God Is Love And More ... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================== >Even in the Midst Story Editor: by Iris Little Bird Joyce Schowalter Wisconsin, USA The Denver, Colorado branch of my husband's Italian family spent their holidays together in celebration. On Fourth of July in 1985, we left home to run errands for the day's party at his sister's home. When we returned, a neighbor stood in our yard. Bob said, "It's been burned!" In shock I replied, "No, it hasn't." Our neighbor shepherded us to her house, saying, "I didn't want you to be alone when you came home." Our house had been robbed and arsoned. Who would do this to a young couple with almost nothing? Before long, Bob's entire family arrived and we went home. I thanked our wonderful neighbor who'd stood outside waiting for us. In shock, I walked into a black abyss. Everything was black and charred. My tiny kitten I'd fed from an eyedropper had died of smoke inhalation. Though we removed him before we let our adult cat in, "Granny" wailed as if her own life were over as she realized the loss. She'd taught him how to drink from a bowl. My wedding dress was ruined. It was my worst nightmare -- total chaos with blackness controlling everything. Law enforcement discovered the arsonists had set the house on fire by pouring kerosene on a chair and lighting it. The fireman said had it been discovered any later, it would have gutted the entire house. Our privacy had been invaded, turning our lives upside down. That day I had no appetite for Fourth of July fireworks... or eating. Fireworks seemed to be a "monster" to me. I couldn't watch without thinking of the blackness of the house. Freedom in the midst of ruin? Our tiny missionary church had many poor members. Many volunteered to help us, under the experienced advice of Fred H. They worked every evening after their jobs and all weekends. Many gave cash, food and offered places to stay. We lived in an old camper in our back yard, to be closer to the project. We scrubbed and worked to remove the smoke smell. I learned to paint, install drywall and paneling and replace fixtures. Fred was with us every step of the way. I couldn't think of "it" as "our home". Had it not been for the support of family and friends, I would have felt homeless. A few days after the arson, a beautifully colored tiny rose bloomed. It seemed out of place, especially when I thought of the crime. This special rose was named "Peace Rose". I swallowed hard reflecting on the crime. Then I pictured all the people making my house a home again. At that moment our house became a real home to me again. At last, we had an Open House Blessing with all those who'd worked so hard to make our home a reality. The Peace Rose and its significance seemed to come inside our home. Even in the midst of great pain, love found its way to the core of our existence. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Heartwarmers: __() .' \ _/____( (_____ \ S|a a S\/ SS\_-__SSS____, SS{____SSS_.__/ // o \ FORGIVEN DEBTS by Susan Lemckert / | o \ \ /\_|_o____\_/| '-`/ \ \/ / \ `-.______.-' | | | jgs |-|-| .-` / \ '---\_/ It was about a week before Christmas. My three daughters and I headed out one night to the University Place Hallmark store. While in the parking lot, I asked the girls to please wait in the car long enough for me to get my checkbook and wallet in order. The wind suddenly picked up and rocked the van. Snowflakes started falling. It was magical to see snow glistening under the street lights in the parking lot. Now it felt like Christmas! Hannah, the front seat passenger, slowly squeezed the door handle. Instantly, a blast of cold air shot into the van, flinging the passenger door wide open and smacking it into a black Volvo parked next to us. Hannah screamed in horror and jumped in the back seat. I got out and looked at the Volvo's damaged door. It was no ding -- it was more like a foot long gash. I came back inside the van and assessed the damages with the girls. Hannah was still crying. I assured her it was an accident but that we were still responsible for the damage. We waited awhile in the car, looking at each shopper return to their car. Nobody went to the black Volvo next to us. After about 20 minutes, we went inside Hallmark asking if anyone drove a black Volvo with Georgia license plates. Nobody claimed a black Volvo. I saw a police officer walking his beat on the sidewalk near the store. I explained to him what had happened. He laughed and said, "Most people would drive off. If you want, you could leave a note." After digging through my pocketbook, I found a piece of paper and wrote. "The wind blew my van door into your right back passenger door and damaged it. We waited for the owner of the car to return for quite some time. I am sorry to have damaged your car. Susan." I also left my phone number. With that, I lifted the windshield wiper on the Volvo and placed my confession underneath it. "There goes Christmas," I thought as we drove home. My husband told the girls we did the right thing to leave a note. With a sick feeling in our stomachs we wondered how much the repairs would be on the Volvo. My husband guestimated several hundreds of dollars. Each time the phone rang, my heart raced wondering if it was a response to the Volvo. A day passed and no response. I wondered if perhaps the wind blew my note off the windshield. Did the person ever get my confession? One afternoon, there was a message on my answering machine. "Hi, Susan. This is Tom Rodgowski. You left a message on my windshield. I really appreciate your honesty about my car. I will get a few estimates and get back with you. And, thanks, again, for your honesty." Another day went by. Another message was left on my answering machine. This time it said, "Hi, Susan. This