Christmas Love ... :) 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 Through no fault of my own we suddenly became an adult club in the love and romance directory so you will have to confirm that you are an adult when you go here. I still have no idea how to change this back as it sends me around in a circle when I try! or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ Here's Wishing Every One A Safe, Blessed, and Merry Christmas! ___ / __'. .-"""-. .-""-| | '.'. / .---. \ / .--. \ \___\ \/ /____| | / / \ `-.-;-(`_),____.-'._ ; ; `.-" "-:_,(o:==..`-. '. .-"-, | | / \ / `\ `. \ / .-. \ \ \ | Y __...\ \ \ / / \/ /\ | | | .--""--.| .-' \ '.`---' / \ \ / / |` \' _...--.; '---'` \ '-' / jgs /_..---.._ \ .'\\_ `. `--'` .' (_) `'/ (_) / `._ _.'| .' ``````` '-...--'` "A Visit From St. Nicholas" by Clement Clarke Moore (ASCII art by joan stark) `'`;, ___H_ _(`) _ _ 'Twas the night before Christmas _/\ \ ( ) ) (o\_/o) and all through the house... /\__\\____\( )_) |. .| Not a creature was stirring, ||""||''''| |`| =\ /= not even a mouse. ~~~`""""`""""`~~~~~~ ^ _ _ _ _ The stockings were hung |=| |=| |~| |=| o _ by the chimney with care, | | | | | | | | |(')---.| In hopes that St. Nicholas /(| /(| /(| /(| |~~|o _ | would soon be there. (_/ (_/ (_/ (_/ |===|(')---.| |~~| | The children were all nestled _,_ o _|=======| all snug in their beds, _,_(( ) |(')---.| While visions of sugar plums (( )`-`_,_ |~~| | danced in their heads. '-' (( ) |=======| `-` o _ And Mamma in her 'kerchief, ___, |(')---.| and I in my cap, /(__\ .---. |~~| | Had just settled our brains |__)__| / \_\ |=======| for a long winter's nap. ,@@. .@@, |_____|\| ,@@ ^ @@, //. .\\ (IIIIIIIIIII) When out on the lawn `"\_=_/"` ( ^ ) ) ; ( there arose such a clatter, \_=_/ ( ;|; ) I sprang from my bed ( ;`|`; ( to see what was the matter. * ____ . * ) ;' | '; ( .'_ '. (=@'--|--'@=) Away to the window ' ` `)a \ . ' ) '; | ;` ( I flew like a flash, . * /_ | ( ;___|___; ) Tore open the shutters ,__.=' / + ' ),;=======;,( and threw up the sash. + '.____.' . ~ ~ ' . . The moon on the breast ' * . _\/ \/_ of the new-fallen snow _\/\/_ Gave the lustre of mid-day . * _\_\_\/\/_/_/_ to objects below. _ _H_ + / /_/\/\_\ \ + [_] (_)_ _/\/\_ When, what to my wondering |=( : ) . /\ /\ eyes should appear, ' |( : ) * : * ' But a miniature sleigh, `~~`~~`"""`~~`~ . _\/ \/_ . and eight tiny reindeer. * \ \ / / * __. .--, -=>: X :<=- With a little old driver, .=,{\/ _/ /`) * / _/ \_ \ * so lively and quick, . ' (`._(_.;` / ' /\ /\ ' I knew in a moment . ' \_________/ * ' * it must be St. Nick. (___Y_____Y___, .-/___,-/___,-/___,-/___, . ' .-/___,-/___,-/___,-/___, ) More rapid than eagles `\ _ )`\ _ )`\ _ )`\ _ )< his coursers they came. /< <\ ()<_{:' /_____\ He had a broad face `'//\\'` {`_______`} and a little round belly, // \\ // . . \\ That shook when he laughed, /' '\ ( (__O__) ) like a bowl full of jelly. {[]==u `-'} { } He was chubby and plump, ____ /{ }\ a right jolly old elf, .'` `\ / '. .' \ And I laughed when I saw him, ;---.._ \ /_/ `"` \_\ in spite of myself; ,=,==, \_...__\ | {__}###[_]###{__} __\|_/__ | a - '.| (_/\_________/\_) A wink of his eye | || |--.o.--'(_) |___|___| and a twist of his head, | || |-' = '-` )-. jgs |--|--| Soon gave me to know |___||___| ) \ (__)`(__) I had nothing to dread. |"""||"""| ) | |__ || _| ) | He spoke not a word, /` )||__\'\;'--.-' | but went straight to his work, \ /`-;( / .' / And filled all the stockings; '-.; '--| ; .-'| [IIIII] then turned with a jerk, `'--.;--'...-' [IIIII]=| |=====|=| And laying his finger |=====| | aside of his nose, | | | And giving a nod, _/\_ __/\__ | | | up the chimney he rose; ) (_ _) .' ( | | \ `) '.( ) .' (` | ; \ He sprang to his sleigh, `-._\()/__(~` |`'. \ \ to his team gave a whistle, ()() \ ; \ \ And away they all flew / |`\ \' \.'| like the down of a thistle. ) : ( \ .'|_/ `)_/` '._:_/ But I heard him exclaim, Ere he drove out of sight, "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night !" __. .--, .-/___,-/___,-/___,-/___, _.-.=,{\/ _/ /`) .-/___,-/___,-/___,-/___, ) _..-'`-(`._(_.;` / `\ _ )`\ _ )`\ _ )`\ _ )<`--''` (__\_________/___, /< <\ -->From Heartwarmers: _jgs_____________________________________ | ___ ___ _ _ _____ ___ .-""", | | / __/ . \ \| |_ _| . \ /____, \ | | \__ \ | ` | | | | | {_____}`{} | | \___/_|_|_|\_| |_| |_|_| (/ . . \) | | ___ _ ___ _ _ ___ {`-=^=-`} | | / _/ | | . \ | | __/ { ` } | | | (_ |__| | | |__ \ { } | | _ \___\____|_|_|___/___/ { } | | (_)_______ `-,-` | | |/| NORTH | aka: "St. Nicholas" | | |/| POLE | "Kris Kringle" | | |/|"""""""` "Father Christmas" | | |/| "Pere Noel" | |_________________________________________| >THERE IS A SANTA -- I MARRIED HER by Michael T. Smith One of the my wife's duties at work is to go to the post office every day and pick up the company mail. As November rolled into December, she noticed a Salvation Army Santa standing on the corner. Each day she saved her coins and dropped them in his bucket. He'd smile, wish her a Merry Christmas, and continue to ring his bell. The second week of December came with a cold front. At night the temperature dropped below 0 and the daytime temperatures barely made it to 14. Santa stood in the frigid winds and continued to ring his bell. "You must be freezing," she said to him, as she dropped her coins in his bucket. "I'm so cold!" he shivered. "I can't feel the bell in my hands. And my feet? I don't know if they're there anymore." The next day, she dropped her coins in the bucket and handed him several chemical hand and foot warmers. "Try these," she smiled. "We had them in our car in case of and emergency. I think a Santa freezing is an emergency. Don't you?" Santa took her offering. "God bless you, ma'am. I cannot thank you enough." A week later, a new Santa stood ringing the bell. "What happened to the other Santa?" she asked. He paused his ringing to inform her, "I'm sorry to say, he's very sick today." She dropped her coins in the bucket and walked away with a heavy heart. Her hand and foot warmers were not enough to prevent Santa from getting sick. She prayed for his health. Later that day, a co-worker came into her office in tears. "I don't know what I'm going to do." "What's wrong?" she asked. "It's my ex-husband." Her co-worker wiped a tear from her eye and continued. "I don't have any money to buy my boys anything for Christmas. I called my ex last night and asked if he was sending money for them. He told me times were tough and the boys would have to suck it up and that they'd get over it." She began to cry harder. "I don't know what to do. They're teenagers and will understand, but it breaks my heart that they won't have anything this year." My wife hugged her co-worker. "I'm sure everything will work out. It's Christmas. Believe in miracles." That evening, she sat down with me and told me about her co-worker's situation. "Hun, I know we don't have much to help, but I'd like to get her a gift card from Walmart or something. Maybe fifty or a hundred dollars. We'll just get ourselves less this year. Last year we couldn't afford to buy anything for ourselves and still had a wonderful Christmas. It's the giving that counts." She paused and looked at me. "I feel bad for those boys," she continued. "I want to send it to her anonymously. She'll never know where it came from. It will make her so happy." I saw the look in her eyes and knew she wanted my blessing, but I also knew she was going to do it anyway. "Hun?" "Yes?" he smiled. "Give her the hundred. She needs it more than we do." She reached up and held me. Warmth spread through my body -- a glow like no other. I held her and realized there really is a Santa Claus -- I married her. Amazingly, at the same time Ginny was picking up the gift card, my company was handing out Walmart gift cards to all of its employees. "Give and thou shalt receive" was proven to be true today! -- Michael T. Smith __________________________________________________ Michael lives and works in Idaho. His stories have recently been published in two Chicken Soup for the Soul books, Catholic Digest and Thin Threads - Life Changing Moments. You can sign up to get his weekly email here: You can read more of his stories here: ================================================================== >-->From CupO'Cheer: | '.|.' -= + =- ___ .'|'. ___ ******* | ******* /-====) | (_.