Count Our Blessings ... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net =========================== >-->In The 'Shangy' News: >We have added photos to our group here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList Thank You Becky And STEVE for Sharing With Us!! -<>- I've been working more on the Bible Pages. Over the weekend I got another 6 of them done. Here are a couple you may not have seen before: BibleStudy: Body-Soul-Spirit http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/bodysoulspirit.html BibleStudy: Dwelling On The Past http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/dwellingonthepast.html -<>- Thanks to Steve Sharing with us these great sayings we have a new picture page available - Hot Off The 'Shangy' Press... I Believe In You http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ibelieveinyou.html ... Thanks Steve! A Pretty Sweet one! ... ================================================================== >-->Hope Everyone had a safe and Happy Halloween! >Now it's Time to say Welcome to November! , }`-. , , \ \ '-' \ .-'{ _} . | ,`\ / ' ; .-;\ { \ | | / `/ '-.,/ ; | { -- -. ' '`-, .--._.' ; \__ \ \ | ' / |`. ; _,`\ '. '- ' `_- '.`; ; ,-`_.-' ,--. \ ` /` '--' `;.` (` _ .--.\ '._) '-. \ \ `-. ; `-';| '. -. ' __ '. ; ; _,-' / { __'.\ ' '-,/; `-' ';`.- ` .-' '-. `-._' | `; ;`' .-'` <_ -' ` .\ `; ; (_.'`\ _.;-"``"'-._'. `:; ___, _.-' | .-'\'. '.` \ \_,_`\ ;##` `'; _.' /_'._\ \ \__;#####./###. \` \.' .'`/"`/ (#######)###::.. _.' '.' .' ; , |:. `|()##`"""` jgs `'-../__/_\:: /O()()o ()'._.'`()()' After all the fun and games of last month with Halloween, we take a more serious look into our two most prominent Holidays this month. They being, Veterans Day and Thanksgiving. Definitely a time to count our blessings and be thankful. We start the month with thoughts and memories from a man brought up in an orphanage. He is a testament to one being able to rise above the circumstances and environment he had during his childhood. We make our own choices in this world. We may not have the best foundations to work with, but as adults we choose how we want to live. Roger Dean Kiser chose to help other children raised as he was. He is reaching out with his books and stories to America and calling for a change and for all of us to not forsake our children. Mark 10:14b 'Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.' Visit his web site here: http://www.rogerdeankiser.com/ >This is one of his stories: YELLOW JACKETS by Roger Dean Kiser ...vvvv)))))). /~~\ ,,,c(((((((((((((((((/ /~~c \. .vv)))))))))))))))))))\`` G_G__ ,,(((KKKK//////////////' ,Z~__ '@,gW@@AKXX~MW,gmmmz==m_. iP,dW@!,A@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@A` ,W@@A\c ]b_.__zf !P~@@@@@*P~b.~+=m@@@*~ g@Ws. ~` ,2W2m. '\[ ['~~c'M7 _gW@@A`'s v=XX)====Y- [ [ \c/*@@@*~ g@@i /v~ !.!. '\c7+sg@@@@@s. // 'c'c '\c7*X7~~~~ ]/ ~=Xm_ '~=(Gm_. SNOOPY@data-klo-mcnet.de Every Saturday morning, the orphans in the Children's Home had to line up, and rake leaves and pine straw that had fallen from the trees during the previous week. The large piles were then scattered among the hundreds of azalea bushes planted around the orphanage. One particular Saturday, I was raking leaves with Robert Gillman and Wayne Evers. Robert grabbed a large arm full of leaves and walked into a large section of azalea bushes to scatter them about. When I looked up, he had disappeared somewhere in the large rows of bushes. I told Wayne that I thought Robert was deliberately hiding from us. He was going to leave all the raking for us and I thought we should discontinue, until he returned. We waited about five minutes, but Robert never came back, so we started looking for him. We searched from the far end of the azalea bushes and worked our way toward the opposite end, which was about 150 feet away. All of a sudden, we heard screaming and yelling. We ran out of the bushes and noticed that it was Robert Gillman and he was slapping himself all over his pants and shirt. Then he fell on the ground and wiggled all over the place. He was screaming as if he were being killed or something. Wayne and I thought he was playing a joke on us, so he wouldn’t have to rake the yard; you know how 8 or 9 year old boys are. We just walked back over, picked up our rakes and stood there looking at him. However, he never stopped yelling, screaming or wiggling. Then Wayne walked over to Robert and noticed that there were yellow jackets flying out of his shirt and pants. There were hundreds of them everywhere and they were stinging him all over his body. He just kept wiggling and yelling, and wiggling. Finally, Wayne yelled for someone to help him. He also hollered at me to go and get the house parents, so I ran toward the boys' building. Wayne ran to get the hose to see if spraying water on Robert would get the yellow jackets away from him. I ran into the boys’ building and went from room to room looking for the house parents. I found them in the small kitchen downstairs baking an angel food cake. I told them what happened to