Holy Humor

• A father was approached by his small son who told him proudly, 'I know what the Bible means!'His father smiled and replied, 'What do you mean, you 'know' What the Bible means? The son replied, 'I do know!''Okay,' said his father. 'What does the Bible mean?''That's easy, Daddy...' the young boy replied excitedly,' It stands for 'Basic Information Before Leaving Earth.'

• There was a very gracious lady who was mailing an old family Bible to her brother in another part of the country.'Is there anything breakable in here?' asked the postal clerk.' Only the Ten Commandments. ' answered the lady.
  
• 'Somebody has said there are only two kinds of people in the world.There are those who wake up in the morning and say, 'Good morning, Lord,' and there are those who wake up in the morning and say, 'Good Lord, it's morning.'

• A minister parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city because he was short of time and couldn't find a space with a meter.Then, he put a note under the windshield wiper that read: 'I have circled the block 10 times. If I don't park here, I'll miss my appointment. Forgive us our trespasses.' When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer along with this note 'I've circled this block for 10 years. If I don't give you a ticket I'll lose my job. Lead us not into temptation.'

• There is the story of a pastor who got up one Sunday and announced to his congregation: 'I have good news and bad news. The good news is, we have enough money to pay for our new building program. The bad news is, it's still out there in your pockets.'
  
• While driving in Pennsylvania, a family caught up to an Amish carriage. The owner of the carriage obviously had a sense of humour, because attached to the back of the carriage was a hand printed sign... 'Energy efficient vehicle: Runs on oats and grass. Caution: Do not step in exhaust.'

• A minister waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before a long holiday weekend. The attendant worked quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him. Finally, the attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump. 'Reverend,' said the young man, 'I'm so sorry about the delay. It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip.'The minister chuckled, 'I know what you mean. It's the same in my business.'
  

• People want the front of the bus, The back of the church, And The centre of attention.

• Sunday after church, a Mom asked her very young daughter what the lesson was about.The daughter answered, 'Don't be scared, you'll get your quilt.' Needless to say, the Mom was perplexed. Later in the day, the pastor stopped by for tea and the Mom asked him what that morning's Sunday school lesson was about. He said, 'Be not afraid, thy comforter is coming.'

Nollaig Shona Agus & Ath Vhlian Faoi Mhaise Dhib

This strange title simply means 'Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you' in Irish.

I almost had to pinch myself today to see, if I was really back in Sharjah, at home, doing the normal stuff that I would on my day off. It feels so strange that my own place of birth does not feel like home any more.

When I landed at Abu Dhabi airport, I had to collect a visitor's visa and the officer asked me, "when will you leave the country?" I guess this is the bitter fact that I do not belong here, I do not belong anywhere, it was a reminder from the Lord that this world is not my home! On Christmas day when Jesus was born, I am sure He would have felt the same way and His visa was also valid for 33 years only!

With all the preparation for Christmas celebration, my heart is actually sad in more than one ways. As delighted as I am to be with my family and loved ones at this time and grateful that I live in a loving, safe environment, I am aware that there are many who are not enjoying the security that I have in other parts of the world. The security in Christ Jesus and in family members is precious. I am also wondering whether Jesus's family celebrated His birthday every year and even knew why was He living among them? I wonder whether his parents gave him gifts for his birthday for thirty three years and tried to make it special for Him every year? How did Jesus react, what did He have to say to them, did anyone realize that He was among them for a much more worthy cause ...... it is something like the world's situation today.

Sometimes we are so lost in our preparations to make everything special at Christmas that we forget the one who it is for. It's about Jesus, not about me, not about you but thank God that it is about Jesus, His birth, His death and resurrection! We are only 'Messangers' not the 'message'. We are the bearers of the goodnews and not 'the news'. This year I choose to be more unprepared for the worldly celebrations and prepare to spend quality time with Jesus Himself and seek to listen to His heart beat more than anything, to thank Him for coming into this 'strange' world which is not home, where there is no sense of belonging yet He spent quality time here and set an example for me that I can live just the way He did, Amen.

What about you my beloved, how will you celebrate Jesus this time?

Have a joyus Christmas and a blessed New year 2009.

Why?

The most common question, an open ended question and probably the most difficult to answer when asked. I have always asked and probed till I realized that every question that I have can only be answered by God. So here is something that really touched me when I was as usual annoying God for some answers.

Jeremiah 9:23-24
23Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
24But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

So now my purpose is re directed to gaining an understanding of God's character and understanding why He does what He does than try to get answers to my own questions. I want to develop a more intimate relationship with Him so that I can understand His personality, who He really is and love Him just as He is!

God loves you and may He create a desire in you to understand Him. Amen!