Christian Civil War? A Joyful Jesus or a Sad Jesus?
Poet Doug Ridley of Cambridge, MD, has composed a number of
sonnets focusing on the healing joy of Jesus and the joy of Heaven and
on earth for The Joyful Noiseletter.
After a retired lawyer in Maryland read them, he confronted Ridley and
insisted on "the absurdity of viewing Jesus as a playful, fun-filled person."
And a woman, also retired, regularly accosted Ridley after church and
challenged him to show where in the New Testament Jesus ever laughed,
or joked, or was joyful.
In response, Ridley, a JN consulting editor, wrote the following sonnet:
Christian Civil War
I wrote two poems extolling Jesus' joy,
and was bombast-ed by two friends, alarmed
that I could see in Christ a God who'd toy
and play. Frivolity like that both harmed
and denigrated all they saw in him.
They challenged me to show the Savior they
adored would condescend to sing a hymn,
or joke, or find life fun in any way.
It's time for civil war within our ranks -
against the joyless Church, and end the lie
the world's embraced that we're all gloom and doom,
for Jesus came to fill our lives with thanks
and praise - abundant life. They moan and cry
as though our Lord still lay in Joseph's tomb.
By Doug Ridley
©2024 the Joyful Noiseletter. All Rights Reserved
Articles
Christian Performer Matthew West Lets Humor Bring Gospel Joy in Songs of Grace
Fairly Spiritual Worship Service
God's kids say and do the funniest things
The Gospel according to Erma Bombeck
Abe Lincoln's sanity saved by his humor
ON MY SERIOUS SIDE: WHERE DID ALL THE PEACEMAKERS GO?
THE HOLY GHOSTWRITER Rejoice in the different ways people worship God
A laugh a day keeps the psychiatrist away
God's kids say & do the funniest things
Will Rogers - America's greatest journalist?
Christian Civil War? A Joyful Jesus or a Sad Jesus?
After the Winter, God sends the Spring
The Holy Ghostwriter: Unpraiseworthy Band
Pastor lifts congregation's spirits
An old Orthodox prayer to end an unorthodox war
IT'S A MIRACLE! A health and diet book with a spiritual focus
A New Year's prayer to end all epidemics
The healing power and joy of forgiveness
The Holy Ghostwriter: First Christmas News Reports
The Gospel according to Erma Bombeck
GESUNDHEIT! What we all can learn from Tom Brady, 'St. GOAT'
Is the Press Sleeping on the Job? Beyond Pesticides & the rise of interest in organic foods
IN THE MARRY MONTH OF JUNE - The funny side of weddings and marriages
'St. Mugg's' resurrection: 'Laughter is God's therapy'
An Easter Reflection: Where did the Pharaohs go?
Whatever happened to 'good works'?
185,000 members spread Joygerms worldwide
What the news media didn't tell you about pandemics
Patch Adams calls for 'a revolution of loving'
Messianic Jewish wit full of one-liners
Celebrating JN's 35th Anniversary
Why not invite brains to the coronavirus press briefings?
Groucho Marx mask befuddles coronavirus
A 'Resurrection Day' for healed parishioners?
'March of Prayer' is 'March Gladness'
| Shopping Cart |
| Cart is empty |
You can subscribe to the printed or electronic version of JN by:
- using our secure online store.
1 Year Subscription or Renewal — $29.00
1 Year Gift Subscription — $29.00
- filling out the Printable Order Form and mailing it, along with your check for $29, to The Joyful Noiseletter, PO Box 895, Portage, MI 49081-0895 (foreign printed subscribers add $10).
- calling TOLL-FREE, 1-800-877-2757, and using VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express.