A Golden Bell And A Pomegranate... :) 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. If every one would chip in $25 or more, we'd be good for the whole year! So Please - I need your help today! "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ _..---.._ .' .-'''-. '. / .' _..._'. \ __ : : /`;' ) : : _,="`\ ,--''` ``'.; : |; ,-; : ; __..==""==.,_| `-, `; .\; / ^\ _,.="// '-,_.--._ '.(;_.'__/`_.-'`\ ,.--''`` _..=. `'--.// `` \ `--, '` `- |_\ '-. | `-._ _.;--`-..___,.-'` `'-...-_:',;`==,| \ _.--',=" / /"=;="=, _.' ,=".-'` .' /| ,=" _.--' .-' "=, : .' | ", `;._ .--'.' .-' .' . ; ,;;\_ . '._.'--'` -' / ,;;;._ '-._ .''.__.' `\_ .' '._ / '._ .(` jgs '._ ';./ `;` *~* 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 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 Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all 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! ================ >-->2 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) Our newest too hot to handle page is from our friends Linda, LouiseAu and Geniann. It is sure too tickle your funny bone and give you your aww quota for the day. Be sure to check out this funny one along with the video here... . . :"-. .-"; |:`.`.__..__.'.';| || :-" "-; || :; :; / .==. .==. \ : _.--._ ; ; .--.' `--' `.--. : : __;` ':__ ; ; ' '-._:;_.-' ' : '. `--' .' ."-._ _.-". .' ""------"" `. /`- -'\ /`- -'\ :`- .' `. -'; ; / \ : : : ; ; ; ; : : ':_:.' '.;_;' :_ _; ; "-._ -" :`-. _.._ :_ () _; "--::__. `. \"- -"/`._ : .-"-. -"-. ""--..____.' / .__ __. \ : / , / "" \ . \ ; bug "-:___..--" "--..___;-" Hey, If It Fits 2... http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/fits2.html --- ...An Adorable one! Thanks Ladies! This next smoking hot new page is from our friend Linda. This adorable cat will bring you plenty of oos, awws and smiles for your day. You might not have even known this little guy existed. Be sure to check it out along with the video here: _ ___ _.--. \`.|\..----...-'` `-._.-'_.-'` / ' ` , __.--' )/' _/ \ `-_, / `-'" `"\_ ,_.-;_.-\_ ', fsc/as _.-'_./ {_.' ; / {_.-``-' {_/ Arabian Sand Cat http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/sandcat.html --- ...So cute! Thanks Linda! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: _.-""""-. ( ': '. .___.' : : _.."----".._ .-" "-. ." ". .":.".. .' `. : '.' : :" "": : .-" .'""-: .-"""-. :": : : ". .' `. : " '-._ : : _:" : : "" : : : : _ : : : '. : : : `#. ' : : _:. : '. ' `#. : grp : '._ .' : . ." .-" :"-._ _.-" (_. '. ""------"" (_.: . : '.:`-' >LOOKING UP by Janice Buanno-Boyles My speedy recovery from a hysterectomy that October was darkened by the tricks of a hormone monster. I was destined to a zig-zag pattern of one good day, one off day. On the off days, I was a basketcase. I couldn't think, organize, follow through, work, direct children, or butter bread. The hot flashes were undeniable. While the doctor was regulating my hormone dosage, I had to deal with the ups and downs. Before long, the roller coaster ride swooped into Columbus Day, meaning the kids were home from school. My children, ages 1, 6 and 8, at the time, had no idea that this day off was falling on one of my "off days". Trying to make up for lost time from work and volunteer responsibilities, the housekeeping and children had taken everything out of me by 1 pm. At some point, between the bickering, the diaper changes, the lunch mess and the telephone ringing, I escaped onto the back deck for some peace. The deck was barren in preparation for winter. The woods facing me were stripped of their leaves as was the autumn sky of the sun. A hint of chill reminded me of the cold season yet to arrive. How fitting, I thought, to be on the same cycle as mother nature. Doom and gloom. Behind my observations and thoughts, I could hear the kids screaming and fighting, and I could see through the lighted windows at the mess they were making in the family room. I knew I needed to help them find something more constructive to do, but at that moment, all I could do was cry. I hadn't the energy to deal with three kids or anything else. I instinctively fell into prayer. "Dear God, I can't function today. Please give me a sign that you're listening, that you'll help me. I can't do this alone..." Interrupting my prayer, the sounds of a very focused flock of geese roared over the house. The glorious honking grew closer and louder by the second. Before long, the entire "V" appeared so close above me, I was sure if I stood on tip toes I could touch them. They were low and loud and had just missed the tips of the trees when one of them flew out of the formation, landing in the woods. Quickly, two others followed, and the rest filled in the empty spaces and flew on, rising higher and higher until they disappeared. I was in awe of the miraculous distraction, and suddenly felt my spirit lift with the geese. Just weeks earlier, I had read that geese fly in a "V" formation -- that it takes the whole team to make it to their destination. When the "lead bird" tires out, it falls to the back of the formation and another takes over. When one falls ill or can no longer fly, it flutters to the ground. With it, two more leave the formation to sit by the sick one, protecting it while it heals or dies. Once able, the birds take flight again. Because they feel the strain of flying without the group, they often find a new group with which to fly. I remember reading that it's easier for them to get where they're going when they're traveling on the thrust of another. The geese flying out of formation feel the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone. I read, too, that geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. Then it hit me. Maybe they were honking for me. Maybe I need support right now and someone to watch over me until I can fly again. Maybe I need to fall out of formation and rest. Maybe I don't need to be so strong, so soon. Maybe I'm not ready for the long "flight". That's when things started to "look up". I knew it was time to go back inside, give my kids some attention, wait for my husband to get home from work to help, and rest. I knew all this because of a sign from above and a flock of geese reminding me that traveling on the thrust of another is easier than going it alone. -- Janice Boyles ___________________________________________ Janice is the mother of three and lives on the edge of the Catskill Mountains in New York. She says, "I'm a freelance writer and preschool teacher who's an active volunteer. I enjoy painting, writing and collecting. Now I know it's OK to rest when we can't fly any farther." =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Elnora :) , |'. , | '-._ / ) .' .._ ', /_'-, ' / _'.'