Happy 2011 New Year ... :) 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 ================ >-->In The 'Shangy' News :) We've had an awesome 2010 year together! You've all blessed me tremendously and I thank God for each and every one of you! I hope that I have in some small way touched your life as much as you have touched mine. Thank you! I pray that 2011 will be our best year ever together! May your blessings be so great that your smile never leaves your face! May the abundant grace and peace of God give you much love, joy, happiness, good health and prosperity through out the coming new year through our beloved Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! _..@._ .' `\ / - - | / a a /, , | ^ D) ) ||\ , \ .__, /'. '. |\`,'/ .-';`-.___..;.-'\ \ \ _| / | .` _.; | -.`| \ _.-'| | \ ' \ 2 | . .' | | '._/`; 0 \ / /___\. / \ 1 \ | .`;,' _\_ | \ 1 '.| _/___|_/_|_}_ /\__ ' `'. '; \___________/ | ',`'-.,_'. \ | | \/`'. ._,;`'. \ | HAPPY | \ `\.' `| \ || NEW | | .' /-`\/| YEAR! | ;.' . _.'` / || | .' ,-' / / ;`-------`; / .'`; \ ( '._ _.' \ ( \ ` )`'`( \_,()))) jgs .' '. `"""""""""` Here's Wishing You A Safe, Blessed, Prosperous and Happy New Year! -<>- *~* We Had A WONDERFUL Month Of Caring And Sharing! * Please Be Sure To Share And Visit Each Of These... Parenting No-No's! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/parenting.html BiBi's Rescue! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dogrescue.html Amazing Cop Cars 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/copcars2.html All Occasion Cakes 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/aocakes2.html Freedom Rock! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/freedomrock.html Mountain Folk Art! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/folkart.html Super Puppies! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/puppy.html TSA's Calendar Gals! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/tsa.html Proud Of Our Troops 5! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/troops5.html City That Time Forgot! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/city.html Angel Wing Decoys! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/angel.html Thailand's Tigers! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/tiger.html Fun With Snow In Russia! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/russia.html *~* SPECIAL THANKS AND HUGS TO ALL OUR ANGELS AND CONTRIBUTORS! _. ,-.,-"`""-./ \ / \ `-.| .:::.:::. \ / `-._ ::::::::: | "=\ ':::::' | .==" |o_|_ ':' | _o. ` (_) ,;;;,;;;, ; \\ ;;;;;;;;; \ _. /|-. ';;;;;' \ ` `'---'/ \ ';' \ .--._ /-' | ,-`. / `-._( / `-._`-._\ `\ '\ ( ` `'._ _, | \ / ~-. `| | | / `;-.| | | .' \ /| | / .'-. '. | \ | .' `-._ '. | /"` `\ jgs / `"--.,_'-._\-.___.'_ ; / `""";--' `. | / .'` \ /""-. ; / \""-, \ | / | \ | \ | '. |/ '. \ .'`-. / '._ '.,___,.;' '-.___.' `"""----------'` --- You are truly part of God's Best --- =============================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: | | | _ | | <_> | | | | | `-._ | |`-._| | | _________________________________|____ `-._ `-._ | `-._ `-._ | kat `-._ `-._ >HAPPY ENDINGS by Michael Segal You could hear a pin drop. Then, some sniffles in the mob of thousands. Eventually, after what appeared like an eternity, the crowd roared with applause as the ambulance took him away. His name is Kevin Everett and he was playing for the Buffalo Bills football team. He was hurt -- hurt very badly trying to make a tackle on a kickoff. The blow injured his spinal column causing a paralysis. He could not give the "thumbs up" to the crowd, no matter how hard he tried. Meanwhile, back home in a small town near Houston, Kevin's mother was watching the game in a sport's bar. Very few things in life are worse than watching your "baby" on television not being able to move. His fiancee was also near Houston washing her car. Soon she would find out the horrible news. Soon, everyone would find out the horrible news as the doctor reported in a TV news broadcast that Kevin was in critical condition -- his life was at risk, never mind the fact that he possibly might never again be able to walk. Luckily, Kevin's doctor who was in the ambulance with him, tried a new procedure to immediately cool his spinal column. Also, he was fortunate he had a neurosurgeon waiting for him at the trauma hospital. Slowly, and very slowly, he began making progress. Eventually, he was stable enough to be flown to The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR), a rehabilitation hospital near his home in Houston. At TIRR he continued making great progress. He took his first steps there. Mind you, very few people who sustain that kind of injury are ever able to take a first step. But he did, and he continues to keep proving the experts wrong. When he appeared and walked on the Oprah show recently, he proved to have made a miraculous recovery. If you had not known him or his story, you would not have realized that he had an injury that almost cost him his life. Back at TIRR, many patients are obliged to learn to deal and cope with dramatic changes after those life altering experiences. A person, often, is simply thankful for the small things -- like being able to brush one's teeth, tying one's shoes, combing one's hair, etc. Quite often the small things in life are really huge. Often, it takes much time to deal with the many losses. However, with a positive attitude, support, as well as many other factors, life, after a spinal cord injury can be very successful. The proverb, "Be thankful for what you have and do not dwell on what you have lost" is a great attitude. The patients at TIRR realize this, and people everywhere should accept that proverb, since everyone in