Merry Christmas! ... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our ShangyFunList: Group Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* Please Consider Giving To ShangralaFamilyFun.com The cost of the website has gone up dramatically due to the ever increasingly wonderful pages and photos being added each week to entertain you and our fellow Christian families. If every one would chip in $25 or more, we'd be good for the whole year! So Please - I need your help today! "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a Shangrala Angel, the easiest way to do that is through online giving. It is easy to use, and most of all, it is secure. Please visit the site, scroll down and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL form page comes up. NOTE: Paypal will generate a 'Quantity 1' and 'Price per item' form. Just ignore the price per item and put whatever it is you desire to give in there. With Paypal, you will have your normal receipt for your 'payment' donation in USD (United States Dollars). You can put a memo in there if you'd like. Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY FOR YOUR GIFT! ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! AND For Facebook Users: Please Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND Please Share This with All Your Friends And Family! ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! ================ __,_,_,___) _______ (--| | | (--/ ),_) ,_) | | | _ ,_,_ | |_ ,_ ' , _|_,_,_, _ , __| | | (/_| | (_| | | || |/_)_| | | |(_|/_)___, ( |___, ,__| \____) |__, |__, | _...._ \ _ / .::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` `------------' *~* A MERRY Blessed and Safe CHRISTMAS To All! *~* Wishing Everyone a blessed Christmas Celebration full of love, joy, peace, and happiness from God Almighty through his beloved Son and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! God's Most Abundant Blessings to You and Yours :) -<>- Merry Christmas From Pres.Trump: "God sent His Son to Redeem Us" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RovAF-EeUQ IN PHOTOS: ‘America the Beautiful’ Christmas at the White House https://tinyurl.com/yy3h5rnc -<>- * . . . | . * * . \|/ . . -->*<-- . /|\ . ' | ' * | . * . | . ' _ _ .:. . ( | .-. ___ .'_`. WWW \w/ \V/ |/(_)\ .'.-.`. `(_)' (_) (_) (_) |// \\ `/(_)\' // \\ _/ | _/ | _/ | _ _ \/| |/ //)_(\\ \| |/ %%__/| $$__/| &&__/| _-(_)- _-(_)- | | | /(o___))\ | | | | | | | | `(___) `(___) | | | ` / \' | | | | | | | | jgs // \\ // \\ | |_| /_____\ |_| |_| |_| |_| >From our Friend Fran :) One Bright Shining Star So long ago, so far away On a star filled silent night A miracle of birth took place Oh! What a Holy sight! The Angels filled a starry sky To trumpet in His birth For on this night a King was born And graced all upon this earth. With One Bright Shining Star The Angels led the way To guide them to the manger Where the tiny Boy Child lay. Just One Bright Shining Star They followed on that day And when they found the manger They all knelt down to pray. Peace on Earth, good will to all Sang a choir of Angel voices Jesus comes to us this night And all the world rejoices! ~ by Charlotte Anselmo --- ...So lovely! Thanks Fran! -<>- >-->2 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press Our two too hot to handle new pages are from our friend GinaB. They are sure to delight you with plenty of eye candy and put you in a wonderful festive Christmas spirit. Turn up your sound and check out these here... , /:\ _/\ ):( _);( .-"");(_) ;_< _.' \8Oo;_< .--; .8-. | `. / \ `. `. |====| `. `. (,----.) hjw ()' `. `(`""\"' `.__/ O Carol Of The Bells! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/carolofbells.html + * + + + `.!.' * + + -=x=- + .'!`. * + + ! * + + + + + * + * + ,-. * //"\\ + * + * // \\ * // = \\ + w w w + + //___o O \\ \O O O ||\_/|\|\ || + |\ `|\ '|\ _ ___||_Y_| \_\||_________|_\_|_\__|_\ hjw Mary, Did You Know? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mary.html --- ...Wow! Spectacular! Thanks GinaB! -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Speaking of Mary, You may all be interested in this from our friends at CES... Hello and God bless you! We have added an article, and audio teaching, to TruthOrTradition.com titled Mary, the Mother of Jesus: Defining True Greatness. This teaching covers many aspects of Mary's life and character that show she was a truly great woman of God. Her family pedigree was exalted and spotless. She was born into spiritual royalty because she was a descendant of David through his son Solomon and down through the kings of Judah, including such greats as Asa, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, and Josiah. Mary was a woman of faith, courage, humility, praise, and prayer. She was a good wife and mother, and an exemplary disciple of Christ. Nevertheless, Mary often is not given the recognition she deserves, and that is primarily due to all the fanciful things that have been taught about her, such as that she was a “perpetual virgin,” or that she answers prayers and dispenses grace. These unbiblical things tend to make the average Protestant Christian avoid studying her life, which is sad, because she was an awesome believer. We can learn a lot from the woman who was chosen by God to bear His only begotten Son. - By John Schoenheit. To view this article and/or listen to the audio teaching go here. http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=887 =========================================================== >-->A Heartwarming Story _______ ___/_____ _)____ .-'-' ____)______) | .-' ______)__) | --- _______)) | `-. _______)) `---.___________) VK >An Anonymous Story called "Daniel's Gloves" (Author Unknown or is it? Please. Read on.) I sat, with two friends, in the picture window of a quaint restaurant just off the corner of the town-square. The food and the company were both especially good that day. As we talked, my attention was drawn outside, across the street. There, walking into town, was a man who appeared to be carrying all his worldly goods on his back. He was carrying, a well-worn sign that read, 'I will work for food.' My heart sank. I brought him to the attention of my friends and noticed that others around us had stopped eating to focus on him. Heads moved in a mixture of sadness and disbelief. We continued with our meal, but his image lingered in my mind. We finished our meal and went our separate ways. I had errands to do and quickly set out to accomplish them. I glanced toward the town square, looking somewhat halfheartedly for the strange visitor. I was fearful, knowing that seeing him again would call some response. I drove through town and saw nothing of him. I made some purchases at a store and got back in my car. Deep within me, the Spirit of God kept speaking to me: 'Don't go back to the office until you've at least driven once more around the square...' Then with some hesitancy, I headed back into town. As I turned the square's third corner, I saw him. He was standing on the steps of the store front church, going through his sack. I stopped and looked; feeling both compelled to speak to him, yet wanting to drive on. The empty parking space on the corner seemed to be a sign from God: an invitation to park. I pulled in, got out and approached the town's newest visitor. 'Looking for the pastor?' I asked... 'Not really,' he replied, 'just resting.' 'Have you eaten today?' 'Oh, I ate something early this morning.' 'Would you like to have lunch with me?' 'Do you have some work I could do for you?' 'No work,' I replied 'I commute here to work from the city, but I would like to take you to lunch.' 'Sure,' he replied with a smile. As he began to gather his things, I asked some surface questions. Where you headed?' 'St. Louis ' 'Where you from?' 'Oh, all over; mostly Florida ....' 'How long you been walking?' 