Christmas Long Ago And More... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@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 ================ >-->OoooWEeeee!! oo 8 "} > @ < .8 .-._/| .'_'`')`_.' \| ) / (>'/ |_,_ | (,| .' ,'\| `._/ ) \| '`- -- ''-- --- VK/ejm I'm doing a 'Happy Angel' dance! Why? Because Shangrala has been blessed with another donation from our long time Shangrala Angel, Cloie from NH! May God Bless her abundantly! She is a loyal supporter contributing to help Keep Shangrala Alive! We sure do thank God for her and all our past most sweet, caring and wonderful angels! Shangrala is only here because of you! Thank You! If you'd like to help too and be counted as a Shangrala Angel, please visit the site and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL page comes up. NOTE: Paypal will generate a 'Quantity 1' and 'Price per item' form. Just ignore the price per item and put whatever it is you desire to give in there. With Paypal, you will have your normal receipt for your 'payment' donation in USD (United States Dollars). You can put a memo in there if you'd like. EVERY LITTLE BIT WILL HELP! Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY FOR YOUR GIFT! ================ >-->2 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) Our red hot newest page is from our friend Linda. It is one that will entertain you with little short stories that take you to intriguing places around the world. Be sure to curl up next to a warm fire turn on your sound and take a few minutes to enjoy this page along with its rather loud nostalgic rock music video here... __..._ _...__ _..-" `Y` "-._ \ Once upon | / \\ a time..| // \\\ | /// \\\ _..---.|.---.._ /// jgs \\`_..---.Y.---.._`// '` `' Story behind The Photo http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/photostories.html --- ...What an interesting and fun one! Thanks Linda! This next flaming hot new page is from our friend LouiseAu, God gave us such an awesome world! This takes us to some of His most awesome and often unexplored places. Be sure to check this and the video out here... _________________ ____/#################\____ ___/################,##########\___ _/################/##/ \##\##########\_ /#################/\##| |##/\###########\ /##################\ \#| |#/ /############\ |##DWB###############\ \| |/ /#########JRB##| |####################{{{\ /}}}##############| |###################{{<.> <.>}}#############| |#####################{ | | }###############| |#####################{ | | }####_#######__#| |#####################/_| |_\##_( )###__( )_ |####################{(_)_(_)}( ` )_( '__ ` ) |#####################{VV_VV}##(__( `)_( )-` ) |#####################\^^))^/######( )_') ) |######################--((-########( ' _)__) |########################))##########(__)###| |########################(##################| |###########################################| |###########################################| |###########################################| |###########################################| \ | /########| |################################| \ | / _\|/|#######/ \####################\|/########|__\|/___ \ / \ / V World's Incredible Caves! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/incrediblecaves.html --- ...Quite beautiful! Thanks LouiseAu! -<>- *~* We Had A Wonderful Month Of Caring And Sharing Last Month! _.---,_ .' `'. \ __..-'\ }-"` \ /__,,..---.._| \ | |---..__ | / ``"-./ .'---...__ | .' ``"-./ ,--./...,,,__ / '--.'__ __```.-. /._ / ` ` ' `=/.-.|-._) | .-. .-. "\\ / || O| | O| ""=='_\ .-' '-'o '-' ""=\` `''--/- ""=-,\--._ .---|- ( ""=-. \` \ /`)"=."=|'-. '. _.-' ' "=|\| (`----` '="=|/ `-. "=/` '. =/ \ =| .-. |` "=| ( ~._ | "==| _.-~`\ \ ~. |'"="| _.-~ ) ; ~-.|.-._|_.-~ / / _-( /-.__ ( '._..--~~`/`/-'\-._ `~~- ; jgs /"=| |" =\~-...___.-~ /=" / | "==\ / = (_ \ "==\ ;="= `\_) =="\ Check These Out And Be Sure To Share Them With Your Friends: Ricochet And Jose! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ricochetjose.html Tricks For Treats 5! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/tricksfortreats5.html Origami Art! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/origamiart2.html Creative Bathroom Signs! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/toiletsigns.html Decorating A Man Cave 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mancave2.html Look Who's Talking 15! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/talking15.html BAPS Mandir Chino Hills! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mandirchinohills.html Extreme Haircuts! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/haircuts.html _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ *~* God's Most Abundant Blessings To All Our Sweet Contributors! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: A Christmas candle is a lovely thing; It makes no noise at all, But softly gives itself away. -- Eva Logue ___,@ / < ,_ / \ _, ? \`/______\`/ ,_(_). |; (e e) ;| \___ \ \/\ 7 /\/ _\8/_ \/\ \'=='/ | /| /| \ \___)--(_______|//|//| \___ () _____/|/_|/_| / () \ `----' / () \ '-.______.-' jgs _ |_||_| _ (@____) || (____@) \______||______/ >THE LITTLEST CHRISTMAS HELPERS by Kathy Whirity It takes a little effort to turn our home into a Christmas wonderland. Each year the totes filled with holiday treasures seems to magically multiply, so it takes a wee bit of motivation to get the halls decked out for the season. Turning on the radio was all we needed to turn on the Christmas cheer. Humming along to the tunes of Rudolph and Jingle Bell Rock helped us along. Bill and I, are a good team. Bill lugs in all the totes and boxes from the garage and I begin the Yuletide task of unpacking everything. Every year, I swear I'm going to take pictures of where everything goes but I never do. I tell myself I'll remember and then curse myself when I don't. This year we had unexpected helpers, our little grand girls, Avery and Gemma. Avery is a little over 3 years old and Gemma will be 2 in December. The Christmas tree was up but a strand of lights was out so Bill sat on the floor trying patiently to replace the defected set. It didn't stop Avery from gathering up ornaments and putting them on the tree. Gemma wasn't so helpful. She'd pick up an ornament and throw it back into the tote. Thankfully nothing shattered. Gemma was more enthused with the variety of snowmen I was unpacking. She began arranging them here there and everywhere. There was no pattern, no rhythm or reason. But we were accomplishing one thing -- we were having a blast with the grand kids. I showed them Baby's First Christmas ornaments that had photos of their mommy and their aunt when they were babies. I tried to keep them all in the middle of the tree, next to the pictures of them in their Baby's First Christmas ornaments. They weren't so impressed with Nonnie's nostalgia. They were too busy hanging Mistletoe on door knobs and wearing wreaths like necklaces. Every year since they've been born I've made it a tradition to buy each one a special ornament. This year, Bill got a train ornament with his name on it and the girls each got a personalized Princess castle. When Gemma, who has suddenly began talking non-stop, opened hers she looked at the pretty pink and purple castle and said, "Once Upon A Time..." When it was time for them to go home, Bill and I looked around our house, that now looked like a couple of dysfunctional elves had visited, and had a good laugh. The joy of sharing this experience with two bright eyed little helpers had reenergized my decorating duties. With Christmas carols blaring in the background I worked fast and furious to get the house done. This Christmas, I have the gift of three beautiful grandkids to share this special time of year. They are definitely the ornaments that decorate my heart with all the love this Christmas season can hold. -- Kathy Whirity __________________________________________________ Kathy is a syndicated newspaper columnist who shares her sentimental musings on family life. She is also a contributing author to The Chicken Soup For the Soul book series. You can visit her website here: http://www.kathywhirity.com =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Fran :) >Quotes: "One man practicing sportsmanship is better than a hundred teaching it." --Knute Rockne "When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another." --Helen Keller "Trust thyself only, and another shall not betray thee." --Thomas Fuller -<>- _.-O-._ o_o_o_o_o \_`___`_/ } /. .\ { } | _c_ | { __}_\www/_{__ (((( { } )))) | |o { } o| | | |o {_} o| | |_\o _ o/_| \_/==L_I//\_/ \)-.__//-(/ | : //: | | :|/ : | | : | : | | : | : | |---|---| jgs |__ | __| (___|___) >Christmas Long Ago "Frosty days and ice-still nights, Fir trees trimmed with tiny lights, Sound of sleigh bells in the snow, That was Christmas long ago. Tykes on sleds and shouts of glee, Icy-window filigree, Sugarplums and candle glow, Part of Christmas long ago. Footsteps stealthy on the stair, Sweet-voiced carols in the air, Stocking hanging in a row, Tell of Christmas long ago. Starry nights so still and blue, Good friends calling out to you, Life, so fact, will always slow... For dreams of Christmas long ago." ~ Jo Geis ~ -<>- _____ __________ \_+_/ | .