Gifts, A Little More Jesus, And More ... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList 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 ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! AND For Facebook Users: Please Friend Me / Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND Please Share This email with All Your Friends And Family! ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! :) -<>- * NOTE: An easy way to adjust the size of print in email or any page is to hold down the Ctrl tab while moving the scroll button on the mouse. You can also use the keyboard to change the font size in your web browser or emails. Hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the + key for larger text or the - key for smaller text! ================ >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This Scorcher is from our friend Geniann. It is an adorable one that should bring you some Smiles and Christmas cheer! Be sure to have your sound on, give it time to load and check it out here... _.-O-._ o_o_o_o_o \_`___`_/ } /. .\ { } | _c_ | { __}_\www/_{__ (((( { } )))) | |o { } o| | | |o {_} o| | |_\o _ o/_| \_/==L_I//\_/ \)-.__//-(/ | : //: | | :|/ : | | : | : | | : | : | |---|---| jgs |__ | __| (___|___) Kids On Angels http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/cangels.html --- ...This is so cute and sweet! Thank You Geniann! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: _..--""""--...___ .---, ,' \ `'--.___ / / /`\ \ ``''--:'`--' ( ,'. '. _____..--''` )__/`-'._;__ .-'` _/ e /.-| / \ _/ | |_, ( \ / \______\__\_.-'////// |||||||||}////////;._ __/\ _..----''```` \_ / /. ( / | `'._---:./ '. '---\_;-...______. '. |_, \ ===--- / .` '-' / _.' ===--- /___.._ _..-'`\ / /`' \ '--.______ \ / / \ \ \#\ | | '---------'-. \#\ ---jgs----------| /----------------------\_\-\----------------- |__| ._\ __.' | /______| ..::::::::::::::::::::::::::.. (___#__#____ .::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::' '':::::::::::::::::::::::::::::' >I WANT TO BE A MOUNTAIN by Michael Smith I looked up at the mountains in the distance. They were white now. Not long ago, they were brown. In the time I've lived in Idaho, I've had the opportunity to watch the cycle of seasons make their change on those mountains I never tire of seeing. My first sight of them came in September of 2008. The sides of the mountains were painted green with the leaves of sage brush. Near the top were pines. The days moved on. The weather cooled and the rain didn't fall. The leaves browned. The mountain changed. Fall gave way to winter. I stood in the rain and watched the top of the mountains turn a blinding white. Each week the snow crept further down the slopes and long before the first snows fell in the valley, the mountains were covered with fresh powder. The sun set, the lights on the ski slopes lit the side of the mountains a dazzling white. I'm not a skier, but I imagined the excitement of speeding down the side of those mountains -- free, fast, and thrilled. Winter turned to spring. The snow in the valley disappeared and made its retreat up the slopes until it was gone once again. The weeks passed, the green in the valley flowed steadily up the slopes like a reversed waterfall. The mountains were as I first saw them, green and lush. On New Years Eve, the mountains were white again. On New Years Day they were peppered with the dark dots of the distance skiers as they daringly fall down their slopes. I saw so many changes, but were they changes? The mountains are never changing. Like people, they only changed coats to fit the weather. They didn't allow outside influences to alter what lie beneath their coats of changing colors. They were always the same. You can have faith in them. I'm in my third season of life. A little snow has gathered at my peak. Some of the sage brush is gone all together. My clothing has changed to fit my seasons. Next year and all my years to follow, I want to be as constant as a mountain. Although my looks change, I want to be reliable. My body will change coats many times, but when my day is done, I want people to say, "No matter what the seasons of life brought, he never changed inside. He never allowed the pressures of the seasons or the weathers of life to change what he was underneath. He was a mountain you could rely on to watch over those who looked up to him." For this New Year and all the New Years that I have left, whether it is at my job, at home, or with friends and family, I want to be a mountain -- reliable. -- Michael T. Smith __________________________________________________ You can sign up to get Michael's stories directly by clicking here: To read more of Michael's stories, you can go here: ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Karen :) _.