Tears Of A Clown NIV: Proverb 14:13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief.

MATTHEW HENRY'S COMMENTS: The ways of carelessness, of worldliness, and of sensuality, seem right to those that walk in them; but self-deceivers prove self-destroyers. See the vanity of carnal mirth (jollity). Sometimes when sinners are under convictions, or some great trouble, they dissemble their grief by a forced mirth, because they will not seem to yield. Spiritual joy is seated in the soul; the joy of the hypocrite is but from the teeth outward.

MY OBSERVATIONS: How many of us view heavy persons as jolly, but lazy? There is a natural prejudice against an obese person, even though they are hilarious and have learned to mask their inte

Tears Of A Clown NIV: Proverb 14:13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief.

MATTHEW HENRY'S COMMENTS: The ways of carelessness, of worldliness, and of sensuality, seem right to those that walk in them; but self-deceivers prove self-destroyers. See the vanity of carnal mirth (jollity). Sometimes when sinners are under convictions, or some great trouble, they dissemble their grief by a forced mirth, because they will not seem to yield. Spiritual joy is seated in the soul; the joy of the hypocrite is but from the teeth outward.

MY OBSERVATIONS: How many of us view heavy persons as jolly, but lazy? There is a natural prejudice against an obese person, even though they are hilarious and have learned to mask their internal pain by cracking constant jokes. Even in laughter the heart may ache: "I may be fat but you're ugly and I can always go on a diet." "I'm bulimic---I just keep on forgetting to throw up." How many of us try to chuckle away our misery? How many of our overweight young children learn to be the class clown to turn away jokes from their appearance and gain acceptance? All Bible students remember that Eli was a fat king who fell backward and died of a broken neck. When we think of MaMa Cass or some of our heavier comedians dying an early and tragic death, doesn't their weight stand out in our memories more than their contribution to the arts? I cannot help but thinking, "The tears of a clown---when no one's around." Yes, it is good to laugh at ourselves on occasion, but if it is masking the tears inside, we need to examine our situation in the light of Holy Scripture. As we live and as we die, let it be pleasing in the sight of God, that we may be remembered for our spiritual joy, rather than our physical girth.

Father God, I ask you to control my wise cracking laughter and grant to me instead the fullness of joy that comes from the peace of being in Your highest will for me. I ask this, looking to Christ as my Savior and example. Amen

NIV: Proverb 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

My Observations: Only in America, where we can boast that 55% of Americans are overweight, and 23% of that amount is actually obese. The land of rich and plenty where the average American eats 12 pounds of chocolate per year. Our sin of disgrace is that we have too much and it shows up on our bodies. Five percent of our problem is over abundance of food. The other ninety five percent of the problem is us.

Almighty God, forgive us for our foolishness and sin, and for the knowledge that we allow others to go to bed hungry at night while we have eaten beyond our heart’s content. Help us to dwell on this when we demand more than our rightful share. In the name of Jesus. Amen

Today's Diet Tip: 14.- Be aware that you can't enjoy life, family, or beauty without good health.

Today's Positive Thought: An obstacle is what you see when you take your eyes off the goal. Remember your weight goal daily.