is Tom Rodgowski. I got two estimates to repair the door on the Volvo. One was $700 and the other was, I think, rather high, $1,200. I will try calling you again and let you know what I have decided." My husband was home the next time Tom called. They agreed on the $700 amount to repair the damaged Volvo door. My husband agreed to meet Tom with a check at Caribou Coffee on Mallard Creek Church Road the next day. Wearing his Willie Claus Santa Hat (a mix between Santa Claus and Willie Nelson with white braids), my husband set out with all three daughters to meet Mr. Rodgowski and deliver the check. My husband said Tom was a nice man, wished him a Merry Christmas and apologized for the inconvenience we might have caused by damaging his car. Several days later another message was on my answering machine. "Hello. This is Tom Rodgowski. I cashed in a few favors due me and got my car fixed at no charge. I am returning your check in the mail. Happy holidays." We were so shocked to get a message like that! Was it real? Well, the next day we got the check back in the mail from Tom. I thought about Christmas and how a gift was given to us and how a debt was forgiven. -- Susan Lemckert ______________________________________________ Susan lives with her family in Charlotte, North Carolina, and enjoys writing, photography and sewing costumes. ______________________________________________ ___ _ _ ."` `"=, {_}:_`'=='` _,=="""=,\ `'--.=" _.====, `| `'_(| ^.^ |)/ )';_'='_/.' _ ~ .'` '.=/(__/` | ~ / / o| \ \_/ ~ /`-,_/ o| |-' `(`___ o/__/ _`\ \`""` \ __ || `'.'._ /-"// || ,/`-.`./ // jgs `\\_/ `'-.// WHAT CHRISTMAS IS NOT ABOUT by Freda Fullerton Christmas is not about presents under the tree that we find, It's about loving and giving and being kind. Christmas is not about sleigh bells, and new fallen snow, It's about caring for the folks that we know. Christmas is not about turkey and stuffing and my favorite pie, It's about the most wonderful gift that comes from on high. Christmas is not about getting the newest fashion or toy, It's about service, with thanksgiving and joy. Christmas is not about calling it... "The Holiday Season," But keeping in mind, that Christ is the reason. -- Freda Fullerton ============================================================== >-->From InspiredBuffalo: , _/ \_ _,--. < , > .-'.' /(/.\ .' .' .""". `/ ` / / / \ /) ; ; ,_.;._ _;-'}/ | | '. )( /' | | /'-._/\_.-' ; ; \_.' \ , \ \ / | _.'/ '. `'-\ /.-/.;,\ '-._ `"""""`_.|`"""`| jgs `"("\/")` |# | \(_/ `-...-' >New Years Blessing As we look toward a brand new year Then gaze back to the past We pause with mixed emotions And memories that still last. For these years have taught us lessons We never thought we'd learn To stand in the face of adversity Seeking peace for which we yearn. Our nation still stands together Since that sad September day When in an instant all was changed And so many taken away. Each life a precious memory Each face burned in our souls The hero, the innocent, those who were lost Were halves who made someone whole. So we pray for this year to be peaceful For strength to see us through For each one who lost someone precious And for all that is holy and true. As we pray God's eternal blessings For our leaders and our land We walk toward the future together Heart to heart and hand in hand. Beautiful Poetry @ by Allison Chambers Coxsey -<>- >A DOG IN THE ROAD By: Joseph J. Mazzella I remember when I first graduated college. I was already married with a baby son. I had an education degree but full time teaching jobs where I lived were scarce. For a few years then I did my best to make ends meet by substituting as much as possible. I would get up early each morning and hope for the phone to ring. A call meant work and every penny counted. On one particularly cold morning I got a call to work at a grade school 15 miles away. Only a light snow coated the roads so I wasn’t worried about the trip. What I didn’t realize, though, was that water from the previous day’s rain had frozen on a patch of the road before the snow covered it. This was on a part of the road that curved around the edge of a mountain. Going off on one side of the road would land you in a ditch but going off the other could send you over the side of the mountain. As I approached the dangerous spot I was going faster than I should. I wanted to make it to the school before the classes started. Just before I reached it, however, I saw a dog walking in my lane of the road. I braked early to avoid hitting the pooch and then was about to speed up again when I hit the black ice. Thankfully, the angel with paws had made me slow down enough that I was able to steer the car back towards the ditch and away from the edge of the mountain curve. I only needed a tow instead of a trip to the hospital or mortuary. I guess God wasn’t quite ready for me to leave this life yet. Albert Einstein said, "God doesn’t play dice." This is true for the world and for our lives. As I look back upon that day I can see God’s loving handiwork in it. I think He still had more for me to learn and do in this life. I just pray that I don’t waste a moment of it. I pray that I make everyday I have left a loving gift to my Heavenly Father who made me. May you do the same. -<>- God Is Love! .-"""-. , (_ _ \ /| ____ _ )= `) ) ,"";, |(| ()___>===(()====( ( (//``;\\ (| ||~\__ `) ( ) ;|| || `==\--`.-; ;|| \\ / |`-._, ;\\ , `---;` / `._`\\ ,/| >~~~~`._ `"` |(| / ' `""---.....___ (| | '. ' _ . ``\ \ '-. '- . _ / \ '. - ._`\ '. '. '-.. _/ jgs '._ - ._ _/ `-..__ .-'` `"'""` >Love's Protection John 5:13-21 13: These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 14: And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. 16: If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. 17: All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. 