life experiences some kind of loss. That is the definition of being human. Kevin Everett and so many others are trying to show the world that life is not over when one sustains a major loss. In fact, perhaps, for many it is just beginning. Perhaps the reason Kevin Everett healed so miraculously was because of the care he received in the ambulance, or in the hospital, or in the rehab hospital, or because of his excellent conditioning, or because of his faith, or because of so many other reasons, or a combination of the above. Today, he is doing great and helping others. Many people, who have sustained a spinal cord injury, as well as those who have not, possess the desire to get better. For many, that equates to being more independent. People want to believe that getting better is possible. People enjoy stories with happy endings. And people want to be positive. Kevin Everett's story reminds us that sometimes there are happy endings. -- Michael Segal ____________________________________________ Shot in the head during a robbery, Michael Jordan Segal defied all odds by first surviving and then returning to college. He then earned two degrees with honors, married his high school sweetheart, Sharon, and became a father to their daughter Shawn. You can learn more about him by visiting his website at: http://www.inspirationbymike.com ================================================================ >-->From laugh & Lift: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ | | /| |\ |\ |\ / |\ |_| |___| _ _ _ | \ | _ / | _ _ ,_ _ | | / | | \ | \ / | | \ | /_\ / / | \___|//_\ / | | ` / \ \| |/\_|/|_/_/|_/_/\_| \| \| \__/\_\_| /| \__/\_|/| \_/ ' | | /| ` ( | | | \| \| >Living For the King in the New Year (By Phyllis Eyerkuss) [Edited] I heard a message this weekend entitled “What Did You Give Jesus For Christmas?” A good question. How would we answer? Did we include Him in our shopping sprees and holiday parties? Did we remember the blessing of His birth as we gathered around our Christmas dinner? Was His Name mentioned as we tore through gifts? Or was the Christmas story just an afterthought as we careened through the hectic weeks of December? "Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His Holy Name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits—" (Psalm 103:1-2 NIV) In these verses David commands his soul to praise His God! He puts aside his kingly responsibilities, the concerns of his family, and the demands of his people to worship and praise Jehovah! Perhaps we should follow suit! As the world spirals out of control, we must stay grounded and focused on our King! We cannot be carried away with the things of the world, or caught up in its clutches of materialism and greed. Yes, we must be in the world, but we must not be of it! I pray in this coming week we would all prayerfully consider the coming New Year! Considering that Jesus could return any day now, we should be more focused on being God’s hands and feet in the earth in 2011! Our Spiritual priorities should be much higher than our earthly aspirations! By focusing our “inmost being” on His Holy Name, we won’t lose sight of our primary mission of sharing the message of reconciliation between God and man (as 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 puts it). Once we remember that our God will supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19), fear, anxiety and stress should be minimized! And when we can calm our soul with The Word, then worship comes quickly and ministry usually follows: a secret satan does NOT want you to know! Because IF he can keep us bound with earthly concerns, then the concerns of The Kingdom take second place. And I don’t know about you, BUT I don’t want to be caught off guard when that trumpet blasts!!! I want to be found faithful and embracing all of the benefits of The Kingdom of God available in Christ! I don’t want to remember a manger once a year, or a Cross only on Easter. I don’t want to compromise the Truth of God’s Word with worldly traditions or thought, but I want the wonder and majesty of Jesus Christ to reign in my heart 365 days a year! I want to let The Holy Spirit consume me with His Presence and Power! I want to appropriate every drop of Blood that was spilled at Calvary and embrace the grace that was purchased there! I am a child of God and I belong to Him! And one day He will take me HOME for Eternity and I will live in His Presence forever! Beam me up Lord! And until that Day, may I live for You! SUBSCRIBE INFO Want to receive a Christian inspirational item AND great clean humor in an email to you each day of the week? It's easy and FREE! Read all about Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com ================================================================= >-->From CupO'Cheer: . `: : : . : . [""] | | | | | | : .'--`. _..-~-.._ : .: /`.__.'\ .' `. : . / \ .' .-'''''-. `. ,-'``'-. ; ; / ,' XII `. \ |`-..-'| | ,--. | / / /|\ \ \ | . :| |_.','`.`._| | ; | ; | | . : | |--'2011`--| | |IX o III| | |`-..-'| || | | | | | ; ; | \::::::/ ||)|/|)|)|\| | \ / | `::::' |._ ~**~ _.| ------| `. V I ,' |----)(----| `-..-' |------- _____j `-.....-' | )( | |,--. ____/ / /\\ ,-._.--------.-.-' ,-')('-. | |\`;/ .-()___ : |`.!,-'`'/`-._ (___) ( ' ` )`-._ _.-'|;,| `-, \_\__\`,-'>-.,-._ `-....-' ```` `--' hjw `-._ (`- `-._`-.` >New Year's Eve Celebration Ideas Here are some ideas for alternate ways to have a New Year party: 1~~ Take the family to a church candle light service. 2~~ Have a family fun night. Play board games together and watch a video. 3~~Have a "Take Out Feast". Maybe some egg rolls, tacos, fries, onion rings. A little from each of your favorite style of restaurants. 