//`\\. | _______ ((o,o)) | | | '.=.' | | EKCFL | _)_(_ | | flpeb | /' \ / '\ | | ,.,., | / (_ | _) \ | |_______| / / )_o_( \ \ |() \ \/ \/ / | \/_) (_\/ _|__|~|_______ | | |______________ | | , ||, ' Sher^ |_______| || , \ | / || , I was slated to undergo knee replacement surgery at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. The hospital strongly recommended that my wife and I attend a class that would explain what to expect on the day of surgery and during the ensuing therapy. We had no hesitation signing up for the class; it seemed like a no-brainer. The day came for the presentation. The presenter was a nurse with 29 years of experience. We knew this was going to be a most helpful hour of learning all we had to know about the operation I was soon to have. This nurse was a consummate professional and as thorough as we hoped she would be. She welcomed questions and never seemed to hurry through the answers. I had a few to ask her and felt she gave me straightforward, helpful answers. The door to the classroom remained open, as there was no distracting noise to be of any concern. About halfway through the session, a very distinguished gentleman appeared at the doorway, stuck his head in the room, and announced that Karen was one of the hospital's most valued employees. He said that we would do well to listen carefully to all she had to teach us. Karen's face blushed as she heard this man's affirmations. As he hurried on his way, she knew we must have been wondering who this gentleman was that spoke so kindly of her. Somewhat embarrassed, she let us know he was the hospital's CEO. It made me wonder how many CEOs would make the spontaneous effort to voice such positive thoughts in such a setting. As brief as the interaction was, it did, without doubt, leave a lasting effect on this nurse's self-esteem. By Richard M. Rosene --- ....So nice! Thank You Fran! =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: ,( ,( ,( ,( ,( ,( ,( ,( `-' `-' `-' `-' `-' `-' `-' `-' ` unknown >Pleasures The waves are'nt always gentel and water is rarely free. Often life is difficult Dear but we can't avoid the sea. So, choose your companions and remember times tides hurry in and away but they can't take the pleasures by love, we find each treasured day. copyright 2002 by Mary Jo S. Aiken -<>- _...._ .' '. / _ _ \ | O O | ; ; .-;-. \ '--' / /\.7./\ .-. '. .' .-./\/ )/ (_ \ ) ( / _)/ ` \ '-' '-' /\/ '. () .'\/ | | |/ | () | ; ; | () | ; /\ ; _ / / \ \ _ jgs / ` .' '. ` \ \___.' '.___/ >TO MAKE THE SEASON BRIGHT..... During this time of the year many people find themselves having problems with balancing what they want to do and need to do; not realizing there is a difference. Even as Christians it is often difficult to shut out those things that make us feel we should be doing all and everything. The list below are some items to chose from that may help you start some family traditions that will become meaningful. Let stress take a back seat to joy as you do things that your children can inherit and pass down to their families. Plan an evening and volunteer to serve food to the residents at a Mission, Shelter or Soup Kitchen. Listen to them share why they are there, you will be blessed and yet surprised as you find that people who are homeless come from all walks of life. Get your Christmas tapes or CD's out and play them while you are working around the house. Light a candle, get into the festive mood. Call a friend who maybe spending her first Christmas alone this year, plan a day around lunch, and listen while she opens her heart to you. Make plans to attend a Christmas musical or play in your area. Many large Churches and Community Theaters have them, check your local paper. Plan a cookie exchange with some of your friends. Invite women to bring several dozen cookies and the recipe, and after an evening of fun and laughter, have each woman exchange with others, so they can take home a variety. This is especially nice if you have kids who eagerly look forward to cookies and treats during the holidays. If you know someone who doesn't get out much, call and volunteer to take her shopping when you go the next time. If she is unable to do that because of physical problems, offer to pick up a few things she needs for the holidays. Send a Christmas gift and a card to a service man/gal who is over seas. Tell them how much their contribution means to you and your family Be sure to send along a photograph of the gang and have each family member sign the card. Address your Christmas cards early and get any packages to the post office by December 10th this year. Especially if