Morning Devotional
June 8, 2005
"Another Birthday" (Part 4) 
    by Don Emmitte

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again--rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7 NLT).

 

Last, but certainly not least in our steps for joy is that we should rejoice! Celebration is the seed of joy. Laughter is the medicine for our soul. While the average child laughs 150 times a day, say researchers at the University of Michigan, the average adult laughs only 15 times. Which do you really think has an easier time facing life?

 

In The Anatomy of an Illness: As Perceived by the Patient, Norman Cousins tells of being hospitalized with a rare, crippling disease. When he was diagnosed as incurable, Cousins checked out of the hospital. Aware of the harmful effects that negative emotions can have on the body, Cousins reasoned the reverse was true. So he borrowed a movie projector and prescribed his own treatment, consisting of Marx Brothers films and old “Candid Camera” reruns. It didn’t take long for him to discover that 10 minutes of laughter provided two hours of pain-free sleep. Amazingly, his debilitating disease was eventually reversed. After the account of his victory appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine, Cousins received more than 3000 letters from appreciative physicians throughout the world.

 

Maybe Candid Camera and the Marx Brothers don’t suit you. Try the following one-liners for a start:

 

§         If it's true that we are here to help others, then what exactly are the others here for?

§         STRESSED spelled backwards is DESSERTS.

§         If athletes get athlete's foot, do astronauts get mistletoe?

§         If Barbie's so popular, why do you have to buy all her friends?

§         If blind people wear dark glasses, why don't deaf people wear earmuffs?

§         If someone with multiple personalities threatens to kill himself, is it considered a hostage situation?

§         Instead of talking to your plants, if you yelled at them would they still grow, but only to be troubled and insecure?

 

Here’s the ultimate one-liner: God is good! And that’s no joke! So, I celebrate… can I explain the joy He's brought into my life? Can I comprehend the divine plan for my days? Never--nor can you! We serve a Lord who brings a depth of joy and delight to the human heart that no aging process can destroy. We are born into His family for all eternity--and I sing praises to His Name! Won't you join me? Now RELAX and go enjoy that birthday of yours this year, whenever it is!