'Fourteen years,' came the reply. I knew I had met someone unusual. We sat across from each other in the same restaurant I had left earlier. His face was weathered slightly beyond his 38 years. His eyes were dark yet clear, and he spoke with an eloquence and articulation that was startling. He removed his jacket to reveal a bright red T-shirt that said, 'Jesus is The Never Ending Story.' Then Daniel's story began to unfold.. He had seen rough times early in life. He'd made some wrong choices and reaped the consequences.. Fourteen years earlier, while backpacking across the country, he had stopped on the beach in Daytona. He tried to hire on with some men who were putting up a large tent and some equipment.. A concert, he thought. He was hired, but the tent would not house a concert but revival services, and in those services he saw life more clearly... He gave his life over to God 'Nothing's been the same since,' he said, 'I felt the Lord telling me to keep walking, and so I did, some 14 years now.' 'Ever think of stopping?' I asked. 'Oh, once in a while, when it seems to get the best of me But God has given me this calling. I give out Bibles That's what's in my sack... I work to buy food and Bibles, and I give them out when His Spirit leads..' I sat amazed. My homeless friend was not homeless.. He was on a mission and lived this way by choice. The question burned inside for a moment and then I asked: 'What's it like?' 'What?' 'To walk into a town carrying all your things on your back and to show your sign?' 'Oh, it was humiliating at first. People would stare and make comments. Once someone tossed a piece of half-eaten bread and made a gesture that certainly didn't make me feel welcome. But then it became humbling to realize that God was using me to touch lives and change people's concepts of other folks like me.' My concept was changing, too. We finished our dessert and gathered his things. Just outside the door, he paused He turned to me and said, 'Come Ye blessed of my Father and inherit the kingdom I've prepared for you.. For when I was hungry you gave me food, when I was thirsty you gave me drink, a stranger and you took me in.' I felt as if we were on holy ground. 'Could you use another Bible?' I asked. He said he preferred a certain translation. It traveled well and was not too heavy. It was also his personal favorite.. 'I've read through it 14 times,' he said. 'I'm not sure we've got one of those, but let's stop by our church and see' I was able to find my new friend a Bible that would do well, and he seemed very grateful. 'Where are you headed from here?' I asked. 'Well, I found this little map on the back of this amusement park coupon.' 'Are you hoping to hire on there for awhile?' 'No, I just figure I should go there. I figure someone under that star right there needs a Bible, so that's where I'm going next.' He smiled, and the warmth of his spirit radiated the sincerity of his mission. I drove him back to the town-square where we'd met two hours earlier, and as we drove, it started raining. We parked and unloaded his things. 'Would you sign my autograph book?' he asked.. 'I like to keep messages from folks I meet.' I wrote in his little book that his commitment to his calling had touched my life. I encouraged him to stay strong. And I left him with a verse of scripture from Jeremiah, 'I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you; Plans to give you a future and a hope.' 'Thanks, man,' he said. 'I know we just met and we're really just strangers, but I love you.' 'I know,' I said, 'I love you, too.' 'The Lord is good!' 'Yes, He is.. How long has it been since someone hugged you?' I asked. A long time,' he replied And so on the busy street corner in the drizzling rain, my new friend and I embraced, and I felt deep inside that I had been changed.. He put his things on his back, smiled his winning smile and said, 'See you in the New Jerusalem.' 'I'll be there!' was my reply. He began his journey again. He headed away with his sign dangling from his bedroll and pack of Bibles. He stopped, turned and said, 'When you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?' 'You bet,' I shouted back, 'God bless.' 'God bless.' And that was the last I saw of him. Late that evening as I left my office, the wind blew strong.. The cold front had settled hard upon the town. I bundled up and hurried to my car. As I sat back and reached for the emergency brake, I saw them..... a pair of well-worn brown work gloves neatly laid over the length of the handle. I picked them up and thought of my friend and wondered if his hands would stay warm that night without them. Then I remembered his words: 'If you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?' Today his gloves lie on my desk in my office.. They help me to see the world and its people in a new way, and they help me remember those two hours with my unique friend and to pray for his ministry. 'See you in the New Jerusalem,' he said. Yes, Daniel, I know I will... 'I shall pass this way but once. Therefore, any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again.' My instructions were to send this to four people that I wanted God to bless and I picked you. Please pass this to four people you want to be blessed. This prayer is powerful and there is nothing attached. Please do not break this pattern. Prayer is one of the best gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of rewards. Let's continue to pray for one another.. God bless and have a nice day! 'Dear God, My Father, I ask you to bless my friends, relatives and e-mail buddies reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of your love and power. I ask you to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Bless them please. Where there is pain, give them your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through your grace, In Jesus' precious Name Amen.' I sent this to more than four, but this story is so touching I felt each of you would enjoy it greatly. --- ...Aww, wasn't this sweet? Now This Story Is Truly Awesome - AND Ya Gotta Love it! You Know Why? BECAUSE IT IS TRUE! The author is Richard Ryan assistant pastor of The Old Capitol United Methodist Church in Corydon, Indiana. It was first published in the Corydon Democrat Magazine in 1995. http://www.snopes.com/glurge/daniel.asp =========================================================== >-->From Daily Encounter: ,(()). ,;;;;. __ ________ _____ ___ ((_ _));'_`'_( _| __ __ __ _| _| _| __ __ () \ /)\ ) / (_|__ _|-_| _(_|(_|(_|__ _|-- ((\ O(() \ O / _____(_|(_|_____________(_|_ SSt >Praises of Christmas “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, rebuke your disciples!’ ‘I tell you’, he replied, ‘if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.’"1 Last week my family and I were watching a Christmas special on television. It was a two-hour special with numerous vocal artists singing a variety of Christmas songs. After watching, we had an interesting conversation about the words of the songs we heard. These songs are filled with praise to God for the birth of His Son, Jesus. There was one song and artist that stood out to me the most. This artist does not say to be a Christian, nor do they necessarily live a life that would indicate they are followers of Jesus, yet they whole heartedly sung out the lyrics to “O Holy Night", which clearly says: “O holy night, the stars are brightly shining, it is the night of our dear Savior’s birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining, till he appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Chorus: Fall on your knees, oh hear the angel voices! O night divine! O night when Christ was born. O night, O holy night, O night divine." This professional singer may not have paid attention to the meaning of these beautiful lyrics, nor realized what they were doing, but they were praising God. This led me to think of today’s verse. God will use whomever he wants, and whatever means he wants, to bring honor and glory to Himself. If we, His children, don’t sing out in praise, then the stones will cry out (which in this case was a non-Christian singer)! As we prepare our hearts for Christ’s birth this Christmas Eve, let us remember that it is all about HIM. It is not about the gifts we give or receive or the decorations. Christ was born! Let us come together to praise God in loud voices for His indescribable gift to us. Suggested prayer: “Dear God, we praise you for the indescribable gift you gave us in Jesus. Amid all the celebrations that take place at Christmas, I ask that you help me be intentional about where I place my focus. It is all about you, Lord God. Only you deserve the