Popular Post Seasoned by Grace Posted August 19, 2019 Group: Advanced Member Followers: 4 Topic Count: 27 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 309 Content Per Day: 0.18 Reputation: 350 Days Won: 0 Joined: 08/07/2019 Status: Offline Popular Post Share Posted August 19, 2019 (edited) Life can be full of so many distraction and pressure and trials, that we don't even think about happiness or anything to laugh at a lot of the time. I've been there myself. In the bible most of God's laughing is focused on laughing at the wicked and their antics or mocking them. But their are verses that focus on our happiness, as in the following verses. Job 8:21, says, "God will fill your mouth with laughter" Eccl. 3:4 says, "A time to weep and a time for laughter". Psalms 126:2, "Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy." Proverbs 15:23, "A glad heart makes a joyful noise (Laughter)." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For me laughing with God began about 15 years ago when I was going through a difficult stage in my life, and feeling so incapable of dealing with it, and not always making the right choices in a situation I had never been before. I remember being on my knee's pouring out my feelings to God how impossible my life had become, and for some reason in the middle of all that I started thinking about how funny my emotions and actions must seem to God, and I started making fun of myself to God And began picturing God laughing at my being a "DRAMA QUEEN" about something most people would think was such a nothing, and here I was making a mountain out of a mole hill. I felt like God was laughing with me in a wonderful moment of just making fun of myself and me seeing my own folly, and God enjoying laughing with me at the situation. It was such a wonderful dynamic of a lightness of enjoyment, and it brought me such a relief from the emotions and the intensity I was feeling. I have laughed with God several times since then and there is always this wonderful and peaceful sense of relief from my stress and overthinking my situation. It is wonderful having that kind of intimacy, confidancd and relaxation with Him in those moments, and similar moments to come. Sometimes as we grow, we can have such a negative view of God and never think of enjoying His company like this. I praise God that he has allowed me to have such a comfortable relationship with Him, and yet have such a reverant respect for Him, LOVE for Him, and a healthy fear, all at the same time. Edited August 19, 2019 by Seasoned by Grace 3 3 4 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post dhchristian Posted August 19, 2019 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 9 Topic Count: 136 Topics Per Day: 0.08 Content Count: 2,488 Content Per Day: 1.41 Reputation: 1,325 Days Won: 0 Joined: 06/29/2019 Status: Offline Popular Post Share Posted August 19, 2019 Just now, Seasoned by Grace said: For me laughing with God began about 15 years ago when I was going through a difficult stage in my life, and feeling so incapable of dealing with it, and not always making the right choices in a situation I had never been before. I remember being on my knee's pouring out my feelings to God how impossible my life had become, and for some reason in the middle of all that I started thinking about how funny my emotions and actions must seem to God, and I started making fun of myself to God And began picturing God laughing at my being a "JERK" about something most people would think was such a nothing, and here I was making a mountain out of a mole hill. I felt like God was laughing with me in a wonderful moment of just making fun of myself and me seeing my own folly, and God enjoying laughing with me at the situation. It was such a wonderful dynamic of a lightness of enjoyment, and it brought me such a relief from the emotions and the intensity I was feeling. I have laughed with God several times since then and there is always this wonderful and peaceful sense of relief from my stress and overthinking my situation. It was wonderful having that kind of intimacy and relaxation with Him in those moments. Hi Seasoned by Grace, I Have a similar story, which is Part of my calling to serve Him. In 2007, The economy was tanking, My wife mad at me, we were struggling to make ends meet, and there was little to no work for me. Everything around me was falling apart, and we would eventually lose our home several years later. I had Just taken up running again, just to keep in shape because of the slow work load, Big mistake, as Both of my knees were sprained, I could barely walk. I was at a point of brokenness and fell on my knees and totally surrendered to Him, and his will in utter repentance. I could not do it by my own strength and will. After that happened, He urged me to Open my Bible and read it, without even looking I opened to the following passage... My name is not Jacob, But I knew he was speaking to me... Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God”? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isa 40:27-31, ESV) I could Only laugh with God, I could barely kneel let alone run, I was so weary and here He was telling me Young men and youths will faint but I won't. He then Proceeded to show me my calling Which has proven true to this day. I Still have a laugh with him when I read this again. I used the ESV because that was the only Bible I had at the time. Thank You for sharing your story, God has a sense of Humor, and he knows when we take ourselves too seriously, and intervenes. When we learn this, Those situations we put ourselves in where we take ourselves too seriously, become a Joyful times in our walk with Him. God Bless 1 1 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasoned by Grace Posted August 19, 2019 Group: Advanced Member Followers: 4 Topic Count: 27 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 309 Content Per Day: 0.18 Reputation: 350 Days Won: 0 Joined: 08/07/2019 Status: Offline Author Share Posted August 19, 2019 Hello dhchristian . Wonderful testimony of your life. God is so good and teaches us such powerful life lessons that help our faith grow in Him - Praise the LORD !! God bless you, and thank you - Dave 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not me Posted August 20, 2019 Group: Royal Member Followers: 14 Topic Count: 513 Topics Per Day: 0.23 Content Count: 3,194 Content Per Day: 1.44 Reputation: 3,358 Days Won: 1 Joined: 04/06/2018 Status: Offline Share Posted August 20, 2019 19 hours ago, Seasoned by Grace said: Life can be full of so many distraction and pressure and trials, that we don't even think about happiness or anything to laugh at a lot of the time. I've been there myself. In the bible most of God's laughing is focused on laughing at the wicked and their antics or mocking them. But their are verses that focus on our happiness, as in the following verses. Job 8:21, says, "God will fill your mouth with laughter" Eccl. 3:4 says, "A time to weep and a time for laughter". Psalms 126:2, "Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy." Proverbs 15:23, "A glad heart makes a joyful noise (Laughter)." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For me laughing with God began about 15 years ago when I was going through a difficult stage in my life, and feeling so incapable of dealing with it, and not always making the right choices in a situation I had never been before. I remember being on my knee's pouring out my feelings to God how impossible my life had become, and for some reason in the middle of all that I started thinking about how funny my emotions and actions must seem to God, and I started making fun of myself to God And began picturing God laughing at my being a "DRAMA QUEEN" about something most people would think was such a nothing, and here I was making a mountain out of a mole hill. I felt like God was laughing with me in a wonderful moment of just making fun of myself and me seeing my own folly, and God enjoying laughing with me at the situation. It was such a wonderful dynamic of a lightness of enjoyment, and it brought me such a relief from the emotions and the intensity I was feeling. I have laughed with God several times since then and there is always this wonderful and peaceful sense of relief from my stress and overthinking my situation. It is wonderful having that kind of intimacy, confidancd and relaxation with Him in those moments, and similar moments to come. Sometimes as we grow, we can have such a negative view of God and never think of enjoying His company like this. I praise God that he has allowed me to have such a comfortable relationship with Him, and yet have such a reverant respect for Him, LOVE for Him, and a healthy fear, all at the same time. This just blessed me so! I love reading how another believer has had dealings with God. Brought joy to my heart. Continue on, continuing, and may God fill your heart with Himself, in a new and awesome way. In Christ, Not me 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasoned by Grace Posted August 20, 2019 Group: Advanced Member Followers: 4 Topic Count: 27 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 309 Content Per Day: 0.18 Reputation: 350 Days Won: 0 Joined: 08/07/2019 Status: Offline Author Share Posted August 20, 2019 (edited) 2 hours ago, Not me said: This just blessed me so! I love reading how another believer has had dealings with God. Brought joy to my heart. Continue on, continuing, and may God fill your heart with Himself, in a new and awesome way. In Christ, Not me Thank you "Not me" and the others here that responded, your comments have blessed me too. God is so GOOD and UNDERSTANDING of us - PRAISE GOD !!! Edited August 20, 2019 by Seasoned by Grace 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willa Posted August 20, 2019 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 68 Topic Count: 186 Topics Per Day: 0.04 Content Count: 14,247 Content Per Day: 3.33 Reputation: 16,658 Days Won: 30 Joined: 08/14/2012 Status: Offline Share Posted August 20, 2019 Pro 15:15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast. Pro 17:22 A merry heart does good, like medicine,[fn] But a broken spirit dries the bones. 