Stop, Drop, Listen... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList Through no fault of my own we suddenly became an adult club in the love and romance directory so you will have to confirm that you are an adult when you go here. I still have no idea how to change this back as it sends me around in a circle when I try! or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* 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!! ================ >-->OoooWEeeee!! (>, oo / 8 "} > @ < |`.8 .-._/| `-.'`')`_.' ) / / |__, | ( / .' , / `._/ '`- \| -- -`' - --- VK/ejm I'm doing a 'Happy Angel' dance! Why? Because Shangrala has been blessed with our first 2011 Angel! William Lysak from Canada is again a faithful Shangrala supporter. This is his FOURTH year in a row of stepping up to the plate to help Keep Shangrala Alive with a sweet donation! We sure do thank God for him and all our past wonderful angels! If you'd like to help too and be counted as a 2011 Shangrala Angel, please visit the site 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 ALL OUR ANGELS MOST ABUNDANTLY! ================ >-->2 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) Our friend Johanna sent us a delightful video link that I just had to update a page with. You will enjoy this one! Be sure to watch the video! ,_ :`. .--._ `.`-. / ',-""""' `. ``~-._.'_."/ `~-._ .` `~; ;. / / / jgs ,_.-';_,.'` `"-;`/ ,'` Hummingbirds! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/humming.html --- ...Wow! So sweet! Thanks Johanna! She also sent us a great forward that I couldn't resist doing up a page on and adding it to the series. Sure to bring a smile! ,-. O / `. <\/ `. |* `. / \ `. / / `>')3s, --------. ,' apc / 7 Life's Little Oops 8! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/whoops8.html --- ...So Funny! Thanks Johanna! ============================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: {} oIIo oIIo || || I. || |: _||_ |: .' || `. |: / || \ |: | :: | |: )_ :: _( |: _)( :: )(_ |: ) ._)::(_. ( |: / II \ |: | .-.|| | |: \(___)( / |: hjw `.__\/__.' I' >IN PLAIN SIGHT by Ellie Braun-Haley This short piece you are about to read, really caused me to stop and think. I remember a man in the subway in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who asked me if I wanted him to sing for me and I said yes. His voice was richer than velvet, sweeter than your favorite flavor. It was pure and beautiful. I did not take my eyes off him as he sang, though I knew my family waited. This was like a special concert for me, just for me! When he was done I told him his voice was too beautiful not to share with others. He told me he had been an opera singer, but he had to stop because he was ill and could not be depended on. I wonder if the people of that city realize that a man who works in their subway has the voice of an angel? Here is a true story: In a Washington, DC, Metro Station, on a cold January morning in 2007, a man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After about 3 minutes, a middle-aged man noticed that there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds, and then he hurried on to meet his schedule. About 4 minutes, the violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk. At 6 minutes, a young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again. At 10 minutes, a 3-year old boy stopped, but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head the whole time. This action was repeated by several other children, but every parent forced their children to move on quickly. At 45 minutes, only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32. After 1 hour, he finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed and no one applauded. There was no recognition at all. No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell played to a sold-out theater in Boston where the seats averaged $200 each to sit and listen to him play the same music. This is a true story and was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities. This experiment raised several questions: In a common-place environment, at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? If so, do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context? One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made, how many other things are we missing as we rush through life? -- Ellie Braun-Haley __________________________________________________ Ellie is a long time Heartwarmers contributor, author and motivational speaker. ================================================================ >-->From our Friend Jo Ann :) '\ . . |>18>> \ . ' . | O>> . 