Sunday Funnies: Oct 9

Another installment from my dad’s humor cards.

The backstory: My dad was a Presbyterian pastor for 40 years. He kept a well curated stack of humor cards – little stories or observations that he typed onto 5×7 cards. Then he wrote in the margins when he used that particular item. His humor was often an easy way to settle in to something deeper – by laughing and thinking about the buried truth in these little nuggets, it paved the way to an open heart.

When we cleaned out his desk after he died 7 years ago, I was lucky enough to stumble on this stack. I pull it out regularly to have a little laugh with my dear Dad. Now when I post one of them, I write my note next to his and it feels like a continuation.

Church Funnies

Bill Keane, creator of the Family Circus cartoon strip tells of a time when he was penciling one of his cartoons and his soon Jeffy asked, “Daddy, how do you know what to draw?” Bill replied, “God tells me,” Jeffy said, “Then why do you keep erasing parts of it?”

After the church service, a little boy told the pastor: “When I grow up, I’m going to give you some money.” “Well, thank you,” the pastor replied, “but why?” “Because my daddy says you’re one of the poorest preachers we’ve ever had.”

Over the massive front doors of a church, these words were inscribed: “The Gate of Heaven.” Below that was a small cardboard sign which read: “Please use other entrance.”

31 thoughts on “Sunday Funnies: Oct 9

      1. Oh, it had to be such a hard game for you all to watch. The looks on your players faces at the end just killed me. Thanks for graciously throwing your support behind the Mariners. Yes, they’ll need it!

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  1. There was a book written by TV personality Art Linkletter called “Kids Say the Darndest Things.” It must have been in the ’50s or ’60s. I’ll bet your dad knew about it. Indeed, maybe Linkletter used some of your father’s best stories.

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    1. Or the other way around. There’s no attribution on these cards in most cases so I’m not sure where he got them. I wouldn’t be surprised if some came from a source like Linkletter. What an interesting suggestion, Dr. Stein. Hope you have a lovely Sunday!

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  2. Oh my goodness, the one about the poor pastor. Kids hear, absorb and repeat everything – especially at the most embarrassing opportunity! 😆

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    1. Perfectly said about kids repeating everything – at the most ripe times! 🙂

      And yes, the Mariner win was good – but I can understand how heartbreaking it was for the Jays fans. Those poor players looked so sad at the end. Too bad that it has to be win/lose!

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  3. These are all great, but the second one’s my favorite. Few things are more painful than a poor preacher. Especially when they drone on. And on. 😆

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  4. I love this, and I love the feeling of continuation of generations. I’m not in touch with my family any more, but we’re going to sing Christmas carols at my house instead this year.

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