Robert and that he needed help right away. They told me to be quiet; they could not come out, until the cake was out of the oven. I waited, so I could show them where Robert was lying. I guess it took five minutes for them to get the cake out of the oven. They complained the whole time that us kids were a bunch of idiots. They said, if our parents had been smart at all, they would have taken us out and cut our heads off when we were first born. That way, the world would be a lot better off. However, that did not bother me. They talked like that all the time and we were use to it. I do not think they really meant any of that stuff anyway, but it sure made you feel bad sometimes when they talked like that. Finally, they came to help Robert. He looked bad too. His entire body was covered with yellow jacket stings. They were everywhere - all over his face, arms, hands and neck. Heck, he even had bumps in his red hair. He was getting sick and throwing up on the ground. I kicked some dirt over the vomit and thought that I might come back later, pick it up in a shoebox, and dump it in the house parents’ bed. That is, if I could get up enough nerve. I guess they took Robert to the hospital, because I did not see him again for several days. We heard he was going to die from all the stings, so we never went back into the azalea bushes, ever again. We just threw the leaves and pine straw into the bamboo area where no one could see it. When Robert did come back from the infirmary, which is where they took him, he was a mess. He was swollen and had sores all over his freckles. I remember telling him that he looked like a freak and then he beat my ass terribly. However, we were still friends I guess. Robert still lives in Jacksonville, Florida. He is married with several children and maybe a few grandchildren. He has chosen not to speak to me since I wrote the book "Orphan, A True Story of Abandonment, Abuse and Redemption,” exposing what they did to the kids in that orphanage. This story is from: http://www.geocities.com/trampolineone/survive/srv026.htm ===================================================================== >-->Being Thanksful... .===. _ _ / _/\ \ / )%.===.%( \ \/6.6\/ | // ,,, \\ | ( _ ) \/ \/6.6\/ \/ .===. _)---(_ /\ ( _ ) /\ / ,,, \ / `~` \ ^^ /()-()\ ^^ ( /6.6\ ) /\/ \/\ / /o o\ \ )( _ )( \ | | / (._\ Y /_.) (_/;---;\_) \|_____|/ (O_`&`_O) / `"*"` \ | L | / / \ \ ( (_.@._) ) |__|__| / ()/^\() \ /'._\|/_.'\ | | | /. . . . . . .\ /. . . . . .\ |_|_| `"`"`|`|`|`"`"` `"`"|"|"|"`"` jgs _|_|_|_ _|_|_|_ _|_|_|_ (___|___) (___|___) (___|___) We should be thankful to God for our children. We should also be thankful to God for what He has given us - God says we are to be His Stewards. What is a Steward? The Dictionary defines it as such: "A Steward is a servant who manages another's property," Now that is a tall order when you consider that for instance, God gives you a house. You are considered the Steward of that property for GOD. Think about that! If it were up to the devil, you'd be a poor slob in the gutter without anything to your name so that others wouldn't want to be in your shoes and be like you - a Christian. So all that you have and all the good things you own are due to God giving them to you. After you die you can't take them with you, of course. So they go back to God and He gives them to another to care for. That is the way all things are. We are Stewards of God - taking care of God's property. You don't own it - GOD DOES - SO, you had best take good care of it! That goes for all good things ... Matt.7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Here we have a great teaching from the TruthOrTradition site: Financial Stewardship: God’s Heart Concerning Money and Possessions To listen to this teaching free of charge, visit here: http://www.stfpodcast.com/File/jan2003_financial_stewardship.mp3 Now here is a teaching from our friend Tony in Australia on: >Stewardship These words came to me personally whilst I was praying this morning.... Lately, I know I have been guilty and I feel so guilty about neglecting the work that God has blessed me with so far. Instead of 'complaining', I should be glorifying God for His blessings and being obedient to what He has called me to do..... These lessons he has given me are to be shared.... Shared amongst us all, but if I am not being 'audacious' they are aimed toward the Gails, the MaryAnns, the Lois's, the Leiannes, the Georges, Craigs , Cliffs, the Joyces and all those others who are called to share and give out Godw word and work for the benefit of others. I would like to see those who God touches through these lessons, using whatever time they can spare...to bring us even more enlightenment through HIS word......Amen. Many years ago now, people listened and heard a proclamation that there was “ One” to come, who would change the world. It’s a rather broad statement to make and it has been made on many occasions. People have come, and yes they have changed a lot of things, but not anywhere near changed as much as Jesus