'o | \ . | /\ . | / / .' | jgs^^^^^^^`^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >The Secret of the Course (You don't have to be a golf fan to be inspired.) There is somethng very special about this golf course in Tacoma, Washington. You can't see it, but you can hear it. Watch and discover what someone decided to do for those who are more than deserving. The Secret of the Course http://www.sonnyradio.com/secret-of-the-course.html --- ...An Awesome blessing! Thank You Jo Ann! ================================================================ >-->From CupO'Cheer: .=., ;c =\ __| _/ .'-'-._/-'-._ /.. ____ \ /' _ [<_->] ) \ ( / \--\_>/-/'._ ) \-;_/\__;__/ _/ _/ '._}|==o==\{_\/ / /-._.--\ \_ // / /| \ \ \ / | | | \; | \ \ / / | :/ \: \ \_\ / | /.'| /: | \ \ | | |--| . |--| \_\ / _/ \ | : | /___--._) \ |_(---'-| >-'-| | '-' snd /_/ \_\ >DO YOU KNOW A HERO? Not every Marine is a hero. During field training exercises at Parris Island, South Carolina, one drill instructor threw a pine cone among the recruits and yelled, "Grenade!" The trainees immediate- ly turned away and hit the ground. "Just as I suspected," chided the drill instructor. "Not a hero among you! Didn't anyone want to jump on that grenade to save the others?" A little later the instructor tossed another pine cone and yelled, "Grenade!" This time, all the recruits but one jumped on the "explosive." "Why are you still standing there?" the DI demanded. "Sir," the recruit replied, "someone had to live to tell about it." Not everyone is a hero. But then, not every hero jumps on grenades, pulls terrified children from burning buildings, or wears an impressive uniform. Do you know a hero? I am not asking you to simply name a favorite celebrity. There is a difference. Do you know a hero? I think perhaps you do. Heroes, you see, can be found in some of the most unexpected places. I knew a young mother who was slowly dying of cancer, yet she put aside her pain long enough every day to smile and laugh with her children. She tried hard every day to bring sunshine into the gloomy hospital room when her family was present. And I watched her husband fill the roles of single parent and financial provider, and still spend every remaining moment sitting at his mate's bedside, valiantly encouraging and offering whatever hope he could muster. I knew a talented teacher who could have worked at a far more lucrative profession, yet was determined to stay in a disadvantaged school in the hope that she could make a difference in a difficult situation. She did it for her students. I've known other heroes, too. You may have noticed - many of the world's true heroes will never be confused with action figures. Most have never been to battle, competed athletically nor sung in a pop band. But they have faced nearly impossible challenges with unimaginable determination and courage. They found what it takes to bear the unbearable, forgive the unforgivable, love the unlovable, outlast the unendurable or defeat the undefeatable. And often they do it for the sake of others. Do you know a hero? Maybe one lives in your home. And perhaps one even looks back at you from the mirror. For it is in everyday battles of the spirit that true wars are fought and won. And it is those real-life heroes who give the rest of us hope and remind us that anything is possible. Do you know a hero? I think you do. -- Steve Goodier -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >DISCIPLINE Proverbs 13:24 24 Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.1 Proverbs 3:11-12 11 My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline or be weary of his reproof, 12 for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. Proverbs 5:23 23 He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he is led astray. Proverbs 22:15 15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him. Warning! This message may offend you as it is about a topic which is politically incorrect these days. My wife and I routinely enjoy attending the Pittsburgh Symphony. Lately I have been noticing a regular occurrence. Parents are bringing younger children to these performances that typically run two hours in length. Within minutes, the youngsters are squirming around, ‘whispering’ quite loudly and kicking the seat in front of them. I experienced that one personally and after ten minutes of continual kicking and listening to a parent continue