Thanksgiving Leftovers... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* A REMINDER: For Facebook Users: Please Friend Me / Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND For Google Plus Users: You can find me here... Shangy Bigham https://plus.google.com/106648555948034085752/posts AND Please Share This email with All Your Friends And Family! ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! :) -<>- * NOTE: An easy way to adjust the size of print in email or any page is to hold down the Ctrl tab while moving the scroll button on the mouse. You can also use the keyboard to change the font size in your web browser or emails. Hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the + key for larger text or the - key for smaller text! ================ *~* Hope Everyone Had A Wonderful Thanksgiving Celebration! >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This too hot to handle new page comes to us from our friend LouiseA. It is a wonderful walk down memory lane and gives a historic view of American culture over the years. Be sure to take a few minutes to check this one out here... |_| _, _ _ ___ | |(_||_)|_)\_| .'=:-\ ___ | | ._| /.='( ` | |_ _ ,_ |/ , _ . .,_ _ /. ^=.'-._..---. | | |(_|| ||\/_)(_|||/|| |(_| | =^.'=.'^//"(_`\\)8, ._| ._| |^.'=' .=||/' `\||;8.-' \'.^,=^'.||; ; ||8/:_,_ give thanks... './-`\= \\\.-./;//,_/`- \ jgs \__/-/'-\888::((()),_ /:. .O__/ (_88:::(())):. `8':. ' Thanksgiving Through The Years http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thanksgiving.html --- ...an awesome one! Thanks LouiseA! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: .---. |_X_| ___ [_____] / _ \ // \\ | / \ | | " | || " || __\___/__ __\\_//__ /\_______/\ / | U | \/ _ : _ \ ( (|___|) )/ \ : / \ \ \_ / \ _/ \ /=====\ / / /| |\ './___:___\.' ; | | ; | | | | | | | | | | | \_____/ | |--|--| '._______.' |LI|LI| jgs \/ \/ \_/ \_/ The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving. -- H.U. Westermayer >TEASING, BASKETBALL AND CANDIED YAMS by Joseph Walker There will be a few new faces around the dinner table this Thanksgiving Two of them will belong to new great-nephews who were born this year: Roman and Miles. Of course, neither of these sweet little boys will actually be sitting with us at the table. They'll mostly be napping while being passed from mommy to aunt to Grandpa Padilla (who never met a baby he couldn't rock to sleep.) But they'll be there when we gather, and occasionally their cute little cries will remind us how thankful we are for their safe arrival in a world that has seen far too much un-safety lately. The other new face will belong to Brian, our new son-in-law. We're still in the figuring-each-other-out phase of our relationship with Beth's new husband, and so far, we are all getting along famously. But he hasn't yet experienced a full-fledged Padilla family gathering, where the humor is raucous and the teasing is profound. I'm sure Brian's height will come up (he'll be the only male there under 6 feet tall - not counting grandpa, Roman and Miles) and the fact that he is from... you know... Texas. We'll see how Brian handles being the new kid on the family chopping block -- and we'll be thankful if he decides to stay married to Beth anyway. There will also be a few familiar faces that won't be seen around the table this year. Joe Jr. and Andrea and their families live too far away to make the trip home for Thanksgiving. Aunt Neala and Uncle Lou are in Europe somewhere, visiting their daughter who is stationed there with her Army officer husband. And then there are those -- I won't name names, but you know who you are, AmyJo -- who actually think it is important to occasionally spend Thanksgiving with outlaw... er... in-law families. Can you imagine such a thing? Neither can I -- at least, not until next Thanksgiving, when we will be feasting with the Walker clan (at which time we will introduce Brian to the traditional Walker pre-Thanksgiving basketball game, where the phrase "no compound fracture, no foul" was born.) And then there are those influences that will be there even though we won't be able to see their faces. For me, my mother is there every Thanksgiving in the candied yams (which, out of respect to mom, I won't eat. I figure if mom couldn't live to see me eat yams, no one else will, either.) Dad will be by my side, coaching me for the umpteenth time on the finer points of turkey-carving (I forget, dad. Am I supposed to cut WITH the grain or AGAINST it?) My brother Bud will be there, sampling everything before it makes its way to the table, just like he always did. I think about Bud every Thanksgiving, no matter where I am celebrating it, because nobody loved this holiday more than he did. It brings together his two favorite things in all the world -- family and food. If you could throw a little horseback riding into the mix, Bud would be in heaven. Which, come to think of it, he is. Grandpa Schaeffermeyer will be sitting in that comfy chair, smiling that vacant smile that seemed to suggest that as happy as he was to be there with us, he'd a lot rather be camping at the mine -- snowy winter weather notwithstanding. Grandpa Jess will be out on the porch trying to smoke as unobtrusively as possible while Grandma Lujan bounces back and forth between fussing in the kitchen and cooing over fussy babies. They will all be there -- whether or not we can see them. That's the way it is with family and tradition. It isn't just about turkey and dressing, candied yams and mashed potatoes. Nor is it as simple as bonding through good-natured (mostly) teasing, or through blood, sweat and tears shed innocently (sort of) on a basketball court. It is the mingling of new faces and old, the seen and the unseen, bound by love, respect and heritage. A heritage that now includes Roman, Miles and Brian. Thankfully. -- Joseph Walker =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Jacinto :) _.