Make A Joyful Noise ... :) 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 ================ >-->Hot Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This one is smokin' hot! It comes from a forward from our friend PatDeE. I found it very interesting and inspiring! Check out this amazing one here... _(,__ __), (_,d888888888b,d888888888b d888888888888/888888888888b_) (_8888888P'""'`Y8Y`'""'"Y88888b Y8888P.-' ` '-.Y8888b_) ,_Y88P (_(_( )_)_) d88Y_, Y88b, (o ) (o ) d8888P `Y888 '-' '-' `88Y` Oh My! ,d/O\ c /O\b, jgs \_/'.,______w______,.'\_/ The City That Time Forgot! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/city.html --- ...Wow! What a cool old city! Thanks PatDeE! ========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: _ .'`_:--"""'. .-. .' ,' .---' \_ / \.-'/ / .' .-/`0\ \ /._| | | / 0\ | '-' | | \ \ |_/_, \_| '. \__/___.' \ _:-'`\.-' '. / / , `;-.\__.-;___/| / | \_.-' / | ; / , | | |/`| | ; ,__/ | / '.__ _ \____/----. jgs .-' /`` `-.__/ `.___/ >THE SONGS OF CHRISTMAS by Kathy Whirity The other day a friend asked me if I was sick of hearing Christmas music on the radio. It didn't take me long to answer. On the contrary, I keep the radio tuned to the station that plays only the merry melodies that fill the air at this time of year. Who can get tired of the songs of the season when they keep you in a perpetual spirit of wonder and glee? We've been listening to the same songs for decades and the feelings they bring never lose their emotion, in fact those old songs multiply their meaning as life goes on. Babies first Christmas was made oh so special the year my nephew Ryan was born. Being the first grandchild in the family we fawned over the tiniest new addition. That year the song I loved the most was Jolly Old Saint Nicholas. I didn't know all the stanzas but I crooned what I knew and hummed the rest as Ryan and I rocked away many a cold winter's night. I am now a grandma of three and sing the words I've learned by heart to this younger generation, but the memory of Ryan as the babe in my arms still comes to mind even though it has been three decades and counting. Jingle Bell Rock I remember hearing often on that very first Christmas that Bill and I shared together. Our love was as fresh and delicate as new fallen snow back then. The years have accumulated into a blizzard of family life follies. When I hear the sounds of Jingle Bell Rock I'm reminded of what a rocking good life we have shared all these many years. The day after we've stuffed ourselves with Thanksgiving turkey and all the trimmings, the totes containing all our holiday hoopla are stacked in the family room. At first sight it looks like a daunting task, especially since each year my collection of decorations grows. With the help of Christmas classics streaming from the radio my home is transformed in all its seasonal splendor in no time at all. It's a fa-la-la-la good time when music mingles with the melody of feelings that only surface at this special time of year. I never get tired of hearing the sentimental lyrics of songs that can, in an instant, transport me back to yesteryear which causes me to belt out notes of nostalgia as grand kids wonder why grandma is acting goofy. No, I'm not hitting the spiked egg nog -- I'm just indulging in the joy of this most wonderful time of the year. The music, like the memories they invoke, never gets old to me. They are the link to Christmases past and present. A chorus of carols will continue to be savored and enjoyed, for time goes by in the blink of an eye as we hum the memories of Christmases gone by. -- Kathy Whirity __________________________________________________ Kathy is a syndicated newspaper columnist who shares her sentimental musings on family life. Kathy is also a contributing author to the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series and she and her husband, Bill, reside in Chicaqo where they are happily enjoying life as grandparents. You can visit Kathy's web site at: http://www.kathywhirity.com ============================================================== >-->From Our Friend John-Paul :) M E R R Y "C H R I S T - R i b b i t!" _..------.._ .-" ". .' \ ' .''. / / \ '..' '. \/ /---.----.--.---.-( \ '.()o { } | ____ "" {____.-._____.-.____}\ | ____ / `"=._ _/ (o ) (o ) \_ `\ |_ _.="` \ | "=. /' '-'_,-,_'-' `\ / \ .=" | | ". ". | '. _."_.-._"._ .' |\__/" ." | ". ". ". \ `"-.~._^_.~.-"` / ." ." ." ". ". ". `--._ `-.~.-` _.--` ." ." ." "=._ ". "=./ `._ _.` \.=" ." _.=" "=._ "._ / `"""""` \ _." _.=" "=. "-. : : .-" .=" ". "| Y Y |" ." _.="` _\ \ / /_ `"=._ _.-"""``""` _.-"`__\ \-.____.-/ /__`"-._ `""``"""-._ .-'.-' _.-'_.-"`jgs.' .' .'\ \ / /'. '._'. `"-._'-._'-.'-. `"` `"` `"` `"` `"` `"` `"` `"` `"` `"` `"` `"` Sing a long Christmas Carols http://www.the-north-pole.com/carols/index.htm --- ...Love it! Thanks John-Paul! __ /` `'-. | _ `\ \'-,'` \ | /a a | / |/_ //) \ __, `/ .'`\___.'('-.__ /__ ; /_ \ `\ .`))'`\.'` \___\ \ / (( |o )) \ / )) | (( \ .--._ / (( |o ))\_. | `-, `',,,._.-' '-./)) | (.' / '--`//// '-._ _.' (( _|o .' _.' \```';-._'-._ ))( `-._.-'/__ /, `""` '-._'-;_) / / \ '-,_'-._(`-|||| \ _.-' '-.//-.\\\\_.-.| ( .-' _.. ````;-.| '--;-.`-' '._.' / jgs / `'. .' / /`'-----'`| / / | | / /` | | |_ / | \ | | |_ | | / \ \ | | \ \ | | \ | | | \ \ / \ )-.__,' _.'`----; .' | (` .`-' ( .-' '---'` `"""` For you Elvis lovers... Christmas - Elvis Presley - Jingle Bell Rock http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KsCh3x2ylI&feature=related Christmas with Elvis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niGRUemP6Mg Elvis loved Christmas!!! (Christmas Medley) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Lwnp4WeS8Q&NR=1&feature=fvwp If Every Day Was Like Christmas Time- Elvis Presley http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pRNMeIAqKk&feature=related Silent Night...Elvis Presley http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZUZ_twxVwY&feature=related Winter Wonderland - Elvis Presley.wmv http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWoMoHez3CY&feature=related Elvis Presley~I'll be home for Christmas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHvigPJ_ePw&feature=related Elvis Presley - Blue Christmas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a745wcUku0U&feature=related EVIS CHRISTMAS CONCERT BY PAUL PHOENIX 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWvXx_zSWuE =============================================================== >-->From Our Friend PatDeE :) .__. .==========. .(\\//). .