New Year Thoughts And Inspirations... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* Please Consider Giving To ShangralaFamilyFun.com , _/ \_ _,--. < , > .-'.' /(/.\ .' .' .""". `/ ` / / / \ /) ; ; ,_.;._ _;-'}/ | | '. )( /' | | /'-._/\_.-' ; ; \_.' \ , \ \ / | _.'/ '. `'-\ /.-/.;,\ '-._ `"""""`_.|`"""`| jgs `"("\/")` |# | \(_/ `-...-' 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. While the ads on the website do help, I don't want to drag the site down with tons of them to pay for it. I need your help! "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, please visit the site, scroll down and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL page comes up. 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 MOST ABUNDANTLY FOR YOUR GIFT! ================ *~* We Had An Awesome Month Last Month Of Caring And Sharing! ______ '-._ ```"""---.._ ,-----.:___ `\ ,;;;, '-.._ ```"""--.._ |,%%%%%% _ , '. `\;;;; -\ _ _.'/\ .' `-.__ \ ,;;;;" .__{=====/_)==:_ || ,===/ ```";,,,,,,,;;;;;'`-./.____,'/ / '.\/ '---/ ';;;;;;;;' `--.._.' / ,===/ '-. `\/ '---/ ,'`. | ; __.-' \ ,' jgs \______,,.....------'''`` `---` ~I Am Pleased To Announce That We Added 3 New Shangrala Angels~ * Florence (Cloie) L. from NH * Thomas B. Cook from VA * M.D. And Pat Donovan from MO These people stepped up and gave a generous donation in December to help keep Shangrala Alive! They are indeed Our Sweet Angels! May God Bless Them Through Jesus Christ For Their Giving Hearts! ================ >>>> READER COMMENTS <<<< * * *%%* ,,,,, *%%* *%%%%%* W*W*W*W *%%%%%* *%%%%%%%* {//"\\}*%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%*{{/6.6\}}*%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%%%*{{( = )}}*%%%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%%%%*}}}}) ({{{{*%%%%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%%%* {{{{ }}}} *%%%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%* We are each of us *%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%* angels with only one wing*%%%%%* jgs *%%* And we can only fly *%%* * embracing each other. * -Luciano Decrescenzo (This could be why we haven't had any online donations before.) Our Friend Linda Wrote: 'I would like to make a donation but have no clue what price per item USD and quantity 1 means. Can you explain it to me when you have some free time on your hands? --- ...Oh, too sweet! I am like the normal person who sets up a Paypal account so others may donate. Paypal puts this 'Quantity 1' and 'price per item' or other retail type stuff in. I am not a business or retailer so just ignore the price per item and put whatever it is you desire to donate in there. With Paypal, you will have your normal receipt for your 'payment' donation. You can put a memo in there if you'd like. So sorry for your frustration over this Linda! It is just supposed to be an easy online choice. Huggums! :) -<>- >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This super scorching hot new page comes from our friend Bunni. It is one that may surprise you at how much the Presidency takes a toll on those who serve. Also it is one to give you smiles knowing that our current President will be waving us good-bye and be heading out the door! Good riddance Obama! Be sure to check this interesting one out here.. .--..--. / V \ __|__________|__ '--/// \\\--' (|/ 6 6 \|) \\ _,)._ // \\\ == /// \\)\//(/ jgs ))))))) (((((( )))) (( Presidents Before And After! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/presidents.html --- ...Wow! An eye opener! Thanks Bunni! I'm Dancing... Moving Truck Arrives At The White House http://eheadlines.com/moving-truck-arrives-at-the-white-house/ =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: 'We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.' -- Edith Lovejoy Pierce _ . , . . * / \_ * / \_ _ * * /\'__ * / \ / \, (( . _/ / \ *'. . /\/\ /\/ :' __ \_ ` _^/ ^/ `--. / \/ \ _/ \-'\ * /.' ^_ \_ .'\ * /\ .- `. \/ \ /==~=-=~=-=-;. _/ \ -. `_/ \ / `-.__ ^ / .-'.--\ =-=~_=-=~=^/ _ `--./ .-' `- /jgs `. / / `.~-^=-=~=^=.-' '-._ `._ >I WANT TO BE A MOUNTAIN by Michael Smith I looked up at the mountains in the distance. They were white now. Not long ago, they were brown. In the time I've lived in Idaho, I've had the opportunity to watch the cycle of seasons make their change on those mountains I never tire of seeing. My first sight of them came in September of 2008. The sides of the mountains were painted green with the leaves of sage brush. Near the top were pines. The days moved on. The weather cooled and the rain didn't fall. The leaves browned. The mountain changed. Fall gave way to winter. I stood in the rain and watched the top of the mountains turn a blinding white. Each week the snow crept further down the slopes and long before the first snows fell in the valley, the mountains were covered with fresh powder. The sun set, the lights on the ski slopes lit the side of the mountains a dazzling white. I'm not a skier, but I imagined the excitement of speeding down the side of those mountains -- free, fast, and thrilled. Winter turned to spring. The snow in the valley disappeared and made its retreat up the slopes until it was gone once again. The weeks passed, the green in the valley flowed steadily up the slopes like a reversed waterfall. The mountains were as I first saw them, green and lush. On New Years Eve, the mountains were white again. On New Years Day they were peppered with the dark dots of the distance skiers as they daringly fall down their slopes. I saw so many changes, but were they changes? The mountains are never changing. Like people, they only changed coats to