18: We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. 19: And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. 20: And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. 21: Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. When our kids were small we have a rule; when we walk through traffic, in a parking lot or on a street, the little ones have to hang onto a big person's hand. This is for their protection and our parental peace of mind. The problem is that a small child doesn't always realize there is any danger so sometimes they "forget" the cars. If they hold my hand I know to some extent I can do something about protecting them from the danger I do see. When small children purposely remove themselves from adult protection, they encounter things they can't see coming. The follower of Christ, the object of God's love, is constantly under Satan's attack but may not be able to see it. One of Satan's attacks is to drag God’s people into sin. John said, "We know that those who have become part of God's family do not make a practice of sinning, for God's Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot get his hands on them." (1 John 5:18 NLB) If you can sin without conviction or consequence from God's hand then you are not His child (see Hebrews 12:7-8). Disobedience (sin) makes us vulnerable. Jesus promises protection from Satan's attempts to hurt us while we “hold His hand”. Nothing can come into your life as a Christian unless God allows it. We fail and fall when we shun the Lord's gracious hand of protection and instead walk into the traffic of sin. When we do that we allow the Devil an opportunity that God would have otherwise protected us from. Start your New Year holding His hand. The Circuit 'Riter, Michael Ullrich --- ...Wait a minute... _ _ / )%.===.%( \ | // ,,, \\ | \/ \/6.6\/ \/ /\ ( _ ) /\ ^^ .;---;. ^^ / ( / \ God allowed this to happen? /._ \/_ \/\ \____\_) \ \ / \_) / \ /. . . . . . .\ `"`"`|`|`|`"`"` _|_|_|_ jgs (___|___) "Nothing can come into your life as a Christian unless God allows it." Don't you wish that were true? But we Christians already know it is NOT true. After all, if I believe that, I'd have to believe that God allowed Christians to die horrible deaths just like sinners and that God allowed evil and bad things to happen to Christians just like sinners because that happens all the time in this world to saints and sinners alike. In other words, if I believe that, I believe God is not as loving or caring a parent as I am. I'd never ALLOW my child to suffer the pain of love lost through bad relationships and heart breakups and divorce. If I could do something to stop it from ever happening to my child, it wouldn't. I'd also never let my child get physically sick from colds or flu or disease. I'd never let them get burned or break their arm or even know the pain of falling down and skinning their knees and elbows! As simple as that! Period! I am a parent and I love my child. Yet God is even more loving and caring than me, yet bad things happen to Christians all the time. Why? It certainly isn't because a great, big, powerful and loving Father is mean, nasty, and cruelly evil by allowing his children to get hurt physically or emotionally or even to die a horrible death! No! 'Come now let us reason together' God our Father is better than that! "We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not." This verse is referring to the sin unto death - the unforgiveable sin! God is talking spiritually. It's not about physical or emotional harm coming unto them. A Christian can keep themselves from physical or emotional harm from the devil by what? Doing what God tells them to do - ASK and what? BELIEVE. We have to let God into our lives and let Him have control. If not, bad things can happen because we live in Satan's world and we are in a spiritual war. We can do whatever we want to, but if we aren't asking and believing God through Jesus Christ to help keep us safe - if we aren't 'holding Jesus Hand' by our own free will, Jesus isn't going to grab it to keep us safe - we have to grab His hand to keep ourseelves safe in this world. We have freedom of will ALWAYS with our Father and Lord Jesus Christ. Check out this teaching... The Unforgiveable Sin http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/unforgiveable.html And this from TruthOrTradition: http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&new_topic=90 -<>- Links for Your Enjoyment Fishing Boat http://www.buffaloschips.com/gdrese.htm Fitness http://www.buffaloschips.com/gdss.htm For The Lazy Sports Fanatic http://www.buffaloschips.com/glkl.htm Fox Thief http://www.buffaloschips.com/gfrdf.htm Freak out. No Whopper http://www.buffaloschips.com/grer.htm Fred Astaire & Eleanor Powell http://www.buffaloschips.com/gjki.htm Friends Come and Go http://www.buffaloschips.com/gtyu.htm Amnesty Bills Worst Provision http://www.buffaloschips.com/gfrd.htm From Shangy Drink Responsibly! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/drink.html Real Playboy Bunny Calendar http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/calendar.html Disney Character Bushes http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/disneybush.html Word/Phrase Origins http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/origins.html 100 WAYS to LIVE LARGE on the CHEAP http://www.cockeyed.com/magic/cheap/cheap.html FIGURE OUT WHY YOU'RE MOODY TODAY http://www.facade.com/biorhythm Funny - THE FAR SIDE re-ENACTMENT GROUP http://www.flickr.com/groups/farside/pool/with/1479579121/ New Year Animations http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs_k-o.html Words - New Years - Animated http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs_u-z.html WHAT IS IT? http://puzzlephotos.blogspot.com/ MR. BAD IDEAS http://www.mrbadideas.com/ Subscribe send a blank email to: the-inspired-buffalo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ============================================================ >-->From AndyChaps: -=====- -=====- _..._ _..._ .