to offer empty threats of punishment, I turned and looked at the adult who was accompanying said youth, only to receive a rude gesture which was mimicked by the youngster. Ah, the fruit does not fall far from the tree. I certainly want young folks to learn to appreciate music. Perhaps the children’s concerts that are regularly offered might be a better choice. Before a recent career change, I employed and worked with thousands of youth. I am also a high school Sunday school teacher, so I have a fair amount of experience in working with teens and young adults. Something is wrong, very wrong. There is no sense of discipline or restraint. Schools and parents are failing to hold children accountable and I fear the consequences are already upon us. Schools are eliminating the grade ‘F’ for failing work as it is too demoralizing for the kids. Got a kid in soccer? Everyone gets a trophy? I just saw my nephews’ Christmas lists, nothing under $100! When do we ever say no to kids? When is there a consequence for poor behavior? I recall a parent who complained to me because I fired his daughter for stealing $50. After showing the video clearly showing her putting the money into her pocket, he asked me to hire her back. Perhaps the parent needs some discipline too? Look folks, this is not an option. Scripture commands us to discipline our children when they do something wrong. Proverbs 13:24 reads in some translations as ‘discipline EARLY’ not waiting until later to punish or correct. We often let our kids (I have been just as guilty as any of us) slide and not pay the price for their poor choices. We need to let our kids feel some pain, embarrassment and disappointment in their lives. How else will they know how to avoid similar traps or pitfalls? How to punish? Each family needs to decide that for the circumstance. Rod in 13:24 is rendered as ‘shebet’ in Hebrew, meaning club, staff, or branch indicating some sort of physical punishment, not just a ‘time out’. Appropriate physical punishment is key as there should never be any physical abuse involved. You are getting the youngster’s attention and creating a situation that they never want to go through again. as seen in The Bread To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. =========================================================== >-->From TruthOrTradition: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >A Father And His Children How does a godly father deal with his children? Loving each one with the same degree of fervent love, he recognizes their differences in age, ability and experience. First he instructs each child as to how to do a certain thing. Then he tests him by asking him to do it. If the child disobeys or does it wrong, he corrects him. When the child gets it right, the father rewards him appropriately and in light of the “big picture” of the whole family. This process is known as “discipline,” and it is exactly how God our Father works with us. You can see that the word “disciple” is closely related to the word “discipline.” Many people today have an unnecessarily negative connotation of “discipline,” perhaps because their fathers abused them and called it “discipline.” In Scripture, the Greek word translated “disciple” means “a learner; one who follows both the teacher and the teaching.” [1] Does genuine parental discipline include breaking a kid’s arm when he reaches rudely across the dinner table for the last brownie? Of course not. Such extreme and unwarranted cruelty would today be called “child abuse,” and biblically it could be classified as “provoking children to wrath.” Ephesians 6:4 tells parents not to do this, but on the contrary to “bring them up in the nurture [paideia] and admonition of the Lord Read the full teaching here: A Father And His Children: http://tinyurl.com/49w7ep5 -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Stand, Even When You Do Not Understand Life often brings trials and tragedies that we just do not understand. Too often, Christians facing such adversity lose their excitement for God, and their commitment to Christianity weakens. Many stop going to church or fellowship, stop praying, stop reading the Bible, and become negative about God and life in general. The Bible is clear that things will happen that we do not understand, but we never abandon what we do understand in the face of what we don't understand. God's Word directs us to stand on what we know, no matter what is going on around us. Joshua Anderson takes us into the lives of some