praise, honor, and glory forever! Thank you for the reminder that our lives are to be an act of worship to you. In Jesus Christ’s name, amen." Luke 19:38-40 (NIV). <:))))>< , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Solo Deo Gloria "You may say to yourself, 'My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.' But remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth."1 "J. S. Bach became known worldwide for his remarkable musical talent, but he never ceased to credit his Creator as the one who was responsible for his ability. The pages of his musical compositions could well have been used to satisfy a personal pride as his name appeared on them. But he was determined to give glory to God for his accomplishments. So he always concluded his original compositions with the three letters INS. They stood for the Latin words meaning 'In the name of Christ.' At other times Bach began his score with the letters JJ, meaning 'Jesus help', and then ended his composition with the letters SDG for the Latin Solo Deo Gloria, meaning, 'To God be the glory.'"2 The problem of pride is as old as mankind ... actually it's older, for it was Satan's downfall. "I will make myself like the Most High [God],"3 he declared. It has also been the downfall of many a man. "Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall,"4 warned King Solomon. It's so easy to forget that all that we are and have comes from God--"For in him we live and move and have our being"5--and yet so many of us act as if we were the creator of our talents, the maker of our abilities, and the master of our tomorrows--none of which is true. On the other hand, humility is not putting yourself down. True humility is acknowledging what gifts we have, abilities we possess, and accomplishments we have achieved--but all the while, like Bach, gratefully acknowledging Solo Deo Gloria--to God be the glory. Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank You for the gifts that You have given to me. Help me to invest and use these wisely in the work of Your Kingdom on earth and always remember to give You the glory. Thank You, too, for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus Christ's name, amen." 1. Deuteronomy 8:17-18 (NIV). 2. Harold H. Lentz, Preaching the Miracles, CSS Publishing, Lima, Ohio, 1999. Cited on: http://www.esermons.com/ 3. Isaiah 14:13-15. 4. Proverbs 16:18. 5. Acts 17:28 (NIV). <:))))>< clap clap Clap clap clap clap clap clap Clap clap clap clap clap , clap clap clap Clap clap clap . \ ` Clap \ ( (\ ) / ` ` / _\ , \(") ___ .- )=| (` ') ' _ /'| |-n___n ' (/\| a:f____________|_L___J__ < L _______________________ >The Power of Applause "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."1 Dr. Ernest Mellor wrote how he and his wife, "Sat charmed at an outdoor performance by young Suzuki violin students. After the concert, an instructor spoke briefly on how children as young as two, three and four years old are taught to play violin. The first thing the children learn, he said, is a proper stance. And the second thing the children learn--even before they pick up the violin--is how to take a bow. 'If the children just play the violin and stop, people may forget to show their appreciation,' the instructor said. 'But when the children bow, the audience invariably applauds. And applause is the best motivator we've found to make children feel good about performing and want to do it well.' "Adults love applause too. Being affirmed makes us feel wonderful. If you want to rekindle or keep the flame of love glowing in your marriage through the years, try showing and expressing your appreciation for your mate. Put some applause in your marriage and watch love grow."2 Meaningful applause--whether by hand clapping or with our words--is one the most effective and easiest ways to encourage one another. The word "encourage" comes from "en" meaning in, and "courage." It means to put courage into another--and that's something every one of us can do--so let's do it often from a sincere heart. Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me always to applaud and encourage my loved ones and friends when such is well earned, not just as a means of ‘being outwardly nice’ or to flatter, but out of a genuine heart of appreciation. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus Christ's name, amen." 1. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV). 2. Dr. Ernest Mellor, in Homemade, November, 1984. <:))))>< , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Give and Grow Rich Jesus Christ said, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."1 In his young struggling years, W. L. Douglass, the shoe manufacturer, "had been unemployed so long that he was down to his last dollar. Nevertheless, he put half of it--fifty cents--in the collection basket of his church. Next morning he heard of a job in a neighboring town. The railroad fare to that town was one dollar. To all appearances it would have been wiser if he had kept that fifty cents. However, with the half-dollar remaining he bought a ticket and rode halfway to the desired place. He stepped from the train and began to walk to the town. "Before he had gone one block he heard of a factory right in that town where they were employing men. Within thirty minutes he had a job at a salary five dollars more a week [a good sum back then] than he would have received had he gone on to the other town."2 Giving from the heart is really an outward expression of gratitude. In life there are two types of people: grateful givers and selfish takers. Giving does not only mean we give of our finances, it also refers to giving help, time, and using our talents to bless others. Selfish takers give little and live primarily for themselves and their own well-being. On the other hand, givers who give from the heart give of themselves as well as of their time, talents, help, love, support, and of their resources and money. They may or may not be financially secure, but regardless, they are rich in generosity and the things that matter most in life. The grateful giver also trusts that God will provide all of their needs when they seek Him first. It is a fact of life, the more we give--whether it is of ourselves, our help, our love, our support, and/or of our resources--the richer we become. And the richer we become, the more we have to give. When it comes to giving to God, we simply cannot out-give Him. Question: Among your friends and contacts would you be considered a giver or a taker? Being a giver is a choice. You can start that today by being a friend and giving someone a kind word of encouragement and a warm smile. Suggested prayer: "Dear God, knowing that Jesus is the supreme example of a Giver, please help me to become more and more like Him, and be a giver in every area of life--knowing that I will reap what I sow. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus Christ's name, amen." 1. Luke 6:38 (NIV). 2. Arthur Tonne, Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations, p. 478. <:))))>< When copying or forwarding include the following: "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2016 ACTS International. =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: >MAIL CALL by Roger Dean Kiser .---. ___ /_____\ /\.-`( '.' ) / / \_-_/_ \ `-.-"`'V'//-. `.