4~~If you would like to toast the new year in why not try sparkling cider, mineral water with bubbles or make some lovely frozen beverages with lots of fruit. You don't have to use champagne. Here is a page with lots of Non-Alcoholic drinks for you to choose from: http://www.recipegoldmine.com/bevnon/bevnon.html 5~~Buy some munchies & ice cream so you can "veg out" with the TV. My favorite ice cream right now is "Peppermint Stick". 6~~Instead of going to Times Square to see the count down to 2011, you can watch a New Year's special on the TV. Watch the Ball Drop Live! Check what will be on in your area at TV GUIDE. -<>- .e. .e$ '-fdLLLLLLdf-' >POTTY MOUTHS Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29 Fifty years ago, censors were allowed to delete crude terms from books before they were published. When James Jones, for example, included more than 250 vulgar words in his final manuscript of 'From Here to Eternity', censors eliminated 208 of them from the original hardcover edition. When the book came out in paperback, they deleted all the rest. They simply didn't want the masses reading profane words. Things have changed a bit, haven't they? Some R-rated movies today contain as many as 200 curse words— about 2 per minute. And we all know how pervasive cursing has become on television. We are being exposed to more and more verbal pollution in the flow of the average day—even from places like the church pulpit and the church softball league bench. Potty mouth pulpits! Who would have thought? I think it's time to take a stand again, beginning with our own flippancy toward foul language. Here's why: 1. It lowers the moral standards of our family. Jesus said, "The mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart" (Matthew 12:34), which means that cursing exposes the condition of our inner person. It reveals that our hearts have grown sour and polluted with trashy words. 2. It degrades interpersonal relationships. It robs society of its civility. Used casually, cursing is just rude. When used on purpose, it's derogatory and demeaning. Certain curse words even devalue what God created—like the divinely designed act of intercourse. 3. It sends a bad message to our children. It tells them that cursing within moderation is acceptable behavior. But as Christians, our spiritual transformation—our desire to be more like Christ— should affect our words. DISCUSS Talk about your language and how you want your words to be remembered. Discuss where you stand in regard to swearing. PRAY Pray for bad habits to be broken and for pure hearts that show themselves in clean, redemptive speech. -<>- ..::''''::.. .:::. .;'' ``;. .... ::::: :: :: :: :: ,;' .;: () ..: `:::' :: :: :: :: ::. ..:,:;.,:;. . :: .::::. `:' :: .:' :: :: `:. :: '''::, :: :: :: `:: :: ;: .:: : :: : : :: ,:'; ::; :: :: :: :: :: ::,::''. . :: `:. .:' :: `:,,,,;;' ,;; ,;;, ;;, ,;;, ,;;, `:,,,,:' :;: `;..``::::''..;' ``::,,,,::'' >CHARACTER - THE BEAUTY THAT LASTS '...clothe yourselves...with the beauty that comes from within...' 1 Peter 3:4 NLT When it comes to beauty, get your perspective right: 'Don't be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes...clothe yourselves...with the beauty that comes from within...' (1 Peter 3:3-4 NLT). It's said the public relations department of a beauty products company asked its customers to send pictures along with brief letters, describing the most beautiful women they knew. Thousands of letters came in. One caught the attention of the employees and was passed on to the president. It was written by a boy from a broken home who lived in a run-down neighborhood. With lots of spelling errors, an excerpt from his letter read: 'A beautiful woman lives down the street from me. I visit her every day. She makes me feel like the most important kid in the world. We play checkers and she listens to my problems. She understands me. When I leave she always yells out the door that she's proud of me.' The boy ended his letter saying, 'This picture shows you that she is the most beautiful woman in the world, and one day I hope to have a wife as pretty as her.' Intrigued, the president asked to see the woman's picture. His secretary handed him a photograph of a smiling, toothless woman, well advanced in years, sitting in a wheelchair. Sparse grey hair was pulled back in a bun. The wrinkles that formed deep furrows on her face were somehow diminished by the twinkle in her eyes. 'We can't use this woman,' said the president, smiling. 'She would show the world that our products aren't necessary to be beautiful.' SoulFood: 5:1 - 8:29, 14:15-25, Ps 118:19-29, Pro 28:5-8 as seen in The Word For Today -<>- _____ / \/_ //\__(\_\ |\ ^ ^ | .//_O \O_ \ \_ (_) / \ \_/ / __/\ /\__ / \ \ / / \ / \/\/\/ \ / | . | \ / | . | \ JRO >THAT LOVIN' FEELING May he kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine. SONG OF SOLOMON 1:2 When Barbara and I were working on our book Rekindling the Romance, I went online and typed "romance" in the Google search engine. Guess how many of the top 10 sites listed were for married couples? One! Makes you wonder if romance has become an endangered experience after marriage. Is it like the way the late comedian Minnie Pearl put it? "Gettin' married's a lot like gettin' into a tub of hot water," she said. "After you get used to it, it ain't so hot." Believe me, it doesn't have to be that way. Sure, there are a lot of barriers to romance in your marriage—primarily the hectic pace of your lives. But you married each other to become intimate partners, not traffic controllers, and that requires time just being together. Barbara and I certainly felt the tug in our own lives when our schedules got crowded and the kids started adding up. With six children constantly chirping with needs, we found that we had to plan regular date nights just to get away by ourselves. Frankly, if we hadn't had this touch point in our lives, our marriage could have easily dissolved into two high-performance people doing their own thing. Existing individually without really sharing life. When our children were little, we would either get a babysitter or we'd plan a fun date at home after the kids had gone to bed. Sometimes we'd create our own restaurant atmosphere, complete with candlelight and a gourmet meal we'd prepared together. When we finally sat down to eat, we'd just focus on one another. .