The Gift, What Goes Around, Second Chances And More... :) 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!! ================ >-->2 Hot Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This super hottie is from our friends Jo Ann and Bunni. This man was an amazing artist! The ASCII Art Master! You will be awed not only by his art work but the fact that he overcame his disability to achieve his vision. Check it out here... .-------. _|~~ ~~ |_ =(_|_______|_)= |:::::::::| |:::::::[]| |o=======.| jgs `"""""""""` Typewriter Art 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/typeart2.html --- ...Wow. Super amazing! Thank You Jo Ann And Bunni! We have another HOT one from our friend Linda that should bust your aww meter! Animal lovers will love this story! Check it out and be sure to watch the video... _ _ : * : `.' __.. __ .' /__ . .-" `--._.---.__`..'-.' \.-.-.'' a `-'| `-' | ) . .' ` . `. `-' \ . . .' `. : .' `. )"""--""\ |/ \ | / \\ : ( `\\ _/ ^ \_\ ^ mb a:f Pink The Pig-Puppy! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/pigpuppy.html --- ...Awww, so adorable and cute! Thanks Linda! Oh - by the way - check the updates - all I gotta say is, 'Wow! what a difference a [mamma] pig makes!' - IE: weight of Pink VS his siblings ================ *~* We Had A FANTASTIC Month Of Caring And Sharing Last Month *~* Be sure to check these out and share them with all your loved ones! Colorful Birds! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/birds.html Great Horned Owls! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/owl.html Beautiful Flowers! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bflowers.html Luxury Yacht! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/luxyacht.html Elephant Rescue! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/elephants.html K9 9/11 Heroes! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/k9-11.html Lily And Maddison! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/greatdanes.html Chapel Oak! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/oakchapel.html American Pride! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/chevypride.html Animal Friends 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animalfriends2.html *~* Big THANK YOU And Huggums In Christ To All Our Great Contributors! ============================================================= >-->From Heartwarmers: __ ___ / / ___( (\_( ) )/ / |\___` \\_\/_/_/_\ | | ____/\_\`._._...^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^\ | ||\__/ '_\ \`_._\.; \_\ |\\)\)\| \ \|| | | | | | | \ \ \|-\\ \ | \ || | |^| | | | \ __ \ \ | | | | \ \)\\) \ \_\ |\|\\|\ \|ejm__| |____| \ \)\\\ \ \ \|/|-\| \ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >THE GIFT by Bob Perks The holidays always brings a flood of memories. Each day, each song, each moment is tied directly to something wonderful that happened somewhere back in time for me. They don't gather dust like some old antique. These memories sit well within that place in my mind that I return to often leaving little time for dust gathering. This year I am making a special place in my heart for the story of my tree. It is one I will be quick to share most any time of year, for as long as I live. It has been a tradition that we cut down our Christmas tree from a local tree farm located about 45 minutes from where we live. Not just any tree, but one that talks to me. Yes, I talk to trees and they talk to me. Not all the trees, just the one that I am to select that year. No, I don't hear voices, but I connect to it almost on a spiritual level. It's a feeling I get that confirms I have found the right one. I'll admit that there have been times when we have walked so long around the tree farm they all start talking. They all look good. But somehow it always ends up being the perfect tree, the most beautiful and most loved tree of all. I was told once that the most loved tree on earth at Christmas is selected to be in the Nativity in Heaven. A most prestigious position indeed. Which brings me to my present day dilemma regarding my pine tree in our front yard. After struggling with the idea of losing the tree, I decided that I would keep it by trimming all of the bottom limbs. Those branches were clipped and offered to a nearby florist. They were thrilled to have them. The thought that part of the tree would end up in floral arrangements gave me peace -- even more people would enjoy it. I convinced my wife that the tree would look good the way it was and she agreed that we should keep it. Then I received a phone call that same evening. "Bob, I am sorry it took me so long to get back to you. I understand you called last week to offer your tree as a gift to our church," the man said. I struggled for words. I wanted to tell him that it was too late, but I ended up going into the whole story. I told him how we raised it from a sapling. I told him about all the snow storms and dry summers. I mentioned my two sons. Then I said, "I promised it one more Christmas." There was silence. I'm not sure he understood. "Did your church need the tree?" I asked. I couldn't believe I said