“Between Heaven and Mirth will make any reader smile. . . . Father Martin reminds us that happiness is the good God’s own goal for us.” —Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York From The Colbert Report’s “official chaplain” James Martin, SJ, author of the New York Times bestselling The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything, comes a revolutionary look at how joy, humor, and laughter can change our lives and save our spirits. A Jesuit priest with a busy media ministry, Martin understands the intersections between spirituality and daily life. In Between Heaven and Mirth, he uses scriptural passages, the lives of the saints, the spiritual teachings of other traditions, and his own personal reflections to show us why joy is the inevitable result of faith, because a healthy spirituality and a healthy sense of humor go hand-in-hand with God's great plan for humankind.
"Learn to hope in your future, because you are not your past." Many people have lost their joy as a result of life's challenges, such as financial issues, academic failures, health or family problems, and spiritual attacks. But when you call upon the God of the Bible and stay in his presence, you will overcome these challenges. The amazing grace of God is available to change your story, fill your life with joy, and show you the power of unlimited laughter. In this inspirational book, you will discover: -- How to attain true joy through the power of faith and prophecy. -- God's desire to heal and restore you in every area. -- Biblical wisdom on difficult topics such as finances, relationships, and spiritual warfare. God wants you to experience the laughter of joy, the ever-exciting feeling of victory and happiness. Let Him make a masterpiece out of you.
Is Your Life Working? Most of us are trying to put together the jigsaw puzzle we call life without a very important piece. Over time this becomes incredibly frustrating. In this extraordinary book, Matthew Kelly powerfully demonstrates that we cannot live the life we have imagined, or experience the joy we yearn for, unless we learn to tend the soul. From there, with his classic style of practical wisdom, he teaches us how to remedy this problem. When our bodies are hungry, our stomachs growl. When our souls are hungry, we become irritable, restless, confused, overwhelmed, exhausted, anxious, discontent, and tend to focus on the things that matter least and neglect the things that matter most.
We cannot really love anybody with whom we never laugh, and this is true of our relationship with God. Thomas Aquinas spoke of the sin of having too little laughter as well as the danger of having too much, while Martin Luther said, ‘If you’re not allowed to laugh in heaven, I don’t want to go there.’ Having a sense of humour is essential for maturity in faith and holiness, but sadly, the role that laughter plays in life and spirituality have often been neglected. Laughter and the Grace of God restores laughter to its central place in Christian spirituality and theology by examining its role in Scripture and highlighting its presence in unexpected places, including the story of Abraham and the formation of the covenant, and the tragedy of Job. Laughter can be found in the incarnation, the resurrection, and even the crucifixion – Jesus is himself the great laugh-maker – and it is nothing less than a participation in the life and love of God.
Laughter—the GPS System for the Soul Laughter was honored by the ancients as a spiritual healing tool and celebrated by the world's great religions. So why aren’t we laughing along the spiritual path today? What would happen if we did? In this personal and funny look at humor as a spiritual practice, Rev. Susan Sparks—an ex-lawyer turned comedian and Baptist minister—presents a convincing case that the power of humor radiates far beyond punch lines. Laughter can help you: Remove the fearful mask of a God who doesn’t laugh Debunk the myths that you don’t deserve joy Find perspective when faced with adversity Exercise forgiveness for yourself and others Reclaim play as a spiritual practice Heal—emotionally, physically, and spiritually Keep your faith when God is silent Live with elegance, beauty, and generosity of spirit Whatever your faith tradition—or if you have none at all—join this veteran of the punch line and the pulpit in reclaiming the forgotten humor legacy found in thousands of years of human spiritual history.
When we reach out and touch the common threads quietly spun between different, even seemingly contradictory human spiritualities, we begin to attain a far more enriched and empowered understanding of humanity — and a deeper understanding of ourselves, personally. God Whispers on the Wind is a collection of 81 spiritual poems that guides a reader of any faith to truly touch those common threads: the perpetual and binding human qualities of love, happiness, purposeful living and shared experience that make humans so exceptionally unique as spiritual beings. From the author of Lead Without Followers, writer Dave Ursillo ventures into an open, heart-warming, free-form poetic style in a deep and introspection glimpse into the mind of a young generational thinker. In this poetic exploration of God, Spirit, the Universe, and the higher power to which we are all connected, God Whispers on the Wind invokes a light-hearted and playful voice, drawing from occasional humor, cursing, hilarity and even heresy. Indisputably, this debut collection leaves a memorable imprint upon the reader with Ursillo's inimitably heart-stoking style. And featuring original contributions from seven talented writers from across the globe, God Whispers on the Wind is a true celebration of the diversity of human spirituality. Whatever you believe, God Whispers on the Wind will serve as a gentle reminder that we are forever connected to a couple of important things: to the ether, and to one another.
"And then one day I heard the Laughter of God in the midst of me and within the world, and all was suddenly changed. Old patterns and ideas were shattered and passed away-a new loveliness of life was exposed to view ... "How does one hear the Laughter of God? Walter Lanyon has a powerful message to share with the world, a message based firmly on the teachings of the Master, Christ Jesus, and the joy and promise it brings is evident throughout the book. In his unique style of speaking directly to the reader, the author reveals what is needed in order to hear this Laughter: "One thing alone is necessary, and that one all-important point is your willingness to take your attention away from the limited human concept of yourself." The realization that God is not some mysterious power but is the very presence of Life within us and our universe brings instant freedom from the discords of human belief."One moment's recognition that you are the Son of the living God, and you have attuned your ear for the Laughter of God." When we awaken to this truth, we can no longer be limited, any more than the chick can be limited to its shell once it has outgrown it. There comes a New Day; the prisons of thought are opened, and we are set free."And one day you will laugh the Laughter of God, too."