-"""-. .' \ `\ .' .-' '. _ | /.__ ) C, ^ \ .' `'-. ( ;-.-' / '. ) | / \ / _., ; . ';-"`;_.'\ | '. \ | / .* ** *, |___ `'-..___.|__/--' * .--. * | ```"""-----'/ '*/_ _`\*'`\ )"""----....___.; _.`.|^.^ ?;` .' .' '.`'. .;-.-'\_- /-.',( / '. \ /_.' ;.| |'--....___ ___..--` \ .;' .-' .; L.._ __ ```` __..-' /; / `.' / ;._`__````""--""`` \ .'( _.'`.' /` 7 | ``""";--.._ | /`,'`'"".`"` '.' .' | 7 | | `' | \__.` '. _`;.' .' \__| .--'._; / |_`""-'` | .' \__/` jgs `'-.___.; .-; `\...._/-' {_}-' \ \ `-.._ | / `"-' >Santa's Christmas Eve Prayer On Christmas Eve I heard a sound I'd never heard before. A voice was softly speaking And I wanted to hear more. So very quietly I arose From the bed where I was laying. I tiptoed to the living room Where I heard Santa praying. "Dear Jesus, It's your birthday And I just want to say, Thanks for letting me be a part Of your very special day." "I always have believed in you I know that you are real. But there are some who don't believe And how sad that makes me feel." "Some houses have no Bible They have no manger scene. Some people speak of Christmas But forget what it really means." "I pray someday they all will know What Your love's worth, and then I know that they will understand The importance of your birth." I always knew Santa brought toys Like my truck and my sister's doll But on this night I understood Why Santa is the jolliest of all. It is because he helps to spread Good will and Christmas cheer. And he helps Jesus celebrate His birthday every year. Then I quietly returned to my room And snuggled back in my bed. Knowing I'd always remember The words that Santa had said. In the morning I remembered What I had heard and seen. But I wasn't sure if it was real Or just a wonderful dream? --- ...Sweet! Thanks Karen! ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseA :) _...._ .' _`;, _ / .-'` _.\/ \ / .` _.-'` C/ | ; .' _ _ \ \ \/ a _ a | )/'. Y .' /` \ >._ ^ _.< \__//` ````` `\ | /.:.:.:.\ | \ \:::::::/ / \ |:::::| / |\,,/:::::\,,/| ;:':':':':':':; | | ;.-._.-. | ( =(_)= ) | |'-/T\-' | | //`\\ | | ` ` | | | /. \ |:::. '. |::::. '. |:::::. .:\ \::::: .::::| '-::: .:::::/ jgs `-._ :::::' `-.__:::' >Gifts (By John White) "And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh." (Matthew 2:11 NKJV) Christmas just wouldn't be the same without gifts, would it? What about you? Will you offer Him, the Lord Jesus Christ gifts, this Christmas time, today? Or do you think Christmas is just a time for receiving? Letting others give to you. Letting God give His best gift to you, for you to just sit back and receive it? So often we go to church to get. We go to the church, which meets my needs, panders to my emotions, and gives me a good intellectual stimulus. BUT that is NOT Christianity! That, at best is religion and at worst and normal - hypocrisy! Christianity is not theology; it is not an intellectual exercise or a mental assent. Christianity is a vibrant relationship with the Living God! He gives and I receive, yes, BUT in response I give my all. How do I know? Because Jesus said "Follow Me" and "I lay down My life for the sheep." The Magi were amazing folk. They left their home and everything they had to come and worship a Child born to be King! They brought Him precious gifts, and significant gifts, too. Some of us won't even bother to turn up for church once a week because we are too tired! Then we wonder why our Christian walk is boring and weak! It's time for us to break out of our comfort zones and start taking risks for Jesus! To start letting Him know we are serious about His Commands, His Work and His Kingdom! He gave His all for us - what have we given for Him? In the 19th century Frances Ridley Havergal wrote a beautiful hymn. Let me quote some of its lines: Thy life was given for me, Thy blood, O Lord, was shed That I might ransomed be and quickened from the dead! Thy life was given for me, what have I given for Thee? Yes, all was left for me, have I left aught for Thee? Thou Lord hast born for me, more than my tongue can tell, Of bitterest agony to rescue me from Hell. Thou sufferest all for me, what have I borne for Thee? And