it! I thought I settled this whole thing -- we were keeping it. "Well, yes. We try every year to get one. We don't always. It's a wonderful thing you are doing," he said. I didn't think I was doing it. I thought I made up my mind. Why was I even having this conversation? "Are you familiar with our community event?" I was. That's why I called him. Yes, I understand thousands attend. "That's what we need it for. The Nativity," he said. Oh, Lord. I can't believe it. How absolutely perfect. The tree that I loved so very much would end up in the Nativity. The Back Mountain Harvest Assembly presents the Nativity outdoors with four performances over one weekend in December. People come from miles around to participate. This tiny sapling raised with love over the past 16 years would end up in the Nativity. I had promised it one more Christmas. It ended up in wreaths, floral arrangements and as the story goes, a place in the Nativity for the most loved tree. They are coming for the tree on the weekend. By the way. The name of the community production is... The Gift. -- Bob Perks ___________________________________________ Bob is a Heartwarmer Gem and a professional speaker, author, and vocalist. You are welcomed to visit his new story website and sign up to receive his free email newsletter at: http://www.iwishyouenough.com =================================================================== >-->From CupOfCheer: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >SECOND CHANCES It was small enough to overlook. Only two words. I know I’d read that passage a hundred times. But I’d never seen it. But I won’t miss it again. It’s highlighted in yellow and underlined in red. You might want to do the same. Look in Mark, chapter 16. Get your pencil ready and enjoy this jewel in the seventh verse (here it comes). The verse reads like this: “But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. Did you see it? Read it again. (This time I italicized the words.) “But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee.” Now tell me if that’s not a hidden treasure. If I might paraphrase the words, “Don’t stay here, go tell the disciples,” a pause, then a smile, “and especially tell Peter, that he is going before you to Galilee.” What a line. It’s as if all of heaven had watched Peter fall—and it’s as if all of heaven wanted to help him back up again. “Be sure and tell Peter that he’s not left out. Tell him that one failure doesn’t make a flop.” Whew! No wonder they call it the gospel of the second chance. Those who know these types of things say that the Gospel of Mark is really the transcribed notes and dictated thoughts of Peter. If this is true, then it was Peter himself who included these two words! And if these really are his words, I can’t help but imagine that the old fisherman had to brush away a tear and swallow a lump when he got to this point in the story. It’s not every day that you get a second chance. Peter must have known that. The next time he saw Jesus, he got so excited that he barely got his britches on before he jumped into the cold water of the Sea of Galilee. It was also enough, so they say, to cause this backwoods Galilean to carry the gospel of the second chance all the way to Rome where they killed him. If you’ve ever wondered what would cause a man to be willing to be crucified upside down, maybe now you know. It’s not every day that you find someone who will give you a second chance—much less someone who will give you a second chance every day. But in Jesus, Peter found both. * . . . | . * \|/ -->*<-- . /|\ . ' | ' * | . | . ' From No Wonder They Call Him the Savior Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 1986) Max Lucado -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >WANTED: DISCIPLEMAKERS Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus. Acts 9:27 Sometimes new Christians have a difficult time finding their way in their newfound faith. They need someone who will stand with them and love them. A guy named Mark did this for me. After I came to Christ on my high school campus, no one came up to me afterward and said, "Now Greg, you are a brand-new Christian. We have this Bible here for you. You also need to start going to church." Instead, the school bell rang, and I went back to class. I went on with my plans for that weekend, which was to go off into the mountains and smoke dope. But as I was sitting out on a rock and getting ready to do this, I felt God was speaking to my heart and telling me I didn't need to do that. Although I didn't know how to pray, I asked God to make himself real to me and to help me. And God answered that prayer. When I returned to school on Monday, some guy named Mark, whom I had never seen before, walked up to me and introduced himself. He told me that he had seen me give my life to Christ at the Bible study on Friday. Then he invited me to church, and, in a very direct but loving way, he wouldn't take no for an answer. So I went to church with Mark. I started hearing the Word of God, and my life started to change. I didn't need a Bible scholar. I didn't need an evangelist. But I did need