"Christian Voices"

September 13, 2010

HUMOR

CHILDREN AGING PARENTS

My husband and I both look very young for our ages. In fact, we've hardly aged a day since we first laid eyes on each other in college -- at least, that's what we tell each other. But our children have a way of bringing us crashing back to earth.

Recently, my husband and I were discussing a man who was running for public office. "He's a Vietnam vet," commented my husband.

"What's that?" queried our young daughter.

Trying to answer the question in terms a four-year-old could readily grasp, my husband replied, "Well, honey, that means that the man fought in a war that happened when Mommy and Daddy were little."

Our daughter regarded us both thoughtfully for a moment, then asked, "So, was he a Viking?"

.....LAUGHTER FOR A SATURDAY (ed548@yahoo.com) by way of "Christian Voices" (www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.net)

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

THOUGHT PROVOKING – INSPIRATIONAL

DO PEOPLE HEAR WHAT YOUR LIFE IS SAYING?

I wonder sometimes how effective we are at communicating what is important to us. If you are a Christian, sharing that fact should be at the top of our list of things to communicate. How are you doing? The word effective is defined as: "To be productive, efficient, to have the desired effect or to be successful"

Is your Christianity having the desired effect on the world around you? Do people even know you are a Christian? The scriptures tell us: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven, " (Matthew 5:16) A modern translation puts it this way: "In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father" (NLT).

Let me suggest this week that you "let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." How? I'm not sure, but look for opportunities! Write that card or letter to a neighbor, coworker, friend or fellow Christian. Encourage them; let them know about the love of God and how it can bless you. Call someone who may be struggling! Take a plate of cookies to a neighbor; visit someone who can't get out much themselves. Let your light shine, let folks see God living in you, communicate what God is doing in your life and what he can do in the lives of others.

In other words, start being effective in communicating! God has given us a message, now share it with others. What's the message? God cares and living in him can change you and give you a life worth living, for now and through eternity!

.....Russ Lawson, Messages From The Heart (http://mfth.net) by way of Cup O'Cheer (cheer316@sc.rr.com) and "Christian Voices" (www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.net)

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

TWO ARMS NO WAITING

I got to hug my Mom and my Grandma again today. It felt so good that for a moment my heart leapt for joy and my eyes filled with tears. In that second the whole world was full of love and the Earth felt like Heaven.

Then it was over, because I awoke from my daydream.

You see, my Mom and my Grandma both died years ago. I enjoyed every hug we shared over the years they were alive, but now I see I didn’t hug them nearly enough. I don’t know why I kept my arms and my heart closed so many times over the years. I don’t know why it took me so long to realize that you can’t take love or life for granted. If I had it to do over I would have hugged them a dozen times a day, every single day they were with me. If I could have those moments back I would have followed the example of my own son who gives me more hugs everyday than I can count. I would have taken the lead of my son’s childhood friend too. She may be confined to a wheelchair but she can still hug your heart out with the squeeze of her hand or lift your spirits with a smile that is brighter than the noonday sun. If I could live those years again I would do so with my arms, my heart, and my soul wide open.

Thankfully, God in His love gives us a lifetime to learn from our mistakes. I can’t live those years again, but I can live today. I can love today. I can share a hug today. My Mom and Grandma may have left this world, but in my heart and soul my arms will always be around them.

I hope that you share a few hugs yourself today. I hope that you hang a sign on your heart that says, "two arms, no waiting." I hope that you give your love to all those around you. I hope that you shine a smile to everyone you meet. I hope that you fill your every phone call, letter, or email with "heart hugs" as well. Life is short. Time flies. Our days here are brief. Don’t pass up a single chance then to love, to share, to help, and to hug.

.....Joseph J. Mazzella (joemazzella@frontier.com) 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@comcast.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@comcast.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.

Now read by over 11,000 subscribers around the world