thou hast brought to me down from Thy home above Salvation full and free, Thy Pardon and Thy Love! Great gifts Thou broughtest me. What have I brought to Thee? O let my life be given, my years for Thee be spent Thou gavest Thyself for me, Now I give ALL to Thee! Do you? Do YOU? Don't tell me - tell Him! Let's be thankful this Christmas and offer ourselves, our lives to Him. And then let's live that thankful life - living like Christmas every day of the year. --- ...So true! We all need to get involved! Thanks LouiseA! Consider this: 1 Cor.12: [12] For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. [13] For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. [14] For the body is not one member, but many. [15] If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? [16] And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? [17] If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? [18] But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. [19] And if they were all one member, where were the body? [20] But now are they many members, yet but one body. [21] And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. [22] Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: [23] And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. [24] For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: [25] That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. [26] And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. [27] Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. We forget - Christianity is about family. We can't expect everyone in the family to do all the work. We all need to come together and make things happen. Together - as the body of Christ is what it is all about - just taking from others all the time doesn't enrich us or strengthen us. Like the body - the parts must be used to build them up and strengthen them - if you don't use a part of your body, it grows weak and feeble. That is why each member of Christ's body must participate and give for the good of the whole body. Each one of us is so very important! Jesus Christ needs all of us! -<>- * . . . | . * * . \|/ . . -->*<-- . /|\ . ' | ' * | . * . | . ' _ _ .:. . ( | .-. ___ .'_`. WWW \w/ \V/ |/(_)\ .'.-.`. `(_)' (_) (_) (_) |// \\ `/(_)\' // \\ _/ | _/ | _/ | _ _ \/| |/ //)_(\\ \| |/ %%__/| $$__/| &&__/| _-(_)- _-(_)- | | | /(o___))\ | | | | | | | | `(___) `(___) | | | ` / \' | | | | | | | | jgs // \\ // \\ | |_| /_____\ |_| |_| |_| |_| >Just A Little More Jesus (By A/Capt. Norien "Reni" Kreitzberg) People who don't believe in the Precious Son of God Never seem to notice or think it's a little odd That they exclaim with wonder at this time of the year How they'd love to make the feelings last And keep that Christmas Cheer From every walk of life, and from every creed You can always hear them saying, "This is what we need!" But still they just don't get it what makes them feel this way They're getting Just a Little More Jesus every Christmas holiday We all get Just a Little More Jesus at Christmas time each year We get Just a Little Jesus with every Christmas song we hear While angels still declare His birth, He still brings joy and peace to earth We need Just a Little More Jesus every day of the whole year! So tell everyone you meet if they want Christmas time to last "It's time to seize the moment, before the time is past. Let the Christ child be born in every heart today When you give Him room in your heart's inn You'll know Christmas everyday!" Then they'll have Just a Little More Jesus everyday of the whole year Just A little More Jesus for He will always linger near As the Angels rejoice with each new birth He will bring more Joy and Peace to Earth Let's add Just A Little More Jesus to each day of the year! --- ...Amen! Thanks LouiseA! -<>- _..._ _..._ /\_|_/. .\_|_/\ |-(` \/\ /\/ `)-| '/_> \/\ /\/ <_/' _ \/\/\/ _ /'-:_\/\/_:-'\ | '=_/``\_=' | | .= \__/ =. | \_.-'/;|\'-._/ /\/|'||\/\ jgs /\/ / || \/\ /\/ |_/ | \/\ /\/ \_\ \/\ \/ \/ >The Lord Will Provide (By John Newton, 1779) Though troubles assail us, and dangers affright, Though friends should all fail us, and foes all unite, Yet one thing secures us, whatever betide, The promise assures us, "The Lord will provide." The birds, without garner or storehouse, are fed; From them let us learn to trust God for our bread: His saints what is fitting shall ne'er be denied So long as 'tis written, "The Lord will provide." When Satan assails us to stop up our path, And courage all fails us, we triumph by faith. He cannot take from us, though oft he has tried, This heart-cheering promise, "The Lord will provide." No strength of our own, and no goodness we claim; Yet, since we have known of the Savior's great name, In this our strong tower for safety we hide: The Lord is our power, "The Lord will provide." --- ...Awww, so true then, so true now! Thanks LouiseA! ========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: ,_ )\ /,( \)/ .