A Lovely Day And More... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ -=- (\ _ /) ( \( )/ ) ( ) `> <' / \ hjw `-._.-' *~* 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! ================ >-->Hot Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This one is so cute! It comes to us from a forward from our friend Viv. Animals are so adorable and hard to resist - these are even more so! Check them out heere... o oo o o o ___o o o /`._;o o | / o ;_ | `-' jg Tricks For Treats 3 http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/tricksfortreats3.html --- ...I loved this! Thanks Viv! ========================================================= >-->From HeartWarmers: * An Award Winning Heartwarmer * >THE POWER OF SECOND CHANCES by Teri Goggin-Roberts Theodore Johnson, or "Mr. J" was my fifth grade teacher. He was a tall, slender man with a reputation for fun that made students pray to be assigned to his class. Mr. J was significant in my life for many reasons. As an educator, he brought mundane subjects to life with humor and passion. As a person, he taught me the blessing of an unexpected second chance. One Monday morning, the schoolyard buzzed with rumors about a fire in the school over the weekend. When the bell rang I raced inside, excited by the acrid scent of burnt wood that confirmed the rumors. Homeroom hummed with conversation. Mr. J quieted the class and explained that "Home Economics" would be cancelled due to a fire. He also warned us not to go near the room because it could be dangerous. At morning recess, my friend Kim and I cooked up a plan to check out the damage. A first hand observation would make us heroes at lunch. Since Kim was in a different class, we decided to synchronize a time to go to the bathroom and divert to the "Home Ec" room instead. As the appointed time approached, I ignored a growing sense of dread. I didn't want to face the consequences at home if I got caught but I also couldn't "chicken out" and face Kim after school. When the clock ticked into position, I raised my hand and got permission to "go to the lavatory." Kim was already waiting in the hall. Kim and I safely reached the home economics room. We stood on tiptoes peering through the door window trying in vain to see what was forbidden. A firm grip on our shoulders stopped my heart cold. "Where do you belong? Certainly not here!" I whirled around to find a teacher staring angrily at us. I'd seen angry teachers before, but they were always glaring at someone else, not me. In those frozen seconds millions of thoughts flashed through my mind. My father would kill me for defying a teacher. Worse than that, my mom might be so mad she might not stop him. Utter terror froze my tongue but eventually I stuttered, "I belong in Mr. J's class." My spirits sank even lower when I realized my lie to Mr. J would soon be exposed. The arresting teacher led Kim and I back to our classrooms and knocked on the doors. I stood in the hall as my captor spoke with Mr. Johnson who rubbed his chin and arched his eyebrows as he listened. I wanted to melt into the floor. There was nowhere to hide from Mr. Johnson's angry eyes when they darted toward me during parts of the story. I lived with an alcoholic father so anger meant pain and I was already nauseous from the pain in my head. The teacher swished past, leaving my destiny in the hands of Mr. Johnson -- who now hated me. I blinked hard, fighting back tears of self-loathing. Like home, I desperately tried not to let Mr. J see me cry, instead, I braced myself for a barrage of anger. But Mr. Johnson had a different lesson to teach. Slowly, he knelt down on one knee and hunched his lanky body in an attempt to look me in the eye. When I glanced up from my shoes, I was met with a look of concern rather than anger. He spoke softly and carefully as he explained why he was disappointed in my decision to go where I may have gotten hurt. I was stunned that he cared more about my safety than the fact that I'd broken a rule. There was no yelling and no berating. As I looked into the eyes of the man who could send me to unimagined consequences at home, I began to cry. The full weight of disappointing Mr. J crushed my ten-year-old shoulders. I wiped my tears and wished I'd been expelled so I wouldn't have to return to a class full of staring eyes and spend the rest of the year hoping Mr. J would like me again. But the lesson was not complete. Mr. J stood up, indicating it was time to return to class. My heart was heavy with regret as we walked. The load lifted instantly with the gentle touch of Mr. J's hand on my shoulder. I glanced up and he smiled. My love for Mr. J blossomed in the moment I discovered that he still liked me even after I'd disappointed him. Slowly, it sunk in that he didn't raise his voice or threaten me. He didn't do anything but let me feel the impact of my actions. It was the first time I felt the exquisite freedom of forgiveness. Mr. J made no public mention of my crime, nor did he tell my parents. The rest of the day he smiled and acted normally. I saw the world from a fresh angle. At 10 years of age, I couldn't pinpoint what was different, I just knew I felt better about myself. I also knew I'd never disappoint Mr. Johnson again. Looking back, I can clearly see what was different. When I made mistakes at home the recovery from anger took days. But on that day, trust was restored the moment Mr. J smiled. I learned many things that year, but nothing more important than the power of being granted an unexpected second chance. -- Teri Goggin-Roberts ______________________________________________ Teri Goggin-Roberts taught at a men's prison near Philadelphia where she witnessed the power of unexpected chances. She is writing a book about second chances. If you have any examples from your life and want your story to be told by Teri, please feel free to email her. ================================================================= >-->From InspiredBuffalo: .MMM.'''