Laugh like a Kid Again

Phil Callaway

Description

';Phil Callaway seasons our lives with joy and laughter drawn from the deep well of living. Splash through this book and see if you're not refreshed. I double-dog dare you.' Chris Fabry,New York Times bestselling author and host of Chris Fabry LiveLaughter is a windshield wiper. It won't stop the rain, but it will keep you going. Life was funnier when we were five. Grownups tripped on a rake and we laughed for hours. Then came headlines and deadlines. Downturns and disappointments. Laugh Like a Kid Again is for anyone who wonders amid pressing anxietieswho stole my joy? From the tender to the hilarious, these lighthearted stories will help you smile. You'll encounter a prodigal dog, an incoming tornado, an unexpected afternoon in prison, and where to go when you have nine minutes to live. You'll hear whispers of a God who loves you more than you imagineholds your hand when you're handed more than you can handledoes awesome work in the dark Whether you face dark times or just need a good laugh, this ';masterpiece of joy' will show you how to leave a lasting legacy, look up, and laugh again.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie
• Humour

Informations

• Publié par: Harvest House Publishers
• Date de parution: 09 juin 2020
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780736978309
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 2 Mo

Extrait

Endorsements
For me, joy in hard times is great evidence for God and a key ingredient in living a contagious life. Through the years Phil s stories have helped me laugh like a kid and deeply ponder things that really matter. His new book is a masterpiece of joy!
-Lee Strobel, New York Times bestselling author
Phil Callaway is a steward of stories, humor, and pain. He seasons our lives with joy and laughter drawn from the deep well of living. Splash through this book and see if you re not refreshed. I double-dog dare you.
-Chris Fabry, New York Times bestselling author and host of Chris Fabry Live
If Phil Callaway was just another old funny guy, he wouldn t be so cool. The fact that he combines humor and relevant spiritual truth in a winsome way makes reading him a pleasure, kind of like consuming a great vitamin hidden inside a raspberry Gummi Bear.
-Ellen Vaughn, New York Times bestselling author
Phil Callaway can find something to laugh about almost anywhere-he could probably make hitting your own funny bone funny. But he s no mere jokester. He s wise more than wisecracking. Yes, he sees the comedy of errors that makes up much of life, but here s the best part: he sees it, not with scorn or sarcasm, but with love. A comedian can make you laugh. Only a true humorist can make you cry as well, and for all the right reasons. Phil is a true humorist, and-frankly-one of the best.
-Mark Buchanan, author of GodSpeed and The Rest of God
Laugh Like a Kid Again will make you do exactly that. Better yet, Phil s genius in writing is that he makes you laugh while you swallow a compelling chunk of otherwise difficult truth. You ll love this read.
- Carl Medearis, author of Muslims, Christians, and Jesus
I once got one of Callaway s jokes an hour after I heard him speak. I was on an elevator. I laughed so hard people thought I was crazy. It won t take you an hour to get his humor. This book crackles with insight and wit. It sizzles with the wisdom of one who has faced pain and discovered contagious joy. This should be called Have a New Laugh by Friday .
-Dr. Kevin Leman, New York Times bestselling author of Have a New Kid by Friday
Reading Phil Callaway s fantastic new book, I kept thinking of a quote attributed to Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.: I would not give a fig for the simplicity this side of complexity, but I would give my life for the simplicity on the other side of complexity. Substitute the word laughter for the word simplicity and you ll get what I mean. Phil offers the kind of deep, cleansing laughter you can only find on the far side of real-life complexity-laughter tenderized by tragedy, seasoned by experience, and grounded in faith. I can t recommend Laugh Like a Kid Again more highly. I give it five out of five figs!
-Carolyn Arends, recording artist, speaker, author, and Renovar director of education
Loved it! I couldn t stop laughing. My wife asked what was so funny. I read a single paragraph. She laughed so hard her sides hurt, but her headache s gone. Results may vary. You re duly warned!
-David Sanford, author, fan since 1989 (Phil s first Servant article), addict since 1993 (Phil s first book)
I couldn t put this book down. Phil has an uncanny way of finding what s funny in life and using it to get talking about things that matter most. Read it and be inspired!
-Carmen Imes, author of Bearing God s Name , New Testament professor at Prairie College
Phil Callaway is one of the funniest guys I know, and once again, he doesn t disappoint. His Hawaii story alone is worth the price of admission. Laugh Like a Kid Again doesn t just serve up laughs but also a much-needed dish of poignancy.
-Mike Yorkey, coauthor of The Shot Caller and one of Phil s golf buddies
