Laughter and the Grace of God

Laughter and the Grace of God PDF Author: Brian Edgar
Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand
ISBN: 071889555X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 170

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Book Description
We cannot really love anybody with whom we never laugh, and this is true of our relationship with God. Thomas Aquinas spoke of the sin of having too little laughter as well as the danger of having too much, while Martin Luther said, ‘If you’re not allowed to laugh in heaven, I don’t want to go there.’ Having a sense of humour is essential for maturity in faith and holiness, but sadly, the role that laughter plays in life and spirituality have often been neglected. Laughter and the Grace of God restores laughter to its central place in Christian spirituality and theology by examining its role in Scripture and highlighting its presence in unexpected places, including the story of Abraham and the formation of the covenant, and the tragedy of Job. Laughter can be found in the incarnation, the resurrection, and even the crucifixion – Jesus is himself the great laugh-maker – and it is nothing less than a participation in the life and love of God.

Laugh Your Way to Grace

Laugh Your Way to Grace PDF Author: Rev. Susan Sparks
Publisher: Turner Publishing Company
ISBN: 1594733430
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 173

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Book Description
Laughter—the GPS System for the Soul Laughter was honored by the ancients as a spiritual healing tool and celebrated by the world's great religions. So why aren’t we laughing along the spiritual path today? What would happen if we did? In this personal and funny look at humor as a spiritual practice, Rev. Susan Sparks—an ex-lawyer turned comedian and Baptist minister—presents a convincing case that the power of humor radiates far beyond punch lines. Laughter can help you: Remove the fearful mask of a God who doesn’t laugh Debunk the myths that you don’t deserve joy Find perspective when faced with adversity Exercise forgiveness for yourself and others Reclaim play as a spiritual practice Heal—emotionally, physically, and spiritually Keep your faith when God is silent Live with elegance, beauty, and generosity of spirit Whatever your faith tradition—or if you have none at all—join this veteran of the punch line and the pulpit in reclaiming the forgotten humor legacy found in thousands of years of human spiritual history.

Laughter and the Grace of God

Laughter and the Grace of God PDF Author: Brian Edgar
Publisher: Lutterworth Press
ISBN: 0718848144
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 170

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Book Description
We cannot really love anybody with whom we never laugh, and this is true of our relationship with God. Thomas Aquinas spoke of the sin of having too little laughter as well as the danger of having too much, while Martin Luther said, 'If you're not allowed to laugh in heaven, I don't want to go there.' Having a sense of humour is essential for maturity in faith and holiness, but sadly, the role that laughter plays in life and spirituality have often been neglected. Laughter and the Grace of God restores laughter to its central place in Christian spirituality and theology by examining its role in Scripture and highlighting its presence in unexpected places, including the story of Abraham and the formation of the covenant, and the tragedy of Job. Laughter can be found in the incarnation, the resurrection, and even the crucifixion - Jesus is himself the great laugh-maker - and it is nothing less than a participation in the life and love of God.

The God Who Plays

The God Who Plays PDF Author: Brian Edgar
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1532607628
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 149

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Book Description
Many people would be surprised to hear that a playful attitude towards God and the world lies at the heart of Christian faith. Traditionally Christians have focused on the serious responsibilities of service, sacrifice, and commitment. But the prophets say that the future kingdom is full of people laughing and playing, which has implications for Christians who are called to live out the future kingdom in the present. Play is not trivial or secondary to work and service--only a playful way of living does justice to the seriousness of life! Play is the essential and ultimate form of relationship with God, which is why Jesus told people to learn from children. Indeed, a playful attitude is an important part of all significant relationships. This book explores grace, faith, love, worship, redemption, and the kingdom from the perspective of a playful attitude. It describes how to create a "play ethic" to match the "work ethic" and discusses play as a virtue, Aquinas's warning against the sin of not playing enough, and Bonhoeffer's claim that in a world of pain it is only the Christian who can truly play.

The Laughter of God

The Laughter of God PDF Author: Walter C. Lanyon
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780692643785
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 238

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Book Description
"And then one day I heard the Laughter of God in the midst of me and within the world, and all was suddenly changed. Old patterns and ideas were shattered and passed away-a new loveliness of life was exposed to view ... "How does one hear the Laughter of God? Walter Lanyon has a powerful message to share with the world, a message based firmly on the teachings of the Master, Christ Jesus, and the joy and promise it brings is evident throughout the book. In his unique style of speaking directly to the reader, the author reveals what is needed in order to hear this Laughter: "One thing alone is necessary, and that one all-important point is your willingness to take your attention away from the limited human concept of yourself." The realization that God is not some mysterious power but is the very presence of Life within us and our universe brings instant freedom from the discords of human belief."One moment's recognition that you are the Son of the living God, and you have attuned your ear for the Laughter of God." When we awaken to this truth, we can no longer be limited, any more than the chick can be limited to its shell once it has outgrown it. There comes a New Day; the prisons of thought are opened, and we are set free."And one day you will laugh the Laughter of God, too."