. MMMMMo o| MMMMM - : _: :_| |__ / \__ / | |_ \_.' /) \(_E3___.'| | | |saffy >TWO ARMS NO WAITING By: Joseph J. Mazzella I got to hug my Mom and my Grandma again today. It felt so good that for a moment my heart leapt for joy and my eyes filled with tears. In that second the whole world was full of love and the Earth felt like Heaven. Then it was over, because I awoke from my daydream. You see, my Mom and my Grandma both died years ago. I enjoyed every hug we shared over the years they were alive, but now I see I didn't hug them nearly enough. I don't know why I kept my arms and my heart closed so many times over the years. I don't know why it took me so long to realize that you can't take love or life for granted. If I had it to do over I would have hugged them a dozen times a day, every single day they were with me. If I could have those moments back I would have followed the example of my own son who gives me more hugs everyday than I can count. I would have taken the lead of my son's childhood friend too. She may be confined to a wheelchair but she can still hug your heart out with the squeeze of her hand or lift your spirits with a smile that is brighter than the noonday sun. If I could live those years again I would do so with my arms, my heart, and my soul wide open. Thankfully, God in His love gives us a lifetime to learn from our mistakes. I can't live those years again, but I can live today. I can love today. I can share a hug today. My Mom and Grandma may have left this world, but in my heart and soul my arms will always be around them. ___ ____ ___ ____( \ .-' `-. / )____ (____ \_____ / (O O) \ _____/ ____) (____ `-----( ) )-----' ____) (____ _____________\ .____. /_____________ ____) (______/ Joe Reiss `-.____.-' \______) I hope that you share a few hugs yourself today. I hope that you hang a sign on your heart that says, "two arms, no waiting." I hope that you give your love to all those around you. I hope that you shine a smile to everyone you meet. I hope that you fill your every phone call, letter, or e-mail with "heart hugs" as well. Life is short. Time flies. Our days here are brief. Don't pass up a single chance then to love, to share, to help, and to hug. -<>- >Clear Direction (By David Massey) I am often asked what is the hardest part of my job as a Real Estate Appraiser. With my tongue in cheek, but speaking from actual experience, I will respond, "finding the house." I am well-prepared to find houses. In fact, there are so many maps in my car, that it has become a fire hazard! Even with all my maps, sometimes I still cannot find the house without calling the owner from my car and saying, "I am here. How do I get to where you are?" Most of the time, the problem is that there is no number on the mailbox. True callings from God give us clear directions to follow. God is not going to call us toward what He wants for us, only to leave the "number off the mailbox." The frustration for us comes when God decides to dole out only a portion of the directions. God will say, "you are here; I want you there. When you get there, I will tell you where to go next." Notice how God calls Moses to bring His people out of Egypt. Exodus 3:10 So now I am sending you to the king of Egypt. Go! Bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt! (NCV) Our problem is that like Moses, we want all the directions and details at once. If the complete set of directions is not lain out before us, sometimes we give up hope and lose faith in God. We wonder why God abandoned us, when in fact we have abandoned Him. I would never find some of the houses to appraise if I did not simply call the owner for more directions. When we are feeling lost along the way in our lives, we have a direct line to God, through prayer. Don't forget that God always wants what is best for us. He always wants us to ask Him for directions. I fear arriving in Heaven and hearing God saying, "David, I was waiting to give you the last part of the directions, but you never asked." So, how do we apply this to our lives? How do we know if our direction is from God or from our own desires? Test the call. Get your toes wet. I have had people tell me, "I think God is calling me out of the secular marketplace and into a job with a Christian organization." I will always say, "great, test the waters by doing a little volunteer work in the field. Send out some resumes and seek counsel from others that work in that arena." If you are moving in the direction that God has called you, He will continue to move you in that direction. Where God guides, God will provide. Have a call to make today? Prayer: "Father, You are God. You are in control and in command of me, no matter what comes my way. You, and You only, have clear directions for my life. Help me to be sensitive to those directions. Forgive me for doubting Your wisdom and Your guidance. Show me the way, Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen." Ralph Marston --- ...Reminds me of this one... Directions Home http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/home.html -<>- . . . . . . . .