_\ /._)') : / '_' '_' / _.' |E | |Q| |Q| / / .' _\ '-' '-' / .'--.(S ,__` ) / '-. _.' / __.--'----( / _.-' : __\ / ( __.' :' :Y '. '._, : :| '. ) :.__:| \ \______/ '._L/_H____] /_ / / '-.__.-') : / / : / / ,/_____/----; '._____)----' / / / / / / .' / \ snd (______(-.____) >Seize the moment... I have a friend who lives by a three-word philosophy: Seize the moment. Just possibly, she may be the wisest woman on this planet. 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 women 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 gasp 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 Americans 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 Stevie 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 minded 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 hips 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? Have you ever watched kids 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? You better slow down Don't dance so fast Time is short The music won't last. 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? You'd better slow down Don't dance so fast Time is short The music won't last. Ever told your child, We'll do it tomorrow And in your haste, Not see his sorrow? Ever lost touch, Let a good friendship die 'Cause you never had time To call and say "Hi"? You'd better slow down Don't dance so fast Time is short The music won't last. When you run so fast to get somewhere You miss half the fun of getting there. When you worry and hurry through your day, It is like an unopened gift.... Thrown away... Life is not a race. Do take it slower. Hear the music before the song is ended. Enjoy life! This is not a dress rehearsal! --- ...So True! Thanks Elnora. I was just thinking the other day how foolish we are as I thought the pessimist old saying - "Don't take life too seriously! Nobody gets out alive anyway." came to mind. Then I was thinking of it in the Christian light. Actually, Christians do make it out alive. , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Romans 10: [9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. John 17: [3] And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. John 3: [15] That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life [16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. We may loose our natural body but we'll have a new one... Phil.3: [20] For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: [21] Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. This is our Hope! See this teaching: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' THE HOPE OF THE RETURN I Thessalonians 1: 9, 10 -- For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait [anticipate] for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Promises/THE_HOPE_OF_THE_RETURN.htm =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >The U in JesUs - Author Unknown to Me Before U were thought of or time had begun, God even stuck U in the name of His Son. And each time U pray, you'll see it's true You can't spell out JesUs and not include U. You're a pretty big part of His wonderful name, For U, He was born; that's why He came. And His great love for U is the reason He died. It even takes U to spell crUcified. Isn't it thrilling and splendidly grand He rose from the dead, with U in His plan? The stones split away, the gold trUmpet blew, and this word resUrrection is spelled with a U. When JesUs left earth at His upward ascension, He felt there was one thing He just had to mention. "Go into the world and tell them it's true That I love them all - Just like I love U." So many great people are spelled with a U, Don't they have a right to know JesUs too? It all depends now on what U will do, He'd like them to know, But it all starts with U. -<>- __ ___ / / ___( (\_( ) )/ / |\___` \\_\/_/_/_\ | | ____/\_\`._._... | ||\__/ '_\ \`_._\.\ \|| | | | | | | || | |^| | | | \ | | | | \|ejm__| |____| >"Pass It On" She looked so small and frail sitting on the edge of her bed. Snowy white hair, framed her sweet face which although lacking its usual color, was nonetheless radiant with peace and joy. Her tired, sunken eyes were still full of love and concern for each one who entered her room. In the last weeks of her life, she spoke often of the wonderful Christian heritage that had been hers and of her great privilege in passing that legacy on to her children and grandchildren. Her joy was complete, for all of her family loved the Lord Jesus. As we approached her bedside, she somehow found strength that was not hers. Taking each one in her arms, she gave us a special verse or a personal blessing. Then with a deep conviction in her weak voice, she said "Pass it on" A few days later Grandmother died. God in his sovereignty chose to place me in a Christian home, through which I received a godly heritage from both sides of the family. The privileges and responsibilities of passing on such a heritage are enormous. The Bible says, "To whom much is given, much is required." Like a pebble thrown into a quiet lake, the ripples caused by the initial seed of godliness planted in a family and cultivated by the holy spirit become larger and broader encompassing an ever widening expanse. The cycle will continue, as long as we who have received such a heritage are faithful in our own personal walk with Jesus Christ and to our God-given responsibilities in our homes. Think for a moment of how many people could be influenced by just one child reared to love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ a child who has been grounded in God's Word and has been given the examples of godly parents. The potential of faithful, God fearing parents is unending. That very thought should cause us to reverence our job and be grateful to God for the great privilege He has entrusted to us. If you have not been blessed by a godly heritage, you have a great opportunity before you. You can begin such a heritage for your children and grandchildren by making sure of your own relationship to Jesus Christ and faithfully passing it on. 