By Tim Wesemann
From the Author: Obviously 2020 has been a difficult and challenging time for our country, communities, families, and ministries. For many years, CTA’s July newsletters were dedicated to bringing smiles and laughter as a new season of ministry waits around the corner. I’ve felt uneasy about writing such a newsletter this year. Please don’t mistake the light-heartedness below as a lack of seriousness or concern for so many who are hurting. The heartbeat of this company is encouraging people in a loving, Christ-centered, Scripture-based way – bringing Christ to all. I pray that the humor and ideas below provide an ointment of joy amidst the hurts, if even for a moment. May the following messages from a variety of sources bring some smiles in these challenging times.
- For years my parents have told me I wouldn’t amount to anything lying on the sofa. And yet, here I am, saving the world.
- I asked the lion in my wardrobe what he was doing there. He said it was Narnia business.
- Of all the utensils invented to eat rice, how did two sticks win?
- Yesterday I spotted an albino Dalmatian. It was the least I could do for him.
- This morning I saw a neighbor talking to her cat. It was obvious that she thought her cat understood her. I went into my house and told my dog about her. We got a good laugh out of it.
- If only I could remember schoolwork like I remember music lyrics, I’d be a genius!
- To give her more confidence in helping with distance-learning at home, my mom made herself a “Teacher of the Year” plaque and hung it in our kitchen.
After sharing these with those with students, discuss which of those were some of their favorite one-liners. Then ask them to share their favorite “one-liners” from the Bible as God has walked with them through these challenging first months of 2020. Or make a list together that they can take with them into the rest of the year and beyond.
Here are a couple Bible “one-liners” to get them started:
- Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NLT
- God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1 NLT
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