a friend. And that is what Mark was for me. So here is my question for you: Can you be a friend to someone? Because our commission is not only to preach the gospel, but to make disciples. as seen in Daily Devotion with Greg Laurie -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >BE FAITHFUL His master replied, `Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness! (Matthew 25:21 (NIV)) What has God placed in your life that you have been faithful with? I pray that you do not have to stop and think about this too long. God has blessed each of us with many things that we have. Life, health, faith, love, joy, and many more, yet, there are some things that he has given to us to use to His glory. Many of us simply think of these things as the skills that we have been blessed with to be able to work or they are simply our hobby. A new friend of mine is a mechanic. Even though he gets paid to fix vehicles, he doesn't hesitate to stop and help somebody when they are broken down on the side of the road. I know a group of women who knit. They have turned their hobby into a ministry of love by giving their work to the elderly and the sick. I know people who love to fix things. They have gotten together to form a handyman ministry to assist those who cannot do it for themselves. I know of accountants who put their skills to use for international ministries. Paul was a tentmaker. He used this skill to introduce himself into communities and then would tell people about Jesus. Look what God was able to do through Paul. Perhaps you are gifted in music. Play and sing praises of God's grace. You will be surprised at how this will touch people's hearts. I know that God has blessed each of us with a few talents. Some we use for our work. Others we use as a hobby. Others are simply things that we know how to do and do them without thought. No matter what these gifts may be, each of us has been given a few things that we can use to reach out to others, to minister to them in their need, and to shine the light of Jesus into their lives. We must be faithful in these few things that God has given to us. I know that I long to be faithful in all that I have been given. I pray that I may stand before God and hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" It is my desire, and I hope that it is your desire as well, to hear the following words. Come and share your master's happiness! Copyright 1998 - 2011 Dennis J. Smock Daily Living Ministries, Inc. -<>- To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. =============================================================== >-->From TheMasti: ___ (___) /` `\ / /"\ \ \_/o o\_/ ( _ ) `\ /` /\\V//\ / /_ _\ \ \ \___/ / \/===\/ || || || || ||___|| |_____| jgs ||| / Y \ `"`"` >What Goes Around... One day a good man saw an old lady, stranded on the side of the road, but even in the dim light of day, he could see she needed help. So he pulled up in front of the lady who had got a Mercedes. Even with the smile on his face, she was worried. No one had stopped to help for the last hour or so. Was he going to hurt her? He didn't look safe; he looked poor and hungry. He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the cold. He knew how she felt. It was those chills which only fear can put in you. He said, “I’m here to help you, ma'am. Why don’t you wait in the car where it's warm? By the way, my name is Bryan Anderson. Well, all she had was a flat tire, but for an old lady, that was bad enough. Bryan crawled under the car looking for a place to put the jack, skinning his knuckles a time or two. Soon he was able to change the tire. But he had to get dirty and his hands hurt. As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down the window and began to talk to him. She told him that she was from St. Louis and was only just passing through. She couldn’t thank him enough for coming to her aid. Bryan just smiled as he closed her trunk. The lady asked how much she owed him. Any amount would have been all right with her. She already imagined all the awful things that could have happened had he not stopped. Bryan never thought twice about being paid. This was not a job to him. This was helping someone in need, and God knows there were plenty, who had given him a hand in the past. He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act any other way. He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance they needed, and Bryan added, And think of me. He waited until she started her car and drove off. It had been a cold and depressing day, but he felt good as he headed for home, disappearing into the twilight. A few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe. She went in to grab a bite to eat, and take the chill off before she made the last leg of her trip home. It was a dingy looking restaurant. Outside were two old gas pumps. The whole scene was unfamiliar to her. The waitress came over and brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair. She had a sweet smile, one that even being on her feet for the whole day couldn’t erase. The lady noticed the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude. The