continues to do even to this day. He came into town triumphantly! There was crowds of people to welcome their wanted ‘hero’ the One who would ‘save’ them! But save them from what? They had thought to see a ‘warrior’ riding on a ‘great horse’ and carrying weapons! They had thought to see perhaps an ARMY! Of men , ready to chase away their Roman oppressors and vanquish them! Restoring what had been taken from them…….Freedom, prosperity and their rights as human beings…. And what did they get? They got a ‘man’. This ‘man’….rode into town on a donkey, a ‘borrowed’ donkey at that! And His army? Just a bunch of ‘rag-tag fisherman’……how so then? Was he going to ‘save’ them? Jesus’s first appearance on our planet was by ‘introduction’ not by His presentation to the people as a “King”. He was born poor and into a family that was poor in a town that was poor and in a country that was poor and He lived poor. And yet…..He owned the cattle on a thousand hills! Can any of us deny that? Can any of us truly ‘imagine’ that? What ‘gifts’ did he bear us? Gold? Frankincense? Myrrh. He once had that stuff! Had he lost it? Did He give it away? These gifts that He had been given whilst He lay in a manger? WHY? Did these men? These very ‘wise’ men come all that way to see a baby? Can you imagine that? Were they mistaken? Wrong kid? Wrong stable where his birth had been prophesied about so many years before? Was this a case of mistaken identity? So many years went by after this ‘kid’ was born to a poor family and the we hear about him again ‘running away’ as kids do. But me? As kid I ‘ran away’ to become a hero! I was going to be ‘Superman or the Lone Ranger but this kid? He went to the synagogue and astounded the priests and preachers there by what he talked about and it was his ‘knowledge’ of God that astounded them! Not his ‘stature’ or his good looks! It was HIS ‘mind’…..they found astonishing… “What are you worried about?” He asked his parents Joseph and Mary, “ I am about My Fathers business”, what was he saying? His ‘father’ was a carpenter…! Or was he? ‘Knowing’ Who Jesus is….is a tremendous experience! It’s a POWERFUL! Experience and it’s a ‘power’ within, that WE must share….. Let me tell you what I am meaning and I will use the Bible to tell you. Luke , Chapter 19, verses 11-27… 11And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. 12He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 13And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. 14But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. 15And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. 16Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. 17And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 18And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. 19And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. 20And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: 21For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. 22And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: 23Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? 24And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. 25(And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) 26For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. 27But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me. Now…. I want us to think about these words, all of us…and understand how it can relate to you….and to me, and indeed to all of us here in varying scales…. WE! Have been given a ‘treasure’….and a treasure is worthless if we ‘bury it in the ground’…… Read the scriptures and please……give your selves a few moments and see whether you can see yourself in this parable that “ HE” this kid all ‘growed up now’ brought to those who would listen…. >Part 2 Stewardship __-----__ ..;;;--'~~~`--;;;.. /;-~IN GOD WE TRUST~-.\ A Talent Of silver contained 3,000 shekels // ,;;;;;;;; \\ .// ;;;;; \ \\ A Talent of gold was double the weight of || ;;;;( /.| || || ;;;;;;; _\ || A Talent of silver (Matt. 18:24; 25:15) || ';; ;;;;= || ||LIBERTY | ''\;;;;;; || From: http://tinyurl.com/2klpne \\ ,| '\ '|><| 1995 // \\ | | \ A // `;.,|. | '\.-'/ ~~;;;,._|___.,-;;;~' ''=--' In Mathew 25, we read the parable Jesus spoke of concerning ‘talents’ and how as good stewards we should take good care of the talents he blesses us with and to use them for His Glory. The story relates that each servant was given ‘talents’ according to their ability and it is widely thought that Gods blessings only come as the ability to preach, teach, play music or even write music and many people go away thinking that if none of the above are what they can do, then God passed over them but this is totally wrong! God gives ALL of us talents of ‘some ‘kind, not matter how simple or uncomplicated they may be. The lesson in Matthew 25 is simple. We are all given talents, but in different ways and in different degrees…according to our ability. There are many ways we can serve God and on of those ways is simply by serving others. You might cook or clean well and can help those who