--"T"--. |`"-----"`| |:. | |:: | ,-|::. |-, \`"--...--"`/ '-. .-' `| |` ,| | ,\\///, \ \\()>//()\\\ '-. >>//<\\\<<___.-' jgs `""` >CAST ME NOT AWAY Cast me not away for I have much to give, A loving heart & a will to live. Cast me not away for I have a dream, of grace so true & smiles of gleem. Cast me not away for i give of myself, putting away problems upon the shelf. Cast me not away for I need a friend, A friend who'll stick by me to the end. For friendship so true I can not explain. The pain of sorrow , the joy of gain. For you are a treasure worth more than gold. A treasure for many they can not hold. Cast me not away for you have a right, be blessed for you, for you have the night. Cast me not away for you can see, the pleasures in life that ought to be. Cast me not away for you love the Earth, & all kinds of creatures have some kind of worth. written by Teres Harper Jan. 9,1989 -<>- .------. ( #-....'`\ \ # | _ )"====="| _ (_`"======="`_) /`"""""""""`\ | o _o\ | (_>| \ '.___/--# '. ;-._:'\ )`===| <)_/ __ .---""`====`--'\__.' `| / ()\ / \___..--' \_.-' | () | ; ; \ ()/ \ '. / _.'`\ `; ( `\ \_ \ .-`\ `\ jgs \___) `.______.' >LAUGH By: Joseph J. Mazzella I find myself laughing a lot more these days. It isn't a mean laughter that hurts others' feelings, either. It is rather a laughter of wonderful delight that makes my heart feel light, my body feel great, and my soul feel pure joy. It is a laughter that comes when things go right and when things go wrong. It is a laughter that finds humor and bliss in all the ups and downs of life. It is a laughter that comes from loving God, loving life, loving myself, and loving others. I think that laughter often goes hand in hand with both love and joy. When we choose love and when we choose joy, we also choose laughter. This is because when we love God, ourselves, and others we can't help but feel joyous. And when we feel joyous we can't help but share it with the world through wondrous and delightful laughter. I think that God must often laugh in delight too as He watches over us with loving eyes and a joyous smile Don't be afraid to laugh. Don't hold it back. Let it out. Let it fill your heart, soul, mind, and voice. Let it brighten your day. Let it travel from you to all those around you and fill the air with its sweet, joyous music. William Blake once wrote "The Angel that presided at my birth said: `Little creature, formed of joy and mirth, Go, love without the help of anything on earth.'" Let's all make the angels that watch over us and the God who made us smile with delight at our lives then. Let's all choose to love each other, share joy with each other, and laugh together. Let's all laugh all through the day, at every chance we get, and at everything that brings humor and delight into our lives. Let's laugh at the puppy chasing her tail, at the baby giggling at our funny faces, and at the countless silly things we say and do. Let's laugh at the problems life gives us and the good times life brings us. Let's always live our lives with laughter, love, and delight. -<>- _ __{_}_ .'______'-. _:-' `'-: _ / _______ `\ .-' \ \.-' `'--./ .' \ \ / () ___ () \ \ \\\# || (___) | \ #\\_|| '.___.' | \___|\ \_________.--./ \\ | \ \--. \\/_________/ / `\ , .\\ /`--;`-. `-.__.'/ / _\\ ,_.' _/ \ \ / | `\ \ /` | '.___.-' \____/\ '--\____/ / \\ \ | \\ | | \\ | | \\ | \ \\ /::.:::.. jgs '.___..-.__.\\__.