Sunday, August 31, 2008

Time Out

What quality of Christ's do you most see in yourself?

I'm taking a time out from my usual blog to try to answer this question that was asked at Edie's Blog.

At first I wasn't going to do this. I explained that I am not the best at showing emotions. (something about bricks, mortar, walls, etc). She "sweetly" told me of course it's ok if you don't participate, somehow in that phrase I heard "Do It!" ...so here I am.

First of all....I found out immediately that this was a trick to get me to read my Bible more---that's ok though. Whatever it takes.

I even went searching for info on the internet. What I found in my searching was that Jesus was the master of the one-liners.

Examples:
Matthew 23:24 (Jesus speaking) "You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel."
Matthew 7:4 (Jesus speaking) " How can you say to your brother Let me take the speck out of your eye when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?"

Jesus' stories and parables also had a way of starting of one way and ending on a completely different note than was expected. Sound like someone you know?

Also, I can't help but think that there was a twinkle in his eye when he first met with his disciples after his Resurrection. Picture his disciples just hanging around and all of the sudden Jesus pops out with a "Gotcha!" or a "Told you so!"

The times were different.
The humor was different.
And I don't recall any knock-knock jokes in the Bible, but I think Jesus had a wry or ironic sense of humor. Maybe even sometimes "off the wall".

So maybe humor or the ability to make people laugh...or at least smile, is the quality of Christ I see in myself.

Also, I feel strongly about not laughing at other people's expense. Not making fun of someone, just to make people laugh.. "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others upaccording to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29.
Colossians 3:8 "But now you must rid yourself of all things such as these: anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language from your lips".

I can't find much info on God and humor but he does tell us "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones" Proverbs 17:22 (also, written in my comment section of my last post).

On a final note, if you don't think God has a sense of humor, then open your eyes and look around at the world. Look at yourself, look at me, look at giraffes and kangaroos. Look at porcupines and aardvarks. Oh come on, you can bet he was cracking up at some point during that 6 day period.

23 comments:

HisPrincess said...

Ok, now I'm feeling pressured. I read Edie's blog, and Kelly's on the same subject, and now you! I decided that it was too hard, I don't have any Christ like qualities or the time to think about it. And now you go and research it? Sigh. I'm gonna have to think about it aren't I.

Edie said...

I LOVE THIS!!!! Ok, first I need to clear the air, I did not say "Do it!" That was Rhonda. :)

Honestly I did not mean to put pressure on you. I do hope you know that, but I just love what you wrote! I can just so hear Christ cracking up with you. You know, I have always thought of Christ as having a sense of humor but I never considered the one-liners before today. Ha! You go girl!

Sue J. said...

THIS is one of the best things you have written, my friend. This is publishable-worthy in places outside of our little blogging community.

If you believe that the Holy Spirit works in each one of us for the good of those who love Him and that He created us to be unique and "wonderful" beings (direct Bible quote), then surely you have insight into Christ that not all of us have. And I can't help but wonder how God would use you and your Christlike qualities to make an impact on His kingdom beyond those you touch with every blog.

More of His power to ya! And now that you've cracked us up by cracking open the Bible, don't be afraid to do it again, OK??

The Patterson 5 said...

I am in agreement with Sue J! This post is superb and marked by what the Holy Spirit is saying to you throught The Word! I love your discovery that Jesus is the master of one liners! Thanks for sharing your discovery with us! And thanks for allowing Jesus to shine through you!

Kelly said...

Well, well. Deep thinker. And researching too. wow.

Great job. Of course, if you continue to write Christian blogs I will have to write you a cease and desist order...and if you still continue I will be forced to write a random, run on, hysterically funny blog in return. You know, just to keep us even.

:-) Proud of ya, sis.

My ADHD Me said...

You guys are too much. I posted this a few hours ago. I kept thinking about it and I wasn't sure if what I was trying to say was getting through. I was sure that somehow I had unintentionally written something that would be read as blasphemy. I came back to delete the entire thing but....You Like Me! You Really Like Me!

Kelly said...

Speaking of brick and mortar:

Let the walls fall down
Let the walls fall down
Let the walls fall down
By His love, let the walls fall down.

One by one, we're drawn together
One by one, to Jesus' side
One in Him, we'll live forever
Strangers He has reconciled.

In His love, no walls between us
In His love a common ground
Kneeling at the cross of Jesus
All our pride comes tumbling down

(Christian song by marantha singers)

Edie said...

What do you mean do we really like you? This is very insightful writing. I am very impressed with the research and I was just thanking God for pointing out the "Master of the one-liners" thing. Yea, no doubt He was shining through you.... no doubt at all! :D

Kelly said...

Edie - she said "YOU LIKE ME, You really like me." It's the Sally Field academy award acceptance speech. Tee hee.

Sometimes only we get each other's jokes. Funny Monkey!

My ADHD Me said...

I KNEW I should have put Sally Field in parenthesis! haha.

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

I totally get this! I mean, just think about how adults dealing with children have to have a sense of humor. I'm sure he felt that way about the people he met with-- all of their quirks and tendencies. He understood them so well, and he must have delighted in them. Yes, I think he disciplined them, too, but there are glimpses of humor and exaggeration and even a little sarcasm, if I dare say it.

Edie said...

"I KNEW I should have put Sally Field in parenthesis!"
Feeling a little "duh"... You have to know this about me... if you include anything in your blog that makes reference to the entertainment industry, that everyone else world would get, you will still need an explanation for me! (For detailed information please see "Last Movie I saw in a Theater?" in my A-Z quiz.) We all have our quirks. :)

Rebecca Ingram Powell said...

This was a GREAT post!

I have often thought the same thing about Jesus, but I couldn't have articulated it like you did.

nicely done!

Tammy said...

I love the way you made me think...in a different way!

You're right,I believe God has a sense of humor,too.I love reading your post and the humor you bring to it.

Keep writing and taking risks:)

Runner Mom said...

Loved your view on this! Yes, God has to have a sense of humor--we're made in His image, so, I'm guessing He enjoys a great joke and a hearty laugh just like the rest of us!

Thanks so much for visiting my blog last week! Come back any time!
Blessings,
Susan

HisPrincess said...

I agree with what everyone has said here Mary.

And yes Sally, we really like you. Didn't you just love that diamond bow necklace she was wearing? Sorry, doing a Mary, getting off track...Monkeys are funny.

HisPrincess said...

And this is like the 17th comment?

You are just waaay cool!

My ADHD Me said...

I learned the trick! I leave comments myself and get friends to leave multiple comments and THEN WOW! Look at all the comments!

My ADHD Me said...

I could end up with hundreds of comments!

My ADHD Me said...

Wow! Look how popular MyADHDMe is!

Kelly said...

You must stop before you get to 25. 25 is my record. Must not break my record.

Monkey's are not that funny. ;-D

My ADHD Me said...

OK, I'll stop making comments.

Anonymous said...

viagra generique soma and viagra prescriptions free viagra sample of viagra buying viagra online sublingual viagra viagra attorneys uk viagra sales mexico viagra viagra blood pressure viagra pharmacy women does viagra work does viagra work viagra jokes viagra free trial