__, |// , \ |Ll //Ll|\ \ |__// | \_\ /---|[]==| / / \__/ | \/\/ "Sir, YES SIR!" /_ | Ll_\| |`^"""^`| | | | | | | | | | | | | L___l___J jgs |_ | _| (___|___) ^^^ ^^^ "OK men, listen up! I want each of you to sit down this evening and write a letter home. I know that each of you will be telling your family how much you love the United States Army. Is that fully understood?" said Sergeant O'Rouke, the leader of our squad. "YES SIR!" screamed the entire platoon of men. "DISMISSED!" he screamed out loud. There were soldiers running in every direction heading back to their individual barracks. I was fifteen years old and this was my third week of basic training at Fort Gordon, Georgia. I generally stayed in the barracks when "mail call" was announced. Why would I go running like a maniac when the mail arrived? I mean, I didn't have a family and I was very sure that the orphanage in Jacksonville, Florida, was not going to be sending me any good will wishes. I would sit on my bunk and shine my boots trying not to notice the commotion when the other men would receive handfuls of mail and packages from home. I do have to admit that it bothered me a little bit when I would see them eating cookies which their parents had sent them. But, there was nothing that I could do, so I just tried not to think about it much. After showering I dressed and headed over to the PX Store. I purchased a coke and a package of cheese crackers and I sat down at one of the small tables. As I finished my Coca-Cola, I started to get up from the table when Sergeant O'Rouke came walking into the PX. "What are you doing in here soldier?" screamed the Sergeant. "I was drinking a Coke," I told him. "Hit the deck and give me twenty-five!" he ordered. I hit the floor and started counting out the push-ups, as I performed them. "Why aren't you in the barracks writing to your family as I instructed?" he yelled at me. "I don't have a family, Sir," I said as I continued to do my push-ups. "I don't give a rats tail if you have a family or not. I told you to write home," he said. "But I don't have a home, Sir," I told him again. "Then where the hell did you come here from, soldier?" he questioned. "I came from the orphanage, Sir," I said. "You get your butt back over to the barracks, right now. You write me a letter and you bring it to me!" he screamed out at me. "But who do I write it too?" I asked. "I don't give a darn if you write to Santa Claus. You write a letter and you have it to me by 1800 hours." "Yes Sir!" I said, as I got up off the floor. I walked back to my barracks and I borrowed a tablet and a pencil from one of the men in my squad. I sat down on my bunk and I wrote the following letter: Dear Santa Claus, I am now living at Fort Gordon. I am in the Army now. The Army is my new home. I am learning a lot about how to win a war. I can shoot and I can run real fast. I am making my very own money and I am going to be a real soldier someday. Roger Dean Kiser I took the letter and I placed it in an envelope and I sealed it. I walked over to the Orderly Room and I asked to see the Sergeant. I was told that he was not in the office and that I should place the letter on his desk. I placed the sealed envelope on the corner of his desk and I returned to my barracks. At nine o'clock, the lights were turned out and everyone went to bed. I thought about how hard life was in the Army. I said a prayer asking God to help me keep up with all the other men as we trained. Just as I was about to fall asleep the lights came on. "Where is that little piece of crap?" asked Sergeant O'Rouke, as he came walking between the bunks. I sat up in my bed and I watched the Sergeant as he stomped down the aisle and stopped at the foot of my bunk. The other men also sat up but remained perfectly quiet. "What is this crap?" asked the Sergeant, as he shook the letter that I had written. "It's the letter that you told me to write." "Read this letter out loud," he instructed, as he threw the letter on my bed. Slowly, I picked up the letter and I began to read it. The entire barracks began to laugh and whistle as loud as they could. "SHUT UP!" yelled Sergeant O'Rouke. The barracks became perfectly quiet. "You think I'm an idiot?" asked the Sergeant. "No Sir, Sergeant O'Rouke, Sir," I told him. The large man reached down and he grabbed my foot-locker and he turned it upside down. The contents spilled all over the floor. "But I only wrote what you told me to write," I said to him. "I told you to write home," he said. "No Sir, Sergeant. I told you that I didn't have no family and you told me to write to Santa Claus. That's why I don't get no mail here 'cause I don't got no home," I said. All the men in the barracks began to look at one another. One of the men sitting on the side of his bed began to laugh. "Santa Clause?" he said as he laughed out loud. Everyone began to stare at him and he stopped laughing. "Clean up this mess and report to me in the morning!" the Sergeant yelled. As the Sergeant left the barracks he turned out the light leaving me to pack my foot-locker in the dark. About a week later I was shocked to hear my name called out for mail call. "KISER! KISER! KISER!" yelled out the man, as he sat three packages aside. Over the next three weeks, I received seven more packages of cookies, and hard candy in the mail. I never knew who they came from. There was no return address on the packages. I could only guess that they came from some of the families of the men in my platoon. Maybe even from Sergeant O'Rouke himself. That night, after sharing the cookies and candy with all the other men, I laid in my bunk bed and smiled. At that moment in time, all I knew for sure was that the world was a wonderful place. -- Roger Dean Kiser -<>- HO .----. HO .' ,_ \ _ HO /__ ( \| / ( . {___`'-.\{_} | `|_ /6)6`'-._} \_.'_} |/_ _7 | {_.'| |5-.' /( | \{\ /:'`} \ /.\__/ _.'`\ \ ; o ``` \ ; o \ \_ | o \.'` } ; o_ {__.'\ \==[_]=======|/) | `; .' /_/ / `- / / / /\ \ {`-._/ \ _.'`} ;-.__} {__.'\ __/ / \_ \ ( ` / / / jgs '.__/ (__.' >NEVER TOO OLD by Stephen T. Banko It didn't look much like Christmas that December 23, 1969. The trees were lush, the countryside awash in green. There was no hint of snow in the sweltering heat. In fact, I was the only thing that looked like Christmas. I was perched in the open door of a helicopter hovering about fifty feet over the center of a dusty village in the III Tactical Corps area of Vietnam. Instead of the ubiquitous olive drab the cloaked everything military, I was clad in a bright red Santa suit, complete with hat and white beard. I had a sack of toys slung over my shoulder replacing the M-16 I usually carried. I wanted to make the entrance into the village square as quickly as possible before the beard turned gray with sweat and dust. I checked the harness of my rappelling gear, gave a thumbs-up to the chopper crew, and jumped out into space. I slid down the rope and made a soft landing in the center of the square. The helicopter departed in a final cloud of dust while I looked around the square. Dozens of kids were arrayed around me. Interpreters and Vietnamese-language slingers informing them that something joyful and wonderful would happen had summoned them. I could tell from the puzzled looks on their faces though that these kids still weren't too sure that my arrival was the "something joyful and wonderful." My silly "ho-ho-ho" didn't help much either. The kids kept shrinking farther away from this stranger in red, and I thought my Santa Claus routine would be just another failed attempt to impose western ideas on an eastern culture. I sat down in the middle of the square, wondering how I could let these kids know that Santa was one of the good guys. My mouth was still fuzzy with dust from my landing in the village, so I opened a butterscotch drop and popped it into my mouth to chase away the cobwebs. Instantly, the kids started inching closer. It took me a minute to realize they were drawn by the sight of food. I peeled the wrapper off another and held it out in my hand. Slowly, one little girl allowed the allure of the candy to overcome her reluctance. She came forward to take the butterscotch from my hand. She put it in her mouth, and the half-frightened look on her face blossomed into a beautiful flower of a smile. Then the dam broke and all the kids from all corners of the square were ionized to the magnet of the sweet stuff. They sat on me and touched me and laughed and giggled and smiled. I couldn't peel wrappers off fast enough so I just started throwing the candy into the air. The kids scrambled frantically for it at first, but then returned to their better nature when they realized there would be enough for all of them. Having captured their attention with the candy, I then broke out some small spiral notebooks and pens. As they marveled over their collective treasures, I went into the crowd of adults in the periphery with my fellow GIs and started handing out food from c-ration packs and from the packages we'd received from home. My mother's chocolate chip cookies were a big hit. The Vietnamese bowed and gestured and spoke their rapid-fire reactions but what I understood best were the smiles. We handed out Coke and