- )) | / '( )' ) )) / / _/ \_( (( | |-( _ _ )) ) ) / | \ //| |\\ /'-( ( / \ \/\/ *** \/\/ / ) ) | |\ / .=. \ / ( ( `-;./ ;-' _\/(")\/_ '-; ) ) | \ |'---'| / ( ( | \ _| |_ / ) ) _/ | /\ /\ | ( ( jgs .-/ / '=' \ ( )-. `""---`-----` `----`----`""` >Happy Birthday, Jesus! Mary Southerland Today's Truth Luke 2:8-12 "Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger" (NKJV). Friend to Friend \*/ __\\U//__ |\\ | | \\| | \\| |\ \|()-() |\ \| |\\ |/. .\ |\\ | | \\|\ Y /_ .--.| \\| |\ O__`&`__O /____\\ \| |\\ |/ \ \~~~~/"[B]"""""()/^\() jgs `--` [A][C] Happy Birthday to You! Happy Birthday to You! Happy Birthday, dear Jesus! Happy Birthday to You! Christmas is the birthday of Jesus Christ. I have always wondered why we typically celebrate His birth by giving gifts to everyone but Him. What gifts does He want from us? What gifts are fit for the King? To answer that question let's go back to that first Christmas and see what gifts He received that holy night. The gift of trust Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, was a teenage girl, probably fourteen or fifteen years old, engaged to Joseph when an angel appeared to her with the startling message that she would have a baby, a son named Jesus. Since she was still a virgin, Mary did not understand the message but she knew the One who had sent it - and that was enough. Trust is a gift fit for the King. The gift of obedience John 14:15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command." Joseph's engagement to Mary was legally binding. Imagine his shock and confusion when he learned that Mary was pregnant. Knowing that he could not possibly be the baby's father, Joseph's first reaction was to divorce Mary quietly. An angel from God appeared and told Joseph to "keep her but do not sleep with her!" Now Joseph's response could have been many things - but he chose obedience. A small child riding in the car wanted to stand in the front seat by his father. The dad explained the importance of a seat belt and told the little boy to sit down. He refused, crossing his little arms in defiance. The father physically sat his son down and buckled him into the seat, bragging on the little boy for his obedience. With a defiant glare, his son said, "I may be sitting down on the outside but I'm still standing up on the inside." Obedience is an active choice to do what God wants us to do. Obedience is not just an outward motion - it is also an inward attitude - and a gift fit for the King. The gift of praise Psalm 50:6 "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord." When the shepherds heard the angels' news, they went to see Jesus for themselves. After they saw the baby, they left praising God! Anytime we are in the presence of God, praise will result. Praise is also a continual choice that we make again and again until it becomes a habit. Don't let anyone or any circumstance keep you from praising God! Praise keeps us kneeling before the manger and is a gift fit for the King. The gift of sacrifice The Wise Men came; bringing gifts that required sacrifice because they knew that true worship always involves sacrifice. Gold, a precious metal, Incense, a rare and expensive product used in worship and Myrrh, an expensive perfume were the gifts they brought to Jesus. Sacrifice goes beyond what is required or expected. The best gift - the most expensive and extravagant gift - should go to the one whose birthday we celebrate. Gifts of trust, obedience, praise and sacrifice please God and are gifts fit for the King. In other words, the best gift that we can give God at Christmas is US! May the words of this children's song be the prayer of our hearts this Christmas season: "I'm gonna wrap up myself for Christmas And tie me with a big red bow. That's what I'm giving to Jesus. It's a present He'll like I know." Let's Pray Lord, today I celebrate Your birth. Thank You for the gift of life and love I find in knowing You. My Christmas gift to You is everything I am, everything I have, everything I hope to be. I love You, Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen. Now it's Your Turn Have a birthday party for Jesus. Bake a cake, sing "Happy Birthday" and worship Him by surrendering to His plan and provision for your life. Leave one Christmas decoration out this year as a reminder of His birth and what His presence means every single day. Consider the following questions: What is the meaning of Christmas in your life? How can you lead your family to celebrate the birth of Jesus? What has been the most meaningful part of this Christmas season so far? Why? as seen in Girlfriends in God --- ...Teachings on the above thinkings... * . . . | . * * . \|/ . . -->*<-- . /|\ . ' | ' * | . * . | . ' _ _ .:. . ( | .-. ___ .'_`. WWW \w/ \V/ |/(_)\ .'.-.`. `(_)' (_) (_) (_) |// \\ `/(_)\' // \\ _/ | _/ | _/ | _ _ \/| |/ //)_(\\ \| |/ %%__/| $$__/| &&__/| _-(_)- _-(_)- | | | /(o___))\ | | | | | | | | `(___) `(___) | | | ` / \' | | | | | | | | jgs // \\ // \\ | |_| /_____\ |_| |_| |_| |_| Does the Bible say how old / what age Mary was when she gave birth to Jesus http://truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1168 Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Woman of character, faith, courage. Bible verses http://truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=887 Bible Study: Matthew 2:1 Magi / Wise Men that brought gifts to Jesus, gold... http://truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1175 Free Bible study videos: True Christmas Story without myths / traditions http://truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1332 -<>- >NO LONGER A VICTIM Domestic violence must stop A million women seek medical treatment for domestic violence each year - and millions more do not. Battering is the single major cause of injury to women, even more significant than the number injured in car accidents, rapes, and muggings combined. Not only that, but nearly half of all female murder victims in this country are killed by a husband or boyfriend. Sadly, in more than one-third of families where spousal abuse occurs, child abuse is also present. Domestic violence can be sexual (in the form of spousal rape) and psychological (efforts to make a person powerless by controlling her thinking and/or behavior), as well as physical. 1 The two most important things you can do are to (1) recognize it early and (2) put a stop to it immediately. 2 Start by assuming that if you think you're being abused, you probably are. Make an honest assessment of your circumstances. 3 Watch for warning signs: 4 Have you been struck physically? Has it happened more than twice? 5 Is your partner extremely jealous, perhaps attempting to control your life, your activities, or your contact with friends and family? 6 Have you been threatened if you tell anyone? 7 Have you been forced into any sexual activity you didn't want? 8 Are others in danger (e.g. children, family)? 9 How violent is your partner? Is he rational? Has he hurt others in the past? Does your partner use alcohol or other drugs to excess? 10 Consider your options: 11 You can try to continue putting up with it (not recommended). 12 You can try to fight back (not recommended). 13 You can report him to the police (a good idea). 14 You can walk out (another good idea). 15 Identify your resources: 16 Your own strength. 17 Family members or friends who are available to help. 18 A local women's shelter or other safe house. 19 Law enforcement agencies. 20 Act now. Don't assume "things will get better." 21 Consider assertive action: 22 At the earliest sign: confront and set limits. 23 In case of violent attack: seek professional intervention. Get out if necessary. Note: many authorities recommend getting out of a physically abusive situation at the very first incidence. Certainly if your health and safety are in danger, this is a wise choice. Each circumstance is unique. It is possible that counseling may improve the situation; however, staying in an abusive relationship could be dangerous - and even fatal. 24 In case of repeat attack: get out now. 25 Consider carefully the consequences of any action plan: 26 Have you thought carefully about the pros and cons of your plan? 27 Have you consulted an attorney, law enforcement official, or protective services agency regarding your options and rights? 28 Have you figured out where you can be safe? 29 Can you leave secretly, without being found? 