The Practice of Healing Prayer, by Francis MacNutt, a packed, powerful book outlining the role of healing-deliverance in the Church from ancient times to now and how miracles are actually effected -- the way to pray with the ill, the manner of laying on hands, actual testimony, cases, and much more -- endorsed by his bishop. CLICK HERE

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The lighterside:

FROM CHURCH SIGNS TO BLOOPERS IN THE BULLETIN TO PULPIT QUIPS, MESSAGES OFTEN RESONATE IN WHAT'S FUNNY

You've seen them in your community: those church signs you see, often in front of Protestant churches.

Some are funny. Some are biting. Some corny. Some are clever, indeed. Some are unintentionally ironic [see left].

Most are meant to be witty.

"Seven days without prayer makes 1 weak," reads a favorite.

"Don't let worry kill you. Let the church help," is another.

"Get rich quick. Count your blessings."

"Eternity: smoking or non-smoking?"

"Honk if you love Jesus. (Text while driving if you want to meet Him)."

"Occupy Church."

"Hot? Our church is prayer-conditioned."

"There's no A.C. in hell either."

"The best vitamin for a Christian is B1."

"God so loved the world that He did not send a committee."

"Every day above ground is a good one."

Clever? Corny?

"God answers knee-mail."

"The most powerful position is on your knees."

"A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing."

"Repent now. Avoid the rush on Judgment Day."

"Wal-Mart isn't the only saving place."

"This is a sign!"

Okay. You get the point. In Heaven, we'll see that Jesus has the sparkle of humor (which so often comes with love) in His eyes.

Then there are the serious ones.

"Tsunami - AIDS War: Do you Hear Me Now?"

"A family altar can alter a family."

"Don't put a question mark where God put a period."

"Success is failure turned inside out."

"Worry is the darkroom in which 'negatives' are developed."

"Church shopping? We're open on Sundays."

"Nothing big ever comes from being small."

"Give Satan an inch and he'll be a ruler."

"1 cross plus 3 nails equals forgiven."

Then there are those church-bulletin bloopers.

Have you seen those?

"For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery down stairs."

"The eighth graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the church basement on Friday at 7 pm. The congregation is invited to attend the tragedy."

"The preacher will preach his farewell massage, after which the choir will sing, 'Break Forth With Joy.'"

"Thursday night: Potluck Supper - Prayer and medication will follow."

"Weight Watchers will meet at 7 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance."

"Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door."

"The choir will meet at the Larsen house for fun and sinning."

"A new loudspeaker system has been installed in the church. It was given by one of our members in honor of his wife."

And for a few jokes:

"'Rev. Warren J. Keating, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Yuma, Arizona, says that the best prayer he ever heard was: 'Lord, please make me the kind of person my dog thinks I am.'"

"The Sunday School Teacher asks, 'Now, Johnny, tell me frankly do you say prayers before eating?' 'No sir,' Little Johnny replies, 'I don't have to, my Mom is a good cook!'"

"My wife invited some people to dinner. At the table, she turned to our six-year-old daughter and said, "Would you like to say the blessing?" I wouldn't know what to say," she replied. "Just say what you hear Mommy say," my wife said. Our daughter bowed her head and said: "Dear Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?"