Tag: jokes

Smile!

One day while watching Pastor Steven Furtick on TBN, he said, “If you’re happy and you know it – tell your face.” I thought what he said was so funny and so true that I decided to sing about it. This blog is dedicated to those of us who need to smile more. Take the challenge!

smile-1-poster

One day while watching Pastor Steven Furtick on TBN, he said, “If you’re happy and you know it – tell your face.”  I thought what he said was so funny and so true that I decided to sing about it.  Hope you enjoy the video. 

I am dedicating this rendition to those of you (like me) who have serious faces.  People have told me that I look “mean.”  I agree with them although I don’t look “mean” intentionally.  Sometimes I have other things on my mind and I don’t even realize my facial expression.

Some people just naturally look friendly and happy.  I have to work at it.  I have to remind myself to look pleasant and to smile more when I’m out and about.  I know that I am not alone.  Many people have this same issue.  Can I get an AMEN?  How do I know?  I know because I observe people when I’m out and about.  

Sometimes I visit a particular church.  It’s a big church.  Most of the people don’t know me and I don’t know them.  I find it interesting that as people are walking through the parking lot to go into the church, they will walk right past each other without even smiling or simply saying, “good morning.”  What’s up with that?  We’re going in the same direction to worship God, yet we can’t even greet each other.  I have also walked into the restroom and received neither a smile nor a good morning.  As a result, I decided that I would be the initiator – I would smile and I would speak first.  I’m trying to make it a habit.  I don’t always feel like doing it, but at least I’m trying.

One day I was in Costco’s siting at a table waiting for my sisters to pay for their purchases.  A man walked towards me.  I asked myself, “Why is this man coming towards me? I don’t know him.”  Yes, you all, I talk to myself and answer myself back.  Anyway, he walked up to me and said, “Smile, you are gorgeous!” 

Well, you could have knocked me over with a feather.  I’m at the age where I feel like I am invisible to men.  I was so shocked.  I smiled and replied, “Thank you.”  He then replied, “No, thank you!  He then proceeded to walk out of the store.

smile-2-poster

Instead of saying “Thank you” I should have said “No, thank God” because I had nothing to do with how He created me.  I’m His handiwork.  Really, I was too shocked to say anything else.

 The take away from my story: 

Smile because you never know how your smile might bless and uplift someone.

 

My brother Sam is in a nursing home, recovering from a stroke.  When I visit him I usually end up saying something funny.  I don’t plan it; it just comes out of my mouth.  It really blesses me when I say something that causes him to smile.  It really makes my day.

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Sometimes I wake up with a smile on my face because I wake up thinking and thanking God.  I lie there for a few minutes, throwing Him kisses.  I imagine Him smiling as He catches those kisses.

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I’m sure you know the wonderful benefits of laughing.  Do you know the wonderful benefits of smiling? 

Smiles:

  • Boost your mood.  You can’t be happy and sad at the same time.
  • Change your mindset when you’re in a bad situation. This can contribute to you finding other ways to successfully deal with that situation.
  • Keep stress at bay.  Stress plays a major role in heart conditions and hypertension.
  • Are contagious.  Ever notice how often a friend, colleague or complete stranger will reciprocate a smile after you share one?
  • Make you more approachable. You come across as more likable and friendly.
  • Through pain show strength.  It takes a strong person to smile through pain.
  • Can redirect your day toward adventure, possibility, and being carefree.

Meditating on the Word of God will help you smile more.

 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22 King James Version (KJV)

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.  Proverbs 15:13, 15 (KJV)

Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.

The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.  Psalm 126:2, 3 (KJV)

 If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will put off my sad face and wear a smile,’ Job 9:27 New (NKJV).

Humor Time

At Sunday school they were teaching how God created everything, including human beings.  Little Johnny seemed especially intent when they told him how Eve was created out of one of Adam’s ribs.  Later in the week his mother noticed him lying down as though he were ill, and said, Johnny what is the matter?  Little Johnny responded, “I have pain in my side.  I think I’m going to have a wife.”                                                            –Author Unknown

Two boys were walking home from Sunday school after hearing a strong preaching on the devil.  One said to the other, “What do you think about all this satan stuff?”  The other boy replied, “Well, you know how Santa Claus turned out.  It’s probably just your dad.”           –Author Unknown

An elderly woman died last month.  Having never married, she requested no male pallbearers.  In her handwritten instructions for her memorial service, she wrote, “They wouldn’t take me out while I was alive, I don’t want them to take me out when I’m dead.    – Author Unknown

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One of my quests for 2017 is to encourage people (myself included) to do better (mentally, spiritually, and physically).  I believe the best way to do this is by setting goals that you can live with for the rest of your life. 

