Story Time ... :) Shangy! >-->Tell me a story... Tell me a Story - - OK! wkm |\______. '-====---" I got a story for you. For those of you who wonder how you might put your Christianity to good use, here is an easy way. Today instead of waking up to loud obnoxious music like I normally like to do, I felt compelled to turn the TV on and check out the weather. I did and found the weather channel not giving me my local weather information like what I wanted, so I decided to check CNN to see if I could get a quicker update. There was live news on a split screen. On the left the court battles for the Anna Nicole Smith and them yapping about it. On the right was a small jet flying with the capture 'jet plane in trouble'. Now I don't know about you, but a jet plane in trouble is far more interesting to me then this stuff over Anna Nicole Smith so I set my attention on the plane and not knowing what the trouble was, immediately lifted the plane to God and asked Jesus Christ to help them. I then knew Jesus would do what he could to help. For a while I watched and spoke in tongues lifting the plane to God through Jesus Christ. The News announcer finally let me know the plane was having landing gear problems. It was something like 30 degrees off. The plane was going to be flying around the air field circling it for another hour before attempting to land. I lifted it for a little while longer and then feeling at ease, switched to the weather channel. We're having very cold temperatures right now! Amazing too is the wind gusts New York is having! They also let me know to expect more snow this Sunday and Monday. I felt compelled to switch it back to CNN even though it had only been like 5 minutes since I had it on. There was the plane on the air strip with the pilot out quite happy to have landed safely! Thumbs up and looking at the landing gear as the Newscaster was saying 'he is obviously amazed and wondering what happened with his gear'. Well, to me it was all too coincidental so I just had to praise God and my beloved Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for doing such a great job so quickly! So there ya go. If you see a live newscast of somebody in trouble, be sure to give it to God in prayer so that he has the right to intervene and help out the best he can. That is how it is with our free will. We need to ask God to help before he can actually do something because he would be interfering without the right to do so otherwise. That's one of the best things we as Christians can do. Butt our noses in to help others. Cool huh? :) ====================================================================== >-->LIKING YOURSELF By: Joseph J. Mazzella My oldest son loves to smile. In almost every picture of him from infancy to the present day, he has a huge smile on his face. He doesn’t just smile for the camera either. I notice that he also smiles at himself in the mirror after he shaves and brushes his teeth. He also shares that smile when he says "good morning" to me in the morning and "I love you" to me at night. He also shares that smile when we joke, laugh, and play. He also shares that smile when he greets all of his friends at school, on the street, and everywhere he sees them. He also shares that smile along with his warm, friendly, and happy spirit with the whole world everyday of his life. Why does my son spread so much love and joy to the world? Why does his smile light up the days of so many of us? How does he do it in spite of his handicaps and all the difficulties he must daily face? The answer is simple. He likes himself. He likes himself and he loves who he is even with all of his limitations. He enjoys each day God gives him here and delights in sharing his happiness with everyone. He loves life, he loves God, he loves himself, and he loves others. Norman Vincent Peale said: "It is of practical value to like yourself. Since you must spend so much time with yourself you might as well get some satisfaction out of the relationship." Don’t be afraid to like yourself. Don’t be afraid to love yourself. Smile in the mirror. Dance in the sunshine. Greet everyone you meet with a grinning face and a cheerful heart. Laugh and be happy in your life. Take pleasure in becoming who you were meant to be just as my son does. God put you here for a reason and hating yourself isn’t a part of it. You are a Child of God. You are a being of light. You are a creator of happiness. You are a smiling messenger of goodness. You were created in love, by love, and to love. Like who you are then, love who you are becoming, and always share that person with the whole world. ======================================================================== >A Burden Lifted Story Editor: by Betty Thompson Jackson Joyce Schowalter Mississippi USA I was a basic trainee at Fort Jackson, South Carolina in May 1982. One very hot day I went on sick call. The bus dropped us off; Moncrief Army Hospital loomed in the distance. Basic trainees weren't