have difficulty in helping themselves. You might be great at home maintenance,fixing that squeaky door or leaky tap or maybe working on a car repair. You might be a great prayer warrior or maybe have the talent for counseling, you may be able to organize fund raisers, there are many ways we can serve God by serving or helping others. You may be able to baby sit for someone who just needs a little time to take a breather, those kind of people are always appreciated. Most of us, don’t see what we are good at , at being important or as a means of serving God, yet if we step back and think about it there are going to be thimgs wer are good at, that we can share with those who need us. Let me suggest some ways you may be able to Glorify God and be blessed whilst blessing others. * Visit Retirement villages and go through the right channels and volunteer to sit with an aged person and maybe read to them or just be company for them * Cook a meal and take it someone who has problems preparing a meal for themselves * Take an older persons dog for a walk, the dog and you may both need it! * Visit someone who is sick or in hospital. * Make a special dish for your Pastor or Pastors wife * Help with church fundraising and organizing. It really doesn’t matter what you do as long as you do it to Glorify God. We are saved by Grace, not by works…lest any man should boast. The Bible also tells us that “those who are trustworthy, will be given more” ( Matt 25:21) So here we see that we are to be faithful in the work that God has already given us in order for God to use us greatly. Its not necessarily the ‘size’ of the job that is important so much as what the job is and they way it is done. A good job is a job well done.! God looks closely at how we do the tasks He sets for us, just as that King did in the book of Luke. We receive according to what we give and if you cant do with diligence, what God has given you, its doubtful He will give you more and this also appertains to responsibility. If we handle the smaller things well, then God may choose you for greater things but if you don’t handle small things well, then God will not task you with things you cant handle. In lots of cases, the smaller things turn into much bigger things. Its not always what you do, but the way in which you do it. Also, we cant ‘choose’ the way in which we serve God. He will in His own good time , reveal what it is He has for you. Its ok for people to tell you “hey! You would be good at doing….??” But its God Who will tell you what it is he wants of you and also, we can’t choose ‘when’ we can serve him. Serving God is minute by minute. And day by day, not just on ‘certain days’ or at ‘certain times.’ God may just want you to show an act of kindness, just like the Good Samaritan account. Stop and give someone in need a lift…but BE CAREFUL about doing that! Carry someones shopping for them or even something as simple as opening a door for someone, all these ‘little’ things, are not so little in Gods eyes. Everyone who ‘has’ will be given ‘more’, but as for the one who has nothing to give, they receive nothing. If you have one last biscuit and someone has greater need than you…….give them your biscuit. If you hang onto that biscuit because its your last one…..it will spoil. End of Part 2 Stewardship ======================================================================= >-->From InspiredBuffalo: ____________________ | | | PSYCHIATRIC | | HELP | |____________________| || ,-..'``. || || (,-..'`. ) || || )-c - `)\ || ,.,._.-.,_,.,-||,.(`.-- ,`',.-,_,||.-.,.,-,._. ___||____,`,'--._______|| |`._||______`'__________|| | || __ || | || |.-' ,|- || _,_,,..-,_| || ._)) `|- ||,.,_,_.-.,_ . `._||__________________|| ____ . . . . . <.____`> .SSt . . . . . _.()`'()`' . MAKING SENSE OF LIFE By: Joseph J. Mazzella "Does life ever make sense?" This was a question asked to me by a friend the other day. Like all of us this lady had seen a lot of suffering, a lot of injustice, and a lot of insanity in this world. She had seen parents having to bury their children, good people having to go through cancer, and hard working souls having to struggle to make ends meet. She had seen wars, famines, and natural disasters. She had seen cruel and selfish people prosper while others with more caring hearts dealt with loss and tragedy. As she looked me in the eyes and asked me that question, I smiled back and said the first words that came from my heart: "only when you love." I think now that those words must have been sent to me by God, because the wisdom in them eased her mind and touched her heart. We talked peacefully a while longer and she thanked me before going on her way. In truth, only love can make sense of this life. It is only when you love that you can grow better and more caring from the pains life brings you. It is only when you love that you can face injustice with a passion to make things better. It is only when you love that you can meet the insanity of the world with the sanity of your soul. Love helps you to see the precious value