-O-._ o_o_o_o_o \_`___`_/ } /. .\ { } | _c_ | { __}_\www/_{__ (((( { } )))) | |o { } o| | | |o {_} o| | |_\o _ o/_| \_/==L_I//\_/ \)-.__//-(/ | : //: | | :|/ : | | : | : | | : | : | |---|---| jgs |__ | __| (___|___) >Does age really matter? “Age is something that doesn’t matter – unless you’re a bottle of wine.” You are only as old as you think you are. If you embrace new opportunities, seek new learning and stay motivated and lively at heart, you can still do anything. In fact, given the wisdom and experience you have amassed over the years, you can probably do more today than you have ever been able to do before! Stay in touch with the world and no matter what your age, the world will stay in touch with you'll among people connected! ~ Jane Powell "Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye." ~ Helen Keller "Observe your enemies, for they first find out your faults." ~ Antisthenes The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time. ~ Jack London Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow." ~ Mary Anne Radmacher Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That is why it is called Present. ~ Anonymous "Ideals are like stars; you will not succeed in touching them with your hands. But like the seafaring man on the desert of waters, you choose them as your guides, and following them you will reach your destiny." ~ Carl Schurz "Who dares nothing, need hope for nothing." ~ Johann von Schiller --- ...Good thoughts! Thanks Jass! ============================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseA :) , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' "I'm thankful God is not like the weather. He is as stable as a rock fortress. I can deal with a difficult situation because I know He won't change. He always listens and is at my side to help me. While others may fail me, He never will. How grateful I am for God's immutable character!" --- ...Absolutely! Thank You Louise! We can always trust and count on God! -<>- .-----------------------------------------------------. | __ ___________________ | _________________ __ | || / / '.|.' \ \ || ||/ / ___ -= + =- \ \|| | / ******* .'|'. ___ \ | | / /-====) | ******* \ | || | / -( | (_.- )) || || / / _/ )- ) )) || || | |-( _ \_( (( || || / | \ //| _ )) ) ) || || / \ \/\/ |\\ /'-( ( || || | |\ / *** \/\/ / ) ) || || `-;./==;-' .=. \ / ( ( || || | \ _\/(_)\/_ '-;==) ) || || | \ |'---'| / ( ( || || | \ _| |_ / ) ) || || _/ | /\ /\ | ( ( || || .-/ / '=' \ ( )-. || |jgs `""---`-----` `----`----`""` || >CAN'T BUY CHRISTMAS by Heather Spears Kallus Christmas is something we just can't buy, Although at times, it seems we try. We rush around with shoppers galore, Buying more gifts than ever before. We fret about cards and wrapping and such, Causing our stress to be a bit much. We push and shove for sales and deals, Sometimes forgetting how anyone feels. We hurry. We worry. Lose sight of the reason, The heart and soul of this holiday season. Because the mightiest, glorious gift of them all, Came surprisingly helpless and ever so small. Could our Lord Jesus Christ be so humble enough, To be born in a stable - modest and rough? Could His mother, so tired, dusty, and worn, Find comfort in where her Son would be born? A manger, a trough where animals fed, Would this be the place to lay His sweet head? What were her thoughts - this makeshift room? Did she want to clean up with a mop and a broom? Or did trusting it all would be okay, Suppress her fears about that day? This plain wooden trough, so lowly and trite, Yet, so very grand - it was just right. God transforms with a simple touch, Our lives, a manger, and things that we clutch. A manger's a symbol of nothing less, Than the glory of God. Our lives He will bless. We mustn't lose sight of the reason we give, Lest we forget He's the reason we live. Let's hold Him close - the baby boy, With swaddling blankets of love, hope, and joy. Let's soften His manger - forgive and be kind. Let's pray for all mothers - they surely won't mind. Let's warm the Lord's room, all covered in dust, By spreading His peace. It's surely a must. No money could buy this gift of love, The birthday of Jesus is sent from above. Without Him on Christmas, it all seems for naught. We can't buy Christmas. It just can't be bought. --- ...A wonderful poem! Thanks LouiseA! Yes, without our Lord Jesus Christ, God would have no reason to create us in the first place. He knew in His foreknowledge how things would take place. If Jesus Christ had not given His life for us and been our sacrificial lamb, then after the fall we'd have been doomed and God would have chucked it all - scraped it while it was all still in His planning stage. Jesus is indeed the reason for the season! Praise God for His only begotten son, our Lord and Savior! =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: _..._ _..._ /\_|_/. .