of the great people in the Bible who lived through difficult times, showing that despite great trials, we can stand for God, even when we do not understand everything about the situation. To listen to this teaching free of charge, click here: http://tinyurl.com/4taekc7 Truth Or Tradition http://www.truthortradition.com/index.php =============================================================== >-->From Laugh and Lift: >Thought for Today "Never, Never, Never, Never give up!" - Winston Churchill The Lift 5 Things You Should Always Remember Note from Chris: Somebody sent the following to me many years ago. It's so simple and yet so important to remember. You might even want to write the steps down on a card and do as she does. Below's her message to me. -Chris --------- I wrote this two summers ago after a rough day. I take it out and read it whenever I need encouragement or to be reminded of God's love towards me. I hope it blesses you as much as it has me! - Christina Rosenburg ______________________________________ ". | .+"""+._ | ."+.".".\\\ | : \ \"\\"\. | ..++"\\"\"\\\\. | `.~/"\\ "\\"\\.| \\" |\\\\\\\\| . | `.\"\\ | `". . \ | / \." \ .". | ." + | + +| .+"-. + ; ./" ". + + : // +-+. \ / : : ./ "\ \ : , : .________ \ \ \ ___: : / /. \ \ ` : : : .--------.|| \ ". : , : . /_________/": \ ".: , . /_________/-. "+.___\ + . . "+. \ , . "-____". , . +. . : . + . / +_ . / "-+_.-. .+ . ." . ." . ." [ kya ] . JUST A REMINDER (5 things you should always remember) 5.) God has a plan for your life. 4.) God is always there for you. 3.) God will help you through anything. 2.) God made you special. 1.) God always loves you! -<>- The Laugh Quick Jokes | | _ | _/=\_ | _/=====\_ | '-\-' / \ ' , ' /(o)| __)-(____ /|^^^| / <\/> __/_|\/^| / /| : | /__|^^^| / / | : |/___|^^^| /_/ }===={)___|^^^|\ .-. ((' |) (| )__|^^^|_\ ______/o ) \\ | | )_|^^^|/ \----- ( / _____ '\ | | | \|^^^| \ / \ // ||||| ___\| | |____|^^^|__________\ / \\\\///__||||| /___)| | |___///|\\\_____=____\_/(___\\)/___|()|| /___( |__|_|__////|\\\\ __ ___-______| | \____||||| /__=__)(___)__)^^^^^^^^^( ;__________| |______||||| /_____(___________________)___________" "____=__||||| ________________________________________________||||| ||||| _________ |OOShy A fisherman from the city was out fishing on a lake in a small boat. He noticed another man in a small boat open his tackle box and take out a mirror. Being curious the man rowed over and asked, "What is the mirror for?" "That's my secret way to catch fish," said the other man. "Shine the mirror on the top of the water. The fish notice the spot of sun on the water above and they swim to the surface. Then I just reach down and net them and pull them into the boat." "Wow! Does that really work?" "You bet it does." "Would you be interested in selling that mirror? I'll give you $30 for it." "Well, okay." After the money was transferred, the city fisherman asked, "By the way, how many fish have you caught this week?" "You're the sixth," he said. -------- ___ ,.-"',..'"-. ,' `.,' : '`'.`. ;`-. " `. ``:` `.'. .. '`-.:...-:-` ' . ; `.; . : ' . |. . ```:---...,;,, .| | `:--..: / \ ' | `.; :```' "./##\:' ``-..:___| |####| `.|##"' MarCin Krawie When temperatures plunged to 26 degrees below zero Fahrenheit, the Rockford, Ill., Register Star asked its readers to finish the sentence, "It was so cold that..." Here are some of the responses: ...you could freeze an egg on the sidewalk. ...I had to go up and break the smoke off my chimney. ...we opened the refrigerator to heat the house. ...when police saw a bank-robbery suspect and said, "Freeze!" he did. ...when I called home to Arizona, the message caused the cactus to frost over. ...I let my dog out, and I had to break him loose from the tree. SUBSCRIBE INFO Want to receive a Christian inspirational item AND great clean humor in an email to you each day of the week? It's easy and FREE! Read all about Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com =================================================================== ,---------------------------------------------------++++------. | ,-------------------. `T$b. PL | | | _..._ | NAME(-S): Blazej `T$b. | | | .d$$$$$$$b. | SURNAME: Kozlowski `T$b.| | | d$$$$$$$$$$$b | NICKNAME: bug `T$l | | d$P^""^$^""^T$b | ADRESS: [classified] `l | | $$ $$ | | | | $;.==. .==.:$ | | | | :; ` / :| | MOBILE NUMBER: +48 608093718 | | | :| |; | HOME NUMBER: [classified] | | | : ,_l ; | WORK NUMBER: n/a | | | \ .___. / | E-MAIL(-S): da.bug@wp.pl | | | :. - .; | blazej-1981@tlen.pl | | | _.; `---' :._ | | | |gd$$$$. .