While I was reading this book, geese tromped up and down my arms and waddled across the back of my neck leaving proverbial bumps in their wake. We learn best when our minds are open, our hearts are wide and our lungs are filled with uproarious delight. Phil says, May we spend more time looking up than looking back. I m definitely up for that.
-B.J. Taylor, author of Charlie Bear, Guideposts writer, and prolific Chicken Soup for the Soul contributor
Phil Callaway understands something about Jesus that few others do-He s really, really funny, because He invented that whole humor thing. Phil is a master at whisking together the water-and-oil of grief and laughter. These stories are vivid, visceral, and unforgettable. You will taste and see the raw beauty of God s heart when you least expect it.
-Rick Lawrence, editor of the Jesus-Centered Bible and author of The God Who Fights for You
A lifeline of happiness! Humor is the towrope that raises us out of the waves onto the wakeboard of life-and Phil Callaway is a high-powered motor boat of hilarity that will help you giggle, chuckle-even laugh out loud for joy.
-Pam and Bill Farrel, authors of Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti and Red-Hot Monogamy
HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS
EUGENE , OREGON
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Verses marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version , NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Verses marked ESV are taken from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Verses marked MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Verses marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version . Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Verses marked P HILLIPS are taken from J.B. Phillips: The New Testament in Modern English, Revised Edition. J.B. Phillips 1958, 1960, 1972. Used by permission of Macmillan Publishing Company.
Verses marked ICB are taken from the International Children s Bible . Copyright 1986, 1988, 1999 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Verses marked KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
Cover design by Studio Gearbox
Cover photo Amy Covington / Stocksy; Wildfloweret / Shutterstock
For bulk, special sales, or ministry purposes, please call 1-800-547-8979.
Email: [e-mail]
This book contains stories in which people s names and some details of their stories have been changed to protect their privacy.
Laugh like a Kid Again
Copyright 2020 by Phil Callaway
Published by Harvest House Publishers
Eugene, Oregon 97408
www.harvesthousepublishers.com
ISBN 978-0-7369-7829-3 (pbk.)
ISBN 978-0-7369-7830-9 (eBook)
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
All rights reserved. No part of this electronic publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means-electronic, mechanical, digital, photocopy, recording, or any other-without the prior written permission of the publisher. The authorized purchaser has been granted a nontransferable, nonexclusive, and noncommercial right to access and view this electronic publication, and purchaser agrees to do so only in accordance with the terms of use under which it was purchased or transmitted. Participation in or encouragement of piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of author s and publisher s rights is strictly prohibited.
Contents
Endorsements
Dedication
The Journey Back
Part 1: Lighten Up a Little
1. What Tornado?
2. Dog Gone
3. Nine Minutes to Live
4. The Fear-Driven Life
5. Water Has Broken
6. Wrong Number?
7. Cheer Me Up
8. Big Hairy Deal
9. Magnetic Personality
10. Forbidden Smile
11. Mamma Mia!
12. Three Words That Changed Me
13. Big Baby
14. God and the Giant Veggies
15. What s His Name?
Part 2: Live Without Regret
16. Miracle in Cell Block 3
17. The Bad Old Days
18. Oh, Leon
19. #Selfie-Centered
20. Parenting Tips
21. My Very Own Time Machine
22. Gratitude 101
23. Very Punny
24. Makin Carrot Biscuits
25. Spite House
26. New Steps to Happiness
27. Lettuce Theology
28. Seven Coincidences
Part 3: Leave Footsteps Worth Following
29. The Nicest Thing Ever Said
30. Daddy of the Bride
31. Letter to Judah
32. The Proverbs 31 Dad
33. What a Mom Makes
34. Why I Go to Church
35. Stories Worth Telling
36. Not My Lipstick
37. The War Is Over
38. Outrageous Claims
39. What Billy Taught Me
40. Runaway
41. Closer to Home
42. Floods of Joy
Waytago
Notes
About the Author
Heart and Humor That Are Far Above Par
About the Publisher
Dedication
To our loyal Laugh Again audience- even the guy who shook my hand and said, I listen to you every day on the radio. I had an image of you in my mind. Um, uh, I prefer that image.
Thanks for your encouragement, prayers, and comments.
Most of them.
The Journey Back
W hen I was four, I told my mother, I wanna grow up and be a comedian.
She thought about that and said, Well, Son, you can t do both.
She was right. You can t grow up and do what I do. Each day I go looking for something that will deliver a shot of hope and a smidge of joy to those who read my books and tune in to the radio show Laugh Again .
I couldn t know how badly Mom would need that hope. Abused as a child, she spent an excessive amount of my boyhood sick. That s what they called it back then. I m told I would bounce into her bedroom, Tigger-like, and say funny things and make funny faces-anything to coax a smile. If I got