Scripture

“Because you did not serve Yahweh your God with gladness and a merry heart— therefore you shall serve your enemies whom Yahweh will send against you.

~Deuteronomy 28:47-48, LSB

Quote

Whatever breaks your spirit and embitters your soul will eventually make you physically sick.

~Anonymous

Another blog from notes recorded over a decade ago. According to medical science, the pituitary gland has a lot to do with our emotions. This little gland {size of a pea} secretes chemicals that your body needs. Matter of fact, these six hormones are vital. We need this tiny gland which is located at the base of our brain. If this gland is removed by surgery, you will have to take harmonies for the rest of your life. In most cases, the removal of this gland changes the emotions of the person. People who have this surgery tend to be more emotional; often crying and openly needy of love and affection. Without the hormones that this gland secretes, new skin will not grow, and wounds will not heal. I happen to know a man who died because the medical staff forgot to give him his hormones during a surgery. His wound did not heal and then it got infected. He lived for five months, basically on a vent and then he was promoted. It was a routine surgery: a knee replacement.

The incredible thing that you may find hard to believe is that laughter causes the pituitary gland to work more effectively. So, Solomon was right when he said, “A merry heart does good like a medicine.” The stoics worked hard to separate reason from emotion. This often produced a rugged personality void of any outward display of emotions. There is a problem with the stoic approach; the repressed emotions can result in a cynical or bitter attitude. We need to laugh. I am not talking about endless bull. People who never get serious lose their credibility. We tend to avoid such personalities. But there is nothing wrong with humor as long as it is appropriate and timely. Tim Keenum is my favorite preacher when it comes to a Celebration of Life service. Somehow the boy is able to inject humor in every service. The last one that he and I did together was my sister’s and I got up and had them crying; he got up and had them laughing. Perhaps they needed both but they certainly needed the laughter.

My kids hate it when I tell jokes. They are embarrassed because they don’t see any humor in my funny stories. Every time they remind me that I am not funny, I tell them the same thing. If I am not funny, why do people laugh? They always say, “They are laughing at you not at what you say.” You know what I tell them, “I don’t care so long as they laugh.” You’ve heard of designated hitters: I use to have two designated laughers at DBC: Mavis Fitzgerald and Joe Eaton. Now Joe David has one, Jesse Moorehead. I have one at the POINT, maybe two. I don’t want to preach to anyone who refuses to laugh.

Extra

David Mote gave his testimony at the Pastor’s prayer meeting yesterday. He is exactly like Joe David describes him: a man of unbelievable faith. He told us not to pray for him but to pray for those he is trying to reach in whatever time he has left.

I didn’t get to go see her, but I understand Melania Mitchell is really sick.  My prayer list is growing.

Have a great day and thanks for reading the blog.