dropped off or picked up at the front door. I walked through those doors with a steel pot and my medical records in my hand. I have never been to a hospital as cold as Moncrief before or since. The medical personnel had no bedside manners and could spot a basic trainee a mile away. Being a trainee affords you no privileges. The medical personnel placed the appropriate forms in my medical record, and told me to have a seat. I sat quietly with other trainees on sick call and waited my turn to see the doctor. The doctor did his examination with no kind words and definitely no sympathy. He made notes in my record and sent me on. After that doctor's visit I felt worse than when I had entered those doors. I thought I couldn't stand this type of treatment, and when I returned to my platoon I'd ask to be discharged and sent home. Forget the fact that I'd talked my best friend from college into enlisting with me. I was sorry I was going to leave her there. Walking towards those double doors that led to the outside, I saw a female restroom. I went in and sat in a chair. I needed a few minutes to get myself together. Instead of pulling myself together, I started crying as if someone in my family had died. A lady walked over and asked if I was having troubles, and I muttered, "No, Ma'am". She asked if I was sure. I didn't intend to tell her anything, but she was so kind I told her everything. I told her about my treatment, that I planned to quit. She had to be someone's mother because she hugged me and told me to finish crying and get it all out of my system. She told me to pray, that the drill sergeants' treatment would be taken care of, and not to quit. She prayed for me, I thanked her and she left. As I made my long trek back to the bus stop with Moncrief to my back I felt a burden had been lifted off me and the military didn't seem so unbearable. Back at the barracks I told my friend about my trip. She didn't believe I was crying like a baby to a stranger. I completed basic training and returned home a "weekend warrior". Members of my army reserve unit assured me that basic training is a process all soldiers go through. I had some difficult days as a weekend warrior. But thanks to that nice lady's kindness, I hung in there 20 years, retiring as a Staff Sergeant. If she ever reads this story I'd like to tell her: Thank you, I'm still following your advice. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Our Friend Becky :) !|| !|||| ,/|||| !|'''| `\ | )\ \ ejm / \ \ \ Subject: Fw: Re: FW: #999781779 PRAY THIS EVEN IF YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE IT!! IT WILL ONLY TAKE A MINUTE. You never know when God is going to bless you!! Good things happen when you least expect them to !!!!!!!! Change the number in the subject box when you forward it by adding one!!! Dear Lord, I thank You for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you. I ask now for Your forgiveness. Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You. Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. And It's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will. Continue to bless me that I! may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak... Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray for those that will delete this without sharing it with others. I pray for those that don't believe. But I thank you that I believe. I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met. I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees it. If you prayed this prayer, change the number in the subject box before forwarding the message so people can See how many people have done so. God Bless!!!!!!!!!!! Just repeat this phrase and see how God moves!! God I love you and I need you, come into my heart, please. Pass this message to 8 people except you and me. You will receive a miracle tomorrow. Don't ignore and God will bless you. Know that you are already blessed by the person who sent this to you. ======================================================================== >-->Let The Sunshine in , /), (( -.((_)) _,) ,\`.'_ _`-',' `.> <> <> (,- ,', | `._,) (( ) |, (`--' `'( ) _--_,-.\ SSt /,' \( ) `' (( `\ Our Lord's love of children is evident and all can see in a picture or a Bible verse, they are often upon His knee. He wants us to love them also to keep them close at heart, to care for them with all we have and give them a Christian start. Whether is it your child or another's, take them gently by the hand, as He has done for us - teach them of the Promise Land. For God so loved the world that He gave His only son. What greater gift and sacrifice to ensure His work is done. Heaven is ours for the asking So be as a little child, and sit by the feet of Christ, listening and reading His Word... it just takes a while. >from http://www.homestead.com/AngelWatcher4U2/LetTheSunShineIn.html =============================================================== >-->From InspiredBuffalo: EXCUSE ME, ARE YOU JESUS? /) .