~ `~. .~` ~. ,_ / } { \ _, ,_\'--, \ _.'`~~/ \~~`'._ / ,--'/_, \'--,_`{_,} -( )- {,_}`_,--'/ '.`-.`\;--,___.'_ _'.___,--;/`.-`.' '._`/ |_ _{@} {@}_ _| \`_.' / ` |-';/ _ \;'-| ` \ / \ / | _ {@}_ | \ / \ / '--;_ _ {@} _Y{@} _;--' \ _\ `\ {@}\Y/_{@} Y/ /` /_ / |`-.___. / \Y/\|{@}Y/\|// \ .___,-'| \ ^^jgs^^`--`------'`--`^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^`--`'------`--`^^ GOD IS LOVE: *OK ** If you're going the wrong direction remember; God allows U-turns. ** ================================================ ** What is TRUE LOVE? The late Father James Keller, founder of The Christophers, put it this way: Love delights in giving attention rather than attracting it. Love finds the element of good and builds on it. Love does not magnify defects. Love is a flame that warms but never burns. Love knows how to disagree without becoming disagreeable. Love rejoices at the success of others instead of being envious.** ** If a child sees his parents day in and day out behaving with self-discipline, restraint, dignity, and a capacity to order their own lives, then the child will come to feel in the deepest fibers of his being that this is the way to live. If a child sees his parents day in and day out living without self-restraint or self-discipline, then he will come in the deepest fibers of being to believe that that is the way to live. ~~~M. Scott Peck in The Road Less Traveled ** ** Now the trumpet summons us again- not as a call to arms, though arms we need; not as a call to battle, though embattled we are; but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, 'rejoicing in hope patient in tribulation', a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease and war itself. ~~~John F. Kennedy, 1960 inaugural speech ** -<>- -=====- _..._ .~ `~. ,_ / } ,_\'--, \ _.'`~~/ \'--,_`{_,} -( '.`-.`\;--,___.'_ '._`/ |_ _{@} / ` |-';/ _ / \ / | _ {@}_ / '--;_ _ {@} _Y{@} _\ `\ {@}\Y/_{@} Y/ / |`-.___. / \Y/\|{@}Y/\|// ^^^jgs^^^`--`------'`--`^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ To Touch The Heart To touch the heart of someone dear - though it might sometimes cause a tear to fall or rest upon the cheek - Should be something all should seek. For often hearts - not touched at all start hardening and shrinking small. And then the time - it takes to grow A loving heart - is very slow. For hearts expand as those who care - extend their love and - let us share a moment, space or special phrase that eases pain on dreary days. Or simply starts our lips to smile and brightens time for just a while The ways and kinds and means of sharing it seems to me - Are based on caring. And though we're often worlds apart, You still can touch my very heart. You make me smile or shed a tear. And I'll remember year to year Just how your "touching" helped me grow. And I just thought I'd tell you so. ~ Author Unknown -<>- , __ \/ __ /\^/`\ /o \{}/ o\ If I had a flower for each time | \/ | \ () / I thought of you, my garden | | | `> /\ <` ,,, would be full... \ \ / @@@@ (o/\/\o) {{{}} _ _ '\\//' @@()@@ _ ) ( ~Y~ @@@@ _{ ' }_ || @@@@ _(_)_ wWWWw .oOOo. @@()@@ { `.!.` } || ,/ (_)@(_) (___) OO()OO @@@@ _ ',_/Y\_,' || ,\ | /) (_)\ Y 'OOOO',,,(\|/ _(_)_ {_,_} |\ || |\\|// vVVVv`|/@@@@ _ \/{{}}}\| (_)@(_) | ,,, | | || | |;,,,(___) |@@()@@ _(_)_| ~Y~ wWWWw(_)\ (\| {{{}} | | || / / {{}}} Y \| @@@@ (_)#(_) \| (___) | \| /~Y~ \ \||/ /\\|~Y~ \|/ | \ \/ /(_) |/ |/ Y \|/ |//\|/ jgs\ `\\//`,.\|/|//.|/\\|/\\|,\|/ //\|/\|.\\\| // \|\\ |/,\|/ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >A Metaphor of Flowers by Natalee Pangrazio (Jim's granddaughter - and Excerpted from I Love What I See) , .-. , /(/ \ \)\ '.\_8_/.' jgs .-'`/ \`'-. \_/| |\_/ \_/ An iris is like wisdom, The deep color like the depth of knowledge, And the yellow like the bright ideas one receives. The knowledge spreads upward, as do the iris' leaves. ,_('--, (.--; ,--')_, | ;--.) .-. |.| .-. \|\|/ .-. .-.`\|/|/`_ `\|/|/` ' `^jgs`^^`^``^``^``^``^`` A lily is simplicity, Like the whiteness of it's flower. But in simplicity there is beauty, Like the yellow stamens tower. .-. __ / \ __ ( `'.\ /.'` ) '-._.(;;;)._.-' .-' ,`"`, '-. (__.-'/ \'-.__)/)_ \ /\ / / ) '-' | \/.-') , | .'/\'..) |\ |/ | \_) \ | | \_/ | \ / \|/ _, jgs / __/ / | _/ _.' |/__/ \ A daisy is like happiness And it spreads it's face to the sun. It loves everything around it And in everything finds fun. .;:;:. `::` ::;:': / _ ';:;;' ` >'. || _ `> \||.'< `>|/ <` `||/` ^jgs^^^^^^^^^^^ Truth is like a dandelion, Which is bold and has not sinned; And truth is spread far and wide, Like dandelion seeds upon the wind. `::` / ` `;:` .;:; / ::; ` _ ';:;;' >'. || _ `> \||.'< `>|/ <` `||/` ^jgs^^^^^^^^^^^ They soon find a place to rest. And grow in someone's heart; And the cycle begins again, Just as it did start. w /'\ |`| _ |'| _ /.\ |`| /,\ |'(_|.|_).| \.'`.'`.`'/ `--.'.--' |.| |`| jgs |.| `'`'`'`'`'`'`' A thistle is like anger Which is awful and sharp to touch. Anger combines envy, hatred, And most of all disgust. _ /_) (8_))}- . \_) '. .--. . , .-.-,_, : '. .' )`-.>'` ( '---'`; / `\ | . | | | _.' \ / / .' `=(\ /.=` ' `-;`.-' '._ `)| , ` ' ' ' ' ' || .-'| ,_|| \_,/ , \|| .' |\|\ , ||/ ,_\` |/| |Y_, '-.'-._\||/ >_.-`Y| ` ,_|| \|| || jgs || |/ Finally, love represents a rose. Love is sweet to your heart, As a rose is to your nose. _.-"""""'. .;__ `\ / `\ | ;a/ a `'. _ | ,_ |/_ _) / .-.-. {(}`\ \.___, \.' | | '--''-.( \_ _ / \ / .-\_ _."-.... ;_ ` .-.-. _/ '--. \ | | ."\ _/\ , | \ / / \_.' /'./ ; ` \__.' '-./ ' / __/ `\ / .' ``""--..__\___/ / | | , | \ ';_ / \ \`'-...