C (2:38)

No.

A (2:40)

Not skinny. I'm not weak. I never will be an athlete because God didn't mean me to be an athlete. The day I was created, something special happened. You see, you know, one of the reasons you need to believe that you are a worthwhile person. If you don't believe that God created you unique and you don't need to be like somebody else, the first person you're going to be mad at is God. I'm serious. I remember going to Sunday school and the Sunday school teacher said, now I had just looked in the mirror. I weigh 110 pounds. I got terminal acne. I'm dying of acne, okay? My parents spent a fortune on Stridex medicated pads. They don't work. They don't. I ate two of those every morning for six years. They don't work. I look in the mirror, I hate everything I see. I walk into this class and the teacher said, God made you. I said, what happened? Did he do an experiment? Today we try something different. We'll take some of this and mix it with some of this. Oh, gross. God doesn't make gross things. I don't care how much your parents make. I don't care what you look like. I don't care if you can throw a football 100 yards or you're like me and have a hard time walking chewing gum at the same time. There's nobody else like you. If I were to translate a part of the Bible, it goes like this, that before the foundation of this earth was laid, before the foundation was set in place, God had your picture on his wall. He knew what he was doing. He doesn't make mistakes. It took me a long time to learn that. I think what happened when I was created is the angels were all gathered around and one angel went, um, you know, the stuff came by and it just said, ken Davis, he hadn't been formed yet. And one angel said, um, I'd like to give him the ability to throw a football like 200 yards. Just think they will have to come back to make a touchdown. Think about it. God said, I don't want to do that. Another angel said, I have an idea. Well, they're not all the same, you know, they talk different. I have an idea. Let's give him superior intelligence. And God said, no, I don't want to do that. Wouldn't be prudent. Another angel said, let's give him good looks. Let's make him extremely good looking. God said, no, I don't want to do that either. And finally the angels turned to God and said, well, what are we going to give him? And God said, up there on the shelf, just to the right. Bring me that twisted mind. Go ahead and laugh, but that twisted mind is why I'm here tonight. You didn't decide to come here to hear a plain. You came to hear someone who is not right. That twisted mind has allowed me to have the privilege of sharing the good news of the Gospel of Christ all over the world. It's allowed me to be in places I would never get in any other way. You don't have to be like somebody else. You want a reason for joy, it's sitting right in your chair. Don't try and even be like somebody else. It's right there. Guy over here says, someone's in my chair. I thank God for my twisted mind. I really do. The little things that come to my mind. You know, the things I was sitting the other day thinking about how when we were little. Remember when you were in school and you always got in trouble for fighting with pencils? I mean, pencil fights were a big thing. I have a pencil. My name is Indigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die. And remember how bent the teachers would get. Don't you touch that. No, you get. Give me that pencil. You'll give him lead poisoning. They never did that with crayon. You'll give him wax poisoning. I'm grateful for this twisted mind. You see, wherever you are, wherever you're sitting, whoever you are one of the reasons for your joy that you have, beyond the fact that God has given us this crazy world to live in and beyond the fact that you're special and unique, is that you're you. He didn't make any mistakes. Nobody else can do what he put you here to do. Nobody. So find out what it is and go for it. You don't have to be like somebody else. The last reason for joy, and the greatest one of all, is that he loves us. And I never fully understood this. In fact, I'm not sure I do now. But the whole idea that the creator of this universe, the person that made these mountains. It's hard to go into the mountains and God. God, you're nothing. Those things are big. Isn't it interesting? You ever watch people in hurricanes or something like that? People who never believed in God suddenly go. Maybe this is a big God. Create the universe. We can't even see to the end of where he created. Why should he care about you? Why should he care about me? I don't know. But I'm glad that he did. My children have helped me understand this because I have a really strong love for my children. I have two daughters. I mess with their minds. Bad, too. It is really fun. Boys, come to see my oldest daughter. And a kid came. I laughed so hard. I watched him come to the doorbell three times and he couldn't do it. And I was standing there watching him and he went away. And he came to the doorbell again. First time I figured, I'm going to have fun with this. So the third time he came to the door, I was just standing there and I opened it and I had two butcher knives in my hand. My youngest daughter, when God made her, he had a little twisted mind left over. I come into the house. She's got a 20 pound test fishing line tied around her tooth. The other end is tied to a doorknob. I've never seen this before. She's going, I can hear this thing. I can hear the strings almost breaking. Her hair's flying, little bits of spit flying all over. I said, what are you doing? She said, I'm pulling my tooth. I said, come here. I felt her teeth. I said, it's not loose. She said, it will be. I said, quit it. She said, leave me alone. I need money. I love these kids. And one night when I was putting them to bed, I felt that love in such a strong way. And in that moment, I also was reminded of how much God loves us. Have you stayed with me? One of the reasons for Joy is that he's given us this funny, crazy world to live in. Another reason is that he made you unique, especially for this world. Nobody else can accomplish what he put you here for. What a wonderful adventure to try and discover what that is. And he's not going to hide it from you. I made you special for a special purpose. Guess what it is he wants you to know. He wants you to fulfill it. And so we were at bedtime one night and I laughed so hard I thought I was going to die. My cheeks hurt, my eyes hurt. I don't know if you've ever had this happen. You go, I think I'm going to throw up. It was horrible. But at the same time, it was the most fun I've had. And at the same time, I was reminded of how much God loves us. It was bedtime. We were trying to put these kids to bed. Little kids don't want to go to bed. There's something buried in their mind. Whatever reason it is, they don't want to go. The night in question went like this. And remember, there were two things that happened. God can choose any time to talk to you. And he chose this very special, very funny time to remind me of how much he loves us. The most important Reason for joy. And that night it went like this. I said, go to bed. Wait. Because. Wait. You're stalling. Nuh. Nuh. Because I need to. I need to have a drink of water. You can't have water. Why? Because you wet the bed.

