A Boomerang World, The Last Box Out 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 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 ~ . , )). -===- ,(( ))). ,((( ))))). .:::. ,(((((( ))))))))). :. .: ,((((((((' `))))))))))). : - : ,(((((((((((( ))))))))))))))))_:' ':_(((((((((((((((' `)))))))))))).-' \___/ '-._((((((((((( `))))_._.-' __)( )(_ '-._._((((' `))'---)___)))'\_ _/'((((__(---'((' `))))))))))))|' '|((((((((((((' jim `)))))))))/' '\(((((((((' `)))))))| |(((((((' `))))))| |((((((' /' '\ /' '\ /' '\ /' '\ '---..___..---' *~* 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 too hot to handle new page is from our friends LouiseAu and Cloie. With all that is going on politically these days it is refreshing to see all the strides our President is making to keep his promises to us Americans. Here are some of his highlights... _ (_) <___> | |______ | |* * * ) | | * * (_________ | |* * * |* *|####) | | * * *| * | (________________ | |* * * |* *|####|##############| | | * * *| * | | | | |* * * |* *|####|##############| | |~~~~~~| * | | | | |######|* *|####|##############| | | |~~~' | | | |######|########|##############| | | | | | | |######|########|##############| | |~~~~~~| | | | | |########|##############| | | '~~~~~~~~| | | | |##########JGS#| | | '~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | | | | | | Trump - Making America Great Again! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/trumpposters.html --- ...Lots of smiles here! Thanks Ladies! -<>- *~* We HAD A FANTASTIC MONTH OF CARING AND SHARING!! * PLEASE Be Sure To Check These Out And Share Them With Your Friends! Amazing Trivia Facts 4! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/triviafacts4.html Rare Historical Photos 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/historyphotos2.html Look Who's Talking 13! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/talking13.html Beautiful Train Rides! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/trainrides.html Newspaper Sculpture Art! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/newspaperart.html Maxine Humor 3! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/maxinehumor3.html Night And Day Photo Art! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/nightandday.html Forests Of The World! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/forests.html Humor With Fishing! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/fishinghumor.html *~* MAY GOD SUPER BLESS ALL OUR SWEET CONTRIBUTORS! THANK YOU! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: A person is always startled when he hears himself seriously called an old man for the first time. -- Oliver Wendell Holmes ________________ '------._.------'\ \_______________\ .'| .'| .'_____________.' .| | | | | Scooby _.-. | . | | * (_.-' | | | Snacks | .| | * * | .' |______________|.' LGB >A HAPPY OLD DOG by Roger Kiser My seven year old granddaughter, Madison, asked me if I would come to her field day at school the next day. Not feeling very well I really didn't want to go. For years, going to such things meant very little to me. Not having any parents and having been raised in an orphanage my entire childhood; those kinds of events just became something to do and nothing more because there was never anyone there for us. The next morning I got up and began to think about the day I graduated from the Army basic training. How proud I was to have succeeded at something in my life. When the ceremony was over, every soldier ran to their parents and off they went to wherever families go who love one another. Within thirty minutes the parade ground was cleared and there I stood all alone. There was no one who cared about what I had accomplished. I remember tears running down my cheeks and as I wiped them away I thought soldiers don't cry now cause they're men. Slowly I walked off the parade ground and I went to wherever it is kids go that don't have anyone or anywhere to go. Immediately, I dressed and headed for Madison's school. When I arrived, the field day had been called off because of bad weather and the children were being herded back to their classrooms. I walked to Madi's classroom and when she saw me a large smile appeared on her face. On my way back home this wonderful feeling came over me and finally -- after fifty years -- I felt what it was like to have someone attend my Army graduation parade. I see now it's all about caring. I was never given a sense that anyone cared so I did not learn to give back to those I love. I suppose most people who were given such feeling as a child now take it for granted. What a wonderful feeling caring is. Today I am one happy old dog who has learned a new and wonderful trick. -- Roger Kiser Sr. __________________________________________________ You can read more about Roger's triumphs over adversity here: http://thewhitehouseboys.com/AmericanOrphan/americanorphan/index.html =========================================================== >-->From Our Friends Linda, Geniann And LouiseAu :) .