old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a stranger. Then she remembered Bryan. After the lady finished her meal, she paid with a hundred dollar bill. The waitress quickly went to get change for her hundred dollar bill, but the old lady had slipped right out the door. She was gone by the time the waitress came back. The waitress wondered where the lady could be. Then she noticed something written on the napkin. There were tears in her eyes when she read what the lady wrote: “You don’t owe me anything. I have been there too. Somebody once helped me out, the way I’m helping you. If you really want to pay me back, here is what you do: Do not let this chain of love end with you. Under the napkin were four more $100 bills. ,--. _ ,-%*--;_) (___,/))) ((c a( (()) c/ ,- ( / \._> =._@ / ,/ ) |\| / -'--._,-_-|_|-. \ ____,._,/-._,-' &)======} .8! } :8! / |8! ' |8! / |8\____| !^oooooo Well, there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and people to serve, but the waitress made it through another day. That night when she got home from work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the money and what the lady had written. How could the lady have known how much she and her husband needed it? With the baby due next month, it was going to be hard. She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a soft kiss and whispered soft and low, Everything's going to be all right. I love you, Bryan Anderson. ============================================================= >-->From Laugh&Lift: ---\=,__,>,_`-. | : | `"""V#######,,_ `- ""##################' --z--;" /_/ `. `. | | `/"""".`|`|| } }|.""""""""|""""" --'//`/' ` \ '. | : |: || | | : : | : ,_\---_\._ : `.\ |/ : / : | | || : : : //--'> ___ ``-,_ \ \ `"^ : ` || || | : : '=-`',' / `-, __`-. | : : : : | | || : --- //7;<\ / ,--._ ` | ., : : | ||| || ' : -/;\'/` -='/|( \ \ %#' : `| ||| | : : : // '\ // | ` | | : `' : : || # | ||| : ` . : | : | ||#|#| | ': : : : ` '#" : : : | ||,|, || : / : |: || : \\|\ X XX///` :| : | : : | | : : / >\\> <\/\< The Ripple Effect (Author Unknown) In 1855, A Sunday School teacher, a Mr. Kimball, led a Boston shoe clerk to give his life to Christ. The clerk, Dwight L. Moody, became an evangelist. In England in 1879, Dwight L. Moody awakened evangelistic zeal in the heart of Fredrick B. Meyer, pastor of a small church. F.B. Meyer, preaching to an American college campus, brought to Christ a student named J. Wilbur Chapman. J. Wilbur Chapman, engaged to YMCA work, employed a former baseball player, Billy Sunday, to do evangelistic work. Bill Sunday held a revival in Charlotte, N.C. A group of local men were so enthusiastic afterward that they planned another evangelistic campaign, bringing Mordecai Hamm to town to preach. During Mordecai Hamm's revival, a young man named Billy Graham heard the Gospel and yielded his life to Christ. Only Eternity will reveal the tremendous impact of that one Sunday School teacher, Mr. Kimball, who invested his life in the lives of others. 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 our Friend Jo Ann :) __,_,_,___) _______ (--| | | (--/ ),_) ,_) | | | _ ,_,_ | |_ ,_ ' , _|_,_,_, _ , __| | | (/_| | (_| | | || |/_)_| | | |(_|/_)___, ( |___, ,__| \____) |__, |__, >Merry Christmas I don't know who they are Saying I can't greet the crowd The way that I want to Can't say CHRISTMAS out loud. I walk into a business place See things that I rather not see But dare I not say CHRISTMAS And ask for a "holiday" tree. What happened to freedom of speech And living in the land of the free How can they take my CHRISTMAS money But can't say MERRY CHRISTMAS to me. Men and women have given their lives So we could still go free I wonder how they would feel At saying "HOLIDAY" TREE. Come on ALL let's wake up Don't let freedom escape If they get by with doing this What else will they take. This is starting to get out of hand, And I've begun to keep track Well I've just about had enough I'M TAKING CHRISTMAS BACK. So MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL I hope this gets all over the net If we all stand united and take freedom back 'Twill be our best CHRISTMAS YET! __,_,_,___) _______ (--| | | (--/ ),_) ,_) | | | _ ,_,_ | |_ ,_ ' , _|_,_,_, _ , __| | | (/_| | (_| | | || |/_)_| | | |(_|/_)___, ( |___, ,__| \____) |__, |__, --- ...A Merry Christmas indeed! Thanks Jo Ann! -<>- .------, =\ \ .---. =\ \ | C~ \ =\ \ | `----------'------'----------, .' LI.-.LI LI LI LI LI LI LI.-.LI`-. \ _/.____|_|______.------,______|_|_____) / / =/ / =/ / =/ / jgs /_____,' >Sack Lunches I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will get a short nap,' I thought. Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation. 'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seated nearest to me. 'Petawawa. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Afghanistan After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached the east, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time... As I reached for my wallet, I overheard a soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. 'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to base.' His friend agreed. I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. 'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.' She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a soldier in Iraq ; it's almost like you are doing it for him.' Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, 'Which do you like best - beef or chicken?' 'Chicken,' I replied, woondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class. 'This is your thanks.' After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. A man stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five dollars. Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand and said, 'I want to shake your hand.' Quickly unfastening my seat belt I stood and took the Captain's hand. With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.' I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers. Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm. When we landed I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars! Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. 'It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You.' Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers. As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals. It seemed so little... A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America, 'for an amount of up to and including my life.' That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.' --- ...So True! God Bless Our Veterans! Thank You Jo Ann! ======================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: _..._ |_____| |_____| |_____| |_____| |_____| / _____ \ || ' || || | || ||- | -||) || \ || ||__.__|| jgs \_______/ |_____| |_____| |_____| |_____| |_ _| ``` >My old watch By: Joseph J. Mazzella I have had the same watch now for twenty four years. It was a gift from an uncle that I got when I was just fourteen. It was one of the first digital watches ever made and it weighs about two pounds. I have gone through about five watchbands with it so far. Some of the numbers on the display are getting hard to read as well. Still, I keep buying new batteries for it and refuse to get a new one as long as this one works. My wrist feels strange without its familiar weight on it and my heart still feels a touch of warmth from my late uncle's love when I look at it. A part of me too is reassured when I look down at this old timepiece still working away after all these years. It gives me hope for myself in the years ahead of me. This body of mine just turned thirty eight years old recently which means that if I live an average life span on this world then half my life is already over. Since a large part of the first half of my life was spent figuring out what life is all about, this only leaves me the last half to really live my life the way it was meant to be lived: in choosing and sharing love, joy, and oneness with God. I take hope then in seeing my old watch still working away after most watches are thrown away. It reminds me that I can keep working away too and bring a little Heaven to Earth, no matter how old I get. Whether you are a new clock, an old watch, or an ancient timepiece remember that you still have time to make a wonderful difference in this world. You still have time to warm some hearts with your love, touch some souls with your joy, and heal a few lives with your light. You still have the time to live like you were meant to, to love like you were born to, and to be one with God like you were designed to be. You still have the time to bring a little Heaven down to Earth and to ready your soul to fly from Earth back to Heaven. -<>- .-------. oO{-JACKPOT-}Oo .=============. __ | [a] [X] [o] |( ) | [$] [$] [$] | || | [X] [o] [$] | || | |_|| | xxx ::::::: |--' | ooo ::::::: | | $$$ ::::::: | | | | __ === | |_____/__\____| /###############\ /#################\ |#JGS###############| >A Bucket of Money One fine evening a man walked into a fast-food chicken place and bought a nine-piece bucket of chicken. He took his chicken to the park for a romantic picnic under the moonlight with his lady. Upon reaching into the bucket, however, he received a surprise. Instead of chicken he discovered what was apparently the restaurant's night deposit--nine thousand dollars. The young man brought the bucket back to the store and asked for his chicken in exchange for the money. The manager, in awe of the young man's honesty, asked for his name and told him he wanted to call the newspaper and the local news station to do a story on him. He would become a local hero, an example of honesty and morality that would inspire others! The hungry man shrugged it off. "My date's waiting. I just want my chicken." The manager's renewed amazement over the young man's humility almost overwhelmed him. He begged to be allowed to tell the story on the news. At this the honest man became angry with the manager and demanded his chicken. "I don't get it," the manager responded. "You are an honest man in a dishonest world! This is a perfect opportunity to show the world that there are honest people still willing to take a