they are going over seas. Make plans with your family to exchange gifts that are home made or something you treasure and want them to have. Perhaps an item a younger sibling might cherish from you. Or something handed down from another family member. Adopt a family that you know needs financial help this year. Gift certificates are best to use for grocery and department stores. Churches usually can share a name with you, or you may know of someone who is out of work and the budget is tight. Have a "Music Fun Night" even if you don't all play instruments. Use old spoons, tin items, pans and your imagination! Let everyone pick a favorite song and sing with only the Christmas tree lights on. Encourage your children to invite their friends to your Church Christmas play or party. Look for opportunities to include others who may never go to Church. Make a big bowl of eggnog and along with homemade cookies, sit quietly in the dark, with a candles glow and listen to someone share the Christmas story. © Copyright, Diane Dean White 2003 Diane is a former newspaper reporter and freelance writer. Her new book BEACH WALKS is a variety of inspirational and heartwarming short stories. Her book can be reviewed at: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1403366888/heart/ref=nosim She also has an outreach for women called SEEDS of ENCOURAGEMENT at: http://www.heartwarmers4u.com/members/?thelamb212 Diane and her husband Stephen, are the parents of three grown children and two grand-gals. They make their home on the Carolina coast where Diane continues her love for writing. -<>- L E T I T .--._ S / (`{_} ) *\ N / | |* '. O /_...._* \ ;' ____ '.| W _ _ / .' `'. \ _ /` `| / `\ _ (_/ e e \_) _/ ` / | ' |_ | /) | ( '. _.-' '. .' ) \ // , / .' `._) `(_.' '. /'(/"""`_.;,_.'* / \ * './ `----`\.:\\ / \ * \ :: :: :| .|| * / '. ':: :: _/:'|' / '. * `````/` |* .' | * /.:'/ | \ * ,'` /* / .'._ / .:'| _.'. .' `"|.:' \ '. / \' .:. \ ; \ .:' '-._ ; " "-. _| ':' .:' = |- "`` --. | '. .:' = | ; `-:_= ; \ / jgs '. .' `"- ... -- "` >Get Over It! By Monique Nicole Fox Are you having writers block And need some motivation? Well pick up the bible And let it be your stimulation. And Get Over It! Are you discouraged Because of letters of rejection When you think your work is good? Well do some meditation, Say a prayer and do some spiritual reflection. And Get Over It! Are you scared of criticism from your writing groups? So you do not even post or submit. The only judgement you need to consider is God's. His wisdom and knowledge is well documented and lit. So Get Over It! All of your writing trials and tribulations Are turned inside out and upside down Just by having God in your life And ALWAYS keeping Him around! -<>- * /.\ /..'\ /'.'\ /.''.'\ /.'.'.\ "'""""/'.''.'.\""'"'" jgs ^^^[_]^^^ >The Long Ago Christmas Tree When I was a young girl, my sister and I would pick a day and look for our tree. We went down on the farm and cut our own. We would get all bundled up in our woolies, gloves, and hats and off we would go walking forever looking for just the right one. The trees were Cedar all growing here and there in clumps. they were all shapes and sizes. We would look and look and then change our minds and then move on to the next ones. We did not cut anything until we were sure it was the right one. We also were lucky enough to find some holly with red berries and maybe some mistletoe too. We were getting a bit tired when we saw the mistletoe. it was just over our head on a pretty good oak tree lim , my sister spotted it too and off she ran and climbed up onto the tree to reach it, as she leaned out to get it she lost her grip and fell on her back to the ground. I ran over to her and by then she sat up and let out a yell, because she had knocked the breath from her when she fell. I decided we would skip the mistletoe this year as I was going to have a bit of explaining of the bruise that was turning colors on her eye. We spotted the tree later that we wanted and I began to chop it down and both of us had to carry it over the ground. We loved the wonderful smell of the Cedar and Holly and Red Berries that we had also gathered along the way, I knew we were lucky on this day. And as we started for home I was also looking forward to my mother's hot chocolate made from scratch. Dad would saw and shape a board to put on the bottom to make it stand so nice and tall and we would all decorate it together with the strings of popcorn, and paper chains we had made and then the ornaments that mother unwrapped from the newspaper she had placed around them year after year. The last to go on was a star that