May 13, 2010
HUMOR
A teacher was finishing up a lesson on the joys of discovery and the importance of curiosity. "Where would we be today," she asked, "if no one had ever been curious?"
One child quietly spoke up from the back of the room. "In the garden of Eden?"
.....Mikey's Funnies (http://www.mikeysFunnies.com) by way of "Christian Voices" (www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.net)
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
THOUGHT PROVOKING – INSPIRATIONAL
WORK AND LOVE
My daughter was having trouble recently deciding on what to major in at college, so she asked my advice. I told her the one thing I wish that I had been told at her age: "Find a career that you love and you will never work a day." She caught me off guard, though, when she next asked what she should do if she couldn’t get that career right away. What should she do if she had to take a job that she hated?
That question brought back a lot of memories of jobs that I had worked at over the years. I remembered one in particular. My young family was struggling. We had no money and there were no good jobs to be had in the area. My brother, however, was able to get me a job at a local lumber mill. The work was hard and meant constant pain for my back. Hours were spent loading and stacking lumber. The pay was just above minimum wage. In the winter the skin on my fingers split and bled from the cold, dry air. The job turnover was high. In the several years I worked there only the four of us supporting families didn’t leave to look for something better.
Still, I also remembered singing hymns to myself while I stacked and loaded that lumber. I remembered the jokes and laughter we all shared during lunch and on breaks. I remembered as I pushed the lumber carts, glancing out the window and joyously watching the leaves changing in the Fall. I remembered how a simple sandwich tasted like the greatest gourmet meal in the world after 4 hours of hard work. I remembered thanking God for this job so I could feed my family. Remembering all this gave me the answer I needed for my daughter. "Just bring your love to your job then sweetheart," I said. "If you can’t do what you love then love what you do."
In this life we work to live, but we live to love. Without love work is drudgery. Yet, with love work is joy. May all of your working days then be full of love, joy, goodness, and God.
.....Joseph J. Mazzella (joemazzella@frontier.com) by way of "Christian Voices" (www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.net)
Bottom of Form
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
More Than Physical Nourishment...
Most Christian families still get together for a meal at least once a day, and one of the best lessons a family can impart is the art of Christian conversation. Talking around the table can be a time of love, concern, and sharing.
Christian conversation, though, is not a monologue or a recitation of woes and grievances by one person. It is a dialogue that includes every family member so that each is respected and included. Each person should be able to voice needs, interests, questions, and concerns as well as highlights of the day or special news items. Frequently comments are brief and interactive, adding zest and interest to the meal.
Even though extended family gatherings frequently give special honor or consideration of matriarchs and patriarchs, the most loving family elders know the importance of including everyone. The sharing, love, and interest add depth and meaning for the whole family, including each as a special and unique child of God.
Of course, special stories, anecdotes, or humor by talented members are always welcome; but feedback should be universal and supportive as the spirit of companionship and sharing lead the way.
An upbeat attitude around the table aids digestion and provides genuine spiritual nourishment for good growth. Blessed is the family who shares and enjoys each other's company.
.....Mary-Ellen Grisham (meginrose@charter.net) by way of "Christian Voices" (www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.net)
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Editor Note: To help ensure that each issue of "Christian Voices" is delivered to your inbox and not to your spam or junk file, please add ChristianVoices@att.net to your address book. Thanks!
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
We continue to reach out to as many people as we possibly can and wherever we can, but we need your help to do that.
Please, please send us email addresses of people we can contact and "Invite" to try "Christian Voices".
We make sure that each individual email address is contacted only once.
We do not keep any record of who sends us what addresses so your confidentiality is always maintained.
Help us contact as many others as we possibly can – keep sending us all the email addresses that you can throughout the whole year.
It is a tremendous help!!!
Please send them to ChristianVoices@att.net
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Notes, cards, and contributions are always welcome – please send them to “Christian Voices”; P.O. Box 1002; La Vergne, TN 37086.
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
The official web site for "Christian Voices" is
www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.net
Please don't be confused by others
who have web sites of similar names.
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
TO SUBSCRIBE
(Click-on the appropriate link or type that entire web address in your browser.)
For Yahoo addresses: http://mail.family-safe-mail.com/SubscribePages/CV-subscribe-yahoo.html
For All Other Addresses: http://mail.family-safe-mail.com/SubscribePages/CV-subscribe.htmlTO VISIT THE "CHRISTIAN VOICES" WEB SITE
www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.net
You are subscribes from %%emailaddress%%
To leave Christian voices Cl;ick Unsubscribe me from this list