__.':::::::''''' >SOLD IT FOR SCRAP I was watching television today and saw the Ford Taurus commercial. It was about a young boy that is involved in a car accident and calls home to tell his parents he was sorry about the damage to the car. The father told the boy not to worry about the car, as long as the boy was okay. That commercial reminded me of my brother Eli. Eli was a drug addict back in 1980, and because he used the drugs in front of my kids (he wasn't even supposed to have them in the house) I kicked him out and did not speak to him for 10 years. In 1990, he ended up in jail for most of the year. When he got out, he was clean and drug-free and returned to Georgia. I was leery of him coming back, especially around my children, but he was family and my mom asked me to at least be civil towards him. So I was. Surprisingly, I introduced him to the missionaries from my church and, within two weeks, he became a member of my church. From that point on, he was the brother I remembered from my teen years. He was honest, hard- working, and always thought about others. Well, my dad owned a Gold Wing motorcycle that he cherished. One day, my brother needed a way to work and begged my dad to let him use the Gold Wing. Reluctantly, my dad agreed. But he added the phrase: If you damage my motorcycle, you better not come back! Eli never came back... You see, on his way home from work that night, my brother was hit and killed by a motorist. The day after my brother died, my dad and I went to pick up the motorcycle from the police impound lot. We couldn't believe our eyes. The motorcycle had received only a few minor scrapes. That was when my dad said something that made me realize just how much he loved his children (he never said the words, I love you.) He said, "I would rather have my son back than this motorcycle." My dad sold that motorcycle for scrap two days after the funeral. He has not been on a motorcycle since. That's why I am so touched by the Ford Taurus commercial. That's also why I have to tell everyone to forgive and forget. I didn't speak to my brother for ten years, and then I was only allowed one year to make up for all the years I had missed. He died exactly one year after joining my church. I never told him I forgive him. I hope he knows that now.. ~ Kathy Grimes~ -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Full Christmas Menu http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/christmasindex.html Quilts In The Snow http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/snowquilts.html Never Give Up! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/nevergiveup.html Quit Smoking http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/quitsmoking.html Advice For The New Year http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/newyear.html Top Ways To Stay Healthy! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/stayhealthy.html Until We Write Again! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/write.htm Dreamy Ladies! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dreamy.html Friends And Health http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/friendhealth.html Playing With Words! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wordplay.html Friendship! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/friendship.html Best Friends! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/bestfriends.html Old Barns, Old People, Old Friends! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/barns.html Yearly Friendship Renewal! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/renewal.html Jesus Clinic http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/clinic.html -<>- >From Our Friend Fran :) McAfee - 12 Scams of the Holidays! http://tinyurl.com/q32zdrd --- ...Good info! Thanks Fran! -<>- >From our friend Melody :) How to Heat Fully Cooked Ham http://busycooks.about.com/od/howtocook/a/howtocookham.htm?nl=1 Third Day - Cry Out To Jesus - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmVxRl5bc4Y Christmas Lights in Hitachinaka city, Japan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eGiT69D2sU Christmas Lights in Madrid Spain http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEdP1t6K58M Christmas around the world - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9C3Jtl4W_A 13 Dogs and 1 Cat Have a Wonderful Holiday Feast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhg7Xm4FXAY#t=18 --- ...TeeHee! Thanks Melody! -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseA :) "The 12 Days Of Christmas" - from the 1979 TV Christmas special "A Christmas Together with John Denver and The Muppets". A lot of holiday fun. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=L_rMCwoCLv8 The Three Stooges are at it again! This time, the wacky trio of bumbling misfits, get all dressed up in full Santa costumes to rescue a few ladies from a sultan's harem in Arabia. What could possibly go wrong?! The sketch was taken from the 1938 episode, titled Wee Wee Monsieur. Enjoy the holiday laughs with Moe, Larry, and Curly Clause! https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=hK0ngZmVdAA Vitaly and Helena Gorbachevski perform their amazing magic at the Indian Television show 'Oye! It's Friday!' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXgJBH8OhV4&feature=player_embedded --- ...Great! Thanks LouiseA! Visit Melissa's Online Store You can get anything you want (except for Melissa ) at the online store http://pdhomes.net/mall/babylissa/mySTORES/ISELL4.html ========================================================== >-->From SermondFodder: .-------. |# | __|_______|__ '-/ 0 0 \-' _ | V | \// \ '...' / ./== _o_ /`'.__ ,-'\ // .-'---'-. | `| \ // / _....._\ /'-.....\-._|// | / e.e \| ; | (/ '-. \| ._. // /| o \ | '-=_~ ( '-.__.-' `| / ; o | |.- _=_=~ .'`-_ _/ `\_// \ o _=' / ~ / / `)-.;_ |//\ .'.__ ,-_~_=`, \___\_/ / \ / / ~ ~ \ / '...\__./`\ / \ `-.,___/\___..-' ; ; | _ | | | |___|___| ; ; jgs / T \ \ / '---'---' '.__ __.' `` ' ``` >The Enemy? As Gulf War II started, I was an Air Force colonel. I routinely flew on different aircraft to familiarize myself with their capabilities. One day I was aboard an intelligence aircraft where each crew member was surrounded by complex gear. A young major showed me his computer screen. "That's a chat screen, Sir," the soldier said. "We use it to relay enemy information to the crew--like instant messaging." Nodding, I moved down the line. Flashing on an airman's screen several feet away was this warning: "Heads up! The colonel's on the way!" -<>- >GOD HATES? [Edited] The Rev. Fred Phelps is back in the news. The picketing pastor and host of www.godhatesfags.com is proposing a public monument for Matthew Shepherd, the gay college student, murdered in 1998. The granite marker in Shepherd's hometown will read, and I quote: "MATTHEW SHEPHERD, Entered Hell October 12, 1998, in Defiance of God's Warning: 'Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind; it is abomination.' Leviticus 18:22." Phelps, pastor of Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, also hosts www.godhatesamerica.com. Most of all he hates the idea that God loves, and again I quote, "filthy dyk* dogs," "SODOMITES," "dog kennels/pig sties masquerading as churches," and pastors who are "demon-possessed Pied Pipers from Hell." Not even the lovable "Mr. Rogers" escapes the pastor's wrath. According to Phelps, Fred Rogers "went straight to hell" because of his ordination in the Presbyterian Church and association with PBS. Phelps also picketed in New York City three times since September 11, 2001, with signs that read "Thank God For Sept. 11" and calling the FDNY a "f*g fire department." Recently he was in Hawaii, the site of the WWII attack on Pearl Harbor, with signs that read "Thank God for December 7". He especially seems to hate anyone who disagrees with him. His website proclaims: "[Anyone] believing and preaching that God loves every individual of mankind -- we say, You are going to Hell! Period! End of discussion! God's decree sending you to Hell is irreversible! Hypocrites! How can ye escape the damnation of Hell?!" Well, at the risk of "the damnation of Hell," I've gotta ask, what does God Himself think about all this? I'll let His Book speak for Him. "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" (John 3:16). (The word translated "world" is actually "cosmos" which includes every created thing and every single person.) "'Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?" (Ezekiel 18:23). "The Lord . . . is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). And, concerning Phelp's obsession with "hate": "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love" (1 John 4:7). "'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?' Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself'"' (Matthew 22:36-38) "Let your conversation be always full of grace" (Colossians 4:6). So should we. © 2003 James N. Watkins Jim Watkins Child of God ========================================================== .--------. * . |________| . * | __|/\ * .-'======\_\o/. /___________<>__\ |||||| / (o) (o) \ |||||| | _ O _ | . . |||||| | (_) (_) | |||||| \ '---' / * \====/ [~~~~~~~~~] \\// _/~||~`|~~~~~\_ _||-'`/ || | \`'-._ * * .-` )| ; || |) ; '. / `--.| || | | `\ | \ |||||) |-, \ . \ .; _ ; |_, | `'''||` ,\ (_) /, `.__/ ||.` '. .' `. * * || ` ' ' ` \ || ; . * || | . || | * || | .__.-""-.__.-"""|| ;.-"""-.__.-""-.