9-11 And The Most Beautiful Flower... :) 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 ================ *~* Please Consider Giving To ShangralaFamilyFun.com The cost of the website has gone up dramatically due to the ever increasingly wonderful pages and photos being added each week to entertain you and our fellow Christian families. While the ads on the website do help, I don't want to drag the site down with tons of them to pay for it. I need your help! "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a Shangrala Angel, the easiest way to do that is through online giving. It is easy to use, and most of all, it is secure. Please visit the site, scroll down and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL form page comes up. NOTE: Paypal will generate a 'Quantity 1' and 'Price per item' form. Just ignore the price per item and put whatever it is you desire to give in there. With Paypal, you will have your normal receipt for your 'payment' donation in USD (United States Dollars). You can put a memo in there if you'd like. 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 YOU MOST ABUNDANTLY FOR YOUR GIFT! ================ *~* 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!! AND 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! ================ >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This piping hot new page is from our friends Linda and LouiseAu. It will tickle your funny bone and amaze you with it's excellent photography taken at just the right time to capture the moment. Be sure to check it out here... AGHRRHH! / \ O / -=-^&(*E$ rtgsret &^E*!!deg o -#*&&\ \ / Got A Nanosecond 8? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/nano8.html --- ...I love these! They are so exquisite! Thanks Ladies! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: 9/11 was a reminder that the bonds of family can be severed in an instant. They are essential, crucial, valuable, fragile. -- Peter Jennings --====|====-- | .-"""""-. .'_________'. /_/_|__|__|_\_\ ;'-._ _.-'; ,--------------------| `-. .-' |--------------------, ``""--..__ ___ ; ' ; ___ __..--""`` jgs `"-// \\.._\ /_..// \\-"` \\_// '._ _.' \\_// `"` ``---`` `"` >IT IS THEIR LEGACY by Michael Smith September 11, 2001, Shirley Brooks-Jones, a retired staff member at Ohio State university and two hundred and seventeen fellow passengers sat on Delta flight 15 from Germany to Atlanta, Georgia. They sat in comfort, while unbeknownst to them, terrorists attacked the United States of America. Hijacked passenger jets, filled with hundreds of passengers were flown into the two towers of the World Trade Center in Manhattan, New York and into the Pentagon in Washington, DC. The United States made the unprecedented move to shut the airspace over the United States to all but military aircraft. International flights to the USA were diverted to Canada. The small town of Gander, Newfoundland, was overwhelmed by thirty-eight planes, carrying almost seven thousand passengers. In a matter of hours, the “plane people”, as they became known, nearly doubled the population of the town. A plea went out to the residents, "Please do what you can for these people. Come out, lend a hand, anything you can do will be accepted." Gander residents opened their homes, their stores, their schools and their hearts. On Delta flight 15, Shirley Brooks-Jones, her fellow passengers, plus the crew, sat on the runway, unable to disembark. Captain Michael Sweeney kept things under control. The air conditioning and bathrooms continued to work and food was provided. After more than twenty-eight hours, they were allowed to leave the plane and to meet an amazing population of people. They were greeted with open arms. I had the opportunity to speak to Shirley Brooks-Jones recently. She told a wonderful story of caring and love. "Michael, you wouldn’t believe it. The residents of Gander took people into their homes. Even in the stores, they wouldn’t accept our money. People needed clothes, Walmart gave it to them. Many people had prescription drugs on their checked baggage, which they couldn’t take off the plane; doctors examined them and wrote new prescriptions for free. The prescriptions were then filled at local drug stores at no cost. "One man said he was at the store getting supplies and the cashier offered her home to them, so they could shower. "It was amazing, Michael. I remember being on the bus to Lewisporte from Gander, where we would be housed after we were allowed off the plane. I looked at the scenery. It reminded me of southeast Ohio, where I grew up at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains. I felt at home. "The US airspace reopened on September 13th, but we didn’t leave until the 15th. We spent four wonderful days with our now extended family." On the flight to Atlanta, Shirley looked down at the small town of Gander and nearby Lewisporte, thought about her wonderful experience there and knew she had to do something. She asked to speak to captain Michael Sweeney. "Captain Sweeney, I would like to make an announcement over the intercom. I want to ask for pledges to start a scholarship fund for the students of Lewisporte. These people can’t afford to send many of the kids to university. I want to give back what they gave us." Captain Sweeney, against rules, agreed to Shirley’s request. Several people helped Shirley create pledge sheets, which they handed out to the passengers. At the end of the flight, they counted pledges totaling more than fifteen thousand dollars. An anonymous donor matched the total. The fund, called Lewisporte Area Flight 15 Scholarship Fund and managed by The Columbus Foundation has since raised more than one million dollars and continues to grow. A committee in Lewisporte, made up by the principal, counselor and teachers distribute the funds based on the guidelines agreed on by Shirley and the Columbus Foundation. The scholarships are given to children, as long as they maintain an average of 85%, to receive help for further education. They need to be active in the community and write an essay as to why they want to receive the scholarship. Some of the students have gone into the ministry, medical