Jesus's Peace To You ... :) 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 or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ * . . . | . * * . \|/ . . -->*<-- . /|\ . ' | ' * | . * . | . ' _ _ .:. . ( | .-. ___ .'_`. WWW \w/ \V/ |/(_)\ .'.-.`. `(_)' (_) (_) (_) |// \\ `/(_)\' // \\ _/ | _/ | _/ | _ _ \/| |/ //)_(\\ \| |/ %%__/| $$__/| &&__/| _-(_)- _-(_)- | | | /(o___))\ | | | | | | | | `(___) `(___) | | | ` / \' | | | | | | | | jgs // \\ // \\ | |_| /_____\ |_| |_| |_| |_| MERRY BLESSED CHRISTMAS To ALL WHO CELEBRATE EARLY! ================ \\\\, / \\ '<' ) \- / Who Is This Jesus? _)_(_ .'\___/'. /.-.___.-.\ [_________] | | ( | , | (\/) ) _\)_ | -|- | <_@__> _(/_ || | | | (/\)(\/) || || | | (\/) <_@_> || || | | <_@_>'(/\) || || | | (/\|/|-. || || .---------. _|_|_ || ||_,-'---------'-,__ |WWWWW| ___jgs|_|____________________|_\_____/__ *~* BE SURE TO CHECK OUT ALL OUR CHRISTMAS PAGES... The Christmas Story http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/christmasstory.html When Was Jesus Born? http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/whenjesusborn.html Who Is Jesus Christ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/whoisjesus.html Are Angels Real? http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/angelsreal.html Amazing Grace http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/amazinggrace.html Bailey's Jesus http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bailey.html Christ's Life http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/jesuslife.html Come Adore Him http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/comeadorehim.html Walk With Jesus http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/walk.html Who Is This Jesus http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/jesus.html Jesus Laughing Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/Jesusart.html Salvation Mountain http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/salvation.html | '.|.' -= + =- ___ .'|'. ___ ******* | ******* /-====) | (_.- )) | / '( )' ) )) / / _/ \_( (( | |-( _ _ )) ) ) / | \ //| |\\ /'-( ( / \ \/\/ *** \/\/ / ) ) | |\ / .=. \ / ( ( `-;./ ;-' _\/(")\/_ '-; ) ) | \ |'---'| / ( ( | \ _| |_ / ) ) _/ | /\ /\ | ( ( jgs .-/ / '=' \ ( )-. `""---`-----` `----`----`""` Christmas Around The World http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/christmasworld.html Christmas With Pets [GRACIENJ recommends the video at end] http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/christmaspets.html Creation Museum http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/creationmuseum.html Disney Christmas http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/disneychristmas.html Maxine On Jesus http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/maxineonjesus.html Redneck Christmas Trees http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/redneck.html .-. ,-"""-, / \__ \ | / `\ | \( ^.^ )/ \ - / .-'|;---;|-. (\/ ||___|| `\ \\__/ \__| C|`----`|D __//| | | |====( | | | | _/_/___.---- .===| |====\ /===. | ('------') ( '----' ) | jgs | | --- Don't Forget ALL The YUMMY Goodies! Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html ================================================================= >-->From Heartwarmers: .{{}}}}}}. {{{{{}}}}}}}. {{{{ {{{{{}}}} }}}}} _ _ {{{{{ I figured it out! }}}} 6 6 }}}} {{{{C ^ {{{{ }}}}}}\ '=' /}}}}} {{{{{{{;.___.;}}}}}} {{{{{{{) (}}}}}}' jgs `""'"': :'"'"'` `@` >I GET TO by Darlene A. Buechel Last night, on my drive home from work, I heard a Country song that gave me a truly "Aha!" moment. It wasn't the usual down-home twang, "I was drunk the day my mama got out of prison." No, this song was entitled, "I Get To" and had great lyrics beautifully sung by the group Blue County. It tells the story of a boy who used to have to go to church, cut the grass, and help his dad. The boy grew into a man and, especially since his father's heart attack, says, "These days helping dad is something I don't have to do... I get to." When he met his true love he used to have to say "I love you," until he dreamt she died. He concludes, "Now I realize I don't have to say I love you... I get to." Wow! The meaning behind the lyrics really made me think as I trudged into the house and reached into the fridge for an OJ carton containing... 3 whole drops! Instead of thinking I HAVE TO run to the store to spend $80 on groceries since Ben chugged a whole gallon of OJ last night, I'll think I GET TO buy groceries for my family because I have the money and I have a family, including 19-year-old Ben who inhales the refrigerator contents in Guinness Record Time The next time I hear 21-year-old Dani bemoan the fact she "HAS TO" commute to college, HAS TO work part-time, and HAS TO squeeze in time for her fiance, I'll mention this song. Since I regret the fact I didn't go to college, I'll stress she should be glad she GETS TO go to school, GETS TO work, and is lucky enough to have found a great guy who GETS TO help her make nine million wedding plans for the big day. As for myself, I work full-time to provide health insurance since my husband is a self-employed dairy farmer. I put in my 40 hour work week off the farm, but Rich easily puts in 13-hour days because you HAVE TO milk those Jersey Cows twice a day along with all the other chores. Of course, he should look at the fact he GETS TO work as his own boss and fulfill his boyhood dream of owning a dairy. Putting in those long farming days can be a challenge. Take this morning -- a cold December Saturday in Northeastern Wisconsin. The wind howled outside our bedroom window as the alarm clock beeps us awake at the ghastly hour of 4:45am. After hitting the snooze a few times, Rich finally shut it off, gave me a kiss, and headed to the porch for barn clothes and boots. But wait. He must have got my message when I talked about the song, since he turned around with a message of his own. "I know I don't HAVE TO trudge through the snow to go milk those bossies... I GET TO," he said with just a twinge of sarcasm. Oh well. It's a start. Speaking of starts, the Christmas season is once again starting to frazzle most folks I know. Along with work, school, or changing smelly diapers, they're expected to shop, wrap gifts, trim-a-tree, and bake tasty treats. This year, I'll try to change my Grinch attitude of previous yuletides. Instead of thinking I was on my feet eight hours at work today and still have to wrap presents, trim the tree, and bake three dozen gingerbread cookies, I'll think, I GET TO wrap these great gifts. I also GET TO decorate this tree that will bring joy to family and friends. I GET TO bake these cookies that might make me gain three pounds, but at least we have enough food that I even have to worry about the zipper on my favorite jeans. During this holiday season and throughout the New Year I think we should count our blessings and make the GET TO theory a part of our lives. Remember, we don't have to cook, clean, and wrap in preparation for visits with family and friends -- WE GET TO. -- Darlene A. Buechel __________________________________________________ Darlene, a Wisconsin Cheesehead, wrote this story a few years ago. Since then her daughter earned her college degree, moved out and got married. Her son is still home gulping the OJ, her husband is still milking those cows, and she still GETS TO enjoy reading, writing, and life on the farm. ==================================================================== >-->From Our Friend Wesley :) .---. (_,/\ \ (`a a( ) ) \= ) ( (.--' '--.) / ( \_/ ) \ | / \ / \ | \\ /~~~\ // \/ \/ | | | | |_______| ( ( |\ \ jgs | \ \ /_Y/_Y >I wish you Enough! Recently I overheard a Father and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the Father said, 'I love you, and I wish you enough.' The daughter replied, 'Dad, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Dad.' They kissed and the daughter left. The Father walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see he wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking, 'Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?' 'Yes, I have,' I replied. 'Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?'. 'I am old, and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is - the next trip back will be for my funeral,' he said. 'When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I wish you enough.' May I ask what that means?' He began to smile. 'That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone....' He paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, and he smiled even more. 'When we said, 'I wish you enough,' we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.' Then turning toward me, he shared the following as if he were reciting it from memory. I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting. I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good- bye. He then began to cry and walked away. They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them; but then an entire life to forget them. -<>- . ' ' . ' /\ ' + ' || ' + |\ || /| ' - . \\||// . - ' -= <>>>><<<<> =- . - ' //||\\ ' - . |/ || \| + . || . + . || . ' .||. ' \/ .*' " " *. * * *.;"``",.* / (-\-| ___ | `-=-( /.-.\ .(`-.__/-,// || / \ | // -->From our Friend John-Paul :) /\ .--._/ \_.--. `) (` _.-' '-._ '-. .-' `) (' /.-"-. .-"-.\ jgs ` \/ ` /\ //\\ //||\\ // || \\ //\ || /\\ //'.\||/.'\\ //___> <___\\ //------------\\ // \\ // .-"-. \\ // ( (`\) \\ // '-/| `\ \\ // .-"-. / | || \\ // (.-. ) / | || \\ || / /)-' =`-.| || || ||/ / '-| .-""-. | =\| || |/ |'./ (__()__) | | || / /\====\ /==| |=|| /_.-' | >--< |-.-| || jgs |----' `-.-' || >FREEDOM Matters not from whence we hail, Nor across what Sea we may have sail, Not what ever tone our skin, Nor our start, or origin, Whether long or short comes our stride, We must let truth and dignity abide, It`s all for one and one for all, The Theme of Freedom sends out it`s call! No matter what our gender be, We march in total unity, Our gift of Freedom we shall enjoy, Due to the willingness to deploy. On guard, we watch both day and night, For GOD be source of our sight, And with each beat of our hearts, Consider, a new, refreshing start, No,-- Freedom is not truly Free, All things Hinge on you and me, To retain Freedom GOD must be first, HE, the Mighty controller of the Universe! O, let our hearts sing out, rejoice, Triumphant sounds, shouts our voice, And let Freedom Ring for all man kind, Then, Peace on Earth, at last, we Find, GOD~is~Freedom~~~John-Paul -<>- {HE LIVES!} .-""". / .--.) | ( ^>^ \__, _( _ ) ( _ /` `\__/ \ ,|/_ /`\ .__ _/`\//`` / / \ / \_/ `\\ )==( /|)` `\ /\_ _, \ / '-< )_,\ / //=\\\ '._ _.' `";";;"` |_|| jgs )_||__ L \--' `'-' Susan Boyle http://richards-creations.net/With-a-voice-from-above_Susan-Boyle.html ---- ....AMEN! Again! Thanks John-Paul! =================================================================== >-->From Our Friend Denise :) .-----------------------------------------------------. | __ ___________________ | _________________ __ | || / / '.|.' \ \ || ||/ / ___ -= + =- \ \|| | / ******* .'|'. ___ \ | | / /-====) | ******* \ | || | / -( | (_.- )) || || / / _/ )- ) )) || || | |-( _ \_( (( || || / | \ //| _ )) ) ) || || / \ \/\/ |\\ /'-( ( || || | |\ / *** \/\/ / ) ) || || `-;./==;-' .=. \ / ( ( || || | \ _\/(_)\/_ '-;==) ) || || | \ |'---'| / ( ( || || | \ _| |_ / ) ) || || _/ | /\ /\ | ( ( || || .-/ / '=' \ ( )-. || |jgs `""---`-----` `----`----`""` || I wanted to pass along to you this great link to a wonderful Christian website for Christmas... http://www.andiesisle.com/ --- ...Sweet! Thanks Denise! =================================================================== >-->From Our Friend Sandi :) .-""```""-. ,-"```````"-, ; .-"-. ; ; .-=-. ; '=/=====\=' ', /=====\ ,' |/"""\| "=|/"""\|=" \ ^ ^ / |\^ ^/| /'._.'\ ||'-'|| / _ \ / | _ | \ / /|\ \ /\/ /|\ \/\ | \_/ | \_/ | | \_/ | \_/ | | |/ \| | | |/ \| | \__| |__/ \__| |__/ >=;=====< | | | | | | | | \'/ | | | | |-=*=-| | | | | /.\ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | .-------------, | | < ~-_~-_=`|( :) > | | \`"""""""""""`/ | | \ /____| jgs |;,;,;> <_/\_/ / \ `"""""""""""` So cool I had to share it! Merry Christmas! Click Here: Christmas Card http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=0212320003 --- ...Very Nice! Thanks Sandi! =================================================================== >-->From Our Friend Jo Ann :) sSSSSSSs SSS'\\\\SS SSS` - -'SS SS(, a \a S SSSSS -' |S 'SSS\ '= /S/| 'S|`-. __.' / | .-'| `-.__.' .-\ / /-. | | { _/ \_ } | | `| | | | | '. | | .' jgs '-.| |.' `"` >Friends What would you do if your best friend died tomorrow and you never got to tell them how you felt? So, I just wanted to say, even if I never talk To you again in my life, you are special To me and you have made a difference in My life. I look up to you, respect You, and truly cherish you. Send this to all your friends, no matter how Often you talk, or how close you are, And send it to the person who sent it to You. Let old friends know you haven't Forgotten them, and tell new Friends you never will. Remember, everyone Needs a friend; some day you might Feel like you have NO FRIENDS at all, just Remember this e-mail and take comfort in Knowing somebody out there cares about you And always will. In times of trouble, In times of need, If you are feeling SAD, You can count on me. I will give you a wink, Until you smile, give you a hug, And stand by Your side.. I'll be there for you till The end, I'll always and forever, be your Friend! --- ...Ditto!! Thanks! Jo Ann! =============================================================== >Unseen Riches Story Editor: by Diana Reeves Joyce Schowalter Georgia, USA Growing up, we didn't have much. Actually, we had very little. With three little mouths to feed, my daddy worked as a janitor and then farmed our own small field until dark. Daddy provided for us the best he could, and mama made our clothes on her old sewing machine. It was probably evident to all the teachers and kids at school just how poor we were. Then came third grade, Mrs. Harper's class. Mrs. Harper brought a huge box of toys to school to give to "needy" children. Everyone was invited to bring some of their own toys from home to put in the box. Needless to say, I had hardly any toys of my own. By oh boy, did my eyes get *big* when I looked into that box. It was like a dream world to me -- so many toys! Evidently Mrs. Harper saw the look in my eyes, and although I never asked, she offered to let me pick out two toys for myself from the box. I was so thankful and thought I was the luckiest girl in the whole world! When I got home I couldn't wait to show mama. She admired the toys and asked where I got them. I told her about the box for the needy children and that Mrs. Harper had let me pick two from the box! Mama thought for a few seconds and in a very sweet way, said "No... no, you can't keep them honey. You see, there are little children in the world that don't have anything." She explained to me that those toys were for "poor" children, and I had to return them to the box because it wouldn't be right to keep them. She wasn't angry or resentful that the teacher had let me pick them, she just stated it as a matter of fact. Although I was disappointed I couldn't keep the toys, I was somewhat proud to take them back. After all, they were for the poor little children in the world. So the next day, I took them back to the big box and explained to Mrs. Harper why I couldn't keep them. With a smile, she said she understood. Despite the obvious fact of how poor we were, my mama made me believe differently. She made me see myself differently and made me proud of who I was. From that point on, I always felt sorry for the poor, but never considered myself that way. Looking back now, I can see just how poor we really were. We had holes in the floor, leaks in the roof, a freezing house, worn out shoes, few clothes, and little food. We could have easily applied for welfare, but my daddy wouldn't think of it. Our family was full of integrity and proud of hard work. Although my mama is long gone, her lessons have stayed with me through life. We didn't have much money, but we were rich on love. ======HeroicStories====== >-->From InspiredBuffalo: _,..,,,_ '``````^~"-,_`"-,_ .