stand for what is right. Please, give me your name and also the woman's name. Is that your wife?" "That's the problem," said the young man. "My wife is at home. The woman in the car is my girlfriend. Now let me have my chicken so I can get out of here." It's easy to look good to people who don't know you. Many of us do a good deed here and there, go to church, say the right words, and everyone thinks we're something that we're not. But God sees your heart. It really doesn't matter how much you do or what other people think of you. What matters is what's on the inside. -author unknown -<>- _________________________ (, ______________________ ) | | || | | @@@@ || @@@@ | | @@@@@@@ || @@@@@@@ | | @@ - - || - @@@@ | | @ c/ || '_ @@@ | | _@| |_ || __\@ \@ | | ( \ )/_\ /_ || _\\ (/ ) @\_/) | | \ \|) / \) || |(__/ / /| | | |\_/ ( -/ || \___/ ----/_| | | / \ || ,: '( | | : _/| || |: \ | | : | || |: ) | | : | || |: | | |_______'____,_|_______|| |_____,_| .---('________________________)--. | / ( |____ __________ _| | /\ ) |___| -o- | |__| -o- | ( \| / |___| -o- | |__| -o- | | /'=. b'ger|________| |__|______| '=>/ \ / \ /|/ ,___/| >A Reflection Walking home, the other day, I met myself, coming back that way, Wondering, just how and why, I looked at me, he looked at I, I am you, a year from now, He continued, with a bow, If you do nothing, else in life, Heed these words, take my advice, When times get hard, you'll feel you scream, Their never, as bad, as they seem, If things get dark, you find some light, If you are wronged, you make it right, And if nothing seems, to go your way, Tomorrow, is, another day, Your life is only, your's to live, So smile, cheer up, stay positive, But if you feel, you're out of luck, Look to your soul, to get unstuck, Stare deep inside, what do you see?, Yeah that's right, in you, is me. -Author Unknown -<>- ,@@@@@@@, ,,,. ,@@@@@@/@@, .oo8888o. ,&%%&%&&%,@@@@@/@@@@@@,8888\88/8o ,%&\%&&%&&%,@@@\@@@/@@@88\88888/88' %&&%&%&/%&&%@@\@@/ /@@@88888\88888' %&&%/ %&%%&&@@\ V /@@' `88\8 `/88' `&%\ ` /%&' |.| \ '|8' |o| | | | | |.| | | | | jgs \\/ ._\//_/__/ ,\_//__\\/. \_//__/_ >THREE TREES Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, 'Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty.' Then the second tree said, 'Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take Kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull.' Finally the third tree said, 'I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the Hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me.' After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, 'This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter,' and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest. At the second tree the woodsman said, 'This looks like a strong tree. I should be able to sell it to the shipyard.' The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship. When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the woodsmen said, 'I don't need anything special from my tree. I'll take this one,' and he cut it down. When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for. The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end. The third tree was cut into large pieces, and left alone in the dark. The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams. Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time. Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and He stood and said 'Peace' and the Storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat. Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it. The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, God will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined. We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best. Please keep this moving... Pass it on, so God may inspire more people on the way. -<>- ~~Pages to Share~~ Love http://www.buffaloschips.com/3r44.htm Hair Piece http://www.buffaloschips.com/jhg7.htm Hang Onto That Pole http://www.buffaloschips.com/mjh.htm Dirty Sneakers http://www.buffaloschips.com/jdj.htm Dodge Viper VS Tzero Electric Car http://www.buffaloschips.com/89uy.htm Dog In Trance http://www.buffaloschips.com/t43e.htm Don't Eat While Driving http://www.buffaloschips.com/t54.htm Energy Star http://www.buffaloschips.com/gre3.htm Hard Day http://www.buffaloschips.com/o8u.htm Miniature Wonderland http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/modeltrain.html Earth In Perspective http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/earth.html Love Thoughts http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/love.html Small Thoughts http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/smallthoughts.html Worms http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/worms.html YouTube Bible Teachings http://tinyurl.com/dgefoh Nigerian Dwarf Goat http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/goat.html Bolivia's Road Of Death http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bolivia.html Guoliang Tunnel Road http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/tunnel.html Underwater River In Mexico