A Gentle Whisper ... :) 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 ================ "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 MORE 2009 CARING And SHARING Angels *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a 2009 Shangrala Angel, please visit the site and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL page comes up. Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS ALL OUR ANGELS MOST ABUNDANTLY! ================ >-->From Heartwarmers: _________________________________________________ |88888888888P'. :: "`88888888888888888888888| |8888888888-. . :`888888888888888888888| |888888888| '+ . `.' : ;`88888888888888888888| |888888888'` ` :. `. `. ;|8888888888888888888| |88888888|` ' ` , \. ; ; ;`8888888888888888888| |88888888|_` :.___ : .__|888888888888888888| |8888888(-":_.::::.:<"'_> |<"_<888888888888888888| |8888888|: "`... `:::' :`:::|888888888888888888| |8888888b`-_ `-.`-. . |:;:888888888888888888| |888888888|| \ _ \. .'.' :.:d888888888888888888| |888888888|: _ `-. . _,._>d8888888888888888888| |888888888|;\ -. | ``/| :;88888888888888888888| |888888888|;;`. - . /;|..--=_|88888888888888888888| |888888888;:;;.`-. `:< -"`-.`-8;'":88888988888888| |88888888P`-._;; ;"-. `.:. ::`-. 88888898888888| |888888P:%%%. "-._ ; "-.____:':d`:.i88888889888888| |888P:%%%%%%%:. :"-._`::.; :d .| |_\888888888888| |8P:%%%%%%%%%%%:. . `.__ _:d; .' |: 888888888888| |P%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%\ : :`::" d;.d; dP 8_\888888888| |%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%:. . |:d;.d; d;; d;; 888888888| |%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%\ : .';.d; d;; d;;:.dd8888888| |%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%:.. 8'.d; d;; d;; /d88888LS88| |%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%:__8_88_d;;_d;; /d >SAY THANK YOU by Nancy Julien Kopp The men and women in our armed forces are not numbers in a newspaper article. Each one that deploys leaves behind parents, sisters and brothers, spouses and children, as well as myriad of friends. They are not numbers -- they are people. They laugh, they cry, they love, they endure hardships, they work hard. They are human beings with all the emotions you and I experience. They sweat, they like to eat three times a day or more, they enjoy fellowship with others, they pray, they shake with fear more often than we'll ever know. They are warm, living beings. How often do we read that another brigade has deployed? Numbers? No, not numbers, that brigade is made up of people who smile, cry, tell jokes, treasure the photos they carry of loved ones. They have headaches and stomachaches like you and me. They get slivers in their fingers and bruises on arms and legs. They're no less vulnerable to physical ailments than we are, but they face dangers we have never dreamed of. I live near an army post, so I see uniformed soldiers everywhere I go. They stop at the grocery store on their way home from work just like teachers and attorneys and librarians do. They pick up their children at soccer fields as a civilian mom or dad does. We are all very much alike, except for one thing. These soldiers, male and female, have volunteered to serve, to protect our country at home and in foreign lands, to perhaps put their life in danger while doing so. Have you ever thanked a soldier or marine or sailor? Maybe you'd feel uncomfortable walking up to a total stranger and saying, "Thanks for all you do for me and the rest of America every day." What a great gift it would be if you could say that to a member of the armed forces. Think about it the next time you see an American in uniform. A couple years ago, my husband and I were returning from a European trip. We were tired and anxious to get through customs when we landed back in America. As we approached the passport checkpoint, a door opened and an entire unit of uniformed soldiers filed through. They were returning from Iraq, an even longer flight than we'd had. We stopped and watched these fatigued young men and women as they walked by us. Some nodded and smiled, others stared straight ahead. Some I could barely see for the tears that had filled my eyes. I wanted so badly to say Welcome Home to them, but the lump in my throat didn't allow it. The pride that overcame me at that moment cannot be described. I was every soldier's mother for just an instant. And what about the ones who didn't return? The ones who came home in a body bag or a wooden coffin. My pride in them is every bit as strong along with a deep and abiding gratitude in what they gave for the rest of us. They sacrificed so that we can keep living in a free country. Yes, we Americans have many disagreements, but, even so, we are blessed in numerous ways. Don't wait for Veterans Day or Memorial Day, take time to say thank you to a military person. Say it in person or say it in your heart, but please say it. -- Nancy Julien Kopp __________________________________________________ Nancy draws from her Chicago growing-up years and many more in the Flint Hills of Kansas for essays, stories, poems, and articles. She is in nine Chicken Soup for the Soul books, other anthologies, magazines, newspapers, and ezines. A former teacher, she still enjoys teaching through the written word. ==================================================================== >-->From CupO'Cheer: | \ / .