'The Lord himself is my inheritance........He guards all that is mine........ What a wonderful inheritance! I will bless the lord" (Psalm 16:5-7) --- ...This reminds me of our human lineage... , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' 'God in His foreknowledge knew of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. He knew of the prophets to whom He could give The Word, and of their faithfulness in writing and speaking the Word. This was all with God because of His foreknowledge. Do you know that you were with God from the beginning if you are a born-again believer? According as he [God] hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame. -- Ephesians 1: 4 We were in God’s foreknowledge even before the foundations of the world. Since God can see the future, He could see that we would believe and stand for Him. That’s quite amazing if you think about it. God knew that we were going to believe and stand with Him, not only before we were born, but before the world was even created." From In The Beginning Was The Word https://tinyurl.com/y6y7hka8 This is why I am not so deeply upset about abortions. I believe God's Word that He chose us to be His before the foundation of the world. If a person was chosen to be His by God Almighty - THE Creator of the entire Universe, you better believe that He would not allow anything or anyone to stand in the way of that person being His! Not even by abortion. Come hell or high water, that person would have the opportunity and would be His! Like the bible also says: Romans 8: [29] For whom he (God) did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he (Jesus) might be the firstborn among many brethren (Christians). [30] Moreover whom he (God) did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. [31] What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Absolutely! You have God For You because You WERE CHOSEN By God! Also See this study - The Genealogy Of Jesus Christ https://tinyurl.com/zow9trs -<>- , , /(.-""-.)\ |\ \/ \/ /| | \ / =. .= \ / | \( \ o\/o / )/ \_, '-/ \-' ,_/ / \__/ \ \ \__/\__/ / ___\ \|--|/ /___ /` \ / `\ jgs / '----' \ >Story Time - GhoulygooksBy Mark Crider I never knew what they were and never saw one except in my mind's eye and I had a runaway imagination about them eating little kids and puppies while they screamed in their death throws. During WW2, aunts, uncles and friends that weren't off to war would gather occasionally on a Saturday night for fish/shrimp/oyster frys, afterwards clearing the table for cards, dominoes or reminiscing about fun or work filled days past. It was always loud with a lot of laughing and carrying on. The moms would usually gather in the adjoining living area to carry on their discussions/clap-trap or gossiping,,,, whatever it was. A couple of my cousins and I would play soldiers with machine gun and rifle fire shouting from our mouths like banshees and little bodies running, hiding behind furniture or climbing over things. When it got too loud the first few times we were admonished to lower it by our moms. After a few of these and we got loud again, the men would suddenly go silent, (I know they rehearsed this) looking at the front screen door with their eyes wide and mouths slightly open with scared looks on their faces. We knew what it was, my mom knew what it was and she would scream to the men, "DON"T YOU DARE SAY THAT WORD". "Ghoulygooks", one would whisper and my mother would throw a fit at them as we ran screaming and crying to the bedroom terrified trying to get under the covers and hide. Well this shut us up and we could hear the men laughing, but it made no difference. We would not get out of bed or from under the covers. My mom knew what the drill would be for weeks afterwards, she had to go to bed with me 'till I went to sleep to be sure one didn't crawl out from under the bed and get me also I would not get out of bed in the mornings until someone looked under it to confirm there were no ghoulygooks waiting to grab me. This was really a pain because I would have to scream in the middle of the night waking her to get her to come look under the bed so I could go to the bathroom. This really got her mad and I could hear her giving my dad a fit every time it happened. Believe me, he paid for his little joke. The first Halloween I remember was the trick-or-treat thing my mom talked about like it was some kind of holiday and we would go after supper to get candy from the neighbors. I was really looking forward to that. My mom was carrying a large, steaming dutch oven full of venison stew from the kitchen and I was next to her with the bread right out of the oven helping to set the table. All of a sudden this laughing and screaming started approaching in the front yard towards our porch. BANG! BANG! BANG! WHOOOOOO! TRICK OR TREAT!!!! THERE THEY WERE!!!! GHOULYGOOKS ran through my head as I saw the terrible faces and sheets draped over their frames. I dropped the bread and grabbed my mom around the legs while screaming. She dropped the big container of stew. It hit the beautiful hardwood floor she so meticulously kept, splashing everywhere, burning her and me, causing a really big problem. My dad jumped up hollering like he was going to attack the ghoulygooks or run away which terrified me even more as I gripped my mom's legs even tighter. She fell, me with her, into the hot stew on the floor. Needless to say, you know where mom slept for a long time as well as having to carry me from the bed to the living room in the mornings or to the bathroom at night. I would not put my feet down for the longest near anyplace something might hide. Never did get to trick-or-treat that year. -<>- ,,, _,_ _@_ _(_ _?