--. .-..-..-..-. .--. .--. .-. .--. _.-._ : .--': `: :: :: :: .--': .--': : : .--' _.-._ : ` ' :`. `. : .` :: :: :: : _ : : _ : : : `; : ` ' : ,' '. _`, :: :. :: :; :: :; :: :; :: :__ : :__ ,' '. `-:_:-'`.__.':_;:_;`.__.'`.__.'`.__.':___.'`.__.'`-:_:-' unknown Don't let the romance slip out of your life. It isn't dependent on the newness of your marriage but only on the freshness of your heart, the tenacious desire not to let the crush of life keep you from having a crush on each other. DISCUSS How could a weekly date night become a reality for you and your spouse? PRAY Ask the Lord to help you both for the creativity and for the perseverance to keep the home fires burning. as seen in Moments Together For Couples -<>- __|___|__ [_________] ,,,,, _|// , , ;; ( / < D =o |. / /\| _____|><|_______/o / / '==| :: |==' < / / \ < > /____/ / _/\ | :: | / \ ||_|____|/ |o| | x | ( \ / _'_ \ //// | \ | | | | | | | | | \ _ | _ / \ | / \ | / |_|_| /o | o\ /o _|_ o\ (__/ \__) b'ger >WHEN YOU'RE THE LEADER '...the leader should be like a servant.' Luke 22:26 NLT Michael Bruner writes about how, as a brash young college student, he attended a lecture by a former US Attorney General. He says: 'Afterwards I approached him to see if we could meet for coffee. To his associates' shock, he said, "How about tomorrow"... We met and talked for an hour...I peppered him with questions. What famous people had he met? What was it like to be Attorney General in the 60s? When I asked him who was the greatest person he'd ever met, he said, "I don't think of people in those terms." He went on to tell me something I'll never forget. "Don't ever seek to be the greatest. Seek instead to do great things. If you aspire to greatness, your greatness will die with you. But if you aspire to do great things, your legacy will live on. The only way to do this is by being a servant. Lead by serving and you'll do great things." I was too young in the faith to know he'd taken those words from Scripture...Jesus was the embodiment of servant leadership. He didn't just tell the disciples what they should do, He did it along with them...As I left the hotel that morning and waited to cross the street, a blind man with a seeing-eye dog came up alongside me. I stared at the beautiful Lab...his senses alert, his sole purpose in life to serve his...master. Then the light turned green and gently the dog led [him] across the street...God had sent me a living parable. I learned a lesson that morning I would never forget. Pursue great things, not greatness; lead by serving.' SoulFood: 14:18, Heb 5:5-11, Ps 110 (Melchizedek) as seen in The Word For Today -<>- (() ()) (() ()) (() ()) (() ()) (() .+. _.-//_\\-._ .'.-' XII '-.'. /`.'* *'.`\ / /* / *\ \ | ; _/ ; | | |IX (_) III| | | ; \ ; | \ \* \ */ / \ '.* \ *.'./ jgs '._'-.__VI_.-'_.' '-.,___,.-' >RETIREMENT GOD’S WAY Not retired! You’re retreaded For the journey yet ahead. Find God’s purpose and keep traveling. Don’t just veg until you’re dead. While it’s fun to golf and garden Or to hunt for “early birds,” don’t just graze and take it easy With the A A R P herds. Joy is found in serving people. You feel younger when you give. Fill your free time with some meaning. Don’t become an empty sieve. You were meant to make a difference For as long as you’re alive. God intends that your retirement Be a time in which you thrive. Let the Bible be your compass. Steer your life toward those nearby. Share your time and skills with others. Don’t just diddle ’til you die. Copyright 2005 by Greg Asimakoupoulos. -<>- . | . \ | / `. \ ' / .' `. .-*""*-. .' "*-._ /.*" "*.\ _.-*" : ; ____ """"': .. ; _.-*" \ `.__.' / "*-._ .' `-.__.-' `. bug .' / . \ `. / | \ ' | ` >MAY GOD BLESS YOU THIS DAY... FOR HONOR AND GLORY! There once was a man named John McMath, a good, decent man who spoke the truth and cared for others. But he had serious problems with those who exalted rules and appearances over loving one another. He was judged, criticized, shunned and ultimately driven from his church. A friend, enraged by such treatment, decided to publicly stand with John. Being adept with the pen, he wrote a scathing letter, denouncing the hypocritical actions of those who hid behind the appearance of religion and the Gospel, as they sought to ruin anyone who disagreed with them. The year was 1785. The place was Ayr, Scotland. The letter was a poem. And the friend was Robert Burns. It was a time when taking a stand could have dire consequences. Those in power loved their power and used it with little regard for right and wrong. But Burns put friendship and loyalty above himself and what others might do to him. He chose to stand with his friend. But I gae mad at their grimaces, Their sighin, cantin, grace-proud faces, Their three-mile prayers, an' half-mile graces, Their raxin conscience, Whase greed, revenge, an' pride disgraces Waur nor their nonsense. Burns was angered by the grimaces of those with their sighing (judging), canting (hypocritically righteous) faces so full of pride. They said elaborate, long prayers, but had little grace for others. Their conscience was stretched