had been cut from a piece of cardboard and covered in tin foil. We had no string of lights to make things twinkle or shine way back then, but we were all so happy and care free in that cozy farm house a long time ago. @ luci G. 12-2-03 Anne Glover...... Here is also my poem.... The tree this is the day we plan to pick out our tree. we walk and walk and look and see looking for that perfect tree. That one is too fat, that one is way too tall , and oh my that one is just too small. We've looked them all over and there is no more to see. Alas, look over there it was just waiting to be picked for our perfect tree. @luciG 12-3-02 by Anne glover... My name is Anne Glover luci@... I live in a small town near Tupelo ,Ms. I am 64 years old . I was raised on a small farm near Memphis,Tenn.. and I chased my husband for 25 years all over the world as he was a military man.We have been married for 45 years. We had a daughter in Okla.. our son was born in Tenn., and our youngest daughter was born in Fort Ord, Calif.. We have 5 grand's and now 5 great grand's. I write poems and have lots of journals of my life and times of growing up on a small farm and moving to lots of cities. I have had a Dystonia diseise for the last 7 years called "Spasmodic Tortocollis. my head is turned to the left. I love crafts and walking. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Got A Nanosecond 7? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/nano7.html Buttons The Elk! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/buttons.html Humor In Politics 14! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/politics14.html Unforgettable Photos! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/unforgettable.html Zion The Lion! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/zionthelion.html The REAL Old West! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/oldwest.html Inspiring President Quotes! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/presidentquotes.html True Heroes! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/trueheroes.html Making A Difference 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/makingdifference2.html Chocolate Train! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/chocolatetrain.html Incredible Wildlife Photos 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wildlife2.html God's Paintings!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gpaints.html I Believe In You!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ibelieveinyou.html Maxine On Jesus!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/maxineonjesus.html Christmas And New Years Menu https://tinyurl.com/y4xyz2w8 -<>- Bible: That’s Ironic https://tinyurl.com/uluth3k -<>- >In The News: Westwing News: https://www.whitehouse.gov/westwingreads/ WhiteHouseNews: 63 million Americans vs. 3 liberal professors https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600daily/ VA News https://tinyurl.com/vowp4cm Latest From AFA: http://tinyurl.com/j7lakqw Students For Life https://tinyurl.com/yd5nxmu6 Latest From OperationRescue: http://www.operationrescue.org/ Latest Product Alert: Salads, Coleslaw, Generators http://www.emergencyemail.org/products/?fmt=text Latest Health Alert: Listeria Found in Salads and Sushi http://www.emergencyemail.org/health/?fmt=text Click to Give Free https://tinyurl.com/y2abb8d2 -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) Amazing Christmas display with 176 channels and 45,000 lights! The show is so popular that it requires a crew of 3 people to manage the traffic. https://youtu.be/mnk0KjWxgMA An Interview With God is a beautiful short story about a man who dreams he has a chance to speak with God. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moBvLFbFdJ4 Vocal band Home Free performs “How Great Thou Art” in this beautiful music video. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of some mountains in Austria as you listen to Home Free sing this song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXQpDDcrN-w --- ...I Love These! Thanks LouiseAu! -<>- >From Our Friend Fran :) The People vs Winter - YouTube https://tinyurl.com/h9etqv7 --- ...TeeHee! Great! Thanks Fran! Visit Melissa's Online Store You can get anything you want (except for Melissa ) at the online store http://pdhomes.net/mall/babylissa/mySTORES/ISELL4.html ========================================================== ..'''::::... .::' `'''':::.. '...::' `.----. /_.--._\ , | =-| ,/ \,|=- | ,/ /`\ \, -| ,/ /'.-.`\ \, | ,/ /`//_|_\\`\ \| ,/ /` ||_|_|| `\;/\, ,/ /` ||_|_|| ,/ /\ \, ,/ /` ==_ `-----',/ /`/\`\ \, ,/ /` __| ,/ /` ~\/~=`\ \, ,/ /`==_ _|___- ,/ /` ==-= `\ \, ,/ /` --= ,/ /` |-- `\ \, ,/ /` |__ .... = ,/ /`o = .