__. || / jgs ||'. .' || '-._ _ _ _ _.-' `""` >Following A Hunch Edited By: by The Caroler Joyce Schowalter California, USA In 1990, as was our family tradition, my husband and I invited children from the local high school aCappella choir, including our son, to sing Christmas Carols to people we felt could use some special Christmas cheer. My husband dressed up as Santa Claus and drove a rented flat bed truck. The group tied our spinet piano in the flat bed truck and Santa called "All aboard!" Bundled up, we filled the truck with excited carolers. A woman from our church played the piano as we drove and sang. It was cold and windy for southern California. We first caroled for an 11-year-old boy who was dying of AIDs. He was so weak he couldn't come outside, but "Santa" backed the truck up to the house windows and his parents held him while we sang to him. Then Santa jumped out and visited George. (George died 3 days later.) Our next stop was an older couple whose son had committed suicide a few months before. With our hearts full of love we sang to this bereaved couple, giving them homemade Christmas cookies afterwards. We caroled for several other families. Then Santa asked the group if we minded making just one more stop. We were all tired, cold and wishing to return to "Santa's" house, but begrudgingly agreed to carol again. Santa drove our cold, tired group of carolers to the home of a vital, loving and very outgoing woman who shared her love with many others. We got out of the truck, tromped across her lawn and began singing, but got no response. I told my husband it was silly to sing to a dark house with no one answering the door. We didn't even have cookies to share with her. He said he "felt" very strongly that we needed to carol there. He asked us to be patient while he went around to the back of the house. The kids were really cold standing around, not singing and getting grumpier by the minute. About 10 minutes later, "Santa" opened the front door with his arm around a sweet little old lady, and we began caroling again. When we had finished several songs, with tears running down her cheeks, the woman clung to Santa as she thanked us and Santa took her back inside. After cookies, hot chocolate and a Christmas movie, everyone went home. Then my husband shared the story of our last caroling stop. "Mary" had recently received divorce papers and was in complete shock. After trying to cope with this devastating news, Mary was in the process of ending her life at the very moment when Santa interrupted her. If not for Santa acting on his gut feeling, this woman would no longer have been in this world. Christmas is indeed a time for loving, sharing, caring and giving. One never knows what the next minute will hold. =======HeroicStories======= ..'''::::... .::' `'''':::.. 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'-,._ \__.-`-;''` ``--'`""'""`""""`-- `-- ``` `""""`"""'"`""" ----' >-->From Our Friend Fran :) >Oasis Most people don't know where Lesotho is. I didn't, when I was asked to go there as a volunteer teacher. It's a small country completely enclosed by South Africa and almost all old, grass-covered mountains. The winters are cold and dry, so that tree seedlings don't survive unless they are near a spring or river. With too many people and livestock crowded into too small an area, the soil is constantly eroding, and deep gullies are everywhere. In winter, especially, the landscape is stark and bleak, a cold beauty that rapidly loses its allure. So when I met Wilfred, who was traveling to his family's home with a load of trees to plant, I had to go and see what he had done with them. My visiting brother and I made the two-hour hike one winter morning. What we saw as we came around the flank of the mountain was like water to a man dying of thirst. There were trees. Lots of trees. Stretching from where we were standing almost to the top of the mountain. We carried on and reached Wilfred's home, deep in a shaded hollow, and all around us there were wonders: an orchard, with peach, pear and apricot trees; irrigation ditches to carry water from a stream to the seedling nursery. I was amazed at what Wilfred had accomplished, but he modestly told us that most of the work was done by his father, Mr. Pitso. I can't describe the feeling I had as we talked to Mr. Pitso, and the depth of h is passion became apparent. He had started planting trees 20 years before, often collecting peach pits that others