Seriously

[ccrobinson]

Do you think people are as serious and subdued as they should be these days.

I think the exact opposite. I think people are more uptight than they should be.

You watch talk shows and the way the hosts try so hard to joke and laugh at everything that is said kind of turns me off at times. The news shows have to have it, too, especially the morning crews.

When I see people on TV do their forced laughter, I actually think it's funny. Not for whatever lame joke they're laughing at, but because they think they're fooling us into thinking they're really laughing.

You never see people smiling in old pictures.

Are you advocating that nobody smiles in pictures? I don't understand what point you're trying to make here. Seriously, the OP sounds like it was written by somebody who got up on the wrong side of the bed.

This post isn't that far off from the one I posted before. Are you going to be hurling insults my way again?

 

[StefanM]

If you go back far enough in photography, you encounter photography methods that required a lengthy exposure. It's hard enough to fake a smile for a picture; it's well nigh impossible to do so for 30 seconds.

I'm sure this isn't the only factor, but it's there.

 

[Palatka51]

Actually, you is always the subject of the sentence "I love you". Love is the verb. All you are doing is emphasizing different parts of the sentence. Now, diagram that sentence for us! :laugh:

Maggy, you are about to get on my last nerve! You know very well that I was not discussing proper grammar. I was trying to convey attitude. Now I will leave an apple on your desk and try to peek at abcgrad97's paper. Just to make sure that all my sentences are in their proper grammatical order.

BTB, I think that one ot those worms crawled into that apple.

 

[Palatka51]

If you go back far enough in photography, you encounter photography methods that required a lengthy exposure. It's hard enough to fake a smile for a picture; it's well nigh impossible to do so for 30 seconds.

I'm sure this isn't the only factor, but it's there.

They did not have teeth. Who wants to make any one older than an infant smiling with out teeth.

 

[Gina B]

Do you think people are as serious and subdued as they should be these days. It seems that there is an overwhelming majority that think everything in life needs to be light and airy all of the time. You watch talk shows and the way the hosts try so hard to joke and laugh at everything that is said kind of turns me off at times. The news shows have to have it, too, especially the morning crews. The politicians have to make the talk show rounds to prove they can act a fool. The churches want a pastor that can a tell a good joke, every Sunday in some instances. Don't get me wrong I enjoy a good laugh just as much as the next guy, but everything has a time and place and I think humor is better when it is natural and not forced. Maybe it all started when "smile" became the catchphrase before a picture was taken. You never see people smiling in old pictures. Or "smile, Jesus loves you!" Jesus loves me whether I'm smiling or not and sometimes I just don't feel like smiling. Doesn't mean anythings wrong with that or me. What are your thoughts?

I agree and disagree.

I have had people think I'm way too serious. They see it as a reflection of whether or not I'm happy.

That's nuts! Anyone who knows me, takes the time to REALLY know me, understands that there is a LOT of humor in my life. I laugh, joke, smile, but not when I don't want to. And I don't have to, and neither does anyone else.

I write, and a lot of times I get lost in thoughts about a topic I'm on. If I've read something from the scriptures, I might be pondering it. I might be thinking about this world vs heaven. I might just be trying NOT to think about the horrible news on CNN. Ya never know!

But lack of a smile or a laugh is never how to judge someone's spiritual state or even their emotional state.

We do seem to have a cultural thing going on the United States where it's polite to smile and smile and be light and airy. So when you're not, people see you as rude.

I think it's dumb, but hey, it's our culture. Gotta adapt. I don't think it's exactly sinful. It's a little deceptive, and then when people use it to judge your spirituality, which they often do, it's plain wrong. It would be a good thing to have this commented on from the pulpit...the concept that things common in culture might not be wrong, but to let people know that judging someone if they don't follow something cultural isn't some kind of sin.

 

[Palatka51]

I agree and disagree.

I have had people think I'm way too serious. They see it as a reflection of whether or not I'm happy.

That's nuts! Anyone who knows me, takes the time to REALLY know me, understands that there is a LOT of humor in my life. I laugh, joke, smile, but not when I don't want to. And I don't have to, and neither does anyone else.

I write, and a lot of times I get lost in thoughts about a topic I'm on. If I've read something from the scriptures, I might be pondering it. I might be thinking about this world vs heaven. I might just be trying NOT to think about the horrible news on CNN. Ya never know!

But lack of a smile or a laugh is never how to judge someone's spiritual state or even their emotional state.

We do seem to have a cultural thing going on the United States where it's polite to smile and smile and be light and airy. So when you're not, people see you as rude.