30 Will you inform anyone of your plan? 31 Will anyone else be in danger (e.g. your children)? 32 Are you willing to press charges and face him in court? ----------- From The Assertive Woman by Stanlee Phelps and Nancy Austin, copyright (c) 1997. Used by permission of Impact Publishers, San Luis Obispo, Calif., 1-800-246-7228. To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. =========================================================== >-->From Laugh&Lift: .... .::\:::. ::::)`\::: :::/ /::: ::| |::: ':\_/::' /`"'-:___ | _`\ | .-. ( \ ; , , , , \_) '--' | ( |\_.'/ )`-'\__,| \_)|\_/ .`(_ / `. (| _| . '_.-'` '--. `'. | (_)_' ( /.-. `\______(_)(_)`--' ` \/ jgs _). '-. '--._ _.-' . `) : ( `-. < ) . <'-. ' .-', _'._'. '-. '.-'` )'/ \/ \( `\( `; Today I'm going to share a "Christmas song" that I've never really cared for to be honest. But this is the ONLY version of the song that I've heard that I really like - I mean I LIKE it.. The song is "What Child is This?" Once the bridge kicks in - boy I just about can't help but sing along proclaiming that Jesus is indeed the "way, truth, and life!" Hope you enjoy! :) To listen and/or download the mp3, please click the following link: http://www.laughandlift.com/members/audiovideo/whatchild.html I love this "Gospelly" version of this old song. I was thinking just how even more appropriate it is during this Christmas season - that we showcase the light we've been given in Jesus Christ and point people to Him as the light - and life - giver. May we all let our little lights shine! :) To listen and/or download the MP3, please click the following link: http://www.laughandlift.com/members/audiovideo/thislittlelight.html Today's song is one of my favorites and has become very meaningful for both my mom & I as we have faced health challenges in this last year. This song has become a sort of personal anthem for both of us. I am really excited to share it with you - I hope you find it as much of an encouragement as we have. May we all keep climbing our mountains with Jesus...One Step At a Time! To listen and/or download the MP3, click on this link: http://www.laughandlift.com/members/audiovideo/onestepatatime.html Thought for Today * . . . | . * \|/ -->*<-- . /|\ . ' | ' * | . | . ' jgs^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ "Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life." - Corrie ten Boom The Lift .-""```""-. ,-"```````"-, ; .-"-. ; ; .-=-. ; '=/=====\=' ', /=====\ ,' |/"""\| "=|/"""\|=" \ ^ ^ / |\^ ^/| /'._.'\ ||'-'|| / _ \ / | _ | \ / /|\ \ /\/ /|\ \/\ | \_/ | \_/ | | \_/ | \_/ | | |/ \| | | |/ \| | \__| |__/ \__| |__/ >=;=====< | | | | | | | | \'/ | | | | |-=*=-| | | | | /.\ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | .-------------, | | < ~-_~-_=`|( :) > | | \`"""""""""""`/ | | \ /____| jgs |;,;,;> <_/\_/ / \ `"""""""""""` >In His Hands (By Betty Purser Parker) We know not what tomorrow brings Although we plan ahead For only God alone can know The pathway we must tread. We cannot know the future Not one minute nor one hour Each circumstance that we must face Lay only in His power It's vital that we live by faith From minute unto minute And trusting that each step we take He's walking with us in it. We cannot see the future Not the trials we must face But in all things, God promised us Sufficiency of grace. This alone should give us hope Whatever be our plans In knowing that our future lies In His sweet, loving hands. -<>- . ' ' . ' /\ ' + ' || ' + |\ || /| ' - . \\||// . - ' -= <>>>><<<<> =- . - ' //||\\ ' - . |/ || \| + . || . + . || . ' .||. ' \/ .*' " " *. * * *.;"``",.* / (-\-| ___ | `-=-( /.-.\ .(`-.__/-,// || / \ | // "Christmas Love" (By Candy Chand) John 3: [16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. I had cut back on nonessential obligations -- extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating and even overspending. Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments and of course, the true meaning of Christmas. My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six-year-old. For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's "Winter Pageant." I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there would be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise. So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in 10 minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song. Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment -- songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer. So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by its bold title. Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters and bright snowcaps upon their heads. Those in the front row -- center stage -- held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song. As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message: "CHRISTMAS LOVE." The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her -- a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down -- totally unaware her letter "M" appearred as a "W." The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her "W." Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together. A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen. In that instant, we understood -- the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities. For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear: "CHRIST WAS LOVE." And, I believe, He still is. "'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.'" John 3:16-18 (NIV) -<>- ,;;, ';;;' )`\ .--' ) .--' / .' ( ."`-./_ _ _ _\.-'". | (` `=``_````_``=` `) | `) (0)__(0) (` /` .-( )-. `\ | ( \/ ) | \ '._/\_.' / '-._ `""` _.' jgs /'-. _.;_...-'' | ()` | '-`/\`-./ ((\\ \)\\ )) (/ >11 Lessons from Noah's Ark One: Don't miss the boat. Two: Better listen to God, rather then men! Three: Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark. Four: Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big. Five: Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done. Six: Build your future on high ground. Seven: For safety's sake, travel in pairs. Eight: Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs. Nine: When you're stressed, float a while. Ten: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals. Eleven: No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting. -<>- * * * * * * .===.""* * /'::::\ *\_ (` '::|* / \ _.,--`-.`_;/.-/ ; _.-'; \ _`'._.' /| .-'/. ` '._(_\_.' / | .-'` | `. .-' .' | \`. `-.__..--' _.-' .' \ '-._ _.-' _.' \_ '--._.-'` _.' '._ \ _.-' jgs '-._\_.-' >Quick Jokes: Grandparents Edition My young grandson called the other day to wish me Happy Birthday. He asked me how old I was, and I told him, "62." He was quiet for a moment, and then he asked, "Did you start at 1?" -------- A grandmother was telling her little granddaughter what her own childhood was like: "We used to skate outside on a pond. I had a swing made from a tire; it hung from a tree in our front yard. We rode our pony. We picked wild raspberries in the woods." The little girl was wide-eyed, taking this in. At last she said, "I sure wish I'd gotten to know you sooner!" -------- A little girl was diligently pounding away on her grandfather's word processor. She told him she was writing a story. "What's it about?" he asked. "I don't know," she replied. "I can't read." -------- I didn't know if my granddaughter had learned her colors yet, so I decided to test her. I would point out something and ask what color it was. She would tell me, and always she was correct. But it was fun for me, so I continued. At last she headed for the door, saying sagely, "Grandma, I think you should try to figure out some of these yourself!" 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 ================================================================= , , /\\ / \ | )|-""-, , \ /' \ ,_ , .'<_ / |"""-, _> `'-,'(_.-' _< , | ' '/::. `\ >_.--(.. ) .=;` / \_...._ .' _ ._o)`'` / V-'`\/`` { .' `'-....-' ; `"--'.--.=; * * * `/ / ::' / C ..\ * * | {;;}| :: | \ _.) * .:::.__* | , {;;;} \ ':| / \ * /'::::\ *\_ \ \ {;;} '-, \./ \)\) (` '::|* / \ .-' _.'.,____, _/`| `-| );/ _.,--`-.`_;/.-/ ; \ \` \ ( ( /` ,\|_ '--'_:-' `. `'._.' /| \ \ \ \ | ).-' .-'/. ` '._.-._.' / | jgs \ \ \ \ / .--'\ \ .-'` | `. .-' .' | \ \ \ \ / / \,\ \ \ \`. `-.__..--' _.-' .' , `#;==''` \ |\ /|# \ '-._ _.-' _.' .'( _.=' | \/ /._, \_ '--._.-'` _.' { `` _.=' | / ' ;--._, '._ \ _.-' { \` ; / \ / ' ) '-._\_.-'` _,_ `. `'=..' .