-[ for you! ] .(\\()//)./ '==========' .----(\)\/(/)----. | ///\\\ | | ///||\\\ | | //`||||`\\ | | |||| | | |||| | | |||| | | |||| | | |||| | | |||| | jgs '------====------' >The Parable of the Wrapping Paper by Pat De E The father anguished over buying a gift for his beloved son. Times were hard and he could only afford one item. His son had his heart set on a new toy which was the latest rage. Christmas morning came, and there was a beautiful package waiting for the boy. The paper in which it was wrapped was exciting. It held...a promise.. Quickly tearing the paper off, the boy unwrapped the gift from his father. It was not what he had hoped for. It was a heavy coat. "How could this happen," he thought, "Didn't he know what I really wanted?" As the cruel winter wore on, the boy discovered that the gift which was not sought was greatly needed. __,_,_,___) _______ (--| | | (--/ ),_) ,_) | | | _ ,_,_ | |_ ,_ ' , _|_,_,_, _ , __| | | (/_| | (_| | | || |/_)_| | | |(_|/_)___, ( |___, ,__| \____) |__, |__, | _...._ \ _ / .::o:::::. (\o/) .:::'''':o:. --- / \ --- :o:_ _::: >*< `:}_>()<_{:' >0<@< @ `'//\\'` @ >>>@<<* @ # // \\ # @ >@>*<0<<< __#_#____/'____'\____#_#__ >*>>@<<<@<< [__________________________] >@>>0<<<*<<@< |=_- .-/\ /\ /\ /\--. =_-| >*>>0<<@<<<@<<< |-_= | \ \\ \\ \\ \ |-_=-| >@>>*<<@<>*<<0<*< |_=-=| / // // // / |_=-_| \*/ >0>>*<<@<>0><<*<@<< |=_- |`-'`-'`-'`-' |=_=-| ___\\U//___ >*>>@><0<<*>>@><*<0<< | =_-| o o |_==_| |\\ | | \\| >@>>0<*<<0>>@<<0<<<*<@< |=_- | ! ( ! |=-_=| | \\| | _(UU)_ >((*))_>0><*<0><@<<<0<*< _|-,-=| ! ). ! |-_-=|_ |\ \| || / //||.*.*.*.|>>@<<*<<@>><0<<@>>>>>| ( ~~~ )/ (((((((()))))))) ~~~~~~~~ '""""`------' `w---w` `------------' Gifts, generally are given in a spirit of love. They come gaily wrapped. The wrapping holds a promise of something good...something desirable...something to be saved or used. The paper, having served its purpose is destroyed or discarded as the gift is opened. (Sometimes frugal people save the wrapping, but eventually it is destroyed.) God, our loving Father sends us a gift also. The gift is wrapped in grace...love...and sinlessness. The wrapping is plain, not full of color and sparkle. It does not really call attention to itself. It will be broken and torn in order to get at the gift. "Then He took a loaf of bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is My body which is given for you'" (Luke 22:19) The gift the Father sends, the gift which humankind had not sought, but was greatly needed...is Salvation. "The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ, our Lord (Romans 6:23) | '.|.' -= + =- ___ .'|'. ___ ******* | ******* /-====) | (_.- )) | / '( )' ) )) / / _/ \_( (( | |-( _ _ )) ) ) / | \ //| |\\ /'-( ( / \ \/\/ *** \/\/ / ) ) | |\ / .=. \ / ( ( `-;./ ;-' _\/(")\/_ '-; ) ) | \ |'---'| / ( ( | \ _| |_ / ) ) _/ | /\ /\ | ( ( jgs .-/ / '=' \ ( )-. `""---`-----` `----`----`""` Lord, we thank You for Your gift, and we thank You for the wondrous and awesome wrapping. Amen --- ...Wonderfully written! Thank you PatDeE! Reminds me of this sweet teaching... The giver and His gift http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/givergift.html =================================================================== ||::|:|| .--------, |:||:|:| |_______ / .-. ||::|:|| ."` ___ `". {\('v')/} \\\/\///: .'` `'. ;____`( )'____ \====/ './ o o \|~ ^" "^ // \\// | ())) . | Season's \ || \ `.__.' /| // || _{``-.___.-'\| Greetings \ || _." `-.____.-'`| ___ // ||` __ \ |___/ \_______\ ."|| (__) \ \| / / `\/ __ vvvvv'\___/ | | (__) | \___/\ / || | .___. | || | | | ||.-' | '-. jgs || | ) ||----------'---------' >Dimes for a Stranger Story Editor: by Hope Pesner Joyce Schowalter Pennsylvania, USA My mother has always been one of those rare people that sees the good in everyone and does good things 'just because.' Life hasn't always been kind to her; she lost my oldest sister to leukemia in 1963 and just lost my father in 2007 after nearly 51 years of marriage. She's had her ups and downs, but has always maintained a positive, sunny outlook on life and has been very helpful to people. As an example, when I was in girl scouts in junior and senior high school, my mom drove me home from the meetings. She always waited for all the other girls to get picked up before driving home. She said, "I wouldn't want my daughter to wait alone, so I don't want any of the girls to wait alone." In the late 1970s, my other older sister had to have a pair of clogs, a hot fashion at the time. They were heavy slip-on shoes with tall soles. One day at home after school, my sister was chasing after our dog while wearing the clogs. She fell down and hurt her ankle and leg, prompting a necessary visit to the hospital emergency room. My mother immediately shifted into crisis mode, packed my sister into the car and drove to our local hospital. Because she was in such a rush to get to the hospital with my sister, my mother didn't call from home to tell my father that they were going to the emergency room. This was long before cell phones, instant messaging, texting and the Internet; so when she got to the hospital, she realized she needed to get in touch with my father immediately. He worked as a retail store manager and she wanted to let him know where they were. While waiting for my sister to be examined, my mother made her way to the pay phone to place her call. She put her dime in and called my father. She told him what had happened and where they were. After she hung up, the phone returned several additional dimes that mom wasn't owed. Realizing that the phone was broken, my mother decided to leave the extra dimes by the phone. She told us she left the money there because it was an emergency room -- in a crisis people might not remember to bring change with them to make that emergency call. She left the dimes there for someone else who might need them. I've often thought about her decision from an adult's perspective. I realize that someone seeing the money by the phone may have simply taken it, because not everyone was as trusting as my mother. But I like to believe that my mother's faith was well-placed, and that someone who needed them found the dimes waiting there. =======HeroicSories======= >-->From laugh&Lift: .-----. ( #-...'`\ \ # | _ )"===="| _ (_`"======"`_) /`""""""""`\ | o _o\ ,_ | (_>| ___ {` `}__ \ '.___/--# _ _ ."` `"=, `;"` `"=, '. ;-._:'\ {_}:_`'=='` _,=="""=,\ / _.-'`\ )===\ <)_/ __ `'--.=" _.====, `| ; _.'` _.;` .---""`====`-'\__.' `| `'_(| ^.^ |)/ ;'` _.:_^} / ()\ / )';_'='_/.' _ .'