Dr. Pepper and Pepsi and whatever else we'd scrounged for our gift-giving and, after a short while, everyone in the village had been given something in celebration of the birth of a little baby none of them had ever heard of. We didn't have much peace to spread beyond that precious hour of sanity in the asylum of Vietnam, but we did have an abundance of good will to share. Yes, I've studied at some great colleges in my life and I've been taught by some of the greatest minds of our time, but I've never learned a lesson quite like the one I did in that tiny village square on that special Christmas in 1969. Those Vietnamese knew nothing of Christianity and cared even less about it. They never heard of Christmas before that day and certainly have never celebrated it since, however I know with utter certainty that they taught me more about the real meaning of Christmas than I ever thought I'd learn. Christmas is not complicated. It rests in the hearts of people everywhere, all the time. Christmas is pure and it is simple. We can find Christmas ever day, in so very many ways. Christmas is love and when we show it, we get it back. The child born that first Christmas was never too young to teach that, and I pray that none of us are ever too old to learn it. -- Stephen T. Banko -<>- >The Pig Who Saved Christmas ... /\ .nNNNNNb. _______ dN(o)NNNNNNNNN"NNNNNNb. dNNNNNNNNNNNNNP" ""NNNNNNb _ YNNNN"NNNNNNNN N NNNNNNNNN( ) ""'dNNNNNNNNb. "YNNNNNNN_X_ by B.J. Cassady "YNNNNNNNNNNN N NNNNNNN YNNNNNN.. .dNNNNNNP "YNNNNNN.NNNNNNP" NN """"" NN nn nn My mom and I were poor when I was young. I remember once when my father gave her ten dollars(he owed thousands), she cried. She worked two jobs to support us and I sold donuts in the neighborhood(I made 25 cents for every box sold). We didn't have a car, but we had each other. The divorce was though on mom and on me. The stigma of a divorced woman back in the early 50's is so much different than today. If I wanted to see a movie I would go downtown on Saturdays, catch a serial, a feature for free. I would walk home to save the 25 cents for the bus ride. The walk was about eight miles one way. The point is, Christmas was an imposing time for us. How could we have money for Christmas. Well mom had an idea. She bought us a red plaster pig and we would put pennies into it. As Christmas would near, the pig would divulge it's contents and that would be our Christmas. I know this pig holds about 30-35 dollars in pennies. I would get 1/2 of the money and mom would get 1/2 and off we would go to buy our presents. A person can get a lot for 15 dollars if they are careful, pencils, papers, some board games, a few books, some toys could all be purchased for less than 15 dollars. I would buy mom some costume jewelry, perfume and maybe a teddy bear. No we didn't have the expensive gifts, but we had ourselves a wonderful Christmas each year thanks to our special pig (which I still have). -<>- `. ---)..( ||||(,o) ptr "`'" \__/ >Forgotten Dog's Christmas 'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse The stockings were hung by the chimney with care In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there The children were nestled all snug in their beds With no thought of the dog filling their head And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap Knew he was cold, but didn't care about that When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter Away to the window I flew like a flash Figuring the dog was free of his chain and into the trash The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below When, what to my wondering eyes should appear But Santa Claus - with eyes full of tears He un-chained the dog, once so lively and quick Last year's Christmas present, now painfully thin and sick More rapid than eagles he called the dog's name And the dog ran to him, despite all his pain "Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN! On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONNER and BLITZEN! To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall! Let's find this dog a home where he'll be loved by all." I knew in an instant there would be no gifts this year For Santa Claus had made one thing quite clear The gift of a dog is not just for the season We had gotten the pup for all the wrong reasons In our haste to think of the kids a gift There was one important thing that we missed A dog should be family, and cared for the same You don't give a gift, then put it on a chain And I heard him exclaim as he rode out of sight "You weren't given a gift! You were given a LIFE!" - Author Unknown -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment :) Angels Are Watching http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/angelswatching.html True Duck Tale http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/duck.html I Believe In You! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ibelieveinyou.html Happy Moments! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/happymoments.html Chocolate Train!- http://www.shangralas.com/chocolatetrain.html Aww Animals 5!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animals5.html Animal Friends 2!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animalfriends2.html Breeze And Buttons!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/breezeandbuttons.html What I've Learned In Life!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/learnedinlife.html All Occasion Cakes 3!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/aocakes3.html Inspirational Movie Quotes! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/moviequotes.html Bear Rescue 3! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bearrescue3.html Most Unique Trees! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/uniquetrees.html Love Test http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lovetest.html Attitude Is Everything! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude.html Top Reasons To Smile! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/smile.html Just Have Faith! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/faith.html Christmas Animations - Angels http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs_f-j.html Christmas Animations - Jesus And God http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs_f-j.html Christmas Animations - Nativity http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs_k-o.html Christmas Animations - Santa http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs_u-z.html Christmas Animations - XMAS General http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs_u-z.html The Christmas Story!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/christmasstory.html When Was Jesus Born?- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/whenjesusborn.html Christmas & New Year Index! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/christmasindex.html -<>- The Heart of Jacob’s Prophecy https://www.truthortradition.com/articles/the-heart-of-jacobs-prophecy WICKED! You Won’t Believe This Pro-Abortion Christmas Tree on Display / Practical Ways to Show the Love of Christ to Your Neighbors This Holiday Season / LGBT Activists Hijacked This Beloved Family Movie Channel – Be Careful What You Watch This Christmas Season / 8 Ways To Keep Your Children Focused On Christ This Christmas And MORE: https://www.christianlifedaily.com/ Just in time for Christmas, Amanda Head returns to share her second favorite Christmas story (after the birth of Christ, of course): https://tinyurl.com/yd2mskhz Despite critics best efforts to paint him otherwise, President Trump is a man of the people. As the left continues to wage its trademarked “War on Christmas” the President has proudly stood against efforts to dismantle the holiday. This season we are counting down the ways President Trump helped save Christmas over the years. https://trumptrainnews.com/2020/12/23/how-trump-saved-christmas/ Most Christmases are spent celebrating the holiday season with family and friends, but in years past, the events that took place on December 25th were pivotal to shaping the nation. Here are the defining moments in American history that happened on Christmas Day. https://tinyurl.com/ya2cnf5l -<>- >In The News: VA NEWS: VA Begins Vaccinations, Free eBook, Holiday Meal Planning https://tinyurl.com/yb4z4wjw Trump updates Americans on progress of election fraud probes in Tuesday night address https://tinyurl.com/yav7abb8 Trump calls for revamp of ‘disgrace’ relief bill, almost nothing to do with COVID, Dems only jump on 2k bump https://tinyurl.com/ybjuqqtb The Worst Parts of Congress’ Nearly 6,000 Page Spending Bill https://tinyurl.com/y988j2nj OH Passes Stand Your Ground Bill / Video Shows Webster Groves Officer Who Was Shot 6 Times – and Survived AND More: https://tinyurl.com/ya2ow6xe Sidney Powell Claims Witness To Election Fraud in Hospital After Being Beat And More: https://verifiedheadlines.com/ Westwing News: https://www.whitehouse.gov/westwingreads/ WhiteHouseNews: https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600daily/ Latest From Reliable News: President Donald Trump Issues 15 Pardons https://reliablenewsnow.com/ One Facebook “Fact Checker” Went on Putin’s ‘Russia Today’ and Said Something Shocking https://deepstatejournal.com/ Latest From 2020 Conservative: http://2020conservative.com/ Latest From Independent Minute: https://independentminute.com/ Latest From TPN News: NEWEST Recount Shows PRESIDENT TRUMP WON https://threepercenternation.com/ Latest From AFA: http://tinyurl.com/j7lakqw Students For Life https://tinyurl.com/yd5nxmu6 Latest From OperationRescue: http://www.operationrescue.org/ Latest Product Alert: http://www.emergencyemail.org/products/?fmt=text Latest Health Alert: http://www.emergencyemail.org/health/?fmt=text Click to Give Free https://tinyurl.com/y2abb8d2 -<>- Revisiting... >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) An entertaining compilation of dance clips from various performances that any fan of song and dance should enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ab9i0s4WEY0 --- ...Love these! Thanks LouiseAu! The 12 Days Of Christmas' - from the 1979 TV Christmas special 'A Christmas Together with John Denver and The Muppets'. A lot of holiday fun! https://youtu.be/L_rMCwoCLv8 The charming story of a young boy impatiently waiting for Christmas to arrive. https://youtu.be/X5RhP3H3G7w --- ...So cute! Thanks LouiseAu! Watch this beautiful and touching 3D animated story of a fox, a mouse and two owls - to the song 'Take On Me' by Andrea Begley. https://youtu.be/Dd_0BIuZgHg --- ...Sweet! Thanks LouiseAu! A heartwarming Christmas advert by a local hardware shop in Wales has gone viral, with viewers calling it the best festive ad of the year. https://youtu.be/pDtCXO71FJU --- ...Awwww. So heartwarming and cute! Thanks LouiseAu! -<>- >From Our Friend Jo Ann :) [Caution - A tear jerker] A Wonderful Heartwarming Story: http://www.teachermovie.com/ --- ...Thanks Jo Ann! While wiping tears I checked this out on Snopes.com and found it was a story of fiction AND also found this video for it. Such a sweet story even Paul Harvey Read it on his daily radio broadcst in 1998! by Elizabeth [Ballad] Ungar originally published as a work of fiction in Home Life Magazine in 1976. 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 ========================================================== >-->From: llizard aka ejm >COLOURED COOKIES The following recipe, that my sister and I altered from a "Five Roses Cook Book", eliminates the need for icing as decoration. Children LOVE making and eating these cookies. (They don't seem to mind that they taste just okay but not great, because they are very attractive on a plate with the other standard sugar cookies, shortbreads, gingersnaps....) (\ ==== /) oven at 375F ( \(__)/ ) 8-10 minutes ( /<>\ ) (\/\/) 1 c. sugar / \ 3/4 c. shortening / \ ~~~~~~ 2 eggs (beaten) 2 tsp. orange peel (\ === /) 1 c. flour ( \(o)/ ) 3 tsp. baking powder ( / \ ) 1/2 tsp. salt ([|]) / \ 1/3 c. milk / \ 1/2 tsp. vanilla ~~~~~ 3/2 c. flour (that's one and a half cups) (\ ==== /) ( \(__)/ ) Cream sugar & shortening. Add eggs & orange peel. ( /_|\ ) Mix in a separate bowl the flour/b.p./salt. Add ( |/) only 1 c. of flour mix to sugar/short/egg/oran bowl. / A\ Add milk and vanilla. / \ ~~~~~~ Divide EVENLY into 5 bowls. Mix food colouring into 4 bowls, leaving one white. (B: we recommended (\ ==== /) to ourselves to have one and a half bowls of white ( \(__)/ ) and half a bowl of blue.) Put remaining flour (two ( / ------ and a half cups: 5 x 1/2c.= 1/2 c. per bowl) evenly (\/ /) into the 5 bowls. (or 1/4 c. for the blue bowl and / \ 3/4 c. for the white bowl and 1/2 c. for the others) / \ ~~~~~~ BLM: READ the handle of the measuring cup FIRST before there are many tears of frustration. (\ ==== /) ( \(__)/ ) EJM: DON'T add red to make a better blue. ( / oo--: LISTEN for the timer bell so that the orchestra and (\m/ ) choir of angels doesn't turn out mahogany brown. / \ / \ oven at 375F ~~~~~~ ungreased cookie sheet 8-10 minutes ASCII-art angels by JV/ejm Press the dough out to about 1/4 inch depth and using cookie cutters, cut into shapes. Use the other colours like plasticine to decorate. We have made little dogs with holly on their collars, angels playing instruments, Christmas trees, Santas, Initials decorated with holly for each child receiving the cookies, etc. etc. Try not to handle the dough TOO much; the cookies get quite hard and tough (although, as I said, kids don't seem to mind). We use little cookie cutters so the cookies themselves end up being no bigger than one or two inches. You don't have to throw out the burned cookies, but can hang them on the Christmas tree. They look quite amazing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >-->From HandyHints: >Quick Holiday Tips Do you typically make holiday cookies, but realized you are running out of time? No problem-o... Using store-bought cookie dough to make Christmas cookies isn't cheating if you add a personal touch. Take pre-made sugar cookie dough and let it soften. Then, sprinkle in any flavor you're craving: cinnamon, orange zest, almond extract, vanilla extract, nuts, pure peppermint extract, white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips. * Keep your Poinsettias vibrant with this simple trick Did you know that Poinsettias are actually desert plants? And Poinsettias will die from root rot if overwatered and sitting in excess water in the foil wrap. That's why you should water them using ice cubes...yes, ice cubes! An ice cube added directly on the soil once or twice a day ensures your plant will get a slow trickle of water. With this technique you slowly and evenly water as the ice cube melts. * Coat Your Snow Shovel with Car Wax This is similar to the cooking spray tip I shared with you last week, but if you don't want to spray oily cooking spray all over your tools, make shoveling snow easier by first coating your metal shovel with car wax. Follow the application instructions on the car wax package. Then the snow and ice will slide right off of the shovel after each scoop. * No rolling pin? Don't freak out, I got you covered. Wine and liquor bottles make great substitutes for rolling pins. Just wipe them down, dry them completely, and cover them in flour like you would a normal rolling pin. You can also wrap the bottle in parchment paper to be extra sanitary. * No one likes a dry, hard cookie - especially not Santa To ensure maximum cookie freshness, store them in a container with a slice of white bread, half of an apple, or an orange peel. The cookies will absorb that moisture, keeping them softer longer. ========================================================== , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >-->From CES: Can We 'Pray' to Jesus Christ? There is no question that most of the uses of the different Greek words for “prayer” are in regard to our communication with God, and most of the prayers (upward discourses) in the Church Epistles (Romans through Thessalonians) are directed to God. God is a Father whose love for each of us is boundless, focused, passionate, and relentless. We are to converse with Him regularly and intimately. The Bible also says, however, that “God is spirit.” We believe that your conception of spirit is pretty much like ours—vague. God does not expect us to be able to relate to something that is imperceivable by our five senses. During Old Testament times, many people