fields, etc. Since that dreadful day in 2001, Shirley has returned to Gander and Lewisporte twenty-two times. She returns for memorial services each year on 9/11 and again in the spring to hand out scholarships. When there, she walks through the streets and is greeted, "Hey, Shirley! You’re back. It’s great to see you again." She’s part of their family -- forever. In 2007, Shirley received a call from a protocol office to announce she was nominated to receive "The Order of Newfoundland and Labrador" and asked if she would be willing to travel to Newfoundland to attend the ceremonies. Shirley said, "Michael, my knees weakened. I almost fell to the floor." The date for the ceremony was December 7, the day Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. Nine people received the award that day. After the presentations, the Lieutenant Governor held a luncheon. During the luncheon, a lady walked up to Shirley and thanked her for all she had done for their community. She then added, "You may not know this but you where the 9th person to receive the award at the exact moment when the clock chimed 11." Shirley has been interviewed many times since that tragic day. She was once asked to describe how poor the communities of Gander and Lewisporte were. Shirley refused. "How can you ask me how poor they were? They are not poor. They are richer than all of us. They are rich with family, life, caring and heart." The love and appreciation the people of Gander/Lewiesporte showed to those stranded will never be forgotten. It is their legacy. -- Michael T. Smith -<>- >Videos About This Gander-Newfoundland-9-11 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUmCgQp5iNg Gander 9/11 ?~? The Kindness Of Strangers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI6HG-rV9Tc 9/11 refuge revisited: Gander Airport https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGEe01oTT9I How a small town became an unlikely hero of 9/11 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhd9NYd-BxY =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Cloie :) I wish the old paths were before us instead of behind us \ _______ _____ / _____) /___ \ \ ( - -\ oo \ \ \_\ ^/ (_ )_/ _/ \~/\ \-___/ / " \ / \ / /\ ) ) / | || @@@@ \ \ \____/ | | || @@oo //// \_\/* * \ | | || @@-/ oo ) (~/* * * \ | |_|| @@\ \-/ /* * * * \ ))) |_/ \| ||/ // %%%% /*_*_*_*_*/) oo ) |\\\| ||\ \\%%%oo | | | \\\o/ | | \) \ |%%%-/ | | | \=3=\\ | | ____\|//___\ | | | \__// | | /|| ~-//\\ |_|_| //\\ |___| )\_)(_(_)(_) \___>> (_)(_) (____] JRO >THE OLD PATHS I liked the old paths, when Moms were at home. Dads were at work. Brothers went into the army. And sisters got married BEFORE having children! Crime did not pay; hard work did and people knew the difference. Moms could cook; Dads would work and children would behave. Husbands were loving; wives were supportive and children were polite. Women wore the jewelry; and Men wore the pants. Women looked like ladies; Men looked like gentlemen and children looked decent. People loved the truth and hated a lie. They came to church to get IN, not to get OUT! Hymns sounded Godly; sermons sounded helpful, rejoicing sounded normal and crying sounded sincere. Cursing was wicked; drugs were for illness. The flag was honored; America was beautiful and God was welcome! We read the Bible in public; prayed in school and preached from house to house. To be called an American was worth dying for; to be called an American was worth living for; to be called a traitor was a shame! I still like the old paths the best! --- ...So True! Thanks Cloie! Actually our 'The Old Paths' is most easily summed up as Godly Christian character combined with American patriotism. I think that's what Pres. Trump had in mind with 'MAGA'. , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' I think we don't need to get back to the old paths as much as we need to get back to God through Jesus Christ. =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: W __ __ [ ] |::||::| 3 ._. |::||::| ._. /| |:| ._. |::||::| |/| \|// / |:|_|/| |::||::|_ |/| -( )-| |:|"|/|_|::||::|\|_|/| _ J V | |:|"|/|||::||::|\|||/||:| ___ ' / ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ \ \/ | ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ >Lessons Learned From September 11 By Alan Riley There are certain events that are forever burned into our memory, events that everyone remembers where they were when they first heard the news. The attack on Pearl Harbor, the assassinations of JFK and Martin Luther King, the Challenger Disaster... and of course September 11, 2001. Today there will be extensive media coverage as America and the world remembers, even if just for a day, the horrible events that took place on this date years ago. But the stark reality is that for most of us, life has returned to normal. In the aftermath of 911 we were all united. Democrats and Republicans put aside their differences and stood on the Capitol steps and sang "God Bless America." Our churches were filled with people who hadn't gone to church in years. We all realized how fragile life can be. Policemen and Firemen were recognized as heroes. We were truly thankful for our freedom. We loved our country, warts and all. Then things went back to "normal". The Left and the Right started fighting again. Church attendance returned to pre-911 levels. We started taking all those things and all those people for granted again. I hate normal. I don't want to be normal. To be normal is to be mediocre. To be normal is to be average. The events of September 11, 2001 reminded us all how short, how fragile life can be. My time here is limited. I only get one shot at this life, so I want to make the most of every day, take advantage of every opportunity, cherish every moment spent with those I love, touch as many people as I possibly can. I don't want to be normal! A "normal" husband takes his wife for granted. A "normal" father is distant from his kids. A "normal" neighbor doesn't know or care about those who live around him. A "normal citizen" doesn't bother to get involved or to vote. Worst of all, a "normal" Christian is lukewarm, rarely prays, seldom reads the Word and hardly ever