thin by greed, revenge and pride, a disgrace far worse than their own nonsense. Jesus once said, Woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them. (Luke 11:46). These words were spoken to the "experts in the law", but understand—they were meant for all who follow Christ. How easy it is to step into their shoes...to become an "expert"...to tear down rather than love. And the consequences? God knows, I'm no the thing I should be, Nor am I even the thing I could be, But twenty times I rather would be An atheist clean, Than under gospel colours hid be Just for a screen. Burns found more honor in one who denies the very existence of God than those who pretend to follow Him and do not live the life they claim. Amazing, isn't it...that one's failure to live as Jesus commanded could drive an observer to find more honor in being an atheist? Burns himself was not an atheist, but seeing these "lying lives" certainly affected his views of God, Jesus and the Church. There is much to consider here. Do we love and encourage each other? Do we care for others and build them up? Do we tell what God has done in our lives to those who don't know Him? Or do we hide behind a mask of religion while living anyway we choose? When people see us during Easter and Christmas, much less throughout the year, do they know we follow the Prince of Peace? It can be so difficult...unless we stand together...devoted to God, committed to each other, united in love. Let's do that. Let's give people something to talk about. Let's give them the truth...for honor and glory. Take care & be God's, Chuck as seen in A Note of Encouragement To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ================================================================= >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: ,,'''''',, ;;;;;,,,, '', ;''''''':;;;,, ', ``` '''' '';;;, ; .-' ` _ `;;',; ( , ' ',) '; ;; `;'`', , / ; ,:, ,' --' ',-' ; ( ;:::: ; ' ;,;;--;;' ; , , `;;;; `, ;, , , ,;;;' ; ; , , ,;;;' ; `;`'`;;;;' ; ,' ;;;' jv ;;; >CHRISTMAS W/GRANDMA I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma. I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!" My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her "world- famous" cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so. It had to be true. Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus?" she snorted. "Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad! Now, put on your coat, and let's go." "Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second world-famous cinnamon bun. "Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days. "Take this money," she said, "and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's. I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping. For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten- dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for. I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church. I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class. Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out to recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobby Decker didn't have a cough; he had no coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat! I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that. "Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down. "Yes, Ma'am," I replied shyly. "It's for Bobby." The nice lady smiled at me. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag and wished me a Merry Christmas. That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat in Christmas paper and ribbons (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) and wrote on the package, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus" on it. Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially one of Santa's helpers. Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going." I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his door bell and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma. Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobby. Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes. That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were: ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team. I still have the Bible, with the tag tucked inside: $19.95. -<>- , .__ ._ \_. _, _. ' \/ \.- / \/ .-_` // |/ \, .-""""-. \. ' \`. || \.-' / F Y .-.`-( _/\ V/ \\//,-' >-' ._, F Y .__/ `. \. ' J ) ./ / __._/ J \, I ' _/ \ \ | | / / .'-'.-' `._, ( L \_.--.| \_. ' .___ `\: | / .--'.-'" \ \ '\ . L / \\/ ._/`-.` \ .'.' .'---./__ ' \__ '\ ) \._/ `-.__. ` \\_. ' .---. \ / / , ` ` --' \\ ): // \, `-.`__.' `- \ / / _/-.---.__.- . _.-`.'/ /'\_, ._ >--.-""'____.--"`_ ' /.'..' \ \ _/` _ .---._\ \'/ '__./__.-.. / .-|( x_.-'___ | :' / _..---_' \ .:' /`\ `. `..'.--'\ /.' /`-`._ `-,' ` ' I '_.--'__--..___.--._.- ` `. `\/'/ _. _.-' _.____./ .-.--""-. .-" ' _..-.---' \ -._ .--.\ / /-./ / .---'-//.___. .-' \__ .--. ` `. '`- ,--'/.-. ^. .-.--. ` _/ _// ./ _.. .' `. \ \ |_. /' | >. ' | \._.- ' _..' `.' . `. ) | |\ ` ./ \ \' ) c| / \ \_.. .--' ,\ \_/` : ) (`-. `.|`\\ \' / ,-. | ` ./` ._/ `\\'.--.,-(( `.`.__ | _/ \ |) `--._/` ______'\ | < __________ //' // _) )/-._`. (,-') ) / \_. /\. _____ a:f | | .__./ // '\ |// `.\ '\ ( ( <` ._ ' > | _. / ..-\ _ _/ \_. \ `\ \_ `---.-'__ . / `- _.' / ` _/| J /` `-,,-----.`-. ' .:' '` ' < ` f I // `­\_, ' \. J I/\_. ./ __/ `: I .: K ` ` \/ ) `, J L )_(_ . F .-' J / `. . I (. . I _.-.._ ' <' \ ) _.---.J/ :' L -' .:. \. _.->/ _.-'_.) ` `-.`---.,_. :< ( \ .--"" .F' J) `.`L.__`-.___ .: |-'\_.| Y ..Z )) `--' `- . ) | > : . ' :' / ) L_J .x,. L_J ., .:<., .'` ` :J.,` . ;.