http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/underriver.html Give Me Flowers http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/flowers.html A Mother Horse's Love http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/motherslove2.html A Mother Squirrel's Love http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/motherslove.html Baby Squirrel Finnegan http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/finnegan.html Nanny Animals http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/nannyanimals.html Pictures To Ponder http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ponder.html Carl Sagan - Pale Blue Dot http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p86BPM1GV8M ======================================================== >-->From Our Friend Bunni :) FIRST CHRISTMAS CARD Cleverly done!!! , ,_ , .'<_ _> `'-,'(_.-' _< >_.--(.. ) .=;` All things bright and beautiful, `V-'`\/`` All creatures great and small, * * * All things wise and wonderful: * * The Lord God made them all. * .:::.__* -Cecil Frances Alexander * /'::::\ *\_ (` '::|* / \ __ _.,--`-.`_;/.-/ ; /` ,\__ _.-' `. `'._.' /| | ).-' .-'/. ` '._.-._.' / | / .--' .-'` | `. .-' .' | / / , , \`. `-.__..--' _.-' .' , _.==''` \ |\ /| \ '-._ _.-' _.' .'( _.=' | \/ /._, \_ '--._.-'` _.' `` _.=' | / ' ;--._, '._ \ _.-' { \` ; / \ / ' ) '-._\_.-'` _,_ `. `'=..' .=' ) /\ /, / _, /' '\ ,_ `=._ .=' / |/)|/(_ ((') \u u .-""._) \ '-`\\`__ | / -._\ /'--) | ':`----./.-. | jgs `-._} {_} |_ \ | _.' _/, ``'""-`\ `.__.' `""{_} /_ / |`= `" `-.( ,__/. `""""`"` '^' ="`-` `"` >Twas the Month before Christmas Twas the month before Christmas When all through our land, Not a Christian was praying Nor taking a stand. See the PC Police had taken away The reason for Christmas - no one could say. The children were told by their schools not to sing About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things. It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say December 25th is just a ' Holiday'. Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it! CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-Pod Something was changing, something quite odd! Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda. As Targets were hanging their trees upside down At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found. At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears. Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-is-ty Are words that were used to intimidate me. Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton! At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter. And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded The reason for the season, stopped before it started. So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree' Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me. Choose your words carefully, choose what you say Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday! Please, all Christians join together and wish everyone you meet MERRY CHRISTMAS Christ is The Reason' for the Christ-mas Season! If you agree please forward, if not, simply delete. --- ...Amen! After all it's His birthday celebration!!! Thanks Bunni! =========================================================== >-->From Kidwarmers: _.---.( ..--._) (_.' `''-.'` `'. / / \_) (_| _,.-'""'-,-'""'-.,_ | \ /.--' '--.\ /_) ,__\ ) (_(_( )_)_) ) /__, \ (_, ( o) ( o) / / `--.-` '-' c '-' `-'-` (O\ (O) jgs '-.....__w__.....-' THE FUNNY THINGS KIDS SAY While at the dance studio, Isabella, 3, wanted to get a drink from the "water mountain (water fountain)." (Her mother hadn't realized how thirsty Isabella was!) -- Jodi (mother of Isabella) of Minnesota After a long day of play, James, 5, and Nathaniel, 3, were going home. Grammy was driving and Aunt Andrea tried to entertain Nathaniel. She placed the blanket over her head and asked, "Where's Aunt Andie?" Nathaniel laughed and pointed. Grammy said, "Yes, she's under the blanket... And where would Grammy be if she put the blanket on her head?" James said flatly, "In the ditch!" A little big later, as it became dark, Nathaniel, who had been looking out the window, asked, "Aunt Andie, why is the moon following us?" -- Andrea of Mount Vernon, Ohio , /, , /;/ |.-; /|/ /.'/.-',_ _,/ ._- =-==. =\ =: -|-. `\_-; 0 _0 | ( _) | `\ _______ / \ \ //' jgs \ \'--// /`-`"`'\ |_|======| |_|======| ((/======| #######_ .''-----" `'. `-----------` Kim took her two sons, ages 2 and 6, shopping with her. She needed to try on a few things, so off they went to the fitting rooms, where Kim tried on a black pantsuit. Kim asked her 6-year-old how he liked the pantsuit. He replied, "I like it! It's the same color your hair is painted!" (Kim had changed her hair color from its natural brown to black a few months earlier.) -- Kim Koerner of Cumming, Georgia Here's another story about shopping. Cristy was shopping with her daughter Taylor, 3. Cristy was trying on clothes and feeling unattractive because nothing seemed to fit. Taylor said, "Oh, Mommy, you look like an angel in that. I love that on you..." But then Taylor had to blurt out the truth, "You know I am just telling you that so you'll buy me a toy!" -- Cristy of Peterstown, West Virginia _ _ ( ).