---. '-. | | .-' ___| |___ -= [ ] =- `---. .---' __||__ | | __||__ '-..-' | | '-..-' || | | || ||_.-| |-,_|| .-"` `"`'` `"-. jgs .' '. >PEACE IN HIS PRESENCE In this world of uncertainty, Where tomorrow may never be, We have a hope that we can cling to, That we find only, Lord, in Thee. With You, we need not fear, No worries to consume our minds, For each moment lies in Your hands, With You, peace is what we'll find. We may lose our worldly possessions, Relationships may come and go, But Your presence is ever abiding, Your blessings will always flow. If we are faithful in our service, Dedicating our hearts and lives to You, Nothing will ever be too great for You, Lord, You will forever be there to see us through. So we'll cast all of our cares upon You, We'll fret not what tomorrow will bring, For the Lord watches over His children, With You we KNOW we can face ANYTHING. -Linda Wolovich -<>- | \. /|. / `|. / |. / |. / `|. / |. / |. / |. __ / `|. -\ / |. \\ / |. \\ / |. \| / |\ \#####\ / || ==###########> / || \##== \ / || ______ = =|__/___ || ,--' ,----`-,__ ___/' --,-`-==============================##==========> \ ' ##_______ ______ ______,--,____,=##,__ `, __== ___,-,__,--'#' ===' `-' | ##,-/ `-,____,---' \####\ | ____,--\_##,/ #_ |## \ _____,---==,__,---' ## # ]===--==\ || #, ] \ || #_ | \ || ##_ __/' \ || ####=' | \ |/ ### | \ |. ## _' \ |. ###=======] \ |. /// | \ ,|. // | \ |. \ ,|. \ |. \ |. \|. /. | >MAY GOD BLESS YOU THIS DAY...WITH CONTROL! I have a confession...I want to be in control of my life. Well, maybe that's a little extreme. I want to appear to be in control of my life. When people look my way, I want them to say, Now there goes a guy who's got it together...knows what he wants, where he's going and how to get there. Why, he's not an idiot at all. But sometimes it doesn't work that way. Not long ago I was running an errand when it began to rain. I turned on the windshield wipers which sprang to life. Mine face each other and have that great sense of timing where one just barely ducks under the other. They look like hands folding in prayer. Today their timing was a wee bit off. BLAM!!! They crashed together, then pulled back for another go. BLAM!!! On and on. It was hard to tell which was winning but suffice it to say they were beating each other senseless, that is, if windshield wipers had sense. And there was no sympathy from the other motorists. I could see them laughing. Well, I guess it's not every day you see a van applauding. So much for control. Things like that seem to happen whenever I think I've got everything going just the way I want. Maybe it's God's sense of humor, but I have to admit that after calming down, I am reminded of something about having absolute control over one's life. I don't have it. None of us do, really. The Bible says a lot about self-control. It's a fruit of the Spirit, growing within us as we follow Jesus. (Galatians 6:22- 23) Peter urges us to work at it (2 Peter 1:5-8) because it will help us be effective and productive in our knowledge of Jesus. And we are told it will be clear who doesn’t actually know Him because they will have no self-control. (2 Timothy 3:2-5) But then other parts of the Bible seem to contradict this. Instead of exercising control, it says we should give it away. Go, Do, Follow, Take, Make, Encourage, Build Up, Stand With, Care For, Love...Obey. Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end...Direct my footsteps according to your word... Psalms 119:33,133 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 If you want to enter life, obey... Matthew 19:17 If you love me, you will obey... John 14:15 Control is an interesting thing. The more we reach for it, the more it slips through our fingers. It doesn't take a Magi to see the world is out of control. We can work hard, be safe, stay alert...do as much as we can...and still lose our jobs or houses, get hurt or sick, experience loss, be divorced. No matter how much we try, we cannot control what goes on around us. So what does all this Bible stuff mean? What is God telling us? I believe it's this. He wants us to control ourselves so we will be able to give Him all the direction, all the leading, and all the control of our lives. He wants us to look only to Him and be able to honestly say, Not my will, but yours. I guess it all comes down to whether we truly believe what He's told us and the promises He's made. Has He really given us eternal life? Has He really gone to prepare a place for us? Is He really coming back? Does He really love us? When my van was applauding itself down the road, I had no control. There was nothing I could do to fix the wipers. And if I turned them off, I wouldn't be able to see even