Tangled Hair... :) 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!! ================ "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ , /, , /;/ |.-; _ _ /|/ /.'/.-',_ ( ).-=-.( ) _,/ ._- =-==. ./.='"'=.\. =\ =: -|-. |=. .=| `\_-; 0 _0 | |= 0 0 =| ( _) | /` .---. `\ `\ _______ / | `---' | \ \ //' `\ '-----' /' jgs \ \'--// `'-----'` `-`"`' *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels For 2011 *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help 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! ================ >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) I added two more teachings. I had my brother read them and he said this about them... _ _ ( ).---.( ) ./.="'"=.\. |=. .=| |_ 0 0 _| .` .---. '. : `---' : `._ '---' _.' _:-----:._ /={ }=_\ /_.{ }-_=\ |=|{ }=|-| |=|{ }-|=| \|{ }_|/ |{ } | |{ }=| |{ } =\ |`. .'=|`\ jgs |_=`|'`=_|`\`\ .'`. __|_=_|=___| `\`\_/./`' (((__(((_____) `.__/ "...sure makes you think but it explains a lot to me that I couldn't just put my finger on... this does help... and maybe the more I read, I'll understand more... GLORY TO GOD!!!!!!!!!" They have been nagging me to get them up so I finally did it. Glad I did. They are keepers for sure. A good thing for all Christians to know and study. Check them out... , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Which Parts Of The Bible Are Written To You? In regard to the quality of day-by-day life for a Christian, the subject of the administrations in Scripture is, in my opinion, perhaps more important than any other general biblical topic. Why? Because the understanding or misunderstanding of it affects many vital subjects critical to emotional health, starting with whether or not salvation is permanent. "What does the Bible say?" That is always the "bottom line," but the answer must be understood in light of to whom the Bible is speaking. Read the rest or listen/view the Video Here: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/whichparts.html AND: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' The Sacred Secret In the books, articles, videos, and audio teachings of Spirit & Truth Fellowship we call the administration in which we live "the Administration of the Sacred Secret," and we translate the Greek word musterion as "Sacred Secret." We believe that "Sacred Secret" is the best translation of the Greek word musterion, a Greek word that most Bible versions translate as "mystery." Read the rest or listen/view the Video Here: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/secret.html -<>- ~ZIGGY~ ___---___ .-- --. ./ \. / o \ / .. o | | ;` '. | | : : | | `._ _.' | | ``--.-' .- |. .| _.'| | : : \ `--'--' / : : \ / : : `\ /' : : `--___ ___--' : : --- _.' `-._ ~~/ \____...-' `\ :_. `----./ / |`` . ._: :_:_:_: |__ ~~~ _.-`._:._:-' /``````---``` \ jgs / | \ ____/ | \___ __.--'' | ```---..__ `\ _| _.' `\ _.-'' `-._ _.' `\ .-' `-._ _.' `\ .' `-._.' `' *~* We Had A Great Month Of Caring And Sharing Last Month *~* Be sure to check these out and share them with all your loved ones! For All Moms And Dads! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mum.html Ocean Exploration! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ocean.html World's Largest Web! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/web.html Humorous Signs! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/hsigns.html Signs For Woman! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wsigns.html No Passing Zone! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/elephant.html Slow Loris! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/sloris.html Maxine Humor! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/maxinehumor.html Tinian Island! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/tinian.html *~* Great Big THANKS And Huggums In Christ To All Our Contributors! ============================================================ >-->From Heartwarmers: (`'`'`'`') | | | | (|-()()-|) | (__) | | | |______| /._/\/\_.\ / , /\ \ ; / \\|| __\ ; .-""-. |-| './ \/|-| .' \ \ | | | / / / |-()() '\___|____/` ; | | ()| |--LI--| | `"` | | | | | | | | | | | ; (_} ; | | | '., __.' | | | / /| | | | | jgs / / | | |__|___| (__) (__) .----'=||='----. `""""`" "`""""` >UNREMEMBERED ACTS OF KINDNESS by Thomas F. O'Neill When everyone seemed to be delighting in the game of life, Frank Hempstead carried a feeling inside of him as if he were benched on the sideline, a mere spectator. He had a habit of thinking about how he barely graduated from high school and how the people in his life got married, had children, landed good jobs, and moved into nice homes. Some of his friends later divorced and remarried, and unlike Frank, they appeared to be maintaining a decent living. He dwelled on the fact that he was unmarried because he felt there was a significant other in his life that was just beyond his grasp. He would have liked to have settled down and had a family of his own but he resented the fact that he was a mere cab driver struggling through life. He was unable or unwilling to remove that feeling that life was passing him by and that he was a failure. He was blind to what matters most in life -- a person's self-worth -- because through his self-pity he failed to recognize that he was a kind person with a deep compassion for the needs of others. He failed to see his own goodness as he struggled through life trying to get by from day to day. He was also unable to remember the small acts of kindness that he bestowed on others like the time he bought a homeless man a cup of coffee and allowed the man to warm himself in his cab on a bitter cold February day. He rarely thinks about the selfless act of picking up groceries for his elderly neighbor and listening to her same stories each day. "She has no one that will take the time out of their day to check on her and listen to what she has to say," Frank thought to himself as he was driving through a main intersection. With the exception of Frank, people have overlooked his elderly neighbor's existence, and in turn, Frank was oblivious to the importance of his kindness and selfless acts. On a cold November evening after Frank paid for his gas and as he was returning to his cab, he noticed a little old lady sitting in the front seat. "Hey lady you need to get in the back," he said to her. "How did you get in the front seat? I keep that front door locked for protection." "I promise I won't hurt you," she said to him. "I don't hear too good. That's why I got in the front." "Where to?" Frank asked her. "I'm not sure? I don't get out much," she said. "Hey lady you're on the meter," he told her. "That's fine. Why don't we just drive around," she said. "Well it's your money," he said. "Is there anything in particular you would care to see in our great city? Like maybe a club? Dance joint?" he asked with a little sarcasm in his voice. "You dance, Frank?" she asked. "How do you know my name?" he asked her. "It is on your license on the dash board," she said. "Well there is nothing wrong with your eye sight, lady," Frank said. As he was driving down a busy street and as he was heading towards a major intersection, she said to him, "Hey, Frank, don't go straight. Turn down the next street before the traffic light." "Hey