A Carpenter's Story And More ... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net =========================== >WELCOME TO ALL OUR NEW Yahoo ShangyFunList Members! I hope you will enjoy our group! Please feel free to share your cool forwards, graphics, poems, recipes or whatever else makes you SMILE with US! We Love Em! ======================== >If You Haven't Already, PLEASE Take A Moment to... __ (`/\ `=\/\ __...--~~~~~-._ _.-~~~~~--...__ `=\/\ \ / \\ `=\/ V \\ //_\___--~~~~~~-._ | _.-~~~~~~--...__\\ // ) (..----~~~~._\ | /_.~~~~----.....__\\ ===( INK )==========\\|//==================== __ejm\___/________dwb`---`_______________________ Sign My Guestbook! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html *~* Lots Of Thanks And {{{Hugs}}} _. ,-.,-"`""-./ \ / \ `-.| .:::.:::. \ / `-._ ::::::::: | "=\ ':::::' | .==" |o_|_ ':' | _o. ` (_) ,;;;,;;;, ; \\ ;;;;;;;;; \ _. /|-. ';;;;;' \ ` `'---'/ \ ';' \ .--._ /-' | ,-`. / `-._( / `-._`-._\ `\ '\ ( ` `'._ _, | \ / ~-. `| | | / `;-.| | | .' \ /| | / .'-. '. | \ | .' `-._ '. | /"` `\ jgs / `"--.,_'-._\-.___.'_ ; / `""";--' `. | / .'` \ /""-. ; / \""-, \ | / | \ | \ | '. |/ '. \ .'`-. / '._ '.,___,.;' '-.___.' `"""----------'` God Bless Those Of You Who Have Already Signed it!! -<>- >-->In The 'Shangy' News :) >HOT Off The Shangy Press... This one comes from our friend Viv. When I first saw this one, I was amazed. It reminded me of my youth when I used to make my own doll and play houses. It is definitely a fun one! Check it out here... ____ || | ||___| _)__<__ _ _ |____|__|:|___|:|_ | |_.---._|___| _ | o| | | |_o_| | || |/| |\| | |_||____|`\___/'|___| V _/-\_ fsc New Office Policy: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/office.html These next TWO are both thanks to our friend Jo Ann. She sent us a bunch of funny military pictures that I couldn't resist turning into 2 new pages for the web site! You can visit them both here: Humor With The Troops 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/humor2.html Humor With The Troops 3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/humor3.html --- ...Thanks Viv & Jo Ann - Greatly appreciated these!! -<>- >Thanks to our friend Jo Ann I found a couple of bugs :) ,--. ,---. / '. / \ \ ; \-| (- -) /`v'\/; ,-----/ ,---/)--. -Computer Bug- ,' ; ( /////// ) I got the chip! /) ,---| -`-----(\' ; | ---- | ' (| ,-| ---- |-. | /| ---- |\ | |/ | ---- | \| \ : ---- ; | \ \ -- / / ; \ / : / / \/ \ \ /) (\ -hrr- .: Ralph & Son :. Last year I was unaware of the differences between my Netscape browser and the IE browser. This year I found out they have some differences with how they display the text and pictures. While a page may look just great using my Netscape browser it can looked all messed up when viewed with the IE browser! Sucks. But I found two this week from last year that were not right so I've got them fixed now. Check them out here: Take A Virtual Factory Tour http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/factory.html Roller Coasters http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/coaster.html --- ...Thank You Jo Ann! I like these looking the way they should! ================================================================== .--- / # o \,__> .o-'-'--._ The Truth About MS / |\_ '. | | \ -, \ If I looked Like This... \ / \__| ) | '|_____[)) |,/ |===H=|\ >> People Would stop and Help \ __,| \_\ \/ \ \_\ |\ | \/ | \ \ \\ | \ | \\ |__|\ ,-ooD \\ |--\_(\.-' \o snd '-.__) >A Message From Your Neighbor Story Editor: by Anonymous Joyce Schowalter USA I cannot walk very far without tiring out or just plain collapsing, because I have multiple sclerosis along with post polio syndrome. I drive an old junker car, and one day I just had to go to the supermarket; they had a sale on I couldn't pass up. I took my car, and when I came out of the supermarket, the car would not start. I was in a tizzy. I went inside to use the telephone to get AAA to come out and start my car, but there was a young lady there who said she would come around and jump my car battery. She got a gentleman from the back of the store she called "Grandpa". They brought her car around and got my car started. I was on my way... or so I thought. I was repeating the entire time, "Just let me get home," because obviously the battery was giving out again. I had just turned onto my street, 11 blocks from my home, when the car died again. I got out, put the hood up, and hoped someone would stop. No one stopped. Guys going to work came by and waved, but they didn't stop. One of my neighbors came by and said she couldn't stop because she was late for something or other, and that I should walk back home to get my husband. I can't walk that far. Then a pickup truck came along, driven by a lady I had never seen before. She asked me if anyone was helping me. I was near tears and told her no, no one would stop. She asked what she could do for me. I asked if