captain of a sixty-foot fishing vessel preparing to leave port. He ventured, “Aren’t those waves too big for your ship? I mean, isn’t it too dangerous to leave just now?!”

The captain took a sip of his coffee and said in the calmest of voices, “Son, those swells aren’t much. By the time we pass the break wall, they’ll be thirty footers.” There was a gleam in his eyes that made the man wonder if he’d taken leave of his senses. “I’ve faced much rougher weather at sea; we’ll be just fine.” The perfect picture of peace with a calmness about him, the captain finished his coffee, nodded at the man, and headed for his ship.

†

Jesus was sleeping right up until the disciples, in fear for their lives, awakened him. He rebuked the winds and the waves, and then he rebuked them. “Why are you so afraid?” Can you hear them? “What? Are you crazy? Look at the situation we’re in!” Seasoned fishermen are used to rough weather. So this was one bad storm.

In an instant, the storm subsides. Awestruck, they asked, “Who is this man that even the wind and waves obey him?” They were to discover that peace is not dependent upon circumstances, but upon Whom our faith rests. Like the captain in today’s story, they knew the One who calms the storm in each of us and tells the wind and the waves, “Be still.”

Prayer

“Please still the storm in my soul, Lord. Help me weather this battle; help me trust that You will never allow me to drown under the burdens of life. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”