$$$$bp| GG IM: 1093730 | | '^^^^^^^^=-=^^^^^^^^' ICQ IM: 147041942 | | |_ |, _ __ _ ' OTHER IM(-S): TLEN: blazej-1981 | | :_l :_ :_l_ /_ |/ | YIM: blazej_kozlowski | | "-' | |-----------------------------------+--------------+----------| | OFFICIAL ASCII-ART ARTIST LICENSE | NO: PL000001 | 18/03/03 | '-----------------------------------^--------------^----------' >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 Archives InspiredBuffalo: _____ / \/_ //\__(\_\ |\ ^ ^ | .//_O \O_ \ \_ (_) / \ \_/ / __/\ /\__ / \ \ / / \ / \/\/\/ \ / | . | \ / | . | \ JRO >SURROUND YOURSELF WITH ENCOURAGERS Simeon Ford, the proprietor of the old Grand Union Hotel in New York, said, "You don't need to know anything about a hotel to run one. You just open up and the customers tell you how to run it." That must be true of other businesses, too. I heard of a newspaper editor who called in her assistant and handed him a stack of papers. "These are suggestions sent in by subscribers on how to run our paper. Make sure you carry them out," she said. He did. He carried them out and dropped them in the trash bin. Many people are quick to suggest, and quicker to criticize. When asked why she was always so critical, one woman said, "I guess I just have a knack for seeing other people's faults!" (There's a gift she could hide under a bushel.) Criticizers are not hard to find. What the world needs are good encouragers. Not more people to find fault, but people to point out strengths and encourage us to excel. The most successful people look for positive qualities. They see potential where others see failure. And they encourage success in others. Mark Twain put it like this: "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too, can become great." Who do you spend time with? Criticizers or encouragers? Surround yourself with those who believe in you. Your life is too important for anything less. -- Steve Goodier -<>- .---. .---. ,';' `.';' `.. f :Bo. ` d88: `\ /d88P' `\ ; /d888P' `. ',d8&8P' : ;d8&7' | :8: | qx >Have You Heard Your Heart Would words alone answer the thing Surely more is required I can speak it I said to myself Yet I find not the thing I desired I shall search again and again And again until I find Though walls that surround me And try to hold captive my mind I can because His Word said And that Said Word shall live In my heart it speaks to me For life to me He did give Though trouble be a part of life And Hope itself become dim It shall come forth to speak That Said Word by Him To be said by one so holy And freely to us impart Through all you face in life Have you heard your heart RONNIE LEVINER COPYRIGHT©2003 -<>- \_/ --(_)-- . / \ /_\ |Q| .-----' '-----. __ /____[SCHOOL]___\ ())) | [] .-.-. [] | (((()) ..|____|_|_|____|..................................)(... ldb >The Old Stone School House and the Changing of My Life The old stone school house has always been there for as long as I can remember. It was situated on the south side of the small paved road that connected Peckham, Ok., and highway 177 that led to Blackwell. The school had been abandoned for as long as I can remember, but something about it's solid structure held my attention. The 1940's turned to the 50's then the 60's. I was out of school and in and out of the military and the school still stood. My aunt and uncle's farm was located just a mile and a half north of Peckham and I was their summer 'visitor' from Wichita, Kansas. My mother would send me to visit them every summer and I learned about life, farm life, church and the cycle of life from my summers there. My life went through ups and downs like everyone else life. Whenever I was down, I would retreat to the farm for a weekend visit. In 1971 I moved my family to Oklahoma City and still visited my aunt and uncle when possible. Time waits for no man, and age and eternity are always just a step or a heartbeat away. My uncle passed on in 1995, still the school house stood firm. This part of the country became the most peaceful place in the world in my life. I went through divorce, remarriage, and the loss of my wife to cancer. Yet, the people, the lifestyle seemed the same. The realization after my uncle died, that my aunt one day may leave me seemed impossible, yet I had to deal with the unbelievable. Where could I find my peace? One day on the way to visit my aunt, I felt different, we were to meet at church yet I found myself racing to the farm. She was laying in her bed, alive, but had suffered a heart attack. I made