+K,:. .,L+., >"Lessons from Trees" * It's important to have roots. * In today's complex world, it pays to branch out. * If you really believe in something, don't be afraid to go out on a limb. * Be flexible so you don't break when a harsh wind blows. * Sometimes you have to shed your old bark in order to grow. * If you want to maintain accurate records, keep a log. * It's okay to be a late bloomer. * Avoid people who would like to cut you down. * As you approach the autumn of your life, you will show your true colors. You could be Brilliant! * In other words "bloom where you are planted and make the best of what you've got." -<>- _.--. _.-'_:-'|| _.-'_.-::::'|| _.-:'_.-::::::' || .'`-.-:::::::' || /.'`;|:::::::' ||_ || ||::::::' _.;._'-._ || ||:::::' _.-!oo @.!-._'-. \'. ||:::::.-!()oo @!()@.-'_.| '.'-;|:.-'.&$@.& ()$%-'o.'\U|| `>'-.!@%()@'@_%-'_.-o _.|'|| ||-._'-.@.-'_.-' _.-o |'|| ||=[ '-._.-\U/.-' o |'|| || '-.]=|| |'| o |'|| || || |'| _| '; || || |'| _.-'_.-' |'-._ || |'|_.-'_.-' jgs '-._'-.|| |' `_.-' '-.||_/.-' >A TREASURE BOX By: Joseph J. Mazzella Everyone of us in this world carries a little treasure box within our souls. This box is full to bursting with every good thing imaginable. All that we ever wanted from life lies within it. It has love, joy, peace, and happiness in it. It is also full of optimism, enthusiasm, cheerfulness, and merriment. There is faith, kindness, gentleness, and patience in it as well. There is room too in it for ecstasy, rapture, forgiveness, and trust. Energy, vitality, delight, and oneness with God are packed to the top of it. Even wonder, laughter, fun, and hope lie in this glorious box. All we have to do is open this box everyday and all of these things are ours for the choosing. Sadly, most of us barely even crack the lid in our lifetimes. I am not sure why this is so. Perhaps there is too strong a belief out there that good things like love, joy and happiness shouldn't come easy. Perhaps there are too many people who think good things must be earned from people and things outside of us and not simply chosen from within ourselves. This is so sad, because the box remains within us all: a precious gift from God just waiting to be opened, enjoyed, and shared with the world. Don't leave that glorious box, full of goodness, that lies within your own soul closed then. Open it up. Let its joy, love, and countless good things out. Enjoy them, revel in them, and then share them with everyone you meet. God didn't intend for the treasures of your soul to be locked away. God wants you to give them to the world and rejoice in the wondrous cycle of giving, receiving, and loving that will result from your gift. The treasures of the our souls are as eternal and limitless as God's love for us. It would be a shame to leave them locked away when we can instead live in them and share them always. joecool@wirefire.com -<>- .-""-._ / ___/ \ _&_ _.--""|/ `\| // \\ .' ( ^/ ^ )'. / / \ \ / | _ | \ // / \ \\ | _\____/ | /_/_/_\_\_\ | .' \____/-._ | .-"-. | / `; /# \ | / / _|_.---\ | | |.-.; :--.-(_/.____/.-""\___/"-. / \ / ~~/ /\ \{"=.______.="} /--. ; /___/_~~/ ; .--\"=...__...="} / \-/ `\______|/ \-.______..-; | /`| | \ | |||| || | /_ | |_______/ | |||| || | \_/| |-------' |--'||'--._|| | | | | || |> |______| |____________|._ || _..-;| | [___] | `||() || |______ |\/|____________|jgs|| () (__) \__/ (__) () >"Slow Down Therapy" 1. Slow down; God is still in heaven. You are not responsible for doing it all yourself, right now. 2. Remember a happy, peaceful time in your past. Rest there. Each moment has richness that takes a lifetime to savor. 3. Set your own pace. When someone is pushing you, it's OK to tell them they're pushing. 4. Take nothing for granted: watch water flow, the corn grow, the leaves blow, your neighbor mow. 5. Taste your food. God gives it to delight as well as to nourish. 6. Notice the sun and the moon as they rise and set. They are remarkable for their steady pattern of movement, not their speed. 7. Quit planning how you're going to use what you know, learn, or possess. God's gifts just are; be grateful and their purpose will be clear. 8. When you talk with someone, don't think about what you'll say next. Thoughts will spring up naturally if you let them. 9. Talk and play with children. It will bring out the unhurried little person inside you. 10. Create a place in your home...at your work...in your heart...where you can go for quiet and recollection. You deserve it. 11. Allow yourself time to be lazy and unproductive. Rest isn't luxury; it's a necessity. 12. Listen to the wind blow. It carries a message of yesterday and tomorrow_and now. Now counts. 13. Rest on your laurels. They bring comfort whatever their size, age, or condition. 14. Talk slower. Talk less. Don't talk. Communication isn't measured by words. 15. Give yourself permission to be late sometimes. Life is for living, not scheduling. 16. Listen to the song of a bird; the complete song. Music and nature are gifts, but only if you are willing to receive them. 17. Take time just to think. Action is good and necessary, but it's fruitful only if we muse, ponder, and mull. 18. Make time for play_the things you like to do. Whatever your age, your inner child needs re_creation. 19. Watch and listen to the night sky. It speaks. 20. Listen to the words you speak, especially in prayer. 21. Learn to stand back and let others take their turn as leaders.There will always be new opportunities for you to step out in front again. 22. Divide big jobs into little jobs. If God took six days to create the universe, can you hope to do any better? 23. When you find yourself rushing and anxious, stop. Ask yourself "Why?" you are rushing and anxious. The reasons may improve your self_understanding. 24. Take time to read the Bible. Thoughtful reading is enriching reading. 