lady, it is nothing but a little ally, there is nothing to see there but a few junkies," he said with a sarcastic voice. "Just turn there," she said pointing to the little ally on their left. "Ok lady, it's your money but there is no way in hell I am stopping on that street," he said. As he stopped to turn down the alley. The traffic light at the next street's intersection turned green. A cement truck ran the light with two police cars chasing from behind. "Did you see that lady? If we went through that green light that truck would have broadsided us," said Frank. "You have to have eyes in the back of your head Frank. Hey, you know what, I changed my mind, you can go straight ahead," she said. "Whatever you say, lady," he said. "What is your name and what do you do?" "My name is Julia and I have lived in this city for many, many years," she told him. "Do you have family here?" Frank asked. "Because you said you don't get out much." "I don't need to get out much because there is a nice family living where I live. I have lived there since the late 20s," she said. "You mean you moved here in your late 20s?" Frank asked. "I was 19 when I got married in 1927 and my husband was a carrier army man but we kept the house and I stayed there to look after things," she said. "Is your husband still around?" he asked her. "Oh no, he moved on in 1944 during the war," she said. "I am sorry to here that Julia. It's Julia right?" he asked. "Yes it is Julia," she said. "So who are you living with?" Frank asked. "The people who bought my house," she said. "Family?" Frank asked. "No, I never saw them before in my life until they moved in. They can be awfully noisy at times. They have a young daughter that plays this god awful music, but little Anthony is 4 years old and cute as a button and little Jessica is 6 years old and so sweet and cute. This is their mother's second marriage and she has a teenage daughter Brigit from her first marriage. She is the one that plays that noise and that is why I needed to get out for awhile. They are good people and, for the most part, they don't even know I'm there most of the time," she explained to Frank. "So let me get this straight. You sold your house to a family that you don't know and they are allowing you to live in their new house?" Frank said in a bewildered voice. "Where is your family? Can't you stay with them?" "My granddaughter lives in the city but I can't leave my house. I love that place and I enjoy the company of little Anthony and Jessica. I visit my granddaughter now and then. She is so bright and beautiful. The only problem is that she gets so bogged down with her job that she overlooks the important things in life," she said to Frank. "She sounds like a very independent person," said Frank. "She needs another person in her life Frank, not just all work," she said. "Well I get up at 3am and drive this cab into the late evening so that I can pay my rent and eat," he said to her. "I am sure your granddaughter is working to pay her bills and get by." "Frank she needs to live life and see the beauty in people and learn life's lessons by giving what she knows best to others," she said to Frank with a soft and sincere tone of voice. "She needs someone like you, Frank." "I am a cab driver. She would have no interest in me especially an ambitious woman like your granddaughter," he said to her. "I know you Frank. You are a good person and she needs to learn from what you have to offer," she said. "From what I have to offer? What would that be?" Frank asked. "What is in your heart, Frank," she said to him. "You can take me to 498 East Primrose Avenue." "What is at that address?" Frank asked her. "That is where my granddaughter lives," she said. When they arrived at the address Julia asked Frank to check and see if anyone was home as she waited in the cab. He went up and rang the doorbell and no one answered. When he went back to the cab Julia was gone. "I can't believe that, she stiffed me!" he said to himself. As he was heading to return his cab to Monroe's Taxi service he thought to himself, "She doesn't seem like the type to cheat a cabbie out of a fare." He also wondered if she was putting him on because he realized that if she was 19 in 1927 that would make her 96 years old and she didn't look anywhere near that age. When he arrived at Monroe's Taxi service he noticed a stack of letters on the passenger seat where Julia was sitting and he took them with him. "How was your evening?" asked one of the owners. "OK, until this little old lady stiffed me," said Frank. "So granny stiffed you?" said one of the owners while laughing. "She left these letters in the cab," said Frank. "She's probably a senile old bat," said one of the owners. "No she was far from being senile," Frank said. Frank took the letters to the White Horse Tavern, a bar that he hadn't been to in a long time. He was curious about Julia and he wanted to read the letters to learn more about her. While at the bar he opened one of the letters to read it and the female bartender asked him what he would like to drink. "What do you got there?" the bartender asked him. He explained to her about his experience with Julia and how she left the letters in his cab. "Read one of them to me," the bartender said in a curious manner. Frank noted that the letter he began to read was dated June 5, 1944. "1944," said the bartender in a surprised voice. Frank began to read the letter... "My dearest Julia, I am about to be deployed on an important mission. They tell us that it is a turning point in the war with Germany. Hopefully, the war in Europe will soon end and I will be sent back home to you." "World War II he is writing about," said Frank. "At this moment you and I are angels each missing a wing yearning to embrace one another in order to fly and soar to the heights of each others love." "God why can't I meet a man like that?" said the bartender. "That is so beautiful." "My gifts to you are not of gems and flowers but loving thoughts. I truly understand that just as diamonds are made under pressure, so too have the pressures of this war strengthened my love for you. I yearn to hold you in my arms and feel your gentle touch in my heart." The bartender was glued to Frank, and awestruck by what Frank was reading to her. "Do not worry. For this war will not make me an expert on, but rather an apprentice, in life. With each second, minute, and day passing I am learning how to live and soon I shall return to you so that our two souls can once again become whole." "God that is so damn beautiful," said the bartender. "The love in our hearts are like the angels wings we fly for each other, but not for things. For our love Julia are the enlightening words of the soul more precious than the diamonds and gold of the world." "Man, I wish I could write like that," said Frank. Frank and the bartender read through the rest of the letters, a total of thirteen. "These are the most beautiful things I have ever read. You have to return them to Julia," said the bartender. "God why can't I meet someone like that in my life?" The next day Frank went to the address that was on the envelopes and knocked on the door. "Can I help you," asked a women. "Yea, last night Julia was in my cab and she