=_._\___.-|`|| || _ \___..--' \_.-' .'` '.=/(__/` | _`-.=||_||_||_||_|/` | | () | / / o| \ \_/ .=`-`/ \\_/ ; ; /`-,_/ o| |-' /`-..-' ~~ |/ \ ()/ `(`___ o/__/ \_/` / \ '. / _`\ \`""` \ __ __\ \ '-./ __, _.'`\ `; || `'.'._ /-"// {{o '.'. //" // ( `\ \_ || ,/`-.`./ // {{ \/`.`.// // \ .-`\ `\ jgs `\\_/ `'-.// `\\_/ `'; o// \___) `._____.' `"` `"` >Faith Like a Child Hi all, Today marks the start of a new feature I'll be running for the next 10 days or so, called "Faith Like a Child". Each day I'll be sharing a song, likely geared to go with the day's Lift, that is sung at least partially by children. Stay with me for a minute... You may wonder why I would feel this such a worthwhile thing. The Scriptures teach that we must come to God like a child - in simple faith. In many ways, we are to be like children - not childish mind you, but childlike (an important distinction). But often what happens is that as we get older and older, it gets harder and harder to tap into that childlike part of us, that really when you get down to it, we all have deep down there. There is something beautiful about just coming to the Lord in simplicity and honesty (without all those adult "masks" we've learned to aquire) - in reckless abandon - and, listening to children sing for some reason just seems to help us "all grown up" adults tap into that. Or, at least it does me. There is a reason why many Christian adults when you ask them what their favorite song is will still often boil it down to "Jesus Loves Me". Sometimes we need the simplicity that only songs sung by children can take us to. And that's why I'm doing this feature. In the hustle and bustle of all the Christmas noise, I hope you'll join me on this journey for the next week or two during this Christmas season (I can definitely think of no better time to run such a feature as this!), and take some time to really get back to basics with Jesus - back to that simple place where "Jesus Love Me this I know, for the Bible tells me so!" in this fast-paced, crazy world we're living in, this is something that's seemingly all but vanished - even among many believers. But it's crucially important. Some of the songs I'm going to be sharing are songs I enjoyed as a child, even BEFORE I really understood enough to give my heart to Jesus. Both last year and this year as my mom & I were/are facing so much uncertainty, I rediscovered several of those songs and can't tell you the blessing they've been for both my mom (68 yrs old) & I. In fact, as we travel to doctors appointments, we almost always put a custom-made mix CD of some of these songs on in the car! [no, I'm not "cool" by world standards - and I don't care! :) ] Today's song is the first song on that CD. I hope you find it a blessing and encouragement today. And now, before sharing, let me tell you where these songs I'm going to be sharing come from. The bulk of them (or all, possibly) come from the Psalty "Kids Praise!" CD's. The Psalty "Kids Praise!" CD's are a unique blend of both story and songs. They were made for children and teach specific concepts to children that draw them closer to Jesus. I have permission from the man behind Psalty (a big, blue, singing songbook) - Ernie Rettino - to share these songs with you. I do HIGHLY recommend, especially if you have a family with younger children, a purchase of the CD's. I really don't think you'll be disappointed. As I aluded to, I personally had some of these albums when I was a child (yes, they go back a little ways time-wise - but many of them truly are "timeless") and they were definitely a part of my own spiritual growth as a child - they helped draw me to Jesus - one of the best testimonies I could ever give for a product! My favorites back then are the same as my favorites today - "Kids Praise! 5" and "Kids Praise! 6" - and if I had to pick only one, I'd start with #5 (though "Kids Praise! 1" of course is the one that introduces everyone to Psalty). You can order CD's and read more at www.psalty.com If you're looking for a GREAT & UNIQUE Christmas gift you could share either with your own family or another family you know, you might really consider this (just make sure you order soon so they'll arrive in time). I know if I had a family with younger children, having these CD's would be great to play in the car on longer trips as something we could listen to together as a family that would be a benefit to my children, etc. Anyway, with that said, my purpose for sharing some of these songs in Laugh & Lift is, as stated, for us ADULTS - to help us all come to Jesus in childlike faith. I hope & pray that goal will be achieved and these will prove a blessing and encouragement to you. Today's Song: Cares Chorus To listen, please click on this link: http://www.laughandlift.com/members/audiovideo/careschorus.html Love to you all, Chris --- __ .-'` `\ /` _ | | / `',-'/ \ | e e\ (\\ _\| \` ,__ / __.-')'.___/`'. /` / _\ ; __\ / /___/ `'./`'(('. / (( o| )) \ / )) | (( \ | ._/(( o| )) \ _.--. \ '.) | ((\.-' '-._.,,,'` ,-` '._ '. o|_ )) '._ _.-' \\\\`--' ,\ __\'-._.-` )(( _.-'_.-;'```/ / \ \ (_;-'_.-' `""` / ||||-`)_.-'_,-' |.-._////.-\\.-' '-._ |.-;```` .._ '-. ) \ '._.' '-`.-;--' '. .'` \ jgs |`'-----'`\ \ | | \ \ | | `\ \ / | \ _| | _| | | / / \ | / / | | | / | | / / | | ',__.-( / \ | '. ;----`'._ '-. ) '-`. `) `"""` `'---' ...Ya know what I love to think about? Well, besides how great and good our Father God is and how wonderful our Lord and savior Jesus Christ is, I love to think of our eternity. Just think how tremendous of a time we are going to be having with some of our most beloved singers and musicians. Talk about a party! We can rejoice and praise God and our Lord with music to astound us and bless us and energy in a body that never tires! Now that is an awesome thought! ) _ \ ) (_) _ () \ .-'` \ ) {_} () .-'````'-. / ) \ / `'-. ___ /.------. \| \ () \ .-'`___`;/ __ `\ | __ () | .'.-'` __'.| o/__\o |/ / /| \/ / o /__\o\ \\// /; // / ._ \_| \\//|`-.__.-'|\ '; / / \ .' \-.___.'| || |/ \/ `._ '-/ | || '.___./ . '-.\_.-' __'-._||_.-' _ / .`""===(||).___.(||)(||)----'(||)===...__ `"jgs"`""=====""""========"""====...__ `""==._ `"=. `"=. `"=. Is it God's Will? Pss.66 [1] Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: Pss.81 [1] Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob. Pss.95 [1] O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. [2] Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. Pss.98 [4] Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. [6] With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King. Pss.100 [1] Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. , |\ __ | | |--| __ |/ | | |~' /|_ () () | //| \ |\ () | \|_ | | \ jgs \_|_/ () | | | @' () You Betcha! Aww, gee - 'make a joyful noise' appears 7 times! You know what that means? God repeated it 7 times and thus is connected with spiritual perfection. -<>- The Lift _..._ .