The Do Better challenge for this blog:  SMILE MORE

Ways to do this include, but are not limited to:

Goal A  

  1. Write the word “Smile” on an index card. You’re painting a picture that your brain can see. If it visualizes something – it will aim to work toward it. 
  1. Tape the index card to your bathroom or bedroom mirror. The bathroom mirror would probably be better because then everyone else who goes in there will also be encouraged to smile.
  1. Every time you look in that mirror, smile. Your brain doesn’t know the difference between what is real versus what is false.  So smile whether you feel like it or not.

Goal B

  1. Smile at a complete stranger at least once a day. Someone may think you’re strange and won’t smile back.  They may even think you’re trying to get a date, but don’t let that stop you.  If they refuse to smile back, it’s their loss.  Just move on to the next person.  Think of your smile as a two-fold good deed.  You’ll feel good and you could also brighten someone’s day.

Did you achieve your goal?  Ways to measure:

  • Take a few minutes at the end of each day to write down your smiling experience for that day.
  • Keep a calendar where you can check off or put a smiley face each day that you complete your daily goal. Keep doing this every day, and you’ll have a chain of days you’ve checked off.

Do this challenge for 2 weeks or until it becomes habit.  Encourage someone to join you.  

I can’t encourage you to do something that I’m not willing to do.  So I’ll be taking this challenge beginning March. 1st.

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When I sat down at the computer to begin this blog, I didn’t know what I was going to share.  The only thing I knew for certain was that I wanted to share my song.  Now I have to make myself stop typing.  It’s like eating potato chips.  Once you get started, it’s hard to stop.

Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to view the video and read all the nuggets. 

Bye for now.           2 smiling faces.jpg

“Smile”

Smile tho’ your heart is aching
Smile even tho’ it’s breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You’ll get by

If you smile
Thro’ your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You’ll see the sun come shin-ing thro’ for you

Light up your face with gladness
Hide ev-‘ry trace of sadness
Altho’ a tear may be ever so near

That’s the time
You must keep on trying
Smile, what’s the use of crying
You’ll find that life is still worth-while

If you just smile

— NAT KING COLE

 

Resources

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/520165825686344332/

Steven Furtick, Pastor of Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina

https://stevenfurtick.com

TBN  (Trinity Broadcasting Network)

https://www.tbn.org/

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+9%3A27&version=KJV

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+9%3A27&version=NKJV

http://www.goal-setting-motivation.com/set-your-goals/writing-goals/

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/natkingcole/smile.html

 

 

It can be done

new-year

Humor time

  • Remember you can reset your resolutions on January 14th (Orthodox New Year) and February 8th (Chinese New Year). After that, even I can’t help you.

  • My 2017 resolution is for everyone else to gain the 50 pounds I refuse to lose.

  • I have only one resolution. To rediscover the difference between wants and needs. May I have all I need and want all  I have.

  • This New Year’s I’m going to make a resolution I can keep: no dieting all year long.

  • May all your troubles last as long as your New Year resolutions.

Jemima was taking an afternoon nap on New Year’s Eve before the festivities. After she woke up, she confided to Max, her husband, ‘I just dreamed that you gave me a diamond ring for a New Year’s present. What do you think it all means?’
‘Aha, you’ll know tonight,’ answered Max smiling broadly.
At midnight, as the New Year was chiming, Max approached Jemima and handed her small package. Delighted and excited she opened it quickly. There in her hand rested a book entitled: ‘The meaning of dreams’.

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It Couldn’t Be Done             (This is one of my favorite poems.)
BY EDGAR ALBERT GUEST
Somebody said that it couldn’t be done
      But he with a chuckle replied
That “maybe it couldn’t,” but he would be one
      Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
      On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
      That couldn’t be done, and he did it!
For the entire poem visit: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems-and-poets/poems/detail/44314
Hope you enjoy the video.  🙂 Don’t let my face scare you. 🙂
 Adapted from the works of Edgar Albert Guest and Dr. Mattie Moss Clark.