=' ) /\ /, / _, /' '\ ,_ `=._ .=' / |/)|/(_ ((') \u u .-""._) \ '-`\\`__ | / -._\ /'--) | ':`----./.-. | `-._} {_} |_ \ | _.' _/, ``'""-`\ `.__.' `""{_} /_ / |`= `" `-.( ,__/. `""""`"` '^' ="`-` `"` >An Extended Little Hand Story Editor: by Greg Bland Joyce Schowalter Queensland, Australia My daughter is a single mum bringing up two daughters, 6 and 3 years old. She is on limited money, aware it only stretches so far, so she economises, yet is aware her children need to be trained to be caring. So for a treat, she decided on a trip to the movie theatre to see "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron". She bundled the little one into the stroller and all three headed out the two kilometres to the shopping mall where the movie theatre is. Of course, when going to the movies lollies and drinks are the order of the day, so she stopped at the store for that purchase. Next, she gave the children balloons each. As they continued on toward the movie theatre, the younger one was loudly singing the song, "Yes, Jesus loves me." My daughter saw a fairly old grey-haired bloke slowly shuffling along toward them. The next thing she knew, the old bloke had turned and was making his way straight to them. My daughter was a little concerned, so she stopped. All the while her 3-year-old, Ellie, was still singing. The old bloke shuffled up to them, bent down and addressed Ellie in a kindly voice saying, "That's a pretty balloon you have there, may I have it?" Ellie looked him straight in the eye and with an accepting smiling voice replied "Yes", and handed the balloon to him. A look of surprise and shock passed over the old bloke's face, as he reached for the balloon offered in an extended little hand. He thanked her gracefully and smiled broadly. Ellie's response surprised my daughter greatly. Three-year-old Ellie began to sing again but changed the lyrics slightly, to "Yes, Jesus loves you." Still smiling, the old bloke handed the balloon back, and said, "Thank you very much for sharing the balloon with me but it is really yours to keep." He looked at my daughter and said that it was unusual these days to experience such a kind and polite child. She explained that she was endeavouring to teach her children the value of sharing and respect of elders. With that, the old bloke turned and continued on his way and my daughter started walking again. Ellie bent forward in the stroller and looked back toward the old bloke as he shuffled away, calling out loudly, "Bye, bye" a number of times and waving. The old bloke stopped, partly turned and waved back. Tears were rolling down his cheeks as he waved, and when he continued on his way he seemed to stand taller and his shuffling seemed less pronounced. =======HeroicStories======= .\/. * + + >><><< '/\' * /`x.`\ + * /;<> @ \ , \| * /& `';;;_\ \'-,_/| |./ * O (_)| '-./ )-,_ * \ o .--. ! / ( )`-._\ + .;`-'(_) '-`'. ,;v /_`;;, x <>* \ ,,;' + /(_) `';;;;,,_,;\` + | !/ ^ & `(_) | __ _ \^ @/`\ . !/`\ O/ + / `\/ `\ .'`-' + '--' _ '-`'. + |/`\ \| | /;;<> !_ o (_) + . \ * \ \_| / `';;(_) . _x ; \ (() / `\_ | _' & `';;;, O ^ (_),;\-'@_<"/ _, * | ^ y,-._ |(_) / ' * `'';;;;'` |\_.\` \ ( ) _=_/,-;_)\ /`\<> /``\ @ /`\ ! / \ _`) \_) . ' .-' --..' / .'`-' x '--' . '--'_. '-`'. \,(__/ .' .___.' /;;;,, O . _ + (_) . * \ \' \ ' . / '-. / /! `';;;;,, (_) ^ & <>,;;\ \-'\ ' . _| \/\ ' | @ (_)''';;;;,, o ,,;;;''` x| \.-\ {_} |_/ . | * o ' _ `';;;'` O (_) | .\_.\ ' . \ ,_./ \__ | _ + . ^ (_) .o _' . + | \ \ ' `. \__\___) \ (_) __ & __. (_) __ ! @ / \- \ ' . \____) '._.'` `'._.;;;;;;._.'` `'._.' . \ ' jgs. ' . ' . ' ' . . . ' ' >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: |\.-./| /= =\ /= e e =\ >\=_ Y _=/< (,,)^(,,) |.:.:.:.| | | |, /( | |)\ )/ | |`-;o` | | )\ | ; \/.'\ jgs / / | .' \ / .' ;-' /'. .'` | \ / './_.' >~ Ugly The Tomcat ~ Everyone in the apartment complex I lived in knew who Ugly was. Ugly was the resident tomcat. Ugly loved three things in this world: fighting, eating garbage, and, shall we say, love. The combination of these things combined with a life spent outside had their effect on Ugly. To start with, he had only one eye and where the other should have been was a hole. He was also missing his ear on the same side, his left foot appeared to have been badly broken at one time, and had healed at an unnatural angle, making him look like he was always turning the corner. Ugly would have been a dark gray tabby, striped type, except for the sores covering his head, neck, and even his shoulders. Every time someone saw Ugly there was the same reaction. "That's one UGLY cat!!!" All the children were warned not to touch him, the adults threw rocks at him, hosed him down, and squirted him when he tried to come in their homes, or shut his paws in the door when he would not leave. Ugly always had the same reaction. If you turned the hose on him, he would stand there, getting soaked until you gave up and quit. If you threw things at him, he would curl his lanky body around your feet in forgiveness. Whenever he spied children, he would come running, meowing frantically and bump his head against their hands, begging for their love. If you ever picked him up he would immediately begin suckling on your shirt, earrings, whatever he could find. One day Ugly shared his love with the neighbor's dogs. They did not respond kindly, and Ugly was badly mauled. I tried to rush to his aid. By the time I got to where he was laying, it was apparent Ugly's sad life was almost at an end. As I picked him up and tried to carry him home, I could hear him wheezing and gasping, and could feel him struggling. It must be hurting him terribly, I thought. Then I felt a familiar tugging, sucking sensation on my ear. Ugly, in so much pain, suffering and obviously dying, was trying to suckle my ear. I pulled him closer to me, and he bumped the palm of my hand with his head, then he turned his one golden eye towards me, and I could hear the distinct sound of purring. Even in the greatest pain, that ugly battled scarred cat was asking only for a little affection, perhaps some compassion. At that moment I thought Ugly was the most beautiful, loving creature I had ever seen. Never once did he try to bite or scratch me, try to get away from me, or struggle in any way. Ugly just looked up at me completely trusting in me to relieve his pain. Ugly died in my arms before I could get inside, but I sat and held him for a long time afterwards, thinking about how one scarred, deformed little stray could so alter my opinion about what it means to have true pureness of spirit, to love so totally and truly. Ugly taught me more about giving and compassion than a thousand books, lectures, or talk show specials ever could, and for that I will always be thankful. He had been scarred on the outside, but I was scarred on the inside, and it was time for me to move on and learn to love truly and deeply. To give my total to those I cared for. Many people want to be richer, more successful, well liked, beautiful, but for me... I will always try to be Ugly. Harry -<>- Love that is hoarded molds at last Until we know some day The only thing we ever have Is what we give away. - Louis Ginsberg -<>- .-------. * | # | * |_______| * _|=======|_ * * [___________] .' `. * | / : @ @ : \|/_ : < : // \~_s~-~s~s`._`...'_.' // * * `--~-~-~~s~/`"""' `-. // /'/s/ _ `// / /s/ (_) / ///s/ _ : * * ///s/ (_) .' * // |/`. .' __// .-''-------'`-. /|\ .' _ `. * / | \: (_) : : _ : : (_) : * : _ : * : (_) : : : ""'"""'""`. .'"'"""'""'"" jgs `-._ _.