B (12:29)

I quit.

A (12:32)

I said, you didn't quit. You went to bed last night. She said, the cat did that. Now you're laughing. I didn't laugh. This kid's lying to me. She's looking at me and lying to me. I said, don't you lie to me. Don't you lie to me. The cat didn't do that. The spot on your bed was the size of two pizzas, okay? Don't tell me the cat did it. Our kitty's only that big. Tell me the cat did that. And she said it wasn't our cat. And she started telling me about this giant cat capable of two pizzas. I didn't laugh. I did not laugh. I'm mad I went into that parent thing. You lie to me. Look at me. You look at me when I'm talking to you. Don't you look at me like that. You lie to me. How can you lie to me like that? I put a roof over your head. I am the person who feeds you. And then you look at me and you lie. Now look at me and tell the truth. And she did this. Nanny, I'm sorry, but a big giant calf tore off the screen. He came in and he was peeing on my bed. I said, don't do that. You're gonna get me in trouble. I said, go to bed. She waited. She's in bed 20 minutes. She got real quiet and then she yells. She tries a totally different tactic now. Daddy, I want water. This freaked me out. I said, you listen to me. I hear any more of that, I'm coming in there. Do you understand? She said, yeah. When you come, bring water. And I started laughing. I'm rolling on the floor. I said, go get your water. Hurry up. She's in the bathroom. 20 minutes. I said, what are you doing? She said, I'm drinking water. I went in there and she had been drinking water for 20 minutes. Her little belly is just hanging out. She can't walk because things are sloshing around. Little dudes in her tummy going, whoa, surf's up. Ride it out. I said, get to bed. She said, I gotta go to the bathroom. And I had to let her go or the giant cat would be back. The next time I look up, she's standing in the hall. She is naked. She has taken off all of her clothes and she's looking at me like, what you gonna do about this? She ran past me. And as she ran by, she yelled those words that no good father can resist catching. What I forgot is that naked children can turn on a dime. She went into the kitchen where the linoleum is made her right. I was wearing wool socks, broke a blender going around that corner, and she ran out the front door. You may not believe this true story. My child is running down the street, stark, raven naked, yelling, catch me. Oh, catch me. I have no clothes. I caught her about a block away. And then I remembered I only had my underwear on. A lot of you don't believe this. Ask our neighbors. They're going, that's a weird family. I tell you, I got back in the house and I thought I was going to die. I was laughing so hard. That's how my cheeks hurt, my eyes hurt. We just about get done, look at each other, start all over again. She ran from the room and turned into the room. And when she turned to go into her room, she looked over her shoulder and just kind of giggled. Another time. I'm going to do another talk, but I'll just tell you this right off the bat. You'll never know, you will never know some of the feelings that go through a parent's heart. And in that second, just the joy of that second and the wonderful fun we were having together, I thought I was going to explode. I just loved her so much. And in that moment, I was also reminded of a simple verse that I learned in Bible school years ago. It went like this. But God commanded his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, he sent his son to die for us. His son. How much does this God love us? So much that he gave his son. I've said this a million times, but I'll say it again. Do you know, I believe that if I had to risk my life to save yours, I'd do it. If this building started to burn, I'd come after you. And I'd come back for you. And I'd come back for you. I believe I would really do that most nights. But not tonight. Do you know why I wouldn't do it tonight? My children are here. I'm sorry. I love you. But tonight you better have the exits picked out on your own. Do you hear what I'm saying? Because as much as I'm willing to give my life for you, I won't give their lives for you. I refuse. I'm sorry, but God loved me so much. Loved you so much just the way you are. That he freely gave his son. He gave his son when we didn't deserve it. Wow. You know how that changes you? I'll tell you. And then I'm done. Several years, many, many years after I graduated from high school, I went back. Went back to the same school. I no longer weighed 110 pounds. I now weighed 175 pounds. I was going back now for a class reunion and to give the commencement address for my high school class. I was a totally different person. I laid on the beach to get a nice tan. I never dated the whole time I was in high school. Never could get anybody to go out with me. But now I look different. I wanted those girls to be sorry for what they'd missed. I stood up after the class reunion. People didn't recognize me. I stood up. All but about two of my classmates were there. And I stood up for that reunion and gave the most powerful address I think I've ever given. I can still see those people sitting out there. There were kids sitting out there that had beat me silly. There was an English teacher, a dear Christian lady, who said, go out for speech. I said, you got to be kidding. All my friends are walking around with letter jackets that have macho symbols on them. Hockey sticks, footballs. Not walking around this school with a set of lips dangling off of this jacket. But she cared enough to keep after me and pester me. And so she told me, yai, you need to go out for speech. And I did. She was there. In that audience was a man who had thrown a football at me 12 times and said, you'll never amount to anything. And I stood up and gave that address. And when I finished, they gave me a standing ovation. They just stood. It was the first one I'd ever received. And I stood there and watched those people applaud. Some of those hands banging together had banged on me. And I went to the back of the stage and I sat on a chair that they had, and they just continued to applaud. And a little voice whispered in my ear, this is it. This is what makes you important. And that's a lie. And God knew that was a lie. And he loved me, so he wanted to get my attention. He has a great sense of humor. He reached down and touched the chair and it fell off the stage backwards. The applause stopped. Some of those people had seen me fall. And they're going, he's dead. You know that boy, He's Dead. Others had turned to a friend or blinked. They had no idea where I was. And as I lay behind that stage, Satan came with his big bony finger and he said, see, you're nothing. You can't do anything right. And I reached up and broke his finger. Do you know. Do you know why I started laughing? While I was laying there, I started laughing. God wasn't embarrassed. God is going to come and look at the idiot.