1 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvelloustime Posted August 20, 2019 Group: Royal Member Followers: 15 Topic Count: 206 Topics Per Day: 0.10 Content Count: 5,608 Content Per Day: 2.83 Reputation: 11,415 Days Won: 33 Joined: 11/26/2018 Status: Offline Share Posted August 20, 2019 I love reading these posts. I also love the way the Lord adapts His sense of humour to ours. Jesus had me in hysterics one night whilst I was reading the Bible. A quick summary. We used to have a white poodle called Rascall, who lived til he was 18. My husband and I keep him and another one of our dogs who passed away, Scruffy, alive in our hearts, by still using our character voices for them. Our on-going banter with Rascall is, he self nick named himself 'Cock of the North' because he loved to holiday in a cabin we used to holiday in, and at the local village, there's a write up about the history, and the place was once owned by someone called 'Cock of the North'. So that became his nick name. Rascall also loved the number 3. He used to do everything in threes. So our character voices have carried this on. So, one night I was reading the gospels, and read this: (John 13:38) - "Jesus *answered, "Will you lay down your life for Me? Truly, truly, I say to you, a cock shall not crow, until you deny Me three times. The Lord joined in our fun humour, but He's funnier than us, because He wrote it nearly 2000 years ago! I had had a bad day, and I felt He lead me to read those verses that night, for a bit of light relief, whilst still obviously wholly respecting His Word. Becky. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasoned by Grace Posted August 20, 2019 Group: Advanced Member Followers: 4 Topic Count: 27 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 309 Content Per Day: 0.18 Reputation: 350 Days Won: 0 Joined: 08/07/2019 Status: Offline Author Share Posted August 20, 2019 (edited) I really love the beautiful responses here. You all bless so many peoples lives that come here and read these from each of you. God bless you all in many wonderful ways that are only His , Dave Edited August 20, 2019 by Seasoned by Grace 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post turtletwo Posted August 20, 2019 Group: Royal Member Followers: 35 Topic Count: 1,192 Topics Per Day: 0.19 Content Count: 7,264 Content Per Day: 1.18 Reputation: 15,710 Days Won: 194 Joined: 07/15/2007 Status: Offline Popular Post Share Posted August 20, 2019 @Seasoned by Grace Thank you, brother. This is a wonderful thread. When I think of Jesus walking the earth I see Him much differently than many portrayals of Him. ( movies and even sermons) He is put forth as super somber...as though He just tasted a sour pickle. lol But He walked as a man of intense emotions. I think we would all agree about His anger with the Pharisees as there are many accounts of that. But what about His other side? I see so tender moments. In John 11:35 we see the words "Jesus wept." You see His sadness in "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing." (Matthew 23:37) And in John 6:66-67, I hear a bit of sadness in His voice when He asks the following question of His closest followers. "From that time on, many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him. So Jesus asked the Twelve, “Do you want to leave too?” But...on the other side of emotions, I see His wonderful sense of humor. For example, when He has a coin (to pay the taxes) 'good-to-go'...in, of all places the mouth of a fish. lol (Matthew 17:24-27) But one place I can definitely picture Jesus laughing is when He was with the little children. He took delight in their company! And kids can be downright funny sometimes. Plus, there is just something about their carefree ways and sweet facial expressions that causes laughter to arise. So, as shown through the scriptures Willa posted from Psalms and Proverbs- laughter is God's will for us. And we were made in HIS image, after all. So how fitting we should laugh with God!! 1 1 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvelloustime Posted August 20, 2019 Group: Royal Member Followers: 15 Topic Count: 206 Topics Per Day: 0.10 Content Count: 5,608 Content Per Day: 2.83 Reputation: 11,415 Days Won: 33 Joined: 11/26/2018 Status: Offline Share Posted August 20, 2019 4 minutes ago, turtletwo said: He just tasted a sour pickle. lol We'll, I've been described in many strange ways over the years, but I think this tops it. Lol. (Surname is Pickles). Seriously though, great post @turtletwo 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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