---_--. ,,,_,_;_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_ //! (#) _\ ,,,--___= = = = = = = = =\ // ) `. ,,;====/ ) ___.-/-/-/-/./ \___// ( ( ) ==\ ,,;=''''( _/-\__\_ ( ( ( ( `.___.' `--------' ,,;='' _- || \ \_ \ \ \ \ -- \\ ,,;=='' _- || \__) \ \ \ \ )) ,,;==''' _- / | / ) \\ // ,,,,,,;==''' (_( | | \\/ --<======''' ( ) | | (_) '''''' / / | | ||\\ (_( (_| || \\ \ \ \_\_ )) \\ \_\___ \_\____ '' )) (___\\ (___\\ '' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~MEPH~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >Stop Digging Up Those Bones! Randy Alcorn When I was a boy, I had a golden retriever named Champ. Whenever we gave him a bone, he'd chew it till it was bare, then take off to bury it. But once it was buried, he would never let it lie. Every day, sometimes several times a day, he would make his rounds, going to every buried bone - dozens of them - and digging them up to chew on some more. Then he'd bury them again, only to repeat the process till the day he died. Unlike my dog, God buries our sins and lets them lie: He never digs them up. Like my dog, however, sometimes we dig up old sins, chew on them, confess them again, and bury them-but in a shallow grave whose location we memorize for convenient access. We do this not only to ourselves but others. We piously say, "I forgive you," but dig up old sins to chew on at our pity parties, wave in front of others as gossip, or use as weapons of revenge or tools to barter and manipulate. In doing so, we become obsessed with sin instead of the Savior. We give more credit to its power than to His. Once confessed, sins should be forgotten. We should choose to dwell on them no longer. --Randy Alcorn --- ...Reminds me of this one... Dwelling On The Past http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/dwellingonthepast.html -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment Finalized MTG Minutes http://www.buffaloschips.com/ghjkikl.htm First Day At The Rifle Range http://www.buffaloschips.com/ghjkillo.htm First IT Consultant http://www.buffaloschips.com/gdfde.htm Fishing Boat http://www.buffaloschips.com/gdrese.htm Fitness http://www.buffaloschips.com/gdss.htm Subscribe send a blank email to: the-inspired-buffalo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ============================================================= >-->From CupO'Cheer: ____ /` ))) / `6 6 ) , > \___\ _=/ __/ /__ ===.__/`)__ _|\ \/ ,/ _)_)_\ /./\ ( \ \ \_\ )_,-'`-./_______ _( \======+________ \ //|__ | , ) \ %' `% |____/ /\ \ % ' %' \ /__/\ \/,\ % -o- % \ )/ \_ ) \ % ' % ,'/ ,' ,\ \ b'ger % % / /\_'__,' '-` % % \/( o ) ``` >WHAT IS YOUR EXCUSE? Months ago MountainWings ran an issue called "Nick" that was linked to a video on YouTube. I didn't find out until readers began emailing early in the morning that the video had been removed. It was suggested that the video was removed because it contained a popular song and that it was a copyright issue with the song that caused the removal. The video was about a man named Nick born with no arms and one small leg. Coincidentally, (or was it coincidence?) we had a man attend our church men's meeting who also had no arms and one leg. His name was Charlie Reese. He was involved in a catastrophic work accident. His testimony at the meeting was so powerful that I asked him to come back next week for the main Sunday service and speak to the congregation. I spoke briefly for a few minutes from the subject "What Is Your Excuse?" then I asked for Charlie to come and speak. He stayed out of the sanctuary until it was time for him to speak so when he entered it was the first time the congrega- tion saw him. He rolled his wheelchair to the pulpit and then got out and hopped on one leg up the steps to the pulpit. The ushers then carried his wheelchair up to the pulpit. Charlie's words mesmerized the crowd but just seeing him holding the mic with hands of metal claws was a message all in itself. If you think that you have a good excuse for not doing what you know you should do... listen to Charlie's story. http://www.theonlineword.com/mp3/5414.mp3 ~A MountainWings Original~ --- ...Reminds me of these ... Just Have Faith http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/faith.html Attitude Is Everything http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude.html Believe In Your Dreams http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/dream.html Woman - Darkest Before Dawn http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/womandbd.html The Synchronized Life http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/synchronized.html -<>- ,-`"-=') =/////// ,== _,_(((((-`6\ ==.| /,,...\\\C _| .--. ((((\\\\\` _, /;_| )9 )))))./ `. / } _\,_ ,-'))) \ / /=-. ,-./ \/ '))) . /\_/ / \ (,-.%\ / /-' ') \/\ / ( \ (/ \ ' /( ' `-/ \( \ ,- / ( `-' \ . / / \ \ &_) /\ \ | ( /--.- \ \----,------=;% | _/ _); `. ` `-. .`\ ) +++/ \ ,," %&-. ; \\| `-` `-=.;_,.__.