-_ ."'. //, ) " \,'``'`, `. \ . '# ) `"'( ,_,. _ _..'. `"/ `)-. .``)_ `-` _-` `-` `-' /`- \_ , .". ,' ,' .". ' ; /``'-.-`'";. : ' : : ; ` , \ ' ; \ ' `-._. `, / `_.,-,`'-,,,,,-'`-,_` : ," jb `. , . : ; ; ,' _` (_,' >Mouse Story... A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package. "What food might this contain?" The mouse wondered - he was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap. Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning. "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!" ,~. ,-'__ `-, {,-' `. } ,') ,( a ) `-.__ ,',')~, <=.) ( `-.__,==' ' ' '} ( ) / `-'\ , ) | \ `~. / \ `._ \ / \ `._____,' / `-. ,' `-. ,-' `~~~~' //_|| __//--'/` hjw ,--'/` ' ' The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, “Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it." The mouse turned to the pig and told him, "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!" __ ____ ________ ,',.`. \`''-.`-._..--...-''' ```--':_ ) ) `-.._` ' -.. ' / ,'`..__..'' -. _ `._ \ ('';` _ ,'' .-' ,' : `-._ `*/ , ' . | _.:._ `-'`-' ; \ ,' ; .':::::'` ,' \,' : ; / `-..__ ,'/ | ,' ,' ``---;'` \ ` ;.____..-'`. ,'\ / / \: : : (\ `\ ,' .' \ : ;' / ) ) /,_,.;::. `. \ / ,',',_(:::. `. `. ,' ;' /,_,'::. `-'`':SSt:. The pig sympathized, but said, "I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured you are in my prayers." The mouse turned to the cow and said, "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!" , , |\ /| \ `-.\ \/ /.-' / \_ / \ _/ __.--/ __ __ \--.__ * `\__.| (. .) |.__/` | /\ | ___ ) * \ | | / ___ /,--.\ ( ) |_/ \_|.......---''`` ``-./ | \\___// / \ ` | '---' \ ^ ^ / \ \ .-''-._/ , | -.-'``''`` `'<_.-. / | | | \ | \ | | \ \ \ \ | `._\ / _\ / \ \ /'''---/```` '-. \ \ \ | \ / \ | ( ( | U'U'U' | | | | | / / | | | | | _/ .` / / _| _| | / ( _/ / / / ( ---` / ( gnv|___\ |___\ The cow said, “Wow, Mr. Mouse. I’m sorry for you, but it’s no skin off my nose." So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer's mousetrap-- alone. That very night a sound was heard throughout the house -- like the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey. ---_ ......._-_--. (|\ / / /| \ \ / / .' -=-' `. / / .' ) _/ / .' _.) / / o o _.-' / .' \ _.-' / .'*| \______.-'// .'.' \*| \| \ | // .'.' _ |*| ` \|// .'.'_ _ _|*| . .// .'.' | _ _ \*| \`-|\_/ / \ _ _ \*\ `/'\__/ \ _ _ \*\ /^| \ _ _ \* ' ` \ _ _ \ ASH (+VK) \_ The farmer’s wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught. The snake bit the farmer's wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital and she returned home with a fever. Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient. But his wife’s sickness continued, so friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig. The farmer’s wife did not get well; she died. So many people came for her funeral; the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them. The mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness. So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and think it doesn't concern you, remember -- when one of us is threatened, we are all at risk. We are all involved in this journey called life. We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one another. YOU MAY WANT TO SEND THIS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS EVER HELPED YOU OUT... AND LET THEM KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THEY ARE. - REMEMBER - EACH OF US IS A VITAL THREAD IN ANOTHER PERSON'S TAPESTRY. OUR LIVES ARE WOVEN TOGETHER FOR A REASON. __ __ ,-' `' \ _---``-- / _ _ ; __ `. / / `' \; /`----- ) / .-/ ,( ), \-. ; | \( \ / )/; | - _5 `7 -; / ( ___-' `-____ | ( ___`-_ \ ____| \ / `,/ \ _(\__ / \ \ ; \ .' /' `i. / | | \ _-'( _\__-/ `- | | ` ,` `_ | BP One of the best things to hold onto In this world is a FRIEND. --- ...Absolutely! A great classic! Thank you my friends! =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: \. ./ \\ // \\ // \`-'/ CJ `-' >A Boomerang World As I was sitting outside this morning sipping my coffee and watching the sun climb over the horizon, I looked down and saw a curved stick on the ground that reminded me of a boomerang. Suddenly I was caught up in memories of me as a kid, playing for hours on end in my grandfather's backyard with a small wooden boomerang he had given to me as a gift. Remember when you were a kid, how fascinated you were with boomerangs? (At least I was!) You take this flat, curved piece of wood and throw it, then watch in amaze-ment as it curves around in the air and comes right back to you! As "miraculous" as that seemed when we were kids, I've found most of our life is like that. Whatever we "throw" out there, comes back to us. We live in a "boomerang" world. Let me explain. If you smile at someone, in almost every