fit the weather. They didn't allow outside influences to alter what lie beneath their coats of changing colors. They were always the same. You can have faith in them. I'm in my third season of life. A little snow has gathered at my peak. Some of the sage brush is gone all together. My clothing has changed to fit my seasons. Next year and all my years to follow, I want to be as constant as a mountain. Although my looks change, I want to be reliable. My body will change coats many times, but when my day is done, I want people to say, "No matter what the seasons of life brought, he never changed inside. He never allowed the pressures of the seasons or the weathers of life to change what he was underneath. He was a mountain you could rely on to watch over those who looked up to him." For this New Year and all the New Years that I have left, whether it is at my job, at home, or with friends and family, I want to be a mountain -- reliable. -- Michael T. Smith __________________________________________________ You can sign up to get Michael's stories directly by clicking here: =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseAu :) , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Living For the King in the New Year (By Phyllis Eyerkuss) I heard a message this weekend entitled “What Did You Give Jesus For Christmas?” A good question. How would we answer? Did we include Him in our shopping sprees and holiday parties? Did we remember the blessing of His birth as we gathered around our Christmas dinner? Was His Name mentioned as we tore through gifts? Or was the Christmas story just an afterthought as we careened through the hectic weeks of December? "Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His Holy Name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits—" (Psalm 103:1-2 NIV) In these verses David commands his soul to praise His God! He puts aside his kingly responsibilities, the concerns of his family, and the demands of his people to worship and praise Jehovah! Perhaps we should follow suit! As the world spirals out of control, we must stay grounded and focused on our King! We cannot be carried away with the things of the world, or caught up in its clutches of materialism and greed. Yes, we must be in the world, but we must not be of it! I pray in this coming week we would all prayerfully consider the coming New Year! Considering that Jesus could return any day now, we should be more focused on being God’s hands and feet in the earth in 2017! Our Spiritual priorities should be much higher than our earthly aspirations! By focusing our “inmost being” on His Holy Name, we won’t lose sight of our primary mission of sharing the message of reconciliation between God and man (as 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 puts it). Once we remember that our God will supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19), fear, anxiety and stress should be minimized! And when we can calm our soul with The Word, then worship comes quickly and ministry usually follows: a secret satan does NOT want you to know! Because IF he can keep us bound with earthly concerns, then the concerns of The Kingdom take second place. And I don’t know about you, BUT I don’t want to be caught off guard when that trumpet blasts!!! I want to be found faithful and embracing all of the benefits of The Kingdom of God available in Christ! I don’t want to remember a manger once a year, or a Cross only on Easter. I don’t want to compromise the Truth of God’s Word with worldly traditions or thought, but I want the wonder and majesty of Jesus Christ to reign in my heart 365 days a year! I want to let The Holy Spirit consume me with His Presence and Power! I want to appropriate every drop of Blood that was spilled at Calvary and embrace the grace that was purchased there! I am a child of God and I belong to Him! And one day He will take me HOME for Eternity and I will live in His Presence forever! Beam me up Lord! And until that Day, may I live for You! -<>- >THE GIFTS by Heather Spears Kallus Advent begins - single digits of December, In the hustle and the bustle, there's something to remember. It's all about the gifts, many will say, Paper, bows, and boxes on sale every day. What to get? What to buy? Hurry, scurry - no time for hi. It's about the gifts underneath the tree, One for him, one for her, a couple more for me. Push and shove, the hunt is on, But where's the love? Where's it gone? I don't believe it's gone for good, I think it's there misunderstood. Don't fret; don't worry - the presents are great, But there's more to it. You'll see. Please wait. It's about the gifts; I could not agree more, And, we should give more than we've ever before. The gifts of selfless love and that of fervent prayer, Which can be given and received absolutely anywhere. We can love because He loved us first, For love, so many, hunger and thirst. By allowing God's love to flow freely out, We'll begin to see what His love is about. A life uncommon, our relationships deep, God's love is for sharing, not something we keep. Love is a choice, not a feeling that goes, It's the perfect gift and doesn't even need bows. Love desires what's best for sisters and brothers, Love is kind and it's patient, not jealous of others. If someone offers prayer for you this very year, I'm certain you'll be smiling - from ear to ear. It's about the gifts; but please let us remember, It's gifts of love and prayer. They'll last beyond December. -<>- _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` >I AM THE NEW YEAR By Pastor Barry Black Deuteronomy 11.12 "...the eyes of the Lord thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year." I will help you to say goodbye to the previous year filled with "yesterdays" and comprised of... Disappointments and surprises Losses and gains Failures and Successes Defeats and victories A year which may be remembered by recalling... Fleeting moments Delightful memories and good times The sobering reality of missed opportunity The insight gained from daily living The unexpected surprise of reconnecting with old friends. The joy of sins forgiven Golden words fitly spoken (Proverbs 25:11) And the fruit of obedience and pleasing the Lord Yes, the old year is a time in which we can recall with gratitude... Blessings, protection, and rewards from the Providential hand of God Grace that was sufficient for our every need Mercy received when justice would have just as easily been fitting for us. And realizing that even bad things that happened could have been worse...much worse. May your past productively transition to the future as you experience... The warm daylight of lessons hard learned, and the fading sunset of the pain that was long endured while living through them. The priceless value found in genuine friends, and the sober understanding of the shackles of superficial people who merely use us. The glorious journey of... The unmatched wealth in reading and studying the Bible The unparalleled stability of Christian fellowship And the unrivaled enjoyment of serving the Lord. And as you experience the wise departure from... The comfortable enticement of procrastination The deceptive decoy of excuses The childish pleasure of pettiness And the dull applause of mediocrity. I AM THE NEW YEAR. I am... The challenge of new goals The desire for spiritual growth The continual burden for lost souls The anticipation of answered prayer And the eager expectation of Christ's soon return for His Bride, the Church. I am the New Year, I may only be lived one moment at at time. I am replete with the unknown and rife with... Opportunities to trust Unexpected moments of blessing and delight Satisfaction for spiritual truth and hunger Motivations to give of your time and effort to people and projects And the joy and privilege of serving the Lord in new and exciting ways. YES, I AM THE NEW YEAR! --- ...Absolutely! Thank You LouiseAu! =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: _.-/`) // / / ) .=// / / / ) //`/ / / / / // / ` / || / \\ / )) .' jgs // / / >New Year To leave the old with a burst of song; To recall the right and forgive the wrong; To forget the things that bind you fast To the vain regrets of the year that's past; To have the strength to let go your hold Of the not worth while of the days grown old; To dare go forth with a purpose true, To the unknown task of the year that's new; To help your brother along the road, To do his work and lift his load; To add your gift to the world's good cheer, Is to have and to give a Happy New Year. - Author Unknown -<>- __ (`/\ `=\/\ __...--~~~~~-._ _.-~~~~~--...__ `=\/\ \ / \\ `=\/ V \\ //_\___--~~~~~~-._ | _.-~~~~~~--...__\\ // ) (..----~~~~._\ | /_.~~~~----.....__\\ ===( INK )==========\\|//==================== __ejm\___/________dwb`---`____________________________________________ >The Fairy's New Year Gift by Emilie Poulsson Two little boys were at play one day when a Fairy suddenly appeared before them and said, "I have been sent to give you New Year presents." She handed to each child a package, and in an instant was gone. Carl and Philip opened the packages and found in them two beautiful books, with pages as pure and white as the snow when it first falls. Many months passed and the Fairy came again to the boys. "I have brought you each another book?" said she, "and will take the first ones back to Father Time who sent them to you." "May I not keep mine a little longer?" asked Philip. "I have hardly thought about it lately. I'd like to paint something on the last leaf that lies open." "No," said the Fairy; "I must take it just as it is." "I wish that I could look through mine just once," said Carl; "I have only seen one page at a time, for when the leaf turns over it sticks fast, and I can never open the book at more than one place each day." "You shall look at your book," said the Fairy, "and Philip, at his." And she lit for them two little silver lamps, by the light of which they saw the pages as she turned them. The boys looked in wonder. Could it be that these were the same fair books she had given them a year ago? Where were the clean, white pages, as pure and beautiful as the snow when it first falls? Here was a page with ugly, black spots and scratches upon it; while the very next page showed a lovely little picture. Some pages were decorated with gold and silver and gorgeous colors, others with beautiful flowers, and still others with a rainbow of softest, most delicate brightness. Yet even on the most beautiful of the pages there were ugly blots and scratches. Carl and Philip looked up at the Fairy at last. "Who did this?" they asked. "Every page was white and fair as we opened to it; yet now there is not a single blank place in the whole book!" "Shall I explain some of the pictures to you?" said the Fairy, smiling at the two little boys. "See, Philip, the spray of roses blossomed on this page when you let the baby have your playthings; and this pretty bird, that looks as if it were singing with all its might, would never have been on this page if you had not tried to be kind and pleasant the other day, instead of quarreling." "But what makes this blot?" asked Philip. "That," said the Fairy sadly; "that came when you told an untruth one day, and this when you did not mind mamma. All these blots and scratches that look so ugly, both in your book and in Carl's, were made when you were naughty. Each pretty thing in your books came on its page when you were good." "Oh, if we could only have the books again!" said Carl and Philip. "That cannot be," said the Fairy. "See! they are dated for this year, and they must now go back into Father Time's bookcase, but I have brought you each a new one. Perhaps you can make these more beautiful than the others." So saying, she vanished, and the boys were left alone, but each held in his hand a new book open at the first page. And on the back of this book was written in letters of gold, "For the New Year." -<>- ___________________ ___________________ .