~ `~. / } \ _.'`~~/ {_,} -( ,'-,___.' .-. / |_ /| __| |__ / ` |_/ [__ __] / \ / | | / '--;_ | | _\ `\ | | / |`-.___. / | | ^^^jgs^^^`--`------'`--`^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Thought for Today Faith is an area where growing up means we must become more like a child. | . | "-._ || : '. `~~`~88`~~^`~~`~^88~^`~~`~~`~^~`. `> ' . 88' ". _ '-"88` . ` ' . | .' ,'~^~8^~^`^~~^`^~8`~~~^~~~^~`; ' .-' 8 8 \ ` : ` 8 8 | : | 8 8 || ' 8 8 | | : 8 8 `| . ' 8 8 | .' | 8 \ 8 | . \ 8 8 || : 8\, ___ ,/8 | \ 8 \\//"\\// 8 `| | .' 8 \('_')/ 8 | .' (8'---`-'---'8) | | ' " 8`"-. .-"`8 | : | 8###|===\###8 | .' jgs #####\ \ \### | \ \ \ | | : ' \()() | | . | ' " -'-"_'"-'_"'-_'"-_''_"-"-_"-\ \/' ' "-_ --"-"_'"-_""-_'"--"'_-"-'\\/.\\' / /". "'"-"-'_-"_-"-_"-"'_'-"-"_``"-`"_`'""-`''""' >Cast All Your Cares On Him (By Dr. Ann Shorb) [Edited/additional text by Chris Long] I Peter 5:7 "casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." Recently I had a conversation with a friend. It was one of those conversations I will not soon forget, because it was a time when I was able to pour out my heart to her and share some of the things that I have been thinking about - those deep things that you do not share with anyone but a good, close friend - someone you trust. There are times when we pray and we long to pour out our heart to God, but for whatever reason we feel we cannot. I would encourage you to talk to God just like you would talk to that good, close friend - the one with whom you can pour out your heart and be completely unafraid. We read in Hebrews 4:15-16, "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." That verse is telling us that Jesus Christ, our High Priest, is a feeling person, and He can feel our pain and our infirmities. He was tempted like we are, and He knows what it is like. The next verse goes on, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." As you pray, I encourage you to go boldly before the throne of God. Tell Him the things that are on your heart. Tell Him your hurts and your pains, your disappointments, the things you struggle with, the things that you are tempted by. Do not hesitate. Do not think, "Well I can't tell God this. He doesn't want to hear it." He already knows anyway. You know, it was said of Martin Luther, the famous theologian, that when he began his prayers, he prayed with such repentance that you almost felt sorry for him. But then as he labored on in prayer, he prayed with such boldness that you almost feared for him because he spoke to God so boldly. He shared with God everything that was on his heart - his anger, his hurt, his pain, even at times his disappointments with God. We can do that (reverently, of course). Why? Because in I Peter 5:7 it says, "Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." God gives us permission to come boldly, to cast our cares on Him. My friend, I encourage you to do that. Come boldly before His throne. Tell Him everything just as you would a good, close friend, and enjoy the release of knowing that He cares and that He can do something about it. When you get down to it, God is much better than a good, close human friend because as fellow fallen humans, they can - and will eventually - fail you - and they really don't have the power to change your circumstances anyway. But God - as God, and not a mere human, does. Cast your cares on Him - trusting Him to take care of everything in the way He deems best for you. He cares for you. --- ...My two cents... .::""-, .::""-. /:: \ /:: \ |:: | _..--""""--.._ |:: | '\:.__ / .' '. \:.__ / ||____|.' _..---"````'---. '.||____| ||:. |_.' `'.||:. | ||:.-'` .-----. ';:. | ||/ .' '. \. | || / '-. '. \\ |. | ||:. _| ' \_\_\\/( \ | ||:.\_.-' ) || m `\.--._.-""-; ||:.(_ . '\ __'// m ^_/ / '. _.`. ||:. \__^/` _)```'-...' _ .-'.' '-. ||:..-'__ .' '. . ' '. `'. ||:(_.' .`' _. '`'-. '. . ''-._ ||:. : '. .' '. . ' ' '.` '._ ||:. : '. .' .::""-: .''. ' . . ' ':::""-. ||:. .' ..' . /:: \ '. . '. /:: \ ||:.' '. .' '. |:: | _.:---""---.._' |:: | ||. .: '\:.__ / .' -. .- '. \:.__ / ||: : '. . ||____|_.' .--. .--. '._||____| ||:'.___: '. .' ||:. | ( \/ ) ||:. | ||:___| \ '. : ||:. | '-. .-' ||:. | [[____] '. '.-._||:. | __ '..' __ ||:. | '. : ||:. | (__\ (\/) /__) ||:. | '. : ||:. | ` \/ ` ||:. | '-: ||:. | () ||:. | '._||:. |________________________||:. | jgs ||:___|'-.-'-.-'-.-'-.-'-.-'-.-||:___| [[____] [[____] Remeber too that while you figure God knows your heart, you are most certainly correct. However, he cannot step in and do anything for you unless you give him permission and ASK him to. God wants you to have your freedom of will. That means he won't intrude on your life unless he is invited to. It is why Jesus said to ASK and it shall be given unto you, Knock and it shall be opened unto you. Simple. You ask and God listens and takes care of all your need according his riches in Glory. Phil.4: 19] But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Eph.3 [20] Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Your believing, trust and faith along with your prayers is all it takes. SUBSCRIBE INFO Want to receive a Christian inspirational item AND great clean humor in an email to you each day of the week? It's easy and FREE! Read all about Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com ================================================================ >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: [_]___[_]__[_]___[_] [__#__][__I_]__I__#] [_I_#_I__#[__]__#__] [_]_#_]__I_#_] [I_|/ _W_ \|#] [#_||{(")}||_] [_I||{/~\}||_] [__]|/\_/\||#] [_I__I#___]__] [__I_#_I___#_] [#__I____]__I] .