Month: October 2023

What Kind of Medicine is Laughter?

DrJayCook Random Thoughts , , ,

For those of us who did not have online news and social media as children, do you remember enjoying The Reader’s Digest?

Honestly, there was only one section that I really enjoyed as a child: “Laughter Is the Best Medicine.”  Perhaps that is why I still enjoy a good “Dad Joke” every now and then.  I like to laugh.  I like verses like Proverbs 17:22: “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.”

However, I think we can agree that while walking through our day-to-day lives, most people seem to have dried up bones – not joyful hearts.  Why?

As adults, we know that life is hard.  The responsibilities we have seem enormous.  The pressures we endure seem relentless.  The weight of the world seems to rest on our shoulders.  It is enough to steal our laughter.

Of course, I also realize that you cannot go through life in a constant state of hilarity.  Good things (like happiness) can be taken to an extreme.  However, Ecclesiastes 3:4 tells us that there is a time to laugh.

God knows how important joy is.  He even told the Israelites to set aside days of celebration that Numbers 10:10 calls “joyous occasions.”  We cannot be healthy if we are not enjoying life.

The problem we face is not understanding what brings real joy to life.  Paul stated in Romans 14:17, “For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.”  True joy comes from a life that is right with God.

Jesus clarified this as we read what He said in John 15:11-12: “‘I have told you these things that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.  This is My command: Love one another as I have loved you.”  Love God.  Love others.  That is the source of true joy.

One will have to try really hard to not experience joy if they love God and love others.  And I do not believe that most of us want to not experience joy.

So, I choose the happier road.  I choose to love God and love others.  I choose to recognize how blessed I am and how much of a blessing I can be to others.

Will you?

Click the picture below to find an additional resource that might help you choose joy…

What Do You Do When the World Is a Mess?

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The year is not over, but it is obvious that this has been a troubled year thus far.  We have watched inflation rates rise steadily along with the price of everything else.  We have witnessed war in Ukraine.  We have seen mobs in action.  We have been shocked as hatred spilled over in the Middle East.  And many of us have faced turmoil in our individual lives.

How can we face these things?  What can we do?

For those who have chosen to follow Jesus, we know that He told us in John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you.  My peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.”  We know that is what He said, yet I see troubled and fearful hearts all around.

The reason that our world is a mess is because the world is a mess.  None of us are pure and sinless.  Sin is found in all of us, and that sin can lead to bigger and bigger tragedies.  Our own sinfulness has gotten us to this point.

As I have discovered, the only source of true hope and peace is found in Jesus.  Without Him, we are without hope and peace.  With Him, we can face the mess of our world.  We can experience the promise found in Psalm 34:4: “I sought the LORD, and He answered me and rescued me from all my fears.”

God does not cause evil.  We do that.  However, He is here, and He desires to help us face life’s messes.  He does not promise to take the messes away, but He promises to help us and work good out of evil for those who accept His salvation.

And that leads to what we should do – here – now.  Though none of us have a voice at the negotiating table, we can make an impact.  We can pray for our leaders to have wisdom and to do what is right (not necessarily what politics suggest).  We can pray for those in struggles to find safety, hope, and peace.  We can financially support those reputable organizations that are “on the ground.”  We can begin to change things on a global level by changing things on a local level by sharing the hope and peace of Jesus.

Yes, the world is a mess.  But we can do something about it.

Consider the following resource for more insight. Just click the picture to learn more…

Upstream or Downstream?

DrJayCook Christian Life, Culture, Direction, Kindness, Next Generation , , , , , ,

When I was young, all of the cool kids wore two different colored Izod shirts (one on top of the other).  Later, Jams clothing was the rage.  And today, whether it’s shoes, coats, or auto accessories, young people still go with the flow.  (Adults do too, of course.)

Most people tend to go along with whatever others are doing without really thinking about it.  Some crazes are not bad.  Some are.  History and current events show that.

I recently shared with some teens what I hope will help you deal with the rash of mob mentality we see locally, nationally, and internationally.  Whether a group lashes out physically, verbally, or emotionally, no amount of fussing or law changes can change hearts.  We must help others see how important it is to swim upstream instead of going with the flow.

The world at large pushes a self-centered mentality that leads to atrocities, bullying, and more (just look at the news or at history).  That is why we are told in Romans 12:2: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Going along to get along can lead to much hurt and disappointment.  Forcing oneself to focus on what is good and honorable can lead to great things.  We choose which path we will take.

Following what everyone else seems to be doing is not always the right thing to do.  In fact, it is dangerous.  Consider that James 4:4 states: “You adulterous people!  Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God?  So whoever wants to be the friend of the world becomes the enemy of God.”  An enemy of God – did you catch that?

Most people do not weigh the consequences of their actions both on themselves as well as on others.  We personally see the consequences in the increasing mob events occurring and the rising rate of bullying.  It is not easy to stop and think, but it is not smart to not do so.

I stated that hearts must be changed, and that can only occur when hearts are returned to and focused on God.  Our neighbors need to know Him as Lord and Savior.  Our neighbors need to let Him be our guide.  We need that.

So, what will we do?  Will we sit back and watch the world fall apart?  Will we sit back and watch our neighbors and our young people live in utter pain?  Or will we share the only hope the world has (Jesus), and actually do something?

I choose to go upstream.  I choose the make a difference.  I hope that you do as well.

Consider the following resource for more insight. Click the picture to learn more…

Are You Worried about the Next Generation?

DrJayCook Christian Life, Culture, Direction, Next Generation , , , , , ,

I experienced two things this past week that caused me to think.  I had the opportunity to help with a school’s See You at the Pole event.  I also had the opportunity to speak to the Baptist Student Union at ECCC about making a difference.  Both opportunities involved great teens and young adults.  However, both opportunities led me to think about the responsibilities of adults.

Most of us realize that the world has changed.  There seems to be a greater acceptance of unwise choices and a greater disdain for biblical living.  Temptations are stronger and more prevalent.  Our young people are facing a harsher, more unpredictable future, and we must help them.

There was a day when we helped our younger ones prepare for the future.  Adults guided.  Adults mentored.  Adults passed down what they had learned.  Adults made sure that education was prioritized.  Adults made sure that faith was emphasized.

Today, many adults seem to hope that the next generation will magically be prepared.  Many adults seem to either try to live through their children or focus on their own “wants”.  Many adults do not even bother trying to make sure that faith is emphasized.  We must do better.  We can do better.

For those of us who are Christians, we must entrust the next generation to God.  We must realize that He knows what is best for all of us (including the next generation).  In turn, we must follow Him and help the next generation do the same.

Also, we must pray for them.  Just as we make sure they eat, sleep, remain healthy, and attend the things that are important, we must continually pray for their protection, direction, and spiritual maturity.  Their culture is hostile, so we must cover them in prayer.

Also, we must guide them.  We cannot expect other people to take on the duty of guiding our young people no matter how well-meaning we may think we and they are.  There are many wonderful people who strive to teach and train, but the responsibility lies with all of us (especially parents).

Proverbs 22:6 states: “Start a youth out on his way; even when he grows old he will not depart from it.”

If we want the future to be different, we must do some different things.  We must accept and live out God’s directives.  The One who knows the future can guide us into it.

Check out the following resource for ideas on helping prepare the next generation. Click the picture to learn more…