-/| 78 ~~**~~ \ / ~~**~~ 79 |\-. |||| : |||| |||| Dorothy asked : The Scarecrow |||| |||| the Scarecrow : answered "Some |||| |||| "How can you : people without |||| |||| talk if you : brains do an |||| |||| haven't got : awful lot |||| |||| a brain?" : of talking." |||| |||| She looked at : She replied, |||| |||| him puzzled. : "That's true." |||| |||| : |||| |||| The Wizard Of Oz : boba@wwa.com |||| ||||___________________ : ___________________|||| ||/====================\:/====================\|| `---------------------~___~--------------------'' >~ ON IMMIGRATION ~ "In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith, becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American... There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language ... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people." -- Theodore Roosevelt 1907 --- ...1 sad note for France on this... Alert: FRANCE: MUSLIM MEN BAN ALL WOMEN FROM PUBLIC SPACES http://eheadlines.com/france-muslim-men-ban-all-women-from-public-spaces/ You cannot expect people of different beliefs and cultures to change their beliefs and culture simply because you give them refugee status in your country. Like a leopard changing its spots - it's not going to happen. It is better to have extreme vetting as President-elect Trump has said all along so that those we bring here actually are ones who can get along well with us and love our American way of life. So what does our President do? U.S. surpasses Syrian refugee goal set by Obama, expects more next year... http://tinyurl.com/j82wgm4 Obama Releases 220 Illegal Alien Kids PER DAY As Border Crisis Escalates http://tinyurl.com/gvuy9gx While we all have sympathy for these poor children, you have to realize that no matter how rich, how powerful, how great a nation is, that it can not support all the world's poor. Nearly 1/2 of the world’s population — more than 3 billion people — live on less than $2.50 a day. More than 1.3 billion live in extreme poverty — less than $1.25 a day. https://www.dosomething.org/us/facts/11-facts-about-global-poverty Our country is already near $20 Trillion in debt. See what a Trillion Dollars looks like http://www.pagetutor.com/trillion/index.html Like President-elect Trump campaigned on, we need to KEEP AMERICA FIRST! We have enough of our own poor children we should be using tax payer funds for instead of trying to support illegal poor that come here for a hand out! U.S. Child Poverty Facts - 13M US Kids Struggle with Hunger? (1 in 5 U.S. Kids live in poverty) http://tinyurl.com/hofawx5 The Fiscal Burden of Illegal Immigration on United States Taxpayers (2013) 'Illegal immigration costs U.S. taxpayers about $113 billion a year at the federal, state and local level. The bulk of the costs — some $84 billion — are absorbed by state and local governments.' http://tinyurl.com/od66dx3 Just think what $113 BILLION would do for our own poor or for infrastructure across our country? And this is an OLD 2013 report - no doubt with Obama's open border type policies illegals are costing us tons more today! Here's a more updated study: How Much Does Illegal Immigration Cost You? Posted Saturday, September 17, 2016 http://amac.us/illegal-immigration-cost-1/ -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Value Of Life http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/value.html Autumn Of Life http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/life.html Financial Stewardship http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/financialstewardship.html Overseer http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/overseer.html Advice For New Year http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/newyear.html Blink Of An Eye http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/eye.html Kids On Angels http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/cangels.html Random Acts Of Kindness http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/actsofkindness.html Thank You God http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thankgod.html Happy Moments http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/happymoments.html Wood Stacking Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/woodstacking.html Beautiful Exotic Birds http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/exoticbirds.html Dog Rescue Stories http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dogrescues.html You And Me Together http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/youandme.html -<>- >Please Visit This Link to Get New Traffic For Shangrala :) Fun Pages http://www.funpageexchange.com/go.php?uid=3559 -<>- >Please Follow Me On StumbleUpOn: http://tinyurl.com/zmfrjq8 -<>- >From Dean Supply: (I don't normally share store info - but this one is for those cooks out there that, like me, have a hard time finding the cooking