she would go to the end of the street. If there was a blue truck in the parking lot, then please knock on the first door and tell my husband my car was broken down a few blocks away. She did just what I asked, then went on her way. She asked for nothing; she just wanted to help. My husband was home, and luckily his brother was visiting. They came down, hooked a chain to my car and pulled me home. The alternator was out, which is why the battery had died so quickly. Later I timed the drive to my house, up to my door, and back to where I was stranded. Without speeding, it took two minutes. My neighbor was convinced that she could not have taken two minutes out of her schedule to help me. Yet a lady who didn't even know me helped get me back home. It is truly a terrible feeling to be stranded with people driving past you, and be unable to walk anywhere because of a disability. However, the lady who did help me out "recharged" my faith in people who are strangers. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From InspiredBuffalo: .==,_ .===,_`\ .====,_ ` \ .====,__ --- .==-,`~. \ `:`.__, --- `~~=-. \ /^^^ ...Follow God! --- `~~=. \ / `~. \ / ~. \____./ jgs `.=====) ___.--~~~--.__ ___\.--~~~ ~~~---.._|/ ~~~" / >My Father's Way My Father's way may twist and turn, My heart may throb and ache, But in my soul I'm glad I know, He maketh no mistake. My cherished plans may go astray, My hopes may fade away, But still I'll trust my Lord to lead, For He doth know the way. Though night be dark and it may seem, That day will never break, I'll pin my faith, my all in Him, He maketh no mistake. For by and by the mist will lift, And plain it all He'll make, Through all the way, though dark to me, He made not one mistake. --Author Unknown -<>- _ _ _______________ GOD'S GRACE |*\_/*|________ | ___________ | .-. .-. ||_/-\_|______ | | | | | .****. .****. | | | | | | 0 0 | | .*****.*****. | | 0 0 | | | | - | | .*********. | | - | | | | \___/ | | .*******. | | \___/ | | | |___ ___| | .*****. | |___________| | |_____|\_/|_____| .***. |_______________| _|__|/ \|_|_.............*.............._|________|_ / ********** \ / ********** \ / ************ \ / ************ \ -------------------- -------------------- >GRACE By: Joseph J. Mazzella I purchased another used car recently. With the price of gas soaring I was in need of a smaller vehicle that could get me better mileage. I found just such a car at a tiny lot just a few miles from my home. I named the car, "Little Gracie" because I felt it was by the Grace of God that I had found such a great car, in such good shape, for such a low price, and from such a gracious dealer. I smile with delight now every time I ride in my "Little Gracie." She handles like a dream, sips gas, and is a joy to drive. Most of all, though, she reminds me that God’s grace surrounds us always in this life. All we have to do is accept it into our hearts. God’s grace has been with me all through my own life even when I didn’t realize it. His grace has saved me from harm many times both as a child and an adult. His grace has stayed by my side even during those times when I only wanted to listen to my own ego. His grace has been with me through pain, problems, grief, suffering, tragedies, and even despair. His grace has even reached down and picked me up when I hit rock bottom a few times. God’s grace has been all around me as I struggled with it, learned from it, and grew in faith and love because of it. God’s grace is with me now as I write and share this with you. Ralph Waldo Emerson himself said that "All writing comes by the Grace of God, and all doing and having." The truth is that God’s grace isn’t just for helping you get through this life. It is for helping you to live it too. It is only with God’s grace that you can live fully. It is only with God’s grace that you can give totally. It is only with God’s grace that you can love unconditionally. May you always accept and welcome God’s love and grace into your life. May you always fill your days, your heart, and your soul with it. May you always find the greatest joy in life by sharing it with others as well. -<>- .---. .--. ___/ \ / `.-"" `-, ; ; / O O \ / `. \ /-' _ J-.__; _.' (" / `. -=: `: `, -=| | F\ i, ; -| | | | || \_J fsc mmm! `mmM Mmm' >5 Things I Learned from Elephants About how to be gentle and generous. By Caitlin O'Connell-Rodwell Stanford, California I have studied the communication systems of wild elephant herds for 14 years, and ironically, studying them taught me about being human. 1. Communicate with intention and reverence. When elephants greet each other, one will put its trunk tip in the other's mouth. The greeting is very purposeful and treated with such reverence. Humans also have ritual greetings, but we take them for granted sometimes. I've never seen an elephant take the ritual of greeting for granted. 