-' \ \ | __ \ \ /-----; '. .--\_.-"\ | \ jgs / |._______|\ \ \_____,__/ '.__| There is love and there is hatred, But no matter which one you choose, Love will always be just as sweet, As the loveliest rose. ================================================================ >-->From SermondFodder: ____ .-' '-. .' .-. '. / / \ \ | \ `> | | "" / `._) | \ / \ 2000 / './ \ .' jgs '-.____;-' Top 10 Signs You Are Broke 10. American Express calls and says: "Leave home without it!" 9. You're formulating a plan to rob the food bank. 8. Long distance companies don't call you to switch. 7. You rob Peter...and then rob Paul. 6. You finally clean your house, hoping to find change. 5. You think of a lottery ticket as an investment. 4. Your bologna has no first name. 3. Sally Struthers sends you food. 2. McDonalds supplies you with all your kitchen condiments. 1. At communion you go back for seconds. From the Gospel Radio Group -<>- >Blind Comment I'm a counselor who helps coordinate support groups for visually- impaired adults. Many participants have a condition known as macular degeneration, which makes it very difficult for them to distinguish facial features. I had just been assigned to a new group and was introducing myself. Knowing that many in the group would not be able to see me well, I jokingly said, "For those of you who can't see me, I've been told that I look like a cross between Paul Newman and Robert Redford." Immediately, one woman called out, "We're not THAT blind!" -<>- >THAT'S SALVATION "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile" (Romans 1:16, NIV) An unknown author wrote, "Longfellow could take a sheet of paper, write a poem on it and make it worth sixty thousand dollars. That is talent. Rockefeller could sign a piece of paper and make it worth millions. That is capital. A mechanic can take material worth $5 and make it into an article worth $50. That is skill. A merchant can buy an article for eighty cents, put it on his counter and sell it for a dollar. That is business. But God can take a worthless, sinful life, wash it, cleanse it, put his Holy Spirit within it and make it a blessing to all humanity. That is salvation. And that salvation is available for all who choose to accept it. I think it was the famous evangelist, D.L. Moody who said when looking at a drunken derelict in the gutter, "But for the grace of God there go I." From: timothy williams --- ...Salvation... .--. /.-. '----------. The Key To LIFE - Eternally \'-' .--"--""-"-' jgs '--' Romans 10: 9, 10 -- That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. "confess with thy mouth the lord Jesus" means say out loud Jesus Christ is my Lord "and shalt (absolutely) believe in thine heart (deep within yourself - no shadow of a doubt) that God hath (past tensre - already done) raised Him (Jesus) from the dead, thou shalt (absolutely - without a shadow of a doubt) be saved (rescued from spiritual death)." It's as easy as that - Isn't God Good! :) ======================================================================= >-->From InspiringWords: .-----------------. .-----------------. / \ / \ ---|_____________________|-|_____________________|--- ___|/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/|_|/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/|___ |\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\| |\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\| |"""""""""""""""""""""| |"""""""""""""""""""""| | ____ ____) | | ____ ____) | | (_/ / / | | (_/ / / | | /__/ ' | | /__/ | | / / / /| | | / / /) /-, /| | | (___/ (_/_/_)__, | | (__/ (_(/_/ (_/_)_,| |_____________________| |_____________________| j/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/| |/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/| g\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\| |\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\| s"""""""""""""""""""""| |"""""""""""""""""""""| | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||| ||||||||||||||||||||||| ||||||||||||||||||||||| ||||||||||||||||||||||| TOPIC: SHARING OUR GIFTS I spend a lot of time during the holiday season contemplating the events of the past year and giving thanks to God for the way He has blessed my life. I number Cathy among the greatest of those blessings. God created her uniquely to be my mate - the other half that makes me whole. Now, in deference to the feminists who may be reading this, let me clarify that it's not the things Cathy does for me that I value. I certainly appreciate everything she does. But both of us spent some time as single parents and neither of us are helpless when it comes holding down a job and taking care of a household by ourselves. The only division of labor in our household is between us and the dogs. The two of us work and the dogs don't! No, it's not what Cathy does, but who she is what blesses each day I share with her. Cathy has such a joyous, child-like quality about her. It's not dependency. She is an intelligent and capable person in her own right. In many ways she's much stronger than me. But she hasn't let the hard knocks of her life harden her response to the people around her. She still responds with that child-like enthusiasm and sincerity most of us lost in our adolescence. She senses the feelings of others and responds to those feelings with an openness, a vulnerability, that few of us are willing to risk. And in her response, she gives freely of her spirit, her energy, and her heart. She can light the darkest day with her smile and soothe the deepest hurt with her kind and encouraging words. In some cases, when it's been needed, Cathy's given material support. But what I think people truly remember most about her is that she gave them the most precious gift of all - herself. That childlike quality in her that touches the