utensils, pans, spices, etc that they are looking for.) 5 Ways To Be A Better Chef in 2017 http://tinyurl.com/jtrtt6s -<>- >From AFA: Did you hear the good news? This past Sunday, a federal judge ordered an immediate halt to President Obama's directive that would have forced doctors and health care facilities to perform sex-change operations and other gender transition services, even if it violated their religious beliefs or medical judgment. http://tinyurl.com/hw7u6xb The rules were set to take effect Sunday. U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor wrote in his judgment, "Plaintiffs will be forced to either violate their religious beliefs or maintain their current policies, which seem to be in direct conflict with the rule and risk the severe consequences of enforcement." Back in August, Judge O'Connor blocked another Obama edict that directed schools to allow boys to use girls' restrooms. Texas and 12 other states challenged Obama, saying his executive mandate was unconstitutional. This is good news. It is good news for liberty and it is good news for America. It may take a while to reverse all the damage that the Obama administration has done to our country. With sound decisions like those of Judge O'Connor, America is headed in the right direction. TAKE ACTION I urge you to continue to pray for our country and incoming leadership. Specifically, pray that president-elect Trump will place godly men and women into positions that will make America great again. In your prayers, thank God for judges like Judge O'Connor, who rightly rule that religious beliefs and conscience deserve government's protection. Thank you, Tim Tim Wildmon, President American Family Association http://www.afa.net/ -<>- >In The News: From MRC: http://em.mrc.org/NB00eRdK0004qTS0PL8060Y From RightAlerts: http://rightalerts.com This is what Hate looks likes inspired by Obama, the left wing media, Hillary, elites, far left Democrats and Black Lives Matter: http://tinyurl.com/zz9vzct Did Russia supply WikiLeaks with hacking intel? Assange says No. Sean says Assange has a 10 year history of reporting the truth. Nothing reported by him has ever been found to be untruthful. I therefore find what he says to be highly credible. You can determine for yourself here... WikiLeaks Julian Assange Interview with Sean Hannity (1/3/2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYZ-aYwm5Fo -<>- >From Billy Graham... 2016: Year in Pictures - See what God has done this year. http://tinyurl.com/hhgedqw -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) There are many sites that allow you to listen to music, but there are always some songs that are missing or are impossible to find. The beauty of this site is that it takes song lists from many sites at the same time, and lets you search through all of them. Instructions: Just enter the name of the song or the musical group you're interested in listening to (for example: "Jailhouse Rock" or "Abba") and just click on any of the results! http://www.musicsmasher.net/ --- ...Excellent! Thanks LouiseAu! 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 Our Friend Bunni :) __ __ / \ /| |'-. .\__/ || | | _ / `._ \|_|_.-' | / \__.`=._) (_ |/ ._/ |"""""""""| |'. `\ | | ;"""/ / | | jgs ) /_/| |.-------.| ' `-`' " " >THE VALUE OF EXPERIENCE "Sir, What is the secret of your success?" a reporter asked a bank president. "Two words." "And, sir, what are they?" "Right decisions." "And how do you make right decisions?" "One word." "And, sir, what is that?" "Experience." "And how do you get experience?" "Two words." "And, sir, what are they?" "Wrong decisions." There's a measure of truth in that. Though we can (and should) learn from the mistakes of others, experience truly does seem to be "the best teacher." The experience of making wrong decisions in the past should help us to learn so that we make better decisions in the future. But are we willing to learn? Paul is a great example of someone who learned from his past mistakes and, as a result of that experience, made better decisions in his effort to serve God. "And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man" -I Timothy 1:12-13 I love the way that I've heard Randy Harris put it: "God loves you wherever you are........but He loves you too much to leave you where you are!" _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ Father, once again I come asking forgiveness for the many times I've let you down. As I confess to you my transgressions, I pray that you will help me to learn from my mistakes -- to recognize the consequences of following my stubborn will, to realize the heartache you feel when I turn a deaf ear to you, to learn from my error the need to follow your word more closely. I have made wrong decisions, but I pray that the experience of doing so will help me to develop the wisdom necessary to make better decisions in the future, as I strive to draw closer to you. In Jesus Christ's name, amen. Have a great day! Alan Smith Cruciform Church of Christ Spring Lake, North Carolina --- ...Great! Paul the Apostle is a great one for us to pattern ourselves after. Thankyou Bunni! =========================================================== __.------. (__ ___ ) .)e )\ / /_.------ _/_ _/ __.' / ' `-.__ / <.--' `\ / \ \c | / / ) GoT x \ | /\ |c / \.- \ \__/ ) /( ( \ <>'\ / _/ _\- `-. \/_|_ /<> / /--/,-\ _ \ <>.`. \/`--\_._) - / `-/\ `.