left these letters on my front seat," he said to her. "So," she said as she was distracted by her 4 year old son. "You must be Anthony," Frank said to the little boy. "How do you know his name?" asked the women. "Julia told me," said Frank. "Who the hell is Julia?" asked the women. "You know Julia?" the little boy asked Frank. "Yea, she told me about you and your sister Jessica," Frank said. "She sure loves you guys very much." "Ok, who put you up to this? Was it Hank? Where is he? This is some kind of joke, isn't it?" asked the women referring to her husband Hank. "What do you mean? I'm just trying to return Julia's letters," said Frank. "Julia is someone my kids made up, or some sort of ghost, because ever since we moved into this place weird stuff has been happening," said the women. "Like what?" Frank asked. "The TV will switch channels to Sesame Street without anyone touching the remote control. CD players will turn off without anyone touching them. My two youngest kids have full conversations with someone they call Julia. They say she is an elderly woman as if she is some sort of invisible nanny and I'm beginning to think she is a ghost," said the women. "Hey, Anthony, tell your friend Julia I will give the letters to her granddaughter," Frank said to the little boy. "Are you for real?" asked Anthony's mother. "I wouldn't worry about Julia. She cares for your family very much," Frank said to her. "Come on, are you for real? This is not a joke," she said. "My house is haunted by a little old lady named Julia?" Anthony began tugging on his mother's shirt to get her attention. "What is it sweetie?" she asked her son. "Julia said she's not a little old lady," Anthony paused as if he was listening to someone telling him what to say. "She said she doesn't feel a day over 40." "You see what I mean? This goes on all day between him and Jessica," she said to Frank. Jessica, the woman's 6 year old daughter walked into the living room. "Come on into the living room," the women said to Frank. Frank sat down on the couch next to Jessica. "So you must be Jessica," Frank said. "Yep, and you're Frank, Julia's friend. She said you can give the letters to Kimberly, her granddaughter," Jessica said to Frank. "Mommy, Julia wants to watch Days of Our Lives on TV now," Anthony yelled to his mother. "That is fine sweetie, don't put it on too loud," the women told her son. "Would you like a cup of coffee or something? I have cake if you would like that as well," she said to Frank. "Thank you for your hospitality, but I really would like to return these letters," he said. Frank told Anthony, "Tell Julia that the letters are the most beautiful things I have ever read and you take care, Anthony." Frank went to Julia's granddaughters home and he wasn't sure how to give the letters to her. "I'll just hand the letters to her and leave, maybe she won't be home," he thought to himself. Frank nervously rang the door bell and a woman in her mid to late twenties came to the door just as Julia described her the night before -- young and beautiful. She appeared sure of herself. "Can I help you," she asked. "I have something that belongs to your grandmother," he said to her. "Both of my grandmothers died," she said. "These are your grandmother Julia's letters that your Grandfather wrote her," as he handed her the letters he turned to walk away. "Well you're just going to hand me letters that my grandfather wrote and leave?" she said to him. "Why the big mystery?" "They were left in my cab and I had to return them," he said to her. She began to read the letters and at the same time she asked Frank to come into her home. He sat down at her kitchen table and she continued to read the letters. "They are the most beautiful letters I have ever read," he said to her. "My name is Frank." "My name is Kimberly and I never knew these letters existed," she said. "Someone left them in your cab?" "Yeah," said Frank. "Who?" she asked. "You can tell me." "Julia," he said. "Julia who?" Kimberly asked. "Your grandmother," said Frank. "Yeah, OK, what did she look like?" she asked him skeptically. Frank said, "Well, for one thing she is a big fan of Days of Our Lives." "That is true. She watched it everyday and on the days she couldn't watch it when she started getting sick she asked me to tape the episodes," she said. Frank explained to Kimberly the whole story of her grandmother being in his cab and taking him to Kimberly's home the night before. "I was working late last night. That's why I wasn't here. I am really skeptical about all of this and I don't believe a word of it," she said to him. "The people who are living in her home have two young children; they can see her and talk to her. Perhaps the children's mother will allow us to come over," he said. "I have their number. I will call them," she said. Kimberly went into another room and came back into the kitchen a short time later. "Meet me at my grandmother's home," she said with a stunned look on her face. "I spoke to Lucy Stetlock, the women who bought the house. She said it is OK for us to go there now." When Frank arrived at the house, Kimberly was already there talking to Jessica and Anthony. "She is glad you got the letters," Anthony told Kimberly. Tears began to swell up in Kimberly's eyes. "I didn't know about the letters. They are very beautiful," she said. Jessica told Kimberly, "Julia wants you to know that Frank is a good person." She then paused as if listening to Julia and said, "You can save anything in life but life itself." Anthony then said, "How you spend your life is determined by your life's worth. Julia says you can measure a person's worth by what they give to others." "Frank needs someone to help him realize his true worth. She told me to tell you that," Jessica told Kimberly. "Julia wants me to tell Frank that the greatest achievements in a person's life are all the unremembered acts of kindness and love that were bestowed on others," Jessica told Frank. Anthony began to tug on his mother's shirt. "What, sweetie," Lucy asked her son. Anthony said, "Julia said that Frank and Kimberly are each other's better half." Anthony then turned to Frank and Kimberly, "Julia wants me to tell you that nothing goes unnoticed in life." Jessica said to Frank and Kimberly, "Julia says you are now learning how to live and you need each other to grow." "Thank you," Kimberly said to Lucy unable to hold back her tears. "Your grandmother is a remarkable woman," Lucy said to Kimberly. "So was my grandfather," said Kimberly. * * * Frank and Kimberly believed in Julia's message and they dated. Frank went back to school, and with Kimberly's help, graduated from college and is now a renowned parapsychologist. Kimberly also went back to school and achieved a law degree. Frank understands more about himself and the countless possibilities that lie ahead because he has Kimberly in his life. They are continuing each day to learn and recognize that it's the small subtle acts of loving kindness that determines the true worth of a person's character. They understand also that they are truly each other's better half. Frank and Kimberly are now married and have two children. One is named Julia, after Kimberly's grandmother, and the other is named Charles after her grandfather, who was killed at Normandy on June 6, 1944. -- Thomas F. O'Neill ___________________________________________ Thomas lives in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, where he was born and raised. He has lived in various places in the United States and around the world, even working at centers in India with Mother Teresa in the early 1990s. He is presently an employment specialist. You can visit his online blog here: http://thomasfoneill.blogspot.com You can email him by clicking here: mailto:introspective7@hotmail.com =================================================================== >-->From LaughAndLift: __....._ .