2. Slow down and focus on one task at a time. Elephants are incredibly subtle, and they act slowly and deliberately. Seeing them fully focused on each interaction reminds me that though we live in a busy world, rather than scrambling around trying do five things at once we should just give ourselves fully to the task that's at hand. 3. Mentorship has its privileges. At 12 to 15 years old, young bulls are nudged into independence. They seek out older bulls as mentors. Some elders aren't interested and end up alone. The mentors who accept the responsibility get their proteges' lifelong loyalty. Great relationships can spring from simply sharing your time and knowledge. 4. There's strength in connection. Certain young bulls will reach out to foreign bulls who enter their home turf. Later on, if these young bulls are away from home, their new acquaintances help protect them. This outside connection even makes bullies within their own group keep a respectful distance. Reaching out to another makes both of you stronger. 5. Taking risks and being persistent will lead to success. I had an idea that elephants communicate with each other by sending vibrations through the ground and listening to them with their feet. Some people dismissed it. Determined, I kept my research going by cobbling together small grants. In the end, I was rewarded for my hard work. I proved my theory and wrote a book, which enables me to keep studying these wonderful creatures! -<>- _|_ | _|_ //_/\ __| ||____ ////////////\ /////////////\\ A Carpenter's Story |^^^^^^^^^^||+| | # # # |||| .... ....". ||||||||||||||||| unknown My Mother's father worked as a carpenter. On this particular day, he was building some crates for the clothes his church was sending to orphanages in China. On his way home, he reached into his shirt pocket to find his glasses, but they were gone. When he mentally replayed his earlier actions, he realized what had happened; the glasses had slipped out of his pocket unnoticed and fallen into one of the crates, which he had nailed shut. His brand new glasses were heading for China! The Great Depression was at its height and Grandpa had six children. He had spent $20 for those glasses that very morning. He was upset by the thought of having to buy another pair. 'It's not fair,' he told God as he drove home in frustration. I've been very faithful in giving of my time and money to your work, and now this. Months later, the director of the orphanage was on furlough in the United States. He wanted to visit all the churches that supported him in China, so he came to speak one Sunday at my grandfather's small church in Chicago. The missionary began by thanking the people for their faithfulness in supporting the orphanage. 'But most of all,' he said, 'I must thank you for the glasses you sent last year. You see, the Communists had just swept through the orphanage, destroying everything, including my glasses. I was desperate. Even if I had the money, there was simply no way of replacing those glasses. Along with not being able to see well, I experienced headaches every day, so my coworkers and I were much in prayer about this. Then your crates arrived. When my staff removed the covers, they found a pair of glasses lying on top. The missionary paused long enough to let his words sink in. Then, still gripped with the wonder of it all, he continued: 'Folks, when I tried on the glasses, it was as though they had been custom made just for me! I want to thank you for being a part of that.' The people listened, happy for the miraculous glasses. But the missionary surely must have confused their church with another, they thought. There were no glasses on their list of items to be sent overseas. But sitting quietly in the back, with tears streaming down his face, an ordinary carpenter realized the Master Carpenter had used him in an extraordinary way. There are times we want to blame God instead of thanking him! I have to remember this in these times of trials of my own. May GOD bless your week. Look for the perfect mistakes. 'People are like tea bags- - you have to put them in hot water before you know how strong they are. Now isn't' that just like God to do something like that? --- .-. .-. | .-. | | | | | | ___ | | | |/ _ \ ___ | /o\_'||.' o `. | \=/ /|| `---' A - OK! \ ___// \ \____/ (`__') ///////\\\\\\\ `--.____.