__\_,/ )_/___+_/_________\,"(_//_(__)______:-._) gpyy >THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF PARENTING TEENAGERS By Joanne Kimes and R.J. Colleary with Rebecca Rutledge, PhD, As we all know and regret deeply, kids aren't born with instruction manuals informing us of the intricacies of how they work. As parents, our only option is to learn as we go. When our kids were babies, we learned to nap when they napped, to put valuables up on the high shelves, and that m&ms make excellent bribing tools when potty training. But now that your baby is no longer a baby (although he still may act that way from time to time), there is a whole new set of instructions to learn. What We Like.... Parenting a teenager is a fulltime job, because being a teenager is also a fulltime job. Sure, they may busy themselves with school, sports, and text-messaging, but their true raison-d'etre is to perpetuate their teenager-ness 24/7. Which means while you are slacking off doing things like breathing and living, your teenagers are doing things like plotting and scheming. (They will throw in some sleeping as well, what with being teenagers and all.) Because their lives are all about them, and yours is all about working, cooking, cleaning, paying the taxes, and still finding time for Dancing With The Stars, they have the upper hand. Were you ever a lifeguard? Me neither. As Woody Allen once said, I don't tan; I stroke. But as any lifeguard will tell you, the biggest threat to their personal safety is not a riptide or a shark. It's a swimmer in trouble. Yes, the very person they are dedicated to help will, in their own panic and hysteria, threaten to destroy them both. Sound familiar? That's because you're the parent of a teenager. When babies, your children caused you to become sleep deprived, overwhelmed, and drink excessively. Now that they're older, they still cause you to become sleep deprived, overwhelmed, and drink excessively. As you've heard, the more things change, the more they stay the same, and that holds true for parenting as well. So how do you survive? How do you get through each day with the constant screaming, crying and demands (I'm talking about from your teens, not your babies). You follow the rules of course. For as lost as you may feel parenting your teens, there are some guidelines to follow to help you keep your sanity. Or, what's left of your sanity after parenting for so many years. Therefore, to help you deal with your troublesome teen, keep the following rules in mind: >The Ten Commandments Of Parenting Teenagers 1. You are always right. And if you're not always right, it's because your parents messed you up when you were a kid 2. Praise in public, criticize in private. Most people do the opposite. Don't be like most people. 3. Yes, you do have to tell them a thousand times. Stop counting and get over it. Now tell them again. 4. Your teens are smarter than you think, and stronger than you realize. So don't go acting all superior just because you have wrinkles and credit cards. 5. Remember they are growing up a lot faster than you did. Advantage, you. Growing up fast is way overrated. 6. When they really screw up is when they need you most. If your parents comforted you in those situations, remember how good it felt? And if they didn't, remember how much worse it made you feel? 7. Their defeats are 50% yours, but their victories are 100% theirs. Not exactly sure what that means, it showed up in a fortune cookie. But it feels true. 8. Remind yourself, they won't be teenagers forever. Someday you will look back on these years and laugh. Definitely. Probably. Maybe. 9. Love them enough to let them hate you. Don't be their friend. Be their parent. Friends come and go. You're all-in. 10. Whatever doesn't kill you, makes you bleed internally. 11. (Bonus Commandment) You can do this. If you keep these commandments in mind, you'll be much better equipped to tread through the dangerous road of teenhood. These rules will enable you to survive the tough times filled with defiance, rebellion, and constant eye-rolling. Like anything else from working a remote control to getting through airport security, familiarizing yourself with the rules will makes things run much smoother (although I still manage to carry-on some forbidden article like one too many ounces of liquid, that sends me straight to the frisking area). Print out this list of commandments and keep it close. Stick it on the fridge for battles at home. Keep it in your wallet to for troubles on-the-go. And remember, if you can manage to get through this difficult stage of raising teenagers, in a few years when they move out, you'll be rewarded with a lovely spare bedroom to convert into your dream room! Copyright © 2009 Joanne Kimes and R.J. Colleary with Rebecca Rutledge, PhD, authors of Teenagers Suck: What to do when missed curfews, texting, and "Mom can I have the keys?" make you miserable Author Bios for Teenagers Suck: What to do when missed curfews, texting, and "Mom can I have the keys?" make you miserable Joanne Kimes has written for a number of children's and comedy television shows. This is her eleventh Sucks book. She lives in Studio City, CA. For more information please visit http://sucksandthecity.com/ R.J. Colleary attended Emerson College and moved to L.A. to become a writer for shows such as Saved by the Bell, The Golden Girls, and Benson. He teaches writing to graduate students at Chapman University and works steadily as a playwright. He has survived two teenagers and is currently surviving one more at home in Sherman Oaks, CA. Rebecca Rutledge, PhD is a clinical psychologist who specializes in family therapy and individual therapy for children and adolescents. She writes columns for Your Health, Memphis Women's Journal, and the Shelby Sun Times, and lives in Memphis, TN. --- ...Reminds me of this one... Rules For Raising Children http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/rulesforchildren.html -<>- Compiled by: Kimberly B. Quiggle. Available