-"`` _."; ;-......-"` | \ | \ | \ | \ |_..._ \ __..--""` _.-' _..--"" _..-"``-._.-----. "---;--"" __ / \ ( /__ __ ` | | `/-\/--\ \ | //`/ /`/ \ | /\\_\_\/ ;\ / ____ / . '._.' /` '.`"` _...._ | \___.' ,__ `\ | \ /|` | ; \ \ .' | | . '.\___..-'.__/ | | '. / _.-"| |""--.._\ .'`-" | | [_]_ _/ jgs \__..--""/ `""""`\ / \ >Let The Preacher Do It. (By Tom Hill, 1986) A lost man came to church one day, seeking for the Lord. The people round about him yawned, it seems that they were bored. They had their work, they had their play, they watched him walk away. Though all knew what they ought to do, as one they seemed to say; Let the preacher do it. A poor woman with her children came, her need was very plain, The people walked around her wide and refused to see her pain. They were busy, they couldn't stop, there was much to do that day, And as she left, her need unmet, as one they seemed to say; Let the preacher do it. "Our brother is dead." the preacher said. The people gasped aloud. "Some help is needed," the preacher pleaded,"Someone from this crowd..." They looked around, and then looked down. No one could get away. So home they went, without a thought , and as one they seemed to say; Let the preacher do it. Who will come, we only need one, to clean the church this week? "I can't" said one. "I won't" thought another, "That's not the job I seek." Upset, in a huff, Don't we do enough! They grumbled on their way. Too good to sweep, too proud to mop, as one they seemed to say; Let the preacher do it. Millions are dying, while others are trying their game scores to increase. The battles' not lost, but consider the cost in souls lest you never have peace. Your best you must give, if for Christ you will live, and serve Him in every way. The job won't get done, and souls won't be won, if as one you continue to say; Let the preacher do it. 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 ===================================================================== _________________________ (, ______________________ ) | | || | | @@@@ || @@@@ | | @@@@@@@ || @@@@@@@ | | @@ - - || - @@@@ | | @ c/ || '_ @@@ | | _@| |_ || __\@ \@ | | ( \ )/_\ /_ || _\\ (/ ) @\_/) | | \ \|) / \) || |(__/ / /| | | |\_/ ( -/ || \___/ ----/_| | | / \ || ,: '( | | : _/| || |: \ | | : | || |: ) | | : | || |: | | |_______'____,_|_______|| |_____,_| ('________________________) | / ( >Lost and Found Story Editor: by Miep O'Brien Joyce Schowalter New Mexico, USA Twenty-five years ago, I went traveling with my first boyfriend, "John", traveling light. His parents were kind enough to store some papers and photos for me, and off we went. Several years later we returned to Los Angeles, separately. We kept in touch, but our relationship was over. By the early 90s, John had left Los Angeles and was out of my life -- except for the boxes. I had asked aboout them, but he said he couldn't find them. I figured they'd keep, they would return to me sooner or later. Then I got a call. I'd just moved, suffered some losses, and here was John on the phone. He was having problems too, and would like to be rescued. It was bad timing; I was having enough trouble just trying to rescue myself. Sorry, I can't help, I said. That was the last time we ever spoke. Several months later I moved back to my parents' house, to try to get things together. I got another phone call, this time from a stranger, "Hector". Hector had been hired by the landlady to clean out the last house John had lived in. He'd been looking for me for a long time, tracking me down from notes and numbers. Among the mess inside the house, this man had found my papers and photos. When he found the photos, he thought; "Surely these are important? Surely whoever owned these didn't want them thrown away." He wished to send me back my irreplaceable family photographs, some going back for many decades. He wouldn't let me pay him back for anything. I got the photos back in the mail the next week. The week after that, I was bicycling down the street and saw a manila envelope lying in the middle of it. "Photos Enclosed!" it was marked. "Do Not Bend!" It was even already stamped. I was only too happy to get this package back on its way. I bicycle everywhere, and find things. Sometimes just pennies, sometimes stray hand tools. Sometimes a checkbook, driver's license, or something with an address. If there's a phone number I call it. If there's a local address, I go there. Otherwise I mail these stray things to the address on them and hope for the best. I get some gruff acknowledgments, some suspicious looks. One lady picked up her checkbook around Christmas, and merrily gave me five bucks and a bag full of sugar cookies. I delivered one ID to a head-shaking bartender, dropped down the street from the bar. Things get lost. People get lost. I can't bring back lost people, but at least I can bring back small things to strangers, like a stranger once did for me. ----------==========----------o----------==========---------- This issue was made possible by the generosity of HeroicStories' Readers. (Including the reader we thank below the Comments.) Join your fellow readers here: http://www.HeroicStories.com/fund.html =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Our Friend Tony In Australia :) ___ .dSSSS$$pp.. .dSSSS$$$$$$$$; .dSSSS$$$$$$$$$$$ :SSP^" T$$$$$$$$$$b_ dSSP $$$S$$$$$$$b` dSS$;_. .:$$$SS$$$$$$b dSS$$$_ ; __."^TSS$$$$$b dSS$$P;" ""' :lSS$$$$$b :SS$$$ ; ::SS$$$$$$b_. 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"-._ ---""" /; ; : : \ "-._....____; : : \ :\ `. \ ; ; \ \\ \ \ ; : : `. \\ \ \ : ; ; ;"-t\ `. \ : : : : `; \ ; ; ; ; : \ / : : / ; \-..__ .'; : ; / : ; """T ; : / / ; \ : ; ; ;/ : : \ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; : ; ; / : : : ; ; ; / ; :; : ; ; / : :: ; ; ;_ `""--..__; :_; __ ;____;.-;'; ;.__.: :..t-"" j" ; ; : ; ; ;--"" \ [bug] ; ; ; : ; : \ ; ; : \ ; ; ;. ; ; \ \ ; : / ; ; ; \ \ ; : ; ; ; \ `-. ; ; .' ; ; \ \ ;___/ /______;.-' \ ---; / / ;______: .