\ / `. / ) `\ \ \ \___/----' | / `( ___________ \ ./\_ _ \ ______________ / | ) '| __________________ | / \ \ ___________a:f / | |____.) / \ a88a\___/88888a. \_ :)8888888888888888888a. /` `-----' `Y88888888888888888 \____| `88888888888P' >Results of a Risk Taken Story Editor: by Lois Dansler Joyce Schowalter Ohio, USA My friend, Barb, and I had been out yard saling as we often do, and were headed home on a hot, humid day in August, 2010. We were driving through a part of town where one sees drug users and dealers on the street. As we slowed for a traffic light my friend noticed a wallet lying open on the street near a parked car. She asked me to stop and as I did she jumped out and retrieved it. I expected her to hop back in so we could give it to the police, but she waved for me to park. Rolling down the window, I asked what she was doing, and she said, "There's ID in here -- maybe the owner is in one of these houses. But the address isn't on this street. Hmmm." Recognizing her determination, I feared Barb would start knocking on doors.... Doors sheltering people who were scared of strangers, drug dealers, and users -- many of them armed to balance their fears. I parallel parked. Barb had already knocked on a couple doors asking for the name on the ID, without disclosing what she wanted. The first door didn't open, the folks inside told her to go away. At the second door, no one answered. I caught up with her at the third door as it was opened slowly after a peek out through closed blinds. A young woman in faded but clean clothes opened it after seeing Barb's smile. Barb asked by name for the wallet's owner. A look of trepidation passed over the girl's face as she backed up a step. She called out. A young man in his early twenties with a puzzled look came towards us. Barb recognized the young man from the driver's license picture. She held out the wallet without a word, just a smile, and he took it, not quite understanding what was happening. The young girl said thank you and quickly closed the door. Halfway back to the car I was still scolding my friend for taking such chances. Then we heard yelling over the street noise. The young man was running toward us and waving. He was smiling, yet tears were running down his face. Before we knew it, he was hugging us both and saying thank you over and over. When he calmed a bit, he explained. He'd just been back to work for three weeks and his first paycheck was in his wallet. That paycheck was enough to move his wife and their 3-month-old baby to a small clean apartment, close to his job and out of the threatening area where they now lived. With a last big hug, and the last tears from all of us, the young man headed back to the house. We headed back to our car with smiles that lasted longer than most, and kept returning to our faces. My friend taught me that day that your fears are worth overcoming, for the benefit of others. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Laugh And Lift: "Circumstances may appear to wreck our lives and God's plans, but God is not helpless among the ruins. Our broken lives are not lost or useless. God comes in and takes the calamity and uses it victoriously, working out his wonderful plan of love." - Eric Liddell The Lift () <()> () () () /| #| #|\ #/\ # /| # / \ # \_ #\_\ #\_\ # /_| # \ ### \ ### \ ### \ ### \ ### | # # \_ # # /_ # # /_ # # /_ # # /_ () () () () |\_ /|\ /|\ /|\/ # | # / | \ # || \ # / | # | # |\ # |\ # /| ### | ### | | ### / | ### / | # # |_ # # |_|_ # # /_ |_ # # /_ |_ >Start Over! When you've trusted Jesus and walked His way When you've felt His hand lead you day by day But your steps now take you another way, Start Over! When you've made your plans and they've gone awry When you've tried your best and there's no more try When you've failed yourself and you don't know why, Start Over! When you've told your friends what you plan to do When you've trusted them and they didn't come through And now you're all alone and it's up to you, Start Over! When you've failed your kids and they're grown and gone When you've done your best but it's turned out wrong; And now your grandchildren have come along, Start Over! When you've prayed to God so you'll know His will When you've prayed and prayed and you don't know still When you want to stop cause you've had your fill, Start Over! When you think you're finished and want to quit When you've bottomed out in life's deepest pit When you've tried and tried to get out of it, Start Over! When the year has been long and successes few When December comes and you're feeling blue God Gives a January just for you, Start Over! Starting Over means "Victories Won" Starting Over means "A Race well run" Starting Over means "The Lord's Will Done: Don't just sit there . . . Start Over! 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 Kidwarmers: .-. _ _..---./ \ .'_`\' `. / _....__ | `\| \ _~- ~ ' .`'\__, ; ~_- ~ ' . . | e | ~_- ~_.._. ' . ; e <> | ~- ~/` '.' .'; \ , ; .._# -_~' \ . _\ ,__\/ /_..;/ `\ `\/`' '._ _.-;`` \\ | |.' '__`""`. ' \ \\ / / `-.' '-._ . / \\`#, / / '--;__ _.' #, ; | `//-'.# #, | \ || | #, / '._ || / #, .' `--,-....__\\-#` #, `'-...__ __.-' | ,#' #. .-.| ``__ |,#' #. / /; .' '. ;#' #, / /(_\ / \ /#' #, / /_ `'/ | /#; #, / / \_.' / .'#'| # / / / ;__.-',#' ; ### / /-._/ .' \ ,#' | '#' / /'-./`-.