the brief time between the crashing BLAMS. So, almost as a reflex, I simply asked, God, can you do something about this? It stopped raining. I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps. Jeremiah 10:23 May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance. I Thessalonians 3:5 Take care and be God's, Chuck as seen in A Note of Encouragement -<>- To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. =================================================================== . . . . . . . . . . . . . _________________ ____ __________ . . / | / \ . | \ . / ______ _____| . / \ | ___ | . . \ \ | | / /\ \ | |___> | . \ \ | | / /__\ \ . | _/ . . ________> | | | . / \ | |\ \_______ . | / | | / ______ \ | | \ | |___________/ |___| /____/ \____\ |___| \__________| . . ____ __ . _____ ____ . __________ . _________ \ \ / \ / / / \ | \ / | . \ \/ \/ / / \ | ___ | / ______| . \ / / /\ \ . | |___> | \ \ . \ / / /__\ \ | _/. \ \ + \ /\ / / \ | |\ \______> | . \ / \ / / ______ \ | | \ / . . . \/ \/ /____/ \____\ |___| \____________/ LS . . . . . . >Choosing Kindness Over Profit Story Editor: by Tom Magliery Joyce Schowalter British Columbia, Canada Wow! "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace" was out! Shortly after it launched, five of us guys decided to drive an hour north of Champaign, Illinois, to see the movie in Hoopeston, population 6000ish. Why drive so far? The Lorraine Theatres had a widespread reputation as having the best sound system anywhere in central Illinois. We caravanned in two cars, headed to a 4:30 p.m. showing. It was a beautiful day in May, 1999, with clear blue skies -- a great day for a drive. We found the theatre, a stand-alone building on a small-town main street. Arriving at 4:20 p.m., we pulled up and parked in the angle parking across the street from the theatre. We wondered, hey, shouldn't there be some other cars parked here on the street already? There weren't any, but we thought maybe the matinee business was slowing down since the movie had been out for a couple weeks. Crossing the street, we found the ticket window empty and the front doors locked. Uh-oh. Just as we finished trying the doors, out came the owner of the theatre, a fellow in his 40s with light brown hair, glasses and a beard. He told us that the theatre had stopped their 4:30 showing three days before. Someone mumbled something about the web page, and he said that he hadn't had a chance to update it yet, because his laptop was in for repairs. He asked us where we had come from, and we told him. After another minute or two of small talk I said (half joking, half hopeful), "So you wanna show it anyway?" He looked at his watch, thought a bit... then said, "OK, sure," and showed the movie to just the five of us! We paid him the regular price, and he even let us buy pop and snacks from the concession stand, although it was lucky that we managed to find correct change for everything because he couldn't get into the cash register. It struck me that the theatre owner could just as well have said "Tough luck, fellas", wished us a pleasant drive, and sent us on our way back home. It would have been perfectly reasonable for him to do that. Instead he chose to open his business, start up his equipment, and show us the film we'd driven so far to see. I've no idea of the operating costs of running a projector and a full-scale movie theatre for a showing of a film. But I'd be surprised if the profit margin of five tickets and a few candy bars and sodas would be enough to cover it. I've always remembered this experience because we were treated so kindly by a total stranger. ----------==========----------o----------==========---------- HeroicStories still needs your help with our: "You're Our Heroes" Fundraiser Join your fellow readers here: http://www.HeroicStories.com/fund.html It's true: HeroicStories exists because of your support. ======HeroicStories======= >-->From InspiredBuffalo: ^^ @@@@@@@@@ ^^ ^^ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ ^^ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ ~~ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~ ~ ~~~ ~ ~~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~~~~~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ pjb >Just Stay A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside. 'Your son is here,' she said to the old man. She had to repeat the words several times before the patient's eyes opened. Heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent. He reached out his hand. The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man's limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement. The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed. All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward, holding the old man's hand and offering him words of love and strength. Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile. He refused. Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital - the clanking of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients. Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night. Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse. While she did what she had to do, he waited. Finally, she returned. She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her. 'Who was that man?' he asked. The nurse was startled, 'He was your father,' she answered. 'No, he wasn't,' the Marine replied. 'I never saw him before in my life.' 'Then why didn't you say something when I took you to him?' 'I knew right away there had been a mistake, but I also knew he needed his son, and his son just wasn't here. When I realized that he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, knowing how much he needed me, I stayed.' The next time someone needs you ... just be there. Stay. WE ARE NOT HUMAN BEINGS GOING THROUGH A TEMPORARY SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE. WE ARE SPIRITUAL BEINGS GOING THROUGH A TEMPORARY HUMAN EXPERIENCE. (love this line) PLEASE PASS THIS ONE ON AND GOD WILL BLESS YOU! THIS IS WHAT WE ARE PUT ON THIS EARTH TO DO ANYWAY. RIGHT? HAVE A GREAT DAY AND BLESS SOMEONE ELSE IN SOME LITTLE WAY TODAY! GOD IS SO GOOD. -<>- ,:',:`,:' __||_||_||_||___ ____[""""""""""""""""]___ \ " '''''''''''''''''''' \ ~~jgs~^~^~^^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~~^~^~^~^~~^~^ >READ THIS VERY SLOWLY... IT'S PRETTY PROFOUND.. Too many people put off something that brings them joy just because they haven't thought about it, don't have it on their schedule, didn't know it was coming or are too rigid to depart from their routine. I got to thinking one day about all those people on the Titanic who passed up dessert at dinner that fateful night in an effort to cut back. From then on, I've tried to be a little more flexible. How many women out there will eat at home because their husband didn't suggest going out to dinner until after something had been thawed? Does the word 'refrigeration' mean nothing to you? How often have your kids dropped in to talk and sat in silence while you watched 'Jeopardy' on television? I cannot count the times I called my sister and said , 'How about going to lunch in a half hour?' She would gas up and stammer, 'I can't. I have clothes on the line. My hair is dirty. I wish I had known yesterday, I had a late breakfast, It looks like rain' And my personal favorite: 'It's Monday.' She died a few years ago. We never did have lunch together. Because People cram so much into their lives, we tend to schedule our headaches.. We live on a sparse diet of promises we make to ourselves when all the conditions are perfect! We'll go back and visit the grandparents when we get Steve toilet-trained. We'll entertain when we replace the living-room carpet. We'll go on a second honeymoon when we get two more kids out of college. Life has a way of accelerating as we get older. The days get shorter, and the list of promises to ourselves gets longer. One morning, we awaken, and all we have to show for our lives is a litany of 'I'm going to,' 'I plan on,' and 'Someday, when things are settled down a bit.' When anyone calls my 'seize the moment' friend, she is open to adventure and available for trips. She keeps an open mind on new ideas. Her enthusiasm for life is contagious. You talk with her for five minutes, and you're ready to trade your bad feet for a pair of Rollerblades and skip an elevator for a bungee cord. My lips have not touched ice cream in 10 years. I love ice cream. It's just that I might as well apply it directly to my stomach with a spatula and eliminate the digestive process.. The other day, I stopped the car and bought a triple-decker. If my car had hit an iceberg on the way home, I would have died happy. Now...go on and have a nice day. Do something you WANT to....not something on your SHOULD DO list. If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say? And why are you waiting? Make sure you read this to the end; you will understand why I sent this to you. Have you ever watched kids playing on a merry go round or listened to the rain lapping on the ground? Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight or gazed at the sun into the fading night? Do you run through each day on the fly? When you ask 'How are you?' Do you hear the reply? When the day is done, do you lie in your bed with the next hundred chores running through your head? Ever told your child, 'We'll do it tomorrow.' And in your haste, not see her sorrow? Ever lost touch? Let a good friendship die? Just call to say 'Hi'? When you worry and hurry through your day, it is like an unopened gift....Thrown away.... Life is not a race. Take it slower. Hear the music before the song is over. -<>- >My Summer Vacation !|| !|||| ,/|||| !