-' `"""""' >A CHRISTMAS STORY by Rian B. Anderson Pa never had much compassion for the lazy or those who squandered their means and then never had enough for the necessities. But for those who were genuinely in need, his heart was as big as all outdoors. It was from him that I learned the greatest joy in life comes from giving, not from receiving. It was Christmas Eve 1881. I was fifteen years old and feeling like the world had caved in on me because there just hadn't been enough money to buy me the rifle that I'd wanted so bad that year for Christmas. We did the chores early that night for some reason. I just figured Pa wanted a little extra time so we could read in the Bible. So after supper was over I took my boots off and stretched out in front of the fireplace and waited for Pa to get down the old Bible. I was still feeling sorry for myself and, to be honest, I wasn't in much of a mood to read scriptures. But Pa didn't get the Bible, instead he bundled up and went outside. I couldn't figure it out because we had already done all the chores. I didn't worry about it long though, I was too busy wallowing in self-pity. Soon Pa came back in. It was a cold clear night out and there was ice in his beard. "Come on, Matt," he said. "Bundle up good, it's cold out tonight." I was really upset then. Not only wasn't I getting the rifle for Christmas, now Pa was dragging me out in the cold, and for no earthly reason that I could see. We'd already done all the chores, and I couldn't think of anything else that needed doing, especially not on a night like this. But I knew Pa was not very patient at one dragging one's feet when he'd told them to do something, so I got up and put my boots back on and got my cap, coat, and mittens. Ma gave me a mysterious smile as I opened the door to leave the house. Something was up, but I didn't know what. Outside, I became even more dismayed. There in front of the house was the work team, already hitched to the big sled. Whatever it was we were going to do wasn't going to be a short, quick, little job. I could tell. We never hitched up the big sled unless we were going to haul a big load. Pa was already up on the seat, reins in hand. I reluctantly climbed up beside him. The cold was already biting at me. I wasn't happy. When I was on, Pa pulled the sled around the house and stopped in front of the woodshed. He got off and I followed. "I think we'll put on the high sideboards," he said. "Here, help me." The high sideboards! It had been a bigger job than I wanted to do with just the low sideboards on, but whatever it was we were going to do would be a lot bigger with the high sideboards on. When we had exchanged the sideboards Pa went into the woodshed and came out with an armload of wood---the wood I'd spent all summer hauling down from the mountain, and then all fall sawing into blocks and splitting. What was he doing? Finally I said something. "Pa," I asked, "what are you doing?" " You been by the Widow Jensen's lately?" he asked. The Widow Jensen lived about two miles down the road. Her husband had died a year or so before and left her with three children, the oldest being eight. Sure, I'd been by, but so what? "Yeah," I said, "why?" "I rode by just today," Pa said. "Little Jakey was out digging around in the woodpile trying to find a few chips. They're out of wood, Matt." That was all he said and then he turned and went back into the woodshed for another armload of wood. I followed him. We loaded the sled so high that I began to wonder if the horses would be able to pull it. Finally, Pa called a halt to our loading, then we went to the smoke house and Pa took down a big ham and a side of bacon. He handed them to me and told me to put them in the sled and wait. When he returned he was carrying a sack of flour over his right shoulder and a smaller sack of something in his left hand. "What's in the little sack?" I asked. "Shoes. They're out of shoes. Little Jakey just had gunny sacks wrapped around his feet when he was out in the woodpile this morning. I got the children a little candy too. It just wouldn't be Christmas without a little candy." We rode the two miles to Widow Jensen's pretty much in silence. I tried to think through what Pa was doing. We didn't have much by worldly standards. Of course, we did have a big woodpile, though most of what was left now was still in the form of logs that I would have to saw into blocks and split before we could use it. We also had meat and flour, so we could spare that, but I knew we didn't have any money, so why was Pa buying them shoes and candy? Really, why was he doing any of this? Widow Jensen had closer neighbors than us. It shouldn't have been our concern. We came in from the blind side of the Jensen house and unloaded the wood as quietly as possible, then we took the meat and flour and shoes to the door. We knocked. The door opened a crack and a timid voice said, "Who is it?" "Lucas Miles, Ma'am, and my son, Matt. Could we come in for a bit?" Widow Jensen opened the door and let us in. She had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. The children were wrapped in another and were sitting in front of the fireplace by a very small fire that hardly gave off any heat at all. Widow Jensen fumbled with a match and finally lit the lamp. "We brought you a few things, Ma'am," Pa said and set down the sack of flour. I put the meat on the table. Then Pa handed her the sack that had the shoes in it. She opened it hesitantly and took the shoes out one pair at a time. There was a pair for her and one for each of the children---sturdy shoes, the best, shoes that would last. I watched her carefully. She bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling and then tears filled her eyes and started running down her cheeks. She looked up at Pa like she wanted to say something, but it wouldn't come out. "We brought a load of wood too, Ma'am," Pa said, then he turned to me and said, "Matt, go bring enough in to last for awhile. Let's get that fire up to size and heat this place up." I wasn't the same person when I went back out to bring in the wood. I had a big lump in my throat and, much as I hate to admit it, there were tears in my eyes too. In my mind I kept seeing those three kids huddled around the fireplace and their mother standing there with tears running down her cheeks and so much gratitude in her heart that she couldn't speak. My heart swelled within me and a joy filled my soul that I'd never known before. I had given at Christmas many times before, but never when it had made so much difference. I could see we were literally saving the lives of these people. I soon had the fire blazing and everyone's spirits soared. The kids started giggling when Pa handed them each a piece of candy and Widow Jensen looked on with a smile that probably hadn't crossed her face for a long time. She finally turned to us. "God bless you," she said. "I know the Lord himself has sent you. The children and I have been praying that he would send one of his angels to spare us." In spite of myself, the lump returned to my throat and the tears welled up in my eyes again. I'd never thought of Pa in those exact terms before, but after Widow Jensen mentioned it I could see that it was probably true. I was sure that a better man than Pa had never walked the earth. I started remembering all the times he had gone out of his way for Ma and me, and many others. The list seemed endless as I thought on it. Pa insisted that everyone try on the shoes before we left. I was amazed when they all fit and I wondered how he had known what sizes to get. Then I guessed that if he was on an errand for the Lord that the Lord would make sure he got the right sizes. Tears were running down Widow Jensen's face again when we stood up to leave. Pa took each of the kids in his big arms and gave them a hug. They clung to him and didn't want us to go. I could see that they missed their pa, and I was glad that I still had mine. At the door Pa turned to Widow Jensen and said, "The Mrs. wanted me to invite you and the children over for Christmas dinner tomorrow. The turkey will be more than the three of us can eat, and a man can get cantankerous if he has to eat turkey for too many meals. We'll be by to get you about eleven. It'll be nice to have some little ones around again. Matt, here, hasn't been little for quite a spell." I was the youngest. My two older brothers and two older sisters were all married and had moved away. Widow Jensen nodded and said, "Thank you, Brother Miles. I don't have to say, "'May the Lord bless you,' I know for certain that He will." Out on the sled I felt a warmth that came from deep within and I didn't even notice the cold. When we had gone a ways, Pa turned to me and said, "Matt, I want you to know something. Your ma and me have been tucking a little money away here and there all year so we could buy that rifle for you, but we didn't have quite enough. Then yesterday a man who owed me a little money from years back came by to make things square. Your ma and me were real excited, thinking that now we could get you that rifle, and I started into town this morning to do just that. But on the way I saw little Jakey out scratching in the woodpile with his feet wrapped in those gunny sacks and I knew what I had to do. So, Son, I spent the money for shoes and a little candy for those children. I hope you understand." I understood, and my eyes became wet with tears again. I understood very well, and I was so glad Pa had done it. Just then the rifle seemed very low on my list of priorities. Pa had given me a lot more. He had given me the look on Widow Jensen's face and the radiant smiles of her three children. For the rest of my life, whenever I saw any of the Jensens, or split a block of wood, I remembered, and remembering brought back that same joy I felt riding home beside Pa that night. Pa had given me much more than a rifle that night, he had given me the best Christmas of my life. -<>- ||::|:|| .