_ >*< _/. .\_ _/- -\_ _/, ,\_ _/' '\_ _/a a\_ _/. .\_ (.\_o_/.) (.\_-_/.) (,\_e_/') (.\_^_/.) (.\_~_/') (.\_c_/.) (.`,.`'.') (.`,.'.'.) (.`'.,'.') ('.,'.`'.) (.'.,'.`.) (.,'.,'',) ('.`,'`,) ('.`,'',) ('.','.`) ('.,'.',) ('.,'.`.) (',.'`.,) ('.`,'`) ('.','`) (.'.,'.) ('.`.,') ('.','') (.'.'.') jgs `--'"` `--'"` `--'"` `--'"' `--'"' `--'"' >A Gift of Love -Author Unknown to Me "Can I see my baby?" the happy new mother asked. When the bundle was nestled in her arms and she moved the fold of cloth to look upon his tiny face, she gasped. The doctor turned quickly and looked out the tall hospital window. The baby had been born without ears. Time proved that the baby's hearing was perfect. It was only his appearance that was marred. When he rushed home from school one day and flung himself into his mother's arms, she sighed, knowing that his life was to be a succession of heartbreaks. He blurted out the tragedy. "A boy, a big boy ... called me a freak." He grew up, handsome for his misfortune. A favorite with his fellow students, he might have been class president, but for that. He developed a gift, a talent for literature and music. "But you might mingle with other young people," his mother reproved him, but felt a kindness in her heart. The boy's father had a session with the family physician. Could nothing be done? "I believe I could graft on a pair of outer ears, if they could be procured," the doctor decided. Whereupon the search began for a person who would make such a sacrifice for a young man. Two years went by. Then, "You are going to the hospital, Son. Mother and I have someone who will donate the ears you need. But it's a secret," said the father. The operation was a brilliant success, and a new person emerged. His talents blossomed into genius, and school and college became a series of triumphs. Later he married and entered the diplomatic service. "But I must know!" He urged his father, "Who gave so much for me? I could never do enough for him." "I do not believe you could," said the father, "but the agreement was that you are not to know ... not yet." The years kept their profound secret, but the day did come, one of the darkest days that a son must endure. He stood with his father over his mother's casket. Slowly, tenderly, the father stretched forth a hand and raised the thick, reddish-brown hair to reveal that the mother had no outer ears. "Mother said she was glad she never let her hair be cut," he whispered gently, "and nobody ever thought Mother less beautiful, did they?" Real beauty lies not in the physical appearance, but in the heart. Real treasure lies not in what that can be seen, but what that cannot be seen. Real love lies not in what is done and known, but in what that is done but not known. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Attitude Is Everything http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude3.html Love Speaks http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lovespeaks.html The Sacred Secret http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/secret.html God's Royal And Holy Priests http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/royalpriests.html Have A Heart http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/heart.html Face Of Christ http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/faceofchrist.html Girl Gets New Ear http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/girlgetsear.html Important Life Truths http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lifetruths.html Pay It Forward http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/payitforward.html That's God http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thatsgod.html Notes to God http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/cnotes.html Israel's 9/11 Tribute! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/israeltribute.html Bucket List http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bucketlist.html Growing Old http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/growingold.html Directions To Father's House http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/home.html God's Advertisements http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/godsads.html Kids Lessons http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kidlessons.html Fall And Halloween INDEX https://tinyurl.com/y4xyz2w8 -<>- This is why we have so much trouble on social media platforms - we meaning 'Christians' - Google owns youtube so all your Google searches etc are skewed to promote anti-Christian or pro Muslim or non conservative or left-leaning Democrat views. Veterans Charity Founder Says YouTube Video Was Censored for Containing 'Christian' Keyword https://tinyurl.com/y33d2uzw Does God Just Want You to be Happy? https://tinyurl.com/y62famlp Menuchah Place https://tinyurl.com/yytbvfdy Elvis Presley - Peace In The Valley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VQS7e27pDw Why Me Lord Story - Told and Sung By kris kristofferson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tA7E7pbUws celine dion ft. josh groban, the prayer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhxIjRO6WjI Elvis Presley - Lord this time you gave me a mountain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrOE5gMtDEg Just A Little Talk With Jesus (Perfect Heart) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ar6ANlvz78 Just a closer walk with thee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vx827qXcvY -<>- >In The News: Westwing News: President Trump Keeps Promise to Tame Bureaucracy that Runs Roughshod Over Americans https://www.whitehouse.gov/westwingreads/ WhiteHouseNews: President Trump is protecting Americans from Big Government https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600daily/ Latest From AFA: http://tinyurl.com/j7lakqw Students For Life https://tinyurl.com/yd5nxmu6 Latest From OperationRescue: http://www.operationrescue.org/ Latest Product Alert: Salads, Wraps, Candy, Drink Mix http://www.emergencyemail.org/products/?fmt=text Latest Health Alert: Cancer-causing Carcinogens Found in Heartburn Drugs http://www.emergencyemail.org/health/?fmt=text Click to Give Free https://tinyurl.com/y2abb8d2 -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) Every magician likes to involve a pretty girl in his magic tricks but it's not often that she is also a magician. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6e1y0_UTIw Multi-award winning magician Wayne Hoffman is recognized as one of the top mentalists in the world. https://youtu.be/6mzu87i_uD0 --- ...Wow! 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 CupO'Cheer: . | . \ | / `. \ ' / .' `. .-*""*-. .' "*-._ /.*" "*.\ _.-*" : ; ____ """"': .. ; _.-*" \ `.__.' / "*-._ .' `-.__.-' `. bug .' / . \ `. / | \ ' | ` >SUNSHINE SMILES "I recently had the chance to share a wonderful meal with some close friends at a lovely restaurant. Towards the end of the meal, I excused myself and silently headed towards the waiter. I asked him to charge the meal to my credit card but not tell anyone that I did it! When it was time for the check, the waiter told us that the meal had already been paid for by an unknown person! My friends couldn't believe it and demanded to know who did it, but the waiter assured them he didn't know :) The response on the face of my friends was amazing. To be gifted something completely without any way or saying thanks or even knowing where it came from. Everyone was so happy! I don't even think it was because of the money aspect, but more because it feels strangely warm inside to know that people care for each other :) We all agreed to pay it forward so our smiles could be experienced by others." -- beastly -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >GOD HAS CALLED YOU READ 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 I am writing to God's church in Corinth, to you who have been called by God to be his own holy people. He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as he did for all people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours. [1 Corinthians 1:2] As an ordained minister, I am sometimes asked: "When were you called into the ministry?" Or someone might say, "Tell me about your calling." There is an assumption that because I am a "minister," I must have a "calling." There is nothing wrong with this assumption. Scripture teaches that God does call people to specific roles within the church (see 1 Cor. 1:1, for example, where Paul says that he was literally "called [kletos] to be an apostle"; the NLT uses "chosen" instead of "called"). So, I do believe that God has called me to be a pastor, now in the context of my ministry with Laity Lodge. There is a problem, however, in what is often not stated when somebody says that a minister has a calling. The unspoken presumption is that only "special" people have been called by God into ministry, folks like pastors and missionaries. The vast majority of Christians, ordinary Christians, if you will, are by implication, the "uncalled." This view of calling misses the plain teaching of Scripture, which reveals that every single Christian has been called by God. Notice how Paul addresses the recipients of 1 Corinthians: "I am writing to God's church in Corinth, to you who have been called by God to be his own holy people." Those who have been called are not some subset of the believers in Corinth, but rather the whole bunch of them. Importantly, Paul uses the exact same Greek word in verse two in reference to the Corinthians being "called by God" as he used in verse one to describe his own apostolic calling (both use a form of kletos). Moreover, the last part of verse 2 explains that God has called everyone who "calls on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ" just as he called the Corinthian Christians. Without a doubt, therefore, every Christian has a calling . . . including you! This does not mean, however, that every Christian should become a pastor of a church. Some are called to this particular ministry; most are not. But all of us are called to be God's people, to serve him as his ministers, doing his work in the church and the world (see Eph. 4:1-16). I live out this calling as an ordained minister, but also as a husband and father, as a church member and a neighbor, as a citizen and a friend. Similarly, you have been called to serve the Lord wherever you are: at work and at home, in your community and in the church. May you live today as one who has a divine calling! -- Mark D. Roberts -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >GOD CAN TURN IT AROUND! When a tragic accident left Will Mitchell with disfiguring burns, he decided to focus on his possibilities, not his problems. Although he'd lost his fingers, he learned to fly an airplane solo. Then one day while flying from Colorado to California, ice caused his plane to crash. Paralyzed from the waist down (and you think you've got problems), Mitchell was understandably depressed about being confined to a wheelchair for life. Then a friend gave him the same advice he'd earlier given to her: "It doesn't matter what happens to you. What matters is what you decide to do about it." So Mitchell adopted the "Triple-A Formula." 1. Accept what has happened. Otherwise you live in denial, or open yourself to resentment and self-pity. 2. Appreciate what you can learn from it. Built into every painful experience is the potential to be wiser, stronger and more effective for God. 3. Adapt to the new opportunities it presents. It was darkness that drove Edison to keep searching until he discovered a source of light (and it can do that for you, too). Since then, Will Mitchell has held public office, found love, and given hundreds of talks. He says, "Before I was paralyzed there were 10,000 things I could do, now there 9,000. Should I focus on 1,000 things I can't do? No, I'd rather concentrate on 9,000 ways in which life is still good." So, whatever we're facing today, it's not too big for God. It can be turned around through "His power that is at work within us." (Ephesians 3:20) as seen in firstIMPRESSIONS -<>- _ _ |-._ - - _ |-._| O (). _ | '(_) __|__ [__|__|_|_] ~~ _|_ _|_ _|_ ~~ ~~~ |__|__|_| __ | | | ~~ ~~~ |_|__|__| HH_|___|___|__.