____.' \,#' / / /\__/ ,#' | / / #,#|_____|_ | | '#/ ||`\ , \ \ jgs _____\______||_/___/ \ `--' ( / '-------------------' >THE FUNNIEST THINGS KIDS SAY Peg took little Emma Leedy a Christmas present -- a hat and gloves. Emma was really excited about the gift because she "was wanting mittens with fingers!" -- Peg Scott (friend of the Leedys) of Kendallville, Indiana Our KPC Media Group newspapers received many darling letters to Santa. One of them was from Claire who didn't ask for any presents. Her letter was just a question: "Santa, do your reindeer like their carrots with or without the skin?" I guess she figured happy reindeer fly faster and farther! Four year-old Trevor becomes the part. If he is dressed as the Beast from Beauty and the Beast, he IS the Beast. Same with the Grinch and any other costume he may have. In December he WAS Santa. At a community Christmas party, as he sat there in full costume, it was announced Santa would be coming. One of the older people there said that Santa didn't need to come because he was already there. At that point, Trevor proudly proclaimed, "I'm fake!" -- Amy (Trevor's aunt) of Pennsylvania Ally, 3, was so excited about her upcoming birthday. She would ask quite often when her birthday would get here. Her grandparents' reply always was, "Pretty soon." When the day finally arrived she called Hal and Cheryl and said, "My birthday is pretty soon and it is today!" -- Cheryl Barker (grandmother of Ally) of Kendallville, Indiana _.--""""'. .' `\ / \ _/_ _,__ __ __/ | |`_o)/ ` ` | ; | )/o\> \ / ;"`""`""`"""`";.""-. .' .--._.--. / ' \ / / _ _ \ |'. '| / | / \ / \ | \__'/ ; .-' \o/ \o/ '-. ; | | () .-"""-. () | | ; | \ / | ; \ ; \ / ; / /`\ \ \ / / /`\ / .:`""--....Y....--::` .:\ \:' .:' .:' .:' .:'/| /'._.:' .:' .:' .:'.;':\ / ``;--::.___::.--;``` | \ / / \ |':.| ; | | \ ':| | | _..._ | \ \ | \ .' o o'. / |:. | \ './ o.-"-. o\.' \ ':.\ ;. `-; ;-' .;\ | | `-._ _/ \_ _.-' | |:. | | | ```\o (>0<)` /``` | |/__':/ ; \ '._/`\).' / ;77777 \ \ /```\ / / \ '. .' / \ `-.__ __.-' / '. ``` .' jgs /`-._ _.-'\ / , ``;---;`` , \ | / | | | | \ | '-'|__/\_/ \_/\__|'-' Mikey is Cheryl and Hal's 2-year-old grandson in Indianapolis. They call him often to keep in touch but he's not really interested in talking on the phone yet. Mikey's parents had just bought new diapers for him and the diapers had Mickey Mouse on them. Mikey's dad was trying to encourage him to say something on the phone so he asked Mikey to tell Grandma what was on his new diaper. In a little voice, Mikey replied, "Poop!" A couple of weeks ago after the big snow Karen's husband called their neighbor, George, to talk to him about blowing out their driveway with his snowblower because theirs had just broken down. His 4-year-old son, Isaac Garrison, answered the phone and said his dad was out "mowing the snow!" -- Karen Walker of Auburn, Indiana Here is another one from Karen. They were on their way to a restaurant with their daughter, son-in-law and her two children. Their 6 year-old grandson, Walker, was evidently thinking it was taking too long to get there and asked, "Why are we taking the long cut?" Karen still gets a laugh out of an episode that happened when their daughter, Angi, was about 6 and their son, Jeff, was about 3. (They are now 37 and 34.) They were at the 25th wedding anniversary party of some friends and their priest was also there. He looked down at little Jeff and asked, "Where did you get that white hair?" Without hesitation, Angi blurted out, "from the mailman!" _...._ .' '. / _ _ \ | O O | ; ; .-;-. \ '--' / /\.7./\ .-. '. .' .-./\/ )/ (_ \ ) ( / _)/ ` \ '-' '-' /\/ '. () .'\/ | | |/ | () | ; ; | () | ; /\ ; _ / / \ \ _ jgs / ` .' '. ` \ \___.' '.___/ Cree's great-aunt died last week. The 8-year-old was preparing to go to the funeral home with her father Shane. After she donned one of her nicest outfits, Cree asked Shane, "How do I look? Do I look too happy?" -- Shane Housholder of Fort Wayne, Indiana Matthew, 5, was in the kitchen with his dad. There was a package of graham crackers on the table and Matthew said, "Daddy, is that graham crackers?" His dad replied yes. Then Matthew said, "Well, I need one." His Dad asked him why he thought he needed one and he answered, "Well, I'm a Graham Son, so I need a graham cracker!" -- Carol Davis (grandmother of Matthew) of Winona, West Virginia Olivia, 7, and Ian, 3, went miniature golfing. They had to pay at the front desk of the adjacent hotel. Upon entering, Olivia saw a sign that said, "Mini golf open to the public." Olivia looked at her grandmother with a sad look and said, "I guess we're not allowed to play since I'm Catholic and not Public." -- Jenny Rice (friend of Olivia's family) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin Kyle, 10, has Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism. When faced with big tasks like cleaning his room, they have to give him instructions one at a time. The other day Dad, Mike, gave him instructions about picking things up and left Kyle to work. Kyle negotiated to have his TV on while he cleaned. After about 10 minutes, Dad went in to check on Kyle's progress. Kyle hadn't gotten much done so Mike began to admonish him. Kyle interrupted saying, "I know Dad, I know! It (the TV) was just too much temptation, it was calling to me, 'Kyle, come watch me, come watch me!' I just couldn't resist, Dad!" -- Christal Bricker (mother of Kyle) of Colorado Springs, Colorado ..'''::::... .::' `'''':::.. '...::' `.----. /_.--._\ , | =-| ,/ \,|=- | ,/ /`\ \, -| ,/ /'.-.`\ \, | ,/ /`//_|_\\`\ \| ,/ /` ||_|_|| `\;/\, ,/ /` ||_|_|| ,/ /\ \, ,/ /` ==_ `-----',/ /`/\`\ \, ,/ /` __| ,/ /` ~\/~=`\ \, ,/ /`==_ _|___- ,/ /` ==-= `\ \, ,/ /` --= ,/ /` |-- `\ \, ,/ /` |__ .... = ,/ /`o = .-""""-. o`\ \, / /`| .'_.._'./ /; {_} .'.-""""-.'. {_} `\ \ |/` |_| =/.; || ;|/` | |:|/.' ____ '.\|:| | `\| | |/_|_||_|_\| |=\:/|| /|__|\ ||\:/ | | -=|| | || | || | | || |_|__|_| || ||_| | , ||-|-||-|-||=| T || |_|__|_| || T | |/_\||_|_||_|_||-|' || .::. ||= _ | /_ (|| | || | || | =_|| /::::::\ || __P|_ /_\ \|-|-||-|-|| | || |::()::| ||/\ | `\ `>/ _\\_|_||_|_||-|-'|_|| \/`\/`\/ ||||_____| /_/ <---------' | ||()\_/\_/ ||/ || / ` \_ ( ==_ __| |_|_ || /\ \ || =_|| `/_) | _ <` _ | || /_/\_\ || || > / \ == _ = | - || ||= || jgs /_/ ( \ `\ __ =|-_|_||----------||_| || )-._/ _\ _,-(' __.;-'- `""""""""""` `||-. '-,._ \__.