"A Way to Find Enjoyment" (repost from Life Support)

A WAY TO FIND ENJOYMENT
 
At one time, Bangkok television aired the American situation comedy
LaVerne and Shirley. For whatever reason, officials there believed 
that a disclaimer was necessary for the Thailand audience, so this 
subtitle was added to each show: "The two women depicted in the 
following episode are from an insane asylum."

Personally, I'm thankful there is a little silliness in the world. 
And I don't mind not acting like everybody else. Like the 
"irrepressible" educator and speaker Leo Buscaglia once said: "I don't 
mind if people think I'm crazy. In fact, I think it's great! It 
gives me tremendous latitude for behavior."

Buscaglia knew how to laugh. And I think knowing how to laugh and 
have fun is an important part of living.

Someone asked me what I do for fun. I felt I should answer with 
something others enjoy, like golf or skiing. But my idea of fun is 
not usually associated with entertainment and recreation. It is more 
about squeezing as much enjoyment into every day as I can. Instead 
of looking for something fun to do, I try to make whatever I do a 
little more fun. And if I can't always do things I enjoy, I can 
learn to enjoy more of the things I do.

I like the word "enjoyment" because it has "joy" inside of it. So 
does the word "rejoice." And rejoicing is a way to find enjoyment of 
life.

Speaking of Leo Buscaglia, he used to tell a story about his mother 
and their "misery dinner." It was the night after his father came 
home and said it looked as if he would have to go into bankruptcy 
because his partner had absconded with their firm's funds. His 
mother's response was to sell some of her jewelry to buy food enough 
for a grand feast. At first, other members of the family scolded her 
for it. But she told them that "the time for joy is now, when we 
need it most, not next week." They learned to appreciate the hopeful 
attitude that lifted them out of fear and into joy.

I want to learn to be happy even in those difficult and trying 
times. I won't be happy FOR them (who likes problems?), just IN 
them. I need the soothing medicine of laughter when it hurts. I want 
to learn that the time for joy is now, when I need it most.

Maybe it sounds silly, but I want to learn to rejoice in all things. 
And If I'm doing that well, it really doesn't matter what I like to 
do for fun.

-- Steve Goodier

http://www.lifesupportsystem.com/index.html

From the UCC Network - Devotional 10/11 "I’m One of Them Today"

I’m One of Them Today

Excerpt from Acts 26:24-29

“Agrippa said to Paul, ‘Are you so quickly persuading me to become a Christian?’ Paul replied, ‘Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that not only you but also all who are listening to me today might become such as I am—except for these chains.’"

Reflection by Ron Buford

I remember the Rev. Harold Mars, an 80-something Native American Christian pastor, and a Rhode Island tribal chief. Though I was only 17 at the time, I still remember the change in his kind, grandfatherly voice as, with his 6’ 2” strong regal bearing, he stood unbent though a bit stooped, and with furrowed brow, sternly asked our congregation a question that still haunts me . . . .

“If Christianity became illegal, could your daily living get you convicted?”

The apostle Paul stood fearlessly in chains before Roman authorities, Festus, and King Agrippa, telling his fantastical tale of a God bursting into his life unexpectedly one day, miraculously calling him to tell everyone the story of a God raising someone named Jesus from the dead. Declaring this to be Good News about human deliverance from unrelenting circumstances and oppression for ALL people bound by ALL sorts of chains – even his own.  And even though he once persecuted and killed people who declared such ridiculous things, he was now passionately one of them.

As if they couldn’t tell!

The young King Agrippa mocks Paul’s unbridled commitment and enthusiasm, sarcastically saying, “I’m almost persuaded.” I imagine the entire court laughing as Agrippa passes Paul along to Rome for Caesar to judge. History remembers Paul in chains but barely remembers the powerful, almost persuaded Agrippa.

Here’s a link to a somewhat humorous, but moving, vintage recording of the late Rev. James Cleveland singing, I’m One of Them Today. 

Prayer

Gracious God, I want to be a Christian in my heart, a follower of Jesus. Show me what I must do. Please help me accept the costs and the joys of authentically following Jesus and the great forebears of our faith. Amen

About the Author Ron Buford, former coordinator of the UCC’s God is still speaking campaign, currently serves as Director of Development for the Northern California Nevada Conference. A consultant, group leader and speaker, he appears in Living the Questions: Resourcing Progressive Christians.http://www.youtube.com/user/Rowoches#p/u/7/1j7OeKMNQXU