spends time alone with God. I don't want to be normal! I don't want to be a "normal" husband; I want to give my wife the love and honor she deserves. I don't want to be a "normal" father; I want to leave a legacy of love, laughter and faith for my children. I don't want to be a "normal" neighbor; I want to reach out and show the love of Jesus to those who live around me. I don't want to be a "normal" citizen; I want to be a part of the solution, not a part of the problem with my country. Most of all, I don't want to be a "normal" Christian. I want to be a passionate, wholehearted follower of Jesus whose heart burns to know and do His will and to demonstrate His love in both word and deed. This is my prayer for me, for my church, for my nation, and especially for the Body of Christ on this day: Lord, deliver us from normal! Help us rise above normal to be extraordinary people who make an impact on our world. With Much Love From Christ Look to Heaven: Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Proverbs 16:20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >At Just the Right Time David Langerfeld The following devotional is actually a sermon I preached last week in Latacunga, Ecuador. I share it with you once again to remind you that God continues to work in our lives, "at just the right time". -David "At Just the Right Time" Romans 5:6 In 2005, I was part of a medical-dental mission team to Latacunga, Ecuador. While preaching one night, my stomach began to hurt. I assumed maybe it was the food or maybe it was the 8000' altitude, but I was confident that it would soon go away after some Pepto- Bismul. It didn't go away. Later that night, my discomfort turned into immense pain and moved to my right side. One of my roommates, a plastic surgeon, heard my cries of anguish and made a tentative diagnosis. After a confirmation by another surgeon on our team, I had to have an emergency appendectomy the next day. When I shared this with a relative, he laughed and said, "Well, looks like you were in the wrong place at the wrong time." What a great opportunity for me to share my faith. I told him it was just the opposite. God had everything prepared for me. He had the right people, in the right place, at the right time. The Right People: First of all, God had the right people - a surgeon, a surgical nurse and a surgical nurse translator who were part of our Medical-Dental Mission Team. The Right Place: Second, God had me in the right place. If this had happened in the middle of the night at my home in Tupelo, I wouldn't have had a surgeon in the room with me to diagnosis the problem. I wouldn't have had nurses in the next room to take care of me before and after the surgery. I would have been trying to locate someone in the middle of the night to stay with my wife, Lynda, who is disabled. The Right Time: Third, God did this at just the right time - If this had happened one day earlier, we would have had one fewer doctor and two fewer nurses to work in the clinic on our busiest day of the week. If this had happened just one day later, I would have been in an airplane over the Gulf of Mexico and the outcome could have been much different. In fact, if this had happened one day later, I might not be here sharing this with you. The Right People in the Right Place at the Right Time: I could write a separate sermon on each one these points, but today, I want to focus on just the last one. Romans 5:6 says, "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly." The first part of this verse has taken on new meaning to me. "At just the right time, when we were weak and powerless..." That night in the motel room in Ecuador, I was physically weak and powerless. But God had already prepared for me... God had already provided for me… God had already protected me... Although I will always be grateful for his physical provision in this situation, it pales in comparison to his spiritual provision. Look at the scripture once again, "You see, at just the right time, when we were powerless, Christ died for the ungodly." When I was powerless to save myself. When I was powerless to forgive myself. When I was unable to avoid spending eternity in Hell When I was unable to pay for my sin Christ paid the price for my sin Christ died on the Cross for me At just the right time, Jesus Christ died for this ungodly sinner. -<>- __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >All Thou Couldst Give How is it I was worth all you could give That I, through thee, with our Father might live. Through agony suffered in Gethsemane You've given our Father's kingdom to me. You bled and died on Calvary's hill To seal yourself to the Father's will. While heavenly legions awaited your call You silently suffered, atoning for all. Freedom from sin you won for us then And life eternal you brought forth again. You shattered forever death's shackled band By rising in Resurrection grand. Following God, you showed us the way To walk in your path that each of us may Return to the presence of our heavenly Lord And glory forever in his holy word. -RD Clyde -<>- _ _ _(_)_ wWWWw _ _(_)_ @@@@ (_)@(_) vVVVv _ @@@@ (___) _(_)_ @@@@ (_)@(_) @@()@@ wWWWw (_)\ (___) _(_)_ @@()@@ Y (_)@(_) @@()@@ wWWWw (_)\ @@@@ (___) `|/ Y (_)@(_) @@@@ \|/ (_)\ @@@@ (___) `|/ / Y \| \|/ /(_) \| |/ | / Y \| \ | \ |/ | / \ | / \|/ |/ \| \|/\ | \ |/ | jgs|// \\|/// \\\|//\\\|///\|/// \\\|// \\|// \\\|// |// \\|/// \\\|/\\ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. Lam.3:22-23, What a fresh, lovely, light color. Spring green! The trees and bushes were loaded with it. Grass too. Tiny leaves and buds forming and bursting on the branches; leaves unfurling towards the sun. Tiny sparrows and little songbirds were flitting about, chirping with a happy sound. Spring had sprung! Here where we live, the weather is tropical, and comments I hear from time to time are how much people love to be here but would miss the season if they lived here year-round. Actually we do have seasons, but they are subtle, indeed. The month of February is our spring season. On a walk, as I took in the beauty of the new growth on the many and varied trees, I was reminded of the newness of spring. The earth, being Renewed each year. I thought, too, of one of my favorite Bible verses, and how it speaks of the newness of the grace of God. God's mercy and grace are constant, and yet at the same time new, each and every day. "God is good, all the time, and all the time, God is good." God's mercy and grace, new every morning. Like spring. Mercy and grace -spring green. New. Fresh. What a gift. For me. For YOU! That, is good news. -<>- , .