of every life no matter how limited or how brief. Love helps you to face a life threatening disease with a greater joy for living. Love helps you to see that true wealth comes from the soul and not the things you own. With love in your life you realize the senselessness of war and the pricelessness of peace. With love in your heart you see every famine and natural disaster as a call to help others even more. With love in your soul you feel God's love everywhere as well. If you want to make sense of this life then just love. It won't stop the questions, but it will help you live the answers. It won't fully explain this life, but it will get you ready for the next. -<>- >If Roses Grow In Heaven ,),-, (\ (>|);----,--`------ `-);' (/ pb If Roses grow in Heaven, Lord please pick a bunch for me, Place them in my Mother's arms and tell her they're from me. Tell her I love her and miss her, and when she turns to smile, place a kiss upon her cheek and hold her for awhile. Because remembering her is easy, I do it every day, but there's an ache within my heart that will never go away. -- Author Unknown -<>- >My Heart * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * arm * One day a young man was standing in the middle of the town proclaiming that he had the most beautiful heart in the whole valley. A large crowd gathered and they all admired his heart for it was perfect. There was not a mark or a flaw in it. Yes, they all agreed it truly was the most beautiful heart they had ever seen. The young man was very proud and boasted more loudly about his beautiful heart. Suddenly, an old man appeared at the front of the crowd and said "Why your heart is not nearly as beautiful as mine." The crowd and the young man looked at the old man's heart. It was beating strongly, but full of scars, it had places where pieces had been removed and other pieces put in, but they didn't fit quite right and there were several jagged edges. In fact, in some places there were deep gouges where whole pieces were missing. The people stared -- how can he say his heart is more beautiful, they thought? The young man looked at the old man's heart and saw its state and laughed. "You must be joking," he said. "Compare your heart with mine, mine is perfect and yours is a mess of scars and tears." "Yes," said the old man, "Yours is perfect looking but I would never trade with you. You see, every scar represents a person to whom I have given my love - I tear out a piece of my heart and give it to them, and often they give me a piece of their heart which fits into the empty place in my heart, but because the pieces aren't exact, I have some rough edges, which I cherish, because they remind me of the love we shared. Sometimes I have given pieces of my heart away, and the other person hasn't returned a piece of his heart to me. These are the empty gouges -- giving love is taking a chance. Although these gouges are painful, they stay open, reminding me of the love I have for these people too, and I hope someday they may return and fill the space I have waiting. So now do you see what true beauty is?" The young man stood silently with tears running down his cheeks. He walked up to the old man, reached into his perfect young and beautiful heart, and ripped a piece out. He offered it to the old man with trembling hands. The old man took his offering, placed it in his heart and then took a piece from his old scarred heart and placed it in the wound in the young man's heart. It fit, but not perfectly, as there were some jagged edges. The young man looked at his heart, not perfect anymore but more beautiful than ever, since love from the old man's heart flowed into his. They embraced and walked away side by side. -<>- /-_-\ / / \ / / \ \ \ / \__\__/ || ___ ||/__/ ___|| /__/|| \ ___|L._ //-------------------./ ._. \) | / (_\_\) |_ ' (___) \ Hold On | (__) \ |`----||' \_________________________| || || Luc-Etienne Brachotte Hold Onto What Is Good... Even If It Is A Handful Of Earth Hold Onto What You Believe... Even If It Is A Tree...Which Stands All By Itself Hold Onto What You Must Do.... Even If It Is A Long Way From Here Hold Onto Life.... Even When It is Easier To Let Go __..,,... .,,,,,. '''' ,' ` . ,' ,. .. ` . `.,' .. ` __..,. . .. . ` . . `. .` ` , `. `. `._|,.. . `. `..' ` -'`'' unknown Hold Onto My Hand.... Even When I Go Away From You ~Author Unknown~ -<>- Links: The Bright Side http://www.buffalosjokes.com/032925.htm Thieves http://www.buffalosjokes.com/032926.htm Top Model http://www.buffalosjokes.com/032927.htm Important Message http://www.buffalosjokes.com/22620.htm Hot Cup http://www.buffalosjokes.com/22617.htm Hot Drink http://www.buffalosjokes.com/22618.htm To Subscribe send a blank email to: the-inspired-buffalo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ================================================================= >-->From AndyChap: >Just Think About This! / /__,-, ,/_o,__( ===H==== | T| | Na When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that her son was missing. Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit." "Keep playing." Then leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child and he added a running obligatio. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was mesmerized. That's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't exactly graceful flowing music. But with the hand of the Master, our life's work truly can be beautiful. Next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You can hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear, "Don't quit." Keep playing." Feel His loving arms around you. Know that His strong hands are playing the concerto of your life. Remember, God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called. Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God's grace. -<>- >Is There A Place Without Sorrow There is an old Chinese tale about a woman whose only son died. In her grief, she went to the holy man and said, "What prayers, what magical incantations do you have to bring my son back to life?" Instead of sending her away or reasoning with her, he said to her, "Fetch me a mustard seed from a home that has never known sorrow. We will use it to drive the sorrow out of your life." The woman went off at once in search of that magical mustard seed. She came first to a splendid mansion, knocked at the door, and said, "I am looking for a home that has never known sorrow. Is this such a place? It is very important to me." They told her, "You've certainly come to the wrong place," and began to describe all the tragic things that recently had befallen them. The woman said to herself, "Who is better able to help these poor, unfortunate people that I, who have had misfortune of my own?" She stayed to comfort them, then went on in search of a home that had never known sorrow. But wherever she turned, in hovels and in other places, she found one tale after another of sadness and misfortune. She became so involved in ministering to other people's grief that ultimately she forgot about her quest for the magical mustard seed, never realizing that it had, in fact, driven the sorrow out of her life. ================================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: >LITTLE COTTAGE BY THE LAKE by Stefanie Wass _ .=========.%88, /_,-.___.-._\88% o8| [_]/o\[_] |7' i=I8%@|____|_|____|I=I=I=i |/,*`*,*`**'/ \ ,-'`.\| |/ /...\ (__.-._)\| ||||||||||||TTTTT|||||||||||||hjw """"""""""""HHHHH""""""""""""" What a crisp, colorful autumn afternoon. Crimson tipped maples paint the rural landscape as we make our way to my aunt's shady lakeside cottage. Overhead, a flock of geese fly in "V" formation, seemingly pointing us to the Western Pennsylvania border, past miles of roadside pumpkin stands and endless fields of late season sweet corn. Finally, my husband turns down the familiar gravel road. I spot the lake, glistening in the warm October sun. "We're here!" I rustle my girls from the back seat. "Hurry and say hello to everyone." The small white cottage reminds me of a doll house -- the good cozy kind, where friends and family happily gather, spilling out into the yard when the quarters get a bit tight. I smile as I walk past the well manicured lawn, bedecked for fall with orange and yellow mums peeking from cast iron buckets. As always, dried cornstalks climb the back porch rails. I spy a row of perfectly orange pumpkins, gifts from my uncle's garden. I wonder if my girls will remember to take one home at day's end. For years, my uncle has sent home a pumpkin with each child, just in time for Halloween. Hopping out of the car, the girls crunch through the leaves, hoping to sample appetizers on the back porch table. In an instant, their cheeks are stuffed with crab dip, Amish Swiss cheese, and trail bologna. Family seems to be everywhere. Cousins, aunts, and uncles trickle out from the cottage, sharing hugs and gossip in the wooded yard. Gathered in groups, my chatty Scotch Irish clan prepares for our autumn tradition -- an outdoor clambake, held annually on the first Sunday in October. Husks fly off golden ears of sweet corn as we all pitch in, removing silky threads from more than forty cobs. Great aunts, unaware that they could be sitting down, scurry about setting tables, slicing juicy red tomatoes, and taking surreptitious sips of homemade berry wine. The men hover as they always do, around the fire pit. I chuckle at this primitive scene -- men tending the fire and women preparing the vegetables. Why is this always the case? Salty steam wafts upward from the coals as the tempting smells of clams and chicken tease my taste buds. What could be better than this? Somehow, I can't imagine being anywhere else on this idyllic autumn afternoon. Sitting around card tables in the yard, we manage to quiet down for a prayer of thanksgiving. Then, at long last, it is time to dig in. Tearing open the mesh bag of steamers, I can hardly wait to swirl each clam in drawn butter. What a gloriously gritty delicacy. Heaven seems near as a lobster tail is placed upon my plate, followed by sweet potatoes