-' / '-------' >Depression part 4 An essential part of our relationship with God, is being able to talk to Him and tell Him the things that bother you or get you down. Some say “ Why? When he is sposed to know everything! Well, He does know everything, but He likes to hear you talk to Him, communicate with Him! This is one of the reasons He created you! And prayer! is essential for a Christian who is trying to deal with depression! For me, these past few weeks have been horrendous, some 4 deaths have occurred and some of them close ‘family’. Sickness has been a problem for my wife and myself and at the same time we are trying to look after a friend who is alone and has just had 5 keyhole operations for cancer, I still have a job and I still have church responsibilities and its not hard to get ‘in a rut!” and say I don’t have time to sit and pray… but how wrong is that? For a start, I don’t have to sit and do nothing to pray! I can do that driving along! I can do that eating a meal even! There are lots of times when we can pray, but we also need to ‘priortitize’ and find time to get alone! With God… Here on some of these lists we have people who suffer greatly from various things. We have people with chronic arthritis, MS, cancer, alcoholism Bi Polar complications and the list goes on…..and on! I am not going to say that prayer will ‘fix’ everything, that’s Gods department , not mine….but I am going to say that prayers ARE necessary! And we all need to pray for each other. Always. That I think, is very important and very ‘remedial’…..Think about it… one of the worst things we tend to ‘pooh-pooh’…. is depression! And some of the ‘old school’ will tell us that we have to’climb out of the mire’ ourselves… Sure! We have to make the effort! But we don’t have to do it alone, we have a GOD! Who with His angels, watches over us! Amen? Jesus cried! The Bible says “ He WEPT! Why? Because He was sad! And He at times was mad and angry! He was also disappointed with the closest ones around Him! He had come to ‘look after’ them and when HE wanted them to stand watch for Him…they fell asleep!... He cried to Hs heavenly Father and asked fro strength! For support! He asked to be ‘delivered’ from all the turmoil He knew was about to happen! Moses! He cried also! And prayed! Elijah wanted to give in and die! BUT GOD! Ministered to them through His angels! God ‘provided’ for them! God even provided a ‘cake’! for Elijah and allowed him to rest…. God surrounded Jesus. Moses and Elijah and many more people! With His Angels and with His love and with His protection! And He can do this for you! God wants you to TELL Him about your pain! He wants to hear about sadness and your anger! Doesn’t matter what it is that brings you down,,,HE WANTS TO HEAR! You will not be punished for being honest and you will not be punished for talking to Him about ANYTHING!... when it comes right down to it…. Its YOUR strength that will lead you out of the doldrums and Phil 4:13 says in plain English, I can do all things through the Lord who GIVES ME STRENGTH! Now that doesn’t just mean ‘physical’ strength..it means ‘spiritual’ strength! Call on The Lord RIGHT NOW! And He WILL answer…. Depression is not just a ‘weakness’… was David weak? David killed a giant of a man! Moses walked in terrible conditions for 4o years and he had also ‘worked’ for 40 years! They weren’t ‘weak’ men! They were however at times…’depressed!” Read Psalm 42! And you will see how ‘down’ David felt and what he did to get himself motivated again! He shouted at God! Hah! I am not saying you need to shout at God! But I AM saying….’you need to talk to Jesus!” and you need to do it NOW… Depression is a natural sign and often comes from God to let us know “ Hey YOU! Its time to slow down! Talk to me” after all, I AM … your God! Depression is merely a ‘sign’ to tell us we are walking in ‘swamp’ land and we need to ‘change’ a few things..Maybe it’s seeking more rest time? Maybe its something that Satan uses to tackle you with? Some sin of some kind? That’ll pull you down! Maybe it’s the loss of a loved one and you are grieving still? Maybe its just something that crops up that needs to be dealt with? A past issue maybe? Well if you can recognize anything I have mentioned here…its time! Time to make changes…. --- ...Very well said. Thank You Tony! , ;\ : "-. : ""--._ ; "-._ : "-. \ `. `. `. ""--._ \ ""--._ ; `. : .----. `. ; /.-J-. \ ;`. ; :/ / \ `-; ; ;: ;_/ _."-+: , : / ; : -= =;\ ;\ ;' / ;"\ ,: `--' ; .' : : t -= '"-._ ( ___ .' ; ; :"-._/`-. `-"+ .-" `._" ; .-: \ :-.____..--:-" ; __.^-:_j `;J:\_ _.' : _.--"" : / "-,l "-;""" ; _.--"" :' -' `. ___ ; _.-".-" .' / : \ """--..__.-' : / .' _.-" / : ; . :\ ; / .' .-" j : / /\ \ / / / .' / t--' `....' / \ \ / / : / / : : / `. "-. : : ; / / ;/ ; `. / : `. `. ; \ : / : :/: ; ; : \ \ \ .' ;.\/ : j : : : ; "-._ `. `. -" : `. .-; /-.; ; ; :`. .' "-.__j+. `._." ;`. `. : : : : .--"" t "-( `. \ / "-.`. \; ; ;`.-" .--"".^. `. `.-"\ :\ `. :__: :`. .-T__.-".-: \ : _ "-._ ; `. `. \; `\ : Y-" _.-" \ ; ;: "-._/ : "-. `. \ : ; ; / .'/ ; : :; U "-._ `. \ ;j:/ : / : : ; / ""--..__`-""+:-+.\ ; ; / ,--^-...__ _.-"; `| "--: : .' ; _. _.-" : ; | ;" :.-".-"_.-" ; ; ; / J.-".-" .--"-. .-" | : / .-".-" : "" bug : | / : / : ; ; / ;: _..-' | : / : ; \ : | / ; ; \ ; ; : : ; ; : : `. ; : ; ; \ , `. : \ / : \;"-.__\ : `.: /; ; \ ; \ "-. /: : \ ; `. `. ; ; :/`. \ : "-. `. :: ; `-:\ : "-._ `. .-"; | : \ ; "-._ `..-" : : : \ :__ "-. `. .' ; | ; ) ; "-.J.' | | : : : ; ; : ; ; : \ | :_ ; ; : .' \ | / ; / :_.' ; : : ; ; : | ; :_/ Yes, there are many hurting. Many in sickness. many without homes through poverty and disasters. Changes indeed. Changes thrust upon us - 'Why sit we here until we die?' Changes we must take. Sickness is one of those changes. The ultimate of sickness is death. Either change your attitude and fight to get better or accept your fate and give up and die. You have a choice. Believe in God and trust He will heal you and walk out on your belief. Seek all manner of means to get well knowing that God has provided the best of these to us for our healing. The devil doesn't give us excellent doctors, nurses and medicines. It is wisdom from God that provides these for all people to benefit from. 'Why sit we here until we die?' Get motivated and fight! Make sure you enlist the best people to help you and to pray for you too. The more the merry! Have people pray for you and pray for yourself. Do your best to take care of yourself and believe God will do the rest. That is all we can do for ourselves and for those we love. Once you start to fight, believe that what you are doing IS WORKING! , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Check Out These Teachings... Healing Part 1 http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/healing1.html Healing Part 2 http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/healing2.html Never Give Up! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/nevergiveup.html ================================================================ >-->From SermondFodder: ## _[]_ [____] .----' '----. .===| .==. |===. \ | /####\ | / / | \####/ | \ '===| `""` |===' .===| .==. |===. \ | /::::\ | / / | \::::/ | \ '===| `""` |===' .===| .==. |===. \ | /&&&&\ | / / | \&&&&/ | \ '===| `""` |===' jgs '--.______.