--' . . . Thanks God! ...You just never know what God has planned. We ask God that we be part of His plan and want to do our best for Him but often grumble when we think things go wrong for us not knowing till later what it was all about! If we thank God for the best and expect it every day, then we should be less prone to grumble when things get a little rough for us because, we cannot see the whole picture - God Can so we should be thankful and trust God like little children. It is like my son recently. He bid on and won a computer system on eBay for a customer. He was thrilled as he was able to get the customer more value and it was going to be great all the way around. Well, it turned out that the person who sold the system on eBay told him that he was so sorry. He was just a kid and hadn't known how things work on eBay and didn't think the system would go so cheaply [there were over 12 bidders for it]. The seller said he had told eBay he wasn't going to sell it at the closing price. Well, my son was very disappointed and upset. They had a contract and it should of been honored. But he finally relented and just gave the 18 year old a bad comment and went looking for another system. He found one almost immediately and quite easily. It turned out to be a greater system and even cheaper then the one before! He won it on eBay. What a deal! And when he won it, the seller was happy and OK with the final selling auction price so all was good. Sometimes you just never know. Did Victor not get that system because God had a better one in mind for him and his customer or was God just giving him a better one to make up for the one he got ripped off not getting? Either way, God made it right and made sure his child was blessed and happy. Isn't God Good? :) -<>- >Links: Vangdewind http://www.buffaloschips.com/7705.htm Vehicle Barrier http://www.buffaloschips.com/7706.htm Video Game http://www.buffaloschips.com/7707.htm Seniors Boating http://www.buffaloschips.com/7708.htm Signs You're Having A Bad Day! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/badday.html USS New York LPD-21 Tribute http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ussny.html Amazing Air Cars http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/aircars.html Cool Hot Air Balloons http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/hotair.html Between Day And Night http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dayandnight.html Astronomy Picture Archive http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html Fire Safety http://www.firesafety.gov/ All About The Butterfly http://www.thebutterflysite.com/ Butterfly Inspiring Stories http://butterflywebsite.com/discover/stories.cfm The World's Most Wanted http://www.mostwanted.org/ When The Parents Are Gone http://www.buffaloschips.com/71607.htm Whit Arlington http://www.buffaloschips.com/71608.htm Why I Go To Weddings http://www.buffaloschips.com/71609.htm Why Buy Expensive Toys http://www.buffaloschips.com/71610.htm Water Leak Problem http://www.buffaloschips.com/71007.htm Water Power http://www.buffaloschips.com/71008.htm Way Cool Toy http://www.buffaloschips.com/71009.htm Subscribe send a blank email to: the-inspired-buffalo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ================================================================= >-->From HeartWarmers: ,,, _,_ _@_ _(_ _?_ >*< _/. .\_ _/- -\_ _/, ,\_ _/' '\_ _/a a\_ _/. .\_ (.\_o_/.) (.\_-_/.) (,\_e_/') (.\_^_/.) (.\_~_/') (.\_c_/.) (.`,.`'.') (.`,.'.'.) (.`'.,'.') ('.,'.`'.) (.'.,'.`.) (.,'.,'',) ('.`,'`,) ('.`,'',) ('.','.`) ('.,'.',) ('.,'.`.) (',.'`.,) ('.`,'`) ('.','`) (.'.,'.) ('.`.,') ('.','') (.'.'.') jgs `--'"` `--'"` `--'"` `--'"' `--'"' `--'"' >TOO MANY CHILDREN? I am not a writer, and as a matter of fact, English was always my worst subject in school. But this is something near and dear to me, so please hear me out... I work for a very large company with many employees, most of whom I do not know. As I was walking in one morning shortly after Thanksgiving, I overheard two ladies talking about the needy family that had been "adopted" for Christmas by her husband's company. She was very upset over the family that had been selected as they had "too many children" and that they should not have had that many if they couldn't take care of them. My blood was boiling, but I bit my tongue. She continued that she and her husband decided not to give anything this year because why should they help a family that "just didn't know when to stop". The second lady agreed. I couldn't help myself. I turned around and, as calmly as I could, asked them what they really knew of this family. The lady who had been doing all the talking explained that there were seven kids, the oldest of which was only 10. The parents were only thirty and "obviously they started too young, instead of getting an education to provide for their family". She knew their first names, their ages, favorite colors, and items needed and wanted for Christmas. The list of wants/needs was pretty basic -- hats, mittens, coats, a doll for little Susie, a truck for Joe, etc., nothing extravagant at all. The "problem" was just that they had "too many children". At that point, I introduced myself, and explained I was also in my early thirties and had "too many children". I also had seven children, and my oldest was only 8. The women decided my situation was different since I was working and providing for my children and that they were not being "adopted by strangers for Christmas". I