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I stepped away from my blog for a while, but now I’m back.  I didn’t mean to stay away so long.  I felt neither motivated nor inspired nor encouraged.  The next thing I knew Dec. 2016 had arrived and I had posted nothing since February.  I had received emails during the past few months, letting me know that people were still following my blog. That news encouraged me, but it was God who gave me that final push.  I can’t say exactly what He did, but He did it – on the inside of me. 

My job situation hasn’t changed (for more of my story, you’ll need to read previous blogs).  I’m still working in retail, just a few hours a week.  I’m still waiting on that full time job or several streams of income that equals a full time job.  I should be on cocaine, an alcoholic, or suicidal – but God!  He has kept my mind.  I’m still praising Him.  All of my needs are constantly being met.  I’m not homeless.  I’m not broke.  I’m not depressed.  I haven’t had to beg, borrow, or steal.  I’m not bragging on me; I’m bragging on God.  I’m learning how to patiently wait on Him and to continue with my projects while I’m waiting and praising Him.

My New Year’s resolution is to keep going, keep trying, even when I don’t feel like it. Write when I don’t feel like it.  Make videos, sing my songs, and continue with my radio broadcasts – even when I don’t feel like it.   Yep, that’s the plan.

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You can – – Do Better!

One of my quests is to encourage people (myself included) to do better (mentally, spiritually, and physically).  Do better today than you did yesterday.  Do better this week than you did last week.  Do better this month than you did last month.  Do better in 2017 than you did in 2016.

In order to do better, we must set some goals.  I want to explore goal setting.  Stay with me because it’s going to lead to a challenge, but it may take a few blogs to get there.

Research shows that if you’re going to be successful at almost anything in life, the very first choice to make is to set some goals.  When we set goals we must realize that it may not be a walk in the park.  There are things we are going to have to start doing and things we are going to have to stop doing or do less of, if we’re striving to be fit for God’s use (in every area of our lives) until we die. 

Hebrews 12:1 & 2 reads, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”

This verse tells us that we are to run a race that has been marked out for us.  We trust God to set the race up but we must also recognize that we have a part to play in order to cooperate with His plan.  In order to run the race, we have to endure some training.  We have to set some goals.

  • Let’s look at some benefits of goal setting.

Goal setting is a spiritual discipline.  God is a goal setting God.  He has goals for history that have not happened yet. God has goals for His family, the church, that haven’t happened yet. God has goals for your life that have not happened yet. God is a planner.  He doesn’t just sit around and let things happen.  If God plans and God wants us to be like him, then it would make sense that He wants us to set goals also.

Godly goals are statements of faith. They affirm our trust in God. When you say, I believe God wants me to accomplish this by this date, that’s a statement in faith.

Goal setting builds character.  One of the ways you develop character is by setting a goal and going after it and not giving in when you have all kinds of difficulties. It is in that process, that struggle, you develop the kind of character that God wants you to have.  Goals are achieved with God’s power.

“We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it.”Prov. 16:9 That’s why we fail at our goals. We don’t depend on him. 

Zechariah 4:6 says, “You will not succeed by your own strength or power, but by my Spirit says the Lord.” 

Prov. 3:5& 6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.”

First you’ve got to trust the Lord with all your heart and rely on His power.  Then you need to get either a partner or in a small group.  Accountability plays an important role goal setting.  You check up on each other and help each other out.

The goals that you set should be “SMART” goals.  Ask yourself: if this goal is:

  • Specific– is it clear what the goal is? Is it clear exactly what I mean?

  • Measurable– how will I know if I have achieved the goal? How will I measure my success?

  • Attainable– is it possible to achieve this objective? What do I need in place to make it attainable?

  • Relevant– is this objective one that I consider appropriate. Does it deliver wider priorities? Is it worth doing?

  • Time-bounded– by when am I going to achieve this? Setting a timescale provides focus and urgency, clarifying when you intend to achieve the objective. The objective has a deadline and is therefore more than just a wish!