case, they will smile back. Try it now with someone nearby, and see if it works. If you're kind toward someone, they will usually be kind in return. Of course, this also works in the other direction. If you complain to someone, they will "share" their complaints with you. (In fact, you may quickly find yourself in a subtle competition to see who is more miserable.) If you get angry at someone, they will usually get angry with you, and so on. The fact is, whatever you decide to "throw" out into the world will usually circle around and land right back at your feet. (Much like the boomerangs we played with as kids.) Here's what struck me this morning. I have a CHOICE about what I decide to "throw" out into my world. I have a CHOICE about what I WANT to land at my feet. If you want more JOY, throw it out there. If you want more HAPPINESS, throw some happiness out there to someone else, and watch it "miraculously" come back to you. It even works with money. Need money? Give some away. Spiritual leaders from the beginning of time have been telling us this, but most of us are afraid to believe it. It works in just about every area of our life. When we give something away. When we "throw" it out there. It comes back to us. But here's the good news (and this is really the "miraculous" part): We actually get MORE back than what we throw out there. Plant a seed, and you don't just get one seed back. You get HUNDREDS, maybe even THOUSANDS! So today, and for as many days afterwards as you want, make a conscious CHOICE about what you want to "throw" out into the world. By doing this, you will be making a choice about what is going to come back and land at your feet. Remember the boomerang. Whatever you "throw" out there WILL come back to you (many times over). - Author Unknown --- ...A good lesson in Giving = Receiving! :) , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Gal.6: [7] Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Sow - synonyms: plant, scatter, spread, disperse, strew, disseminate, distribute, broadcast; drill, seed Reap - synonyms: receive, obtain, get, acquire, secure, realize From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English: you reap what you sow - used to say that if you do bad things, bad things will happen to you, and if you do good things, good things will happen to you Gal.6: [7] Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Also Notice the words - 'whatsoever' and 'shall'? God's Word means what it says! whatsoever - No matter what it is - shall - absolutely without a doubt So be careful as to what comes back to you - be as positive as best you can. Negative gets negative as well - 'whatsoever' doesn't have any boundaries. Be loving and giving and good things shall return to you. Be spiteful, mean and hateful and bad things shall return to you. Always remember - GIVING EQUALS RECEIVING - no matter what it is, you'll get it back in one form or another. See this teaching... GIVING EQUALS RECEIVING http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Promises/GIVING_EQUALS_RECEIVING.htm -<>- ,(()). ,;;;;. __ ________ _____ ___ ((_ _));'_`'_( _| __ __ __ _| _| _| __ __ () \ /)\ ) / (_|__ _|-_| _(_|(_|(_|__ _|-- ((\ O(() \ O / _____(_|(_|_____________(_|_ SSt >PART OF THE CHOIR By: Joseph J. Mazzella When I was a boy our church didn’t have a choir so everyone was expected to sing. That didn’t bother me since I was an enthusiastic singer to say the least. Still, my talent didn’t quite match my zest for singing. More often than not I was too loud and off key. Many times my singing would get me a nudge and a look from my older brother. In time, though, I learned to sing more softly and found that even my less than perfect voice blended in beautifully with the choir of joyous singers that was our church. As I grew up too I found many other ways to sing my soul’s song without using my throat’s voice. One way was by putting a pen to paper and later my fingers to a keyboard. In this way I was able to share the inspiring thoughts, words, and experiences that my Heavenly Father so often gave me. In this way I was able to encourage others as well to choose love, share joy, and grow in oneness with God even as I learned to do so more and more in my own life. As the years have gone by too I have realized something. I am only one voice in millions out there writing, speaking, and singing out the beautiful truth for all the world to hear. I often see the others online, in newspapers, on television, in books, and even on the street. Some have become rich and famous for the work they have done, but most like me are just delighting in freely sharing the wisdom, joy, love, and light that God has given them. Now I find myself happy to be a part of a new choir that is doing all it can to bring the glorious music of love to this world. I hope that you will join it as well. You may be just one voice among many, but if you share your soul’s song you can add so much to the choir. It doesn’t matter either if your voice or life is less than perfect. If you sing your song and live your life with love, you can help to make the Earth sound a lot more like Heaven. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Beautiful Grand Canyon! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/grandcanyon.html Texas Rules Of Etiquette http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/texas.html Guoliang Tunnel Road! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/tunnel.html World's Largest Mirror! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/saltlake.html Rarely Seen Babies! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/babyanimals.html Ten Life Tips! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lifetips.html Kids Being Kids! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kids.html Wieliczka Salt Mine! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/saltmine.html Babes In Christ http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/babesinchrist.html Christianity! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/christianity.html God Moves When You Move! http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/God_Moves_When_You_Move.htm God Does Not Kill People! http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Advanced/God_Does_Not_Kill_People.htm The Sleep Metaphor! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/sleepmetaphor.html What does the Bible say about reincarnation? https://tinyurl.com/yawvh26h Do you See Unity? https://www.truthortradition.com/articles/do-you-see-unity -<>- >From Our Friend Fran :) RMR: Bear Tagging - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/embed/vJRDpTUIrJI --- ...Wow! Pretty Cool! Thanks Fran! -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) 17-year old magician Rosy amazes the judges and audience of Italy’s Got Talent with her unique magical performance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiAHO2wRPGI “KAIBAB ELEGY” is a stunning time lapse video of clouds in the Grand Canyon that is mesmerizing to watch. The video features a full cloud inversion, a rare natural phenomenon that occurs in the Grand Canyon when cold air is trapped in the canyon and topped by a layer of warm air, which when combined with moisture and condensation create the full cloud inversion. https://vimeo.com/217407298 --- ...Ooo! So beautiful! Thanks LouiseAu! 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 Our Friend Fran :) "I don't like to commit myself about heaven and hell-you see, I have friends in both places." --Mark Twain "I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals." --Sir Winston Churchill -<>- >IN THE FOREST When a forest burns, it consumes the bigotry, In time, it reproduces, with gems, like you and me... Once, I was an acorn... A nut, in all it's glory... Then, I faced up to life... To tell the world my story... Through lots of pain... And lots of gain... I, found where I belonged... Once, in the forest, all alone... I longed for company... There are many oaks... Made up of folks... Just like you and me! By James Warren St. Pierre! -<>- : _ _ : `v' `. ; .' ,~-. `. .-'''-. .',~') _ _ ( )~. ;' `; ( `-. ' V ` ,' )~. _ _ / ;-` ) ( __)' v ` | (_ )~./\ `~'--~'`~' _ '''''| (_ __ /##\ ,' )_ \ /( _HH_,~/#/\#\ ( c' `._ `. .' `~[____]/#/==\#\ ,-' -' (_c ) .' `-,,,-' `. |=_|/#/= _=\#\ `>o ~ '-. .' ; `. |-=/#/=____=\#\ ( ~ ,~.~.,`-'), _ _ : ` |=/#/=/,~~.\=\#\ ,' (\\||,' `-'), .' \/ `. : |/#/=(/_)(_\)=\#\ (`~ (_\`|)o ~ ) /#/_= |_\/_| _\#\ >( `~' ._,~ '-. /#/ _=[______]= _\#\(' `~, c ~. c) /#/=,---. _ = ___ =\#\`( ( ~ _.' <' /#/ /_____\ ==/,-.\ =\#\( c c___ ) ) `|=(/_|_|_\) //.-.\\=_|' `-.__,' //`-' `v@|==| : : |=(/:|_|:\)=| `,-\ `'/`,- `v@'~|= |_;_;_| =| | =| \ | _/\_/\_,(c`@'|=[_______]=| =()|==|_/\_/\_| |/\_ -||-||-@~'(_@|= _o@&8o_ =| | =|-||-||-( |||- _,@`v-@'~ c@._|_['%8o&8']_|_____|__| || || | )|| ,@C @,~' @,-v~' """""""`[_______] | | 'v-~,@,` (\-/) / / `*~ _.-' `-. ={ }= ~*'( ( `* `* ) ( \ `.~*' hjw _/ \_ `*~\ `. `* \ / \ `.`*' *' `-))' `*' \ `. *' (( `* \ `. \) >OLD HOUSE, WARM MEMORIES Dusting off the collection of photos that grace our family room wall, lingered over the water color painting I had done of the old house, a gift to Bill, before it was torn done to make room for the new one. It seems like decades ago that we occupied that small two bedroom, gray sided home. Memories continued to flow freely as I stared at the home that Bill and I had lived in for over 23 years, and also the place where our two daughters grew up. In the painting, the house was depicted in all its summer time glory -- lush pink, red, white and purple flowers overflowed in the flower beds that, by August, resembled tall colorful bushes in all their flowering finery. The proof was there right on the wall. When we