Tag: humor

Holy Laughter Sunday

GR 'Scott' Cundiff

A very old Easter tradition that is, apparently, making a comeback is Holy Laughter (or “Bright”) Sunday.  This day is observed the Sunday after Easter.  The ancient church leaders concluded that the Lord “tricked” Satan with the resurrection.  Satan, they thought, believed he had won when Jesus breathed his last on the cross.  The old adversary thought he had orchestrated the events of Holy Week and now, after his failure in the Temptation of Jesus in the wilderness years earlier, he had succeeded in stopping the Lord’s great plan of salvation.

But it didn’t work out that way.

On the third day Jesus rose from the grave, Victor over sin and death; providing salvation for all who will believe.  It had all been God’s plan the whole time!

So, following Easter celebrations the Church leaders thought it proper to have some fun, rejoicing in the trick the Lord had played on the devil.  They told jokes, played tricks on one another, and had parties.  The boys picked on the girls (apparently, “soaking” with water was popular) and the girls retaliated, as they have through the ages.

Churches around the world are bringing Holy Laughter Sunday back.  Pastors are telling their best jokes, people are having fun at church, rejoicing in the Good News of the Resurrection.

Personally, I’m all for finding ways to keep the joy of Easter going.  What do you think?

Learning to laugh at yourself

GR 'Scott' Cundiff

I know that preaching is serious business and I take it seriously. Still, there’s a place for humor – not as an add on that sticks out like a sore thumb, but as part of an illustration that helps drive home an important truth.

Then, there’s the unintentional humor that happens at sometimes unwelcome times. Preachers are notorious for getting tongues tangled — for foot-in-mouth disease. A friend of mine made a huge goof one time that had the congregation so ticked that he good-naturedly just closed the service!

I was once praying a sincere prayer and heard myself devoutly pray: “Oh, Lord, we come to you in true humidity.” Along the Texas Gulf Coast that may be more true than what I intended to say in the first place.

Last Sunday as I preached a sermon on Lot’s wife, I commented that we don’t know the names of all the women in the Bible and we don’t know her’s. Then, somewhere early in her story I said something like, “Lot’s wife husband, Lot, decided to join his uncle in his journey.” Even as I said it I got tickled. Yep, Lot’s wife’s husband was named Lot all right. It took me a minute or so to get my act back together.

Anyway, we don’t know Mrs. Lot’s name…but I’m quite sure that Lot’s wife’s husband was named Lot.

Sometimes, you just have to laugh at yourself, pick up the pieces, and move on the best you can.

Humor of Abraham Lincoln

GR 'Scott' Cundiff

I love this letter from Abraham Lincoln:

One day . . . I got into a fit of musing in my room and stood resting my elbows on the bureau. Looking into the glass, it struck me what an ugly man I was. The fact grew on me and I made up my mind that I must be the ugliest man in the world. It so maddened me that I resolved, should I ever see an uglier, I would shoot him on sight. Not long after this, Andy [naming a lawyer present] came to town and the first time I saw him I said to myself: ‘There’s the man.’ I went home, took down my gun, and prowled around the streets waiting for him. He soon came along. ‘Halt, Andy,’ said I, pointing the gun at him, ‘say your prayers, for I am going to shoot you.’ ‘Why, Mr. Lincoln, what’s the matter? What have I done?’ ‘Well, I made an oath that if I ever saw an uglier man than I am, I’d shoot him on the spot. You are uglier, surely; so make ready to die.’ ‘Mr. Lincoln, do you really think that I am uglier than you?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Well, Mr. Lincoln,’ said Andy deliberately and looking me squarely in the face, ‘if I am any uglier, fire away.’

There are several other funny letters from famous people at:
www.wnyc.org/books/15539

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