25. Direct your life with purposeful choices, not with speed and efficiency. The best musician is one who plays with expression and meaning, not the one who finishes first. 26. Take a day off alone; make a retreat. You can learn from monks and hermits without becoming one. 27. Pet a furry friend. You will give and get the gift of now. 28. Work with your hands. It frees the mind. 29. Take time to wonder. Without wonder, life is merely existence. 30. Sit in the dark. It will teach you to see and hear, taste and smell. 31. Once in a while, turn down the lights, the volume, the throttle, the invitations. Less really can be more. 32. Let go. Nothing is usually the hardest thing to do _ but often it is the best. 33. Take a walk_but don't go anywhere. If you walk just to get somewhere, you sacrifice the walking. 34. Count your friends. If you have one, you are lucky. If you have more, you are blessed. Bless them in return. 35. Count your blessings _ one at a time and slowly --author unknown -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment Home Security http://www.buffalosjokes.com/3210.htm Home Style http://www.buffalosjokes.com/3211.htm How I Quit Smoking http://www.buffalosjokes.com/3212.htm Sewage Swan http://www.buffalosjokes.com/072718.htm Mouse Wont Work http://www.buffaloschips.com/gjsksowl.htm Movie TV Bed http://www.buffaloschips.com/gjkeoel.htm M Rip It Up http://www.buffaloschips.com/gnzxjzkaka.htm Optus animals http://www.buffalosjokes.com/072719.htm Flying Motorcycle http://www.buffalosjokes.com/072720.htm Frank Caliend on Letterman http://www.buffalosjokes.com/121101.htm Who Is Jesus Christ? http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/whoisjesus.html God's Bumper Stickers http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gbumper.html Autumn of life http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/life.html Quit Smoking! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/quitsmoking.html Life's Little Oops 3! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/whoops3.html Moon Art! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/moonart.html Humor With Our Troops #4! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/humor4.html Cat Motivational Posters! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/catposters.html Just Thinking! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thinking.html Strange Buildings! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/buildings.html Visit our site at http://www.inspiredbuffalo.com If you are looking to join any of our other fine e-zines visit www.buffalosjokes.com ============================================================== >-->From SermondFodder: ____ /\ __\_ / \/ \___\ \ /___/ /\_/ \ \ / \____\ ___/\ _ / / / \/ \ /_\/____/ \ / \___\ / \_/\ / / / \/___/ \ _ / / \/_| /___/ / \___\ \ /\_/___/ \/___/ [n4biS] >EVERYTHING I NEEDED TO KNOW ABOUT LIFE I LEARNED FROM A JIGSAW PUZZLE 1. Don't force a fit. If something is meant to be, it will come together naturally. 2. When things aren't going so well, take a break. Everything will look different when you return. 3. Be sure to look at the big picture. Getting hung up on the little pieces only leads to frustration. 4. Perseverance pays off. Every important puzzle went together bit by bit, piece by piece. 5. When one spot stops working, move to another. But be sure to come back later (see #4). 6. The creator of the puzzle gave you the picture as a guidebook. 7. Variety is the spice of life. It's the different colors and patterns that make the puzzle interesting. 8. Working together with friends and family makes any task fun. 9. Establish the border first. Boundaries give a sense of security and order. 10. Don't be afraid to try different combinations. Some matches are surprising. 11. Take time often to celebrate your successes (even little ones). 12. Anything worth doing takes time and effort. A great puzzle can't be rushed. ================================ This post is brought your way by Sermon Fodder. To get a regular dose f Christian humor and a modern-day parable by email please drop a note to Sermon_Fodder-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or to ajokeaday7-subscribe@topica.com. Please leave this on if you forward this to friends or post on the net. ========================================= Pearl of Wisdom: "If you fear that God has no great plans for you and you are looking for signs and wonders to confirm His presence, just stop and look in the mirror and you will see one of His greatest miracles!" Bob Perks =========================================== .---------------. / oLo \ O/_____/________/____\O /__________+__________\ / (#############) \ |[**](#############)[**]| \_______________________/ |_""__|_,-----,_|__""_| | | '-----' | | APC'97 '-' '-' >"A license to believe!" By Bob Perks "We couldn't believe our eyes," she said. It was like a confirmation that we were doing the right thing." Someone once asked me how I could possibly say "I believe in you!" to perfect strangers. "You don't even know who they are. How could you possibly believe in them?" he said. My reply, "Because I have a license to!" It usually shuts them up most likely because they didn't know there was such a thing. It's true and I have the only one. It came in handy on my recent trip to western Pennsylvania. It takes me about five and one half hours to drive to Meadville, Pa. It is a town north of Pittsburgh, but much closer to Erie. When I make the trip, I take along some of my books on tape that inspire me, music that I can sing along with and too many "in case there's an emergency" things to make my trip easier. But I also find satisfaction in long periods of quiet. It is then