You may have some setbacks. You may fall down. But the good news is: life is a marathon. Here’s the key to the marathon of life: You’re not in a race to run fast. You’re in a race to end well. You’re in a race to get to the finish line. You make progress one step at a time. That’s the way you go towards your goals – one step, one day at a time. 

 It can be done!  You can do better. I’ll share more about this subject in the next blog.

What are your goals for 2017?  How’s it going so far?  Feel free to share with us.

 

Thanks for stopping by!  great-day-face

 

Sources:

https://clipartfest.com/download/5bb6ef60a4fcffd96195bbe256229babea17e618.html

http://www.jokes4us.com/holidayjokes/newyearsjokes.html

http://www.theholidayspot.com/newyear/jokes.htm#WDyqsMqHQmTQ0sIO.99

https://www.valentinesdaywishes.org/happy-new-year-poems-jokes-shayari-memes-fireworks-images-photos-2017.html

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems-and-poets/poems/detail/44314

New International Version (NIV)    https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2012

 

 

Half empty or Half full?

A little birthday humor 

  • Q: How can you tell that you’re getting old? A: You go to an antique auction and three people bid on you!

  • After much convincing from my husband, I finally agreed to call an old family friend to sing her happy birthday.  It was only after I finished singing, that the voice at the other end of the line informed me, that it was the wrong number. “Oh I’m so sorry” I said, embarrassed.  “It’s okay” the voice said, “you can use all of the practice you can get!”

  • You know you’re getting old when you walk up the stairs and call it exercise. Happy Birthday!

  • Have a great time on your birthday, and don’t worry about getting old.  That happened years ago.

Three Old Sisters

There were 3 sisters living together 92, 94 and 95 yrs. old. The oldest went upstairs one evening to take a bath. As she was getting in the tub with one foot in and one foot out, she called down to her sisters, “Am I getting in the tub or am I getting out of the tub?”

The 94 yr. old decided to go upstairs to see if she could help figure out the situation. She got to the 3rd step and stopped – then called out, “Was I going up the stairs or was I coming down the stairs?”

The 92 yr. old, sitting at the kitchen table, thought she better knock on wood and as she knocked on the kitchen table she said, “I hope I never get as bad as my sisters. Now was that the front door or the back door?”

Birthday humor time is dedicated to my oldest sister, Pastor Charlotte “Happy” Bryant, who celebrated her 70th birthday yesterday.

water 2

Do you view your birthday as half full or half empty?

If you have read my previous posts, you know that I have not always been the most positive person.  My history includes low self-esteem, depression and suicidal thoughts.  God has helped me over the years and my positive days now outweigh my negative days.  I try to be more grateful and thankful each day.  I also laugh more.  My prayer was: “Lord, for the rest of my life, help me to see the glass half full each day and not half empty.”

I have never known anyone like Pastor Bryant.  I marvel at the wisdom God gives her.  One day while talking on the phone with her, I shared my desire to always see the glass half full.  I have been kind of down because I still have not found a full time job.  I’m still working 6 – 12 hours a week in retail, making minimum wage. That’s enough to make anyone depressed (if you’re viewing the glass as half empty).

It seems like this season in my life has been going on a long, long, long, time and is never going to end.  Ecclesiastes tells us that seasons must come to an end, but God left out the “how long” part.

Ecclesiastes 3   To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

When I look at the glass as half full: No utilities have been turned off; I’m still driving my 2014 car with insurance; I haven’t lost any weight due to lack of food; I’m not getting phone calls from bill collectors; I haven’t filed for bankruptcy.  Those are all miracles. God has been faithful.

In response to my statement about wanting to see the glass as half full, Pastor Bryant said, “Well I choose to see the glass as full.”  Now why did she have to say that?  She had just burst my balloon and raised the bar.  I thought I was doing a great job seeing the glass as half full instead of half empty but she had to throw in the “full” picture glass vision.  That is one of the many, many examples of how God gives her wisdom to share with others and to help us grow.  I must admit that my faith is not yet at the level of seeing a half full glass of water as a full glass of water, water 3 but I’m working on it.  Thanks to God and my big Sis, I believe I’ll accomplish that faith goal.

Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him.        Hebrews 11:6

Food for thought: According to Romans 4:17  “(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.”  

 If God called things into existence, why can’t I call a half full glass of water  – full?