\_|_/\ |-(` \/\ /\/ `)-| '/_> \/\ /\/ <_/' _ \/\/\/ _ /'-:_\/\/_:-'\ | '=_/``\_=' | | .= \__/ =. | \_.-'/;|\'-._/ /\/|'||\/\ jgs /\/ / || \/\ /\/ |_/ | \/\ /\/ \_\ \/\ \/ \/ >There Is a Tree Chicken Soup for the Soul: All in the Family BY: Kimberly Anne Reedy If you feel called to share a message, it's because there are people in the world who are waiting to hear it. ~Michael Port On the plane headed to Detroit for my grandparents' sixtieth wedding anniversary, I gazed out the small cabin window. My mind wandered as I reviewed the past year. I had moved to Phuket, Thailand, where I had become a scuba dive master and taught children at a local school. I didn't have a good answer as to why I left home. I just needed to escape from my life as it was. After living in Thailand for seven months, I got a call from my brother. "I just got back from Iraq again. A lot has changed in my life, and I have so much to tell you!" "Well, when can you come out here to visit me?" "I don't get out of the Marine Corps until next March. When are you coming home?" That was all I needed to hear. I decided right then and there to return home to see my brother and family as soon as I could wrap things up in Phuket. First, my mom flew out to see what life had been like for me in Thailand. We spent seven weeks exploring Southeast Asia and parts of Europe before returning home. We then drove through the southwestern United States and along the West Coast to visit my brother and two sisters. It struck me that I had traveled to ten countries and, now on my way to Michigan, ten states within the course of a year. I pulled out my travel journal, weathered by months of tropical sea air and endless carry-on chafing. And I began to write.... Months later, my family gathered in Arizona for our first Christmas together in three years. My brother was home from Iraq, and I was back from years of international adventure. My mom wanted it to be the best Christmas ever. We had all decided to have a "Come as You Will Be" party to celebrate our dreams as a family and our commitment to getting along and growing together. When it was my turn to talk about my dreams, I revealed my intention to be a writer. I even had my first work with me, a short parable I had recently written. Although I wanted to read it to them, an overwhelming sense of vulnerability emerged, and I changed the subject. Then, suddenly, I was interrupted with, "Let's hear it!" Somewhat surprised that everyone seemed genuinely interested, I read what I had written on the plane two months before. 'There Is a Tree' There is a tree whose roots sink deeply into the very core of the earth. Its branches soar up through the sky and out into the universe. Its trunk is so wide, no one really knows where one side begins or the other one ends. On that tree, there are so many leaves that, from far away, they seem to blend together as one. But, up close, each leaf looks completely separate. Because of this, most leaves overlook the fact that their stems are attached to small branches, which give way to all the other branches and ultimately connect to every other leaf on the tree. Most leaves forget this connection and feel separate and alone. When it rains, the leaves think they must accumulate more drops on them than the others, or they might die of thirst. So they compete with each other for the limited raindrops, forgetting that they all share the same roots, which absorb the water when it moistens the earth. When the sun comes out, the leaves are again worried, this time because they may not get enough light. When they see other leaves getting more sunlight than themselves, they feel resentful and envious, forgetting that when the sun shines on any one of them, the warmth and energy strengthens them all. Some leaves don't remember that they are part of a tree until they fall to the ground. But from the ground looking up, they can plainly see that all the leaves are growing from the same tree. Once they remember, they transform into nourishing soil and continue on as a different part of the tree. Some leaves, on the other hand, remember before they fall from the tree. When it rains, these leaves relax and trust, knowing that the water will moisten the soil below, and the roots of the great tree will absorb it, providing plenty of water for each leaf. When the sun comes out, the leaves bask in its warmth. When they see other leaves getting more sunlight, they are delighted, knowing that they all benefit from each other's success. But the most amazing thing is that when one leaf remembers, sometimes other leaves notice. And then, slowly, they begin to remember, too. And before you know it, on a tree whose roots sink deeply into the core of the earth with branches that reach all the way out into the universe, there are leaves that, even up close, don't seem so separate. I looked around. Everyone was quiet. Today, if you were to say me, "Thailand?! What made you want to move there?" I would have an answer. Only after all the people I met, after all the places I saw, after all the experiences I had, and only after being with my family, as if for the first time, can I say in earnest, "I just needed to find my way home." -<>- __ __ ,-' `' \ _---``-- / _ _ ; __ `. / / `' \; /`----- ) / .