Laughter is Serious Business!

In the infamous words of the Veggie Tales hero's, Bob & Larry: "I laughed, I cried; it moved me Bob!" What a wonderful weekend we had with Scott Davis and his lovely wife Donna. Scott is real. Scott is funny. Scott and Donna are being used of God in a special way to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. We all need to laugh. Let's face it, life is hard at times and it's much easier to remember that there is "a time to cry" than it is to embrace the fact that there is a "time to laugh". But realize this: Every time we laugh, even in the midst of suffering, our laughter says that we can trust God, regardless of outward circumstances.

When you add to that the fact that during all three events this weekend, many people professed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of their lives, then laughter really is serious business. It says we believe, we trust, and we're willing to exchange our brokenness for God's blessings. It says we believe God will do everything His Word says He will do.

So yes, laughter is serious business. And we pray that this business that God is using to bless others and to glorify His name will flourish. May God continue to bless you both, Scott and Donna, as you make the business of laughter a blessing to all.

Sweet Life! Dessert Comedy Theater

Sweet Life! Dessert Comedy Theater with comedian Scott Davis this Saturday night, 7:00 p.m. at TVCC. Great comedy, wonderful desserts, and free child care for kids 9 & under. What a deal! $7 per person - $20 max per family advance; $10 per person - $30 per family at the door. 731-641-8822 for ticket information.

Laughter Really Is the Best Medicine

I laugh. . . alot! And I guess I laugh at myself more than anyone else I know. Maybe it's because I see me as no one else does, except God of course, and I think He may laugh too! When I saw this video, posted by my good friend Sam Shaw, I just had to share it with you. It may have ruined a wedding at the moment, but millions have laughed and laughed as a result. Thanks Sam and this family for sharing this with the world, and making us once again. . . laugh!

Enjoy!

The Difference Maker

Expecting God to Love Through Me

Do you? Expect God to love through you, that is. The difference maker is expecting God to use us, asking Him for the desire to make a difference, and then praying for opportunity and outcome. God instructed us through the Apostle Paul to . . .

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God's mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. Ephesians 6:18-19 (NLT)

Yesterday, many of you obviously did just that because God used you to impact lives and eternity for His glory. Nine people recorded beginning a relationship with Christ and three of those requested baptism. Nine people where God used your relationship with them to invest in them and then invite them to TVCC where they heard the Good News and became followers of Christ. Amen & Amen!

What if we would all pray this prayer on a daily basis? As a matter of fact, I challenge us as a body, a family that God is using to reach others, to make this our prayer every day:

"Lord, I choose to live for you today. Let me cross paths with those who need to see how your power transforms a life. Let me put others ahead of myself. Rejecting the feebleness of this world, help me to live like Christ." And as I taught you yesterday, finish with this powerful prayer: "Lord, use me!"

I'm anticipating another great weekend as you invest in those who need Christ and a church family, and then invite them to join you for our current series, HOW GOD MEETS YOUR DEEPEST NEEDS. In Part 7 we'll discover "THE PATH TO PERSONAL PEACE."

Marriage Health Checkup

We all need periodic health checkups. Sometimes those occaisional checkups will reveal areas of disease or point out unhealthy lifestyles that need to be changed. It's the same with our marriages. Many of them are in dis-ease because we haven't taken time to get a good checkup and correct some unhealthy lifestyles. Take this *marriage health checkup; first individually and then discuss it as a couple. Let God lead you as you seek to have a healthy, vibrant marriage.

1. Are we partners or competitors?
2. Are we helping each other become more spiritual?
3. Are we depending on the externals or the eternals? The artificial or the real?
4. Do we understand each other better?
5. Are we sensitive to each other's feelings and ideas, or taking each other for granted?
6. Are we seeing God answer our prayers?
7. Are we enriched because of our marriage, or robbing each other of God's blessing?

*Bible Exposition Commentary - New Testament - The Bible Exposition Commentary – New Testament, Volume 2.