bought the house we fell in love with its cozy, lived-in charm. What we learned was that old fashioned charm translated into lots of repairs. That old house was far from perfect but the memories invoked are priceless. I'm particularly remembering back to when the girls were young. It was raining one Saturday afternoon and they wanted to play on their swing set. Bill went to the garage and returned with 4 huge round eye hooks and his trusty power drill. He went to work drilling the heavy duty bolts into the frame of the kitchen doorways. Then he went back outside to retrieve the swings. A few seconds later the girls were happily swinging from the kitchen doorways -- laughing and squealing with delight over their rainy day adventure. Another time Bill came home with an over-sized plastic slide. I foolishly asked him where he thought he was going to put it as our house was way too small to accommodate such a big toy. He gave me a look like I was the loony one and told me it would fit just fine in the front-room. When it was discovered that the slide wasn't slick enough Bill had a solution -- some baby powder sprinkled on the surface and, viola!, It was smooth sliding all the way. Afterwards, my clever hubby vacuums up the powder on the rug, and the front-room was none the worse for wear. I guess the reason for flashing back to these memories is sparked by the fact that we are now grandparents. This new turning point in our lives has definitely brought out the kid in us. Oh, and I'm also looking at familiar hooks in the door frame. We have a double doorway that divides the family room and my home office. Bill sized it up one day and decided it would be a great spot to hang a swing for our granddaughters. At first I balked at the idea. I resisted and then I remembered the fun the swinging sisters had and I relented. The bolts were screwed in and a pink baby swing gets hooked up whenever our little angel Avery wants to go for a ride. Our new house is a perfect home compared to the one we lived in for so many years. It is big, beautiful and can handle any ideas that my dear hubby can concoct. Last Christmas the girls had another painting done, this one of the new house. It is hung right next to the old one, and in between them is a silver heart that says, "Home is where you hang your heart. It doesn't matter if your house is big or small, fancy or plain. It takes love, laughter and joy to make a house a home." I'm looking forward to the years ahead with my grand kids. Those here and those yet to be born. I hope our house will be a home they'll have fond memories of, whether it be sliding, swinging or dancing their way into the future. -- Kathy Whirity --- ...Teehee! So Heartwarming! Thanks Fran! ========================================================== _____ \/\ | . ()))))))/ ((/ \))))) ((),>(((( )\__ )) ( __\((__ / )\/\,\ /.|/ _)_) \ ( \ \ o| \|_ \| )_o| (__\ _/| /.__| _/ \__ _(_// /|\\ \ ||\.\ / \|/ \ \_____\ '-..___.' \ |/ \ | .')| ( / | /.\ | (_ \ )| ) -/ ) mrf-'_/| >Unforgotten Sacrifice Story Editor: by Maddy Jonas Joyce Schowalter New York, USA In June of 1993 I had just graduated from Towson State University, outside of Baltimore, Maryland. I got a job waiting tables at a restaurant near the college. Money was tight and the only place I could afford to live was a local motel that rented rooms by the month. To keep costs down, I ordered the daily special at work -- whatever it was. The $5 price tag was discounted 50 percent for employees. I ate half for lunch and saved half for dinner. Evenings were busy with the dinner crowd and summer school students looking for cheap drinks and free munchies. Being the new kid, I got the lunch shift. The lunch shift "crowd" was very slow -- almost non-existent. One very hot afternoon a man wearing a long dirty coat came in. His hair was scraggly and he apparently hadn't shaved in weeks. No one wanted him at their station so I said I'd serve him. Very quietly, so I strained to hear him, he politely asked for a cup of coffee and the $5 lunch special. I figured that $6 bill was a lot of money to him -- it was certainly a lot of money to me. As I placed his order in the kitchen, my colleagues told me not to waste time with him. He'd probably skip out on his bill. He most certainly, they said, wouldn't leave any tip. I tried to remember that he was a customer like everyone else, and checked on him as I would any other customer. He sat quietly. Unlike other customers dinning alone, he had nothing to read. He just stared at his coffee or off into the distance, perhaps remembering a better time. He ate his food slowly and deliberately, savoring each bite in his mouth. The meal was probably more than just sustenance to him. It offered a quiet and cool place to sit and relax, even if for a brief moment. When his plate was empty, I stopped by to refill his coffee and drop off his check. There's