by | Faith Lived Out, Life Application
Why Humor Is Necessary
Why Humor Is Necessary
Without humor there is no such thing as laughter. Without laughter I would quickly find myself asking the question, “What’s the point of being here?” Jesus laughed. I’m sure there were days he laughed so hard his stomach hurt.
Think about it for a moment. He was surrounded constantly by 12 of his best friends. There must have been nights they sat by the campfire telling crazy stories, chewing with their mouths open, passing gas, and rating their burps on a scale of 1 to 10. Jesus had to be surrounded by humor. It’s one of the greatest gifts of God.
Not only is laughter good for the soul, it’s good for the body. Here are a few reasons researchers say why humor is necessary for our health:
- Immune System – When stress shows up your immune system decreases. Studies have shown that using humor may actually raise the antibodies in the body and boost the immune system. You know what they say? “A laughter a day keeps the doctor away.”
- Blood Sugar Levels – Place a dibetic in front of a hilarious movie and watch his or her blood sugar level lower. The sweet taste of humor – there’s nothing better.
- Relaxation And Sleep – I’m working on this. Wear those stomach muscles out and head to bed with a relaxed mind, the ability to take the focus on any pain you may have for a while, and sleep soundly. If you try this and it works, let me know. I would love to hear about it.
Humor is my middle name. The feeling of making people laugh is wonderful. It fills me up to watch others smile and laugh.
I still have to be careful because I can quickly use humor to mask pain. I’ve done that since I was a small child and I still find myself struggling with it. My family has always dealt with tragedy through humor and that’s immediately where my mind goes. If something bad happens to someone, I instantly feel responsible to make them laugh. It gets me into trouble from time to time, as they may just want me to be still with them. I’m a work in progress.
Have you laughed enough lately?
by | Life Application
Did you know that over 60% of Americans are overweight? That would explain why diabetes, heart disease, and more continues to increase.
Walk into any grocery store and many of the products read boldy, “low-fat”, “no trans fats”, “zero net carbs,” and more. What does that really mean? Does it mean that if it says “sugar free” I can eat all I want? That’s what I used to think. But the healthier I got the more I learned. Many of the words on the labels today are dangerous.
Woman’s Day recently released a list of 52 superfoods to get you back on track. I wanted to share with you. They recommend cleaning out your kitchen and tossing as many unhealthy items as possible. Rule of thumb: if you can’t pronounce the ingredients, you probably shouldn’t keep it.
Here are a few of the superfoods from the list I eat:
- Eggs – They are an excellent source of protein.
- Apples – Contains antioxidants.
- Steel-cut oats – Not as processed and a great source of fiber. Stick them in the crockpot and add some apples to kick it up a notch!
- Spinach – Great source of vitamin K, helps build strong bones, and more.
- Brown rice – Great source of magnesium.
- Kiwi – One of my favorites. High source of vitamin C.
- Asparagus – Another one of my favorites. Pretty sure I could eat it everyday. P.S. – it helps to banish bloating.
- Sweet potatoes – Get your dose of vitamin A and protect your vision and immune system.
- Peanut butter – Ok, I admit, I may be addicted to peanut butter. I love it! As long as I don’t eat the whole jar, it has great protein and amino acids.
- Edamame – Just had it for lunch yesterday. Thank you to my friend Jennifer for introducing me to it. It contains protein, fiber, and more.
To view the complete list of the superfoods
click here….
What are some of your favorite and not so favorite foods on the list?
by | Life Application
Father’s Day is sneaking up quickly. Only four more days! That means only three more shipping days if you order online.
What are you getting Dad for his special day?
Here are a few out of the ordinary ideas for you. Throw tradition out this year.
Personal Training Sessions
-That’s right. Help Dad get in, or stay in shape by giving him some private workouts with the greatest trainer in your community. He may not be grateful for the gift as he’s sweating while doing bench presses, but he will thank you later when your mother comments on his hard rock abs.
Personalized Oreos
-There is nothing like sitting down with a glass of milk and dipping some dad made Oreos. Order from findgift.com today.
Q&A Session
-Get to know Dad better. Take him out to lunch and ask him about his life. Make it completely about him. Ask him stories of his childhood. Why he fell in love with your mom. His favorite things.