threw away, and growing trees from them. At first, the people around him were suspicious, or envious. Several times, people came and uprooted the trees he had planted; they didn't want him to have something that they didn't. Mr. Pitso, in his wisdom, found a way to combat the vandals: he gave his trees away freely to his neighbors. Soon, everyone was growing trees, although not at the pace of Mr. Pitso. He organized tree-planting day at the primary school where he worked. And started a tree-buying cooperative to get bulk rates from the government nursery. And showed people how they could make tree-growing profitable, by selling fruit and firewood. In times of drought, although he was in his sixties, he carried buckets of water from the small stream to his trees. Before we left, he told us that before he died, he hoped to see the barren valley around his home covered, for the first time, with trees. When I hear stories of Africa being a basket case, of political, economic and social problems, I remember Mr. Pitso's dream. And a poor elementary school teacher, living in a stone hut in the mountains of Lesotho, gives me hope. by Graham Stratford --- ...Yes it does. Thanks Fran! ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseA :) .-----------------------------------------------------. | __ ___________________ | _________________ __ | || / / '.|.' \ \ || ||/ / ___ -= + =- \ \|| | / ******* .'|'. ___ \ | | / /-====) | ******* \ | || | / -( | (_.- )) || || / / _/ )- ) )) || || | |-( _ \_( (( || || / | \ //| _ )) ) ) || || / \ \/\/ |\\ /'-( ( || || | |\ / *** \/\/ / ) ) || || `-;./==;-' .=. \ / ( ( || || | \ _\/(_)\/_ '-;==) ) || || | \ |'---'| / ( ( || || | \ _| |_ / ) ) || || _/ | /\ /\ | ( ( || || .-/ / '=' \ ( )-. || |jgs `""---`-----` `----`----`""` || >Prince of Peace at Christmas The scripture's found in Matthew A vision to behold At Christmas time, throughout the world A story often told. A carpenter named Joseph A simple honest man Engaged to dear sweet Mary Who promised him her hand. Now Mary was a naïve girl A virgin young and pure Of all the women in the world The Lord has chosen her. To bear the child, Emmanuel The Savior, soon to be A royal king to live and die That we might be set free. An angel came to Mary Gabriel was his name He came to bring good news of joy Not fill her life with shame. She had conceived the child of God T'was growing in her womb Though she felt blessed to fill this quest How could she tell her groom? To Joseph, she'd been faithful She's never gone astray How could he know the miracle That happened on that day? The baby she was bearing Was sent from up above The Alpha and Omega The prince of peace and love. Her soul was filled with wonder Yet fear crept in her heart They'd label her, adulteress And tear her world apart. She quietly spoke with Joseph And gently held her breath An unwed pregnant woman Could be stoned and put to death. Joseph was a righteous man Though he was in dismay He planned to press no charges And quickly walk away. But Gabriel came to Joseph One night while in his sleep He said that Mary spoke the truth The vows, he then would keep. Joseph's heart was full of joy He knew that he'd been blest His virgin bride, no longer cried Their faith had stood the test. Her feelings for this tiny child Were strong, like any mother The life that grew inside of her Was special, like no other. She knew this child was worthy He was the Chosen One And she had been anointed To bear the Spirit's son. So on a donkey, Mary rode The time was drawing near The birth of Jesus Christ was nigh Upon a midnight, clear. The inns were full, no where to go To give birth to her son So in a stable filled with hay Her labor had begun. The King of Kings was born to her She held her baby tight An eastern star shone brightly In Bethlehem that night. While shepherds found their way to Him And kings from far away They offered gifts of gold and myrrh To Him, that sacred day. Wise men blessed the heavens His name was richly praised And angels sang on glory high The Staff of Life was raised. The guests were quite enraptured By such a wondrous sight And all the corners of the earth Were filled with holy light. The world and its inhabitants Would never be the same For Mary bore the Lamb of God Christ Jesus was His name. The Redeemer was delivered Young Mary held her son Just as was told in scripture It is written, it is done! 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