Psalm 126 and the Spiritual Power of Joy

Scripture

• Psalms 126

About this sermon

Is it possible laughter could be a form of prayer? In this joyful and surprisingly profound teaching on Psalm 126, John Ortberg explores joy, humor, delight, neuroscience, and why laughter may be far more spiritual than many people realize. Why do children laugh so much more than adults? Why does spontaneous laughter feel healing? And what does it mean that God Himself laughs? This episode explores: - Psalm 126 and joy - Why laughter matters spiritually - The neuroscience of laughter - Spontaneous vs. social laughter - Joy, humility, and human connection - Sarah laughing at God’s promise - Why the Gospel itself can feel wonderfully absurd Featuring reflections from: - Eugene Peterson - C.S. Lewis - Carl Jung - Frederick Buechner Scriptures: - Psalm 126 - Psalm 2 - Genesis 18 #Psalm126 #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #Joy #Laughter #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #Psalms #CSLewis #BibleStudy 📚 Today's Resources: Robert Provine: Laughter: A Scientific Investigation Eugene H. Peterson, Answering God: The Psalms as Tools for Prayer C.S. Lewis, The Magician’s Nephew Frederick Buechner, Telling the Truth: The Gospel as Tragedy, Comedy, and Fairy Tale 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.com GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Is Laughter a Form of Prayer? 00:20 Why We Rarely Associate Laughter With God 01:05 Why Adults Stop Laughing 01:30 Psalm 126 & Restored Joy 02:19 What Laughter Actually Is 02:48 Why Jokes Aren’t the Main Reason We Laugh 03:11 The Trinity Walks Into a Wine Bar… 03:37 Jung, Spirit & Joy 04:02 Laughter, Safety & Human Connection 04:24 Who Invented Laughter? 04:45 Two Different Kinds of Laughter 05:36 Spontaneous Joy & the Brain 06:06 God Loves to Give Laughter 06:29 Eugene Peterson: “God Laughs” 07:22 The “Get Your Own Dirt” Joke 08:06 C.S. Lewis & The First Joke 09:07 Frederick Buechner on Sarah’s Laughter 10:17 Laughing at God & With God 11:20 “Are You Kidding Me? God Loves Me?” 11:42 God Filling Our Mouths With Laughter

Topics

• Bible Study
• Joy