that I just think about my life and watch the beautiful countryside pass by. I was in the middle of a very heavy conversation with God and when I came upon a large van with a trailer behind it. "God, I really need to find more doors to open," I said. "I believe in my heart that you have bigger plans for me and although you have all the time in the world, at 51, my clock is ticking." I believe I heard Him laugh at that one. Then I looked up as I was passing that van. I often wonder where people are headed, what big moves they are making and say a quick prayer that they are happy. "You see these people in next to me? They seem to be making a move. They have plans. They know what they want and where they are going. I need some help, here God!" I said. Just as I got along side I looked down and saw a bumper sticker. It read, "With God, all things are possible!" I couldn't believe it. It was like a sign to me that God was in charge and when the time was right I, too would see the direction my life was going. "Thanks, God." I said. As I came along side I saw a young couple in the van. For a split second our eyes connected and I waved. I then safely pulled ahead of them and watched as they faded out of view in my rear view mirror. I popped in a Andrea Buccelli CD and played the song "The Prayer." I don't speak a word of Italian, but I sing along with him at the top of my lungs. About thirty minutes down the road I took an exit so that I could fuel up the car and have a little lunch. Grabbing a sandwich to take with me, I headed to my car. Just as I was about to get in, the van I had passed pulled up. Looking at the couple again, I smiled. They got out and headed toward my car. "Hello! It looks like you're making a big move," I said. "Yes, we are," he said. "But you just made it a lot easier." We introduced ourselves and he explained what he meant. "This "big move" as you call it is indeed a life changing experience. We have given up a great deal to follow our dream. To tell you the truth we weren't sure it was the right thing to do. My wife and I were in the middle of a deep conversation and frankly, re-thinking our plans. She had just said to me, "If God wants us to do this, He will let us know somehow. Just then you passed us," he said. "Yes, I remember. I saw your bumper sticker," I said. "Well, He did it," she said. "He did what?" I asked. "God confirmed with us that this was the right thing to do," she said smiling. "Your license plate was His message to us...."IBLEVNU." "We couldn't believe our eyes," she said. It was like a confirmation that we were doing the right thing." We started laughing. Then I explained to them that I am a writer and a speaker and I told them my "I believe in You!" story. "But, wait. You were the answer to my prayers, too," I said. "I was having this deep conversation with God when I passed you and saw your bumper sticker, "With God all things are possible!" "So He confirmed with us that this was the right move," she said. "And He renewed my "License to Believe!" I said. You see, I told you. God sends people into my life as a gift. He also sent me YOU! "I believe in You!" Bob Perks Bob@BobPerks.com Please don't remove my name! If you are about to copy this story to share with your friends, please leave my name, email address. It is the very least I ask for the time and talent God gave to me and I have given to you freely. All stories are copyrighted 2002 Bob Perks. You are free to forward this message to anyone as long as the ENTIRE message is sent. No portion of this message maybe copied. =================================================================== ,////, /// 6| // _| _/_,-' _.-/'/ \ ,/;, ,-' /' \_ \ / _/ `\ / _/\ ` / | /, `\_/ | \' pb /\_ /` /\ /' /_``--.__/\ `,. / \ |_/` `-._ `\/ `\ `. `-.__/' `\ | `\ \ `\ \ \_\__ \___) >-->HE SAW IT ALL By The Booth Brothers I was working in town one afternoon Attending some business affairs I heard a commotion a couple streets over And wondered what's happening there A young man was running from in that direction and stopped just to catch his breath I asked him to please tell me what was the hurry He smiled up at me and he said _ _( } -= _ << \ `.\__/`/\\ -= '--'\\ ` -= // jgs \) I was trying to catch the crippled man, Did he run past this way He was rushing home to tell everyone What Jesus did today And the mute man was telling myself And the deaf girl He's leaving to Answer God's call It's hard to believe but if you don't trust me Ask the blind man, he saw it all Ask the blind man, he saw it all My friend if the troubles and burdens you carry Are heavy and dragging you down And you've tried everything You can possibly think of But there's no relief to be found That very same Jesus that altered the future Of the blind man, the deaf and the lame He's still reaching out In your hour of trouble One touch and you're never be the same You'll be trying to catch the crippled man _ _( } -= _ << \ `.\__/`/\\ -= '--'\\ ` -= // jgs \) Did he run past this way He was rushing home to tell everyone What Jesus did today And the mute man was telling myself And the deaf girl He's leaving to Answer God's call It's hard to believe but if you don't trust me Ask the blind man he saw it all Ask the blind man he saw it all He saw it all. -<>- Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, but FAITH looks up! >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->BECOMING A CHRISTIAN HOW TO BE A CHRISTIAN! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Chhristian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->This is for all you who love food and DDARE 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 ************************************************************************