-""""-. o`\ \, / /`| .'_.._'./ /; {_} .'.-""""-.'. {_} `\ \ |/` |_| =/.; || ;|/` | |:|/.' ____ '.\|:| | `\| | |/_|_||_|_\| |=\:/|| /|__|\ ||\:/ | | -=|| | || | || | | || |_|__|_| || ||_| | , ||-|-||-|-||=| T || |_|__|_| || T | |/_\||_|_||_|_||-|' || .::. ||= _ | /_ (|| | || | || | =_|| /::::::\ || __P|_ /_\ \|-|-||-|-|| | || |::()::| ||/\ | `\ `>/ _\\_|_||_|_||-|-'|_|| \/`\/`\/ ||||_____| /_/ <---------' | ||()\_/\_/ ||/ || / ` \_ ( ==_ __| |_|_ || /\ \ || =_|| `/_) | _ <` _ | || /_/\_\ || || > / \ == _ = | - || ||= || jgs /_/ ( \ `\ __ =|-_|_||----------||_| || )-._/ _\ _,-(' __.;-'- `""""""""""` `||-. '-,._ \__.-`-;''` ``--'`""'""`""""`-- `-- ' ``` `""""`"""'"`""" ----' >The Christmas Perpetrator Story Editor: by "Mom to Six" Joyce Schowalter Washington, USA In December 2007, my husband had been out of work for six months and was attending Seminary to become an ordained minister. He intended to go back into the Army as a Chaplain. During his school money was tight, to say the least. Of our six children, the oldest was 19 and usually pretty handy with electronics. Dad had told him, "I wouldn't open that DVD player if I were you." Well, he wasn't dad, he did open it: It quit working. A new DVD player wasn't on our list to buy, not with car repairs, utility bills and a mortgage company wanting money. That Christmas didn't seem likely to be very present heavy, but I determined to make it happy. We did cheap things -- parades, community fun days, baking cookies, making candy and homemade gift baskets. Perhaps those things weren't as exciting as loading the tree with gifts, but hopefully my children would learn that family togetherness and traditions are more important than "stuff". One evening after dinner I was standing in the kitchen when the doorbell rang. I went to answer it and opened it to find no one there. Aargh, I hate it when those rotten neighbor kids "ring and run." I was determined to find them this time! In slippers, I headed out to the sidewalk to find the perpetrator and give them a good tongue-lashing. Heading toward the mailbox, I heard someone near the house and called out. "OK, you may think it's funny to ring the doorbell and run, but I don't!" Then I saw movement. Ha! I had them now. Someone moved behind my car, probably thinking they could scoot around the back of the truck and be home free. But I had parked so you couldn't get in between the garage and the garbage cans. I stood at the end of the driveway. "Come out," I said, in my biggest, scary Mom voice. "I can see you there!" A muffled, disguised voice replied, "Hey lady, go check your door!" Huh? I stopped short -- what was up? "I checked, there isn't anything at my door," I replied. "Not at your door, on your door," came the same muffled, somewhat familiar voice from behind the garbage. "Oh." I said, as light dawned. (Oops!) Embarrassed, I sheepishly left the confrontation at the end of the driveway and went to the door. There, right under the porch light was a red envelope taped to the door. I took it inside and the "Christmas Perpetrator" slunk away in the darkness, his identity still a mystery. Inside the envelope was a department store gift card for $250, with a note that said "This card will explode at the checkout if you purchase a DVD-VCR, so don't do it." And to think I imagined that Christmas might be boring. Wherever you are, Christmas Perp, I hope your days are jolly and that you know: at our home we're still grateful to you. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From LaughAndLift: Discipline, once considered "standard household equipment," has fallen on hard times, and in its place permissiveness reigns. .-------. |# | __|_______|__ _ '-/ 0 0 \-' \\/ | V | ==.\ \ '...' / _o_ \\ /`'.__ ,-'\ .-'---'-. \\| | \ / _....._\ \/'-.....\ _/|`\ | / e.e \| ; | (\ '-. \| ._. // | o \ \\ '-=_~ ( '-.__.-' `| ; o | |\\ _=_=~ .'`-_ _/ `\ \ o _=' / \\ ~ / / `)-.;_ | .'.__ ,-_~_=`, /\\__ \___\_/ / \ / / ~ ~ \ \\ / '...\__./`\ / \ `-.,___/\___..-' ; ; | _ | | | |___|___| ; ; jgs / T \ \ / '---'---' '.__ __.' `` ' ``` >Under Control (By Bayless Conley, taken from "Under Control" devotional - bracketed text added by Chris Long) There are way too many young Christians who are out of control in their physical relationship with the opposite gender. So, mom or dad, here is something you can share with your kids in connection with relating to the opposite sex. Be prepared, I am going to be blunt. 