no rush, I told him. It wasn't like I had people lining up for his table, why make him leave? I took a ladies room break. Upon returning, my customer was gone. The others laughed, reminding me they'd warned me of being stiffed. I silently went over to clean off the table, leaving the check holder for last. When I lifted it, change came tumbling out. The $6 bill had been paid in full with well-worn and crumpled bills. I sat to count the coins -- $1.20 entirely in nickels and pennies. It was worth so much more to me. As I stared down at the change in front of me, I realized that through quite probably a great sacrifice, my customer had taught me an invaluable lesson. We make an impact on every life we interact with. It is our choice as to what kind of impact we want to make. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From LaughAndLift: To adjust to changing times, follow the unchanging Word of God! The Lift , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Afraid Of What The Bible Will Say (Author Unknown) A school teacher lost her life savings in a business scheme that had been elaborately explained by a swindler. When her investment disappeared and her dream was shattered, she went to the Better Business Bureau. "Why on earth didn't you come to us first?" the official asked. "Didn't you know about the Better Business Bureau?" "Oh, yes," said the lady sadly. "I've always known about you. But I didn't come because I was afraid you'd tell me not to do it." The folly of human nature is that even though we know where the answers lie--God's Word--we don't turn there for fear of what it will say. Foolish indeed. -<>- "Lord Jesus, before You I patiently wait; Come now and within me a new heart create. To those who have sought You, You never said 'No' Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow." - James Nicholson The Lift _ \`*-. ) _`-. . : `. . : _ ' \ ; *` _. `*-._ `-.-' `-. ; ` `. :. . \ . \ . : .-' . ' `+.; ; ' : : ' | ; ;-. ; ' : :`-: _.`* ; [bug] .*' / .*' ; .*`- +' `*' `*-* `*-* `*-*' >The Last Box Out (By Roy Irwin) [Edited] After my wife and I were married we faced the task of moving the contents from my apartment over to her condominium which would be our new home together. After several weeks of discussion and planning, the one question we kept coming back to was, "What are we going to do with Josh?" "Josh" is my 'wondercat'. He had been born the same month that I moved to Indiana. I fell in love with him the first time I saw him and I had raised him from the time he was a kitten. For his entire life, all he had known was me and the comfort and security of our apartment that had been his home. But all that was about to change... There was no way to communicate to him that his world was about to be turned upside down. He was going to be moving to a new home. Waiting at that home was going to be my wife's two cats... The question about Josh was what to do with him while we were moving. We couldn't lock him up at my apartment while we were moving because there would be too many people going in and out for that to be practical. We didn't want to take him to his new home and leave him alone with his new 'brother and sister' without us being there. Finally, it was decided that we would work around Josh. We would move the entire contents of the apartment, and then take Josh to his new home. When the move started, Josh was so excited! There were a number of dear friends who came to help us. He loved the attention everyone gave him as he came by to visit. Josh HAD to see what everyone was doing and 'help' where he could. And excellent 'help' he was - standing in doorways you were trying to walk through when your hands were full, jumping directly in front of you without warning, sitting on boxes that you were trying to move, etc... When half the apartment was no longer there, Josh caught on that something wasn't quite right. He became withdrawn and began to leave everyone alone. The look on his face showed concern. We had told him, "No" and "Stay back" so many times, it was as if he wondered if everything was leaving except for him. Was he was going to be left behind? I will never forget coming back to the apartment for the last time. It was completely empty except for Josh. He was sitting quietly in the far corner with his head down. He looked SO sad and it was breaking my heart. But all of that changed when I called out his name! And then he knew! His entire countenance changed as he meowed loudly and raced across the apartment to meet me. He jumped up into my arms, nearly knocking me over. I'm certain that at that moment, he KNEW that HE was going too! He would NOT be left behind! HE was going to be the last box out! And he could not have been happier! If only Josh had known that we had planned the entire move around him. If only he had known all the preparation we had done to get his new home ready for him - he would not have been nervous! In much the same way, WE can be confident about where we will spend eternity! We know that Jesus Christ has already gone before us and taken care of all of the details! In John 14:2-3 Jesus has told us that: "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."