then told them that most of my kids also had their names on Christmas want lists and would very desperately love to be adopted for Christmas -- permanently adopted by a "real" family! You see, six of my seven children are FOSTER children. They stammered, they stuttered, they apologized, they had never thought of that. I gave them a few other possible cases as to how a family can end up with "too many children". It could be anything -- death of the parents, combined families, grandparents raising grandchildren, etc. After hearing this, the ladies said they wished they would have done something to contribute, but it was too late as the collection had been completed and already turned in. I knew they could see things differently now. I explained how I often got rude comments at the grocery store when I took my kids and used government vouchers (these are government subsidies for food for low income families, and are provided for kids in foster care). Cruel comments like, "you shouldn't have so many children if you can't afford to feed them". My oldest one asked me one day after hearing this, "Mom, can we afford all of this food?" She was truly bothered by these comments (we routinely spend $300 a week in groceries, after the vouchers). I don't explain it to strangers in the store as it would only hurt the kids more, as they have all learned to dislike that f-word (foster) as this makes them different, even a feeling of being unwanted or unloved. But many of our family and friends are teaching others not to be so quick to assume and judge. The ladies and I continued to talk for awhile and I showed them pictures of my seven kids. We talked about the number of children in foster care, orphanages, and waiting to be adopted in the United States. It's incredible that there are so many children in need. In some way, she was right -- the "problem" is that there are just "too many children" -- too many who need to be loved and cared for, and yes even adopted, not only for Christmas but for forever. The following morning, when I arrived at my desk, there sat two bags of Christmas gifts for "my" kids. It's amazing how much people really do care when they really know. -- Kathy Gerst ___________________________________________ Kathy says: Amazingly, we still have the same seven children that we had last year at Christmas, but now only three are in foster care, because we have adopted them. We are also planning to adopt the other three as soon as we can legally. I love reading Roger Kiser's stories, as these often help me see through the eyes of my children some of their feelings, fears, hopes, etc. I hope to get the word out to others before the Christmas adoptions are done -- how sometimes big families are not always what they seem. Please do not be so quick to criticize, the worst part of the rude comments is that these are often done in front of the children, and I know it causes them even more worry and stress. My husband, Ted and I live near Kansas City, Missouri, with our ever growing family, and 3 horses, 2 dogs, and a cat. ___________________________________________ You can join Heartwarmers for free! Just send an email to: join@heartwarmers.com ====================================================================== >-->From SermondFodder: >Home Schoolers _______________________ |\_____________________/| || || || _ _ || || / ) / ) __ |_| || || / -|- / -- | || || `== `== ' || || _____ || ||______________#####__|| jgs |/_____________________\| Q: How does a home schooler change a light bulb? A: First, mom checks three books on electricity out of the library, then the kids make models of light bulbs, read a biography of Thomas Edison and do a skit based on his life. Next, everyone studies the history of lighting methods, wrapping up with dipping their own candles. Next, everyone takes a trip to the store where they compare types of light bulbs as well as prices and figure out how much change they'll get if they buy two bulbs for $1.99 and pay with a five dollar bill. On the way home, a discussion develops over the history of money and also Abraham Lincoln, as his picture is on the five dollar bill. Finally, after building a homemade ladder out of branches dragged from the woods, the light bulb is installed. And there is light. Hats off to home schoolers! Pastor Tim's CleanLaugh List - http://www.cybersalt.org/cleanlaugh To subscribe or manage your existing subscription, go to: http://www.cybersaltlists.org -<>- >SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT - Second Coming _ _ _ _ . /\\/%\ . /%\/%\ . __.