-`-;''` ``--'`""'""`""""`-- `-- ' ``` `""""`"""'"`""" ----' Here is another story from Christal. Just before Christmas, Christal and Mike had some last minute shopping to do so they left Caitlin, 15 in charge of Kyle. Christal asked Caitlin to help Kyle with his daily 15-minute vision therapy routine. When they got back, she asked Caitlin, "When you did the Marsdon ball exercise did you ask him questions?" The Marsdon ball exercise is a whiffle ball tied to a string. It has a star on the bottom of the ball that Kyle is supposed to follow with his eyes while he is asked questions. The questions alternate from easy memory like favorite colors to thinking memory questions like, "What is 3 x 3?" Caitlin said yes. Christal asked what questions she asked him during the exercise. Caitlin said, "Well, I asked him: 'Is this how Mom does it?'" Eleven-year-old Kolton came over to help his grandmother with chores to raise money for a trip his Pop Warner football team was taking to Orlando to play in the Division II Super Bowl. He wanted some spending money for the trip. After working very hard for about five hours, he said, "Grandma, I do it 75 percent for love and 25 percent for the money!" What a great attitude! -- Susan Osborn (grandmother of Kolton) of Fullerton, California Two-year-old Isaiah loves to listen to Christmas music. The other day he heard the song Feliz Navidad for the first time. The next morning he was singing it this way, "Alize Naminah, Alize Naminah, I wanna wake up and see the presents (instead of ?I wanna Wish you a Merry Christmas')." -- Irma Cisneros (mother of Isaiah) of Phoenix, Arizona Here's another one from Irma. Isaiah and his daddy were playing. His daddy made a fist and asked, "You want a knuckle sandwich?" Isaiah looked at him and thought for a moment. Then he made a fist and said, "You want French fries?" .---. .' , _\ _ /_____\{_} / ( . {_______} | `|_ / . . \ \_.'_} |. v .| {_.'| \ '...' / | \{`'.___.'`} \ /'._ _.'`\ \ ; o ``` \ ; o \ \_ | o_ \.'` } ;==[_]======{__.'\ \ |/) | `; .' /_/ / `- / / / /\ \ {`-._/ \ _.'`} ;-.__} {__.'\ __/ / \_ \ ( ` / / / jgs '.__/ (__.' Sandi's grandson, Max, 4, was super-excited about Christmas. After a visit to see Santa Claus at the mall, he announced dreamily and wishfully, "Nana, I wish I had a Christmas hat." Puzzled, she asked, "What kind of Christmas hat?" He replied, "Just like Santa wears!" So, since she needed to go shopping she decided to buy him one. How elated he was! Before they even reached the check-out lane, Max had it on his head, and asked everyone and anyone walking by, "What's your name? What do you want for Christmas?" followed by a hearty, "Ho, Ho, HO!" He asked one young man, and the guy replied, "A million dollars!" Max said, "O.K., come on up to the North Pole and I'll make it for you!" -- Sandi Pound of Florida Note: You are welcomed to use, copy and share these stories, but please reference http://www.funnykids.com as the source. --- _.--"""-, .' `\ / \ | /.-.--.-.--.) S N O W M A N .\|(_._.__._.__) ( ) 0 _ 0 \ I made myself a snowman \ /_ `-| (_) | _\ / As perfect as could be. \\/ /`| |`\ \// '-.\\ \/ | \ \ / / | \/ //.-' __\\| \ '. '._.' .' / |//__I thought I'd keep it as a pet \\ .-'. `'-----'` .'-. // And let it sleep with me. \\.' '-._ .-'\ '.// /` `'''''') ) `\ / ( ( ,\ I made it some pajamas ; O /\ '-..-'/ ; And a pillow for its head. | ( '. / | | O ) `;---'` | ; /__.-' ;_ Then, last night it ran away. .-''-\ O ` / '- But first-- it wet the bed! `. .' jgs '-._ _.-' `" ' - - - ' "`` ...A tidbit from my own grandkids... I had the pleasure of watching my grandkids over this Holiday school break while their dad was at work. One day while sitting down at the table for lunch, the 13 year old bragged to his two 9 year old brothers, 'I got more than you do!' I had my back turned but got tickled when I heard one of the twins reply, 'So what? We are only single digits! We don't eat as much as you do!'. I giggled and told my husband, 'We'll have to remember that. If anyone calls us old, we'll just say - oh no, we're only double digits.' And My husband added, 'Yea, not even close to triple digits!' ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseAu :) .-----. ( #-...'`\ \ # | _ )"===="| _ (_`"======"`_) /`""""""""`\ | o _o\ ,_ | (_>| ___ {` `}__ \ '.___/--# _ _ ."` `"=, `;"` `"=, '. ;-._:'\ {_}:_`'=='` _,=="""=,\ / _.-'`\ )===\ <)_/ __ `'--.=" _.====, `| ; _.'` _.;` .---""`====`-'\__.' `| `'_(| ^.^ |)/ ;'` _.:_^} / ()\ / )';_'='_/.' _ .'=_._\___.-|`|| || _ \___..--' \_.-' .'` '.=/(__/` | _`-.=||_||_||_||_|/` | | () | / / o| \ \_/ .=`-`/ \\_/ ; ; /`-,_/ o| |-' /`-..-' ~~ |/ \ ()/ `(`___ o/__/ \_/` / \ '. / _`\ \`""` \ __ __\ \ '-./ __, _.'`\ `; || `'.'._ /-"// {{o '.'. //" // ( `\ \_ || ,/`-.`./ // {{ \/`.`.// // \ .-`\ `\ jgs `\\_/ `'-.// `\\_/ `'; o// \___) `._____.' `"` `"` >>Happy New Year Wish My Happy New Year wish for you Is for your best year yet, A year where life is peaceful, And what you want, you get. A year in which you cherish The past year’s memories, And live your life each new day, Full of bright expectancies. I wish for you a holiday With happiness galore; And when it’s done, I wish you Happy New Year, and many more. --- ...Awww, Thank You LouiseAu! >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->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 and DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? 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