and a cup of steaming clam broth. My daughters, content with an ear of sweet corn each, amazingly don't seem to care that much for seafood. "I can help you out there." my husband teases, reaching for their leftover lobster. We laugh with my cousins as we swap family news and gorge on a final, overindulgent treat -- homemade cheesecake and raspberry pie. As the sun sets, we pour second cups of coffee, warm mugs that prolong our time together, if only for a few precious minutes. "Don't forget to take a pumpkin home with you," my aunt reminds us. "Did you get a candle off the mantel?" Our girls pick their future jack-o-lanterns as I select my party favor -- a homemade cranberry scented votive. In the year ahead, the candle will take me back to this place, filling my house with the light and warmth of family. "Thanks again for the clams, the pumpkin, the candle!" It is the following morning and I am struggling to email my aunt. How can I show my appreciation for it all -- the glorious weather, the delectable food? Finding next year's calendar, I flip ahead to October, making sure to highlight the first Sunday in bright orange marker. Perhaps the best sort of thank you involves simply being present for cherished traditions. Next year, and hopefully for many years to come, I will be there, feasting with family at the little cottage by the lake. -- Stefanie Wass ____________________________________________ Stefanie writes from her home in Hudson, Ohio. A member of the International Women's Writing Guild, Stefanie's essays have been published in The Christian Science Monitor, The Akron Beacon Journal, Chicken Soup For The Beach Lover's Soul, and Chicken Soup For The New Mom's Soul. Additionally, her stories have appeared in newspapers nationwide as part of Chicken Soup's syndicated column. Look for two of Stefanie's stories in the upcoming anthology Chicken Soup: Love Stories, due to be published in February 2008. ===================================================================== >-->From InspiringWords: "A cheerful disposition is good for your health . . ." Proverbs 17:22 (Message Translation) >Forgive and Forget. An old man once had an argument with his only son. He tried to apologize many times but the young man would not listen. The father never gave up because he loved his son with all his heart, but the son would not give in, because he was too blinded by his pride. Years passed and as the man lay in his deathbed, he made a final attempt to reconcile with his son, but still he would not listen and so the father died with a heart full of grief. During this time the son too had a child who had now grown up into a young adult. To this child he never mentioned his father and when the young man asked about his grandfather he would tell him never to mention him again. One day, they too were both involved in a hot argument and his son fled away as his father did many years before. The man was extremely saddened and this time he had no pride, but felt completely isolated. He was afraid that he had lost his son forever and for the first time after many years he turned to God in prayer. At that moment something filled his heart and he realized how his father must have felt many years back. He remembered how he had hurt his old man and only at that point he realized the extent of the hurt he had caused. The more he thought the more he understood how unjust he was with his old father, the man who gave him everything through out his life. With these sad thoughts he fell asleep on the couch. Next morning when he opened his eyes he found himself tucked in his bed and in front of him stood his son. The man could not believe his eyes, and the two hugged each other while they cried together. After lots of apologies, the young man explained that up till the day before he felt lots of hatred towards his father, but during the night he had a strange dream that touched his heart. He dreamt that an old man was hugging him, and as he embraced him, all his hatred turned into love. The old man then told him to forgive and forget. He then explained that as soon as he woke up he came running to his father's house. At this point the man told his son that on the same night, he learnt an important lesson, and how he had let his father down when he was younger. The son wanted to know more about his grandfather who he never met or even saw, and this was the most appropriate time. The man went to an old bookshelf and fetched an old family album. He then picked an old photograph of his father and when the son saw it, he remained dumb-founded. The son then explained that the man in the photograph was the same one he dreamt of the night before. Story written By Vincent Magro-Attard, Malta ====================================================================== >-->From PetWarmers: THREE ORPHANS ) ( /( \yYYy,_I_`; JgLFO^JL_ \ `- \, ` Qr+as While visiting my orphan brother, Wayne, in Gainesville, Georgia, I saw a little kitten running along the roadway. We were five miles from the nearest house. It was obvious