-/ ,( ), \-. ; | \( \ / )/; | - _5 `7 -; / ( ___-' `-____ | ( ___`-_ \ ____| \ / `,/ \ _(\__ / \ \ ; \ .' /' `i. / | | \ _-'( _\__-/ `- | | ` ,` `_ | BP >The Book I have a list of folks I know All written in a book, And every now and then I go and take a look. That is when I realize These names they are a part, Not of the book they're written in, But taken from the heart. For each Name stands for someone Who has crossed my path sometime, And in that meeting they have become The reason and the rhyme. Although it sounds fantastic For me to make this claim, I really am composed Of each remembered name. Although you're not aware Of any special link, Just knowing you, has shaped my life More than you could think. So please don't think my greeting As just a mere routine, Your name was not Forgotten in between. For when I send a greeting That is addressed to you, It is because you're on the list Of folks I'm indebted to. So whether I have known you. For many days or few, In some ways you have a part In shaping things I do. I am but a total Of many folks I've met, You are a friend I would prefer Never to forget. Author Unknown -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Christmas With Pets http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/christmaspets.html Angels, Churches, Crosses, Doves Animations http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs.html Christmas Animations: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs_u-z.html Miniture Wonderland http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/modeltrain.html God Is Like... http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/godislike.html Just Thinking... http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thinking.html Matchstick Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/matchstick.html Miniature Baby Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/baby.html World Of Big Cats http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bigcats.html Dubai Miracle Garden! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/miraclegarden.html Tornado And Rainbow! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/tornadoandrainbow.html World's Beautiful Trees! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/worldstrees.html Most Stunning Photos 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/moststunning2.html World's Tallest Treehouse! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/treehouse.html Rainbow Eucalyptus Tree! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/rainbowtree.html Most Beautiful Mushrooms! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mushrooms.html World's Tallest Wooden Building!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/tallestbuilding.html -<>- >From Our Friend PatDeE :) Brian Cox visits the world's biggest vacuum chamber - Human Universe: Episode 4 Preview - BBC Two https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E43-CfukEgs --- ...Wowsers! Pretty interesting! Thanks PatDeE! -<>- >From Our Friend Cloie :) Dads Pull Out Surprise Dubstep Dance For Christmas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdVQHSXapak --- ...Neat! Thanks Cloie! -<>- >From Our Friend Geniann :) The Ultimate Man Cave https://www.youtube.com/embed/HdUTNJkTAVU?feature=player_embedded If you love horses... https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Y5XJbSqwriM?rel=0 --- ...Oh Yeah! Majestic! Thanks Geniann! -<>- >From Our Friend Linda :) She sent us one we have here... The Black Dot http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/blackdot.html --- ...a great inspiration! Thanks Linda! What Is Your Reaction Age Time? https://www.justpark.com/creative/reaction-time-test/ Tribute to Vietnam Veterans https://www.youtube.com/embed/aVeBtnfAxP8 How Fortunate Are We? This illustrates how truly fortunate we are. After you're done with the first picture, click on it and it will go to the next, and so on. http://tinyurl.com/ouycwek Top Drum Players https://www.youtube.com/embed/HW3QVLlK-kE?feature=player_embedded --- ...love these! Thanks Linda! -<>- >From Our Friend Melinda :) Gratitude http://www.values.com/gratitude --- ...Good one! Thanks Melinda! -<>- >From Our Friend Karen :) George Washington Thanksgiving http://tinyurl.com/nkl4gf2 --- ...Great! Thanks Karen! -<>- >From Our Friend Melody :) Check out Publix "Last Train Home" Christmas Commercial - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33kp7YTdQi0 Cats vs. Christmas Decorations http://www.pawbonito.com/cats-vs-christmas-decorations/ "There Is Power" from Lincoln Brewster (OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoOJwel1CQU --- ...Beautiful! Thanks Melody! -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseA :) Incredible magic by a 16 year old kid. How did he do this? http://www.youtube.com/embed/g-DEbvgPnoU The fabulous flappers of the roaring 20s sure knew how to have fun! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3svvCj4yhYc&feature=player_embedded This squirrel was once a household pet, before it ran away. Now, from time to time it comes back to play with his old friend. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=EWFXttBlSJI The Lindy Hop! Are you familiar with the Lindy Hop? It's an American tradition that grew out of the dance halls of Harlem in the '20s and '30s. But you've never seen it like this before! This dance from a recent pro showcase will instantly put a smile on your face - until your jaw drops! http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=VP8yT2u-GVY --- ...Such Fun! Thanks LouiseA! Visit Melissa's Online Store You can get anything you want (except for Melissa ) at the online store http://pdhomes.net/mall/babylissa/mySTORES/ISELL4.html ========================================================== ,-`"-=') =/////// ,== _,_(((((-`6\ ==.| /,,...\\\C _| .--. ((((\\\\\` _, /;_| )9 )))))./ `. / } _\,_ ,-'))) \ / /=-. ,-./ \/ '))) . /\_/ / \ (,-.%\ / /-' ') \/\ / ( \ (/ \ ' /( ' `-/ \( \ ,- / ( `-' \ . / / \ \ &_) /\ \ | ( /--.- \ \----,------=;% | _/ _); `. ` `-. .`\ ) +++/ \ ,," %&-. ; \\| `-` `-=.;_,.__.__\_,/ )_/___+_/_________\,"(_//_(__)______:-._) gpyy >One Person Can Make A Difference Story Editor: by Bob Blees Joyce Schowalter Missouri, USA It had been a long, hard week, and I was heading home one day in 1994. I was a computer consultant, specializing in on-site training, which meant I was a typical road warrior. My work "week" normally started Sunday morning when I caught a flight to wherever I would teach the next week, and ended with a flight home on Friday, arriving home around midnight. Trying to be a good trainer was rewarding but exhausting. Anyone who's taught knows that you have to be on your toes all the time. You need to stay tuned in and responsive to your students. By Friday evening I was pretty well worn out. One of the few perks of flying as much as I did was geting an upgrades to first class without much difficulty. This flight was no exception. It was non-stop from Kennedy airport in New York to LAX in Los Angeles. As I settled into my seat, I noticed two young, unaccompanied children being seated by the stewardess in the front row of the Coach section. They appeared to be a brother and sister, about 6 or 7 years old. I groaned inwardly, as I thought of five hours with two young children right behind me and no parents in sight. My worst fears were soon realized. The flight attendants tried to keep an eye on the kids, bringing them coloring books and crayons. But it's hard to be 6- or 7-year-olds, cooped up and all alone on a six-hour plane flight. The flight attendants had a full plane to deal with. The noise level from the seats behind me was rising. Then a woman in First Class stood up, spoke briefly with the flight attendant, then went back and sat down with the children in coach. For the next four plus hours, until the flight landed, that lady talked and colored, and told stories, and generally kept those kids occupied, happy, and quiet. She seemed to be totally enjoying herself. When we finally arrived in LA, she turned the two children over to the Flight Attendant and disappeared down the aisle to the exit. I was amazed and grateful that this woman was willing to give up her pampered seat in First Class, go sit in coach, and entertain two nervous, bored children on a long trip. She didn't make a big deal out of it, she just did it. All of us seated close to those children were grateful for her intervention. Even better, the two children had a delightful experience rather than a miserable trip. Witnessing this, it really hit home to me that one person can make a difference, and it doesn't matter who you are. Oh, did I mention I recognized her? The woman who moved from First Class to Coach to calm the children? It was Dolly Parton. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From LaughAndLift: "Every package from hell comes disguised as ecstasy." - Jim Murray ,w. ,YWMMw ,M , _.---.._ __..---._.'MMMMMw,wMWmW, _.-"" """ YP"WMMMMMMMMMb, .-' __.' .' MMMMW^WMMMM; _, .'.-'"; `, /` .--"" :MMM[==MWMW^; ,mM^" ,-'.' / ; ; / , MMMMb_wMW" @\ ,MM:. .'.-' .' ; `\ ; `, MMMMMMMW `"=./`-, WMMm__,-'.' / _.\ F"""-+,, ;_,_.dMMMMMMMM[,_ / `=_} "^MP__.-' ,-' _.--"" `-, ; \ ; ;MMMMMMMMMMW^``; __| / .' ; ; ) )`{ \ `"^W^`, \ : / .' / ( .' / Ww._ `. `" / Y, `, `-,=,_{ ; MMMP`""-, `-._.-, fsc (--, ) `,_ / `) \/"") ^" `-, -;"\: `""" `""" `"' `---" >The Roaring Lion (By Dr. James Dobson, from his book "Life on the Edge") He [Satan] laid a trap for me during a time of particular vulnerability. Shirley and I had been married just a few years when we had a minor fuss. It was no big deal but we were both pretty agitated at the time. I got in the car and drove around for about an hour to cool off. Then when I was on the way home, a very attractive girl drove up beside me in her car and smiled. She was obviously flirting with me. Then she slowed down, looked back, and turned onto a side street. I knew she was inviting me to follow her. I didn't take the bait. I just went on home and made up with Shirley. But I thought later about how vicious Satan had been to take advantage of the momentary conflict between us. The Scripture refers to the devil as "a roaring lion...seeking whom he might devour" (1 Peter 5:8 KJV). I can see how true that description really is. He knew his best opportunity to damage our marriage was during the hour or two when we were irritated with each other. That is typical of his strategy. He'll lay a trap for you, too, and it'll probably come at a time of vulnerability. Beautiful, enticing, forbidden fruit will be offered to you when your "hunger" is greatest. If you are foolish enough to reach for it, your fingers will sink into the rotten mush on the back