365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challege-Day 54

As I was reviewing my email last evening down in my studio, I heard upstairs my daughter laughing. It was a rip-roaring kind of laughing, the kind where you get physical. I could imagine her up there rolling around on the floor. She was watching one of her Disney shows on TV and was laughing with such abandon. I had to pause what I was doing just to sit and listen. I think there is an old saying that laughter is contagious. I don’t know about that but it definitely spreads an effect over those within the hearing range. I think the same can be said with a smile or kind words. They can make a sad or angry person feel, at least for the moment, happier. I am sure the joy the Holy Spirit fills us with can lead to outward effects. Though laughter and happiness are not what the Word is showing us about joy, it is an example of what joy can do. True joy comes from the Holy Spirit, not by him cracking jokes or giving us every heart’s desire but just the knowing that we are His. The joy comes in the relationship we have with our Father. He wants us to ask, vent, worship, be grateful and love him in prayer. We may not get what we ask for, we may vent and be lead to solutions, we may worship and love and already we know we are loved by Him beyond measure and we may be grateful in all things which brings about an attitude of contentment but the joy from the Holy Spirit is just because we are doing those things: asking, venting, worshipping, loving, thanking and praying this all to Him. Like a parent that tells a child, I just want you to come talk to me, such is how or heavenly Father feels about us. Talk to Him in whatever way is right for you and do it often and joy will find its way into your heart.

John 16:24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 364

Today I am praising the Lord for laughter; the sound of a child’s giggle, the tear-producing silent laugh of an adult swept up in the moment and the chuckles and hearty laughs when someone gets you good. It was fun last evening playing Apples to Apples with my brother and his family. Playing games together always brings about some good laughs. I hope you had laughter in your day and will in the days to come.

Psalm 126: 2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 261

What's the motto? All work and no play makes So and So a dull boy/girl. So in the spirit of this motto, a co-worker and I came up with a little gag on a fellow co-worker.  This co-worker had recently told the story of how she was seeing these little poops in her house and was afraid it might be a mouse so she "Googled" the poop and found out it was actually squirrel poop. A squirrel had gotten into her house recently when an outside door was left open by the cleaning crew. They haven't found the squirrel which could be another story to come. Eeewww! So we came up with a plan to put a stuffed squirrel with some Raisinet as droppings all over her desk at some point during the day when she left her desk. We ended up having to ellicit help from a co-worker that sits next to her to put the plan into place and notify us that it was happening. Everyone came to see and take pictures and laugh. It made her day she told us. It was a blessing to us all to be able to laugh with each other instead of our normal stressed, frustrated or angry feelings associated with our jobs. Thank you Lord for giving us the creativity to have some fun and make those joyful moments happen.
Job 8:21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.



365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 246

I think one of the sweetest sounds ever is that of a child's laughter. There have literally been moments where what is happening is not the part that I am focused on, it's the laughter I am hearing. I just makes my heart smile. I can only imagine how much God loves to hear us laugh. Thank you Lord for this gift that we can give to each other. Here's a little clean humor for you: When I say "I cleaned my room" I usually mean I made a path from my door to my bed. Praying some humor and laughter comes your way today.
Job 8:21 He will fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting.



365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 228

Unfortunately my shoulders have gone from bad to worse so I am going to have to make this short and sweet. Despite the pain, sorrows and sadness that life will bring us is the joy of the little things like a child's laugh. They said on the radio yesterday that laughter was said to be the thing that helped people live longer lives. I think we have to intentionally go out and seek laughter. It can be as simple as being a coach potato and watching a good sit-com or going out on the town and hitting a comedy club. Being with people seems to be a major key to laughter. Play games, go on adventures and keep searching for the fun of life.

Proverbs 17:22

 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

**Check out this to learn more about laughter and healing.  http://www.faithandhealthconnection.org/laughter-and-having-fun-is-good-for-our-health-weekly-health-scripture-proverbs-1722/

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 45

There are certain people that you are around almost everyday. Obviously, the family you live with but also the people you work with. I am praising those people I work with today. Although, frustrations do happen and communication can be better, the work environment is a good one and that is thanks to the people that are in it. I am especially fond and thankful for my nearest co-workers who will drop anything to help me out when I need it, have great words of wisdom and whom I share plenty of laughter with. I heard yesterday we have a new person being added to data entry, my department and to customer service. This is not only great for those two people to have gotten a job but for the company that recently got sold to a competitor. They have told us nothing will be changing at least for the next 18 months but you always have to wonder. Hiring two new people is comforting in that maybe I will have a job in 18 months. Are there people you are around everyday that you haven't shown appreciation for lately? Put a card on their desk with a note of appreciation or take them out for lunch.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus