Jesus Sees 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 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 ================ * NOTE: An easy way to adjust the size of print in email or any page is to hold down the Ctrl tab while moving the scroll button on the mouse. You can also use the keyboard to change the font size in your web browser or emails. Hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the + key for larger text or the - key for smaller text! ================ >-->2 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) Our first hot newbie is the second half of one from our friend Linda. Here's more awesome exotic places giving us another mind blowing virtual vacation! Check it out here: T~~ | /"\ T~~ |'| T~~ T~~ | T~ WWWW| | /"\ | | |/\T~~ /"\ WWW /"\ |' |WW| WWWWW/\| / \|'/\|/"\ | /__\/]WWW[\/__\WWWW |" WWWW'|I_I|'WWWW' | | |' |/ - \|' |' | |' | |LI=H=LI|' | | | |' | |[_]| | |' | jgs | | |_|###|_| | | '---'--'-/___\-'--'---' World's Most Spectacular Places 3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/spectacularplaces3.html --- ...Wow! Super places! Thanks Linda! Our second Hottie is a great bible teaching that we should all adhere to and promote. It teaches biblically what we all have been experiencing in our communities, towns, cities and our country. It addresses why we need to promote God's good morals and values not only in our own lives but in all aspects of our country's leadership - from our churches, schools, police, mayors, judges, governors, congress and even the President. All walks of our life are affected when we do not ardently work toward making sure we have Godly people ruling over us, our children and our country! People who argue we need to separate God from politics really need to learn God's heart concerning this important issue! Check out this excellent bible teaching here... _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` Return To Me - God! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/return.html -<>- >From Our Friend Melody :) .:.:.:. / .***. \ | / ,,, \ | | \/6.6\/ | | ( _ ) | / /`"""`\ \ .:.:( (/|\) ):.:. ':'/':_A_:'\':' / \ .:.:.:.:.:.:.:. ':':':':':':':':' jgs _|_|_|_ (___|___) Disney goes goofy over mention of 'God' Lilly Anderson of Angier, North Carolina, was online Sunday for her birthday answering the Disney Channel’s question about what she was thankful for. “God, my family, my church and my friends,” Lilly wrote. But her answer was not allowed to appear. Instead, a message written in red popped up on the screen reading, “Please be nice!” Julie Anderson responded to Disney’s explanation, saying, “In a way, it’s understandable what they’re trying to prevent, but a big red message that tells a child that it’s not nice to be thankful for God might not be the best way to handle that.” “I want my daughter, and all children of faith, to know that it is OK to share God and Jesus with their peers,” Julie said. “I want her to know that she doesn’t have to be silent about her faith. I want her to be strong and soldier on.” Read more and view the video here: http://tinyurl.com/l7c3cxf --- ...Thank You Melody! This is another perfect example of what goes wrong in our society when we let ungodly people be in charge! The programmers didn't do their job and took the lazy way out since they didn't care or were not instructed to care. Thus no mention of God is allowed by people leaving comments. YOU CAN’T TALK ABOUT GOD ON CNN: Seconds After NFL Star Says “Jesus Died For My Sins”, CNN Shuts Him Down http://tinyurl.com/pbevbgq --- ...Thanks Melody! Yes, anti-Christian bigotry is going on more often then we think! Time we start standing up for Christianity! -<>- , _/ \_ _,--. < , > .-'.' /(/.\ .' .' .""". `/ ` / / / \ /) ; ; ,_.;._ _;-'}/ | | '. )( /' | | /'-._/\_.-' ; ; \_.' \ , \ \ / | _.'/ '. `'-\ /.-/.;,\ '-._ `"""""`_.|`"""`| jgs `"("\/")` |# | \(_/ `-...-' *~* Another Super Duper Caring And Sharing Month Last Month! Please Be Sure To Visit And Share These With Your Friends: Weird Old Vehicles http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/oldvehicles.html Bucket List 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bucketlist2.html Sand Art 5 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/sandart5.html Pumpkin Art 3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/pumpkin3.html Exotic Birds http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/exoticbirds.html Exotic Birds 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/exoticbirds2.html Snow Fun 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/snowfun2.html _..._ (,-'-,) / `"""` \ | /_ _\ | .--.\( _ )/.--. / .' '-...-' '. \ | / _/|\_ \ | / | -' \|/ '- | \ / \__..-'-..__/ \ ( / \ ) '-'._/ \_.'-' / \ ( ) jgs \ / `'-._____.-'` * Abundant Thanks And God's Blessings To All Our Contributors! ========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: * * *%%* ,,,,, *%%* *%%%%%* W*W*W*W *%%%%%* *%%%%%%%* {//"\\}*%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%*{{/6.6\}}*%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%%%*{{( = )}}*%%%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%%%%*}}}}) ({{{{*%%%%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%%%* {{{{ }}}} *%%%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%* We are each of us *%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%* angels with only one wing*%%%%%* jgs *%%* And we can only fly *%%* * embracing each other. * -Luciano Decrescenzo >THE FORGOTTEN ONES by Kathleene S. Baker After many years of trying to brighten the season for needy children, my husband and I happened upon an Angel Tree for nursing home residents the often forgotten fragile, lonely ones in our society. Some have outlived their children, others have children not willing to travel across the country, while some have no family or friends whatsoever. They are left to languish alone on our holiest holiday. These are ones we owe so much -- they are survivors of wars that kept our country free. Many suffered during the Great Depression simply trying to put food on the table for their families. They are all strong folks that could teach us much and deserve our absolute respect! Most of them did not have easy lives and in their final years. Many are the "forgotten ones." In my eyes, nothing could be more shameful! My husband, Jerry, instantly grabbed a card for a gentleman from that very special Angel Tree, while I selected the name of an older lady. Then we launched into an all-out shopping spree. The only information we had was first names, ages, and two wish lists. Never have I given such thought to each and every purchase. Making Christmas special for these two older kids became an obsession for both of us on a cold winter's afternoon. The gentleman had simply asked for music CDs. There was no mention of what type of music or any particular singer he enjoyed. We were both perplexed and then it hit us like a rock! Doing a little math we figured out what years he'd have been a teenager and took it from there. We purchased several CD's of hits from that time, as well as hits on into his twenties and thirties. The dear lady had requested only a robe. After some thought, I knew it must be washable, warm and of durable fabric to withstand being washed at the nursing facility. I located a lovely, plush, terry cloth robe with a bit of pink "girly" embellishment down the front -- the tag even said it could be bleached. But, what woman wouldn't enjoy new house slippers to match her robe? I tracked those down as well! Jerry and I were so wound up at that stage of the game that we couldn't stop with simply the items that had been requested. "What's Christmas without a box of fine assorted chocolates?" Jerry asked. I giggled and agreed, but as we headed to the candy department I realized one of them could possibly be diabetic. We found wonderful sugar-free assortments of chocolates that could satisfy anyone with a sweet tooth. Still, it seemed something was lacking. "I wonder how long it's been since this little gal enjoyed a bottle of nice perfume!" I wondered. We sprayed and sniffed until we found a mild scent that seemed suitable, and so hoped she wouldn't be allergic. I also included hand and body lotion. In my heart I knew she'd once again feel spry and beautiful as she pampered herself with the delicious aroma. Then, Jerry piped up, "Boys are never too old for toys!" After studying every small-scale model car and truck in the store, he chose several that would have been popular when the older gentleman likely purchased his first "set of wheels," and possibly his first family auto as a young married man. They would be nice remembrances placed on his bedside table or dresser to remind him of "the good old days." I took great care in wrapping all items. The packages had to be beautiful. All the while I envisioned the sparkle in their aged eyes when opening each gift, and prayed our efforts would create a very blessed and Merry Christmas for two genuinely deserving people. No, that year they were not forgotten! In fact, they are never forgotten in our home. Each holiday season we discuss the joy that filled our hearts that year as we attempted to sprinkle the Christmas season with a bit of bliss for two aged, forgotten, souls. In remembrance of two nursing home residents who, every year, remind us of the reason for the season. -- Kathleene S. Baker __________________________________________________ Kathy and Jerry reside in Plano, Texas. Kathy has contributed to magazines, online ezines, newspapers, Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and writes a weekly column entited Heart of Texas. You can visit her website here: http://www.txyellowrose.com ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Jacinto :) _ *"_"* __ /`_`\ __ .' '. | / \ | .' '. , / ')\^_^/(' \ , \`--' . (_.> <._) . '--`/ '.__.' '._/ \_/ \_.' '.__.' / , _ , \ \ \_/|\_/ / \ //^\\ / \/` `\/ | | | | | | | | .. ..:::.| | ..::::. .. ..::::..::::... .::::::::| |:::::::::::::::. ::::::::::::::::::.:::::::::::| |:::::::::::::::::. ':::::::::::::::::::::::::::::| |::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::| |::::::::::::::::::' '':::' '::::::::::::::::\_.__./:::::::::::::::'' '':::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::' jgs '::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::'' '':::::'' '''::::::'' >Thoughts: A liar is worse than a thief. The book to read is not one which thinks u,but one which makes u. Better alone, than in a bad comapany. God help those who help themselves. Obstacles in the pathways of the weak, become stepping stone in the pathways of the strong. Do your best. There is no goal achieved better than best. The biggest curse in this world is poverty. The important aspect is the result, not the way by which u arrive at it. It is difficult to win a friend in a year, but it is easy to loose one in an hour. The best pair in the world is smile and cry. They won’t meet each other at a time. If they meet, that is the best moment in your life...... Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you to discover who you are & what life can bring in own afford & challenging one self Integrity wherever can be great Experience also at times ....!!! Perhaps our eyes need to be washed by our tears once in a while, so that we can see Life with a clearer view again. We always feel that GOD never responds to our prayer on time .. but the truth is that HE is always on TIME but WE are always in A HURRY. People are made to be Loved and Things r made to be Used. but in modern World today....... People are being Used and Things r being Loved...!!! Laughter is God's sunshine. Everyone has beauty but not everyone sees it. It's important for parents to live the same things they teach. Take time to laugh, for it is the music of the soul. Patience is the ability to idle your motor when you feel like stripping your gears. Love is strengthened by working through conflicts together. .... We take for granted the things that we should be giving thanks for. --- ...Amen! Great! Thanks Jass! -<>- .-""-. _______ .-""-. .'_.-. | ,*********, | .-._'. / _/ / **` `** \ \_ \ /.--.' | | **,;;;;;,** | | '.--.\ / .-`-| | ;//;/;/;\\; | |-`-. \ ;.--': | | /;/;/;//\\;\\ | | :'--.; | _\.'-| | ((;(/;/; \;\);) | |-'./_ | ;_.-'/: | | );)) _ _ (;(( | | :\'-._; | | _:-'\ \(((( \ );))/ /'-:_ | | ; .:` '._ \ );))\ " /(((( / _.' `:. ; |-` '-.;_ `-\(;(;((\ = /););))/-` _;.-' `-| ; / .'\ |`'\ );));)/`---`\((;(((./`'| /'. \ ; | .' / `'.\-((((((\ /))));) \.'` \ '. | ;/ /\_/-`-/ ););)| , |;(;(( \` -\_/\ \; |.' .| `;/ (;(|'==/|\=='|);) \;` |. '.| | / \.'/ / _.` | `._ \ \'./ \ | \| ; |; _,.-` \_/Y\_/ `-.,_ ;| ; |/ \ | ;| ` | | | ` |. | / `\ || | | | || /` jgs `:_\ _\/ \/_ /_:' `"----""` `""----"` As a friend I do wish you the best of life's blessings And freedom from sickness and pain. May your prayers and oblations, as blooms of carnations, Flourish in sunshine and rain. May the blessings of heaven be showered upon you With favor from God. May you harvest with pleasure the fruits of your labor To share with whoever you can. May the dew in the morning refresh and delight you, And your days be filled with great peace. May your nights without number be filled with sweet slumber; Your dreams filled with hope ne'er cease. May your mate and your children bequeathed and beloved Be cherished as jewels set in gold. May your joy blend with laughter, both now and hereafter, As the days of your life unfold. --- ...Sweet! Thank you Jass! ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseA :) -====- .--._ ( __) .--. ( / -( /.-. \( | _/ / /-'\ \) (\ /\ / /-'/`\(_ ) ) /\/ /_/-'/-' \\ '-' / /_/-'/-' | '.__.' /_/-'/-'/ | /_/-' | \ / \ _.-' \ (` / jgs '----'`'------' God's Listening For The Sound of a Thankful Heart (By Roy Lessin) "When ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the Lord, offer it at your own will." - Leviticus 22:29 KJV One day, while paying my electric bill, I decided to thank the company for the service they were providing me. "Thanks for my electricity," I said, "It's really quite a bargain for all the benefits I receive." "What!" said the lady behind the counter, in amazement, "That's the first time anyone has ever thanked us. All I ever hear around here are complaints." It's a challenge to grow up with a thankful heart. From an early age we are exposed to a culture of complainers, gripers, grumblers, and critics. We complain about the weather, traffic, food, work, neighbors, bills, the government, church, and life in general. Worst of all, we are ungrateful toward God. It would be hard to count the number of complaints and criticisms that are daily spoken before Him and against Him. How can we, who have received so much, be thankful for so little? One of the great indicators of true spirituality is not measured by how many times we go to church, how big our Bibles are, or how long we pray, but it is measured by the level of gratitude that is in our hearts. When we are ungrateful, the heart of God is saddened, the Holy Spirit is grieved, and the joy of the Lord is quenched within us. Being thankful sweetens you, grumbling sours you; being thankful brings sunshine to your countenance, being ungrateful casts a shadow; being thankful brings a melody to your words, criticism makes you sound like a clanging cymbal; being thankful keeps your feet on the pathway of celebration, complaint takes you down the road of despair. When our hearts are filled with gratefulness we may feel like our thanksgiving is inadequate, but we can be certain that our thanksgiving is always appropriate. It will gladden the heart of God to hear your heartfelt thanks being freely offered to Him today. --- ...Awesome! Thanks LouiseA! ========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: <*****> ."^". ,;;;, ."^". {.'^'.\//a a\\/.'^'.} {{ (( L )) }} {{ \ = / }} {{ .-'\`-`/'-. }} {{ / \_/ \ }} {{ / \ }} {{/ /| |\ \}} {| | | | | |} {\___| >===;=< |___/} {{(_/ | : | \_)}} {{ _/| : |\_ }} {{ _/ | : | \_ }} jgs {{/ | : | \}} `-` | : | `-` | : | | : | | : | |___:_| (_/ \_) >A Child’s Wonder “Daddy”, he said, his eyes full of tears, “Will you talk to me and quiet my fears? Those bad boys at school are spreading a lie ‘bout the impossibility of reindeer that fly. There’s no Santa Clause, they say with a grin, there’s not one now, and there never has been. How can one man take all of those toys to thousands of girls and thousands of boys? But I told them Daddy, that they were not right, that I would come home and find out tonight. Mummy said wait until you come home. Please tell me now that I was not wrong.” His Daddy looked at his questioning face and brushed back his hair while his frantic mind raced. He had put this off as long as he could, he had to think fast and it better be good. Whispering a prayer, he began with a smile, “well climb on my lap mate, let’s talk a while. Remember at church how we learned to pray, asking God to take care of us each day? And you know how we say grace before each meal, to this same God who we know to be real. Though we never see him, we know he is there watching his children with such loving care.” “God started Christmas a long time ago when He gave us His son to love and to know. A spirit of giving came with that birth, and God’s generosity filled the whole earth. Man had to name this spirit of giving just as he names all things that are living. The name Santa Claus came to someone’s mind, probably the best name of any to find. There is, you can see, and I think quite clear truly a Santa who visits each year. A spirit like God, whom we never see, he enters the hearts of your mother and me. Each year at Christmas for one special night we become him and everything right. But the REAL spirit of Christmas is in you and in me and I hope you are old enough now to see that as we believe and continue to give, our friend Santa Claus will continue to live.” MERRY CHRISTMAS! -<>- _ _ _ /` ) ( `\ ( `\ / / \ \ \ \/ / __\ '---. \ /___ ( __/ / ) '--. ( / .-----' \__\_../ / .-' / /. .' /.-"""""-._ / .-. -` _.--.._ '-._, | /\ \ -" `' / / \/ / .__ / __..-' '-' _.' /_/ '-..____..-' \ | '--,-' / (_____.,--' __.' \ ( jgs| \ >The Story Behind Rudolph! A child’s innocent question sparks a father to create “the most famous reindeer of all!” On a December night in Chicago, a little girl climbed onto her father’s lap and asked a question. It was a simple question, asked in child like curiosity, yet it had a heart rendering effect on Robert May. “Daddy,” four-year old Barbara asked “why isn’t my Mommy just like everybody else’s mommy?” Bob May stole a glance across his shabby two-bedroom apartment. On a couch lay his young Evelyn, racked with cancer. For two years she had been bedridden; for two years, all Bob’s income and savings had gone to pay for treatments and medicines. The terrible ordeal already had shattered two adult lives. Now Bob suddenly realized the happiness of his growing daughter was also in jeopardy. As he ran his fingers through Barbara's hair, he prayed for some satisfactory answer to her question. Bob May knew only too well what it meant to be "different." As a child he had been weak and delicate. With the innocent cruelty of children, his playmates had continually goaded the stunted, skinny lad to tears. Later at Dartmouth, from which he was graduated in 1926, Bob May was so small that he was always being mistaken for someone's little brother. Nor was his adult life much happier. Unlike many of his classmates who floated from college into plush jobs, Bob became a lowly copy writer for Montgomery Ward, the big Chicago mail order house. Now at 33, Bob was deep in debt, depressed and sad. Although Bob did not know it at the time, the answer he gave the tousle- haired child on his lap was to bring him to fame and fortune. It was also to bring joy to countless thousands of children like his own Barbara. On that December night in the shabby Chicago apartment, Bob cradled his little girl's head against his shoulder and began to tell a story. "Once upon a time there was a reindeer named Rudolph, the only reindeer in the world that had a big red nose. Naturally people called him Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." As Bob went on to tell about Rudolph, he tried desperately to communicate to Barbara the knowledge that, even though some creatures of God are strange and different, they often enjoy the miraculous power to make others happy. Rudolph, Bob explained, was terribly embarrassed by his unique nose. Other reindeer laughed at him; his mother and father and sister were mortified too. Even Rudolph wallowed in self-pity. "Well," continued Bob, "one Christmas Eve, Santa Claus got his team of husky reindeer - Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, and Vixen ready for their yearly trip around the world. The entire reindeer community assembled to cheer these great heroes on their way. But a terrible fog engulfed the earth that evening, and Santa knew that the mist was so thick he wouldn't be able to find any chimney. "Suddenly Rudolph appeared, his red nose glowing brighter than ever. Santa sensed at once that here was the answer to his perplexing problem. He led Rudolph to the front of the sleigh, fastened the harness and climbed in. They were off! Rudolph guided Santa safely to every chimney that night. Rain and fog, snow and sleet; nothing bothered Rudolph, for his bright nose penetrated the mist like a beacon. And so it was that Rudolph became the most famous and beloved of all the reindeer. The huge red nose he once hid in shame was now the envy of every buck and doe in the reindeer world. Santa Claus told everyone that Rudolph had saved the day and from that Christmas, Rudolph has been living serenely and happy." Little Barbara laughed with glee when her father finished. Every night she begged him to repeat the tale until finally Bob could rattle it off in his sleep. Then, at Christmastime, he decided to make the story into a poem like "The Night Before Christmas" and prepare it in book form illustrated with pictures, for Barbara's personal gift. Night after night, Bob worked on the verses after Barbara had gone to bed, for he was determined his daughter should have a worthwhile gift, even though he could not afford to buy one... Then as Bob was about to put the finishing touches on Rudolph, tragedy struck. Evelyn May died. His hopes crushed, Bob turned to Barbara as chief comfort. Yet, despite his grief, he sat at his desk in the quiet, now lonely apartment, and worked on "Rudolph" with tears in his eyes. Barbara cried with joy over his handmade gift on Christmas morning. Shortly after, Bob was asked to an employee holiday party at Montgomery Ward. He didn't want to go, but his office associates insisted. When Bob finally agreed, he took with him the poem and read it to the crowd. First, the noisy throng listened with laughter and gaiety. Then they became silent, and at the end, broke into spontaneous applause. That was in 1938. By Christmas of 1947, some 6 million copies of the booklet had been given away or sold, making Rudolph one of the most widely distributed books in the world. The demand for Rudolph-sponsored products increased so much in variety and number that educators and historians predicted Rudolph would come to occupy a permanent place in the Christmas legend. Through his years of unhappiness, the tragedy of his first wife's death and his ultimate success with Rudolph, Bob May has captured a sense of serenity. And as each Christmas rolls around, he recalls with thankfulness the night when his daughter Barbara's question inspired him to write the poem that closes with these lines: "But Rudolph was bashful, despite being a hero!" -<>- ___ /__/| __| ||__________ /-'| ||'-'-'-'-'//\ /-'-|__|/-'-'-'-'// \\ /-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'// , \\ /-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'// '.\\ /-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'// |--' /-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'// | __ `--.-------------'| , | /_,\ | |><| |><| | /| | __ ||(/ /\ _| '--'_ '--' _ | || | /_,\|| / < (@) _ (@) _ (@)| ||.'()()()(||(/|| > \ ||(@) | (@) | | ;::::::::::||:' / < ||_|___|__|___|_|.'()()()()().||' jgs`""""`() () () () () () () >CHRISTMAS AT THE GAS STATION The old man sat in his gas station on a cold Christmas Eve. He hadn't been anywhere in years since his wife had passed away. It was just another day to him. He didn't hate Christmas, just couldn't find a reason to celebrate. He was sitting there looking at the snow that had been falling for the last hour and wondering what it was all about when the door opened and a homeless man stepped through. Instead of throwing the man out, Old George as he was known by his customers, told the man to come and sit by the heater and warm up. "Thank you, but I don't mean to intrude," said the stranger. "I see you're busy, I'll just go." "Not without something hot in your belly." George said. He turned and opened a wide mouth Thermos and handed it to the stranger. "It ain't much, but it's hot and tasty, "Stew ... made it myself. When you're done, there's coffee and it's fresh." Just at that moment he heard the "ding" of the driveway bell. "Excuse me, be right back," George said. There in the driveway was an old '53 Chevy. Steam was rolling out of the front. The driver was panicked. "Mister can you help me!" said the driver, with a deep Spanish accent. "My wife is with child and my car is broken." George opened the hood. It was bad. The block looked cracked from the cold, the car was dead. "You ain't going in this thing," George said as he turned away. "But Mister, please help ..." The door of the office closed behind George as he went inside. He went to the office wall and got the keys to his old truck, and went back outside. He walked around the building, opened the garage, started the truck and drove it around to where the couple was waiting. "Here, take my truck," he said. "She ain't the best thing you ever looked at, but she runs real good." George helped put the woman in the truck and watched as it sped off into the night. He turned and walked back inside the office. "Glad I gave 'em the truck, their tires were shot too. That 'ol truck has brand new ........" George thought he was talking to the stranger, but the man had gone. The Thermos was on the desk, empty, with a used coffee cup beside it. "Well, at least he got something in his belly," George thought. George went back outside to see if the old Chevy would start. It cranked slowly, but it started. He pulled it into the garage where the truck had been. He thought he would tinker with it for something to do. Christmas E ve meant no customers. He discovered the the block hadn't cracked, it was just the bottom hose on the radiator. "Well, shoot, I can fix this," he said to himself. So he put a new one on. "Those tires ain't gonna get 'em through the winter either." He took these now treads off of his wife's old Lincoln . They were like new and he wasn't going to drive the car anyway. As he was working, he heard shots being fired. He ran outside and beside a police car an officer lay on the cold ground. Bleeding from the left shoulder, the officer moaned, "Please help me." George helped the officer inside as he remembered the training he had received in the Army as a medic. He knew the wound needed attention. "Pressure to stop the bleeding," he thought. The uniform company had been there that morning and had left clean shop towels. He used those and duct tape to bind the wound. "Hey, they say duct tape can fix anythin'," he said, trying to make the policeman feel at ease. "Something for pain," George thought. All he had was the pills he used for his back. "These ought to work." He put some water in a cup and gave the policeman the pills. "You hang in there, I'm going to get you an ambulance." The phone was dead. "Maybe I can get one of your buddies on that there talk box out in your car." He went out only to find that a bullet had gone into the dashboard destroying the two way radio. He went back in to find the policeman sitting up. "Thanks," said the officer. "You could have left me there. The guy that shot me is still in the area." George sat down beside him, "I would never leave an injured man in the Army and I ain't gonna leave you." George pulled back the bandage to check for bleeding. "Looks worse than what it is. Bullet passed right through 'ya. Good thing it missed the important stuff though. I think with time your gonna be right as rain." George got up and poured a cup of coffee. "How do you take it?" he asked. "None for me," said the officer. "Oh, yer gonna drink this. Best in the city. Too bad I ain't got no donuts." The officer laughed and winced at the same time. The front door of the office flew open. In burst a young man with a gun. "Give me all your cash! Do it now!" the young man yelled. His hand was shaking and George could tell that he had never done anything like this before. "That's the guy that shot me!" exclaimed the officer. "Son, why are you doing this?" asked George, "You need to put the cannon away. Somebody else might get hurt." The young man was confused. "Shut up old man, or I'll shoot you, too. Now give me the cash!" The cop was reaching for his gun. "Put that thing away," George said to the cop, "We got one too many in here now." He turned his attention to the young man. "Son, it's Christmas Eve. If you need money, well then, here. It ain't much but it's all I got. Now put that pee shooter away." George pulled $150 out of his pocket and handed it to the young man, reaching for the barrel of the gun at the same time. The young man released his grip on the gun, fell to his knees and began to cry. "I'm not very good at this am I? All I wanted was to buy something for my wife and son," he went on. "I've lost my job, my rent is due, my car got repossessed last week ..." George handed the gun to the cop. Son, we all get in a bit of squeeze now and then. The road gets hard sometimes, but we make it through the best we can." He got the young man to his feet, and sat him down on a chair across from the cop. "Sometimes we do stupid things." George handed the young man a cup of coffee. "Bein' stupid is one of the things that makes us human. Comin' in here with a gun ain't the answer. Now sit there and get warm and we'll sort this thing out." The young man had stopped crying. He looked over to the cop. "Sorry I shot you. It just went off. I'm sorry officer." "Shut up and drink your coffee." the cop said. George could hear the sounds of sirens outside. A police car and an ambulance skidded to a halt. Two cops came through the door, guns drawn. "Chuck! You ok?" one of the cops asked the wounded officer. "Not bad for a guy who took a bullet. How did you find me?" "GPS locator in the car. Best thing since sliced bread. Who did this?" the other cop asked as he approached the young man. Chuck answered him, "I don't know. The guy ran off into the dark. Just dropped his gun and ran." George and the young man both looked puzzled at each other. "That guy work here?," the wounded cop continued. "Yep," George said, "just hired him this morning. Boy lost his job." The paramedics came in and loaded Chuck onto the stretcher. The young man leaned over the wounded cop and whispered, "Why?" Chuck just said, "Merry Christmas boy ... and you too, George, and thanks for everything." "Well, looks like you got one doozy of a break there. That ought to solve some of your problems." George went into the back room and came out with a box. He pulled out a ring box. "Here you go, something for the little woman. I don't think Martha would mind. She said it would come in handy some day." The young man looked inside to see the biggest diamond ring he ever saw. "I can't take this," said the young man. "It means something to you." "And now it means something to you," replied George. "I got my memories. That's all I need." George reached into the box again. An airplane, a car and a truck appeared next. They were toys that the oil company had left for him to sell. "Here's something for that little man of yours." The young man began to cry again as he handed back the $150 that the old man had handed him earlier. "And what are you supposed to buy Christmas dinner with? You keep that too," George said, "Now git home to your family." The young man turned with tears streaming down his face. "I'll be here in the morning for work, if that job offer is still good." "Nope. I'm closed Christmas day," George said. "See ya the day after." George turned around to find that the stranger had returned. "Where'd you come from? I thought you left?" "I have been here. I have always been here," said the stranger. "You say you don't celebrate Christmas. Why?" "Well, after my wife passed away, I just couldn't see what all the bother was. Puttin' up a tree and all seemed a waste of a good pine tree. Bakin' cookies like I used to with Martha just wasn't the same by myself and besides I was gettin' a little chubby." The stranger put his hand on George's shoulder. "But you do celebrate the holiday, George. You gave me food and drink and warmed me when I was cold and hungry. The woman with child will bear a son and he will become a great doctor. The policeman you helped will go on to save 19 people from being killed by terrorists. The young man who tried to rob you will make you a rich man and not take any for himself. That is the spirit of the season and you keep it as good as any man." George was taken aback by all this stranger had said. "And how do you know all this?" asked the old man. "Trust me, George. I have the inside track on this sort of thing. And when your days are done you will be with Martha again." The stranger moved toward the door. "If you will excuse me, George, I have to go now. I have to go home where there is a big celebration planned." George watched as the old leather jacket and the torn pants that the stranger was wearing turned into a white robe. A golden light began to fill the room. "You see, George ... it's My birthday. Merry Christmas." George fell to his knees and replied, "Happy Birthday, Lord." -<>- * . . . | . * * . \|/ . . -->*<-- . /|\ . ' | ' * | . * . | . ' _ _ .:. . ( | .-. ___ .'_`. WWW \w/ \V/ |/(_)\ .'.-.`. `(_)' (_) (_) (_) |// \\ `/(_)\' // \\ _/ | _/ | _/ | _ _ \/| |/ //)_(\\ \| |/ %%__/| $$__/| &&__/| _-(_)- _-(_)- | | | /(o___))\ | | | | | | | | `(___) `(___) | | | ` / \' | | | | | | | | jgs // \\ // \\ | |_| /_____\ |_| |_| |_| |_| >No Room Bill Walker missourisage@yahoo.com I am sorry, woman but there is no room or beds in this inn. you might try the stable. A good man and friend of mine said he would have given her his bed if he had been the inn keeper. Known him, yes I can believe that. I have read his wonderful written words, his articles of much thought, and compassion for others. His articles of compassion for all things, great and small. I think he has true heart for all things made by the Lord God. I think also he would not care for me to name him, but he has many that look forward to what brother Joe has written. There was a reason, there was no room at the inn for the lady. This would have got things off to a bad start, if the red carpet had been rolled out for her. It was so meant that this child should be born in as low a place as could be found. A stable if you will. If you will read the book of Isaiah. You will find much of the life of the man called Jesus. He was to be born of woman, he was to live a very humble life, and he was to die a horrible death. Before I go to deep here, I would like for you to stop and think about a few things. If a very humble man would walk into your house, store, or meet you on the street, just how would you treat him? Would you take note of him? Now I will make it harder for you to give an answer. Say this humble man was standing on one street corner, and across the street, stood some person of great importance, like King George. Which would you run to and bow and scrape? You can bet your last dollar, that if Queen Mary would have come to this inn in the royal buggy, some one would have got kicked out of a room and sent to the stable. Then the stable would have had no room. Good thing the old Queenie didn't show up that night. The night the animals talked, the night the animals came to see the new born baby. I believe there is something in Isaiah about that also, the animals that is. If you will take your Bible and read Isaiah, the chapter is 53.. Set down, with a good cup of coffee, read it slow and think.. It is all there, or a good part of what you need to know about the things that was to come. The things that did happen to a very humble man. I dare say, nothing has changed. If that man, that humble man came walking into your high and mighty church right the very minute that the preacher is wound up on something. He might get the same treatment he did about 1,970 years ago. I am wrong about the might get.. to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.. it would be to do all over again. All would be screaming, let him be crucified. Who is this man that says he is the Son of God? If he was the Son of God we would have seen him coming riding a White Horse, not on a lowly DONKEY. I guess today, the saying would be, he would be riding in a White Limo, not a old 1948 army Jeep with an American Flag on it. That is an American Flag on one fender, cross from it on the other fender would be the Flag of Israel. You did know the United States was the first nation to welcome the nation of Israel. Just as soon as the word reached the White House, that Israel was now a nation. President Harry S.Truman said "WELCOME. We will stand by you from this time on, in thick or thin." Back to the no room.. It had to be that way, no room at the inn, but we have a stable out back, maybe the animals can make room for you. You see I worked the animals in again my good friends. I think the animals made room for Jesus here on earth. Jesus is going to make room for God's animals in Heaven. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: The Blue Ribbon http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/blueribbon.html Come Adore Him http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/comeadorehim.html One Word Essay http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/essay.html Pay It Forward http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/payitforward.html Witty Comebacks ttp://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/comebacks.html Rare Historical Photos http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/historyphotos.html Tears Of A Woman http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/womantears.html Kilroy Was Here http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kilroywashere.html Tinian Island http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/tinian.html Willie, Joe And Bill In WWII http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mauldin.html -<>- >From Our Friend Jacinto :) Wake Up! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE1xVmmyufg --- ...A good one! Thanks Jass! -<>- >From Our Friend Melody :) Heavenly Sweet Potato Pineapple Casserole http://tinyurl.com/lcj7ed4 Crock Pot Recipe Exchange: Pumpkin Dump Cake http://tinyurl.com/pl8hsu5 Recipes by Photo | Plain Chicken http://www.plainchicken.com/p/recipes-by-photo.html Nana's Chicken Recipes http://nanasrecipes.com/chicken.html Chicken Pot Pie Cupcakes recipe - from Tablespoon! http://tinyurl.com/k9hpjeu holiday recipes | christmas recipes | christmas cookie recipes http://www.razzledazzlerecipes.com/ --- ...Makin' me hungry! Thanks Melody! The Pope visits the living nativity scene of a Rome parish http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ncWgWK2WXU CHRISTmas Chapel http://www.alighthouse.com/chapel.htm Pine Cone Crafts Holiday Pinecone Craft Projects using Pinecones http://www.pineconelady.com/crafts.html 12 Holes of Christmas - OneMoreLevel.com http://www.onemorelevel.com/game/12_holes_of_christmas ITALIAN CHRISTMAS TIME http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZzTBc-ARN5Y Let’s put Christ back into Christmas this year http://www.alighthouse.com/chchristhisyear.html --- ...Good ones! Thanks Melody! Visit Melissa's Online Store You can get anything you want (except for Melissa ) at the online store http://pdhomes.net/mall/babylissa/mySTORES/ISELL4.html ========================================================== ,_ )\ /,( \)/ .--"T"--. |`"-----"`| |:. | |:: | ,-|::. |-, \`"--...--"`/ '-. .-' `| |` ,| | ,\\///, \ \\()>//()\\\ '-. >>//<\\\<<___.-' jgs `""` >Traveler's Aide Story Editor: by Barbara Joyce Schowalter Illinois, USA Several years ago I did some training which presented the notion of "the magnificence of humanity." Hah! My inner skeptic fought that concept, but then I began noticing all the magnificent little things people do for one another for no apparent reason. In 2005, I tended a booth at a Florida symposium for our non-profit patient advocacy organization. Departing was simple. I rode the bus 90 minutes to O'Hare, checked in curbside and proceeded with my carry-ons to the gate. Carrying luggage is painful and awkward for me due to degenerative arthritis in my thumbs, and I'm vision impaired as a result of a disastrous Lasik surgery. Airports are difficult to negotiate with their low fluorescent lighting. Half an hour into the flight, a gentleman traveling developed appendicitis. The plane landed in Nashville to let him off. The delay caused me to miss my pre-arranged airport transit to the exhibition center. When I arrived the time had passed for exhibitors to enter the hall to set up. However, a lovely woman at the check-in desk took one look at my frazzled appearance, relented and let me in. I still had to manage the trip home. Returning home from O'Hare is much trickier than departing for me. Baggage claim isn't close to the bus terminal. Typically, I rent a cart, but there wasn't a cart in sight and I couldn't leave my luggage to find one. My flight arrived late, and my bus departed in under 20 minutes. If I missed the bus, I'd have to wait for another 90 minutes for the next one. It would be dark when I arrived at the bus terminal in my city, and I'd be unable to see to drive myself home. I began the long, slow, painful process of managing my small-wheeled suitcase and carrying my heavy carry-ons, including symposium materials and my laptop, to the bus terminal. Straining to read directional signs, I made my way to the escalator and stepped on. Suddenly, a gentleman appeared beside me, asked if I was going to the bus and offered to carry my bags! Though generally skeptical and guarded of strangers, I figured he was on his way to the bus, too, and accepted. We chatted as we walked, and I asked what bus he was taking. To my surprise, he replied that he wasn't taking a bus anywhere. He lived in Chicago and his car was parked in the lot! He had noticed me squinting and struggling with my bags and offered to help. I made it to the bus with minutes to spare, and arrived home while it was still light. When I asked if there was something I could do to repay him, he replied, "No, no, just pass it on". I do earnestly try. I will always remember this man's "random act of senseless kindness". Thank you, sir, whoever and wherever you are. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Kidwarmers: .... .::\:::. ::::)`\::: :::/ /::: ::| |::: ':\_/::' /`"'-:___ | _`\ | .-. ( \ ; , , , , \_) '--' | ( |\_.'/ )`-'\__,| \_)|\_/ .`(_ / `. (| _| . '_.-'` '--. `'. | (_)_' ( /.-. `\______(_)(_)`--' ` \/ jgs _). '-. '--._ _.-' . `) : ( `-. < ) . <'-. ' .-', _'._'. '-. '.-'` )'/ \/ \( `\( `; >THE FUNNY THINGS KIDS SAY Mckenna, 2, was singing "This Little Gospel Light of Mine" while in the car with her mother Ruth. After singing the line, "Don't let Satan blow it out" she asked, "Mommy, who is Satan?" Ruth turned the question into a "teachable moment" and explained that Satan is responsible for evil in the world, we don't want to listen to him, etc. Mckenna thought for a minute and then asked, "Mommy, then why do we sit on his lap?" (Mckenna remembered sitting on Santa's lap!) - Donna Gerken (grandmother of Mckenna) of Fort Wayne, Indiana When Joyce came back from vacation she bought her grandson Ryan, 3, a bouncy ball that lights up when you bounce it. He was all excited, exclaiming over every bounce. Suddenly he stopped playing and brought the ball back to Joyce. "I can't take a present," he said. "It's not my birthday." Joyce explained that sometimes we buy people presents just because we love them. He went back to playing with it for awhile. Soon he walked back to Joyce handed her the ball and said, "I love you Nanny." -Joyce Siedentop of Wall Township, New Jersey Chloe, 3, has not wet the bed in several months and doesn't wear pull-ups any more. When she was getting her pajamas on after not having a nap, she said, "Mom, I am so sleepy I need to wear a pull-up tonight." - Lisa Billingsley (mother of Chloe) of Scaly Mountain, North Carolina /`\ | ( | | | | | | .--'--. | | _.--""`````""--._ .'\/ \/ '. .' -|` `|- '. / ,_\| |/_, \ / # \ / \ ; # .-.._)---(_.--. ; | \_.-/ \-._/ | | | a a | | | \ /`\ | ; | | '. ; \ \0/\ '/`\ / \ |__.' / / '. / _.' .' '._ '---' _.' jgs '--.._____..--' Chloe's Nana came by to visit her at day care and Chloe begged her to let her go home with her. Nana knew she had several chores she needed to get done that night before she went to church, so she told her that she couldn't go home with her because her television was broken (the satellite had been out for a few days). Chloe said, "It's OK, Nana, just give it some gas." Linda took her granddaughter, Sophia, 20 months, to the office for a visit. While there, they visited her stepmother, Vicky, who also works at the office. Vicky picked up a picture from her desk of Sophia with her dad and step mom and asked her first who was the man in the picture and Sophia said, "Daddy!" Next she pointed to herself in the picture and asked who that was and Sophia answered, "Mommy!" Finally, she pointed to Sophia in the picture and asked who that was. Sophia's answer was, "Pretty!" And she is too! - Linda Collins (grandmother of Sophia) of Columbia, Maryland Janet was in the delivery room when Emerson was born and since everyone in her town knows he is adopted they started talking about adoption when he turned 4. They explained that he was in Teresa's tummy but he was in Mommy's heart. When Emerson sees a woman with a new baby he will walk up and ask, "So was it in your belly or your heart?" - Janet Funk of Fayetteville, Arkansas | '.'.' -= o =- .'.'. | , / \ .'. o'. / 6 s ^.\ /.-.o *.-.\ `/. '.'9 \` .'6. * s o '. /.--.s .6 .--.\ `/ s '. .' * .\` .' o 6 .` .^ 6 s'. /.---. * ^ o .----.\ `/s * `.^ s.' ^ * \` .' o , 6 `.' ^ o 6 '. /,-^--, o ^ * s ,----,\ `'-._s.;-,_6_^,-;._o.-' jgs | | `"""` A conversation between Maya, 3, niece of Jennifer Decker, and her momma: Maya: Momma, when I was a baby was I in your tummy? Momma: Yes. Maya: Did I do somersaults? Momma: It felt like it! Maya: Was I wearing my baby jeans? Later... Maya: Momma, I like your sweater and your jeans and your socks. And I like you too, Momma! (Is she getting ready for Santa to come?) Also from Jennifer: A friend's daughters, Kate and Julianne, were giving out hugs and kisses at bedtime. Just before Kate went to her room, she turned to Julianne and whispered "call me," while doing that thing where you pretend like your hand is a phone (thumb at the ear, pinkie near your mouth)! One of the kindergartners that Jennifer mentors told her recently his brain hurt because he hit it on his heart! \/ \/ -|` `|- ,_\| |/_, \ / .-.._)---(_.--. \_.-/_ _ \-._/ |a a | \ /`\ | | '. \0/\ '/`\_...--"""-. |__.'` / `\, / _.' . ;`\ ',.-' . |-' \ , ; ; ;-, /___..,-`\ ; | / /' \ \ ; |/ / \ \ | / / `> > / / / \ / / /` /_/ \/\ /_/_/ jgs /_( |/ /_/_( Grace's grandfather passed away before her 5th birthday. Gracie said, "This is my extra special birthday because Grandpa got to go meet Jesus and become my guardian angel." - Gale Spence of Angola, Indiana (a friend of Gracie's family) While visiting in a church in Lima, Ohio, recently Gale remembered a story from many years ago. Her children used to watch old time vampire movies when they were little. One time they went to a relative's wedding and the church had a big old cathedral pipe organ. Gale remembers the boys said, "Mom, Mom, where's the smoke?" The boys were 4 and 5 at the time; now they are in their 30s. Gale's great nephew Boo Boo, 3, was going through a large food store. When they got to the vegetables, the celery sprayer kicked in. Boo Boo said he didn't want to have the celery because he thought that "somebody peed on it." _...._ .' '. / _ _ \ | O O | ; ; .-;-. \ '--' / /\.7./\ .-. '. .' .-./\/ )/ (_ \ ) ( / _)/ ` \ '-' '-' /\/ '. () .'\/ | | |/ | () | ; ; | () | ; /\ ; _ / / \ \ _ jgs / ` .' '. ` \ \___.' '.___/ Nolan, 7, was begging his dad to let the family go out to eat for dinner. After Dad agreed to go, Nolan said, "Daddy is so smart and nice and courageous - he could be the Statue of Liberty if there was a man Statue of Liberty." - Lisa Billingsley (mother of Nolan and Chloe) of Scaly Mountain, North Carolina Chloe, 3, wakes her mother Lisa up on Saturday and Sunday mornings by running in her bedroom, jumping on the bed and yelling "Mommy, the sun is up!" When the phone rings Chloe, yells, "Mommy, the phone needs you!!" After admiring at her pumpkin full of candy from Halloween, Immy, 3, asked her mother when she could eat the candy. Mom replied, "One piece after lunch and one piece after dinner." The next morning, Mom asked Immy what she wanted for breakfast and Immy replied, "Lunch and dinner!" - Carolyn Powers (grandmother of Immy) of Pleasant Lake, Indiana Zelma was babysitting three 4-year-olds. She told they it was quiet time and they could all lie down and watch a movie. One little girl said, "Zelma, I can't go to sleep." When Zelma asked her why, she said, "If I take a nap my mom will forget to come pick me up." - Zelma Feltner of Kendallville, Indiana _ __{_}_ .'______'-. _:-' `'-: _ / _______ `\ .-' \ \.-' `'--./ .' \ \ / () ___ () \ \ \\\# || (___) | \ #\\_|| '.___.' | \___|\ \_________.--./ \\ | \ \--. \\/_________/ / `\ , .\\ /`--;`-. `-.__.'/ / _\\ ,_.' _/ \ \ / | `\ \ /` | '.___.-' \____/\ '--\____/ / \\ \ | \\ | | \\ | | \\ | \ \\ /::.:::.. jgs '.___..-.__.\\__.__.':::::::''''' One day Zelma was fixing chicken nuggets for the children - something they all love. One 4-year-old said, "Hey, Zelma, I love chicken nuggets. They make me feel like such a sweetheart!" One day Zelma's husband was telling Odin, 4, "You are me and I am you." Odin said, "No, Lloyd, you can't be Odin because I am me!" While talking about the eye screening with the Lions Group that came to Breana's preschool, Laura's mother asked how the screening went and who did it. Laura said, "I believe it was the Lions group." Breana, 4, listening to the conversation, quickly spoke up and said, "No, Mommy. It wasn't the lions who did it, it was a human!" - Laura Rumschlag (mother of Breana) of Columbia City, Indiana Every Sunday at the Geneva Church of the Nazarene prior to the worship service the children take up a change offering from the adults for missions. One Sunday, Art, an older gentleman, gave his change. When asked again he only had a penny left. Jordan, 4, looked at the penny and said, "Is that all you got?" Art said yes. Jordan said, "Just keep it!" - Brenda Haddix of south of Bluffton, Indiana \ / \ / \ / \ / _\/ \/_ _\/ \/_ _\/ \/_ _\/ \/_ _\-'"'-/_ _\-'"'-/_ _\-'"'-/_ _\-'"'-/_ (_, ,_) (_, ,_) (_, ,_) (_, ,_) | ^ ^ | | o o | | a a | | 6 6 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Y | | @ | | O | | V | `._|_.' `._|_.' `._|_.' `._|_.' Dasher Dancer Prancer Vixen \ / \ / \ / \ / _\/ \/_ _\/ \/_ _\/ \/_ _\/ \/_ _\-'"'-/_ _\-'"'-/_ _\-'"'-/_ _\-'"'-/_ (_, ,_) (_, ,_) (_, ,_) (_, ,_) | q p | | @ @ | | 9 9 | | d b | | | | | | | | | | | | | | _ | | | | \_/ | | V | | (_) | | 0 | jgs `._|_.' `._|_.' `._|_.' `._|_.' Comet Cupid Donder Blitzen \ / _\/ \/_ _\-'"'-/_ (_, ,_) | e e | | | '-. | _ | .-' --= |((@))| =-- .-' `._|_.' '-. jgs Rudolph Grandson Christopher, 6, was visiting. When Grandpa noticed his two front teeth missing, he told Christopher, "Too bad you won't be able to whistle now." Christopher replied, "That's OK. I couldn't whistle before." -Grandpa Harold and Granny Elizabeth Wiese of Quitman, Texas Grandson William, 4, was also visiting and all the children were playing outside. Little William came up to Granny to show his toe he hurt while running. He said, "Granny it hurts so bad it just breaks my heart!" Nathan's mom called Grandma Charlene with this story: Nathan, 7, likes to sing before he goes to sleep. Nathan's mom has been trying to teach him to pray before he goes to sleep. One night he asked, "Mom, if I pray, do you think Jesus will come down and do my homework for me?" - Karen Martin (friend of Grandma Charlene) of Ohio ========================================================== . | . | . | \|/ \ / -= * =- '. .----. .' /|\ / \ ' | ' -= | .----. | | / /""\ | / \( / m m ' ) ) - ) / /-./~` ( ( `.`\ /| . ) )\ \/_/ / . | . ( ( \_.-'` \ ' / \ \.| -= <*^*^*> =- jgs |\____\\ | ( " ) | _) \ |()'"'()| _.-' , | | (___) | /| . ` ; (`-.___.-') /_/____________/ '-.___.-' >-->GOD'S ETERNAL INK Dreamed I was in heaven Where an angel kept God's book. He was writing so intently I just had to take a look. It was not, at first, his writing That made me stop and think, But the fluid in the bottle That was marked eternal ink. This ink was most amazing, Dark black upon his blotter But as it touched the parchment It became as clear as water. The angel kept on writing, But as quickly as a wink The words were disappearing With that strange eternal ink. The angel took no notice, But kept writing on and on. He turned each page and filled it Until all its space was gone. I thought he wrote to no avail, His efforts were in vain For he wrote a thousand pages That he'd never read again. And as I watched and wondered that This awesome sight was mine, I actually saw a word stay black As it dried upon the line. The angel wrote and I thought I saw A look of satisfaction. At last he had some print to show For all his earnest action. A line or two dried dark and stayed As black as black can be, But strangely the next paragraph Became invisible to see. The book was getting fuller, The angel's records true, But most of it was blank, with Just a few words coming through. I knew there was some reason, But as hard as I could think, I couldn't grasp the significance Of that eternal ink. The mystery burned within me, And I finally dared to ask The angel to explain to me Of his amazing task. And what I heard was frightful As the angel turned his head. He looked directly at me, And this is what he said... "I know you stand and wonder At what my writing's worth But God has told me to record The lives of those on earth. The book that I am filling Is an accurate account Of every word and action And to what they do amount. And since you have been watching I must tell you what is true; The details of my journal Are the strict accounts of YOU. The Lord asked me to watch you As each day you worked and played. I saw you as you went to church, I saw you as you prayed. But I was told to document Your life through all the week. I wrote when you were proud and bold, I wrote when you were meek. I recorded all your attitudes Whether they were good or bad. I was sorry that I had to write The things that make God sad. So now I'll tell the wonder Of this eternal ink, For the reason for its mystery Should make you stop and think. This ink that God created To help me keep my journal Will only keep a record of Things that are eternal. So much of life is wasted On things that matter not So instead of my erasing, Smudging ink and ugly blot. I just keep writing faithfully, Let the ink do all the rest, For it is able to decide What's useless and what's best. And God ordained that as I write Of all you do and say Your deeds that count for nothing Will just disappear away. When books are opened someday, As sure as heaven is true; The Lord's eternal ink will tell What mattered most to you. If you just lived to please yourself The pages will be bare, And God will issue no reward For you when you get there. In fact, you'll be embarrassed, You will hang your head in shame Because you did not give yourself In love to Jesus' Name. Yet maybe there will be a few Recorded lines that stayed That showed the times you truly cared, Sincerely loved and prayed. But you will always wonder As you enter heaven's door How much more glad you would have been If only you'd done more. For I record as God sees, I don't stop to even think Because the truth is written With God's eternal ink." When I heard the angel's story I fell down and wept and cried For as yet I still was dreaming; I hadn't really died. And I said O angel tell the Lord That soon as I awake I'll live my life for Jesus- I'll do all for His dear sake. I'll give in full surrender; I'll do all He wants me to; I'll turn my back on self and sin And whatever isn't true. And though the way seems long and rough I promise to endure. I'm determined to pursue the things That are holy, clean and pure. With Jesus as my helper, I will win lost souls to Thee, For I know that they will live with Christ For all eternity. And that's what really matters When my life on earth is gone That I will stand before the Lord And hear Him say, well done. For is it really worth it As my life lies at the brink? And I realize that God keeps books With His eternal ink. Should all my life be focused On things that turn to dust? From this point on I'll serve the Lord; I can, I will, I must! I will NOT send blank pages Up to God's majestic throne For where that record's going now Is my eternal home. I'm giving all to Jesus; I now have seen the link For I saw an angel write my life With God's eternal ink! Copyright © Craig F. Pitts --- ...Reminds me of what my little grandson asked me this last weekend. He was coloring and turned to me and asked me, "Can Jesus see me right now?" I him answered, "Yes." He put on a big smile and went back to his coloring. 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