A Candy Bar Bouquet
–Nothing says “I love you” like chocolate. Throw some Reese’s, Snickers, Mr. Goodbar, and M&M’s together to make a manly bouquet. Aren’t that
creative? Check your local grocery store or florist. They may have something already put together.
Technology
-If he’s not already updated with the latest and greatest, now is the time. If he loves to read perhaps an Amazon Kindle. The latest iPhone would make a great gift.
If nothing else, don’t forget the Father’s Day card. Happy Father’s Day to all those special dad’s out there.
What Father’s Day Gift Ideas Do You Recommend?
by | Life Application
What happened to real communication? Does it still exist?
Face to face or phone communication seems to literally be going down the crapper. Yes, I used the word crappy and crapper in the same post. 🙂
Let me explain why I think this is happening.
Recently I had a meeting with a guy in Branson to discuss doing some writing for his website. He was a very laid back kinda guy, which I like. I felt comfortable in the interview. He showed up in shorts and a t-shirt with his Starbucks coffee in hand. After we talked for a while he let me know I would hear from him one way or another. I went on with my week.
A few days later my phone dinged letting me know I had a text message. I took the hands out of the dish water, dried them, and picked up my phone. The message read, “We chose someone else. Thanks for applying. If we need you in the future we’ll let you know.”
Seriously?
I got turned down in a text message! At first I was aggravated that I didn’t get the gig, but then I sat down and thought about it for a minute. Would I want to work for someone who doesn’t even pick up the phone to let me know I didn’t get the job? No. I realized that I don’t want to be under the leadership of someone who doesn’t communicate well.
There are just some things you do face to face or over the phone. For instance, unless you’re 13 and still learning about boys, you don’t break up with someone via text message. You don’t inform someone of a death in a message. You don’t tell someone they didn’t get the job in a text message. That’s my two cents anyway.
As a leader I want those under me to expect more from me. I want them to expect that I will treat them with the utmost respect. And I would expect the same from them hopefully.
What do you think? Have you received news you wish would have been done in a more personal manner?
by | Life Application
Are you still signing your emails with a smiley face next to your name? Gone are the days of the bright smile. It’s time to upgrade!
That’s where WiseStamp comes in. I have been using it for several years and I love it. You don’t have to be a social media addict to use it. It’s easy to install and easy to use.
Visit wisestamp.com to install.
After installation insert your information in the signature box. (Example: first and last name, address, phone number, website or blog address). Here’s what mine looks like:
In my signature I have my name, job title, phone number, email address, and website.
Another great part about WiseStamp is that you can select a personal signature and a business signature. I use the same signature for both business and personal, but some prefer to separate. Feel free to change the fonts, size and color of your signature information.
Here comes the cool part. You can add links to your social media sites. Want people to find you on Facebook or Twitter? It’s easy.
Select the Social Icons tab. Under the dropbox select the icon you want. If you’re choosing Facebook, select it. In the next column insert the link to your Facebook page. You can simply copy and paste the link into the box or type it, whichever you prefer. Do this for Twitter, YouTube, Digg, etc. There are tons of different applications to use.
The apps I’ve included are Twitter, Facebook, Youtube and Linkedin.
There is also the Email Apps option as well as the IM Icons option. If you want people to know your Yahoo Messenger ID or Google Talk, you can set that up in the IM Icons section. I use the Twitter Email App, which allows readers to see my latest tweet under my signature.
So, there you have it. Polish up your emails with a new signature from Wisestamp.
Here’s what the finished product looks like:
How has your experience with WiseStamp been, or do you use another signature service?
by | Faith Lived Out, Life Application
From Sundi Jo: This is a guest post by Bianca O’Brien. Bianca is a newly wed Navy wife and a transplant to the Sunshine State of Florida (for now). She enjoys volunteering and serving others, baking and cooking and she has a passion for sharing the gospel with her words and actions. Bianca writes about memories, experiences, lessons learned, food & cooking, crafting and plenty of other facets of life on her blog. You can also find her on Twitter and Facebook.