--' >AT THE CROSSROADS The traffic light wasn't working at the corner, so a lady stood with a large crowd of people waiting to cross, while a cop directed traffic. Finally, the cop blew his whistle and stopped the eastbound traffic, motioned to the crowd, and shouted, "Okay, pedestrians!" The crowd surged across the intersection -- all except the lady, who stayed on the corner. When the walkers were safely on the other side of the street, the cop moved the cross-traffic through the intersection. Half a minute later, he stopped the cars westbound traffic, and sent the eastbound traffic into motion. Again, he got around to the lady's corner; where by this time a crowd of people had again joined her. Tweeeeeeeet! "Okay, pedestrians!" The crowd crossed the street, but again the lady stayed put. She looked at her watch and tapped her foot as if she was in a hurry to get somewhere, but never budged from the sidewalk. The cop ran the traffic through seven more cycles, each time blowing his whistle and then yelling "Okay, pedestrians!" the Lady never moved. Finally, after the cop yelled "Okay, pedestrians!" for the eighth time, The woman shouted across traffic, "Hey! Officer! Isn't it about time you let us Pentecostals cross?" ===== This post is brought your way by Sermon Fodder and Joke A Day Ministries. To get a regular dose of Christian humor and a modern-day parable drop a note to Sermon_Fodder-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Please leave this attached if you forward this to friends or post it on the internet. ========================================= Worth Repeating..... Compassion will cure more sins than condemnation. -- Henry Ward Beecher ============================================= ES 1: 22 for he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and should speak according to the language of his people. + vAv .-. (")| # | / v \\# | + o c\\ //=.-'O/"-. |/~."| |"-/.-'| / . (__| | | (=/===)` ~-.|.-' a:f >Letters from the King John Kass, a columnist for the Chicago Tribune, recently wrote about a waiter named Bouch who works at a tavern in Chicago. Bouch decided to write to the King of his homeland, Morocco. The King, Mohammed VI, is immensely popular because he often interacts with his subjects in public. He has freed political prisoners, and he helps the poor and disabled. When Bouch wrote to him from Chicago, King Mohammed VI, true to nature, wrote back. "Look at the letters," said Bouch. "These are letters from the King. If I meet him, I'll be so happy." John Kass, the columnist, muses, "How many guys hauling beer and burgers in a Chicago tavern have a correspondence going with a royal monarch?" The columnist talked to Morocco's deputy counsel general in Chicago and was told that it isn't unusual for the King to write personal letters to his subjects abroad. "It happens a lot," the official said. "He loves his subjects." You think King Mohammed VI loves his subjects? You ought to meet Jesus, the King of Kings, and read his precious letters to you. In fact, He and His Father wrote a whole book just for you. =============================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: _,,,_ .' `'. / ____ \ | .'_ _\/ / ) a a| / ( > | ( ) ._ / ) _/-.__.'`\ ( .-'`-. \__ ) `/ `-./ `. | \ \ \ jgs | \ \ \ \ |\ `. / / \ >SISTERS A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day, drinking iced tea and visiting with her Mother. As they talked about life, about marriage, about the responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter. "Don't forget your Sisters," she advised, swirling the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass. "They'll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you may have, you are still going to need Sisters. Remember to go places with them now and then; do things with them. "Remember that 'Sisters' means ALL the women... your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other women relatives too. "You'll need other women. Women always do." What a funny piece of advice!' the young woman thought."Haven't I just gotten married? Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely my husband and the family we may start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!' But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact with her Sisters and made more women friends each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another,she gradually came to understand that her Mom really knew what she was talking about. As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman, Sisters are the mainstays of her life. After more than 50 years of living in this world, here is what I've learned: THIS SAYS IT ALL: Time passes. Life happens. Distance separates. Children grow up. Jobs come and go. Love waxes and wanes. Hearts break. Parents die. Colleagues forget favors. Careers end. BUT......... Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach. When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself,the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end. Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you...Or come in and carry you out. Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Grandmothers, aunts, nieces, cousins, and extended family, all bless our life! The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would I. When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other. Every day, we need each other still. Pass this on to all the women who help make your life meaningful. I just did. --- ...ahh, like some of our Group's Woman: Jo Ann, Johanna, Sandi, Becky, Linda, Kay, GloriaB, Lorraine, PatH, PatW, Janice, Barbara, Jewelle, Maxy's Pal, Rita, Lauren, and Viv - to name just a few! Thanks so much to all our sweet Ladies - just for being you!! -<>- _ ,="` `""=, o / ' ,=="""'=; , __ ~ /.: ,--'/=,) o \`\\"._ _, | .='/ <9(9.=" / _ |||;._//) / .:' (J ^\ \ o_/@ @ /// |=( .' .' \ '='/ '-. ( (`__, ,`\| / .' / \`-;_ . ' \ '.\_/ |\_.' ~ / | ' /` _ \ ::' ) `""``` | , .' ; /`\/ `\ \.::'/.-._///_ |/ ' \_,\__/\ \.-'.'----'` \| '. \ \ /`-, ~ `\ '.' _.-'\ (`-` .' `-.-' _.-')__./,--'` .--'`,-'`'""` ` \ /`"`-` :' ::' | ~ | .: .::' :: ::' / ~ | .:' .-'__ .:: .' \ ;'"` `""----'` \ .'\ '. `\ jgs ):' `-. ~ / :..:' `-._ | :' , `-, ~ \ .' `''----` `.( >"Those Who Touch Our Lives" Every special person who touches our life leaves their own unique mark On our heart; a mark which can never be chiseled away even if the years Eventually pull us apart. We can take on their expressions and such the more we share of ourselves Together. It's those little things about another person that can remain A part in us forever. People who we have met throughout our life become a part of the person Who we are today. We learn and we grow from the relationships each one Touching us, in it's own special way. We laugh about spending too much Time together when we think we have become like each other. But it just Shows how much we've been touched by the relationship we have found with Another. Those special people who can touch our lives are like precious jewels Amongst life's treasures. They shine on us and leave a lasting Impression, a unique mark on our heart, a gift without measures. ~Author Unknown~ -<>- .-"""-. / \ \ / .-"""-.-`.-.-.< _ / _,-\ ()()_/:) \ / , ` `| '-..-| \-.,___, / \ `-.__/ / jgs / `-.__.-\` / /| ___\ ( ( |.-"` `'\ \ \/ {}{} | \| / \ , / ( __`;-;'__`) `//'` `||` _// || .-"-._,(__) .(__).-""-. / \ / \ \ / \ / `'-------` `--------'` >Life Life always has its problems, but is that any reason to stop living it as fully as you possibly can? Things are never perfect, but is that any reason to be less than the best you can be? Life is calling you today, calling you to live its richness. What are you waiting for? Now is a moment that's like no other. Sure, it has its challenges and problems, yet it also has so very much more. Life is calling you today, calling you to make a difference. All that you've learned, all that you've experienced, all that you are has the magnificent opportunity to be put to positive, productive use today. Even when the troubles cause you despair and dismay, keep in mind what is really going on. Life is simply calling you, calling you to make it better. And that's something you know full well that you can do. ~ Ralph Marston -<>- _._ _._ |||| |||| ||||_ ___ _|||| | || .