child in them and says "I really care about you. You are important to me." It is the quality that has enriched every day of my life since the very first day we met. It is a daily blessing and reminder to me of the love of the Father which she reflects. With her Mom's illness and the other trials going on in our lives, Cathy's been having a pretty tough time lately. She's been feeling pretty down. But a couple of weeks ago, several of our dear friends decided to bring over some cake and ice cream on the spare of the moment just to celebrate Cathy's birthday. No presents, just themselves. But it was in giving the gift of themselves that Cathy was most deeply blessed. I still get tears in my eyes remembering the way the darkness lifted from her face and her laughter filled our house at their arrival. I thank God for each of them. Even as I thank God for Cathy, our friends, and for countless other blessings, I am painfully aware that this has been a trouble filled year for all of us. Loved ones have been lost. Dreams have been shattered. For many, life illusions and childhood innocence have been lost. We are confronted by the reality of a world forever scarred by the wound evil has inflicted, not upon the landscapes of New York City, Washington, D. C., and Pennsylvania, but upon our hearts. We are at war. We are forever changed. But in the midst of it all, we can still experience the joy of the season and the heart felt intimacy of the personal gift God wrapped in swaddling clothes and delivered to us (and each of you) in a manger so many years ago. In spite of all we have experienced, we can still know real peace and comfort because of the one who gave that greatest of gifts - Himself. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13 NIV). That is our prayer for each of you this Christmas. His servant and your brother, Sheltered under His wings and overwhelmed by His love, Steve Hall Editor's Note: I know that some of you reading this have a problem with the more popular practices of Christmas. Lights, trees, gifts and Santa Claus are not a part of your Christmas celebration. I accept and understand your position and I do not wish to offend you in any way. As I've grown, I've learned the lessons about some of the pagan origins of those practices myself. But they were part of my Christmases as I was growing up and my parents didn't practice them as part of that pagan culture. Each was presented to us in the context of the Christ and the magnitude of the gift given to us by God, the Father, on that first Christmas night. Santa, like the other super-heroes of my childhood, wasn't real, but represented the very real spirit of the season we should try to emulate. They added to the joy and focus of the season and enriched my life as well as my faith. And so I have shared them with my children with the same love and intention as when my parents shared them with me. I ask your tolerance with the articles included with this edition of "Notes" that refer to those traditions because of the special memories they hold for our contributors and for me. There are no doubts in any of our hearts who is "the reason for the season." ---- `'::. _________H ,%%&%, /\ _ \%&&%%&% / \___/^\___\%&%%&& | | [] [] |%\Y&%' | | .-. | || jgs ~~@._|@@_|||_@@|~||~~ `""") )"""` "TEACH THE CHILDREN" (Received from ChristianEMail - Author Unknown) Just last Monday night I had a strange visitor. This is how it happened. I had just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door of the front room, and to my surprise, Santa Claus himself stepping out from behind the Christmas Tree. He placed his fingers over his lips so I wouldn't cry out. "What are you doing here..." I started to ask, but the words choked up in my throat as I saw that he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner is gone ~ gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know. As I stood there in my night shirt bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the children. Teach them the old meaning of Christmas ~ the meanings that Christmas nowadays has forgotten." "Teach the children, the star was a heavenly sign of promise long ages ago. God promised a Savior for the world and a sign of the fulfillment of that promise was the great star of the East. The star now reminds us of God's love for mankind and of God fulfilling His promise. The countless shining stars at night ~ one for each man ~ now show the burning hope of all mankind." Santa gently laid the star upon the fireplace mantle and drew forth from the bag a glittering red Christmas ornament. "Teach the children, red is the first color of Christmas. It was first used by the faithful people to remind them of the blood which was shed for all people by the Savior. Christ gave his life and shed his blood that every man might have God's gift to all, eternal life. Red is deep, intense, vivid. It is the greatest color of all. It is the symbol of the gift of God." As Santa was twisting and pulling another object out of his bag, I heard the kitchen clock begin to strike twelve. I wanted to say something, but he went right on. "Teach the children", he said as the twisting and pulling suddenly dislodged a small Christmas tree from the depths of the toy bag. He placed it before the mantle and gently hung the red ornament on the big Christmas tree. The deep green of the fir tree was perfect background for the ornament. Here was the second color of Christmas. "The pure color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round," he said. "This depicts the everlasting hope of mankind. Green is the youthful, hopeful, abundant color of nature. All the needles point heavenward ~ symbolic of man's returning thoughts toward heaven. The great, green tree has been man's best friend. It has sheltered him, warmed him, made