17. Psalm 126 and the Spiritual Power of Joy

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 absurdFeaturing reflections from:- Eugene Peterson- C.S. Lewis- Carl Jung- Frederick BuechnerScriptures:- 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 51504EMAIL US at [email protected] OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our teamDOWNLOAD 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 - MB01V0UASAACPKEAlta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF00:00 Is Laughter a Form of Prayer?00:20 Why We Rarely Associate Laughter With God01:05 Why Adults Stop Laughing01:30 Psalm 126 & Restored Joy02:19 What Laughter Actually Is02:48 Why Jokes Aren’t the Main Reason We Laugh03:11 The Trinity Walks Into a Wine Bar…03:37 Jung, Spirit & Joy04:02 Laughter, Safety & Human Connection04:24 Who Invented Laughter?04:45 Two Different Kinds of Laughter05:36 Spontaneous Joy & the Brain06:06 God Loves to Give Laughter06:29 Eugene Peterson: “God Laughs”07:22 The “Get Your Own Dirt” Joke08:06 C.S. Lewis & The First Joke09:07 Frederick Buechner on Sarah’s Laughter10:17 Laughing at God & With God11:20 “Are You Kidding Me? God Loves Me?”11:42 God Filling Our Mouths With Laughter