Grace

Grace PDF Author: Philip Yancey
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 0310293197
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 164

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Book Description
A stunningly innovative visual edition of the award-winning What's so amazing about grace? by bestselling author Philip Yancey. This visual edition takes the text of the Gold Medallion Award-winning original and illustrates its themes and message with provocative full-color photography and illustrations. You'll 'experience grace' as you interact with its engaging visual content.

And God Created Laughter

And God Created Laughter PDF Author: M. Conrad Hyers
Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press
ISBN: 9780804216531
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 148

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Book Description
Recognizing "a playful spirit" as part of our human makeup, Conrad Hyers shows how laughter and humor are integral to our serious study of the Bible. He opens the joy of understanding the Bible in its fullness. With the darker realities of the Bible -- sin, suffering, and death -- there coexists a lighter side -- laughter, humor, and playfulness. Competent biblical study requires both perspectives. This highly readable, preachable, and teachable work gives ministers, students, lay readers a valuable tool for recovering the spirit and offers a chance to share in the celebration of life and the divine comedy of faith, hope, and love.

In Front of God and Everybody

In Front of God and Everybody PDF Author: KD McCrite
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
ISBN: 1400317940
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 305

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Book Description
If God wanted April Grace to be kind to her neighbors, He should have made them nicer! Growing up in the country is never easy, but it sure is funny—especially if you happen to have a sister obsessed with being glamorous, a grandma just discovering make-up, hippie friends who never shower, and brand new neighbors from the city who test everyone’s patience. From disastrous dye jobs to forced apologies and elderly date tagalongs, you’ll laugh ‘til you cry as you read the Confessions of April Grace! Here are just a couple of April's thoughts: On her sister, Myra Sue: "How anyone can be that dumb and still be able to eat with a fork is beyond me." On senior citizen lovebirds: "What if they started smooching right at the table in front of God and everybody?" In spite of all the loony characters in her life, April Grace is able to learn from her parents as they share the love of God—to even the craziest of characters!

Truffles from Heaven

Truffles from Heaven PDF Author: Kali Schneiders
Publisher: Chariot Victor Publishing
ISBN: 9781564767646
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 136

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Book Description
"Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."Forrest's mama was right. Perhaps today life will offer you some great thrill. Or maybe what will come out of the box is an assortment of heartache-the kind that forever changes the way you live and relate to others. Regardless of the mix, you can always count on each day containing truffles from heaven.Truffles from heaven are morsels of God's love and comfort that come individually wrapped in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes it may be a person divinely placed at a critical moment in your life. Other times, a penetrating verse of Scripture. Occasionally it is something material, like a favorite flavor of yogurt. Whatever the kind, God's truffles all share this in common: they are choice gifts personally selected from the riches of His grace and gently placed in the palm of your life.From the gift box of her own life, author Kali Schnieders offers a selection of truffles wrapped in a heart-felt prayer: that you, too, may "taste and see" God's heavenly truffles and know that He loves you.

Between Heaven and Mirth

Between Heaven and Mirth PDF Author: James Martin
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 0062098624
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 261

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Book Description
“Between Heaven and Mirth will make any reader smile. . . . Father Martin reminds us that happiness is the good God’s own goal for us.” —Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York From The Colbert Report’s “official chaplain” James Martin, SJ, author of the New York Times bestselling The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything, comes a revolutionary look at how joy, humor, and laughter can change our lives and save our spirits. A Jesuit priest with a busy media ministry, Martin understands the intersections between spirituality and daily life. In Between Heaven and Mirth, he uses scriptural passages, the lives of the saints, the spiritual teachings of other traditions, and his own personal reflections to show us why joy is the inevitable result of faith, because a healthy spirituality and a healthy sense of humor go hand-in-hand with God's great plan for humankind.

Extravagant Grace - MM for MIM

Extravagant Grace - MM for MIM PDF Author: Patsy Clairmont
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780310254362
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 244

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Book Description
Women of Faith points you to the bedrock of joy: grace. Grace describes things beyond your ability to earn or attain, gifts you can only gratefully receive from a God who lavishes them on you freely. With the same wit and insight that have characterized their previous devotionals such as Joy Breaks and Overjoyed! Patsy Clairmont, Barbara Johnson, Marilyn Meberg, Luci Swindoll, Sheila Walsh, and Thelma Wells shine a spotlight for you on grace. Grace that cleanses your sin. Grace that guides your life. Grace that weathers life's fiercest storms and stamps every cloud with the rainbow of God's promise. Grace to grieve and laugh, give and gain, love and live. Extravagant Grace. Here is a devotional filled with laughter as a rich as the insights are deep. Extravagant Grace celebrates God's liberating power at work in your circumstances, your relationships, your inner being, your marriage, your vocations, in all the things that matter most to you . . . and even in things that seem to be of little consequence. Extravagant Grace will encourage you to look for grace in all of life's seasons, come rains or shine -- and to give it away as freely and joyously as you receive it.