-~c~-. `~:. ^-. `~~~-.c ; `:. `-, _.-~~^^~:. `. ; _,--~~~~-._ `:. ~. .~ `. .` ;' .:` `: `:. ` _.:-,. `. .' .: :' _.-~^~-. `. `..' .: `. ' : .' _:' .-' `. :. .: .'`. : ; jgs : `-' .:' `. `^~~^` .:. `. ; ; `-.__,-~ ~-. ,' ': '.__.` :' ~--..--' ':. .:' ':..___.:' Mike Benson, Editor MY SWEET, BEAUTIFUL wife (some 8,000 miles away from me), posted that the very house in which she was typing on the computer had been an unwitting host to a black mamba just three days ago... Just reading her note sent a shiver down my spine. The black mamba is my biggest stumbling block on mission trips. (Lord willing, I will return for a sixth time to Tanzania this fall). In those times, I have seen two of these vile creatures. Both "sightings" were in 2005, on a Safari for Souls campaign in Moshi, and, thankfully (!!), both were smashed flatter than a pancake. Why am I so afraid? Consider what National Geographic says: "Traveling at 20 kilometers per hour, they are one of the fastest snakes in the world. They can reach lengths of 14.2 feet, taller than two NBA players combined." Oh, and the fact that their fangs are filled with neuro- and cardiotoxins and that they are very willing to repeatedly strike, my mind is made up about these cuddly creatures. They are also described as a "nervous" snake, and when they threatened, they get downright aggressive. Discussing this "snakophobia" of mine with a good friend, he made the remark that this world and the church would be a far different place if we reviled and hated the one called "that serpent of old" (Rev. 12:9) as much as Indiana Jones (and I) hate snakes. What a great point! If we understood the poison of his lies (cf. John 8:44), his appetite for us (cf. 1 Pet. 5:8), and his slick ways of deceiving and lying (cf. 1 John 5:19; John 8:44), we would "flee" from him like he was a highly upset mamba. His potential threat is eternally greater than even the world's deadliest snake. Yet, the Bible tells us repeatedly that, with God's aid and strength, we can stand up to him and make him flee from us (James 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:9). But, when we are lulled into complacency or guided by worldly thinking, we are allowing that serpent of old to do deadly damage to us! How do we know whether or not this has occurred in our lives? Check your morality, ethics, activities, interests, desires, and goals. Are they leading you toward the Lord or away from Him? If the answer is the latter, it should make you shudder like any trembling a slithering serpent can induce. (Neal Pollard) --- _.--.... _....---;:'::' ^__/ .' `'`___....---=-'` Come a little Closssser /::' (` \' `:. `\::. ';-"":::-._ {} _.--'`\:' .'`-.`'`.' `{I} .-' `' .;;`\::. '. _: {-I}`\ .' .:. `:: _)::: _;' `{=I}.:| /. ::::`":::` ':'.-'`':. {_I}::/ |:. ':' ::::: .':'`:. `'|':|:' \: .:. ''' .:| .:, _:./':.| jgs '--.:::...---'\:'.:`':`':./ '-::..:::-' ...Makes ya think of the sound the snake makes - Hiss. - a warning to be aware he is near - danger. We always need to be vigilant of our adversary! However, we as Christians have the power IF we choose to use it... Each Christian has God's gift of holy spirit. Therefore, each Christian has spiritual 'power' and should be exercising that power. Remember that Jesus said that when holy spirit came, believers would have power. Walking in Power: The Manifestations of Holy Spirit http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/walkingpower.html -<>- ___,@ / < ,_ / \ _, ? \`/______\`/ ,_(_). |; (e e) ;| \___ \ \/\ 7 /\/ _\8/_ \/\ \'=='/ | /| /| \ \___)--(_______|//|//| \___ () _____/|/_|/_| / () \ `----' / () \ '-.______.-' jgs _ |_||_| _ (@____) || (____@) \______||______/ >The Magical Christmas of 1969 My first Christmas being married and oh talk about poor. I was laid off from the plant in February after being married in January and could not find a job for six months. When I found my next job, it paid less than one half of what I was making and to top matters off, we had to move to take the job. The job, a local pizza place, did moderately well, just well enough to pay my bills, but nothing else. We were looking towards a grim Christmas with no tree, and maybe one present each. My co-workers were just kids, but we got along well as I was just a 23 years old myself. They understood our plight for the holidays. Christmas evening, the 24th, we just finished a modest supper when we heard, ka-thump, ka-thump, ka-thump. We lived in a second story apt in an older home and the noise got louder, ka-thump, ka-thump, ka-thump. A knock at the door, I opened it and there stood my young co-workers with a tree. They had chopped the tree down and dragged it to my house and each person had 'borrowed' some ornaments from their family tree. My wife and I were deeply moved. The chatter of the kids made the house warm, my wife fixed popcorn for all as we decorated the tree. Looking back on my 57 Christmases, only a few stand out, this was one. The Spirit of Christmas was in my home that night. Angels were in my home disguised as teenagers. The Spirit of giving overcame any material greed that night. Merry Christmas my friends, merry Christmas. BJ Cassady Guthrie, Oklahoma -<>- _.-O-._ o_o_o_o_o \_`___`_/ } /. .\ { } | _c_ | { __}_\www/_{__ (((( { } )))) | |o { } o| | | |o {_} o| | |_\o _ o/_| \_/==L_I//\_/ \)-.__//-(/ | : //: | | :|/ : | | : | : | | : | : | |---|---| jgs |__ | __| (___|___) >A Different Kind of Christmas Poem The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, My daughter beside me, angelic in rest. Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, Transforming the yard to a winter delight. The sparkling lights in the tree I believe, Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve. My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep, Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep. In perfect contentment, or so it would seem, So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream. The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near, But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear. Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow. My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear, And I crept to the door just to see who was near. Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night, A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight. A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old, Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold. Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled, Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child. "What are you doing?" I asked without fear, "Come in this moment, it's freezing out here! Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve, You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!" For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift, Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.. To the window that danced with a warm fire's light Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right, I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night." "It's my duty to stand at the front of the line, That separates you from the darkest of times. No one had to ask or beg or implore me, I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me. My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December," Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers." My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ', And no w it is my turn and so, here I am. I've not seen my own son in more than a while, But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile. Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag, The red, white, and blue... an American flag. I can live through the cold and the being alone, Away from my family, my house and my home. I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet, I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat. I can carry the weight of killing another, Or lay down my life with my sister and brother.. Who stand at the front against any and all, To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall." "So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright, Your family is waiting and I'll be all right." "But isn't there something I can do, at the least, "Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast? It seems all too little for all that you've done, For being away from your wife and your son." Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret, "Just tell us you love us, and never forget. To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone, To stand your own watch, no matter how long. For when we come home, either standing or dead, To know you remember we fought and we bled. Is payment enough, and with that we will trust, That we mattered to you as you mattered to us." PLEASE, would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and so me credit is due to our U.S service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. LCDR Jeff Giles , SC, USN 30th Naval Construction Regiment OIC, Logistics Cell One Al Taqqadum, Iraq -<>- -=[ holiday house ]=- 12/98 _.._ .' .-'` + / / . * + | | /^\ . \ '.___.; /' '\ . * '._ _.' /' '\ __ * /' '\ >< + /'_______'\ /_ \ + . `|`"`"`"`|` |-_| /^\ .-| /,\ |---'--'--/' '\ * . /::| |_I_| | /' '\ /:::|_______| /' ___ '\ /:::::::.. /' /_|_\ '\ * * /___________________/' \_|_/ '\ . |`"`"`"`"`"`"`"`"`/' '\ | .===. .===. /'_____________'\ + + | | , | | , | `|`"`"`"`"`"`"`|` | |_I_| |_I_| | .===. .===. | . |_________________| | , | | , | | /::::::.. | |_I_| |_I_| | . * /:::::::::.... |_____________|\ /____________________________________\ `;.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:;:.:.:.:.:.:.;:` + * |;`"` `"` `"` `"` `"`|;"` `"` `"` || * || ___ .====. || ___ ___ || * + >< || |---| |/::\| || |---|---| || _ . >>o< || | , | |:():| || | , | , | || _|_|_ >o><<<|| |_I_| |\::/| || |_I_|_I_| || _\_/ >>><<<<||__________| ``o|___||___________|| ->-/~. \-<- >>>>>o>><<<<|||||||||||||____|||||||||||||||||||::: / . \ :::: '.'.:>>>>>jgs<||__><___><_|====|___||___________||.:. \ / .':: ::...>>>o><<<<<>>>><<>><<<;====; .'..'.. ..'..' .::. '.`"""` ..::: '::..'. . .. '' '.'. './ \ '. .' .. ..:: ..:;'' ..'.'..' ': '. '. '. ' .. ' / \ '. '. ''. ' . ' . ' ' .' .' >The Christmas Guest It happened one day near December's end Two neighbors called on an old-time friend And they found his shop so meager and mean Made gay with a thousand boughs of green. And Conrad was sitting with face a-shine When he suddenly stopped as he stitched a twine And he said, "Old friends, at dawn today When the cock was crowing the night away The Lord appeared in a dream to me And said, 'I am coming your guest to be.' "So I've been busy with feet astir Strewing my shop with branches of fir The table is spread and the kettle is shined And over the rafters the holly is twined." "And now I will wait for my Lord to appear And listen closely so I will hear His step as He nears my humble place And I open the door and look on His face." So his friends went home and left Conrad alone For this was the happiest day he had known For, long since, his family had passed away And Conrad had spent many a sad Christmas Day. But he knew with the Lord as his Christmas guest This Christmas would be the dearest and best So he listened with only joy in his heart And with every sound he would rise with a start And look for the Lord to be at his door Like the vision he had a few hours before. So he ran to the window after hearing a sound But all that he could see on the snow-covered ground Was a shabby beggar whose shoes were torn And all of his clothes were ragged and worn. But Conrad was touched and went to the door And he said, "Your feet must be frozen and sore I have some shoes in my shop for you And a coat that will keep you warmer, too." So with grateful heart the man went away But Conrad noticed the time of day He wondered what made the Lord so late And how much longer he'd have to wait. When he heard a knock and ran to the door But it was only a stranger once more A bent, old lady with a shawl of black With a bundle of kindling piled on her back. She asked for only a place to rest But that was reserved for Conrad's Great Guest But her voice seemed to plead, "Don't send me away Let me rest for awhile on Christmas day." So Conrad brewed her a steaming cup And told her to sit at the table and sup But after she left he was filled with dismay For he saw that the hours were slipping away And the Lord had not come as He said He would And Conrad felt sure he had misunderstood. When out of the stillness he heard a cry "Please help me and tell me where am I." So again he opened his friendly door And stood disappointed as twice before It was only a child who had wandered away And was lost from her family on Christmas Day. Again Conrad's heart was heavy and sad But he knew he should make the little girl glad So he called her in and wiped her tears And quieted all her childish fears. Then he led her back to her home once more But as he entered his own darkened door He knew that the Lord was not coming today For the hours of Christmas had passed away. So he went to his room and knelt down to pray And he said, "Dear Lord, why did you delay What kept You from coming to call on me? For I wanted so much Your face to see." When soft in the silence a voice he heard "Lift up your head for I kept My word Three times My shadow crossed your floor Three times I came to your lowly door. For I was the beggar with bruised, cold feet I was the woman you gave something to eat And I was the child on the homeless street. Three times I knocked and three times I came in And each time I found the warmth of a friend Of all the gifts, love is the best I was honored to be your Christmas Guest." Author unknown to me -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment Happy New Year http://www.buffaloschips.com/76tg.htm Hard Day http://www.buffaloschips.com/o8u.htm Helicopter http://www.buffaloschips.com/09i.htm Hilarious Prank http://www.buffaloschips.com/5t6r.htm Hombres http://www.buffaloschips.com/juyg.htm BibleStudy: How To Saved http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&new_topic=35 Before You Go http://www.managedmusic.com/Music/PlayBeforeYouGo.php Why We Love Her - America http://sagebrushpatriot.com/america.htm To Subscribe send a blank email to: the-inspired-buffalo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ================================================================ >-->From SermondFodder: _...._ .' '. / _ _ \ | O O | ; ; .-;-. \ '--' / /\.7./\ .-. '. .' .-./\/ )/ (_ \ ) ( / _)/ ` \ '-' '-' /\/ '. () .'\/ | | |/ | () | ; ; | () | ; /\ ; _ / / \ \ _ jgs / ` .' '. ` \ \___.' '.___/ Merry Christmas Quotations Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. ~Norman Vincent Peale Christmas is a time when you get homesick - even when you're home. ~Carol Nelson He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. ~Roy L. Smith Christmas, children, is not a date. It is a state of mind. ~Mary Ellen Chase Christmas is the gentlest, loveliest festival of the revolving year - and yet, for all that, when it speaks, its voice has strong authority. ~W.J. Cameron The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. ~Burton Hillis There has been only one Christmas - the rest are anniversaries. ~W.J. Cameron ,;;, ';;;' )`\ .--' ) .--' / .' ( ."`-./_ _ _ _\.-'". | (` `=``_````_``=` `) | `) (0)__(0) (` /` .-( )-. `\ | ( \/ ) | \ '._/\_.' / '-._ `""` _.' jgs /'-. _.;_...