|'''| `\ | )\ \ ejm / \ \ \ Last weekend we loaded up the car and made our six hour trek to Cape Cod. As we drove to our cottage in Wellfleet, we couldn't help but notice the signs in the windows and on the street, "Please Pray for Caleb" and "Think Positive Thoughts for Caleb". At our first stop, we learned Caleb is a young shell fisherman and resident who was badly injured in a skateboarding accident. Throughout the week, every day no matter where we went, more signs appeared, even one written in sand on the beach. Twice a day villagers and vacationers gathered in prayer at the town center and offered support and updates. And though we've been going to Wellfleet every summer for as long as I can remember, I don't think I've ever seen anything so beautiful. This newsletter is filled with stories of the awesome power of prayer. -<>- .---. |_X_| ___ [_____] / _ \ // \\ | / \ | | " | || " || __\___/__ __\\_//__ /\_______/\ / | U | \/ _ : _ \ ( (|___|) )/ \ : / \ \ \_ / \ _/ \ /=====\ / / /| |\ './___:___\.' ; | | ; | | | | | | | | | | | \_____/ | |--|--| '._______.' |LI|LI| jgs \/ \/ \_/ \_/ >Easy Vs Difficult Easy is to get a place is someone's address book. Difficult is to get a place in someone's heart. Easy is to judge the mistakes of others. Difficult is to recognize our own mistakes. Easy is to talk without thinking. Difficult is to refrain the tongue Easy is to hurt someone who loves us. Difficult is to heal the wound... Easy is to forgive others. Difficult is to ask for forgiveness. Easy is to set rules. Difficult is to follow them... Easy is to dream every night. Difficult is to fight for a dream... Easy is to show victory. Difficult is to assume defeat with dignity... Easy is to admire a full moon. Difficult to see the other side... Easy is to stumble with a stone. Difficult is to get up... Easy is to enjoy life every day. Difficult to give its real value... Easy is to pray every night. Difficult is to find God in small things... Easy is to promise something to someone. Difficult is to fulfill that promise... Easy is to say we love. Difficult is to show it every day... Easy is to criticize others. Difficult is to improve oneself... Easy is to make mistakes. Difficult is to learn from them... Easy is to weep for a lost love. Difficult is to take care of it so not to lose it. Easy is to think about improving. Difficult is to stop thinking it and put it into action... Easy is to think badly of others. Difficult is to give them the benefit of the doubt... Easy is to receive. Difficult is to give. Easy is keeping the friendship with words. Difficult is to keep it with meanings. The language of friendship is not words, but meanings.... Easy to read this. Difficult to follow. If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door... -<>- ,-. ( \()Oo `-,---. .-. \ | oO()/ ) \ \ ,--- ,-' |_/ | / ,-. / _/ |_/ \_/ ,-. \_/ s-v >JUDGE ME BY THE FOOTPRINTS I LEAVE BEHIND A story is told about a soldier who was finally Coming home after having fought in Vietnam. He called his parents from San Francisco. "Mom and Dad, I'm coming home, But I've got a favor to ask. I have a friend I'd like to bring with me." "Sure," they replied, "we'd love to meet him." "There's something you should know," The son continued, "he was hurt pretty badly in the fighting. He stepped on a land mine and lost an arm and a leg. He has nowhere else to go, And I want him to come live with us." "I'm sorry to hear that, son. Maybe we can help him find somewhere to live." "No, Mom and Dad, I want him to live with us." Son," said the father, "you don't know what you're asking. Someone with such a handicap would be a terrible burden on us. We have our own lives to live, And we can't let something like this interfere with our lives. He'll find a way to live on his own." At that point, the son hung up the phone. The parents heard nothing more from him. A few days later, however, They received a call from the San Francisco police. Their son had died after falling from a building, They were told. The police believed it was suicide. The grief-stricken parents flew to San Francisco And were taken to the citymorgue to identify the body of their son. They recognized him, But to their horror they also discovered something they didn't know. Their son had only one arm and one leg. The parents in this story are like many of us. We find it easy to love those who are good-looking or fun to have around, But we don't like people who inconvenience us Or make us feel uncomfortable. We would rather stay away from people who aren't as Healthy, beautiful, or smart as we are. Thankfully, there's someone who won't treat us that way. Someone who loves us with an unconditional love That welcomes us into the forever family, Regardless of how messed up we are. Tonight, before you tuck yourself in for the night, Say a little prayer that God will give you the strength You need to accept people as they are, And to help us all be more understanding Of those who are different from us!!! There's a miracle called-Friendship-that dwells in the heart. You don't know how it happens or when it gets started. But you know the special lift it always brings And you realize that Friendship is one of God's most precious gifts! Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, And they always want to open their hearts to us. Show your friends how much you care.... -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment My family Reunion http://www.buffaloschips.com/sdg.htm National Anthem Cactus http://www.buffaloschips.com/iuyuy.htm Negotiating a Real Piece of Work http://www.buffaloschips.com/jhgtgf.htm New Energy Drink http://www.buffaloschips.com/hfhgtf.htm New Guy In Prison http://www.buffaloschips.com/jhtgtr.htm Blink Of An Eye http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/eye.html Kid Lessons http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kidlessons.html It's A Dog's World http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dogsworld.html To Subscribe send a blank email to: the-inspired-buffalo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com =================================================================== >-->From Laugh&Lift: Apple: ,(. ( ) `"' Pear: ( / \ ( ) `"' Banana: , \`.__. `._,' Orange: ,=. (.`:) `-' >Virtue Reality (by Rich Mullins, Release Magazine July/August 1994) Virtues are funny things. They are the fruit of faith and, whenever paraded, become parodies of themselves and the worst kind of vanity imaginable. When they are not the fruit of faith they become its greatest obstacle. Virtues are most vital when invisible and most sharply imaged when they are not the focus of our attentions. They are evidence of their Source (and ours) and not the generators of it (or us). Take, for example, wisdom. Wisdom has at its source the "fear of the Lord" - the highest regard and reverence for Him. The tendency among many of us, though, is to confuse wisdom with omniscience and to think ourselves wise in proportion to how much stuff we know. God calls us to be wise and provides us with Christ. We pressure ourselves to be all-knowing and fret over where Cain got his wife and how the earth can be as young as the scriptures claim when geologists say that it takes millions of years more than that to produce a barrel of oil. We tend to suspect that wisdom lies in the ability to answer imponderables rather than in Christ. And we sometimes end in self-contempt and even abandonment of our faith, not because our faith is false, but because we focused on a wisdom that is not a virtue but a vanity. It is the same way with strength. God calls us to "be strong" and we mistake that for a call to omnipotence. We confuse strength to endure trials with an ability to walk unfrustrated through life. We convince ourselves that if we were strong we would never fail, never tire, never hurt, never need. We begin to measure strength in terms of ease of progress, equate power with success, ensurability with invincibility and inevitably, when our illusions of omnipotence is shattered, we condemn ourselves for being weak. God has called us to be lovers and we frequently think that He meant us to be saviors. So we "love" as long as we see "results." We give of ourselves as long as our investments pay off, but if the ones we love do not respond, we tend to despair and blame ourselves and even resent those we pretend to love. Because we love someone, we want them to be free of addictions, of sin, of self - and that is as it should be. But it might be that our love for them and our desire for their well-being will not make them well. And, if that is the case, their lack of response no more negates the reality of love than their quickness to respond would confirm it. Love is a virtue and not a feeling. It is fed and fired by God - not by the favorable response of the beloved. Even when it doesn't seem to make a dime's worth of difference to the ones on whom it lavished, it is still the most prized of all virtues because it is at the heart of the very character of God. By loving we participate in His Life and Essence. When we stoop to bait and buy good behavior we are no longer loving as God loves. We are manipulating and cheapening the dignity of the person whom we are called - not to save, not even to change - but to love. If real salvation is possible (and we know it is) it is because real love is there. And love is real, love that is truly a virtue and not just an act - agape love - gushes from God through those who know Him. It is not strung along by those who don't. In a world where quantitative values have obscured the reality of qualitative values - where we long to measure progress and chart growth, it is easy to give in to the temptation to judge ourselves and to try to walk by sight. But into that confused and meaningless effort God speaks with His great, still and small voice, with his Christ. He speaks through these invisible virtues with which His people shine and in the light of their lives this desperate, smug world sees not strength, wisdom, or even love, but Him who is the source of these things and the savior of humankind. Let us in whom He dwells look also to Him so we can shine more brightly. SUBSCRIBE INFO Want to receive a Christian inspirational item AND great clean humor in an email to you each day of the week? It's easy and FREE! Read all about Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com ====================================================================== >-->From SermondFodder: ,,,,, ////""\ . (((/ m m -|- __ )))c = ) | (__) ////-./~` . [] (((( `.