-'___`-. || | \ / .' .'_ _'. '. \ / /~~| | (| b d |) | |~~\ /' | | | ' | | | `\ , /__.-: ,| | `-' | |, :-.__\ , |'-------( \-''""/.| /\___/\ |.\""''-/ )------'| | \_.-'\ / '-._____.-' \ /'-._/ | |.---------\ /'._| _ .---. === |_.'\ /--------.| ' \ / | |\_\ _ \=v=/ _ | | \ / ' `. | | \_\_\ ~~~ (_) | | .' `'"'|`'--.__.^.__.--'`|'"'` \ / `,..---'"'---..,' :--..___..--: TO INFINITY... \ / |`. .'| AND BEYOND! | :___: | | | | | | | | | |.-.| |.-.| |`-'| |`-'| | | | | / | | \ |_____| |_____| ':---:-'-:---:' / | | \ jgs /.---.| |.---.\ `.____; :____.' >REAL HEROS By: Joseph J. Mazzella I never got to be the hometown, high school football hero. It was always a dream of mine when I was a boy. I really didn't want to be the star of the team. I just wanted to be the kid that came off the bench and made the one big play that wins the game. It was not to be, however. In spite of running, lifting weights, staying in shape, and always trying my best my football career never made it beyond Junior Varsity. I guess God wanted me to learn early on that real heros aren't just found on the football field. They are found everywhere. It took me a while but thankfully I finally did learn this lesson. I now know that real heros aren't the athletes or celebrities you see on television. They are the people who live everyday with courage, strength, faith, and love. My three children are all heros. My two boys deal with the challenges of Autism everyday but still make this world a happier place for others with their sweet laughter and gentle love. My oldest son is only the water boy for his football team, yet his contagious joy inspires the players more than a star quarterback ever could. My daughter is about to graduate high school but already has the wisdom, kindness, and love of one beyond her years. She is going to make a difference in this world even if she doesn't realize it yet. My children aren't the only real heros I know either. I have seen heros in all walks of life. The single parent raising 4 little children on her own is a hero. The terminal patient spending the last years of her life loving, helping, and bringing joy to others is a hero. The volunteers who spend weekends and vacations helping the poor, sick, and needy are heros. Every loving soul who makes this world a better place is a hero to God. God wants you to be a real hero too, not on the football field but on the field of life and not in the eyes of the world but in the eyes of Heaven. Open your heart then and let your hero out. -<>- ^.(-"/")-._ '/.^-.^../-.\/ ^/ \' \| \/ }|.-- --.'| /| (.)||(.) |\ \ (__) / | ____ | \ / _./`'.____.'`\._ _.::::| | | |::::._ .::::::::\ \ / /::::::::. /jgs:::::::|/:\/:\|::::::::::\ >TANGLED HAIR Knoxville Airport- waiting to board the plane: I had the Bible on my lap and was very intent upon what I was doing. I'd had a marvelous morning with the Lord. I say that because I want to tell you it is a scary thing to have the Spirit of God really working in you. You could end up doing some things you never would have done otherwise. Life in the Spirit can be dangerous for a thousand reasons not the least of which is your ego... I tried to keep from staring but he was such a strange sight. Humped over in a wheelchair, he was skin and bones, dressed in clothes that obviously fit when he was at least twenty pounds heavier. His knees protruded from his trousers, and his shoulders looked like the coat hanger was still in his shirt. His hands looked like tangled masses of veins and bones. The strangest part of him was his hair and nails. Stringy grey hair hung well over his shoulders and down part of his back. His fingernails were long. Clean, but strangely out of place on an old man. I looked down at my Bible as fast as I could, discomfort burning my face. As I tried to imagine what his story might have been, I found myself wondering if I'd just had a Howard Hughes sighting. Then, I remembered reading somewhere that he was dead. So this man in the airport... An impersonator maybe? Was a camera on us somewhere?.... There I sat trying to concentrate on the Word to keep from being concerned about a thin slice of humanity served on a wheelchair only a few seats from me. All the while my heart was growing more and more overwhelmed with a feeling for him. Let's admit it. Curiosity is a heap more comfortable than true concern, and suddenly I was awash with aching emotion for this bizarre-looking old man. I had walked with God long enough to see the handwriting on the wall. I've learned that when I begin to feel what God feels, something so contrary to my natural feelings, something dramatic is bound to happen. And it may be embarrassing. I immediately began to resist because I could feel God working on my spirit and I started arguing with God in my mind. "Oh no, God please no." I looked up at the ceiling as if I could stare straight through it into heaven and said, "Don't make me witness to this man. Not right here and now. Please. 'I'll do anything. Put me on the same plane, but don't make me get up here and witness to this man in front of this gawking audience. Please, Lord!"... There I sat in the blue vinyl chair begging His Highness, "Please don't make me witness to this man. Not now. I'll do it on the plane." Then I heard it.."I don't want you to witness to him. I want you to brush his hair." The words were so clear, my heart leapt into my throat, and my thoughts spun like a top. Do I witness to the man or brush his hair? No brainer. I looked straight back up at the ceiling and said, "God, as I live and breathe, I want you to know I am ready to witness to this man. I'm on this Lord. I'm you're girl! You've never seen a woman witness to a man faster in your life. What difference does it make if his hair is a mess if he is not redeemed? I am on him. I am going to witness to this man." Again as clearly as I've ever heard an audible word, God seemed to write this statement across the wall of my mind. "That is not what I said, Beth. I don't want you to witness to him. I want you to go brush his hair." I looked up at God and quipped, "I don't have a hirbrush. It's in my suitcase on the plane, How am I suppose to brush his hair without a hairbrush?" God was so insistent that I almost involuntarily began to walk toward him as these thoughts came to me from God's word: "I will thoroughly finish you unto all good works." (2 Tim 3:7) I stumbled over to the wheelchair thinking I could use one myself. Even as I retell this story my pulse quickens and I feel those same butterflies. I knelt down in front of the man, and asked as demurely as possible, "Sir, may I have the pleasure of brushing your hair?" He looked back at me and said, "What did you say?" "May I have the pleasure of brushing your hair?" To which he responded in volume ten, "Little lady, if you expect me to