-. [__I_#__I__[_] __|=|__ [_#_[__#_]__#] (_/`-`\_) [__#_I__[#_I_] //\___/\\ [_I__]__#_I__] <>/ \<> [#__I__#_]__I] \|_._|/ [_I#__I___I_#] .:. <_I_> [#__I__]_#___] -=o=- ||| [_I__I#__]___] ':' jgs /_|_\ \\[__]#___][__#]//, \|/ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >Whimsical Valley by Patrick Drysdale Once upon a time... there was a town called Whimsical Valley. It was a theatrical place where everyone pretended to be all sorts of different characters. They all enjoyed playing various roles just for the fun of it. A man on one side of town imagined himself to be a knight in shining armor. A woman on the other side of the city idealized herself as a damsel in distress and their appropriate roles drew them together. Still others fancied themselves as heavenly messengers with a mission to save the world. In the beginning, everyone relished playing a certain personality one day and something else the next. But after a while their amusement turned into monotonous drudgery and they would play the same roles over and over again. And after a while the people of Whimsical Valley had performed their parts for so long that they started believing in their starry-eyed roles. They found it harder and harder to remove their disguises and eventually their masks started sticking to their faces. One day a wise magician was passing through town. He saw that the people had trouble removing their masks so he went to the local paper and took out an ad for a free demonstration of his Miracle Mask Remover. "No sticky sprays or messy powders," the ad read. "Guaranteed to remove masks with continued application." Almost everyone in Whimsical Valley saw the ad but only a few showed up. The magician understood that most had grown so accustomed to their masks that they no longer believed that they wore them. He knew that they didn't think his presentation held anything in it for them. On the night of the exhibition he passed out free samples of the mask remover and instructions on how to apply it. He urged the attendees to become aware that they were acting from fictitious ideas about themselves and explained to them that they were too identified with the parts they played. "You've worn your masks for so long," he said, "that you don't even know you have them on anymore. But if you practice these instructions everyday," the magician continued, "your masks will eventually fall off." Then he vanished. Some of the people felt that the wise man had a good product but were not convinced that they themselves wore false faces. They took their bottles home and never opened them and continued to act out the roles of their masks, all the while believing that they were being themselves. Some of the people even resented the magician suggesting that they were someone other than who they thought they were. They went around telling the others in Whimsical Valley that the magician was a fraud. But some of the people who attended the demonstration tried the mask remover. Most forgot to use it everyday because it was a new activity for them, but when ever they remembered, they applied the magician's instructions. It wasn't until their masks started coming loose that they were even able to really believe that they wore them. One by one, the brave people who practiced the magician's instructions took great delight in rediscovering their authentic features. Each one knew that this was the familiar appearance he used to know and felt nothing but gratitude for the wise man's visit. He had helped them return to what they originally were. Interested in finding your authentic identity? Here are three simple rules to keep in mind. The first is that there's nothing for you to do, only something to understand. It's important to remember that your genuine features are mixed in with a lot of acquired identifications of what you think you should be. You are not your physical body, your personality, thoughts, feelings, home, career, bank account or any concepts that you may have about yourself. You are just as different from these things as you are from the clothes you put on in the morning. When you get rid of false identifications, some areas of your life that previously seemed to fit will stop fitting. Shifts in taste and perception frequently accompany shifts in identity. One of the clearest signals that something healthy is afoot is the impulse to weed out, sort through, and discard old clothes, papers, and belongings. Half your wardrobe may start to look funny. You may decide to reupholster a couch or just toss it out. Musical bents may alter. There may even be bursts of spontaneous singing and running. In short, your real tastes and personal identity will start to emerge. What you've been doing is wiping your inner mirror. Up till now, there's been a blur between you and your real self but as you drop identifications, your image becomes clearer and it may surprise you. You'll discover likes and dislikes that you hadn't acknowledged. Perhaps a fondness for ivy. So why do you have all those cactuses? A dislike for brown. No wonder you never feel right wearing that brown sweater that everyone else likes. Conditioned as we are to accept other people's definitions of us, this emerging individuality can often seem like self-will run amuck. It isn't. The second is not to assume you already know everything there is to know about yourself. There's a lot more comprising your entirety than you realize. Thinking that you presently understand yourself is like gazing at the tip of an iceberg and taking for granted you've seen the whole thing. In actuality, most of what you do and say is determined unconsciously. Most of our behavior, for example, has been learned by unconsciously imitating others. People are strange. It's as if we have an inborn mechanism that automatically makes us imitate anything we see or hear. Believe it or not, almost everything we do and say is because we've heard somebody else do and say it first. I did an experiment once to see if others could be influenced to behave differently without their knowing it. I gave it a time limit of one month. Everyday I repeated the same nonsensical gestures over and over again while talking with them. Guess what? Before the month was up, two others were already performing rudimentary versions of my silly displays. This confirmed my suspicion that people will unconsciously imitate any behavior as long as they see somebody else do it first. But seeing how easy it was to influence others didn't prepare me for the stunning conclusion from this experiment. The unexpected eye- opener was that if I wanted others to change their behavior, I had to first change mine. Why? Because people can't perform a new behavior until someone first shows them what it looks like. Once they see how it's done, they'll automatically mimic this fresh conduct without question. "Imitate what you see" seems to be one of the laws of the unconscious. Finally, realize that no person or circumstance can stop you from experiencing this natural state. Your innate self is something you can enjoy in this life right here on earth. It's a rediscovery of what you essentially are and not a rare occurrence reserved for a privileged few. It's an interior growth into spiritual maturity. With patience and persistence, you'll start realizing who you are and, more importantly, what you're not. Understand that you don't need to start from anywhere than where you are right now and that no sincere effort on your part is ever wasted. Begin with the thought that having just a little bit of light leads to more light. It always does. No one goes to a king and asks for a penny. Try applying this same principle to your inner life and make a bold request to experience your genuine nature from one end to the other. Just dare a lot and you'll get a lot. Wholeness guaranteed. - Patrick Drysdale -<>- __-----__ ..;;;--'~~~`--;;;.. /;-~IN GOD WE TRUST~-.