The words to the hymn “It is will with my soul” were written by Horatio G. Spafford in 1828.  He had a successful legal practice in Chicago.  He invested heavily in real estate and his holdings were wiped out, as a result of the Chicago Fire of 1871.  Just before this, he had experienced the death of his son.  He wanted to get away for a rest, so he planned a trip for his family.

Spafford had an unexpected last minute business development right before they were to leave, so he stayed in Chicago but sent his wife and four daughters on ahead on the ship.  He was going to follow a few days later.  The ship that his wife and daughters were on, sank.  His four daughters drowned, but his wife survived.  In his grief, he wrote the words to this hymn and was still able to say, “It is well with my soul.”  He had many reasons to see the glass as half empty but I believe he chose to see it as half full.

To view this video, click on the link beside my picture.  I hope it blesses you.

Sing like God is the only one listening.  It’s okay if you get off key, don’t do any “runs” or forget the words.  You’ll get no negative comments from Him.  Just sing from your heart. -Annette M. Harris

What do you do when life hands you a bag of lemons?  You make  lemon waterlemon water.

Lemons contain many nutrients, including vitamin C, B-complex vitamins, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and fiber.

Lemon water may:

  • Give your immune system a boost.

  • Aid digestion.

  • Cleanse your system.

  • Alkalize your body.

  • Help fight viral infections.

  • Reduce inflammation.

  • Keep your skin blemish free.

  • Give you an energy boost.

  • Help you lose weight.

  • Freshen your breath.

One doctor recommends starting the day with the juice of ¼ to ½ of a lemon, and filling the rest of the glass with warm water.  You can dilute the lemon juice more, depending on your personal taste.  During the rest of the day, you can sip lemon water at a cooler temperature, if you prefer it. This will keep you hydrated, and it may also help quench your thirst for unhealthy drinks that contain too much sugar and too many calories.

Remember: we are not making lemonade, we’re making lemon water.

I like to drink a warm glass of lemon water with 1/2 tsp of cinnamon and 1/2 tsp of ginger.  It gives me a morning boost.  I like to think of it as a detoxification drink.

I believe that we have the power to contribute to the healing of our bodies by adapting what we consume every day.  Drinking lemon water is one of the little things that we can do on a regular basis that can have long term benefits.

We’re so used to instant gratification in almost everything we do, so when it comes to healthy diets and exercise, we can easily get discouraged if we don’t see results in a few days.  As with any new addition to your diet, give it a minimum of two weeks to see what positive benefits you can get.

I highly recommend that you do your own research on drinking lemon water. Then choose at least one benefit that will motivate you to start incorporating it into your daily life.

Commit to 14 days of drinking lemon water. Write down how you feel on day 1, then on day 14.  Share your experience in the comment section of this post or with someone else.

Bye for now.  Thanks for visiting!  laughing face

 

 

 

Sources

 

http://www.funny-jokes-quotes-sayings.com/funny-birthday-wishes.html

http://jokes.christiansunite.com/Old_Folks/Three_Old_Sisters.shtml

Ecclesiastes 3King James Version (KJV)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes+3&version=KJV

Holman Christian Standard Bible                 http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-6.htm

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Romans-4-17/        King James Version (KJV)

Osbeck, K. W. (1982). 101 Hymn Stories. Grand Rapids, MT: Kregel Publications

http://news.health.com/2015/02/24/why-you-should-start-your-day-with-lemon-water/

http://www.elephantjournal.com/2014/12/the-2-week-lemon-water-challenge/

http://www.jokes4us.com/holidayjokes/birthdayjokes.

htmlhttp://www.greatcleanjokes.com/jokes/life-jokes/birthday-jokes/

http://www.wishesquotes.com/birthday/100-funny-birthday-wishes-for-friends#ixzz40lWHCQP9

 

 

 

Sing your song

shepherd

 

A Sunday school teacher decided to have her 2nd grade class memorize Psalm 23, one of the most quoted passages in the Bible. She gave the children a month to learn the chapter.