a point from there on to visit her at least three weekends out of four from Okla City, a two hour one way trip. I picked up groceries, helped her as much as I could. I could see the spark that drove her become dimmer and fade. After a couple of months I took the road from Blackwell to Peckham and I was stunned to see the old stone school house had collapsed. Yes, nothing is forever on this world, but to me the old stone school house stood for the imaginable, the peace and tranquility of the region. I felt the connection between me and the region start to stretch. My aunt died in a car wreck a week later. She suffered a heart attack while driving to the doctor. I spoke at her funeral at the small church in Peckham. The church was overflowing as she was the church elder, former PTA president, deputy sheriff, county civil defense director and a host of things she never mentioned to me...besides being a mother and a farmer's wife. To me, she was not my aunt, but a second mother. She led me to church and understanding as the old stone school house had led others to learning and understanding many decades before. Before she passed on, I found my peace, I found my place of understanding. This place lies within my heart, within my memory, within my soul. I thank all of the people who made me what I am today, but at the top of the list has to be my aunt and uncle and the people, the farmers of the magnificent town of Peckham, Oklahoma. B.J. Cassady Guthrie, Oklahoma -<>- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I . I _______________III_______________ / . . . . \ ( ~~~ . ~~~ . ~~~ . ~~~ . ~~~ ) \SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS/ \ ======================= / \SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS/ ________\ /________ (=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Whitney Dinsmore >The Living Water God is the Living Water The ever-flowing Tide The steady Rock of Ages An Ocean, vast and wide. He restores my fleeting spirit Puts spring into my step Adds a bit of sunshine Where Godly things are kept. He is a sure Foundation Removes the doubts and fear When I am overcome by life His voice, I often hear. He is the Rose of Sharon The Keeper of my soul The Lily of the Valley The One who makes me whole. He is a gentle Current A River, running free My Refuge at the harbor An Anchor on life's sea. He is the Living Water The Fruit upon the vine The Grapes when I am hungry The Essence and the Wine. -<>- ____________________ | | | PSYCHIATRIC | | HELP | |____________________| || ,-..'``. || || (,-..'`. ) || || )-c - `)\ || ,.,._.-.,_,.,-||,.(`.-- ,`',.-,_,||.-.,.,-,._. ___||____,`,'--._______|| |`._||______`'__________|| | || __ || | || |.-' ,|- || _,_,,..-,_| || ._)) `|- ||,.,_,_.-.,_ . `._||__________________|| ____ . . . . . <.____`> .SSt . . . . . _.()`'()`' . >Don't we all I was parked in front of the mall wiping off my car. I had just come from the car wash and was waiting for my wife to get out of work. Coming my way from across the parking lot was what society would consider a bum. From the looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes, and no money. There are times when you feel generous but there are other times that you just don't want to be bothered. This was one of those "don't want to be bothered times." "I hope he doesn't ask me for any money," I thought. He didn't. He came and sat on the curb in front of the bus stop but he didn't look like he could have enough money to even ride the bus. After a few minutes he spoke. "That's a very pretty car," he said. He was ragged but he had an air of dignity around him. His scraggly blond beard keep more than his face warm. I said, "Thanks," and continued wiping off my car. He sat there quietly as I worked. The expected plea for money never came. As the silence between us widened something inside said, "Ask him if he needs any help." I was sure that he would say "yes" but I held true to the inner voice. "Do you need any help?" I asked. He answered in three simple but profound words that I shall never forget. We often look for wisdom in great men and women. We expect it from those of higher learning and accomplishments. I expected nothing but an outstretched grimy hand. He spoke the three words that shook me. "Don't we all?" he said. I was feeling high and mighty, successful and important, above a bum in the street, until those three words hit me like a twelve gauge shotgun. Don't we all? I needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep, but