1. Any body part they have that you don't have, don't touch it. Any equipment they have that you don't have, it is hands off! 2. Do not put any part of your body into any part of their body. 3. Do not get horizontal. Don't even sit on the couch watching TV, and lay down in one another's arms. If you do, you know where that can lead. 4. If you are going to kiss, let it be short and meaningful. Don't allow yourselves to get into a wrestling match. Again, it is hard to find the switch to turn it off once you get going. [If you can't do this without being tempted, perhaps you should lay off the kissing altogether!) 5. Finally, let things like holding hands or putting your arm around your boyfriend or girlfriend actually be meaningful. If you are single, apply these rules, and they could save you a lot of grief! -<>- "I talked with Keith (Green) about a month before he died, and he told me, "You know, Steve, I finally realized that it's not 'they' that have to get their lives together but it's 'we' who have to get our lives together." And I have to say that for myself. It's been easy to stand on a platform the last few years and to point the finger at people and the inadequacies and shortcomings in their Christian lives. But when I finally slowed down enough to look at my own life, I realized that I couldn't do that anymore. When I exhort, it's from within now, but it's got to always be with love." - Steve Camp . | . | . | \|/ \ / -= * =- '. .----. .' /|\ / \ ' | ' -= | .----. | | / /""\ | / \( / m m ' ) ) - ) / /-./~` ( ( `.`\ /| . ) )\ \/_/ / . | . ( ( \_.-'` \ ' / \ \.| -= <*^*^*> =- jgs |\____\\ | ( " ) | _) \ |()'"'()| _.-' , | | (___) | /| . ` ; (`-.___.-') /_/____________/ '-.___.-' >A Heart of Compassion (By Luis J. Castillo) There is no greater evidence that Christ is being formed in us than when we find ourselves showing compassion towards those who are bound by sin. The other day, I came across a long-haired hippie-type man with a beer can in his hand. He apparently needed someone to talk to. He went on- and-on about his difficult life and his love for Harley Davidson motorcycles and vintage rock music. Although I was in a hurry to be someplace else, I sensed the Holy Spirit say to me, "Be patient with him and show him the love of Christ." As we talked for a while, I found out he was a "Baptist" and had attended church regularly at one time. He asked me to give him a ride up the street. As I did, I was able to give him my testimony and encourage him to re-commit his life to Christ. As I dropped him off at his destination (which turned out to be a local saloon), he agreed to come to church with me one day soon. Afterwards, I interceded for him and thanked the Lord for making me sensitive to this man's condition. Before I received Christ into my life, I probably would have brushed him off as human "trash". I was self-righteous and critical of other people. But Jesus changed my judgmental heart and taught me to love others as He did. The apostle John said it best, "He that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him" 1 John 4:16. If the Spirit of God indeed lives in us, we will learn to love as God loves. Though God hates sin, He loves the sinner, and fills us with tenderness and compassion towards those who are ravaged by the dreadful disease of sin. His desire is to save and heal them, and He uses us to demonstrate His longsuffering and mercy. Jesus was criticized for witnessing to sinners, but His response was, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick....For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" Matt. 9:12-13. Do you have difficulty witnessing to sinners? If so, why not pray and ask God to fill your heart with love and compassion for the lost. Then look for opportunities to show them the love of Jesus. -<>- ( . ) ) ( ) . ' . ' . ' . ( , ) (. ) ( ', ) .' ) ( . ) , ( , ) ( . ). , ( . ( ) ( , ') .' ( , ) (_,) . ), ) _) _,') (, ) '. ) ,. (' ) jgs^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >Without Compromise (By Steve Troxel, God's Daily Word Ministries, http://www.gdwm.com) King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon desired to unite his kingdom by instituting a centralized form of worship. He built a statue of gold about 90 feet tall and 9 feet wide and ordered that everyone must fall down and worship the statue whenever the royal music began to play. A report was delivered to the King that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were refusing to worship the golden image. The King summoned these three young Jewish men and gave them one more chance to conform to his rules for worship: "If you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?" (Daniel 3:15) These three followers of