-"".L,""-. ; :. : ( 7: ) : ; ctr "..-"-.." As you read this think about what you would do! A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales convention in Chicago They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night's dinner. In their rush, with tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table which held a display of apples. Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time for Their nearly missed boarding. ALL BUT ONE !!! He paused, took a deep breath, got in touch with his feelings, and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned. He told his buddies to go on without him, waved good-bye, told one of them to call his wife when they arrived at their home destination and explain his taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal floor. He was glad he did. The 16 year old girl was totally blind! She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her, no one stopping and no one to care for her plight. The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them back on the table and helped organize her display. As he did this, he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket. When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, "Here, please take this $40 for the damage we did. Are you okay?" She nodded through her tears. He continued on with, "I hope we didn't spoil your day too badly." As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, "Mister...." He paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes. She continued, "Are you Jesus?" He stopped in mid-stride, and he wondered. Then slowly he made his way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul: "Are you Jesus?" Do people mistake you for Jesus? That's our destiny, is it not? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind to His love, life and grace. If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would. Knowing Him is more than simply quoting Scripture and going to church. It's actually living the Word as life unfolds day to day. You are the apple of His eye even though we, too, have been bruised by a fall. He stopped what He was doing and picked you and me up on a hill called Calvary and paid in full for our damaged fruit. Please share this,,,,Sometimes we just take things for granted, when we really need to be sharing what we know...Thanks GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY Dolores ======================================================================= >From Heartwarmers: LUNCHTIME WITH MY LADY by Michael Smith "Kathy?" the moderator of the conference called asked. "Do you have anything to add?" "I'm fine." she replied. "Andrea?" Deb asked. "Good here." "Terry?" "Nope! I'm good." "Courtney?" "Fine." "Mike?" "I'm fine. Good call, everyone," I replied. "I'll send the spread sheet out tomorrow. We'll talk on Thursday. Hopefully I'll have answers to our problems by then, Deb." I hung up. "Glad that's over," I said to myself. I looked at the clock: 11:55am. The call ended just in time for me to meet my lady for our noon time walk. I meet her outside the main entrance to my building, where she waits for me every day. "Hi!" I smile. "Hey! How's your morning going?" she asks. The sound of her voice makes my heart skip a beat. "Pretty good. I just got through my conference call in time. I thought I was going to miss you." We rounded the corner of the building, crossed the parking lot, and approached the wooded area in the back. My voice drops to a whisper, "I wonder if the deer will be around today?" "I hope they are," she says. "I know how much you love them." She allowed me to guide her along the edge of the woods, as I peered intently through the tangle of branches, hoping to see my big furry friends. "I don't see them," I tell her. "It's OK. Maybe they found better feeding somewhere else today." I followed the path between the trees and humming transformer that is protected by a wire fence. The humming faded away as I turned the corner, headed for the side street we like to follow on our lunch break. The road is bordered by office buildings on one side and chestnut trees or fields on the other. We stopped when we reached the grassy strip between the chestnut trees and the road. A young doe is feeding on the grass not more than twenty feet away. "There she is," I whispered. "What?" she asks. "A young doe." I described it to her. "She's beautiful. She's eating the grass." "Really?" "Yeah! She looked up at the sound of my voice and then continued feeding. I bet there are more around. There's usually more than one." The deer grew nervous, as I continued to describe it to my friend. It wandered into the brush. I guided my friend to where the deer disappeared and peered into the woods. "There's more," I said with a hint of excitement in my voice. "Wow! I wish I could see them too," she sighed. "I guess I should just be thankful to spend time with you." "Awe... Thank you, sweetie." We continued to walk as I described