Free by E-mail every other day. To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ============================================================ >-->[POLITICS}From Liberty Counsel: _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ >Miracles Do Happen. Pray For a Liberal! While the Pelosi-Reid Congress and a cadre of socialist czars do President Obama's bidding, it's becoming increasingly clear that his vision of change is, in reality, radically redefining and reshaping our Nation's core values. And as you and I know all too well, Congress and the liberal media consider it "open season" on liberty-loving believers who dare to speak out against the President's radical march to the left! Many God-fearing patriots are wondering, "What can I do to get my Nation off this path to certain destruction?" God's Word has the time-proven answer... we must pray to restore poor leaders to right thinking. ++ Powerful, Prayerful Intervention to Change Liberal Thinking! Building upon St. Paul's admonition to pray for our national leaders, we are calling on believers nationwide to "adopt" and pray for liberals in influential positions in the belief that God will hear our prayers and profoundly change their lives nd worldviews! Click here for more information: http://www.libertyaction.org/r.asp?u=22024&RID=22279143 Already, citizens from around the Nation are joining our Adopt a Liberal (TM) program - committing to pray daily for liberal political and cultural leaders. ++Barney Frank and others may scoff... Some liberals, such as Barney Frank, have expressed amusement about our prayer initiative - saying it shouldn't be used as a partisan weapon. When he learned that he was a subject of our prayer, Frank responded, "They didn't bother to tell me. Maybe they thought I would find out by revelation." We certainly hope so! In fact, we expect many liberals to get a revelation of His power and mercy, eventually "graduating" from our program with vivid testimonies of God having changed their lives and worldviews! Paul & Elrhea, we realize that it is easy to pray for those with whom we agree... and sometimes difficult to pray for those with whom we disagree. But the truth is such prayer is desperately needed! We are serious about this prayerful effort to right the direction of our Nation and its leaders. Will you take a moment right now to let us know we can count on you to Adopt a Liberal - or many liberals - and pray for them earnestly every day? Please let us know by clicking here: http://www.libertyaction.org/r.asp?u=22024&RID=22279143 ++You'll want to display your free bumper sticker As a way of saying thanks, we'll send you our exclusive "Have You Prayed for a Liberal Today?" bumper sticker. It is a high-quality, full-size vinyl product that will stand up to the weather for years. Boldly display it to draw others into prayer with you! Your bumper sticker is absolutely free, but we know many of our friends will want to help cover the cost of this program by sending a gift to Liberty Counsel. You can get your free bumper sticker by going here: http://www.libertyaction.org/r.asp?u=22024&RID=22279143 With the help of thousands of friends like you, we believe our Adopt a Liberal prayer initiative can stir our Nation to its roots, bringing about swift and sweeping change. Not the kind of change a politician offers, but God-directed change that will restore our Nation to greatness! Thank you for standing with me, and may God bless you! Mathew D. Staver, Founder and Chairman Liberty Counsel P.S: You can listen to a very interesting National Public Radio (NPR) piece about our Adopt a Liberal program by clicking on the link below. After adopting your liberal or liberals, please alert your friends, encouraging them to join you by clicking here: http://www.libertyaction.org/r.asp?u=22024&RID=22279143 Again, God bless you! --- ...We Need to Get Our Country Back to what the Founding Fathers had in mind way back when. Here is a little of their thoughts on the matter of our Liberty and our Christianity... ( (_) ### (#c _\|/_ #\ wWWWw \ \-. (/. .\) /\ /`\/\ /\ F R E E D O M |\/ \_) (_| `\.' ; ; ;`\ OF `\; ; . ;/\ `\; ; ;| \ R E L I G I O N ; .' ' ; / |_.' ; | /) ( ''._;'` | ' . ; |.-' .:) | | ( .' : | |,- .:: | | ,-' .;| jgs_/___,_.:_\_ [I_I_I_I_I_I_] | __________ | | || | | || | _| ||_|__|_|| |_ /=--------------=\ / \ | | >From WallBuilders: A Few Declarations of Founding Fathers and Early Statesmen on Jesus, Christianity, and the Bible (This list is by no means exhaustive; many other Founders could be included, and even with those who appear below, additional quotes could have been used.) John Adams SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; JUDGE; DIPLOMAT; ONE OF TWO SIGNERS OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS; SECOND PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.1 The Holy Ghost carries on the whole Christian system in this earth. Not a baptism, not a marriage, not a sacrament can be administered but by the Holy Ghost. . . . There is no authority, civil or religious – there can be no legitimate government but what is administered by this Holy Ghost. There can be no salvation without it. All without it is rebellion and perdition, or in more orthodox words damnation.2 Without religion, this world would be something not fit to be mentioned in polite company: I mean hell.3 The Christian religion is, above all the religions that ever prevailed or existed in ancient or modern times, the religion of