How Beautiful Are the Shoes …

How Beautiful Are the Shoes …

We were out for a walk on Sunday afternoon, wearing jackets appropriate for the brisk 50-degree temperature. I had even donned my Georgia football cap, but still felt a little chilly. The fall colors are gorgeous this year, if not a bit late, and most houses in our...
‘Love, a Tiara and a Cupcake’

‘Love, a Tiara and a Cupcake’

Susan Sparks has created a profound book of faith wrapped in humor with her latest publication, Love, a Tiara and a Cupcake. Melding her many talents as a lawyer, stand-up comedian and preacher (she is pastor of Madison Avenue Baptist Church in New York City), Sparks...
Comic and Preacher Pens How-To Book on Sermon Prep

Comic and Preacher Pens How-To Book on Sermon Prep

Susan Sparks reflects on humor that is joyful and therapeutic in her book, “Preaching Punchlines.” She is not speaking of humor that is scornful, rude, hateful or judgmental, but humor that lifts us up and honors. She quickly banishes any thoughts that she is...

What Does the Bible Say About Laughter?

I read something recently that reduced me to a state of helpless laughter. It was an article in the Church of England newspaper, “The Church Times,” and it was about a bishop of a bygone generation who had a wonderful if sometimes waspish sense of humor. I...

Learn to Speak BCE

Laughter is missing in much of the Christian community, even though the biblical witness has encouraging words about laughter. Upon hearing that his aged wife would bear a son, Abram fell to the ground with laughter (Genesis 17:17). “God has given me laughter....