--" ~~~ ~~ /|__|__|_| |__________.-" ~~~~ ~~~ / |_|__|__| ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~~ / |_| |___| ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~ ~~ / jrei >UNDERGROUND WARFARE Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. 1 PETER 3:9 Some couples just don't seem to know any other way to relate to one another than with digs, comebacks and put-downs. But sometimes, that same bitterness of spirit can show itself in less vocal ways, when one or the other spouse stews underneath and passively retaliates. There's more than one way to get back at your spouse. This reminds me of the old story—supposedly true—about some soldiers who were living off base during the Korean War. They hired a local houseboy to do cooking and cleaning and other odd jobs for them, but they also took delight in playing tricks on him— just for meanness. One morning when the boy got up and put on his slippers, he awkwardly fell forward to the ground—his shoes had been nailed to the floor. One night when he crawled into bed, he found shaving cream under his pillow. But no matter what pranks the soldiers pulled—whether short-sheeting his bed or setting buckets of water over his door—he always appeared to respond without much visible anger. "That's okay," he would say. Finally, the young men realized they'd been inhumane in their treatment of the boy. They went to him and apologized. "We're sorry for what we've been doing to you. It won't happen again." "You no more nail shoes to the floor?" No. "You no more short-sheet bed? No more shave cream under pillow?" That's right. A little smile crept across the boy's lips. Then he said, "Okay. Then me no more spit in soup." There are many, many ways to spit in each other's soup in marriage. I am amazed at how quickly my mind can creatively come up with ways to retaliate. The Scriptures tell us that it isn't wrong to be tempted. But it is wrong to "spit in your spouse's soup!" In the spirit of 1 Peter 3:9, find a way to give a blessing instead of an insult. DISCUSS Be honest: When and how have you undercut each other like this? What are your little tricks for getting even? How can you begin to practice "giving a blessing instead"? PRAY Ask the God to help you turn away from hurting your spouse and to help you give your spouse a blessing in the heat of the moment. as seen in Moments Together For Couples -<>- _.-'`'-._ .-' _ '-. `-.__ `\_.-' | `-``\| jgs `-.....-A # # >THE TOUGHEST THINGS There are lessons to be learned and people to teach them. I find that to be true in every part of my life. It is important to note that sometimes we are the student and sometimes we are the teacher. So, how do we know if we are learning or teaching? It all depends on our attitude. For me, I take the attitude of the student. I want to learn. I want to see the world, not as a gigantic classroom, but as a fun, exciting field trip without textbooks, instructions, or rules. This means I learn more from the mistakes I make than the accuracy of the steps I take in the right direction. In my life, the best lessons are learned the hard way. What comes easy to me, I forget. So, here is a list of what would appear to be easy things that require more than we realize: To love a cat/dog is easy, but to be worthy of their love is tough... Our pets love us unconditionally. Which means we hardly need to do anything to get that love. But ask yourself based on the time and attention you give, if you really deserve it? This applies to our relationship with people, too. To teach a child is easy, but to live what we teach... I can remember the old phrase "Do as I say, not as I do!" What you do may be the true lesson your child is learning. Teach by example. To watch a sunset is easy, but to see it as a new beginning... How many times have you said, "I can't wait until this day is over!" When it ends, do you simply brush it off? Linger in anger and stress over it? Adjust your attitude and see the day's end as a new chance to begin again? To see what's wrong is easy, but to make it right... We can't right every wrong in the world, but just pointing out what's wrong won't make the world a better place. What the world needs are people who take action. If you don't have the ability to change it, find someone who does then help them. "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." Martin Luther King Jr. To fall down is easy, but to get up again and again... Sometimes life is unbearable. Failure is not how many times you fall, but the last time you chose not to get up again. To give is easy, but to give when it calls for sacrifice... Even in these tough economic times there are things we can do to help others. It may call for belt tightening, or giving a little extra time to a cause, but sacrifice gives to both the giver and the receiver. To lie is easy, but to tell the truth when you have lied... The greatest enemy in any relationship is the lie. Upon it grows mistrust. Revealing it brings about rebirth and a chance to grow even closer. To be angry is easy, but to forgive... It is said that "forgiveness frees the forgiver." One can let go through forgiveness or be weighed down with the burden of remembering forever. To criticize is easy, but to praise... I have found that there are more things to praise in life than to criticize. It has also helped me to find life more enjoyable. Praise is like oxygen to one who is suffocating under criticism. To pray for help is easy, but to be thankful for the need... Prayer often times becomes a shopping list of needs rather than a thank you note. If you find yourself in a situation that needs some