--'|} "Goodbye New York's rose, / /}} may you ever grow in our hearts. .=\.--'`\} You were the grace that placed itself //` '---./` where lives were torn apart. || /| \\| | You called out to our country, |\_\\/ and you whispered to those in pain. \__/\\ Now you belong to heaven, \\ and the stars spell out your name." jgs \| >By RACHEL ZOLL AP Religion Writer September 12, 2001 Anne Marie Striebel was angry when she went to a Mass mourning Tuesday's attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Even after praying, she wanted revenge. "I know this sounds horrible, but I would like to see public punishment," said Striebel, among a few hundred worshippers at the Roman Catholic Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. "Who hates us this much?" Stunned by the malice that left multitudes dead, the nation turned to their clergy and to God as they struggled for understanding, filling churches and attending vigils, praying for U.S. leaders and the survivors of the attack. Terry Walsh, who works for a company that sells discount airline tickets, attended a Mass at St. Rita's Catholic Church in Dallas "to gain closeness to God and renew my strength. "I pray for God to stop people who commit acts of violence, hatred and evil," Walsh said. Archbishop Edward O'Brien, who leads the Catholic archdiocese for the military, was in an annual retreat in Washington with 50 armed services chaplains when word of the attacks reached them. They held a special Mass meant for times of war, then tried to return to their military posts. "We were all numb watching the TV," O'Brien said. "We prayed for peace in our hearts, for peace in our community, for an end to the evil that does such tremendous and unimaginable damage." At a Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York, Cardinal Edward Egan told worshippers the Rev. Mychael Judge, a Fire Department chaplain, died in the attack. But Egan warned against "imaginings of retaliation." "Hate never begets peace," Egan said. "Justice does." The prayer line run by Unity, a nondenominational Christian movement based just outside of Kansas City, was swamped, spokesman Tom Taylor said. "Our prayer ministry normally gets several thousand callers a day, but we've been flooded," he said. "I don't honestly think we'll be able to answer all the calls that come in." The Rev. Paul Akin, pastor of a First United Methodist Church in Iowa, spent the afternoon hurriedly typing his sermon for a special prayer service. "I want to talk about that sense of brokenness and vulner- ability we feel and a sense of God's abandonment of us in the face of great tragedy," Akin said. "God's heart is the first to break and this is not God's vision for the world." President Bush asked the nation to pray for the families of the victims and quoted the Book of Psalms: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for you are with me." A special service was held at Bethany Church in Greenwood, N.H., the church attended by Tom McGuinness, co-pilot of one of the planes that smashed into the World Trade Center. Bethany pastor Fred Cheney said when McGuinness' wife, Cheryl, got word of the crash, her first response was, '"My Tom is with Jesus."' One woman told the worshippers, "We felt evil today. Lord, we pray for your mercy tomorrow." Copyright © 2001, The Associated Press -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Lest We Forget http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lestweforget.html Driftwood Art! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/driftwoodart.html Running Horses! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/runninghorses.html Thank You Lord! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thanks.html Pay It Forward http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/payitforward.html Me And My Pony! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mypony.html I'll Never Fall! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/neverfall.html Invisible Child http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/invisiblechild.html Paradox Of Our Time http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/paradoxofourtimes.html Rich VS Poor http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/richvspoor.html Wisdom For Life http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wisdomforlife.html Animal Friends http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animalfriends2.html Friends Last Journey http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mananddog.html Nigerian Dwarf Goat http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/goat.html Amazing Photos 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/amazingphotos2.html You and Me Together http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/youandme.html 911 And Troops INDEX! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/911andtroopsindex.html -<>- >From TruthOrTradition: What does the Bible say about Baptism? https://tinyurl.com/y9dvr8b8 Stumbling Upon Heaven https://tinyurl.com/yaacdvwv What does the Bible say about Tithing? https://tinyurl.com/yarqka59 God’s Divine council https://tinyurl.com/y779l6wy -<>- Through The Darkness http://www.passionup.com/fun/fun841.htm A Soldier’s Viewpoint on Surviving Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Attacks From: SFC Red Thomas (Ret) http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/other/nbc.htm -<>- Revisiting... >From Our Friend Geniann :) I have taken the liberty of signing you up for this bus ride. If you decide not to go please let me know so I can get a refund. https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/skC8u4Ok0Kg?rel=0 --- ...REFUND! REFUND! LOL! Thanks Geniann! -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) This is one patient dog. All it wants to do is chew happily on its bone, but the kitty seems to have other ideas, as it does everything it can think of to drive the dog insane! http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8bku2thrhSA The famous street magician starts off by explaining a card trick to the former president. But then, Blaine surprises him with a bunch of tricks that President Bush can't believe. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vzuDkjtDOY&feature=player_embedded --- ...TeeHee! Great! Thanks LouiseAu! -<>- >From Our Friend Melody :) That's why I love cats! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpq_4ba7y18 One Pair Of Hands https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvgvwWNM1Fc --- ...Beautiful! Lots of SMILES here! Thanks Melody! Here's More... How Great Thou Art - Carroll Roberson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-bHFSnQPQ0 "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" - Carroll Roberson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjE6nn96mKY Carroll Roberson - Just a closer walk with thee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGW_n7hNoM4 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 ========================================================== >-->From CupO'Cheer: / .- __ |/,-'` `-.\ _.-'''-._ \\ .--. _.;.--._.--.;._ _\\/_`~\\ _ .-. .` /( / \ )\ `|. \\ |--' | \ | | ; '-' '-' ; |~~~~~| _\ \| |__ | (_) | | '__|_ (_` _)| . . | |. (__ \ `', |` | `-.___.-' | | (__ | | | ; | : | ; | '(___ | | | \ | : | / | . | | | \____'._| : |_.'___;====| | \ | : | / jgs '------. '._.' .---------'` | | | . ~ . | | | | | |____.____| /===========\ ;:. | .::. ; |:' |_'::' | | .:. | | |__':'_|___.::| [______I______] | | | (_ | _) | | | _|___|___|_ .-//\\--|||--//\\-. (_||__\\//|\\//__||_) `"""""""""`"""""""""` >CONFRONTING ENTITLEMENT Terry Dorsett BARRE, Vt. (BP)--The other day I was hanging out with a friend of mine. This person is a young adult and quite talented in a lot of areas, but does not get a lot of support from immediate family. My friend only has a part-time job and a number of Christians in my circle of friends have been helping this individual stay afloat financially. Helping people in need is part of what it means to be a Christian, but this has been going on for nearly two years and some people have begun to feel taken advantage of. As we were hanging out, I mentioned that it was time for my friend to find additional employment in order to provide for personal financial needs. My friend's answer amazed me. I was told that additional employment was not needed because the part-time job was enough. After all, it was important to have time to hang out with friends and do fun stuff. I was somewhat flabbergasted by this response. After a moment of fumbling around verbally, I finally worked up the courage to point out that it was only working with a part time job because other people were helping out. I went on to point out that all those people who were helping worked full-time jobs themselves and some of them even worked two jobs. I asked how long other people should work extra hours at their own jobs in order to help out a person who only worked a part-time job. There was no answer. As the conversation continued, it became increasingly awkward. It was obvious that my friend felt entitled to receive help from others even though there was so much more my friend could do to make the situation better. The fact that my friend is a healthy able-bodied young adult quite capable of working more hours apparently had never occurred to my friend. My friend had gotten used to other people meeting the need and somehow imagined that they would keep doing it indefinitely. I tried to be gentle as I attempted to help my friend understand that people had grown weary of helping when my friend was capable of doing more personally. I am still not sure my friend really grasped the responsibility each adult has to provide for oneself. This experience reminded me of what Paul said in 2 Thessalonians 3:10, "For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: If a man will not work, he shall not eat." I wondered if this Christian young adult had somehow missed that verse. This experience also reminded me of the truth of Galatians 6:5, "For each one should carry his own load." Both of these verses teach that ultimately each individual should be doing their best to make their own way in life. We all go through hard times and need help in those moments. But there is a difference between going through a short term crisis in which we need help and just expecting others to pay our way through life so we can hang out with our friends. This sense of entitlement is not healthy, nor is it biblical. Churches that want to help young adults discover a vibrant faith must find the courage to talk about these kind of issues openly, lovingly and firmly. Lord, give us courage to speak the truth in love. (c) 2010 Baptist Press. Used with permission. All rights reserved. as seen in Debt Busters -<>- ___________________ / _________________ \ |/ \| || || || .-""-. || || / \ \ || || | /`-._| || .-""-. || |/ . . | || / / \ || ( _\ ) || ;_.`\ | || |\ = | || /. \ | || /\ \_._/ || /_ )\ / || /\_\___//\ || = `( || /` \ \| `\ || \__/ \ |\/_____|__;_____\_/| )__/ \ jgs \___________________/ /| / /`\ / ` / | | | | >EVERY LITTLE THING I have always wanted to do something big in my life. Since I was a boy watching those old television cowboys rescuing people on a runaway stage or those heroic tv firemen saving a baby from a burning building, I wanted to do something like that. Well, almost 44 years have gone by now and I still haven’t done anything even close to that. Still, today when I took my dogs out for their morning walk I made sure to give each of them a pet on the head first. Today before breakfast was over I made sure that I gave each of my children a hug and told each one of them that I loved them. Today instead of rushing into the grocery store I pulled the door open wide and held it so an elderly lady with a walker could go before me. Today before I pulled out on the road I motioned