hear you, you're going to have to talk louder than that. At this point, I took a deep breath and blurted out, "SIR, MAY I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF BRUSHING YOUR HAIR?" At which point every eye in the place darted right at me. I was the only thing in the room looking more peculiar than old Mr. Longlocks. Face crimson and forehead breaking out in a sweat, I watched him look up at me with absolute shock on his face, and say, "If you really want to." Are you kidding? OF course I didn't want to. But God didn't seem interested in my personal preference right about then. He pressed on my heart until I could utter the words, "Yes, sir, I would be pleased. But I have one little problem. I don't have a hairbrush." "I have one in my bag," he responded. I went around to the back of that wheelchair, and I got on my hands and knees and unzipped the stranger's old carry-on hardly believing what I was doing. I stood up and started brushing the old man's hair. It was perfectly clean, but it was tangled and matted. I don't do many things well, but I must admit I've had notable experience untangling knotted hair mothering two little girls. Like I'd done with either Amanda or Melissa in such a condition, I began brushing at the very bottom of the strands, remembering to take my time not to pull. A miraculous thing happened to me as I started brushing that old man's hair. Everyone else in the room disappeared. There was no one alive for those moments except that old man and me. I brushed and I brushed and I brushed until every tangle was out of that hair. I know this sounds so strange but I've never felt that kind of love for another soul in my entire life. I believe with all my heart, I - for that few minutes - felt a portion of the very love of God. That He had overtaken my heart for a little while like someone renting a room and making Himself at home for a short while. The emotions were so strong and so pure that I knew they had to be God's. His hair was finally as soft and smooth as an infant's. I slipped the brush back in the bag, went around the chair to face him. I got back down on my knees, put my hands on his knees, and said, "Sir, do you know my Jesus?" He said, "Yes, I do." Well, that figures. He explained, "I've known Him since I married my bride." "She wouldn't marry me until I got to know the Savior." He said, "You see, the problem is, I haven't seen my bride in months. I've had open-heart surgery, and she's been too ill to come see me. I was sitting here thinking to myself. What a mess I must be for my bride." Only God knows how often He allows us to be part of a divine moment when we're completely unaware of the significance. This, on the other hand, was one of those rare encounters when I knew God had intervened in details only He could have known. It was a God moment, and I'll never forget it. Our time came to board, and we were not on the same plane. I was deeply ashamed of how I'd acted earlier and would have been so proud to have accompanied him on that aircraft. I still had a few minutes, and as I gathered my things to board, the airline hostess returned from the corridor, tears streaming down her cheeks. She said, "That old man's sitting on the plane, sobbing. Why did you do that? What made you do that?" I said, "Do you know Jesus? He can be the bossiest thing!" And we got to share. I learned something about God that day. He knows if you're exhausted because you're hungry, you're serving in the wrong place or it is time to move on but you feel too responsible to budge. He knows if you're hurting or feeling rejected. He knows if you're sick or drowning under a wave of temptation. Or He knows if you just need your hair brushed. He sees you as an individual. Tell Him your need! I got on my own flight, sobs choking my throat, wondering how many opportunities just like that one had I missed along the way... all because I didn't want people to think I was strange. God didn't send me to that old man. He sent that old man to me. By Beth Moore In "Further Still" --- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' ...Jesus Said - Ask... Luke 11: [9] And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. John.16 [24] Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. Just Ask! Ask the Lord; he desires to give us good things! http://tinyurl.com/3dvufuk -<>- >Links For Your Enjoyment Cookie Blues http://www.buffalosjokes.com/21727.htm Dentyne http://www.buffalosjokes.com/21728.htm Dogs http://www.buffalosjokes.com/21729.htm Domino http://www.buffalosjokes.com/21730.htm Mouse http://buffalosjokes.com/60510.htm Peeling http://www.buffaloschips.com/dsfasd.htm Pigeon http://www.buffaloschips.com/qwda.htm Attitude Is Everything 3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude3.html 90/20 Principle http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/giving.html Thoughts For Today http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thoughts.html Mystery Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mart.html Amazing Horse Trainer http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/horsetrainer.html Cat Spot Tips http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/catspots.html Tour Inside Of Google http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/insidegoogle.html Classic Chevy Collection http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/chevy.html World's Fastest Cars http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/fastcars.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 ============================================================== _ _ ( Y ) \ / \ / \ /^\ _ ) //^\\ -= (_) =- ( // \\ ) // \\ / \ __ // \\ |=^| // _ \\ __|= |__// (+) \\ /LLLLLLL// ~ \\ /LLLLLLL// \\ /LLLLLLL// \\ /LLLLLLL// |~[|]~| |~[|]~| \\ ^| [|] // | [|] | | [|] | \\ | [|] ^| |_[|]_| |_[|]_| |^ ___|______| | /LLLLLLLLLL|_____________________| /LLLLLLLLLLL/LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL\ /LLLLLLLLLLL/LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL\ ^||^^^^^^^^/LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL\ || |~[|]~|^^||^^^^^^^^^^||^|~[|]~|^||^^ || | [|] | || |~~~~| || | [|] | || || |_[|]_| || | [] | || |_[|]_| || ||__________|| | o| ||_________|| .'||][][][][][|| | [] | ||[][][][][||.'. ."'||[][][][][]||_-`----'-_||][][][][]||"." .(')^(.)(').( )'^@/-- -- - --\@( )'( ).(( )^(.) '( )^(`)'.(').( )@/-- -- - -- -\@ (.)'(.),( ).('). ".'.'." ." '.". @/- - --- -- - -\@ '.".'.".'.".'." jgs'' ".".".'.'@/ - -- -- -- -- -\@".'..'".'."'.'.' '.".".''.".''."@/ -- --- --- -- - -\@.".''.".''.".'". >-->A REAL HOME A REAL HOME is a playground. Beware of the house where no rough-housing is allowed and no cries of glee are heard. A REAL HOME is a workshop. Pity the child who is unfamiliar with wrenches and hammers, knitting needles, thread, screwdrivers and saws. A REAL HOME is a forum. Honest, open discussion of life's great problems belongs originally and primarily in the family circle. A REAL HOME is cooperative. Households flourish in peace when the interest of each is the interest of all. A REAL HOME is a school. Many of life's most important and lasting lessons are learned here, both early in life and later on. 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