wisdom, virtue, equity and humanity.4 Suppose a nation in some distant region should take the Bible for their only law book and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited. . . . What a Eutopia – what a Paradise would this region be!5 I have examined all religions, and the result is that the Bible is the best book in the world.6 John Quincy Adams SIXTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES; DIPLOMAT; SECRETARY OF STATE; U. S. SENATOR; U. S. REPRESENTATIVE; “OLD MAN ELOQUENT”; “HELL-HOUND OF ABOLITION” My hopes of a future life are all founded upon the Gospel of Christ and I cannot cavil or quibble away [evade or object to]. . . . the whole tenor of His conduct by which He sometimes positively asserted and at others countenances [permits] His disciples in asserting that He was God.7 The hope of a Christian is inseparable from his faith. Whoever believes in the Divine inspiration of the Holy Scriptures must hope that the religion of Jesus shall prevail throughout the earth. Never since the foundation of the world have the prospects of mankind been more encouraging to that hope than they appear to be at the present time. And may the associated distribution of the Bible proceed and prosper till the Lord shall have made “bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God” [Isaiah 52:10].8 In the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior. The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity.9 Samuel Adams SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; “FATHER OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION”; RATIFIER OF THE U. S. CONSTITUTION; GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS I . . . [rely] upon the merits of Jesus Christ for a pardon of all my sins.10 The name of the Lord (says the Scripture) is a strong tower; thither the righteous flee and are safe [Proverbs 18:10]. Let us secure His favor and He will lead us through the journey of this life and at length receive us to a better.11 I conceive we cannot better express ourselves than by humbly supplicating the Supreme Ruler of the world . . . that the confusions that are and have been among the nations may be overruled by the promoting and speedily bringing in the holy and happy period when the kingdoms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ may be everywhere established, and the people willingly bow to the scepter of Him who is the Prince of Peace.12 He also called on the State of Massachusetts to pray that . . . * the peaceful and glorious reign of our Divine Redeemer may be known and enjoyed throughout the whole family of mankind.13 * we may with one heart and voice humbly implore His gracious and free pardon through Jesus Christ, supplicating His Divine aid . . . [and] above all to cause the religion of Jesus Christ, in its true spirit, to spread far and wide till the whole earth shall be filled with His glory.14 * with true contrition of heart to confess their sins to God and implore forgiveness through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior.15 Read More Here: http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=8755 --- ...Let Us INDEED PRAY For Our Leaders like Our Lord prayed ... that God's Will Be Done on earth as it is in heaven... Please Pray With Me: Dear God I ask you please that all thoughts, plans and actions around the united States and the world that are against your sweet Will be foiled and utterly destroyed. Likewise all thoughts, plans, and actions around the United States and the world that are according to your Will please promote, bless and prosper them. According to your will be done, always, in the name of Jesus Christ, on earth as it is in heaven. Thank you Father for all that you do for all your children alive in the flesh and for all those I hold dear to my heart. You are the best and I love you. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. ============================================================= __ ( y--. .=-. \_\/_,' / | --("))))))= __|__ | / < > > `\ .=-. .-' `-:._.-. | | / \' / | .\_. | | | ,- `(\|.--. .' \ . / \ / `'| ),' `-\_/ |` ` (\ `-'| / \ ' ; .' \ , /\ .' \ '`-.___.-> \ .> \ /\\ `---'| `. -' || `-..-' hjw .=`-....___ || / _.-`--=._ `----.___// \.' _.-'-.`-. `----' '\ ;' \ ; _.'`-. .' / ___ ' _.-'`. / / ,' , `-._ _.-| / /.--\ \ `._ __.---' `./ | \' \ `. `._.-' `. ``. | | `. d8oooo._\_ `. \ /\ / 988888888b. `. \ /::`-.__.'\ 688888888888b : | ___ |::::::::::\ "d8b""888888, ; |`-. .' _`. |::::::::::::. 8888888 | `. / .::::\ |::::::::::::::. /888888' / / /:::::| \:::::::::::::::.._ .' d88888 ___ .' | |:::::| `:::::::::::::::::"--.' `88888`. .-' _`._ |:::::| `::::::::::::::::-' d8889 `/ ,.::.\`-.__ |:::::/ `::::::::::;'`-._ `"' / /:::::| `-. \:::;' ``''''' `-._ /::::::| `-`"' `-._ |:::::::/ `-._ |::::::/ `. \:::;' `--`"' >-->It's Up to Me I get discouraged now and then When there are clouds of gray, Until I think about the things That happened yesterday. I do not mean the day before, Or those of months ago. but all the yesterdays in which I had the chance to grow. I think of opportunities That I allowed to die And those I took advantage of Before they passed me by. And I remember that the past Presented quite a plight. But somehow I endured it and The future seemed all right. And I remind myself that I Am capable and free. And my success and happiness Are really up to me --Author Unknown --- ...Reminds Me Of This... Never Give Up! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/nevergiveup.html ============================================================= >Then An Angel Appeared Story Editor: by Linda Conklin Joyce Schowalter California, USA I was driving. It was midnight. I was lost. Suddenly I heard a load noise and I was blind. Everything was white. An hour, or maybe a minute later I reached out and touched white and it resisted, then quickly became soft like a cloud. It folded and dropped. The air smelled burnt. Understanding dawned: airbag smoke. An accident? I lowered the automatic windows to let smoke out and warm air in. I thought, "Don't be afraid." Then an angel appeared, next to my window. She was dressed in white, with a white scarf across her throat and down her back, rather like folded wings. She spoke in a soft voice. "Are you OK?" Yes. "Are you drunk?" No. "High?" No. "Can you drive?" Yes. "You must leave now." What?! -- I'm lost. "Listen you must roll up your windows. Can you do that?" Confused, I fumbled for controls in the unfamiliar rental car, noticing young men gathering around the passenger side. Though thinking rolling up the window might appear rude to them, I did as I was told. I was no longer a professional woman in control of her life. I was a middle-aged woman-child in a strange city at night in a scary situation. I was vulnerable; at the mercy of strangers. "Your back window is down. Roll it up!" she commanded. She raised her voice, "Nothing for you to see. Everyone's all right. I'm handling this." She asked where I was going; I gave the hotel's name. She turned to a shadow who looked like he wanted to escape. "He'll give you directions". From the other side came, "Hey lady, I can tell you how to get there." She said, "Don't listen to them." To them, she said "I'm taking care of her, you don't need to hang around. There's nothing to see." Her escort nervously gave me directions. She made me repeat them. Then, "If you can drive, go! Now!" I thanked her and went! Finally in my hotel room, I began to shake. Was I really in danger? She and her companion believed so. She put herself at risk to help me, a stranger. And by confronting the young men, made herself the focus of attention instead of me. How easy it would have been for her to look the other way, watch from the sidewalk or call 911, tell herself she'd done her part and walk away. What courage it to confront the men she obviously regarded as dangerous. I think of her as an angel. That thought struck me when I saw her next to me in her white dress. But I know she's more than an angel, she's an extraordinary woman of courage, who put herself in danger for a complete stranger. I often wonder if I can measure up to the standard she has set, if I' called upon to be an angel for someone else. I can only hope that the memory of her courage will be enough. =======HeroicStories======= _ .--,-"" ""-. ( ) j- __. | | ' -'| |`--._____,+-. .';`--.___.' `. .' / _ | / ,-' _.-'o;__\ ( .' o.-' \)`. `j--..___.' ' / ) (/ _ `-._ `-/`--' ,----. (.' `--. `. `-._.'`._,--->"Simply The Best" A trip to the bookstore with my granddaughter is always a big production. She peruses the aisles for hours, touching the books, running her hands over the covers, picking them up, putting them back, looking at a few pages here and looking at a few pages there. I never realized the full importance my five-year-old GrandAngel placed on these excursions, until the day I suggested she pick the book she liked best, so we could get on home for dinner. Her response was remarkable. "But Grammy, I like them all the best. All the covers are bee-yoo-tiful and all the pictures are bee-yoo-tiful AND they're all different. Just like people. Remember when you told me about people?" I most certainly remembered when I 'told her about people'. I had explained that we are all beautiful in our own different way. Each of us has a story to tell and no two stories are the same. We learn by sharing our stories and listening to the stories of others. Difference is the thing that makes each and every one of us special. I had no idea she'd equated the lesson with books. What a wondrous revelation! A good head and shoulders taller than the bookshelves in the children's section of the store, I looked out over the sea of multi-shaped, multi-weighted, multi-colored books, with their multitude of content, and the accuracy of the equation shot straight through me. It was perfect. No one book was better than any other book. They were equally beautiful and equally special. With dinner still waiting and our stomachs beginning to growl, decision time was finally at hand. But how to choose? I hit on the right question when I asked, "Which book wants to go home the most with you today?" After a short moment of deliberation, her eyes lit up. She ran to a specific book and removed it from its place on the shelf. The deciding factor was the picture on the cover, a turtle with sad eyes. "We need to find out why the turtle's eyes are sad." Later, snuggled deep in the covers of her bed, that's exactly what we did. © 2000 Terri McPherson Windsor, Ontario, Canada tmcphers@mnsi.net --- ...Reminds me of this... Choose His Children http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/choosehischildren.html ============================================================== .