Laughing Matters Learning to Laugh When Life Stinks

by Callaway, Phil

• ISBN13: 9781590525388
• ISBN10: 1590525388
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-08-01
• Publisher: Multnomah

Summary

Find Out Whatrs"s So Funny When Nothingrs"s Funny Sometimes life just stinks-people disappoint, bad things happen, and hardship comes.Laughing Mattersis a collection of stories that shows the difference between those who resign and those who rejoice when reality bites. Readers will be encouraged to choose joy, to find hope, and to discover the abundant life Christ offers all who follow Him. Author and humorist Phil Callaway-once described as "Dave Barry with a message"-employs his revealing and hilarious style to remind readers that, "itrs"s always darkest just before the fridge door opens." Do you resign or rejoice when reality bites? Sometimes life just stinks. People disappoint. Bad things happen. Hardship comes in double helpings. The last thing you want to do is laugh. So let hilarious humorist Phil Callaway show you-as only he can-that some of the darkest times are those just before the fridge door opens. *** ** *** ** "Everything Phil Callaway writes is full of life because hers"s discovered a fabulous secret: The joy of Christ doesnrs"t go away, even when life is a mess." Luis Palau President of the Luis Palau Evangelistic Association "Phil really knows how to get in touch with his spiritual funny bone." Janette Oke Bestselling author "One page into this book and Irs"m quaking with laughter. Callaway has the uncanny ability to uncover the funny in any situation and report it with inspirational wit." Paul L. Maier Coauthor ofThe DaVinci Code: Fact or Fiction? "This book is an excellent source of encouragement for anyone in the midst of a crisis who may be asking God that hardest question of all: ls"Why?rs"" Martha Bolton Author ofCooking with Hot FlashesandDidnrs"t My Skin Used to Fit? Story Behind the Book Phil Callaway wrote this book after a five-year journey he and his wife embarked upon when she began having seizures. He discovered that when life throws you curve balls, juices lemons in your eyes, scrunches you in a knuckle sandwichhellip;the last thing you want to do is laugh. And at the moment we realize that life can just plain stink, "this book helps us know where to go from that point," he says. Celebrities like Dave Dravecky, Barbara Johnson, Gloria Gaither, and Joni Eareckson Tada have endorsed Callawayrs"s positive approach to trials. "Everything Phil Callaway writes is full of life because hers"s discovered a fabulous secret: The joy of Christ doesnrs"t go away, even when life is a mess," says evangelist Luis Palau.

Author Biography

Phil Callaway is the bestselling author of four books, a popular speaker and columnist, and a proud father. His writings have been translated into Spanish, Polish, Chinese, and English (one of which he speaks fluently). He lives with his high school sweetheart, Ramona, in Alberta, Canada, with their three lively children.

Table of Contents

Introduction	10	(9)
Part 1 The World Is Full of Cacti. . . But You Don't Have to Sit on One
Who Put the Skunk in the Trunk?	19	(7)
Stuff Happens	26	(6)
What About Bob?	32	(8)
Lessons on Ice	40	(7)
The Choice	47	(5)
Thanksgiving in the Valley	52	(7)
The Envelope, Please	59	(10)
Part 2 When Opportunity Knocks, Don't Complain About the Noise
Help! We're Breaking Out in Toddlers!	69	(6)
Reluctant Hero	75	(9)
The Last Shoe Box	84	(7)
The Long Good-Bye	91	(6)
Dreams on Ice	97	(9)
Laughter in the Valley	106	(9)
Part 3 Courage Is Fear That Has Said Its Prayers
Daddy Is Awake	115	(6)
Journey into Trust	121	(9)
A Wing and a Bet	130	(4)
A Tale of Two Kings	134	(9)
Hey! Look Who Won the Rat Race!	143	(7)
The Stuttering Servant	150	(7)
To Stephen on His Graduation	157	(10)
Part 4 The Fruit of the Spirit Is Not Lemons
Laughter 101	167	(12)
Who Put the Frog in My Peas?	179	(8)
Letter in a Lunch Box	187	(7)
Gateway to Joy	194	(16)
Part 5 Laughter Sure Beats Prozac, but There's No Medication Stronger than Hope
Tales of Mischief	210	(5)
The Gospel According to Matt	215	(6)
Why Methuselah Lived So Long	221	(4)
The Last Resort	225	(11)
Hope for Christmas	236	(8)
Family Reunion	244	(5)
Epilogue	249	(3)
About the Author	252