guidance, see it as an opportunity to learn and be grateful for it. That attitude will help you to see the solution more clearly. To try is easy, but to do... I can say "I'll try!" and make very little commitment to do it. But if I say "I'll do it!" my mind and body will respond differently to the challenge. "Do or do not. There is no try." Yoda To begin is easy, but to finish...is tough. "Begin" is an idea. "Finish" becomes a reality. Most people say, "If I only had the money I would..." You don't have a money problem, you have a idea problem. Any plan can begin on paper without costing anything but time and effort. Finish the project, evaluate it and work the plan. Or begin a new one based on what you've learned Life is easier when you make tough choices!!! ~~Bob Perks To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ========================================================== >-->From LaughAndLift: "The deepest problems of the human race are spiritual in nature. They are rooted in man's refusal to seek God's way for his life. The problem is the human heart, which God alone can change." - Billy Graham _ ///-._ ////////-._ /////////////-. ////////////////`. //////////////// .'`. //////////////// . '.'`. '|`'//////////// . .'.::|` : `'/////// . '.':| | . . `'// ' _|- ::| |. .-._ . | . | .':: | |:|:| | ' ' '.::| | |:|:| :. . .'.':| | . |:|:| . | .._.::: : `':| | ' ////-:| |. . | '/////////-._ | . . : .//////////////-._ : : ///////////////////-._ |. |////////////////////////-._ | . . :`'//////////////////////////-._ | . _.-\\\\``'//////////////////////////-._ | /\\\\\\\\..``'//////////////////////////". : . . /. \\\\\\\\\. .``'///////////////////// .'`. : / _ \\\\\\\\\. ``'//////////////// . .'`. | . / (@) \\\\\\\\\. . . ``'/////////// . '.'::|. {`)._ '| _` .\\\\\\\-`:|#| . . ``'////// '. .'.:| `-{_/`| ||::. \\'`.:|:.|#| |#| . ``'/ ' .##:'::: `-| ||||| |`.'::|::|#| |#| |#| . . '| . .|##|'.:| pils | ||||| : .'::|:.'#| |#| |#| |#| | |##|'::| | ||||| .| .'.:|::.'' '#| |#| |#| . : ' |##|'.:| {`\:|||| : .'::|:_.:. . '#| |#| | .|##|'::: `-{_/'|_ |_.-'/}_/'-._ '#| :. |##:'.:| `'{._('}_)-' `-}_}(-._ . . | ' '` .'::| `-' `-.} /-._ . : .'.'_:-'\ `-}_}(-._ | . _.-')_(-' `-/_)`-.:.-{ \{-' `-{_'_)-'' ^ >Honesty With Ourselves & God (By Henry Cloud & John Townsend) Jerry was a member of a support group I was leading. He was cheating on his wife, but he kept saying that he was sorry and that he really didn't want to be an adulterer. He really wanted to obey God; however, as much as he said that, he didn't change. He wanted to believe that he wanted to change without doing the work of change. Tired of hearing how much he wanted to be different, I suggested that he tell God and the group the truth. He really did not want to change, he enjoyed his affairs, and his real wish was that God would take his rules and go somewhere else. Jerry was taken aback, but gradually began to see how true this was. Finally, he told the truth about his lack of love for God and how he really wanted to do his own thing. At first this admission scared him. He was giving up the falsehood of seeing himself as a Christian who cared about holiness. But his honesty felt better to him than all the lies, and something began to happen. In the safety of grace, which was allowing him to see himself as he really was, he began to regret who he was. He began to see the emptiness of his heart. When he owned who he really was from his heart, he did not like himself. He was developing godly sorrow, the kind that leads to repentance, and he began to change. He told his lover that he was not going to see her any more, and he made a new commitment to his wife. This time he meant it. Whereas for years he had been saying yes and acting out no, he finally owned his no to God directly and honestly. Only then was change possible. Until we can own our boundaries with God, we can't ever change them or allow Him to work with them. They are hidden and not communicated. They need to be honestly owned, exposed, and made a part of us. Then, we and God can face the problem. [From "Boundaries: When to Say Yes-When to Say No-To Take Control of Your Life", By Cloud, Henry; Townsend, John, Published by Zondervan (Jan 1, 1999), ISBN: 0310224535, http://isbn.nu/0310224535 ] Note from Chris: I have been reading this book "Boundaries" and must say it has truly been a blessing in my own life as it has helped me to look at myself and why I do some of the things I do, and what can be done about it with God's help! If you're serious about overcoming obstacles and issues in your own life and enhancing the relationships in your life (with God, yourself, spouse, children, co-workers, friends, etc.) this is a book that you may find very helpful. I personally have been working through the workbook as well (you have to order it separately) - which I also have found helpful in forcing me to "dig deeper". If you're interested at all, you can get a used copy of "Boundaries" or the Boundaries Workbook pretty cheap on eBay. Just a tip: There's also a miniature version of the book as well as a "participant's guide" - I have no experience with either - be careful that you double-check that you're not ordering them by mistake as it can be confusing. -<>- "The Lord has always arranged my life so that I have to stay dependent upon Him. I just have to stay dependent because I have severe limitations." - Billy Graham <> || / \ |# | jgs '-....