I think it's dumb, but hey, it's our culture. Gotta adapt. I don't think it's exactly sinful. It's a little deceptive, and then when people use it to judge your spirituality, which they often do, it's plain wrong. It would be a good thing to have this commented on from the pulpit...the concept that things common in culture might not be wrong, but to let people know that judging someone if they don't follow something cultural isn't some kind of sin.

This is absolutely the best response to the OP yet. That is a very, very good post.

 

[Gwyneth]

"This is absolutely the best response to the OP yet. That is a very, very good post."

Hey Palatka ............ you are right, she is one cool lady, and tells it like it is.

 

[Gwyneth]

I`m mostly happy
sometimes serious
but always full of joy in The Lord

 

[Sopranette]

"A time to laugh, a time to cry....."

love,

Sopranette

 

[Brother Bob]

I always have some humor in Church. On our work day, I have everyone laughing at times and on Sunday, I ususally start the day off with some humor. I like happy Christians.

Now after I have made you laugh, my sermons are very serious.

BBob,

 

[Cutter]

I always have some humor in Church. On our work day, I have everyone laughing at times and on Sunday, I ususally start the day off with some humor. I like happy Christians.

Now after I have made you laugh, my sermons are very serious.

BBob,

Do you know of any place in the Bible where John the Baptist, any of the prophets or the apostles, or Christ Himself, humored the crowd before either prophesying (the OT prophets) or preaching the truth of God's Word?

 

[donnA]

Is there anything forbidding it?

 

[Cutter]

Is there anything forbidding it?

Is that the best response you can come up with for my post to Bro. Bob?

A question to answer a question! :BangHead:

 

[StefanM]

Is that the best response you can come up with for my post to Bro. Bob?

A question to answer a question! :BangHead:

Our Lord himself answered questions with questions. It is a valid approach.

 

[Brother Bob]

Do you know of any place in the Bible where John the Baptist, any of the prophets or the apostles, or Christ Himself, humored the crowd before either prophesying (the OT prophets) or preaching the truth of God's Word?

I suppose if all that Jesus had done and taught had been written down, that the world would not contain the books.

The humor works pretty good for me, it causes the house to feel closer to me and that way I am more apt to reach them. I know of no scripture against it, do you, other than the Bible is silent on it. I doubt very seriously that they never had any humor at all. He wants to belong to a church that is at gloom and doom, all the time, not me.

Listen Cutter, don't knock something if you have not tried it. It might work for you too. Our church feels like a family, who can cry together and also laugh together. Don't jump on me for calling it "Our" church, for some reason, I feel a part of it. I just got jumped by trusti for calling it "our" church. Wonder if he has ever invited people to visit them at their church???

BBob,

 

[donnA]

Our Lord himself answered questions with questions. It is a valid approach.

cutter would :BangHead: at Jesus Himself

 

[I Am Blessed 24]

One misconception that unbelievers have about Christians is that they all walk around looking like they just ate a dill pickle and have been dipped in a bag of white flour.

Why would the world want what we have if we don't show the 'joy of our salvation'?

We need humor in this world. I'm sure God has a sense of humor. After all, He created us...

 

[ccrobinson]

Do you know of any place in the Bible where John the Baptist, any of the prophets or the apostles, or Christ Himself, humored the crowd before either prophesying (the OT prophets) or preaching the truth of God's Word?

No, there is nothing recorded in the Bible where this happened. That's not to say that it didn't happen, but it's not recorded. Are you saying that preachers should never say anything humorous before preaching?

 

[donnA]

One misconception that unbelievers have about Christians is that they all walk around looking like they just ate a dill pickle and have been dipped in a bag of white flour.

Why would the world want what we have if we don't show the 'joy of our salvation'?

We need humor in this world. I'm sure God has a sense of humor. After all, He created us...

I'ver heard people say this too Sue, christians look unhappy because they never smile, or laugh. Theres nothing wrong with being happy and laughing, we personlly know the King of the universe, we ought to be happy about it, and look it.

 

[I Am Blessed 24]

A smile is the light in your window that tells other that there is a caring, sharing person inside.

A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.

A good neighbor is a fellow who smiles at you over the back fence, but doesn't climb over.

If you see a friend with out a smile, give him one of yours.

Too often we do not understand the 'POWER' of a smile, which has the potential to turn a life around.

Smiles are the language of 'LOVE'.

The real Christian will smile in the midst of a trial, gather strength from the distress, and grow brave by reflection.

A smile is an inexpensive way to change your 'LOOKS'.

All people smile in the same language.