made images that they believed represented the invisible God. He did not agree, and forbade all such images. As Scripture makes clear, Jesus Christ is the only true “image” of God. Because he perfectly obeyed God in word and deed, Jesus could say, “He who has seen me has seen the Father.” As a human being “made like unto his brothers in every way” (Heb. 2:17), and one who accomplished what he did by trusting in God, Jesus is the example with whom we are to identify. Just as we cannot clearly conceive of God, who is spirit, neither can we identify with Him, like we can with His Son, Jesus Christ, who is a man. Thus, Jesus vivifies God for us, and though we do not know exactly what our Lord looks like, we do know that there is a living man—The Man, the Lord—listening to every word we speak to him and ready to respond to us as he promised he would (John 14:14). John 14:13-14 (13) And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. (14) You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. As far as speaking to him is concerned, we see no rigid biblical mandate as to when or about what a believer should talk to God, as opposed to Jesus. However, we do see some indication that the Lord Jesus Christ focuses primarily on dealing with the Church, while God not only deals with the Church, but also with bringing to pass His desired ends for the world in general. The very terminology of Jesus Christ being the “Head” of the “Body” (the Church) indicates that he is inseparably linked to the daily direction of Church affairs. As a human being’s head is constantly in touch with each cell of his body, so the Lord Jesus Christ is directly connected to each believer via the gift of holy spirit, and is readily available to direct each individual’s function in the Body. Some verses to study in this light are: 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; Ephesians 1:20-23; 4:11,15 and 16; Colossians 1:16-18. Those verses show the Lord’s involvement in setting in place the members of his Body and directing the function of those willing to listen to him. Other verses such as Acts 9:34 and 2 Timothy 4:17 show that as the Head of the Body, the Lord Jesus, is actively involved in healing and sustaining its members. It is our contention that any Christian can ask the Lord Jesus to do for him anything that would help him do the works that Jesus did. In John 14:12, Jesus tells his disciples that they will be able to do the work that he did. In that context, he promises: “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” You might look at it as having both a Father and a “big brother” (see Heb. 2:11, which says that Jesus Christ is not ashamed to call us brothers). Each of us has a heavenly Father and a living Lord. We like to picture one of this dynamic duo on either side of us as we walk the path of life, with each of them holding one of our hands. The Word of God makes it clear that believers in the early Church thought it normal to talk with the exalted Lord Jesus Christ. Even before the Day of Pentecost, the disciples asked their ascended Lord to help them choose a replacement for Judas. This was logical because they understood it was Jesus who had originally chosen the twelve. In regard to the choice between Joseph and Matthias, Scripture tells us the following: Acts 1:24-25 (24) Then they prayed [proseuchomai], “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen (25) to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” At the end of his magnificent monologue recorded in Acts 7, while Stephen was being stoned by the crowd, he cried out to the one he saw “standing at the right hand of God.” Acts 7:59-60a (59) While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed (epikaleo = “calling upon”], Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” (60a) Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” As the Head of the Body, the Lord Jesus directs the functioning of its individual parts according to the following record: Acts 9:10-17 (10) In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. (11) The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. (12) In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” (13) “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. (14) And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” (15) But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. (16) I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” (17) Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” After Pentecost, directions to members of the Body come from the Father by way of the Head of the Body. Consider the following verse in which we see Christ’s active involvement in the direction of his Church by his spirit, called “the spirit of Jesus,” energizing the gift of holy spirit in Paul and his companions. Acts 16:7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. It was the Lord Jesus Christ who interrupted the Pharisee Saul (later called “Paul”) on his journey to Damascus (Acts 9), and Saul’s first question to him was, “Who are you, Lord?” For the rest of his life, Paul’s burning passion was to know his Lord. Without doubt, this involved intimate verbal communication, as in the case of Paul’s pleading with the Lord concerning his “thorn in the flesh”: 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 (8) Three times I pleaded [parakaleo = to beseech] with the Lord to take it away from me. (9) But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. Late in his life, the Apostle Paul expressed his love and thankfulness to his Lord for his amazing grace. 1 Timothy 1:12-14 (12) I thank [charin] Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. (13) Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. (14) The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. In light of the clear biblical precedent of talking with/praying to the Lord Jesus that we have seen so far, it does not seem likely that we would find a verse prohibiting a believer’s verbal communication with him. And we do not. But some have taught that for a Christian to talk (or to “pray”) to Jesus Christ is a slight to his Father, God. In John 5:23, however, Jesus said that in the future all men will honor the Son just as they honor the Father, and that anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. This future exaltation of the Son of God by all men is corroborated in the following verses. In quoting them here, the point we want to make is that whenever one glorifies, exalts, confesses, looks to and calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is God who ultimately gets the glory. Philippians 2:8-11 (8) And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! (9) Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, (10) that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, (11) and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. In the Old Testament, many believers yearned for, and some attained, intimacy with God. Their perception of God, however, was not the perception available to us today, thanks to the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is he who came to make known God as a loving Father, as well as to show that evil and tragedy come from the Devil. For us today, fellowship with God is made possible by the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6). But fellowship with the Lord Jesus himself is indispensable if we are each to carry out our individual functions in the Church, his Body. Each Christian is securely situated in Christ as a member in particular of his Body, but our Lord Jesus desires intimate communication (fellowship) with each member of his Body. He longs for each of us to walk with him and to talk with him, so he can remind us that we are his own. And, as the song goes, “the joy we share as we tarry there” in his presence is to be one of the sweetest aspects of our Christian lives. We should make it clear, however, that we are not saying that a Christian must maintain a verbal dialogue with the Lord Jesus in prayer or otherwise in order to be righteous in his or her walk. Because there is no clear command to pray to Jesus Christ, as there is to God (Eph. 5:19 and 20; Col. 1:3 and 9; 4:3), we are hesitant to transform an inference, no matter how