\ // ,;;;;;;;; \\ .// ;;;;; \ \\ || ;;;;( /.| || || ;;;;;;; _\ || || ';; ;;;;= || ||LIBERTY | ''\;;;;;; || \\ ,| '\ '|><| 1995 // \\ | | \ A // `;.,|. | '\.-'/ ~~;;;,._|___.,-;;;~' ''=--' >Penny by: Bill Greer, Chicken Soup for the Veteran's Soul Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband's employer's home. My friend, Arlene, was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway, and cars costing more than her house. The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live. The husband's employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants. Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so was enjoying herself immensely. As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her husband. He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment. Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him. There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped, and a few cigarette butts. Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny. He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure. How absurd! What need did this man have for a single penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up? Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She causally mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value. A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this? "Look at it." He said. "Read what it says." She read the words "United States of America." "No, not that; read further." "One cent?" "No, keep reading." "In God we Trust?" "Yes!" "And?" "And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin. Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him? Who am I to pass it by? When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God; that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God's way of starting a conversation with me. Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful! When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk. I stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying and fretting in my mind about things I cannot change. I read the words, "In God We Trust," and had to laugh. Yes, God, I get the message. It seems that I have been finding an inordinate number of pennies in the last few months, but then, pennies are plentiful! And, God is patient... Have a blessed day!! The best mathematical equation I have ever seen: 1 cross + 3 nails -------- 4 given -<>- __ /\/'-, ,--''''' /" ____,'. ) \___ '"""""------'"""`-----' pb >Butcher A butcher watching over his shop is really surprised when he saw a dog coming inside the shop. He shoos him away. But later, the dog is back again. So, he goes over to the dog and notices he has a note in his mouth. He takes the note and it reads "Can I have 12 sausages and a leg of lamb, please. The dog has money in his mouth, as well." The butcher looks inside and, lo and behold, there is a ten dollar Note there. So he takes the money and puts the sausages and lamb in a bag, placing it in the dog's mouth. The butcher is so impressed, and since it's about closing time, he decides to shut up shop and follow the dog. So off he goes. The dog is walking down the street when he comes To a level crossing. The dog puts down the bag, jumps up and presses the button. Then he waits patiently, bag in mouth, for the lights to turn. They do, and he walks across the road, with the butcher following him all the way. The dog then comes to a bus stop, and starts looking at the timetable. The butcher is in awe at this stage. The dog checks out the times, and then sits on one of the seats provided. Along comes a bus. The dog walks around to the front, looks at the number, and goes back to his seat. Another bus comes. Again the dog goes and looks at the number, notices it's the right bus, and climbs on. The butcher, by now, open- mouthed, follows him onto the bus. The bus travels through the town and out into the suburbs, the dog Looking at the scenery. Eventually he gets up, and moves to the front of the bus. He stands on 2 back paws and pushes the button to stop the bus. Then he gets off, his groceries still in his mouth. Well, dog and butcher are walking along the road, and then the dog turns into a house. He walks up the path, and drops the groceries on the step. Then he walks back down the path, takes a big run, and throws himself against the door. He goes back down the path, runs up to the door and again, it throws himself against it. There's no answer at the house, so the dog goes back down the path, jumps up on a narrow wall, and walks along the perimeter of the garden. He gets to the window, and beats his head against it several times, walks back, jumps off, and waits at the door. The butcher watches as a big guy opens the door, and starts abusing the dog, kicking him and punching him, and swearing at him. The butcher runs up, and stops the guy. "What in heaven's name are You doing? The dog is a genius. He could be on TV, for the life of me!" to which the guy responds: "You call this clever? This is the second time this week that this stupid dog's forgotten his key." Reflection: Looks like some, people will never be satisfied with what they've got. When it comes to the work place, Employers do not know how to appreciate their people who have served them loyally through the years. I've seen companies lose good people for the simple fact their leaders failed to show appreciation. Employers with big egos enjoy the fact that they have more power and authority than others. They show, in the way they give orders and directions, that they think they are superior. They get a kick out of displaying this superiority. People who do this are fools, and everyone but them knows it. They are never satisfied because they could not be satisfied even if their people perform well. They don't listen to the opinion and ideas of their subordinates. Why? Because of their stupid pride and insecurity. People of this kind will never be satisfied. Why? Because they are so busy wrapped up in themselves and, fact is, the self can never be satisfied. Happy and productive people are always those who are "others-centered" rather than "self- centered." The greatest idea of leadership is not someone who throws his weight around. Rather, he is a servant. As Bible would say, "He who wish to be a leader should first be a servant." His joy is derived from delivering a job that others benefit from his contribution. Aim for service and success will follow. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment New Guy In Prison http://www.buffaloschips.com/jhtgtr.htm New Robot http://www.buffaloschips.com/uijhgyugu.htm New Saw http://www.buffaloschips.com/jhytfr.htm Nice One http://www.buffaloschips.com/uiy.htm Night Before Christmas http://www.buffaloschips.com/uyt.htm When Was Jesus Christ Born? http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/whenjesusborn.html Military Motivational Posters http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/military.html Ford's First RV http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/firstrv.html Lean On Me http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/leanonme.html Thoughts For Today! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thoughts.html Thinkers And Their Desks http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/desks.html Salvation Mountain! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/salvation.html Christmas Around The World! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/christmasworld.html Disney Christmas! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/disneychristmas.html Visit Our Site at http://www.inspiredbuffalo.com If you are looking to join any of our other fine e-zines visit http://www.buffalosjokes.com ========================================================= >-->From CupO'Cheer: ."";._ _.---._ _.-"". /_.'_ '-' /`-` \_ \ .' / `\ \ /` \ '. .' / ; _ _ '-; \ ;'. _.' ; /\ / \ \ \ ; '._;._ .-'.--. | / | \0|0/ \ | '-. / /` \ | / .' \ | .---. \ | | | / /--' .-"""-. \ \/ \ | \ \ / / / ( , , ) /\ \ | / \ '----' .' | '-(_)-' | | '. / / `'----'` | '. | `'----'` jgs \ `/ '. , .' `-.____.' '.____.-' \ / '-' >CONNECTING THE DOTS There they were.... numbered, random dots all over the page. They had no form and no substance and they made no sense. They were just scattered dots on a blank page and they had to be connected to reveal the picture hidden in them. I can remember bending all my energy and patience into joining the dots to make a picture. I had no idea why this dot had to be joined to that dot or why this line had to go this way and then veer off in a strange direction to the next dot. But when all the lines were drawn, the secret of the dots was revealed as a beautiful house. I kept the picture for many years because it reminded me that great plans are sometimes hidden from our view. If your life sometimes feels like a page of unconnected dots, remember the Lord does not show us the whole picture all at once. He said “I alone know my purpose for you”, Jeremiah 29:11. It's His secret and the secret lies hidden in the dots. His picture is ‘as high as the heavens are high above the earth, his ways high above ours, and his thoughts above our thoughts’ (Isaiah 55:8,9.) It is a big picture. Paul found it. When he connected the dots of his life he found the picture that was hidden in them. He said it was God’s purpose was "to reveal his Son in and through me." (Galatians 1:16.) Keep that picture in mind when the dots seem senseless and unconnected because God never loses sight of the picture he has hidden in you. -Elizabeth Price -<>- _____________________________________________ | _________________________________________ | | |26.1.00 | | Z | | | | z | | Napoleon Bonaparte | | z .-------------------------------------. | | Z | ...and then, in 1808, he entered... | | | z | ... he ente... hez... zZzZzZzZ | | | '-,-----------------------------------' | | ___ _/ | | | | .´ __) | |_________________________________________| | ( /_ _(\ |_____________________________________________| ( _| > )) ( ( (---'-. (_ `)\-`` ) `/-/ ) \ ----(__.´--------------. \ \ \\_______________________\ |,------------------------' >NO DESKS A lesson that should be taught in all U.S. Schools, and colleges In September of 2005, Martha Cothren, a History teacher at Robinson High School in Little Rock, did something not to be forgotten. On the first day of school, with the permission of the school superintendent, the principal and the building supervisor, she removed all of the desks out of her classroom. The kids in her first class entered the room discovered that there were no desks. "Ms. Cothren, where are our desks?" She said, "You can't have a desk until you tell me how you earn the right to sit at a desk." They thought, "Is it our grades?" "'No." "Is it our behavior?" She told them, "No, it's not your behavior either." And so, the kids came and went, the first period, second period, third period and there were still no desks in the classroom. By early afternoon, television news crews had started gathering in Ms. Cothren's classroom to report about this crazy teacher who had taken all the desks out of her room. The kids in her final period came in the class looking puzzled and found seats on the floor of the deskless classroom. Martha Cothren said, "Throughout the day no one has been able to tell me what he or she has done to earn the right to sit at the desks that are ordinarily found in this classroom. Now I am going to tell you." Martha Cothren then went over to the door of her classroom and opened it. 27 U.S. Veterans, all in uniforms, walked into that classroom, each one carrying a school desk. They began placing the school desks they were carrying in rows and then walk over and stand alongside the wall. By the time the last soldier had set the final desk in place those kids started to understand, perhaps for the first time in their lives, just how the right to sit at those desks had been earned. Martha said, "You didn't earn the right to sit at these desks, these heroes did it for you. They placed the desks here for you. Now, it's up to you to sit in them. It is your responsibility to learn, to be good students, to be good citizens. They paid the price so that you could have the freedom to get an education. Don't ever forget it." -author unknown --- ...My two cents... Remember only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ And the American Soldier. One died for your soul, so that you might have life and you might have it more abundantly. John 10:10 The other for your freedom. -<>- ___ .