the scenery around me. "I think they better cut the grass in the field. It's beginning to look like a meadow." We left the field behind us, came to a bike trail, and strolled along it. I felt an urge to hold my friend's hand, but I couldn't. It wouldn't be right. We passed a senior citizen complex, rounded a corner and followed the trail along a strip of trees between two soccer fields -- my favorite part of our walk. I always ssee a lot of birds along this strip -- some I've never seen before. I lowered my voice. "I hope I see some birds today. I didn't see many yesterday." "I hope so too." Her voice a soft whisper in my ear. "Hold on! I think I see something." "What is it?" "I'm not too sure. I've never seen one like this before." I inched us closer. "It has a tuft on its head. The back is brownish color, then fades to a grey near the tail. It has a black mask across its eyes. The tips of its wings have red and there's a red spot at the base of its tail. The tip of the tail and the sides of its breast are yellowish. The breast is cream color. It is so pretty." "Wow! I wish I could see it too. Do you know what it is?" "Yes." "What is it?" "A bird." "Michael! Stop teasing me!" she scolds. "Sorry!" I chuckled. "I'm not sure. I'll have to look it up in my bird book when I get home." We reached the end of the trail, turned and headed back the way we came. "I love spending my lunch with you," I said. "I enjoy it too." "I'm glad. It would be boring without you to share it with." I got that I-want-to- hold-her-hand feeling again. "It's so pleasant being with you." "Thank you, Hun." We reached the door to my building. "I have to go in now, Sweetie. Thanks for sharing your lunch hour with me." "No! I thank you," she replies. "I love you, Sweetie!" Those words came natural to me. "I love you too!" she says the words that always melt my heart. "I love you more! It's my day." "Yes it is. I love you too. Call me when you're on your way home." "I will, Sweetie. Bye!" "Bye." I close my cell phone. "I love my wife." I say to myself. "I can't wait to get home and hold her in my arms." -- Michael T. Smith ___________________________________________ Michael lives in Fort Lee, New Jersey, with his wonderful wife and son. He writes in his spare time and is completing a collection of his stories to be called, From My Heart to Yours. You can read more of Michael's stories at: http://archives.zinester.com/86758 ===================================================================== >-->Walking in the garden Meandering down a well-worn path, Listening to chirping birds As they splash in their morning bath. How I wish that you could join me And linger for a while, While we gaze at God's creations For they're sure to bring a smile The summer sun's glow Leads me to a haven to rest So I reflect upon the seasons How they echo God's bequest. Spring is renewal and a time of birth, Summer is for growing and finding our place Autumn arouses feelings of youth and mirth Winter conjures up memories of youth's fading face. Continuing on the path well trod, One last stop I make To stop and give thanks to God The last yellow rose to take. by Jacqueline AngelWatcher4U 2001 >from http://www.homestead.com/AngelWatcher4U2/WalkingInTheGarden.html ======================================================================= >-->From Funlok: A Great Story ) ( ( .^. \) ) .'.^.'. (/ .'.'---'.'. _\)_ .'.'-------'.'. (__)() .'.'-,=======.-'.'. (_)__) .'.'---| | |---'.'. (__)_),'.'-----| | |-----'.'. ()__.'.'-------|___|___|-------'.'. (_.'.'---------------------------'.'. .'.'-------------------------------'.'. """""|====..====.=======.====..====|""""" ()_)| || |.-----.| || | (_)_| || || || || | (...|____||____||_____||____||____| (_)_(|----------| _____o|----------| (_)(_|----------|| ||----------| (__)(|----------||_____||----------| (_)(_|---------|"""""""""|---------| ()()(|--------|"""""""""""|--------| Zot-wWUwwuw|wwWWwuu|"""""""""""""|uwuwuuW|wuwwuuwu A woman came out of her house and saw 3 old men with long white beards sitting in her front yard. She did not recognize them. She said "I don't think I know you, but you must be hungry. Please come in and have something to eat." "Is the man of the house home?", they asked. "No", she replied. "He's out." "Then we cannot come in", they replied. In the evening when her husband came home, she told him what had happened. "Go tell them I am home and invite them in!" The woman went out and invited the men in" "We do not go into a House together," they replied. "Why is that?" she asked. One of the old men explained: "His name is Wealth," he said pointing to one of his friends, and said pointing to another one, "He is Success, and I am Love." Then he added, "Now go in and discuss with your husband which one of us you want in your home." The woman went in and told her husband what was said. Her husband was overjoyed. "How nice!!", he said. "Since that is the case, let us invite Wealth. Let him come and fill our