(NIV) Many people have comfort and security here on earth, yet they wonder or worry about what will happen to them when they die. If you have made Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior of your life there is no need to fear the future, you have the promise of spending eternity in heaven with him! How about you? Do you wrestle with where you will spend eternity? Are you afraid of being left behind? If you are unsure of where you will spend eternity, or would like to know for sure that you are going to heaven, then I invite you to visit: http://www.hutchcraft.com/the-bridge-to-god "Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for the promise that you have prepared a place in heaven for each of us. Because of this, we do not have to fear the future, but instead, can rest easy in the knowledge that you have planned ahead for us. Thank you for this peace that we can know now. Amen." (Copyright 1998 Argyle Giraffe Productions. This may not be resold or used for the enhancement of any product sold without the written permission of Argyle Giraffe Productions.) http://www.hutchcraft.com/ 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 ========================================================== _*_ ,;-^-:. .------------------'` \ `'-----------.---. | o o o (( o--)) |- | `------------------.. ',-----------'---' `:._.;' azc `*' >-->WE GIVE TIME On May 27, 2012, I handed Ginny a tissue-wrapped package. "Happy eighth anniversary, baby." I smiled. "Well, you did better than I did. You wrapped mine. I didn't wrap yours." She laughed, left the room, returned and handed me a bag. Inside the bag was a box I recognized and hoped it was what I thought it was. Three weeks before, I was at the store where Gin works. I waited for her to finish her shift to drive her home. To kill time, I browsed the jewelry section, looking for ideas for her on our big day. I spun the carousel of watches. "What are you doing?" I jumped and turned. "I'm ready to go." Ginny said. "What are you doing?" "I'm just killing time." "Looking at watches?" "What better way to kill time?" I spun the carousel again. A watch caught my eye. I'm not a watch fanatic, but this one spoke to me. "Oh! Look at this one." It was slim with gold trim and a black strap. "I like this." I lifted the box from the rack and looked at the price. "It's a fifty dollar watch on sale for fifteen." "Do you want it?" I did, but I'm not frivolous. We could spend fifteen dollars on other things. I had a working watch. "No! I like it, but I'll pass." Every time I picked up Ginny from work, I went to the jewelry section, but the watch was gone. "Someone must have bought it." I thought sadly. I should have got it when I had the chance. With Ginny's discount, we could have got it for eight dollars. I did see a watch that Ginny would love, which I bought and wrapped for her anniversary gift. I opened the box Ginny gave me. Inside was the watch I wanted. She opened her package and found a watch too. There was also a necklace I got at another store using a gift card someone gave me for Christmas. We both received new watches on our eighth anniversary. How fitting for a couple who have a marriage that works, because we give time. We give each other time to be alone, time to do what we want to do and most importantly, we give our time to each other - time for love, friendship and laughter. We give time. - Michael T. Smith ========================================================== ,////, /// 6| // _| _/_,-' _.-/'/ \ ,/;, ,-' /' \_ \ / _/ `\ / _/\ ` / | /, `\_/ | \' pb /\_ /` /\ /' /_``--.__/\ `,. / \ |_/` `-._ `\/ `\ `. `-.__/' `\ | `\ \ `\ \ \_\__ \___) >-->RUNNING WITH ENDURANCE by Glynnis Whitwer, Senior Editor P31 Woman, Speaker for Proverbs 31 Ministries , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Key Verse: Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.” (NLT) Devotion: My husband, Tod, recently ran his first marathon. Seeing as how I can’t run around the block without having to go to the bathroom, I was very proud of my beloved and quite impressed with his accomplishment. His preparation for the race was grueling and organized. He first read a book on marathon running and mapped out his five-month training plan using an Excel spreadsheet. Every week he increased his running distance till he was ready for the big day. I’m happy to say that my husband finished the race within minutes of his expected time. To say that after all that planning and training the race was easy, would be giving the wrong impression. At mile 23, when the mean race