clear, into a doctrine, which would then mandate the practice. On the other hand, we shudder at the idea of any Christian telling another that it is wrong for him to talk/pray to the Lord Jesus. We would particularly hate to see believers judge one another and segregate themselves from other Christians over the issue of whether or not they pray to the Lord Jesus. We think that this is a matter of individual conscience, and not an issue about which believers ought to tyrannize one another. Based upon understanding the exalted position of the Lord Jesus, we see no prohibition against talking to him, and think it perfectly appropriate. However, we also recognize that the vast majority of scriptures dealing with prayer make it clear that God is the principal source of all things, and therefore should be the chief focus of our worship, praise, and supplication. Even those who enthusiastically embrace the idea of praying to the Lord Jesus must recognize that this practice ought not to be carried out to the point of distracting one from the worship of the Father. We are sure that the Lord Jesus would find it ironic indeed if he himself were to become the principal object of Christian worship and adoration, when his entire life and ministry was devoted to the glorification of his Father. This teaching is from here: http://truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=171 ---- ...Especially when Jesus says he does the will of the Father. Which means, whatever Jesus does, it must be OK with God first or he won't do it. John 4:34 John 5:30 John 6:38 =========================================================== _ .-(_) / _/ .-' \ / '. ,-~--~-~-~-~-, {__.._...__..._} ,888, ,888, /\##" 6 6 "##/\ ,88' `88, ,88' '88,__ |(\` (__) `/)| __,88' `88 ,88' .8(_ \_____\_ '----' _/_____/ _)8. 8' 88 (___)\ \ '-.__ __.-' / /(___) 88 (___)88 | '--' | 88(___) 8' (__)88,___/ \___,88(__) __`88,_/__________________\_,88`__ / `88, |88| ,88' \ / `88, |88| ,88' \ /____________`88,_\88/_,88`____________\ /88888888888888888;8888;88888888888888888\ /^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^`/88\\^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^\ jgs / |88| \============, \ /_ __ __ __ _ __ |88|_|^ MERRY | _ ___\ |;:. |88| | CHRISTMAS! | | |;;:. |88| '============' | |;;:. |88| | |::. |88| | |;;:' |88| | |:;, |88| | '---------------------""""---------------------' >-->FINDING CHRISTMAS I've been looking for Christmas. What? You didn't know it was missing? Well, it has been... For 12 months or so. I've been looking for it ever since Halloween, when the first Christmas decorations began decking the halls... er, aisles at local shops and stores. Merchants put out the Christmas candy and the Christmas cards. They stacked the shelves with lights and tinsel and stuffed bears that sit in a rocking chair and sing "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" when you push a button. I like Christmas decorations, even in late October, and I've been wandering up and down the seasonal aisles every week for nearly two months. I found some good stuff, but I didn't find Christmas. Evidently Christmas isn't in the decorations. So I started looking for Christmas on the radio. Two local radio stations have been trying to out-Christmas each other with holiday music non-stop since Valentine's Day. OK, that's a slight exaggeration, but not by much. They've been playing Christmas music for a long time and, to be honest, I've actually been enjoying it this year. There's nothing quite like hearing Nat King Cole sing "The Christmas Song," or Karen Carpenter sing "Merry Christmas, Darling." This is good stuff, and I fully expected to find Christmas as I sang along with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on "Joy to the World." I love doing that. It makes me feel... I don't know... joyful. But it didn't help me find Christmas, because Christmas isn't in the music. This means it must be at the mall. At least, that's what I figured as I drove to one of my favorite shopping Meccas to do my Christmas shopping. My "Christmas shopping" means shopping for Anita. "Anita's Christmas shopping" means shopping for me, our five children and four-going-on- five grandchildren, her parents, our collective brothers and sisters, our friends and pretty much everyone else. This is what is known as "balance" in our relationship. I knew exactly what I wanted to get, and the store had plenty of what I was looking for. My shopping was quick and painless, as long as you don't count the "Favorite Things" incident. Whenever I hear "My Favorite Things" by Barbra Streisand over the mall Muzak machine, I have to stop whoever is closest to me to complain that that really isn't a Christmas song, and I don't know why they keep playing it with the other Christmas music. For some reason the person I complained to sort of complained to mall security about me. Go figure. I found Anita's present at the mall, and I found a new friend (evidently the whole "My Favorite Things" thing bugs mall security, too). But I didn't find Christmas, because Christmas isn't at the mall. Then the other day, I was thumbing through my Bible. I paused in the second chapter of Luke in the New Testament: "And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed... And Joseph also went... unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem... To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child... And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger." I flipped through a few more pages and read about this same miraculous child as a remarkable man, and the extraordinary things that happened to him in a place called Gethsemane. And on a hill called Golgotha. And in a stunningly empty garden tomb. And suddenly, there it was: Christmas! It wasn't in the decorations. It wasn't in the music, and it wasn't at the mall. It was in a few simple, familiar words laden with meaning. But somehow those words and the powerful reality of their message made the decorations seem more beautiful, the music more lovely and the mall less... you know... mall-ish. I guess that's what happens when you find Christmas. It finds YOU. And it makes everything better... By Joseph Walker =========================================================== _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _( )_ ( ) ( ) _( )_ ( ) ( ) _( )_ ( ` ' )| |_| | _ _ __ ( ` ' )| |_| | _ _ __ ( ` ' ) > < | _ |( ) ( ) /'_ `\ > < | _ |( ) ( ) /'_ `\ > < (_, ,_)| | | || (_) |( (_) |(_, ,_)| | | || (_) |( (_) |(_, ,_) (_) (_) (_)`\___/'`\__ | (_) (_) (_)`\___/'`\__ | (_) ( )_) | ( )_) | \___/' \___/' unknown >-->Dedicated to LouiseAu and Others Missing Their Loved Ones :) >Hugs From Heaven by Charlotte Anselmo When you feel a gentle breeze Caress you when you sigh It's a hug sent from Heaven From a loved one way up high. If a soft and tender raindrop Lands upon your nose They've added a small kiss As fragile as a rose. If a song you hear fills you With a feeling of sweet love It's a hug sent from Heaven From someone special up above. If you awaken in the morning To a bluebird's chirping song It's music sent from Heaven To cheer you all day long. If tiny little snowflakes Land upon your face It's a hug sent from Heaven Trimmed with Angel lace. So keep the joy in your heart If you're lonely my dear friend Hugs that are sent from Heaven A broken heart will mend. __,_,_,___) _______ (--| | | (--/ ),_) ,_) | | | _ ,_,_ | |_ ,_ ' , _|_,_,_, _ , __| | | (/_| | (_| | | || |/_)_| | | |(_|/_)___, ( |___, ,__| \____) |__, |__, .-----------------------------------------------------. | __ ___________________ | _________________ __ | || / / '.|.' \ \ || ||/ / ___ -= + =- \ \|| | / ******* .'|'. ___ \ | | / /-====) | ******* \ | || | / -( | (_.- )) || || / / _/ )- ) )) || || | |-( _ \_( (( || || / | \ //| _ )) ) ) || || / \ \/\/ |\\ /'-( ( || || | |\ / *** \/\/ / ) ) || || `-;./==;-' .=. \ / ( ( || || | \ _\/(_)\/_ '-;==) ) || || | \ |'---'| / ( ( || || | \ _| |_ / ) ) || || _/ | /\ /\ | ( ( || || .-/ / '=' \ ( )-. || |jgs `""---`-----` `----`----`""` || >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->ShangyFunList AD RATES: $25 will get your a message (of up to 40 words) out to all web site list readers. 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