home with wealth!" His wife disagreed. "My dear, why don't we invite Success?" Their daughter was listening from the other corner of the house. She jumped in with her own suggestion: "Would it not be better to invite Love? Our home will then be filled with love!" "Let us heed our daughter's advice," said the husband to his wife. "Go out and invite Love to be our guest." The woman went out and asked the 3 old men, "Which one of you is Love? Please come in and be our guest." Love got up and started walking toward the house. The other 2 also got up and followed him. Surprised, t he lady asked Wealth and Success: "I only invited Love, Why are you coming in?" The old men replied together: "If you had invited Wealth or Success, the other two of us would've stayed out, but since you invited Love, wherever He goes, we go with him. Wherever there is Love, there is also Wealth and Success!" ======================================================================= >-->From InspiredBuffalo: ______ _ _ __...----~~~~~ _ // ___...--- ~~~ \\ . // \|/ __..--_// ~~~ . _\\ . \\_ . //\\\ \|/. //\\\ ///\\ . //-\-\\ //-/-\\ //-/-\\ //\_-_/\\ //\_-_/\\ . //\_-_/\\ . /\ @ /\ /\\_//\ /\\_//\ . /\ \_/ /\ /\ \O/ /\ /\.\=/./\ /__\_\_/__\ . /__\_\_/__\ /__\_\_/__\ /___________\ /___________\ /___________\ . ( _____/:_) ) ( _______/:_)) ((_:\_______ ) \_(_:\______/ \_(_:\______/ \______/:_)_/ \|/ Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's rite of passage? His dad would take him into the forest blindfolded, and leave him - alone. He was required to sit on a stump the whole night...and not take off the blindfold until a ray of sun shone through it. He would be all by himself. He could not cry out for help to anyone. Once he survived the night he would be a MAN... He could not tell the other boys of this experience. Each lad must come into his own manhood. The boy was terrified...could hear all kinds of noise. Beasts were all around him. Maybe even some human would hurt him. The wind blew the grass and earth, and it shook his stump. But he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could be a man. Finally, after a horrific night, the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold. It was then that he saw his father - sitting on the stump next to him - at watch the entire night. We are never alone..... Even when we do not know it, our Father is protecting us. He is sitting on the stump beside us. Submitted by Barbara J. Weymouth Subscribe send a blank email to: the-inspired-buffalo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ==================================================================== >-->The Master's Card There are some things money can't buy, For everything else there's Master card. I'm sure you've all received their applications in the mail. However, I'm here to advertise a different card. You see, my life is a product for others to see. I'm a card carrying representative for The Master's Card. That's right, The MASTER'S CARD. Let me tell you about it. There are no finance charges, no payments due. My bill has already been covered... it's a prepaid deal. I couldn't afford the price, So Jesus stepped in and paid it for me. My Name is written on the card for all to see. It is accessible twenty-four Hours a day from anywhere in the world. The MASTER'S CARD Has so many benefits it's hard to list them all. Let me share some of them with you... You might want to apply for a personal card yourself. Just for starters there is UNLIMITED GRACE. That's right, there is no preset limit to the amount of grace you receive From The MASTER'S CARD. Have you been looking for love in all the wrong places? Then, look no farther than The MASTER'S CARD. It offers the greatest rate on love that has ever been offered. The MASTER'S CARD Gives you access to many "members only" benefits. Want real joy despite the difficulties of life? Apply for The MASTER'S CARD. Want a lasting peace? Apply for The MASTER'S CARD. Looking for something you can always rely on in a jam? The MASTER'S CARD is perfect for you. Another great thing about The MASTER'S CARD Is that it never expires and will never be canceled. Once you're a member, you're a member for life... Eternal life, that is. Membership has its privileges, you know. So why not apply today? It's only a prayer away..... I HAVE ONE - DO YOU? Romans 10:9 ---> Visit my CyberHome - ALWAYS OPEN HOUSE :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ Shangrala ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->Bigham's Computer Rescue - PC Sales & Serrvice You can trust us to provide you with quality computer sales and repair. We've been servicing the Van Wert area since 1981 and can help you with all your computer needs. Please phone us at 419-238-5806 ************************************************************************ -->This is for all you who love food and DARRE 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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