<\\%#//\,_ <%%#/%%\,__ . . <%#/|\\%%%#///\ /^%#%%\///%#\\ ""/%/""\ \""//| |/""'/ /\//"//' . L/'` \ \ ` " / / ``` ` \ \ . / / . . . \ \ / / . . \ \ / / . . . ..:\ \:::/ /:. . . ______________/ \__;\___/\;_/\________________________________ YwYwYwYwYwYwYwYwYwYwYwYwYwYwYwYwYwYwYwYwYwYwYwYwYwYwYwYwYwYwYw unknown A small boy from a non-Christian home in Hawaii once enrolled in a children's Bible class. He thoroughly enjoyed himself. He listened to the stories, shared in the songs and play, and became a leader in group activities. Day after day he heard stories of Jesus - a new name to him - until finally he seemed to feel as if he knew Him. Then one day his teacher told him that when Jesus was here on earth He had no home. "'Foxes have holes,' " she repeated, "'and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has no where to lay His head.' Jesus had no place He could call His own." The boy listened, and when she finished he came up to her quietly. "Teacher," he said, "this Jesus - didn't He have any home?" "No, sonny, not here." "And you say He's coming back here again?" "Yes, soon." The boy's face brightened, and he said firmly, "Teacher, you tell Jesus when He comes again that we have plenty of room for Him at our house." By James H. Stirling Source: Signs of the Times, Copyright (c) September 22, 1953, Pacific Press, http://www.pacificpress.com/signs ==================================================================== >-->From AndyChaps: ,n888888n, .8888888888b You Need EARS Like ME! 888888888888nd8P~''8g, 88888888888888 _ `'~\. .n. `Y888888888888. / _ |~\\ (8"8b ,nnn.. 8888888b. | \ \m\|8888P ,d8888888888888888b. \8b|.\P~ ~P8~ 888888888888888P~~_~ `8B_| | ~888888888~'8' d8. ~ _/ ~Y8888P' ~\ | |~|~b,__ __--~ --~~\ ,d8888888b.\`\_/ __/~ \_ d88888888888b\_-~8888888bn. \8888P "Y888888888888"888888bn. /~'\_"__) "d88888888P,-~~-~888 / / ) ~\ ,888888/~' / / / 8' ( / / / |) ) / '"88(/ ~ / / | ( /_/ /~ \( _/ / (_(_ ( /~~\/ , O,/~\___/_/' ~~~ | \_ ( )( \_| -- by Gordon M"uller __--~"mb ,g8888b. _/ 8888b(.8P"~'~---__ / ~~~| / ,/~~~~--, `\ ( ~\,_) (/ ~-_`\ \ -__---~._ \ ~\\ ( )\\ )) `\ ) "-_ `| \__ __/ ~-__ __--~ ~~"~ ~~~ >Hearing God -Author Unknown The young man had lost his job and didn't know which way to turn. So he went to see the old preacher. Pacing about the preacher's study, the young man ranted about his problem. Finally he clenched his fist and shouted, "I've begged God to say something to help me. Tell me, Preacher, why doesn't God answer?" The old preacher, who sat across the room, spoke something in reply -- something so hushed it was indistinguishable. The young man stepped across the room. "What did you say?" he asked. The preacher repeated himself, but again in a tone as soft as a whisper. So the young man moved closer until he was leaning on the preacher's chair. "Sorry," he said. "I still didn't hear you." With their heads bent together, the old preacher spoke once more. "God sometimes whispers," he said, "so we will move closer to hear Him." This time the young man heard and he understood. We all want God's voice to thunder through the air with the answer to our problem. But God's is the still, small voice. . .the gentle whisper. Perhaps there's a reason. Nothing draws human focus quite like a whisper. God's whisper means I must stop my ranting and move close to Him, until my head is bent together with His. And then, as I listen, I will find my answer. Better still, I find myself closer to God. ~~~Posted From: Something to Think About~~~ -<>- , - \O , .-.___ - /\ O/ /xx\XXX\ - __/\ ` /\ |xx|XXX| ` \, () ` << |xx|XXX| jgs^^^^^^^^`^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >A MOMENT TO REMEMBER... YOU ARE MY SON --author unknown I was watching some little kids play soccer. These kids were only five or six years old, but they were playing a real game--a serious game: two teams, complete with coaches, uniforms and parents. I didn't know any of them, so I was able to enjoy the game without the distraction of being anxious about winning or losing--I wished the parents and coaches could have done the same. The teams were pretty evenly matched. I will just call them Team One and Team Two. Nobody scored in the first period. The kids were hilarious. They were clumsy and terribly inefficient. They fell over their own feet, they stumbled over the ball, they kicked at the ball and missed it but they didn't seem to care. They were having fun. In the second quarter, the Team One coach pulled out what must have been his first team and put in the scrubs, except for his best player, who now guarded the goal. The game took a dramatic turn. I guess winning is important even when you're five years old, because the Team Two coach left his best players in, and the Team One scrubs were no match for them. Team Two swarmed around the little guy who was now the Team One goalie. He was an outstanding athlete, but he was no match for three or four who were also very good. Team Two began to score. The lone goalie gave it everything he had, recklessly throwing his body in front of incoming balls, trying valiantly to stop them. Team Two scored two goals in quick succession. It infuriated the young boy. He became a raging maniac--shouting, running, diving. With all the stamina