Joy! Laughter! Humor!

When poking fun, Mark Twain is a world class “spoof master.” In his short story, “Is he living or is he dead?” Twain describes his characters, “We were as happy as we were poor, or as poor as we were happy – phrase it to suit yourself. Claude Frere and Carl Boulanger – these are the names of those boys; dear, dear fellows, and the sunniest spirits that ever laughed at poverty and had a noble good time in all weathers.” My life has been enriched by a few people like Twain’s Claude and Carl. One person described a mentor as, “Going about like an arsonist, lighting fires of humor, causing people to laugh!” Rich, a member of a pastoral ministry team sees the brightness in everything. Our son consistently processes life from the sunny side of the street.

Bob, a friend of more than 45 years, is a world class punster. Every time I am with him I have smile material to share with others. Bob and his wife write an occasional letter, “An Encouraging Word,” loaded with home spun anecdotes and raw material for laughter. Victor, another friend of more than 45 years gushes with joy. Going through a check-out at a home improvement store with Victor is more fun than watching comedians on television. You would love to spend an evening with my friends.

Many Christians quote Proverbs 17:22, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones,” without smiling! The same wise author was inspired, or breathed on by the Holy Spirit, to encourage all who would read his counsel, “All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast. Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil. Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.” – Proverbs 15:15-17

A recent AARP item suggests that we can be happier if we sing. Well, my friends, Christians have the best scores ever written! Some church music went platinum over 3000 years ago. Miriam’s Song is older than that! One of the newer songs has been in the church’s repertoire only 187 years, and the lyrics and truth are joyously and enthusiastically celebrated around the world every Lord’s Day.



Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee,
Op’ning to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day!

All Thy works with joy surround Thee,
Earth and heav’n reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee,
Center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
Flow’ry meadow, flashing sea,
Singing bird and flowing fountain
Call us to rejoice in Thee.

Thou art giving and forgiving,
Ever blessing, ever blest,
Wellspring of the joy of living,
Ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother,
All who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals, join the happy chorus,
Which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us,
Brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward,
Victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us Sunward
In the triumph song of life.

People of the Spirit know “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self–control,” and ought to be spreading joy without being obnoxious or insensitive. Will folk remember us as dour dragons of despair continuously pointing to the dark and dismal side of every issue, or as arsonists of joy who went about lighting fires of joyful hope? Go ahead, laugh! Laughter is contagious!

By the way, you can read “Is he living or is he dead?” in The Man That Corrupted Hadleysburg and Other Essays and Stories. It’s in your public library and a real happy read.

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