`\ :: [] )))`\ \)).-;.' .------, [] (() `._.-'` _( )[] )/ `. | .'`^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^))\`.----'`[] jgs ( \' { ~ - ~~ _ ~ - ~~ - ~ - (( | | [] .-.--\ \ { )) | | [] |_;_._`\ |{ ((__|_|-----[] | ; ``` ;{ )) [] | /``-.____/ `~~~[]~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~'-' [] `' (__) (__) >What's your child thankful for? Each month, children like yours receive an exciting magazine created just for them: Focus on the Family Clubhouse Jr.® and Focus on the Family Clubhouse®! These life-changing magazines are packed with fun stories, Bible lessons and easy-to-read articles that help bring Christian values like thankfulness--to life. Here's what some of our readers are thankful for: "I am thankful for superheroes like the Incredible Hulk, because they save people. But I know Jesus is the best superhero of all!" --Eli G., age 5 "I'm thankful for Jesus in my heart and the armor of God." --Seth S., age 6 "I'm thankful for my friends, Madison and Catherine, because they are so loving and kind to me." --Addison E., age 5 Of course, they're also thankful for the games, puzzles and activities included in the magazines each month--not to mention the other age-appropriate treasures! Inspire a spirit of thankfulness in your child this Thanksgiving. To start your subscription to Clubhouse Jr. or Clubhouse go to www.focusonthefamily.com or http://family.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?Ntk=cbws_keywords&Ntt=clubhouse+magazine&action=Search&N=0&Ne=0&p=1145188&event=ORCE -<>- , (`-.-/( .:::::., `-.__) ``:\:: . /7_.-, '. -. - - `:::' .- ( `_.= \ `--._ / _?'` ___.-' -`"' \ - / )----'''' - .-' `--.. `--' ,' .-' `\ --' )---'' ) ) | _| ( \ L / | \ )__ _ \ \ `---' `--' L \ | \ \ \ L ) L_ ( \ | \ . J a:f | `. \ _.-`--=' \ ) ( _-' `--'\ '"' / ' J (,_./ >A Gentle Whisper - DID YOU HEAR THE WHISPER? Have you ever been in a situation – or met an individual – and thought to yourself, "I don't know what it is, but something isn't right". More often than not, we quickly dismiss the thought and later find out that the premonition was right. As Christian leaders, we may desire to give situations and people the "benefit of the doubt", but Scripture teaches that we should listen – and respond – to God's whisper. How often do you ignore the inner whisper that tell you when "something isn't right"? Do you repeatedly wish that you had listened to your "hunch"? It is human nature to size things up by what they look like – but, not all ducks look and quack like a duck. As a result, God will often send a gentle whisper that warns us to be cautious of certain situations and people. The enemy, however, will immediately try to get us to dismiss the message. He will tell us that God's whisper is an example of us being "paranoid". He will fill us with condemnation, and convince us that we're, merely, "judgmental".. Nonetheless, listen to God's whisper. Stand firm in knowing that Jesus forewarned: "Stay alert. This is hazardous work I'm assigning you. You're going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack....Don't be naive" (Matthew 10:16-17, MSG). Naivety wants us to respond to winds, earthquakes, fires, and other disasters. But, God wants us to hear – and respond to – His gentle voice. When the prophet Elijah was in trouble, the Lord came to him in a whisper: "...As the Lord approached, a very powerful wind tore the mountains apart...But the Lord wasn't in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake. But the Lord wasn't in the earthquake. After the earthquake a fire came. But the Lord wasn't in the fire. And after the fire there was only a gentle whisper" (1 Kings 19:11-12, NIRV). Like Elijah, sometimes we will only receive a gentle whisper from from the Lord. The questions are: "Will we listen?" and "Will we respond?" If we do, just imagine how much pain, disappointment, and wasted time we'll be able to avoid. Our cry: Lord, thank You for Your gentle whisper that warns and guides me. Please increase my sensitivity to Your voice, so that I may hear – and respond. Teach me how to evaluate all situations and people with keen discernment. Let Your Spirit sharpen my awareness, so that I will know – with certainty – when "something isn't right". For I am Your handmaiden. I am Your servant. Recommended reading: 1 Samuel 16:7, New International Reader's Version 1 Kings 19:11-12, New International Reader's Version Matthew 10:16-17, Message Bible Translation Marsha DuCille Publisher/Editorial Director publisher@calledmagazine.com ========================================================== It doesn't take much of a man to be a Christian... It takes all of him. >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->This is for all you who love food and DAARE 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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