he could muster, he covered the boy who now had the ball, but that boy kicked it to another boy twenty feet away, and by the time he re-positioned himself, it was too late--they scored a third goal. I soon learned who the goalie's parents were. They were nice, decent- looking people. I could tell that his dad had just come from the office-- he still had his suit and tie on. They yelled encouragement to their son. I became totally absorbed, watching the boy on the field and his parents on the sidelines. After the third goal, the little kid changed. He could see it was no use; he couldn't stop them. He didn't quit, but he became quietly desperate futility was written all over him. His father changed too. He had been urging his son to try harder--yelling advice and encouragement. But then he changed. He became anxious. He tried to say that it was okay--to hang in there. He grieved for the pain his son was feeling. After the fourth goal, I knew what was going to happen. I've seen it before. The little boy needed help so badly, and there was no help to be had. He retrieved the ball from the net and handed to the referee-- and then he cried. He just stood there while huge tears rolled down both cheeks. He went to his knees and put his fists to his eyes--and he cried the tears of the helpless and brokenhearted. When the boy went to his knees, I saw the father start onto the field. His wife clutched his arm and said, "Jim, don't. You'll embarrass him." But he tore loose from her and ran onto the field. He wasn't supposed to--the game was still in progress. Suit, tie, dress shoes and all--he charged onto the field, and he picked up his son so everybody would know that this was his boy, and he hugged him and held him and cried with him. I've never been so proud of a man in my life. He carried him off the field, and when he got close to the sidelines I heard him say, "Scotty, I'm so proud of you. You were great out there. I want everybody to know that you are my son." "Daddy," the boy sobbed, "I couldn't stop them. I tried, Daddy, I tried and tried, and they scored on me." "Scotty, it doesn't matter how many times they scored on you. You're my son, and I'm proud of you. I want you to go back out there and finish the game. I know you want to quit, but you can't. And, son, you're going to get scored on again, but it doesn't matter. Go on, now." It made a difference--I could tell it did. When you're all alone, and you're getting scored on--and you can't stop them--it means a lot to know that it doesn't matter to those who love you. The little guy ran back on to the field--and they scored two more times--but it was okay. I get scored on every day. I try so hard. I recklessly throw my body in every direction. I fume and rage. I struggle with temptation and sin with every ounce of my being--and Satan laughs. And he scores again, and the tears come, and I go to my knees--sinful, convicted, helpless. And my Father--my Father rushes right out on the field--right in front of the whole crowd--the whole jeering, laughing world--and he picks me up, and he hugs me and he says, "I'm so proud of you. You were great out there. I want everybody to know that you are my son, and because I control the outcome of this game, I declare you -- The Winner!" ================================================================== >-->Quotes: "The most important persuasion tool you have in your entire arsenal is integrity." -- Zig Ziglar "If you want to take the meaning of the word integrity and reduce it to its simplest terms, you'd conclude that a man of integrity is a promise keeper. When he gives you his word. You can take it to the bank. His word is good." -- Bill McCartney "Integrity is not something that you should have to think about...nor consider doing...but something in the heart that is already done...then you will see long term success." -- Doug Firebaugh "When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on." -- Franklin D. Roosevelt ---> Visit my CyberHome - ALWAYS OPEN HOOUSE :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/index.html Shangrala ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->Bigham's Computer Rescue - PC Sales && Service You can trust us to provide you with quality computer sales and repair. We've been servicing the Van Wert area since 1981 and can help you with all your computer needs. Please phone us at 419-238-5806 ************************************************************************ -->This is for all you who love food andd DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do :) Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe ************************************************************************ >TO SUBSCRIBE: This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR Send a BLANK email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ************************************************************************