beauty for him, formed his furniture." Suddenly I heard a soft tinkling sound. As it grew louder, it seemed like the sound of long ago. "Teach the children, that as the lost sheep are found by sounds of the bell, so should it ring for men to return to the fold; it means guidance and return; it further signifies that all are precious in the eyes of the Lord." As the soft sound of the bell faded into the night, Santa drew forth a candle. He placed it on the mantle and the soft glow from its tiny flame cast an eerie glow about the darkened room. Odd shapes in the shadow slowly danced and weaved upon the walls. "Teach the children," whispered Santa, "that the candle shows man's thanks for the star of long ago. It's small light is the mirror of starlight. At first candles were placed on the Christmas Tree ~ they were like many glowing stars shining against the dark green. Safety now has removed the candles from the tree and the colored lights have taken over in the remembrance." Santa turned the small Christmas tree lights on and picked up a gift from under the tree. He pointed to the large bow ribbon and said, "A bow is placed on a present to remind us of the spirit of the brotherhood of man. We should remember that the bow is tied as men should be tied - all of us together, with the bonds of goodwill. Goodwill forever is the message of the bow." Now I wondered what else Santa had in his bag. But, instead of reaching in his bag, he slung it over his shoulder and began to reach up on the Christmas tree. I thought he was hungry as he reached for a candy cane, purposely placed high on the tree. He unfastened it and reached out toward me with it. "Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherds crook. The crook on the staff helps bring back the strayed sheep to the fold. The candy cane represents the helping hand we should show at Christmas time. The candy is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper." Santa then paused. He seemed to realize he should be on his way. Later would be his big day. As he looked about the room, a feeling of satisfaction showed in his face. He read wonderment in my eyes and I am sure he sensed my admiration on this night. He was his old self as he approached the front door. The twinkle in his eye gave Santa away; I knew he wasn't through yet. He reached into his bag and brought forth a large holly wreath. He placed it on the fireplace and said, "Please Teach the children the wreath symbolizes the eternal nature of love; it never ceases, stops or ends. It is one continuous round of affection. Please Teach the Children." I pondered and wondered and thrilled with delight, As I saw and viewed all those symbols that night. I dozed as I sat in the soft candle light, And my thoughts were of Santa and all he made right. To give and to help, to love and to serve, Are the best things of life, all men can deserve. Old Santa Claus that jolly fat little elf, Is the very best symbol of Christmas itself. He's the sign of the gift of love and of life, The ending of evil, the ceasing of strife. His message to me on the pre-Christmas night, Has opened a treasure of deepest insight. The one thing on earth we all ought to do, Is the teaching of children the right and the true. ---- _..._ .~` ~. { \ \~~`'._ / )- {,_} '.___,-', |\ _| \ \_| ` \ \ / \ _;--' \ /` /_ \ .___.-'| \ ^^^jgs^^^^^^^^`--`'------`--`^^^^^^^ A LITTLE CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM (Author Carol Sanborn) "Dear Santa," said the letter that was slowly being read, "I seem to have a lot of time to think...... while I'm in bed; And so I thought I'd write to you, as I do every year; I hope you're well and happy now that Christmas is so near. It won't be very long until you'll soon be on your way To leave the presents that will make a happy Christmas Day. Now if you think that I was good, and goodness knows I've tried... I have a small suggestion, though I know you must decide. I've heard about the shortages the world is facing now...... But if we all would share a bit it might just help somehow. So Santa, if you should be short of Christmas dolls this year, I thought I'd say, " My last years' doll is precious and is dear; And really since she's almost new, it has occurred to me You really wouldn't have to leave a new one 'neath the tree. Instead, perhaps, you just might leave a doll for Mary Dove Who's also in the children's ward and needs a doll to love. She says her parents told her that with all their bills to pay, That they'd be lucky just to buy the food for Christmas Day! So please, dear Santa, don't forget to stop for Mary too; And then she'll have a doll or toy and she won't feel so blue. I'm tired now, but Santa dear, I have not finished yet. Tomorrow I'll continue so my nurse won't be upset." But the letter, still unfinished, never reached old Santa's hand..... The young girls' parents found it on her little bedside stand. With dampened eyes they packed it with their daughters other things; But somehow, this poignant letter helped soothe away death's sting. Then just before the parents left, they stopped a nurse to say Please give this doll to Mary Dove, from Santa.....Christmas Day! And should there be another child that Santa might pass by Please let us know, so we can add to Santa's short supply! The nurse who'd seen the letter said God bless you for this deed........ In life and death your daughter proved A LITTLE CHILD SHALL LEAD....... --- .--..-""""-..--. ///`/////////\`\\\ ||/ |///""\\\| \|| ## ( 6. 