One little boy was excited about the task, but he just couldn’t memorize the Psalm. Although he practiced and practiced, he could hardly get past the first line. The day came for the children to recite Psalm 23 before the congregation. The little boy was nervous. When his turn came, he stepped up to the microphone and proudly said, “The Lord is my Shepherd and that’s all I need to know!”

http://www.jokesclean.com/ChristianJokes/

I shared my story in previous blogs about how in 2013, I lost my job of 11 years and how my 13 year old Mustang was totaled in an accident. I got a brand new 2013 Ford and it turned out to be a lemon in less than a year. The Ford Company finally replaced it with a 2014.  There have been no problems so far. In the midst all of the drama, I decided to go back to college. God blessed me to earn a 4 year degree (B. S. in Health Promotion) in a year and nine months. I had a lot of credits that transferred from previous degrees. 

If someone would have told me that at the seasoned age of 30 +++ laughing happy face with tongue, I would have multiple degrees and yet be working 6 – 14 hours a week in retail making minimum wage, I might would have just run away. This job was a good fit while I was in school but now I need a full time job (or a rich husband laughing face).  I’ve been seeking a full time job, with no success. In the meantime, I try to keep hope alive. Some days are better than others. I know that things could be a lot worse, so I’m thankful for what I do have.

God has been a faithful shepherd. Although I don’t like my situation,  don’t understand it, and it doesn’t feel good, I believe with all my  heart that He loves me. I know that God has a plan for me. This is not the end.  He has provided and continues to provide for me.  Nothing has been cut off, my car has not been repossessed.  My refrigerator has not been empty. Yes, Jesus loves me more than anyone on this planet. This situation hasn’t killed me. I believe that it will make me a stronger, better, and wiser person.

I haven’t blogged in months. I lost my motivation. I couldn’t think of anything to write about.  Today I decided that I needed to sing, so I’m singing my song. Keep in mind that when I encourage you to “sing your song”, I’m talking about the song that is within you. It doesn’t matter who wrote it or who recorded it. Anna B. Warner wrote the words to the hymn, Jesus Loves Me and William B. Bradbury was the composer. It’s my song because it’s within me. Of course I can’t take the credit for writing the text nor composing it, but I can sing it as only I can sing it. I used to wonder why God didn’t give me a voice like Patti LaBelle, opera singer, Jessye Norman, or gospel singer, Yolanda Adams. Now I accept the fact that He gave me the voice that He wanted me to have.

Sing your song!

It doesn’t matter if you’re in tune or out of tune.  My oldest sister, has many gifts, but singing is not one of them. We joke about it. Nevertheless it doesn’t stop her from singing anywhere and anytime.  Sometimes (when the anointing hits) you wouldn’t know that singing was not one of her gifts.  

There are social, emotional and physical benefits to singing. Singing can:

  • Help reduce depression and anger.
  • Encourage creativity.
  • Bring people together.
  • Release endorphins, the brain’s “feel good” chemicals.
  • Increase the amount of oxygen you take into the body as you inhale deeply, producing a feeling of alertness as more oxygen gets to the brain.
  • Improve muscle tone in the face, throat, neck and jaw.
  • Help manage stress.
  • Improve your ability to listen attentively without having to think of responses.
  • Be a form of meditation because it enables you to just “let go.”

I’m gonna sing my song while I live because when I die, no one will be able to sing it for me.

To view my video, those who receive email notifications of new blog posts can click on the link beside my picture.

 

HUMOR TIME

Hymns for People Over 50

  • Give Me the Old Timers Religion
  • Precious Lord, Take My Hand, And Help Me Up
  • Just a Slower Walk with Thee
  • Go Tell It on the Mountain, But Speak Up
  • Nobody Knows the Trouble I Have Seeing
  • Guide Me O Thou Great Lord God, I’ve Forgotten Where I’ve Parked The Car
  • Count Your Many Birthdays, Count Them One By One
  • Blessed Insurance
  • It Is Well With My Soul, But My Knees Hurt

http://www.jokesclean.com/ChristianJokes/

There’s a slimmer person inside me yelling to get out, but I can usually shut her up with ice cream and cake.

ACTUAL Church Bulletin Bloopers:

Bertha Belch, a missionary from Africa, will be speaking tonight at Calvary Memorial Church in Racine.  Come tonight and hear Bertha Belch all the way from Africa.

“Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale.  It’s a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around   the house.  Don’t forget your husbands.”

“Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.”

The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to conflict.