--------, |:||:|:| |_______ / .-. ||::|:|| ."` ___ `". {\('v')/} \\\/\///: .'` `'. ;____`( )'____ \====/ './ o o \|~ ^" "^ // \\// | ())) . | Season's \ || \ `.__.' /| // || _{``-.___.-'\| Greetings \ || _." `-.____.-'`| ___ // ||` __ \ |___/ \_______\ ."|| (__) \ \| / / `\/ __ vvvvv'\___/ | | (__) | \___/\ / || | .___. | || | | | ||.-' | '-. jgs || | ) ||----------'---------' >Thorns Kind of long, but good... Sandra felt as low as the heels of her Birkenstocks as she pushed against a November gust and the florist shop door. Her life had been easy, like a spring breeze. Then in the fourth month of her second pregnancy, a minor automobile accident stole her ease. During this Thanksgiving week she would have delivered a son. She grieved over her loss. As if that weren't enough her husband's company threatened a transfer. Then her sister, whose holiday visit she coveted, called saying she could not come. What's worse, Sandra's friend infuriated her by suggesting her grief was a God-given path to maturity that would allow her to empathize with others who suffer. "Had she lost a child? - No--she has no idea what I'm feeling," Sandra shuddered. Thanksgiving? "Thankful for what?" she wondered. For a careless driver whose truck was hardly scratched when he rear-ended her? For an airbag that saved her life but took that of her child? "Good afternoon, can I help you?" The flower shop clerk's approach startled her. "Sorry," said Jenny, "I just didn't want you to think I was ignoring you." "I....I need an arrangement." "For Thanksgiving?" Sandra nodded. "Do you want beautiful but ordinary, or would you like to challenge the day with a customer favorite I call the Thanksgiving Special." Jenny saw Sandra's curiosity and continued. "I'm convinced that flowers tell stories, that each arrangement insinuates a particular feeling. Are you looking for something that conveys gratitude this Thanksgiving?" "Not exactly!" Sandra blurted. "Sorry, but in the last five months, everything that could go wrong has." Sandra regretted her outburst but was surprised when Jenny said, "I have the perfect arrangement for you." The door's small bell suddenly rang. "Barbara! Hi," Jenny said. She politely excused herself from Sandra and walked toward a small workroom. She quickly reappeared carrying a massive arrangement of greenery, bows, and long-stemmed thorny roses. Only, the ends of the rose stems were neatly snipped, no flowers. "Want this in a box?" Jenny asked. Sandra watched for Barbara's response. Was this a joke? Who would want rose stems and no flowers! She waited for laughter, for someone to notice the absence of flowers atop the thorny stems, but neither woman did. "Yes, please. It's exquisite," said Barbara. "You'd think after three years of getting the special, I'd not be so moved by its significance, but it's happening again. My family will love this one. Thanks." Sandra stared. "Why so normal a conversation about so strange an arrangement? she wondered. "Ah, said Sandra, pointing. "That lady just left with, ah....." "Yes?" "Well, she had no flowers!" "Right, I cut off the flowers." "Off?" "Off. Yep. That's the Special. I call it the Thanksgiving Thorns Bouquet." "But, why do people pay for that?" In spite of herself she chuckled." "Do you really want to know?" "I couldn't leave this shop without knowing. I'd think about nothing else!" "That might be good," said Jenny. "Well," she continued, "Barbara came into the shop three years ago feeling very much like you feel today. She thought she had very little to be thankful for. She had lost her father to cancer, the family business was failing, her son was into drugs, and she faced major surgery." "Ouch!" said Sandra. "That same year, I lost my husband. I assumed complete responsibility for the shop and for the first time, spent the holidays alone. I had no children, no husband, no family nearby, and too great a debt to allow any travel." "What did you do?" "I learned to be thankful for thorns." Sandra's eyebrows lifted. "Thorns?" "I'm a Christian, Sandra. I've always thanked God for good things in life and I never thought to ask Him why good things happened to me? But, when bad stuff hit, did I ever ask! It took time to learn that dark times are important. I always enjoyed the 'flowers' of life but it took thorns to show me the beauty of God's comfort. You know, the Bible says that God comforts us when we're afflicted and from His consolation we learn to comfort others." Sandra gasped. "A friend read that passage to me and I was furious! I guess the truth is I don't want comfort. I've lost a baby and I'm angry with God." She started to ask Jenny to "go on" when the door's bell diverted their attention. "Hey, Phil!" shouted Jenny as a balding, rotund man entered the shop. She softly touched Sandra's arm and moved to welcome him. He tucked her under his side for a warm hug. "I'm here for twelve thorny long-stemmed stems!" Phil laughed, heartily. "I figured as much," said Jenny. "I've got them ready." She lifted a tissue-wrapped arrangement from the refrigerated cabinet. "Beautiful," said Phil. "My wife will love them." Sandra could not resist asking. "These are for your wife?" Phil saw that Sandra's curiosity matched his when he first heard of a Thorn Bouquet. "Do you mind me asking, "Why thorns?" "In fact, I'm glad you asked," he said. "Four years ago my wife and I nearly divorced. After forty years, we were in a real mess, but we logged through, problem by rotten problem. We rescued our marriage – our love, really. Last year at Thanksgiving I stopped in here for flowers. I must have mentioned surviving a tough process because Jenny told me that for a long time she kept a vase of rose stems- stems!-as a reminder of what she learned from "thorny" times. That was good enough for me. I took home stems. My wife and I decided to label each one for a specific thorny situation and give thanks for what the problem taught us. I'm pretty sure this stem review is becoming a tradition." Phil paid Jenny, thanked her again and as he left, said to Sandra, "I highly recommend the Special!" "I don't know if I can be thankful for the thorns in my life." Sandra said to Jenny. "Well, my experience says that thorns make roses more precious. We treasure God's providential care more during trouble than at any other time. Remember, Sandra, Jesus wore a crown of thorns so that we might know His love. Do not resent thorns." Tears rolled down Sandra's cheeks. For the first time since the accident she loosened her grip on resentment. "I'll take twelve long- stemmed thorns, please." Author Unknown -<>- _____ .-"` `'. /, \ / /``'--..--'``\ | \__.__.__,___/ \_ {/ e e \} { `}() (__) ()| `/,_.-")("-._,\ { `--`==`--` } .'{ } }'. \/ \/ .' { } } \ -|` `|- / { { } ; ,_\| |/_, ; , '-..____..-' , | \ / | ; : ; | .-.._)---(_.--. | <`;._ _:_ _.| .-\\_.-/_ _ \-._/ | | `'|.-.|'` (\ \_ |a a | \_.'`}`'-.._||_||_..-'\\ _.'_} \ /`\ {_.'`_) '-;-' \{_.' `_)| | '. | \--..__ : __..--'``\\ \\0/\ '/`\_...--"""-. \___/ ``` _/ \___/ |__.'`()/ `\. '-;-..._____...-;-' / ()_.' . ;`\ | | | ()_.-' . |-' | | | \ , ; ; \ _ _ _|_ _ _ / ;-, /___..,-`\ ; /` ` ` | ` ` `\ | / /' \ \ ; \_._._/ \_._._/ |/ / \ \ | |= | | =| / / `> > / jgs .-'-. | | .