Almighty God were faced with an ultimatum; "Compromise your beliefs, or die!" They could have found a way to rationalize this false worship. They could have found a variety of excuses for compromise. But rather than fall to the pressures of their surrounding environment, the three decided to live a life of unwavering faith and unashamed devotion to the One True God. Daniel 3:17-18 "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Very few will ever face a "Compromise or die!" ultimatum. But almost everyone will be tempted to push aside convictions and bow to such "golden images" as financial gain, physical pleasure, personal recognition, or the fear of conflict. We are also constantly tempted to "bow down" with the "entertainment" we watch, listen to, or read. Standing firm requires a determined effort to remain solidly on God's path. Hearing God's direction for our life can sometimes be difficult; but one truth remains - God never asks us to compromise His standard in order to follow His path...NEVER! We can therefore be assured that ANY compromise represents a deviation from His plan. Let's strengthen the convictions God has already placed on our heart. We need not be ashamed of, nor fear, what we know is true; and we need never doubt the perfection of His path. Let's live a life of consistent belief and trust such that what we believe is directly reflected in the way we live. Let's take a stand and live a God-honoring life...without compromise. SUBSCRIBE INFO Want to receive a Christian inspirational item AND great clean humor in an email to you each day of the week? It's easy and FREE! Read all about Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com --- ...I love this story! But the best was not told here... "Now due to the length of this teaching, I am going to have you read a record in the book of Daniel which illustrates great boldness as I have never seen in a group of men. These men were called Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and I am sure that you have heard the story. The story begins at about verse 6 of chapter 3 of the book of Daniel. I am going to ask you to read the whole chapter so that you understand the context of the teaching. In essence, these three men were thrown into a furnace because they would not obey the religious ceremonies of the King whose name was Nebuchadnezzar. They went into the fiery furnace supposedly to be burned alive and the record says that not even a piece of their clothing was singed. It is truly a remarkable story of miracles, boldness and believing. " From the Wonderful teaching Here: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Boldness http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Word/BOLDNESS.htm ========================================================== ,_ )\ /,( \)/ .--"T"--. |`"-----"`| |:. | |:: | ,-|::. |-, \`"--...--"`/ '-. .-' `| |` ,| | ,\\///, \ \\()>//()\\\ '-. >>//<\\\<<___.-' jgs `""` >-->TO REALIZE To realize The value of a sister Ask someone Who doesn't have one. To realize The value of ten years: Ask a newly Divorced couple. To realize The value of four years: Ask a graduate. To realize The value of one year: Ask a student who Has failed a final exam. To realize The value of nine months: Ask a mother who gave birth to a still born. To realize The value of one month: Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby. To realize The value of one week: Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper. To realize The value of one hour: Ask the lovers who are waiting to meet. To realize The value of one minute: Ask a person Who has missed the train, bus or plane. To realize The value of one-second: Ask a person Who has survived an accident. To realize The value of one millisecond: Ask the person who has won a silver medal in the Olympics. To realize the value of a friend: Lose one. Time waits for no-one. Treasure every moment you have. You will treasure it even more when you can share it with someone special. - Author Unknown >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->ShangyFunList AD RATES: $20 will get your a message (of up to 40 words) out to all self-subscribed readers and $5 more will give you the same message also put up for all web site readers. Email me to secure dates. Ad Request ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->This is for all you who love food and 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:Visit Here This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR For the Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com **********************************************************************