side. That's the way sin operates in our lives. It promises everything. It delivers nothing but disgust and heartache. Someone said it this way: All you need to grow the finest crop of weeds is a tiny crack in your sidewalk. -<>- "God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say 'THANK YOU?'" - William A. Ward ___________ // \\ _____ []//___________\\[] / ___\ | _____________ | / / oo |[_]|--AMC--|[_]| \_( _) |_==_________==_| \___-/ | | | | / \ _____|__|_________|__|____|| ||__________ \ / || || JRO| | || || | | ||__|| ))) | | |_/ \| oo ) / \ | /// \o/ / \ | | /:\\ _/ \__| |______|_//___ |___| ||| [____) / (_(_) / >A THANKSGIVING STORY (Kerry S. Doyal - Grace Ev. Free Ch. www.GetGraced.org) [Edited] Below is an imaginative tale based on a true story found in Luke's gospel. I offer it as a Thanksgiving gift to each of us. Us? Yes, I need its reminder too. First, the scripture to set the stage: "Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him--and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well" (Luke 17:11-19 - NIV). ----------- I guess I ask too many questions and speak without thinking. I never intended to hurt Grand Pa like that. I love him and would never seek to shame or embarrass him. But I did - and shamed myself even more! It just caught me by surprise and I needed to hear his side of the story. From childhood I had always heard this great story - "Grand Pa's Story"! It was a family centerpiece, a source of pride and joy. Now, to hear new details, which I had never heard before - a part that changed The Story so much - well, it threw me off stride. Everyone knows Grand Pa. Everyone has heard "The Story". Grand Pa used to be an outcast. He smelled, was ugly to look at, and scary to little kids. He was dying the slow, painful, lonely death of leprosy. As a leper, he had to move away from all his family and friends. He had to live outside of town with the other lepers. Good friends now avoided him - understandably so. Family could only visit from a distance, often in secret lest people fear you too were "unclean". Unclean: I hate that word. "Unclean! Unclean!" Grand Pa had to say it as he walked near anyone, or if they approached. It was if he was saying: "Avoid me, shun me, scorn me. I'm a dead man, I'll defile you. Run away! I am unclean." But, praise God, that all changed the day Grand Pa had his encounter with Jesus. He and nine fellow lepers heard Jesus was coming. They knew Jesus could help them - if He would. They went near the road He was traveling. When Jesus' entourage came in sight, they started yelling for Him at a distance, calling out: "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us". I've always thought it neat they stayed a respectful distance, for Jesus' and the peoples' sake. That's my Grand Pa! Hearing them, Jesus turned and looked for them. He surprised them by what He said and did. Really, He did nothing. He told them to go and show themselves to the priests, who had the job of declaring people clean or unclean. These Ten had already done this more than once. When you think you have a skin illness, you ask the Priest. He says to come back in a week to be reexamined. If it has not cleared up, then come back again in another week. After a final check - a final chance - if it is still there, you hear the awful verdict: "Unclean." A death sentence. Jesus said "Go and show yourselves to the priest." As they were going, it happened: New skin! No longer unclean! Ten ex-Lepers. That's why Jesus sent them: so the priests could give them a clean bill of health, and send them home to their families. That's what happened too. The priest declared them clean, and we got Grand Pa back. That's why everyone knows Grand Pa. Its not every village that has a man miraculously healed by Jesus. Besides, Grand Pa never got tired of telling the story of how Jesus had healed him. But I'm still working through what I learned. The other day, I heard a Preacher reading in Public Square a book about Jesus. It told about His birth, teachings and miracles. It was the stories Luke the Physician investigated and wrote down. What an amazing man Jesus was, I mean, is! I already loved him for what He did for Grand Pa. Now, I love Him for what He did for me! The Pastor read the part where Jesus healed a leper. At first I thought it was Grand Pa, but then I could tell it was about a different leper; one who Jesus healed right there on the spot and then sent to the Priests. As he kept reading, there was Jesus' encounter with the Ten Lepers - Grand Pa's Story! I was so excited! I nudged and elbowed everyone around me. They knew I was the proud grandson. Yet, some parts he read did not sound familiar. There were new details I'd never heard. The story spoke of one of the lepers who had gone back to praise and thank Jesus. Confused and excited, I ran to tell Grand Pa and ask about the new parts to the story. Finding Grand Pa, I told him what I heard. In my excitement - without thinking - I asked why he had never told us about that Samaritan, the man Jesus praised for returning to thank Him. Then, I asked why he did not return and thank Jesus. As soon as I asked, I saw the hurt in Grand Pa's face and realized what I had said. I did not mean to shame or embarrass Grand Pa, I simply spoke without thinking. Reflecting on and recovering from what happened, both then and