another driver on a side street to go on ahead of me. Today when I had to stop driving for road work I didn’t complain and instead gave a friendly wave to the highway worker holding the stop sign. Today instead of walking past the people in my office I stopped to exchange a few kind words. Today on the way back to my home I stopped to give a hitchhiker a ride back to his. Today when I answered e-mails and wrote letters I tried to pass on a little encouragement and inspira- tion in each one of them. Today when I took a break in the evening to read a book I made room on my lap for a cat wanting its head scratched. Today as I moved from task to task I paused to talk to God, to thank Him for my life, to tell Him again how much I loved Him, and to ask Him to fill me with His love always. Today I did my best to live well and to love deeply. You see, I learned a while ago that God isn’t waiting for us to do something big in our lives. God instead is watching every little thing we do. It is the little things that are important. It is the little things that make up our lives. And it is in the little things that we can best share our love. --Joseph J. Mazzella. Used by permission. (The Timothy Report, www.timothyreport.com) -<>- ,--, // \_\ |^/^ ) \-_/ .-' '-. |_____/ | \________/ \________\ / | | |__\___| | | | | | |_ |_| | | | _|__|_|o,o,o,o, (____/ \ _o jgs \_/ / \ \__/ >HEALED AND WHOLE One day I dug a little hole And put my hurt inside I thought that I could just forget I put it there to hide. But that little hurt began to grow I covered it every day I couldn't leave it and go on It seemed the price I had to pay. My joy was gone, my heart was sad Pain was all I knew. My wounded soul enveloped me Loving seemed too hard to do. One day while standing by my hole I cried to God above And said, "If You are really there-- They say, You're a God of love!" And just like that--He was right there And just put His arms around me He wiped my tears, His hurting child There was no safer place to be. I told Him all about my hurt I opened up my heart He listened to each and every word To every sordid part. I dug down deep and got my hurt I brushed the dirt away And placed it in the Master's hand And healing came that day. He took the blackness of my soul And set my spirit free! Something beautiful began to grow Where the hurt used to be. And when I look at what has grown Out of my tears and pain I remember every day to give my hurts to Him And never bury them again! -Author Unknown To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ========================================================== _ . , . . * / \_ * / \_ _ * * /\'__ * / \ / \, (( . _/ / \ *'. . /\/\ /\/ :' __ \_ ` _^/ ^/ `--. / \/ \ _/ \-'\ * /.' ^_ \_ .'\ * /\ .- `. \/ \ /==~=-=~=-=-;. _/ \ -. `_/ \ / `-.__ ^ / .-'.--\ =-=~_=-=~=^/ _ `--./ .-' `- /jgs `. / / `.~-^=-=~=^=.-' '-._ `._ >A Vastly Improved Outlook Story Editor: by The Traveler Joyce Schowalter California, USA My siblings had planned this spring 2004 pack trip through the Grand Canyon for two years. I was breaking up with a man I adored, yet no way would I miss this trip. Mr. Wonderful called the day before the trip to say he wasn't going -- so I should make my own arrangements to get to Arizona from California. That was something of a problem. I'm far from wealthy, and my 52-year-old eyeballs aren't up to driving in unfamiliar territory. But a family edict is a family edict: I made it. The canyon was spectacular, the weather perfect, the company a hoot. Although we're all middle-aged and several decades from our last wilderness experience together, we comported ourselves quite competently. Sore, tired, yet full of a sense of having accomplished a small miracle, we gathered at a restaurant back on top of the canyon rim for a celebratory dinner. Halfway through, my brother-in-law looked me square in the eye and said, "We're not taking you to the airport." I was flabbergasted! We'd all met in Phoenix, and driven four hours into the canyon together. One naturally assumed we'd return to the airport to catch our respective flights home together. Apparently my flight, an hour and a half before the others, would entail everyone leaving at 9:30 a.m. versus 11 AM, and that just wouldn't work for them. Or something. Eccentric family dynamics notwithstanding, there was neither taxi service nor shuttle vans from the canyon to the airport. I'd just spent the week backpacking. I had no cash. My credit card was maxed out. My sibs were unsympathetic. I was broke, physically exhausted and spiritually drained. And I was stranded. In tears, I walked back to the hotel to try to figure out how to get home. I walked into the lobby at night, totally distraught. The woman at the front desk noticed my sniveling and asked what was wrong. When I told her, she went into action. Roberta W grabbed a phone and started calling. The Phoenix tour bus wasn't running, so she called her son. He couldn't get away to drive me, so she called a co-worker. As I watched slack-jawed, she arranged to switch shifts with him the next morning. "Be here at eight tomorrow, I'll take you. Go get some sleep." She showed up on the dot, and gathered my stuff into her van. I'll bypass the personal travails this dear woman was dealing with, and the challenges she's overcome. The long drive into Phoenix was filled with her wonderful stories and cheerful observations. Not only did I make my flight in plenty of time, I did so with a vastly improved outlook on life and its vicissitudes. I've no idea what motivates a person to spend her day off driving across a state in aid of a clueless stranger, but Ms Whitt's astounding generosity put the previous evening's pettiness into a perspective I have not forgotten. I'd like to publicly thank her for the lesson she imparted. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From LaughAndLift: _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` "God has not changed and His laws have not changed. He is still a God of love and mercy. But He is also a God of righteousness and judgment. Any individual or nation which ignores His moral and spiritual laws will ultimately face His judgment." - Billy Graham (_)L|J ) (") | ( ,(. A `/ \-| (,`) )' (' \/\ / | ) (. jgs (' ),). _W_ | (,)' ) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >If I Were the Devil (By Paul Harvey) [Edited] If I were the devil, I would: Gain control of the most powerful nation in the world Delude their minds into thinking that they had come from man's effort instead of God's I would promote an attitude of loving things and using people, instead of the other way around I would dupe entire states to rely on gambling for their state revenue I would convince people that character is not an issue when it comes to leadership I would make it legal to take the lives of unborn babies And make it socially acceptable to take one's own life and invent machines to make it convenient If I were the devil, I would.... Cheapen human life as much as possible, so that lives of animals are valued more than human beings I would come up with drugs that sedate the mind and target the youth, and I would get sports heroes to advertise them If I were the devil, I would.... Attack the family backbone of any nation; I would make divorce acceptable, easy, and fashionable, because if the family crumbles so does the nation I would compel people to express their most depraved fantasies on canvas and movie screens, and then I would call it art I would convince people that right and wrong are determined by a few who call themselves authorities, and refer to their agenda as politically correct. If I were the devil, I would also...... Persuade people that the Church is irrelevant and out of date, and the Bible is for the naive I would dull the minds of Christians, and make them believe that prayer is not important, and that faithfulness and obedience are optional I would attack all of these things slowly, so as not to arouse the anger of Christians, and so that by the time they realize what has happened, my goals will already have been accomplished. Come to think of it, I guess I would leave things pretty much the way they are. -<>- v (__)v | v /\/\\_|_/ _\__/ | / \/`\<`) \ ( |\_/ /)))-( | / /^ ^ \ | / )^/\^( | jgs )_//`__>> | # #` | "All that is necessary for the forces of evil to win the world is for enough good men to do nothing." - Edmond Burke 1729-1797 _.-/`) // / / ) .=// / / / ) //`/ / / / / // / ` / || / \\ / )) .' jgs // / / >9/11: 10 Years On (By Chris Long) Early this morning, I watched a special on the 9/11 terrorist attacks that recounted using footage from that day all that transpired. I have to admit that I had actually forgotten some of the details and watching the events unfold again rekindled all sorts of thoughts & emotions. Seeing people jumping from the towers to their obvious death was a very surreal (and "silencing") thing. Actually the whole thing was - and still is - surreal. I know that terror attacks have and do occur worldwide. I know that as far as the shear number of casualties, many more have died in other circumstances and events. Yet, there were heroes from that day (both that lived and died) - and they SHOULD be remembered and celebrated. But, 9/11 speaks to more than that (for all people, American and otherwise). 9/11 showcases the clear difference between good and evil, light and darkness. Certainly other events have done the same (Hitler killing millions of people certainly did!) But before 9/11, we had been coasting for quite a while, at least in America, without really being confronted with such a clear, large-scale, visible example. It's easy to forget details and emotions from those days because, well, there is a part deep down in all of us that WANT to forget - to pretend like the whole thing just never happened. It's easier to emotionally detach - to live in a dream world where we can pretend that all people just want to love each other and therefore just want love and understanding (i.e. everyone is "reasonable"). It's easier - as many have indeed done - to dispense with labels such as "terrorists". It's easier (i.e. "less painful") to insulate ourselves and pretend that everyone just wants peace. It's easier to believe that those who were behind 9/11 were just a few crazy guys, rather than taking a serious & honest look at what fueled their actions: their muslim faith. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to notice that societies that are predominantly muslim (i.e. much of the Middle East) tend to be more prone to violence - particularly violence in the name of Allah. It is certainly legitimate to ask why. And yet, in the name of "political correctness", the whole religious angle to 9/11 has not only been seriously downplayed by almost everyone, the almost unbelievable truth is that even before the 10-year-anniversary, there was and still is a serious push to erect a muslim "cultural" center and mosque where the twin towers (a symbol of American prosperity) stood 10 years ago. It's almost unfathomable, and yet this is where we are. A nation that seems to have little moral bearing - and little backbone - unable to confront the realities of the world in which we live - seemingly sliding more and more into some made-up fantasy world, rather than acknowledging & embracing reality. 10 years on, and it pains me to say it, but America as a whole not only didn't learn the lessons from 9/11, we've largely continued down the same silly road we've been on for some time that has only led to a decline of our society as we know it. The U-Turn that has been - and still is - needed, on a large-scale has not happened. Here's the reality: There's evil in this world. There are 2 sides: light and darkness, good and evil. Every person on this planet is in one of those 2 camps. Ultimately it gets traced to the spiritual realm, as those that are children of God, and those that are children of the devil. The Bible talks of both and makes clear that both are here. If you thought the Bible said we are all "children of God" (as many would have you believe), that is NOT a concept the Bible teaches - it explicitly teaches against that concept in numerous locations - including by Jesus Himself (i.e. when he flat out tells groups of people that their father is the devil!). And our world clearly bears out what the Bible teaches in this