-'' | ()` | '-`/\`-./ ((\\ \)\\ )) (/ Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time. ~Laura Ingalls Wilder I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. ~Charles Dickens Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall. ~Larry Wilde, The Merry Book of Christmas Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart. ~Washington Irving Isn't it funny that at Christmas something in you gets so lonely for - I don't know what exactly, but it's something that you don't mind so much not having at other times. ~Kate L. Bosher Instead of being a time of unusual behavior, Christmas is perhaps the only time in the year when people can obey their natural impulses and express their true sentiments without feeling self-conscious and, perhaps, foolish. Christmas, in short, is about the only chance a man has to be himself. ~Francis C. Farley It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air. ~W.T. Ellis Even as an adult I find it difficult to sleep on Christmas Eve. Yuletide excitement is a potent caffeine, no matter your age. ~Carrie Latet Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love! ~Hamilton Wright Mabie Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen. ~Author unknown, attributed to a 7-year-old named Bobby Christmas is forever, not for just one day, for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf. The good you do for others is good you do yourself... ~Norman Wesley Brooks, "Let Every Day Be Christmas," 1976 Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts. ~Janice Maeditere Only in souls the Christ is brought to birth, And there He lives and dies. ~Alfred Noyes _____ .'~ ~ ~`. | a a | `. ~ .' .----'(>o<)`----. ( S S ) `---. o .---' ; o : ; o : / \ jgs / /\ \ .-' ~~ / \ ~~ `-. `.___.' `.___.' When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time. Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs? ~G.K. Chesterton For the spirit of Christmas fulfils the greatest hunger of mankind. ~Loring A. Schuler I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month. ~Harlan Miller Keep your Christmas-heart open all the year round. ~Jessica Archmint Tradition: sit with husband in a room lit only by tree lights and remember that our blessings outnumber the lights. Happy Christmas to all. ~Betsy Cañas Garmon, www.wildthymecreative.com From http://www.quotegarden.com/christmas.html -<>- _..._ | | | | |_..._| __.;.---.;.__ '-/ \-' ._ , | o _ o | . _ \| | (_> | , |/ _\\ . '\ '---' / \//--. ` \\/ |`'-----;`\-.//_ .--\\ .'-.____.|-(.// , \) _ \ \/ '-'\ | (_) | ||.__/ | _ \ \| """" ""| (_) \_.;"" """ "" jgs \ / "" "" ... '._ _.' "" ... .. '-----' """ .. """ >Raising Kids Who Care How to Nurture Compassion in Your Children In a recent Focus on the Family Article, Author Tiffany Stuart mentioned noticing a teen's T-Shirt that said: "Don't be fooled, I just ACT like I care." Tiffany turned her moral outrage at the synical attitude into an essay on ways to nurture compassion in our children. She suggests creating a compassionate environment begins at home. For her wonderful ideas on raising compassionate kids, follow the link below. http://www2.focusonthefamily.com/focusmagazine/parentfamily/A000001278.cfm ========================== .\/. * + + >><><< '/\' * /`x.`\ + * /;<> @ \ , \| * /& `';;;_\ \'-,_/| |./ * O (_)| '-./ )-,_ * \ o .--. ! / ( )`-._\ + .;`-'(_) '-`'. ,;v /_`;;, x <>* \ ,,;' + /(_) `';;;;,,_,;\` + | !/ ^ & `(_) | __ _ \^ @/`\ . !/`\ O/ + / `\/ `\ .'`-' + '--' _ '-`'. + |/`\ \| | /;;<> !_ o (_) + . \ * \ \_| / `';;(_) . _x ; \ (() / `\_ | _' & `';;;, O ^ (_),;\-'@_<"/ _, * | ^ y,-._ |(_) / ' * `'';;;;'` |\_.\` \ ( ) _=_/,-;_)\ /`\<> /``\ @ /`\ ! / \ _`) \_) . ' .-' --..' / .'`-' x '--' . '--'_. '-`'. \,(__/ .' .___.' /;;;,, O . _ + (_) . * \ \' \ ' . / '-. / /! `';;;;,, (_) ^ & <>,;;\ \-'\ ' . _| \/\ ' | @ (_)''';;;;,, o ,,;;;''` x| \.-\ {_} |_/ . | * o ' _ `';;;'` O (_) | .\_.\ ' . \ ,_./ \__ | _ + . ^ (_) .o _' . + | \ \ ' `. \__\___) \ (_) __ & __. (_) __ ! @ / \- \ ' . \____) '._.'` `'._.;;;;;;._.'` `'._.' . \ ' jgs. ' . ' . ' ' . . . ' ' >A Special Christmas Eve I can remember it as if it were yesterday. It was Christmas Eve, 1968 and I was an eleven year old boy – yes, I am 51 – and I was captivated by the Apollo 8 team, whose dangerous and courageous mission was to orbit the moon in what was really a tin can in space. I can remember the daily reports about the mission, which usually coincided around dinner time in Scotland. That evening, there was a special report late at night because the astronauts were making a special broadcast. Although I didn't get to see it until the next day, it was in all the news. The Apollo 8 astronauts had made Christmas that year very special because each of them read from the Bible. William Anders began the broadcast with a special introduction: "We are now approaching lunar sunrise and, for all the people back on Earth, the crew of Apollo 8 has a message that we would like to send to you. He then started to read from the first chapter of the Book of Genesis: In the beginning, God made the heavens and the earth…. Jim Lovell took over and read more verse from the first chapter, and then Frank Borman quoted some more of Genesis and finished the broadcast with this message: And from the crew of Apollo 8, we close with good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas – and God bless all of you, all of you on the good Earth." It was an astonishing moment in history and it had a profound affect on me. It made me link God with the creation of the universe and I have never forgotten the wonder of it all. Days later, Madelyn Murray O'Hair, an atheist, responded by suing the United States government, alleging violations of the First Amendment. The suit was dismissed by the Supreme Court due to lack of jurisdiction, after all, how could the Supreme Justices enforce anything that took place off the planet? Less than a year later, on the historic Apollo 11 mission, Buzz Aldrin took communion on the lunar surface shortly after landing. He kept his actions secret for many years, but it was also an amazing event. It was the first time that a Christian had ever taken communion on the surface of another world. .