-'-. / / \ / / /` / | | \ /_/ \/\ /_/_/ \____,__/ \__,____/ /_( |/ /_/_( >The Mysterious Christmas Gift by Meg Wiersema It was a week before Christmas and I was doing some last minute Christmas things when the doorbell rang. Of course four sets of little feet ran to see who was there. A women who I had not seen before handed me a cream colored envelope and said, "This is for you!" I wished her a Merry Christmas and started to close the door. Then I remembered our Christmas table near the door, full of little goodies, and invited her back for some cookies. She took some and left. As the woman drove out of the driveway I looked at the envelope. It was addressed to us and had an eagle on the front with the words from Isaiah 40 "they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles..." When I opened the card I read these words: "May God bless you! Your family is really an inspiration to me. Faith honors God, God honors faith. Please accept this as a gift from God!" There were five one hundred dollar bills! It took me a minute to realize a complete stranger had just given us a gift from God. As my husband was out of town, I immediately went to the kids and shared this amazing gift with them. I am sure the full magnitude of the gift was out of their grasp, but our oldest daughter, 9 at the time, piped up "Yeah, there is a $100 dollar bill for each of us kids!" We have never found out who the gift was from, but is has enriched us more than financially. It has been a spiritual blessing, knowing that God has us here for a purpose and that we are being a witness for Him. Although we may rarely receive such a gift, it is a comfort to know that "the eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good." (Proverbs 15:3). As we pass through those sometimes wonderful and sometimes difficult days as mothers, we can be assured that God sees our work and will reward us for it. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment Nextel Dance Party http://www.buffaloschips.com/kjpopo.htm No Fear http://www.buffaloschips.com/kjoppo.htm Bad Luck http://www.buffaloschips.com/fasd.htm Boogie Woogie http://www.buffaloschips.com/fsdjlk.htm Ford Police Chase http://www.buffaloschips.com/sdfds.htm Walk With Jesus http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/walk.html Who Is He? http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/who.html Give Me Flowers http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/flowers.html The Giver And The Gift http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/givergift.html Finacial Stewardship http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/financialstewardship.html Our Gifts And Callings http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/giftscallings.html Believe In Your Dreams http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/dream.html I Believe In You http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ibelieveinyou.html Atttude Is Every Thing http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude.html Small Thoughts http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/smallthoughts.html The Bible http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thebible.html Amazing Grace http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/amazinggrace.html Medical Health Test http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/medical.html Building Advertising Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/buildingads.html Balloon Party! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/party.html Extreme US Spas http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/topspas.html Floating Hotel http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/fhotel.html Maxine On Jesus http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/maxineonjesus.html Veteran Mesothelioma Center http://www.asbestos.com/ Merry Christmas eCard http://bellsouthpwp.net/h/o/holm5215/Untilxmas/Index.html Regifting Robin http://www.regiftable.com/regiftingrobinpopup.html Visit our site at http://www.inspiredbuffalo.com If you are looking to join any of our other fine e-zines visit www.buffaloschips.com ======================================================= >-->From SermondFodder: * , _/^\_ < > * /.-.\ * * `/&\` * ,@.*;@, /_o.I %_\ * * (`'--:o(_@; /`;--.,__ `') * ;@`o % O,*`'`&\ * (`'--)_@ ;o %'()\ * /`;--._`''--._O'@; /&*,()~o`;-.,_ `""`) * /`,@ ;+& () o*`;-';\ (`""--.,_0 +% @' &()\ /-.,_ ``''--....-'`) * * /@%;o`:;'--,.__ __.'\ ;*,&(); @ % &^;~`"`o;@(); * /(); o^~; & ().o@*&`;&%O\ jgs `"="==""==,,,.,="=="==="` __.----.(\-''#####---...___...-----._ '` \)_`"""""` .--' ') o( )_-\ `"""` ` Kim's Husband A family in our church was moving. The husband traveld a lot for business. His wife put his travel time to use by being a tirelss volunteer in our church. Before their departure to his new job assignment, the husband told me he was only known in the church as "Kim's husband" because she was so involved and he was gone so much. He told me his wife, Kim, would be greatly missed, but expressed doubt anyone in the church would know he was gone. With his permission, I told his story during a sermon about significance a few weeks before their move. I repeated our conversation and began to emphasize his great worth to his family and our church. It started to get emotional. Suddenly a thought hit me and I said, "Now if somebody could point this guy out to me." The congregation went nuts. ?=== From Discernment for light moments with a weighty purpose by John Henry Beukema http://www.preachingtodaysermons.com === This post is brought your way by Sermon Fodder. To get a regular dose of Christian humor and a modern-day parable drop a note to Sermon_Fodder-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Please leave this on if you forward this to friends or post on the web. ===================== Worth Repeating.... If there is any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not deter or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again. -- William Penn www.heartlight.com ====================== (\ /) (\ /) >`< >`< (/\ \/) (\/ /\) > < > < (/\ \.-"""-./ /\) ___\' _ _ '/___ \__` /-\ /-\ `__/ \ \o/ \o/ / \ _ / __| (_) |__ / \ | / \ .---| |'._^_.'| |---. / |__| ` |__| \ | \##/.__.-""\##/ | \__.-"__|____|____|`._ | j___|____|____|____|-' g_|____|____|____|_| s|___|____|____|___| |__|____|##__|____|| |___|__/####\__|___| |_|__/########\__|_| |__/############\_|| |/################\| /####################\ /########################\ /############################\ >Avoiding Christmas Financial Disasters By Jeremy L. White The time of joy at Christmas often turns into a time of financial stress. In my financial career, I've observed these typical financial mistakes at Christmas (OK, I'll admit it. Not just "observed" these, but made these mistakes too): (1) Giving too many presents - especially to children. Admittedly, I don't remember being concerned about this as a child, but I now see that children receive so much from so many different sources. Most Americans have too much stuff already. We have to buy containers, expand garages, and rent storage to keep all of our stuff. (2) Giving the wrong items. We often buy things that are useless, meaningless, or frivolous. People desire connecting through relationships, not more material items. See the gift ideas below for gifts of meaning. (3) Giving too little to missions or charities. If you totaled up your gift expenditures, how would that compare to what you gave to the church mission offering or to the food pantry ministry in town? (4) Giving to too many people. Gift exchanges at work or at the Sunday School party cause more outlays, more shopping, and more stress. (5) Borrowing on credit cards to purchase gifts. From giving too much to too many, people often use credit. This causes stress after the Christmas holidays. Are you really helping your kids' future by borrowing on credit to buy the toys of today? Most parents are behind on their college savings plans but on track to have full closets and attics. Please don't think that I'm Scrooge-like or thoughtless. I applaud, as does the Bible, generous giving. It's just that many of us can do better at Christmas. Here are a few ideas to begin your creative thinking of meaningful gifts. * Write and frame a tribute of praise to someone. * Have your kids make memorable presents for relatives. * Give your children a coupon for a half-day with you (they choose the activity). * Give a coupon to offer babysitting, lawn, or laundry services to someone. * Write a poem for poetry lovers or compose and perform a song for music lovers. * Contribute money to a church, mission, or charity in honor of someone. Jeremy L. White Board Member Men Who Win www.menwhowin.com (Editor's Note: Jeremy L. White is a Certified Public Accountant and has authored several books with Ron Blue regarding finances including Surviving Financial Meltdown, Your Kids Can Master Their Money and Faith-Based Family Finances.) ============================================================== - TEACH THE CHILDREN - Author Unknown ASCII art by joan stark _ (__/_) .