Pastor's Corner by Pastor Larry Tong

June 2008

Happy Father’s Day! To all the fathers, I hope you will have a relaxing day with your family, enjoying each other’s company. Yes, relax and enjoy. I know, most of our wives think that we are already too relaxed anyway, so we don’t need a special day to relax. They may be right, but for the most part and contrary to what women think, we, men, are more intense, not necessarily work harder than women. For that, I decided on writing something “light” this month, so just relax and enjoy a few good, clean jokes.

I received a joke that was sent to me some times ago, but I can’t remember all the details. It must have something to do with my age, and of course, the make-up of a man’s brain—easy to forget and having selective memory. You see, we always forget what our wives tell us to do, like taking out the garbage, and those unnecessary works. Anyway, the joke goes something this: One time, a man went to a mental institute wanting to learn how it operates. While he was visiting, he realized that there were different wards for different types of patients. He asked the director how the institute determines which ward a patient belongs to. The director replied: “We have a very simple test to determine the severity level of the mental capacity of each patient. We will bring a patient before a bathtub that is filled with water. We give a teaspoon, a bowl, and a bucket to the patient, and ask the patient to remove the water as fast as he can. Which apparatus the patient uses will determine his mental capacity, and in turn determines which ward to place him.” At this point, the director turned to the man and asked, “By the way, which apparatus will you use?” The man replied, “That’s a no-brainer! Of course I will use the bucket.” To that, the director said, “Maybe I need to keep you here for observation.” “Why?” The man asked. “Normal people simply unplug the stopper!”

Here is a marriage joke. Now, it’s just a joke, so don’t take it too seriously. A man who had been married for ten years was consulting a marriage counselor. “When I was first married, I was very happy. I’d come home from a hard day down at the shop, and my little dog would race around barking, and my wife would bring my slippers. Now everything’s changed. When I come home, my dog brings my slippers, and my wife barks at me.” “I don’t know what you’re complaining about,” said the counselor. “You’re still getting the same service.”

Here is another joke: A businessman happened to be staying in a hotel where a group of ministers was holding a conference. The next morning was very cold and as the businessman approached the dining room, he noticed the ministers gathered around a blazing log fire in the dining area. He was freezing and tried to get close to the fire but the ministers blocked the way. The businessman sat for a few minutes shivering in the cold. Suddenly he shouted, “Last night I dreamed I was in hell.” “Really?” said one of the ministers. “What was it like?” The businessman replied, “Not much different than right here. I couldn’t get near the fire, for all the ministers were in the way.”

As I said it last month, “A cheerful heart is good medicine.” A cheerful heart involves thought process, feelings and behaviors. Someone has said that “Humor is the shortest distance between two people.” Therefore, laugh is good. It is the best remedy in a world of stress. So, take time to laugh with someone, but not at someone. It is extremely beneficial to relax if you can laugh loudly three times a day.

Before I sign off, I encourage all the fathers to lead their families into spiritual worship to God at home, and also bring humor into the families. There is nothing more therapeutic than having the whole family laughing together.

Pastor Larry