6 ) ## /_\ \ _. / /_\ _`) (`_ /` '--' `\ / _,,_ \ / /` `\ \ /\_/ / 6 6\ \_/\ \ \/\ Y /\/ / \ \/ `'U` \/ / \( \ / )/ |\_/ \_/| / ____ \ \ ( || ) / (__)||(__) | || | |__||__| jgs |==||==| /~`//~`/ / // / `""` `"` THE TRUE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS (Author Sharon Palmer) I was doing some last-minute Christmas shopping in a toy store and decided to look at Barbie dolls for my nieces. A nicely dressed little girl was excitedly looking through the Barbie dolls as well, with a roll of money clamped tightly in her little hand. When she came upon a Barbie she liked, she would turn and ask her father if she had enough money to buy it. He usually said "yes," but she would keep looking and keep going through their ritual of "do I have enough?" As she was looking, a little boy wandered in across the aisle and started sorting through the Pokemon toys. He was dressed neatly, but in clothes that were obviously rather worn, and wearing a jacket that was probably a couple of sizes too small. He too had money in his hand, but it looked to be no more than five dollars or so at the most. He was with his father as well, and kept picking up the Pokemon video toys. Each time he picked one up and looked at his father, his father shook his head, "No." The little girl had apparently chosen her Barbie, a beautifully dressed, glamorous doll that would have been the envy of every little girl on the block. However, she had stopped and was watching the interchange between the little boy and his father. Rather dejectedly, the boy had given up on the video games and had chosen what looked like a book of stickers instead. He and his father then started walking through another aisle of the store. The little girl put her Barbie back on the shelf, and ran over to the Pokemon games. She excitedly picked up one that was lying on top of the other toys, and raced toward the check-out, after speaking with her father. I picked up my purchases and got in line behind them. Then, much to the little girl's obvious delight, the little boy and his father got in line behind me. After the toy was paid for and bagged, the little girl handed it back to the cashier and whispered something in her ear. The cashier smiled and put the package under the counter. I paid for my purchases and was rearranging things in my purse when the little boy came up to the cashier. The cashier rang up his purchases and then said, "Congratulations, you are my hundredth customer today, and you win a prize!" With that, she handed the little boy the Pokemon game, and he could only stare in disbelief. It was, he said, exactly what he had wanted! ___ /`_I_`\ (//o o\\) ()\_-_/() ()_/_\_() ():::::() //^|:::|^\\ \\/ ~~~ \// /_______\ || || || || .-'| |'-. jgs `""` `""` The little girl and her father had been standing at the doorway during all of this, and I saw the biggest, prettiest, toothless grin on that little girl that I have ever seen in my life. Then they walked out the door. I followed close behind them. I heard the father ask his daughter why she had done that. I'll never forget what she said to him. "Daddy, didn't Nana and Pawpaw want me to buy something that would make me happy?" He said, "Of course they did, honey." To which the little girl replied, "Well, I just did!" With that, she giggled and started skipping toward their car. Apparently, she had decided on the answer to her own question of, "Do I have enough?" ___ \/ /`_I_`\ (c (//o o\\) \\ ()\_-_/() \\_()_/_\_() Peace & Love '-():::::() ^^|:::|^\\ / ~~~ \// /_______\ || || || || .-'| |'-. jgs `""` `""` I feel very privileged to have witnessed the true spirit of Christmas in that toy store, in the form of a little girl who understands more about the reason for the season than most adults I know! May God bless her and her parents, just as she blessed that little boy and me that day! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ And this final little "note" shared by our dear friend Florence Campbell: "Then pealed the bells more loud and sweet, 'God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail With peace on earth, good will to men." --Longfellow ________________________________________________ Copyright © 1998-2001 by Stephen J. Hall - Weekly letters of encouragement to Christians written by Stephen J. Hall unless otherwise indicated. Notes from the Valley and Humor from the Valley are meant to brighten your day and encourage you along the way. Most of "Notes" and "Humor" are a collection of items provided to me by subscribers and friends. Credit is given to both the contributor and to the true author, where known. If you are blessed by them, please feel free to make copies and pass them along to others. If you have something you'd like to contribute to a future edition or would like to ask us a question or make a comment, please contact us at: sossteve@worldnet.att.net ________________________________________________ Your love, God, is my song, and I'll sing it! I'm forever telling everyone how faithful you are. I'll never quit telling the story of your love - how you built the cosmos and guaranteed everything in it. Your love has always been our lives foundation, your fidelity has been the roof over our world. (Psalm 89:1-3 The Message) --- >TOMORROW. He was going to be all that a mortal could be - tomorrow. No one could be kinder and braver than he would be - tomorrow. A friend who was troubled and weary would be glad for a lift On him he would call and see what he could do - tomorrow Each morning he stacked up the letters he would write - tomorrow. And thought of the folks he would fill with delight - tomorrow. More time I will have to give others, he would say - tomorrow. The greatest of workers this man would have been - tomorrow. But the fact is he died and faded from view And all that he left here when he was through he intended to do - tomorrow. --Author not known. >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->Bigham's Computer Rescue - PC Sales && Service You can trust us to provide you with quality computer sales and repair. 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