now, I'm asking myself some hard questions. Would I have done any different from Grand Pa? Do I thank Jesus for what He's done for me? I've never had leprosy, but Jesus has cleansed me too, the spiritually unclean. Do I thank and praise Jesus for His love towards me, or only ask for favors? Am I too only telling half the story? Grand Pa said Jesus forgave his thanklessness. He knew that healed Samaritan went back. But he also knew Jesus' forgiveness and now thanked Him often. Do yourself a favor, learn a lesson or two from Grand Pa and me: Think before you talk and thank God before you walk. Shalom! ------ Follow-up Note from Chris: What a potent reminder to all of us! Am I one of the 9 that goes on their way without so much as thanking the One who has given me so much? Or the 1 who throws myself down at Jesus' feet thanking Him for all He has given and praising Him! Does my heart have an attitude of gratitude? May we be reminded today that the Lord gives us all things. Sometimes we lose sight of all the real blessings we have. Many we don't even realize we have. The Lord is GOOD and worthy of all praise. In our sadness, He is Good. In our joy, He is Good. May we take a lesson from the Samaritan in this story - and make sure we give all Praise to the One who has given us so very much, including LIFE itself (both temporal and eternal). Thanksgiving is a day when we can focus on this. However, this should be our heart's attitude each day throughout the year! Let's all meet at the feet of Jesus praising Him! -Chris SUBSCRIBE INFO Want to receive a Christian inspirational item AND great clean humor in an email to you each day of the week? It's easy and FREE! Read all about Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com ========================================================== >-->From Kidwarmers: .========. .-| |-. .''-'`_.|__ __ __|._`'-''. / .--'` | [LI] | `'--. \ .' / _.--'''""""'''--._ \ '. /` .' .-' _.----._ '-. '. `\ | / / .' _ _ '. \ \ | | | | / `_ _` \ | | | / / '. | (o)(o) | .' \ \ | | '._| .-""-. |_.' | | | \ / | \ / | \ / | / / | / \ /\/\ / \ | \ \ | | / | '-.( ).-' | \ | | | | | / \`""`/ \ | | | \ \ / | _.-| |-._ | \ / / \ \ | / .' | | '. \ | / / '. './ | .' / \ '. | \.' .' '._| \/ \/ |_.' `'{` , , `}'` { } { } { } { } { } { } \,/ \,/ '. .' jgs '-.__ __.-' { _}""{_ } / \ / \ /=/=|=| |=|=\=\ \/\/\_/ \_/\/\/ >THE FUNNIEST THINGS KIDS SAY I will start this column with a few Thanksgiving Kidwarmer "classics." I first published them about 20 years ago! When Mrs. Bolton was teaching kindergarten, she held her students spell-bound with her vivid and detailed descriptions of the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving. After the story, the class was very quiet. Then a little boy looked up at her with soulful eyes and asked, "Mrs. Bolton, was you there?" Lillian had prepared Thanksgiving dinner for the family. On the table was a big dish of black olives. When Debra, 6, spotted the black olives, she exclaimed, "Grandma, you burned the olives!" Paul, 3, enjoyed the family dinner at his cousins' house. He complimented his aunt on the meal. "Everything tasted fine," he said, "except for the rust on the pumpkin pie!" Tristan, 5, is in kindergarten. He had been following the election, so shortly after Election Day he asked, "Grandma, did you vote for Broccoli Obama?" - Sherry Connelly of Three Rivers, Mich. (Sherry is the grandmother of Tristan and sister-in-law of Diane Schlemmer of LaGrange, Indiana.) Here is another election story. Ann told Micah they needed to go vote because it was the election. Micah happily replied, "Eleven! I want to be 11!" Anne told him, "Not 11, election. We are voting for president." He said, "I would like to be president." When Anne asked him why, he replied, "Because then I could get married. It is taking so long to get married!" Anne thinks the whole political process was lost on him. - Anne Lowe of Ligonier, Indiana /'\ / / , c-' / /'-._ ,____,' .-'''-. .-'.// \ '-;-========,"-,' ' ,` /, \_//\ ,/ ( '- *) ) ( ./ ) {,}========'===='- ' , , , \/ ', -muse. _____'-.-`_______________________'-..-'____ Here is another story from Anne. Micah learned how to ride his bike without training wheels. He came inside to excitedly tell Anne all about it and said, "You know how you don't like me growing up? Well too bad. I just did!" Zelma was babysitting Cheyenne, 5. The emergency medical service ambulance came by. Cheyenne said, "Look, Zelma, there is a 'clam us.'" She was trying to say ambulance. - Zelma Feltner of Kendallville, Indiana Zelma was babysitting Dakota, who just turned 2. Dakota wanted to watch a "Dora" DVD. Zelma told her she would put it in for her. Dakota replied, "It my turn, Zelma." Zelma said, "No, you are not messing with the DVD player." Dakota looked at Zelma and then slapped her legs with her little hands and said, "My gosh, my gosh, Zelma!" Zelma was babysitting for her granddaughter, Addyson, 7 months, and Dakota, 2. Zelma was holding Addyson. Dakota said, "Oh, look at her little hands ... She is so adorable." ( ( ( ) ( ) ( ( Y Y ( ) ( ) |"| |"| Y Y | | | | |"| |"| | |.-----| |---.___ | | | | .--| |,~~~~~| |~~~,,,,'-| | | |-,,~~'-'___ '-' ~~| |._ .| |~ // ___ '-',,'. /,'-' <_// // _ __ ~,\ / ; ,-, \\_> <<_' ____________;_) | ; {(_)} _, ._>>`'-._ | | ; '-'\_\/> '-._ | |\ ~,,, _\__ ,,,,,'-. | | '-._ ~~,,, ,,,~~ __.-'~ | | | '-.__ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ __.-' |__| |\ `'----------'` _| | '=._ __.=' | : '=.__ __.=' | \ `'==========='` .' snd '-._ __.-' '-.__ __.-' `'-----------'` On the way home from church, Glen was kidding Jacob, 10, that he couldn't remember when his birthday was. He expressed profound disappointment that his father would forget the date, Nathanael, 8, nonchalantly responded, "Jacob, of course Dad can't remember. His brain is too full of old people stuff." Jacob responded, "Really?" Nathanael replied, "Yeah. After you turn 22, there's no room in your brain for anything new." - Glen of Ossian, Indiana Farra Loss Barnett of Grand Rapids, Mich., shared this conversation with her daughter, Marly, 4. Farra got angry with Marly for something that really was an accident. She apologized to her and they talked for about 10 minutes about it. Here is a portion of their discussion. Farra: I'm so sorry I was angry with you. I was wrong. Marly: It was an accident. You shouldn't be angry with me for an accident. If it was a purpose you can be angry. You should just say, "Oopsie, you need to clean that up!" because it was an accident. Farra: Please forgive me. Marly: It's OK. I forgive you, Mom. Farra: I'm thankful for your kind and forgiving heart. You are that way because you have Jesus in your heart. Marly: Yeah, He tells me things. He tells me what to say to you. Cora, 6, and Cohen, 4, were eating supper with their parents on the evening of one of the presidential debates. Daddy Geron asked the children who they would vote for, if they were able to vote. Cora quickly answered that she would vote for Obama, since she really liked him. Cohen, on the other hand, seemed to be really thinking about his decision. Finally he said, "I would either vote for Anakin Skywalker or Wolverine - I'm not sure which one right now." - Granny Susan of Kentucky . , * , ` *~.|,~* ' ' ,~*~~* ` _ ,* / \`* ' // ,* ; \,O. // ,(:::)=// ( `~(###) %---'`"y \ / \ / __)(__ hjw '------` Evi had promised her grandson Jay, 3, that they would be going out for ice cream the next time she would babysit. It turned out to be a wet and blustery day, so she told Jay that maybe it wasn't such a good day for ice cream. He looked at her with sad eyes and then said, "But Omi, it is only a little bit a bad day, but it is a lot more a good day!" (He got his ice cream treat.) - Connie (friend of Evi) of Vienna Teal, 4, was staying with her grandparents. Teal gets along well with her grandparents' Rottweiler, named Maya. One of Maya's favorite games is to play hide and seek. When she and Teal were playing it, Teal ran around the corner from the foyer and came into the bathroom where her grandmother was cleaning. Rita told her to hide in the closet and she did. Then Maya came around the corner, didn't see Teal, and ran into the bathroom looking for her. Then she ran out and went into the bedroom and came back to the bathroom and started whining. Then she left the bathroom and went back out into the hallway again. Rita spoke to Maya and asked her, "Where is Teal, Maya? Where is she?" Then a little voice spoke up from the bathroom closet and said "I'm in the living room." Rita could not stop laughing, and of course Maya was not fooled and found Teal in the closet. - Rita Maurer (grandmother of Teal) of Kendallville, Indiana __,,,__ ,-""-,-" "-,-""-, /,-' , .-'-.7.-'-. , '-,\ \( / _ _ \ )/ '-, { (0) (0) } ,-' / > .---. < \ |/ .-' \___/ '-. \| {, / ,_ _, \ ,} \ {, \ / ,} / ',\. '---' ./,' _.-""""""-._ _.-""""""-._ .' `._.` '. _/_ _ \ .'` `\ | | \ / | | | ; | / |_| | \ ;'---' _ ___ _ _ ___ ; '. ; | | / \| || || _| _ ; `-\ | |_ | | || |/ /| _| .' `, `\ |___|\___/ \__/ |___| | \ \ _ _ \ | jgs `\ | | | /` _/ ,-""-. .'`\ | | | /`-,-'` .-""-, / `\.' `\ \___/ /` './` \ ; .--. \ '\ /' / .--. ; | ( \ |, '\ /' | / ) | \ ; } ;\ /; ` { ; / `;\ \ _.-' \ / `-._ / /;` \ \__.' _.-' Y `-._ '.__// '.___,.-' `-.,___.' Evan, 5, said to to his parents, "Sometimes I don't even know how much I love Zoe (his 2-year-old sister)!" They weren't sure what he meant so they asked him to say what he felt using different words. So Evan explained, "Sometimes my heart beats so fast because I love her so much." - Ashley Baker (mother of Evan and Zoe) of Fort Wayne, Indiana Note: You are welcomed to use, copy and share these stories, but please reference http://www.funnykids.com as the source. ========================================================== + vAv .-. (")| # | / v \\# | + o c\\ //=.-'O/"-. |/~."| |"-/.-'| / . (__| | | (=/===)` ~-.|.-' a:f >-->WHAT R U Your Heart is your Love, Your love is your Family, Your family is your Future, Your future is your Destiny, Your destiny is your Ambition, Your ambition is your Aspiration, Your aspiration is your Motivation, Your motivation is your Belief, Your belief is your Peace, Your peace is your Target, Your target is Heaven, Your Heaven is an eternity with God and Jesus Christ :) >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->This is for all you who love food and DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe ************************************************************************ >TO SUBSCRIBE: Visit Here This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR For the Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ************************************************************************