-' >A Golden Bell and a Pomegranate [And what they have to do with us!] (By Steve Brand) "And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod all of blue... And beneath upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round about: A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about." Exodus 28:31, 33-34 What's really important to God? Does He really care about the little details of your life and mine? I wonder if the Jews ever thought that... The answer from Scripture is a resounding, "Yes, God does care!" This was certainly true when it came to His priests. God had given amazingly intricate details for their clothing, even down to what the hem of their robe was to look like. I must confess that I own a lot of pants with worn out, frayed hems. I keep on wearing them because most people don't pay any attention to what the hems of my pants look like. But God was very concerned with the hems on the garments of His earthly priests. It was so important that His Law twice records the details of these hems (Exodus 28; 39): They were to have blue, purple, and scarlet pomegranates hanging beneath them, separated by alternating golden bells. As Scripture says, "A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate..." Everywhere the priest walked, the pomegranates would sway and the bells would ring. If you do not yet know it, I want to tell you that God is very interested in the hem of your garment today as well. Of course, I'm not speaking about the fringe of your clothes, but rather about the daily walk of your life. Garments in Scripture speak so often of our character and walk. Just as the priest's walk was made distinctive by the hem of his garment, so your walk ought to be characterized spiritually by these same things - the pomegranate and the bell. Perhaps I should ask first of all if you know what a pomegranate is... It's not something that most of us eat very often. The pomegranate is a fruit, but there's something very special about it when compared to other fruit. Most fruit have only a few seeds, found in the center; but a pomegranate is full of hundreds and hundreds of seeds all throughout its flesh. The pomegranate on the priest's hem reminds us that the Lord wants our walk to be a fruitful walk - full of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5). But He also wants our walk to be a reproductive walk. Just as the pomegranate is full of seeds, so he desires that our Christlike walk will spread the gospel and cause Christ to be reproduced in the lives of others around us. Did you know that a single pomegranate contains enough seeds to plant an entire orchard of pomegranate trees? What an amazing reproductive ability this plant has, but it is nothing compared to the reproductive power of a single believer whose walk is entirely controlled by the Spirit of God. There were three colors linked with the pomegranates on the priest's hem. The pomegranates were blue. This reminds us that our walk ought to be a heavenly walk. "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:1-2) The pomegranates were purple. This reminds us that our walk ought to be a royal walk. Christ has "made us kings and priests unto God" (Revelation 1:6). We are "rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him" (James 2:5). His desire is that we "would walk worthy of [Him], who hath called [us] unto his kingdom and glory" (1 Thessalonians 2:12). The pomegranates were scarlet. This reminds us that our walk ought to be a redeemed walk. Every step that you take is a step taken by feet which were purchased by the blood of Christ. "What? know ye not that ... ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (1 Corinthians 6:19a, 20). Finally, we notice that there were golden bells between the pomegranates. The walk of the priest was a walk of witness. Every step told all who could hear what he was - one set apart for the service of God. We, too, have been chosen by Him to be holy priests and royal priests (1 Peter 2:5, 9). But is your walk the walk of one who is set apart for His service? Just as the Lord cared about the hem of the priestly garment, so He deeply cares about the walk of each one of His blood-bought priests. His heart's desire is to see that golden bell of witness and that pomegranate of fruitfulness in your steps and mine. May He be pleased with our walk today. 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 ========================================================== _..._ _..._ .' _ '. .' _ './ (a) .-'-. / (e) .-'-. '-,-'` | '-,--'` / ; / ; | _ / |/ .\ _ (_\ __..;__ \ ::\ ,/_)._ _;\;``""----...___...---:"`` .-'_ `'. \ '::.()\__) (\())(`._'- `-._ ,:-" '. '. - : ; '::\--;__ _\()`''----...__ `-._ '-. '._ .' | .:::|()\_) (_/`;-. jgs _ ()`-. `""--...____..-'` ;_ .:::| `. \_) _;/_)/).;()'._ (`\.-();/_).__ .::::/().-./`) (_\`;(()(_/(()/(. __.--;();`\_)()\__) .::()--;__:() '-;---()_;\_/()"-._ (_/ (/ /()';();--._\_::'`.();\_)` ,() (_.-(); \._ ``""(_.();_().(`\.-();__)`(_/ `--.__ (_/ (_/() \_) __/(_/|\();__\_)` \_) ` (_/ \_)`-._); >-->~HE STILL SPEAKS PEACE~ Are you anxious in the midst of life's problems As you wake up, each new day? Do you worry about the past or future, Or ponder problems, that might come your way? There is no reason to fear or falter We have One who knows and understands, He is there, even in the midnight hour, Jesus will calm the storm. He will hold your hand. Jesus still speaks peace to the troubled waters They will not overtake your soul, The Good Shepherd cares for His sheep, Our Lord will lead and guide you, in the safety of His fold. Jesus speaks peace, with the greatest love ever told, He will be there every moment of the day, Worry not about the past or tomorrow, our Lord is in control, The Savior walks with us and hears us as we pray. Rest in Christ. as He will fight your battles He knows all things, from the beginning to the end, Great peace, He will bestow, as onward you go, Look up to the Savior. He is your dearest Friend. - Author Unknown >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->ShangyFunList AD RATES: $20 will get your a message (of up to 40 words) out to all self-subscribed readers and $5 more will give you the same message also put up for all web site readers. Email me to secure dates. Ad Request ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->This is for all you who love food and DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe ********************************************************************** >TO SUBSCRIBE:Visit Here This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR For the Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com **********************************************************************