planners (at least that’s what Tod called them) took the route up a hill, my husband felt like quitting. It took every ounce of commitment and energy to finish that race. But finish he did. The Christian life is like a marathon. It, too, can be grueling at times. We think we’ve trained enough, but when our hearts are broken, or our bodies and emotions drained, we can feel like quitting. When we just can’t forgive one more person, we might want to sit down on the sidelines, saying “This is too much – I can’t go on.” When Christians feel like giving up, they might quit going to church regularly, their Bible sits closed, their prayer life wavers, and even fellowship with other believers can lessen. God knows how difficult life is. He knows what our personal race route looks like. He knows where we have hills that seem too difficult to climb. Knowing we will face difficulties, how can we run this life with endurance when it gets tough? One of the best ways to persevere is to decide in advance that you won’t quit when things get tough. My husband determined that he would finish the race before he ever left the starting line. Quitting wasn’t an option – even when his legs were aching, his lungs were burning and he was surprised by a hill. When you decide in advance that you will stay true to your faith and your commitments, you can face the difficult days and the times when God seems distant. When you choose in advance to trust God, even when you can’t explain your circumstances, your faith grows. It is awesome when you come through a challenge and can look back and see how God worked through it all. Set your eyes on Heaven and trust God’s goodness, and when you face your personal hill, you’ll see it as a stairway to greater intimacy with God, instead of a reason to quit the race. My prayer for today: Heavenly Father, I praise you for your faithfulness and goodness. Forgive the times I have given up when things got tough. Thank you for giving me new chances every day to grow closer to you. I ask for a renewed conviction to run the race you have set before me with endurance. In Jesus Christ's name, Amen. Application Steps: Identify difficult situations that make you want to pull back from your Christian walk. Make a commitment to the Lord to stick through the hard times. Reflection points: What are some similarities between a marathon and the Christian life? What is the finish line for a Christian? What are some of the benefits of finishing the race that God has set before us? Identify two or three areas in your life that bring discouragement to your Christian walk. What can you do when you feel like giving up in a certain area? Power Verses: I Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (NRSV) 2 Timothy 2:3 “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” (NIV) Colossians 1:11-12 “May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from His glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. “ (NRSV) Galatians 5:7-8 “You were running superbly! Who cut in on you, deflecting you from the true course of obedience? This detour doesn't come from the One who called you into the race in the first place.” (The Message) Romans 5:3-4 “...we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (NIV) ========================================================== __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >-->Canticle To The Holy Face Dear Jesus! 'tis Thy Holy Face Is here the start that guides my way; They countenance, so full of grace, Is heaven on earth, for me, today. And love finds holy charms for me In Thy sweet eyes with tear-drops wet; Through mine own tears I smile at Thee, And in Thy griefs my pains forget. How gladly would I live unknown, Thus to console Thy aching heart. Thy veiled beauty, it is shown To those who live from earth apart. I long to fly to Thee alone! Thy Face is now my fatherland, The radiant sunshine of my days, My realm of love, my sunlit land, Where, all life long, I sing Thy praise; It is the lily of the vale, Whose mystic perfume, freely given, Brings comfort, when I faint and fail, And makes me taste the peace of heaven. Thy face, in its unearthly grace, Is like the divinest myrrh to me, That on my heart I gladly place; It is my lyre of melody; My rest - my comfort - is Thy Face. My only wealth, Lord! is thy Face; I ask naught else than this from Thee; Hid in the secret of that Face, The more I shall resemble Thee! Oh, leave on me some impress faint Of Thy sweet, humble, patient Face, And soon I shall become a saint, And draw men to Thy saving grace. So, in the secret of Thy Face, Oh! hide me, hide me, Jesus blest! There let me find its hidden grace, Its holy fires, and, in heaven's rest, Its rapturous kiss, in Thy embrace! Poems of Sr. Teresa, Carmelite of Lisieux, known as The Little Flower of Jesus, Translated by S.L. 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