this cat had been dumped by someone trying to get rid of it. I asked Wayne if we could stop to at least take it to a safer place. "I don't want no darn cat," said Wayne. "Well, I didn't ask you to adopt the cat. Just move it to another location so that it will not get run over," I told him. With one of those mean, gruff old looking moods, that some people get on their face, he pulled off the highway and let me pick up the kitten. As I got back into the truck I looked at him and said, "Now that didn't kill you. Did it?" "I gotta dog and that's all I need," said Wayne, with that mean old look of his still on is face. I picked up the cat from my lap and I held it toward him. "Why don't you reach out there and scratch that mean old man?" I told the cat. Wayne gave me one of those out-of-the-corner of your eye looks, but he didn't say a word. As we drove up to his house, I took the kitten and stood beside the truck petting it. "That cat is not coming into my house," Wayne said, pointing at me. "You want me to just throw it out in the street?" I asked him. "I don't guess I have to tell you that this is a little orphan kitten," I said back at him. Wayne and I both were orphans and we both know very well what it is like to have no one to give a hoot about you. "Don't pull that one on me," he replied. "Well, it's hungry and it needs some water," I told him. Wayne didn't say a word as he pointed toward the house, with his head, giving me permission to bring the kitten in for a drink of water and something to eat. "I ain't got nothing' but dog food. That's what it's going to have to eat or it can just go hungry," said Wayne. As soon as Wayne sat down on the couch, the kitten ran over to him and grabbed hold of his sock, with all four claws. He shook his foot as hard as he could but the kitten would not let go. Soon, Wayne was laughing as loud as he could. "Look at this darn cat," he told me. All at once the kitten let go of his leg. Wayne reached over and picked up the kitten and began to stroke it. "Listen to the motor in this thing," Wayne said. About that time, Wayne's dog came walking in from the back bedroom. All at once the dog and the kitten began to chase one another up and down the hallway, and around the couch. "I guess they sorta like one another. I'm surprised. My dog don't like no one," he told me. "Yea, like somebody else I know," I whispered to myself. As the animals continued to play with one another, Wayne and I got in some computer time. About an hour later we walked into the back bedroom and there was Wayne's dog, and the kitten -- both asleep on Wayne's bed. The kitten was all curled up in a tight ball next to the dog's chest. Over the next two days, I would see Wayne go to the refrigerator and cut up small pieces of his premium ham and hand feed it to the small kitten. On Sunday morning, I woke to the smell of breakfast. As I was about to take a shower I walked through the living room. I saw Wayne cooking in the kitchen. There on the floor were two bowls of food -- one for the kitten, and one for the dog. I knew right then and there that another orphan had been saved. I loaded my suitcases into my truck and then I turned around. I stood there looking at Wayne, his dog, and the kitten all looking at me. "Don't even think about it. Less you wanna fight," said Wayne, as we both laughed. Wayne and I hugged one another. I got in my truck and I drove away knowing that my orphan brother had found another piece of his heart. -- Roger Kiser ____________________________________________ Roger is from Georgia and is a Heartwarmer Gem. His book, Orphan, is available at bookstores and online. You can find it here: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1580624480/heart His friend, Wayne (Bobby) Evers can be reached at: EverEvers @ webtv.net ===================================================================== >-->Quotes: The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will. - Vincent T. Lombardi "Do not save your loving speeches for your friends 'til they are dead; do not write them on their tombstones, speak them rather now instead." ~~ Anna Cummins "If a man harbors any sort of fear, it percolates through all his thinking, damages his personality, makes him a landlord to a ghost." -- Lloyd C. Douglas "Don't fear what is new and unknown. Stand firmly on what is tried and true and build upon that foundation with hope in your heart and faith in your God." Bob Perks >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :)Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->Bigham's Computer Rescue - PC Sales & Serrvice You can trust us to provide you with quality computer sales and repair. We've been servicing the Van Wert area since 1981 and can help you with all your computer needs. Please phone us at 419-238-5806 ************************************************************************ -->This is for all you who love food and DARRE 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 ************************************************************************