The sermon this morning: “Jesus Walks on the Water.” The sermon tonight: “Searching for Jesus.”

Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir.  They need all the help they can get.

Don’t let worry kill you. Let the Church help.

Thursday night will be a potluck supper. Prayer and medication to follow.

For those of you who have children and don’t know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.

This afternoon there will be a meeting in the south and north ends of the church. Children will be baptized at both ends.

Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.

http://javacasa.com/humor/church.htm

smiley faceThanks for stopping by.  It’s been therapeutic for me.  Hope it has made you smile.

 

Resources

 

http://www.moresingingplease.com/benefits-of-singing

http://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/emotions/singing-happy1.htm

http://www.businessballs.com/singing.htm

 

Laugh & Be Happy

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”

Proverbs 17:22     King James Version (KJV) by Public Domain

What are some things that make you happy? Shopping at Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe’s, and Earthfare Market make me happy. Waking up in the morning with Jesus on my mind makes me happy. Being able to get out of bed with nobody’s help but God’s makes me happy. Hanging out with my two sisters makes me happy. Having the assurance that Jesus loves me makes me happy!

   KD  Laughter increases happiness. You can’t laugh and

                                        be sad at the same time. You have to make a choice to do one or the other.

KD2

“The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.”  

― E.E. Cummings

Three Hymns
One Sunday a pastor told his congregation that the church needed some extra money and asked the people to prayerfully consider giving a little extra in the offering plate. He said that whoever gave the most would be able to pick out three hymns.

After the offering plates were passed, the pastor glanced down and noticed that someone had placed a $1,000 bill in the offering. He was so excited that he immediately shared his joy with his congregation and said he’d like to personally thank the person who placed the money in the plate.

And there sat our Rosie all the way in the back. She shyly raised her hand. The pastor asked her to come to the front. Slowly she made her way to the pastor. He told her how wonderful it was that she gave so much and in thanksgiving asked her to pick out three hymns.

Her eyes brightened as she looked over the congregation, pointed to the three most handsome men in the building and said, “I’ll take him and him and him!”

                                            laughing people

Learn to laugh more. When you need a break from thinking – just laugh. When you’re having a bad day – just laugh. When you’re feeling stressed out – just laugh. You don’t have to be happy or feel good first. You don’t need a sense of humor either, and you can do it any time. Fake laughter becomes real laughter very quickly. A good belly laugh can be like an internal jog.

After doing a study on the benefits of laughter, I decided that every time I got in my car, I was going to spend a few minutes laughing. Some days I didn’t feel like it, but I “faked it until I made it.” I started off with ha, ha, hee, hee, ho, ho …………………………………….

I thought about the goodness of God and His promises. I thought about the fact that I am a “winner” in life. I thought about the fact that nothing bad could happen to me without God’s permission, and if He permitted it; it was working together for my good.  It wasn’t long before I was laughing for real!

Ha, Ha, Ho, Ho laugh

It is recommended that thirty minutes of exercise three times a week and 15 minutes of hearty laughter each day be a part of a healthy lifestyle. Ten to fifteen minutes of laughter could burn 50 calories.

Possible benefits of laughter include:

  • Improves alertness, creativity, and memory.

  • Helps you sleep better.

  • Relaxes the whole body.

  • Decreases depression and increases life satisfaction.

  • Increases endorphins, those feel-good chemicals that give a buzz during exercise.

  • Relieves stress and tension.

  • Increases the body’s tolerance to pain.

  • Helps you forget about your problems, if only for a few minutes.

A Sure Cure

Three Pastors in the south were having lunch in a diner. One said “Ya know, since summer started I’ve been having trouble with bats in my loft and attic at church. I’ve tried everything–noise, spray, cats–nothing seems to scare them away.

Another said “Yea, me too. I’ve got hundreds living in my belfry and in the narthex attic. I’ve even had the place fumigated, and they won’t go away.”

The third said, “I baptized all mine, and made them members of the church…
Haven’t seen one back since!!!”

“We don’t stop laughing because we grow old; We grow old because we stop laughing”

Michael Pritchard

Bye for now.

laugh out loud

 

https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/10547.E_E_Cummings

http://www.christian-jokes.org/jokes6.html                   Author is Unknown

http://www.christian-jokes.org/jokes2.html                    Author is Unknown