regard. Yes, Christianity, like Islam, teaches that one group is right and others are wrong. A key difference is that Christianity teaches that God is love and wants all people to come to Him and teaches that love is not only a key trademark of God, but is to be the major trademark of those that are followers of Jesus Christ as well. Anyone with any intellectual honesty at all, looking at the total picture of Islam in our world, would HAVE to conclude that the same cannot be said there. Any Christian committing an act of violence against someone else because of their beliefs, is an oxymoron - it completely goes against what the Bible teaches. But since we know God is love, we also know that the devil is NOT love. It stands to reason there will be plenty of people ready and willing to act in accordance with that. What happened in Nazi Germany in World War II PROVES that evil is something that resides in many - all it takes is a spark and those that were "evil behind the scenes" suddenly become very visible. There are many more on the side of "evil" in our world than a few "deranged" individuals. Until Jesus comes back to this earth and establishes it, there will be no peace because those 2 sides are existing here, and the darkness is ever trying to advance and squelch the light. Even more, according to the Bible it is going to get worse - much, much, MUCH worse before Jesus' return. If you think people are having trouble facing reality now, just wait...If you haven't noticed, our whole society - our whole world - is gearing up for mass delusion (the Bible predicts this as well) - and some might even argue (and make a good case) that it has already started and is in progress. People are so absorbed in trying to avoid really having to deal with the realities of life and eternity. Between movies, t.v. shows, facebook, twitter, blogs, cell phones, tablets, computers, 3-D, this gadget, that experience, etc. - we have already gone to great lengths (more I would say than any time in history) to avoid the important things - the truths that we NEED to face. My encouragement this day to all believers in Jesus Chris is to be very very careful in how we're living. We need to have our eyes WIDE OPEN in these days we're living in, being very careful not to get swept away with all the temptations and distractions that the "broad road" has to offer. The devil can be quite subtle when it suits his purpose. We, more than ever, need to live holy, set apart lives, showcasing the love of Jesus, living in full reality of what's going on in our world - and what the Bible says about it and its future. And though a planned subject for another article in the future, we want to be "watching and waiting" - very much "on our toes" - ever mindful of Christ's return for His Church. We want to be ready, not caught off guard. We need to sober- minded in the strongest sense of the word. So on this 10-year anniversary of 9/11, yes it is good to remember those that died. But may we NEVER just reduce the remembrance of 9/11 to some mere sentimentality of those that died and neglect the very important, weightier matters that 9/11 showcased to all of humanity about this great struggle between good and evil...between God and the devil. -------- This article is Copyright by Chris Long 2011. You may use this article for free for any purpose, whether commercial or non-commercial, as long as you use the entire text and that all text, including this notice, is not modified or removed in any fashion. For any other usage, you must obtain written permission from the author. This is version 1.0 of this document (September 11, 2011). Previous versions: N/A 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 ========================================================== .===. / _/\ \ \/6.6\/ ( _ ) _)---(_ / `~` \ /\/ \/\ \ | | / \|_____|/ | L | |__|__| | | | |_|_| jgs _|_|_|_ (___|___) >-->The Most Beautiful Flower The park bench was deserted as I sat down to read Beneath the long, straggly branches of an old willow tree. Disillusioned by life with good reason to frown, For the world was intent on dragging me down. And if that weren't enough to ruin my day, A young boy out of breath approached me, all tired from play. He stood right before me with his head tilted down And said with great excitement, "Look what I found!" In his hand was a flower, and what a pitiful sight, With its petals all worn - not enough rain, or too little light. Wanting him to take his dead flower and go off to play, I faked a small smile and then shifted away. But instead of retreating he sat next to my side And placed the flower to his nose and declared with surprise, "It sure smells pretty and it's beautiful, too. That's why I picked it; here, it's for you." The weed before me was dying or dead. Not vibrant of colors, orange, yellow or red. But I knew I must take it, or he might never leave. So I reached for the flower, and replied, "Just what I need." But instead of him placing the flower in my hand, He held it mid-air without reason or plan. It was then that I noticed for the very first time That weed-toting boy could not see: he was blind. I heard my voice quiver, tears shone like the sun As I thanked him for picking the very best one. "You're welcome," he smiled, and then ran off to play, Unaware of the impact he'd had on my day. I sat there and wondered how he managed to see A self-pitying woman beneath an old willow tree. How did he know of my self-indulged plight? Perhaps from his heart, he'd been blessed with true sight. Through the eyes of a blind child, at last I could see The problem was not with the world; the problem was me. And for all of those times I myself had been blind, I vowed to see beauty, and appreciate every second that's mine. And then I held that wilted flower up to my nose And breathed in the fragrance of a beautiful rose And smiled as that young boy, another weed in his hand About to change the life of an unsuspecting old man. .--.---. ( \'--'/ ) ( '..-...' ) '.'-._.'.' <'-.,.-> `\( _ < \ / \ __ \\|_/ / \ \\ '--'.\ > jgs \\ - Author unknown >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? 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