-----------------------|-. /-.__ | _.----. |(@/,==-.| .^.7\.^. .'--. //./^-\\\ |_/|\'L')| ._.'/))##((\'.|"_"| ./ ,-.\\ / |___`.| `-'m####m'-`|`" | \," =` )) / | 7\ |_| .---"""""""" -+"-"' ( =` ? ; / | _\_| |.---------- --| \ .' .|. / || @)| || |,####. []`___ (||) |__\| || .=. .###### `. |.`. | || .O-O' (-,#### __________/....) | || u,`(__|\_"""/,'............./ | || .\,'..u/ `.-'..........._,- | || ,..`...| \,/...........<'' | || `......| >(..........`. \ | || `....'| ;-\...........`.) Norman | || _ _ _`-'..|/_.'\.'......._,"'_,-Rockwell| || (_|_| /`../-'`| \(`-._,"'` ( \________| |'"--`|~|---------"' _>=n" 7 )_ '---\~'=' ____.-][,' \/ ) |=.--'' || |( _..__ ___ | ||| || ||\ `.,-';,____`'' / | |||.==="||`._|| \ } `"======="' |____ |||__..===" || |\ ' :: :: |''';`'-. [|| [] ][\ \ :: :: |._(_7_.:' [] || YN. .'------:: | / ; __."" ;--\:________:-< , / _.--'` (__): ::_)`-....' :: :: --...__ dew " " "" >LIFE IS A GIFT Today before you think of saying an unkind word Think of someone who can't speak Before you complain about the taste of your food Think of someone who has nothing to eat Before you complain about your husband or wife Think of someone who's crying out to God for a companion Today before you complain about life Think of someone who went too early to the grave Before you complain about your children Think of someone who desires children but they're barren Before you argue about your dirty house; someone didn't clean or sweep Think of the people who are living in the streets Before whining about the distance you drive Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet And when you are tired and complain about your job Think of the unemployed, the disabled and those who wished they had your job But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another Remember that not one of us are without sin and we all answer to one maker And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down Put a smile on your face and thank God you're alive and still around Life is a gift... Live it... Enjoy it... Celebrate it... And fulfill it.... as seen in Inspiration Plus To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ============================================================== (\ _\_(`\_ `/` _ `/,-'=/` _,'|`._ /' `/` ,-' |||._ `-._ i_i _,-' ,-' || `__ `-._ "=(. .)=" _,-' _,-' --||- (..=`/._ `-/#\ ( i_i ,\ _,-' | )|_|-==` \_)`-/ /v "=(. .)=" ,' ,|/ \ |__||\ //|\\ / / #/ ,/ \ ( ,' ,' ((_.--._)) || )(/|\)' /# ; ,/ #,/v ,' ,' |`- -' ||/ (/\\ / #; ,/# ,/ ,' ' / | \ */"-._ |/ _____,-''"/_)/__ / ,',---|((_.--._(__/ _.--""_____)-//_______"-. (,-.)| `- -( _,"_.--"" |||(( __ "-.: ___,/ ;| \ */ _\'_," (\__/) |||\\\ |__`,()() . \ (,_.) (_| (__/,'_,' /_/)=\.\. = |||||| | `( ` ``\|\)\ ( ;.__| _,-'_,' =//. ==> _7)< |||||| |`` , ` * "") ___\ _,--'_,-' //_(7__/) ////\ |||||| |``` \___.--' \_"""_,--' <*)_//'"" )/_/-"""":|||||,""""(("-._/ | """" ) ( _(-' _.---"\___,----. |||||| | ,' "`._ ,(( | ) ( \_/' ,' _"" "_ `.||||| |,"\\'--._) "._ \ \_/<. .>""( ( . .) )|||| |\\ \/,"\\ /`--._) <. .>|_/\| \/ ) \,-( \(||||| | \\)"\\ \) ||_/( ( | |\/ /, \ \ )\\(:|||||,()""""-.:| | \ `-\ | |__\/, :`/-`._____,-""_,' ctr:| |"""\___,""""""""""""""\(_,( (__,-"||---""""""; \---""""---------""""""""````/////))----""""/ ~~~\ ~///////~ ~/~~~~~ \ ~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ /~~~~/ ~~/ ~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >-->ARE YOU RENEWING YOUR DREAMS? "Grandpa," a young girl asked, "were you in the ark with Noah?" "Certainly not, my dear," Grandpa replied in astonishment. "Then," the puzzled child continued, "why weren't you drowned?" Maybe he seemed older than Noah to her, but seniors may be finally getting respect they rightfully deserve. Hugh Downs reported that when senior adults are properly motivated, their intelligence does not wane. In fact, the ability to organize thinking may increase as folks age. Many people in their 50's, 60's and even 70's can go through college with greater efficiency than at 18. Adults over 70 years of age have contributed richly and in varied ways. - Emmanuel Kant wrote his finest philosophical works at age 74. - Verdi at 80 produced "Falstaff" and at 85, "Ave Maria." - Goethe was 80 when he completed "Faust." - Tennyson was 80 when he wrote "Crossing the Bar." - Michelangelo completed his greatest work at 87. - At 90, Justice Holmes was still writing brilliant American Supreme Court opinions. And then there's George Dawson. George learned to read at age 98. (He was forced to quit school when he was a small child in order to help support his family.) "I got tired of writing my name with an 'X,'" he said. Four years later, at age 102, he wrote his autobiography, LIFE IS SO GOOD (2001, Penguin Group). Dreams are renewable. They need not expire like an over-due library book. No matter our age, we can breathe new life into old dreams. I believe that the best age is the age you are, but something even better awaits just ahead for those with the courage to dream and to act. Are you renewing your dreams? --By Steve Goodier =========================================================== ___ / __'. .-"""-. .-""-| | '.'. / .---. \ / .--. \ \___\ \/ /____| | / / \ `-.-;-(`_)_____.-'._ ; ; `.-" "-:_,(o:==..`-. '. .-"-, | | / \ / `\ `. \ / .-. \ \ \ | Y __...\ \ \ / / \/ /\ | | | .--""--.| .-' \ '.`---' / \ \ / / |` \' _...--.; '---'` \ '-' / jgs /_..---.._ \ .'\\_ `. `--'` .' (_) `'/ (_) / `._ _.'| .' ``````` '-...--'` May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace, The gladness of Christmas give you hope, The warmth of Christmas grant you love. >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->BECOMING A CHRISTIAN HOW TO BE A CHRISTIAN! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->This is for all you who love food 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? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe ************************************************************************ >TO SUBSCRIBE: Visit Here This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR For the Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ************************************************************************