C (22:18)

Look at him.

A (22:20)

I love this guy. No, he's not embarrassed. Did he love me any less laying back there than he did when I was standing up there taking that standing ovation? No, just as much. I peeked up from behind the stage. Everybody's frozen in mid applause, you know, they don't know what to do. Should we continue? There is no ceremonious way to climb back up on a six and a half foot stake. I threw my leg up and rolled over and stood up and they gave me another standing ovation. And I stepped to the mic. And I don't remember exactly what I said, but in a concise form. I told them that something like this traveling the world has not changed my life that much. Gaining weight and lifting weights has not changed my life that much. Having some of the things that I've wanted in life has not changed my life. It has not brought me the happiness and joy that I want. His love is what has changed me. The fact that he cared enough to give the very best, you see, that is the real reason for joy. When you leave here tonight, I hope that you will look around you and see the crazy things that are around you. I hope some of you will be walking down the street or in a Denny's somewhere going, El Penzo. I hope so. I hope you'll see things you never saw before because God put them here for your enjoyment. I hope that when you leave here tonight, rattling around in the back of your mind will be this thought. God didn't make any mistakes with me. I'm going to be what he created me to be. But most of all, I hope you'll remember this. I hope you will remember that the God that threw those mountains into place with exquisite care, the God that created the wonderful universe that we live in, loves you more than you will ever know. And that is the real reason for joy. Don't forget it. God bless you and thank you very much.

C (24:38)

What an excellent, encouraging message from author and speaker Ken Davis today on Focus on the Family with Jim Daly.

B (24:46)

Boy, Ken is another one of those special speakers who can weave together a fantastic sense of humor with biblical truths. And we're grateful for his friendship through the years. And we're including this message from Ken in our freedom for our collection of audio downloads from our favorite comedians like Ken Kington, Shonda Pierce, John Branion and more. Look for the Focus on the Family comedy collection at our website. It's our gift to you. And since this is the season of giving, can you consider giving to Focus on the Family? We need your help to bring hope and joy to families who have nowhere else to turn. Over the years, we've been working hard to restore marriages, coach overwhelmed parents and protect the sanctity of human life. And in many, in many cases, we've helped smaller ministries expand their reach across the nation to serve more hurting people. In fact, we recently heard from the leader of a pro life outreach. He said this Never underestimate the power of a single radio show. 25 years ago, I heard a Focus on the Family broadcast featuring a Lutheran pastor who likened American culture to that of pre war Nazi Germany and he encouraged Christians to get more involved in public policy. That one show propelled me into active pro life work which has led to more than 1 million people getting involved in our ministry, saving the lives of 25,000 babies.

C (26:15)

My goodness, what an example of how God uses this radio show, this podcast.

B (26:20)

It's humbling, John. I feel so blessed to be a part of it. And you can be a part of our ministry too. Part of that impact when you become a donor. We have the staff and the know how. We just need to provide the rocket fuel to keep us going. Get in touch with us today.

C (26:39)

Donate online and access the comedy collection at our website and the link is in the show Notes or call for details 800 the letter A and the word family. That's 800-232-6459. Thanks for listening to Focus on the Family with Jim Daly. Take a moment please and leave a rating for us in your podcast app and help us spread the word about these great shows and share this episode with somebody who might need a little laughter. I'm John Fuller inviting you back next time as we once again help you and your family thrive in Christ.

B (27:25)

God is at work and he's calling his people to rise in truth. Truth Rising is a powerful new documentary for Focus on the Family and the Colson Center. See how ordinary Christians choose courage in a culture that needs truth. Watch Truth Rising today and find out how you can become an agent of restoration and hope. Visit truthrising.com today. That's truthrising.com.