-'''''-. _ | |'-----'| / \|ate one Christmas Eve, I sank back, |-.....-| \__|\_ tired but content, into my | | easy chair. The kids were in bed, the gifts | | were wrapped, the milk and _,._ | | cookies waited by the __.o` o`"-. | | fireplace for Santa. .-O o `"-.o O )_,._ | | ( o O o )--.-"`O o"-.`'-----'` '--------' ( o O o) `----------` As I sat back admiring the tree with its decorations, I couldn't help feeling that something | important was missing. It wasn't \ ' / long before the tiny, twinkling -- (*) -- tree lights lulled me to sleep. >*< I don't know how long I slept, >0<@< but all of a sudden I knew that >>>@<<* I wasn't alone. >@>*<0<<< >*>>@<<<@<< I opened my eyes, and you can >@>>0<<<*<<@< imagine my surprise when I saw >*>>0<<@<<<@<<< Santa Claus himself standing >@>>*<<@<>*<<0<*< next to my Christ- \*/ >0>>*<<@<>0><<*<@<< mas tree. __\\U//__ >*>>@><0<<*>>@><*<0<< |\\ | | \\| >@>>0<*<0>>@<<0<<<*<@<< He was dressed | \\| | _(UU)_ >((*))_>0><*<0><@<<<0<*< all in fur from |\ \| || / //||.*.*.*.|>>@<<*<<@>><0<<< his head to his |\\_|_|&&_// ||*.*.*.*|_\\db//__ foot just as """"|'.'.'.|~~|.*.*.*| _____|_ poem described him, |'.'.'.| ^^^^^^|____|>>jgs>>| but he was not the ~~~~~~~~ '""""`-------' "jolly old elf" of Christmas legend. The man who stood before me looked sad and disappointed. And there were tears in his eyes. ____ "Santa, what's wrong?" I asked. ;` `'-._ "Why are you crying?" / \ /\ /` \ | ; "It's the children." Santa / \ | | replied sadly. / `\ | | / \_ / | "But Santa, the children love ; / `\ | you." I said. ,|_ __ \__/ | _\_o/_( |_ "Oh, I know they love me, and /`"=/\==""=="=="=="=="`\ they love the gifts I bring | )/ | them," Santa said, "but the \ / children of today seem to /';=""==""==""==""==";`\ have somehow missed out on | /` /~\ /~\ `\ | the true spirit of Christmas. | \ _ \o/ \o/ _ / | It's not their fault. It's \ ; (_) ` o (_) ; / just that the adults, / |\_.-""(__)""-._/| \ many of them not having | \ /\ / | been taught themselves, / '.___.' '.___.' \ have forgotten to teach | ,==, | the children." | ' ' | \ / "Teach them what?" I asked. | | \ / Santa's kind old face became '. .' soft, more gentle. His eyes jgs '-.__ __.-' began to shine with something '---'--'---' more than tears. He spoke softly. "Teach the children the true meaning of Christmas. Teach them that the part of Christmas we can see, hear, and touch is much more than meets the eye. Teach them the symbolism behind the customs and traditions of Christmas which we now observe. Teach them what it is they truly represent." | Santa reached into his bag and pulled out a \|/ tiny Christmas tree and set it on my mantle. \\|// "Teach them about the Christmas tree. \\\Y/// Green is the second color of Christmas. \\\|/// The stately evergreen, \\\\Y//// with it's unchanging color, \\\\|//// represents the hope of eternal life in Jesus. `\\Y//` It's needles point heavenward as a reminder `#` that man's thoughts should turn __#__ heavenward as well." [_ _] \___/ Santa reached into his bag again and pulled out a shiny star and placed it at the top of the small tree. * ' . . "The star was the heavenly sign . | . of promise. God promised a Savior \ | / + for the world and the star was * \|/ the sign of the fulfillment of --==> * <==-- ' that promise on the night that + /|\ . Jesus Christ was born. . / | \ Teach the children that God . ' | ' * always fulfills his promises, | and that wise men still seek Him." . ' . "Red," said Santa, "is the first color of Christmas." He pulled forth a red ornament for the tiny tree. ____ "Red is deep, intense, vivid. It is the .' '. color of the life-giving blood that flows / # \_ through our veins. It is the symbol of | {_{c} God's greatest gift. Teach the children \ / `\ that Christ gave his life and shed his '.____.' (__) blood for them that they might have eternal life. When they see the color red it should remind them of that most wonderful gift." Santa found a silver bell in his pack and placed it on the tree. "Just as lost sheep are guided , to safety by the sound of the bell, it /\`--. continues to ring today for all to be |o-| )D guided to the fold. Teach the children \/.--' to follow the true Shepherd, who gave His life for the sheep." Santa placed a candle on the mantle and lit it. The soft glow from its one tiny flame brightened the room. "The glow of the candle represents how man ( can show his thanks for the gift of God's ,=(,)=, son that Christmas Eve long ago. Teach |'==='| _, the children to follow in Christ's | |,)/( footsteps. To go about doing good. | |)/<_, Teach them to let their light so >>>\, _/<8<-_/ shine before men that all may see >>>>>>oo<<)\( it and glorify God. This is what >>>>>>o<<<\/ is symbolized when the twinkle lights shine on the tree like hundreds of bright, shining candles, each of them representing one of God's precious children, their light shining for all to see." Again Santa reached into his bag and this time he brought forth a tiny red and white striped cane. As he hung it on the tree he spoke softly. "The candy cane is a stick of hard white candy. _._ White to symbolize the virgin birth and sinless /\|/\ nature of Jesus, and hard to symbolize the /\/ )-| Solid Rock, the foundation of the church, and /\/ `" the firmness of God's promises. The candy cane /\/ is in the form of a "J" to represent the /\/ precious name of Jesus, who came to earth /\/ as our Savior. It also represents the /\/ crook of the Good Shepherd, which He uses `" to reach down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs who, like all sheep, have gone astray. The original candy cane had three small red stripes, which are the stripes of the scourging Jesus received by which we are healed, and a large red stripe that represents the shed blood of Jesus, so that we can have the promise of eternal life. Teach these things to the children." ,...., ,;;:o;;;o;;, Santa brought out a beautiful wreath ,;;o;'''''';;;;, made of fresh, fragrant greenery and ,;:;; ;;o;, tied with a bright red bow. "The bow ;o;; ;;;; reminds us of the bond of perfection, ;;o; ;;o; which is love." "The wreath embodies ';;;, _ _ ,;;;' all the good things about Christmas ';o;;/_\/_\;;o;' for those with eyes to see and hearts ';;\_\/_/;;' to understand. It contains the colors '//\\' of red and green and the heaven-turned jgs // \\ needles of the evergreen. The bow tells |/ \| the story of good will towards all and its color reminds us of Christ's sacrifice. Even its very shape is symbolic, representing eternity and the eternal nature of Christ's love. It is a circle, without beginning and without end. These are the things you must teach the children." "But where does that leave you Santa?" I asked. The tears gone now from his eyes, a smile broke over Santa's face. "Why bless you, my dear," he laughed, "I'm only a symbol myself. I represent the _... spirit of family fun and the o_.-"` `\ joy of giving and receiving. .--. _ `'-._.-'""-; _ .' \`_\_ {_.-a"a-} _ / \ If the children are _/ .-' '. {c-.-o-.){\|` | taught these other things (@`-._ / \{ `~^~`} \\ _/ there is no danger that `~\ '-._ /'. } \} .-. I'll ever be forgotten." |>:< '-.__/ '._,} \_/ / ()) | >:< `'---. ____'-.|(`"` "I think I'm \ >:< \\_\\_\ | ; beginning to understand \ \\-{}-\/ \ at last." I replied. \ '._\\' /) '. /( "That's why I came," '97 `-._ _____ _ _____ __.'\ \ said Santa. "You're an jgs / \ / \ / \ \ \ adult. If you don't _.'/^\'._.'/^\'._.'/^\'.__) \ teach the children these ,==' `---` '---' '---' ) things, then who will?" `"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""` ===================================================================== "I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men!" -- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->BECOMING A CHRISTIAN HOW TO BE A CHRISTIAN! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->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 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: Visit Here This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR For the Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ************************************************************************