---.( ) ./.="'"=.\. |=. .=| |_ 0 0 _| .` .---. '. : `---' : `._ '---' _.' _:-----:._ /={ }=_\ /_.{ }-_=\ |=|{ }=|-| |=|{ }-|=| \|{ }_|/ |{ } | |{ }=| |{ } =\ |`. .'=|`\ jgs |_=`|'`=_|`\`\ .'`. __|_=_|=___| `\`\_/./`' (((__(((_____) `.__/ Jimmy, 12, was talking with his brother Thomas, 9, about colleges. Jimmy was telling Thomas how Yale is one of the best schools in the country. After careful thought, Thomas said, "Well, Jimmy, I don't know how great a college it could be if it rhymes with jail!" -- Lisa of Connecticut Grace, 5, went to her grandmother Shirley's house trick-or-treating in a Little Bo-Peep costume. Shirley asked Grace where her sheep were. Grace replied, "Don't you know, Grandma, Little Bo-Peep has lost her sheep!" -- Shirley Bartow of Wisconsin , _="=.=^; _, .-' '."^ "=._ _,-=.`; =-`\ `-==, ` `. .'=._ =-`'. _.-=`.-. ;_.'_,=-' '\~_ `-== / \.--. '=-.,__ _`\. / |0 / \ __,=-' \ /_ .--. |0 )`-._ ,_`\ / / `\`"---''=-.`; \^~ /_ | `=-., __\ / | __,-' , ._,.=-`. \ ` | ''"^.--.,; .="` \ | `-=` `-..' .-"'. \| _\ / \, .=" ) ) /' / /,\ \ /' , / \_ \/ / / .--,--. | | /_/ / |_ | \ / `"=-..__ | `=,_ _/`=-,__ `"=-.._ \ `""'"`/ `"=-._ `"=-._ `=._ _,' `"=-.____,='` /`"=--==. | jgs __/_/ |_|_. -------- / / \-----/ \ \-------------------------- | | | | | | | | | | | | -------- \_\__/-. \__/_/-------------------------- V V | V |V | | __, ,__) ,__) (--|__| ,_ -|- _ ,_ __| |(_|| | | (/_| ( |_, | | | | | | Kathy enjoyed her nephews during the Thanksgiving holiday. For example, Tyler, 4, was carrying around a container of band-aids. Kathy asked him if he was planning to get hurt. He said, "No, I just like band-aids." Bradley, 6, piped up, "Aunt Kathy, you know... you could make a guitar out of band-aids... And do you know what a guitar made of band-aids would sound like?" "What?" Kathy asked with excitement. With a dead pan look, Bradley began strumming an imaginary guitar -- with absolutely no sound! (Note from Grace: I was thinking the words "band" and "aid" might have given Bradley the idea of his "guitar" "aiding a band" that was too loud. Forgive me. I'm hopelessly addicted to puns.) -- Kathy True of Cleveland, Tennessee Ember, 2, likes to help with zipping her coat. She always says, "Mama, will you please scoot my button up?" Also, one day when Ember was trying to wash her hands and was having trouble with the faucets, she said, "Mama, my hands keep finding that the water is hot." -- Tiffani (mother of Ember) of Bloomington, Minnesota o_ _ =\.= | \ ='\____/__/....,_ | .' _-; |/;-._ -_,' / \ ``"""` ( | | ^ ^ \ /`'` o _ o \ \_, ' ' | ;. /.__.' / .`._`'._____.'-. /`.| `-,.____.-;\ / | | | \ \ jgs | | '------' | | \ \ | / Riley, 2, is amazingly quick at learning new words. The two most recent additions to her vocabulary are "Mississippi" and "encyclopedia." When she was at the doctor he asked her if she likes to read books. The word "book" rang a bell. "Yes," Riley replied, "the encyclopedia!" -- Jean Aichele (grandmother of Riley) of Kendallville, Indiana Kiesha, 16 months, asked if she could have a "boy cheese" sandwich. Her mother said she didn't know what that was. Kiesha explained that a girl cheese sandwich is cooked and a boy cheese sandwich is "not cooked because boys not know how to cook." (Her dad is not a great cook!) -- Dianna Scharf (mother of Kiesha) of Winnipeg, Canada ======================================================== * . . . | . * \|/ -->*<-- . /|\ . ' | ' * | . | . ' >-->My Child, I Am Your Forgiving King (By Debbie Preuss, November 5, 2001) My child, I love you, no matter what you bring To the feet of Me, your forgiving King Bring it to Me, then lay it down Trade now your rags, for heaven's crown Nothing shocks Me, I see it all I know each time My child falls I wait for you, to come to Me So I can heal you eternally Each time is new, I don't keep score My forgiveness over you I pour Over My child, washing you clean Come My child, and on Me lean Bring your sins, your cares, your woe Bring them to Me, for I know The weight is too heavy for you alone Believe My love, is to you shown Forgiveness will lift your heavy weight Come now child, don't be late My forgiveness extends while you live So to Me, please your burdens give I know your sin, your secret shame Child, please call out to My name For I am your forgiving King No matter what to Me you bring Come to Me, collect your crown Bring your burdens, lay them down I love you child, for eternity Won't you now, just come to Me? * . . . | . * \|/ -->*<-- . /|\ . ' | ' * | . | . ' Romans 10:9 'That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.' >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->BECOMING A CHRISTIAN HOW TO BE A CHRISTIAN! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Chriistian 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 DARRE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do :) Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? 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 ************************************************************************