:o) :o) :o) :o) :o) :o) :o) :o) :o) :o) :o) :o):o) :o) :o) :o):o) :o) HUMOR FROM THE VALLEY - September 23, 2001 "A cheerful disposition is good for your health . . ." Proverbs 17:22 (Message Translation) :o) :o) :o) :o) :o) :o) :o) :o) :o) :o) :o) :o):o) :o) :o) :o):o) :o) TOPIC: WHEN IT'S TIME TO SMILE AGAIN ! I debated not doing an edition of Humor from the Valley this month because of the burden of grief this nation still carries from the events of September 11th. I was concerned that sharing jokes right now might seem inappropriate. But then I began reviewing the quotes and scriptures we always use to introduce these editions and it seemed clear to me that "humor" has a very important part to play in the process of our healing from that grief. I firmly believe that this world will never be the same again; that each one of us will be forever changed by the things we saw and the losses we suffered on that tragic day. That change can be a positive or a negative depending on the choices we make; how we determine to deal with our grief. We can chose to isolate ourselves in fear and distrust of our fellow man and live cold and bitter lives. Or we can chose to lean heavily on our faith and each other; growing stronger and finding healing for our pain filled hearts. In reaching out to each other, we will share tears and remembrances. We will seek to heal the hurts of others and find healing for ourselves. And, when the time is right, we will share a joke with a friend in the hopes of seeing them smile again. And so, Cathy and I offer this edition of "Humor" to you our friends, along with the following thoughts: "Laughter is God's hand on a troubled world." Johann Weiss "Laughter is the most beautiful and beneficial therapy God ever granted humanity. It is often just as sacred to laugh as it is to pray." Charles R. Swindoll "It is the heart that is not yet sure of its God that is afraid to laugh in his presence." George Macdonald "Laughter is one of God's greatest gifts to the world. It really is the answer to most of our problems. We are free to smile. Our maker makes room for laughter!" Emmett Kelly, Jr. May the pages that follow bring a smile to your face and a lift to your grieving spirit. We remain your brother and sister in Christ always, Steve & Cathy Hall Forget Me Not (Received from A Merry Heart) An Australian travel writer touring America was checking out of his hotel and as he paid his bill said to the manager, "By the way, what's with the Indian chief sitting in the lobby? He's been there ever since I arrived." "Oh that's 'Big Chief Forget-me Not'," said the manager. "The hotel is built on an Indian reservation, and part of the agreement is to allow the chief free use of the premises for the rest of his life. He is known as 'Big Chief Forget-me Not' because of his phenomenal memory. He is 92 and can remember the slightest details of his life." The travel writer took this in, and as he was waiting for his cab decided to put the chief's memory to the test. "G'dye, myte!" said the Aussie, receiving only a slight nod in return. "What did you have for breakfast on your 21st birthday?" "Eggs," was the chief's instant reply, without even looking up, and indeed the Aussie was impressed. He went off on his travel writing itinerary, right across to the east coast and back, telling others of Big Chief Forget-Me-Not's great memory. (One local noted to him that 'How' was a more appropriate greeting for an Indian chief than 'G'dye myte.') On his return to the same hotel six months later, he was surprised to see 'Big Chief Forget-me Not' still sitting in the lobby, fully occupied with whittling away on a stick. "How," said the Aussie. "Scrambled," said the Chief. You Started It! (Received from Yogi Bourhill) Reaching the end of a job interview, the Human Resources Person asked a young Engineer fresh out of MIT, "And what starting salary were you looking for?" The Engineer said, "In the neighborhood of $125,000 a year, depending on the benefits package." The interviewer said, "Well, what would you say to a package of 5-weeks vacation, 14 paid holidays, full medical and dental, company matching retirement fund to 50% of salary, and a company car leased every 2 years say, a red Corvette?" The Engineer sat up straight and said, "Wow! Are you kidding?" And the interviewer replied, "Yeah, but you started it." View from the Top (Received from Tim Davis' Cleanlaugh) A man is flying in a hot air balloon and realizes he is lost. He reduces height and spots a man down below. He lowers the balloon further and shouts: "Excuse me, can you tell me where I am?" The man below says: "yes you're in a hot air balloon, hovering 30 feet above this field." "You must work in Information Technology," says the balloonist. "I do," replies the man. "How did you know?" "Well" says the balloonist, "everything you have told me is technically correct, but it's no use to anyone." The man below says, "You must work in Management". "I do" replies the balloonist, "but how did you know?" "Well", says the man, "you don't know where you are, or where you're going, but you expect me to be able to help. You're in the same position you were before we met, but now it's my fault." Birthday Wishes (Received from Peter Escalante) A couple had been married for 25 years and was celebrating the husband's 60th birthday. During the party, a fairy appeared and said that because they had been such a loving couple all those years, she would give them one wish each. The wife said, "We've been so poor all these years, and I've never gotten to see the world. I wish we could travel all over the world." The fairy waved her wand and POOF! She had the tickets in her hand. Next, it was the husband's turn. He paused for a moment, and then said, "Well, I'd like to be married to a woman 30 years younger than me." The fairy waved her wand and POOF! He was 90. The Mysteries of Life (Received from Great Day News - Net153) A man was wandering in the woods, pondering all the mysteries of life and his own personal problems. The man couldn't find the answers, so he sought help from God. "God? You there, God?" he asked "Yes. What is it, my son?" God answered. "Mind if I ask a few questions?" the man asked. "Go ahead, my son, anything." "God, what is a million years to you?" God answered, "A million years to me is only a second." The man asked, "God, what is a million dollars worth to you?" God replied, "A million dollars to me is worth only a penny." The man lifted his eyebrows and asked his final question. "God, can I have a penny?" God answered, "Sure, give me a second." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ God created the world in six days. On the seventh day, He rested. On the eighth day, He started getting complaints. Did God Make You? (Received from GCFL) A little girl was sitting on her grandfather's lap as he read her a goodnight story. From time to time, she would take her eyes off the book and reach up to touch his wrinkled cheek. She was alternately stroking her own cheek, then his again. Finally she spoke up, "Grandpa, did God make you?" "Yes, sweetheart," he answered, "God made me a long time ago." "Oh," she said and then "Grandpa, did God make me too?" "Yes indeed, honey," he answered. "God made you just a little while ago." Feeling their respective faces again, she observed, "God's getting better at it, isn't he??" _______________________________________________________________ Copyright © 1998 - 2001 by Stephen J. Hall - Weekly letters of encouragement to Christians written by Stephen J. Hall unless otherwise indicated. Notes from the Valley and Humor from the Valley are meant to brighten your day and encourage you along the way. Most of "Notes" and "Humor" are a collection of items provided to us by subscribers and friends. Credit is given to both the contributor and to the true author, where known. If you are blessed by them, please feel free to make copies and pass them along to others. If you have something you'd like to contribute to a future edition, or any questions or comments, please contact us at: sossteve@... _____________________________________________________________ "Surely God does not reject a blameless man or strengthen the hands of evildoers. He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy." Job 8:20-21 (NIV)