Recently I was talking with my best friend about a concept quite foreign to both of us: rest. As avid lovers of the Lord we are continually in the mindset of serving with a “go, go, go!” attitude. That got me wondering, “Is there such thing as being too busy working for God that you actually can miss out on God himself?” I think I might be on to something here.
From the moment a new believer accepts Christ in to their lives the list of to-do’s begin. Read your Bible everyday. Go to church. Get an accountability partner. Join a small group. Lead prayer times. Go on a mission trip. Serve in local outreach. Get discipled. The list goes on and on…
Even if it’s with good intentions that we steer Christians toward this mentality of doing and not being, we are still doing them tragic harm. At that point we are subliminally, if not overtly, teaching them that the Christian life is not about God, but rather it is about us and how are doing with our to-do list.
“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” (Mark 1:35)
If Christ, who is our Example, had moments of solitude and rest as He walked on earth, then how much more should we, flesh-battling sinners do the same? We are always plugged-in, turned on or broadcasting our cause; we are always pouring out. But what about being filled up; what about resting?
One of my struggles is finding approval in others and in what I accomplish. This often manifests itself in my to-do list. For years I’ve struggled with balancing my time in a way that best keeps me filled with the qualities of Christ that I seek to pour out. I was fortunate because recently I got married, moved to a new state where I knew no one and started a new job working from home. Instantly my schedule was wiped clean! Almost overnight I had a chance to start new – without hurting anyone’s feelings. This time I took my schedule more seriously. I guarded my free time and just as feverishly as I used to pencil in activities and coffee dates, I’ve been protective over my valuable alone time. My husband and I are in a small group, we do attend church regularly and we do serve. But we also have days where nothing is planned. And the reason we do that we are free/available for God to do something in our lives. Sometimes it’s a phone call from a desperate friend needing guidance or prayer, sometimes its’ baking sweets to share with the maintenance man of our apartment complex and sometimes it is a night alone, to rest in silence and meditate on God’s truths.
God is sovereign and I believe wholeheartedly that no matter what I might have going on in my schedule – He could interrupt it to achieve His purposes. However, there is something deeply satisfying when I choose to let go of my to-do list, when I choose to make room for Him to move. In being obedient to resting, I make time with God what I treasure above all else. Don’t make God an interruption; make him a your first choice – a prized treasure in your life.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
Check your motives – why do you stay so busy? Do you live for the accolades? The acknowledgement? Turn off the computer one day. Silence your phone. Empty your calendar and retreat to a place of solitude to spend time with your Maker. Be still and listen – hear a word from the Lord.
Photo Credit: iStockphoto
“Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.” (Psalm 37:7)
A friend of mine recently went to the hospital for stress-related issues. As a full time ministry worker she’s pressed on all sides for her time and it’s taking a toll on her not only spiritually, but physically too. As a result of this wake up call, and fervent prayer, she decided to step back from ministry for a season to rest and refresh. Would it take a hospital visit to make you stop and rest? Is an IV the only thing that could hold you down right now?
Sometimes the Lord intervenes on our behalf to save us from our own stubbornness: our own pride that won’t let us slow down.
Do you recall when Jesus was in the garden the night before his arrest? Was he planning an escape? Was he still actively ministering? Was he conversing with the disciples?
No, He was seeking the Lord in prayer.
Alone.
In the darkest hours, and even in the mundane ones, it’s crucial that we stop and realize our greatest need isn’t time. It isn’t resources. It isn’t pity. It isn’t even friends or family.
It’s God.
“If you love me, obey my commandments.” (John 14:15)
The fourth commandment is “observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy…the seventh day is a day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God.” (Exodus 20:8)
Let me encourage you that saying “no” to things that are not the best use of your time is not sinful. Make it a habit to never agree to anything right away – but buy yourself time to pray and consider your time before you commit. Make it a practice to give God your first fruits, not your tired, 5-minutes-to-spare leftovers.
What things can you let go of to give yourself more time alone with God? What things are you holding too tightly that perhaps you now realize you should let go of and entrust to Him? Will you practice obedience and allow Him to quiet your heart and help you focus on His direction for your life?
I can’t promise what He will do for you, or tell you your life will be at its fullest, but I can promise you with complete certainty that He is all you need. Christ is the greatest treasure.