-. /===\ |/. .;| / |-^-|( / )\_/|_\ / _// T `: /\` |`'-') '. || ( (__ \ (7 ) /` '. _\ \/ | f-. \/( || | |\_`/.-'\) __.__ || ( \ / )| .' | '. || ) )/ / | / \ _ / \ || | __..' / | =.|__ / `\,z.---..;'`_ __.' ; __-"=_'=`'-,/_|.-._ `/_-_ / | _/._)_.="_=\__-- __ -`--'-__ / | (_~(..\~\ \--__--__-_ -- / \ (_'.__)---./ / /.' `'.\ \ \ `;'--. | , / `\_/_/ \_\___\'-..,_______'. jgs \`> /__> D (/(/ /_.-""` Every Christmas, the wonder of what God did way back 2000 years ago, always hits me on Christmas Eve. In all of the billions of galaxies that this universe contains, why did He choose this one? Amongst the zillions of stars, why did He choose ours? And amongst the planets, why did He choose ours upon which to bestow life? And then, amongst all of the great empires, kingdom, and nations on earth, why did God choose one of its smallest ones, Judea, to bring His Son into the world. And out of all of the cities and towns of that small kingdom, why was little insignificant Bethlehem chosen as the birthplace of the Messiah? And why not in the house of a rich, powerful, and successful person? Why does God allow His Son to be born and laid to rest in the feeding trough of a stable? Because that's how God, great and almighty, omnipotent and eternal, works. God does what He wills, in ways and for reasons that remain a mystery to us. He makes promises and keeps them, so that we will benefit from His goodness, mercy, and grace. He promises never again to destroy the world, even though the wickedness of humanity deserves it. He promises to heal us, revive us, and restore us to His favor, even although we have deeply offended Him. He promises to forgive us of our sins, our past mistakes, and deepest regrets, and make our contaminated souls clean before His eyes. He promises to keep us when we listen to His Son, and never lose us. He promises to bring His Son, Jesus, back into our world, so that we may seek His Coming and know that we are never alone. , , /\\ / \ | )|-""-, , \ /' \ ,_ , .'<_ / |"""-, _> `'-,'(_.-' _< , | ' '/::. `\ >_.--(.. ) .=;` / \_...._ .' _ ._o)`'` / V-'`\/`` { .' `'-....-' ; `"--'.--.=; * * * `/ / ::' / C ..\ * * | {;;}| :: | \ _.) * .:::.__* | , {;;;} \ ':| / \ * /'::::\ *\_ \ \ {;;} '-, \./ \)\) (` '::|* / \ .-' _.'.,____, _/`| `-| );/ _.,--`-.`_;/.-/ ; \ \` \ ( ( /` ,\|_ '--'_:-' `. `'._.' /| \ \ \ \ | ).-' .-'/. ` '._.-._.' / | jgs \ \ \ \ / .--'\ \ .-'` | `. .-' .' | \ \ \ \ / / \,\ \ \ \`. `-.__..--' _.-' .' , `#;==''` \ |\ /|# \ '-._ _.-' _.' .'( _.=' | \/ /._, \_ '--._.-'` _.' { `` _.=' | / ' ;--._, '._ \ _.-' { \` ; / \ / ' ) '-._\_.-'` _,_ `. `'=..' .=' ) /\ /, / _, /' '\ ,_ `=._ .=' / |/)|/(_ ((') \u u .-""._) \ '-`\\`__ | / -._\ /'--) | ':`----./.-. | `-._} {_} |_ \ | _.' _/, ``'""-`\ `.__.' `""{_} /_ / |`= `" `-.( ,__/. `""""`"` '^' ="`-` `"` And His promises begin with God's choice to bring His Holy Son into the world, in a stable, in a tiny town, in a small kingdom, on a tiny planet orbiting a weak yellow sun, on the edge of the Milky Way, amongst gazillions of galaxies, in this almighty universe, which is contained and sustained by God's thoughts alone. Let us pray: Lord God, You have called all of us to be here because You want us to know that we are never alone in the universe. You want us to experience the freedom that faith brings when we give our hearts and lives to Jesus. Liberate us from the past; rejoice with us at this present time, and prepare us for that wonderful day when Christ shall return to this planet, to claim and keep us for His own. Both now and forever. Amen. John Stuart traqair@aol.com Knoxville, Tennessee, USA From Rob Chaffart and the folks at Sermon Illustrator. To subscribe go to: http://www.answers2prayer.org/illustrator.html Or send an email to: add@sermonillustrator.org and write as subject "subscribe". Be aware that you will receive a confirmation message. Once you receive it, please click on the link mentioned in the email. Provided by Answers2Prayer http://www.answers2prayer.org ================================================================== Click FREE here... For Soup for hungry http://www.chunky.com/ClickForCansLanding.aspx For Food and other Donations: http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1 ================================================================= >-->Quotes: . | . | . | \|/ \ / -= * =- '. .----. .' /|\ / \ ' | ' -= | .----. | | / /""\ | / \( / m m ' ) ) - ) / /-./~` ( ( `.`\ /| . ) )\ \/_/ / . | . ( ( \_.-'` \ ' / \ \.| -= <*^*^*> =- jgs |\____\\ | ( " ) | _) \ |()'"'()| _.-' , | | (___) | /| . ` ; (`-.___.-') /_/____________/ '-.___.-' Jesus's Peace To You... "Peace I leave with you, My Peace I give unto you, Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let Not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."-KJV The light of the Christmas star to you The warmth of home and hearth to you The cheer and good will of friends to you The hope of a childlike heart to you The joy of a thousand angels to you The love of the Son and God's peace to you. -- an Irish Christmas Blessing >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! --------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS --------------------------------------------------------------------- -->This is for all you who love food andd DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do :) Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? 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