I needed help. I reached in my wallet and gave him not only enough for bus fare, but enough to get a warm meal and shelter for the day. Those three little words still ring true. No matter how much you have, no matter how much you have accomplished, you need help too. No matter how little you have, no matter how loaded you are with problems, even without money or a place to sleep, you can give help. Even if it's just a compliment, you can give that. You never know when you may see someone that appears to have it all. They are waiting on you to give them what they don't have. A different perspective on life, a glimpse at something beautiful, a respite from daily chaos, that only you through a torn world can see. Maybe the man was just a homeless stranger wandering the streets. Maybe he was more than that. Maybe he was sent by a power that is great and wise, to minister to a soul too comfortable in themselves. Maybe God looked down, called an Angel, dressed him like a bum, then said, "Go minister to that man cleaning the car, that man needs help." Don't we all? [ Author Unknown ] -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment Need A Partner http://www.buffalosjokes.com/041635.htm Never Take A Mans Last Beer http://www.buffalosjokes.com/041636.htm New Mouse http://www.buffalosjokes.com/42001.htm Pepsi-Italian http://www.buffalosjokes.com/42002.htm Plane Crash http://www.buffalosjokes.com/42003.htm Blonde Star http://www.buffalosjokes.com/21712.htm Bodyguard http://www.buffalosjokes.com/21713.htm Invisible Fence http://www.buffalosjokes.com/21714.htm Parrots http://www.buffalosjokes.com/21715.htm Cambio http://www.buffalosjokes.com/21716.htm Never Give Up! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/nevergiveup.html Self Talk! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/selftalk.html Cost Of a Child! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/costofchild.html Building Advertising Art! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/buildingads.html Eagle Sculpture Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/eagleart.html Up Close And Personal 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/personal2.html Until We Write again! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/write.html Harvest Moonbow http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/moonbow.html Visit our site at http://www.inspiredbuffalo.com If you are looking to join any of our other fine e-zines visit www.buffalosjokes.com =================================================================== _ .''.' \ _ __ ___ './ '. ' `' ` '._______.' \ '.__________ '-.____________ _________________________________________________'.__________________ ____________.' __________.-' _______ .' Sarah Day ___.' '. / '-._ medieval@micron.net .'\ .' ._,.__, ____\____.o. '..'._/ '-._______.-' .-'_______'-. _/ 'o' .-' >-->DROP A PEBBLE IN THE WATER Drop a pebble in the water: just a splash, and it is gone; But there's half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on, Spreading, spreading from the center, flowing on out to the sea. And there is no way of telling where the end is going to be. Drop a pebble in the water: in a minute you forget, But there's little waves a-flowing, and there's ripples circling yet, And those little waves a-flowing to a great big wave have grown; You've disturbed a mighty river just by dropping in a stone. Drop an unkind word, or careless: in a minute it is gone; But there's half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on. They keep spreading, spreading, spreading from the center as they go, there is no way to stop them, once you've started them to flow. Drop an unkind word, or careless: in a minute you forget; But there's little waves a-flowing, and there's ripples circling yet, And perhaps in some sad heart a mighty wave of tears you've stirred, And disturbed a life was happy where you dropped that unkind word. Drop a word of cheer and kindness: just a flash and it is gone; But there's half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on, Bearing hope and joy and comfort on each splashing, dashing wave Till you wouldn't believe the volume of the one kind word you gave. Drop a word of cheer and kindness: in a minute you forget; But there's gladness still a-swelling, and there's joy circling yet, And you've rolled a wave of comfort whose sweet music can be heard Over miles and miles of water just by dropping one kind word! ~By James W. 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