---. |_X_| ___ [_____] / _ \ // \\ | / \ | | " | || " || __\___/__ __\\_//__ /\_______/\ / | U | \/ _ : _ \ ( (|___|) )/ \ : / \ \ \_ / \ _/ \ /=====\ / / /| |\ './___:___\.' ; | | ; | | | | | | | | | | | \_____/ | |--|--| '._______.' |LI|LI| jgs \/ \/ \_/ \_/ >-->Thanks? For What? By Bob Perks Bob@BobPerks.com () It's not an easy task to find yourself heading into the holidays when there's little joy in your life. It had been a bad year. One that would be remembered for the loss of two loved ones. A year that saw financial despair and job loss. Then there were the health issues. Not everyday concerns but life threatening attacks. Nothing, but nothing went right. Still, the family gathered as always for the Thanksgiving Day feast. They came from all around the country to share once more in what was always a beautiful family tradition. The setting was the same as always at Grandma's house. Aunt Ester would bring her famous sweet potatoes. Uncle Joe would play the piano in the great room. Mom would set the table while Dad...well Dad would watch football. Aunts and Uncles, brothers and sisters would hug that warm loving embrace that says it's been much too long. Or would they? "It's really not the same without her here," someone said. Uncle Peter pretended not to hear it and continued on with an almost believable smile on his face. "Do you remember when George would tell that funny story about his first Thanksgiving turkey?" "It was really not that funny, but to hear George tell it. You laughed because of him!" There was an uneasy silence in the room. "Time for dinner!" Grandma announced. One by one each of them took their place at the table. There was an awkward moment when they discovered the two empty seats where they always sat. "Maybe it's time for Sissy and Jack to move up to the big table." Someone said. "Yes, come sit here next to me," Uncle Peter motioned. "I could use some company right now." "Okay, everyone bow your heads for Grace," Grandma told them. "Lord, we are gathered here once again in thanks for all your blessings. We are grateful to you for the bounty of this feast and for the family we share it with. Amen." It was now the tradition of this family to take the time to share one thing they were each thankful for from the past year. "Who would like to go first?" Grandma asked. There was silence. An uncomfortable moment that most everyone dreaded this year. "Come, now. Who will start?" Jack, now the youngest one there at the grown up table rose to his feet and tried to slip away. Jack had lost his mother just a few weeks earlier after a long struggle with cancer. "Jack, you have not asked to be excused," Grandma said sharply. "Perhaps you would like to begin?" Oh, this was a tough moment. Grandma deserved the respect of a young man, but stirred in him a fire that only youth enjoy. "Thanks? For what?" he said sharply. "Thanks for taking my mom? Thanks for Uncle Dan losing his job and having to sell his house? Thanks for the cancer that has taken all too many lives?" he said with anger in his voice. "Thanks for what?" Most of the adults sat quietly with their heads lowered. Some struggled to hold back tears. It was a difficult time and no one there went unaffected by the loss and tragedies of this past year. Then suddenly a small voice could be heard. "Thanks for the love." Heads raised slowly. Looking around the room to see who had spoken, you could hear the rattle of the dishes and the scraping of the chairs against the floor as some repositioned themselves to get a better look. "Who said that?" Grandma said softly. Nervously the young child raised his hand and could barely be seen in the far corner of the room. It was the children's table, occupied this year by only two. The others had been promoted to fill the vacancies at the adult table. "Jacob, please stand up," Grandma urged. "Tell us again. What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?" "I am thankful for the love. You can lose a job. God can call all of us home. What will always remain is the love. The love. I'm thankful for the love." The stillness in the room was unsettling. "I'm thankful for you Jacob," someone said. "Well, I'm thankful for...ever having your mom in my life. Even if only for such a brief time," Jack's father said. "I'm thankful for the memories," someone else added. "I'm thankful for the chance to start over with a new career," Uncle Dan said. "I'm thankful for cranberry sauce!" the little child yelled out. Everyone was laughing. Jack returned to his seat as he listened to the others announce what they were thankful for. "My golf score!" "My new dress." "My trip to the Grand Canyon last summer with our neighbors. It was awesome!" Finally it went full circle right back to Jack. There was a sudden hush in the room as everyone waited to see if he would join in. Then looking up, with tears in his eyes Frank said, "Thanks for being my Mom!" Family rushed to his side and surrounding him they hugged, kissed and held his hands. "Let's eat!" Grandma said. The young man in the corner whispered, "See, God? Thanks for the love." May this holiday season bathe you in His Love. I am thankful for yours! "I believe in you!" Bob Perks Bob@BobPerks.com () copyright 2004 Bob Perks I encourage you to share my stories with your friends but, when copying I ask that you keep my name and contact information attached so that new readers can find their way here. Use of this story for commercial use is prohibited without direct permission from the author. --- ...Be Ye Thankful: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/beyethankful.html ============================================================= >-->A Lovely Day To Praise The Lord __ __ .' `...' `. __| | |__ .' \ . / `. | ./###\. | >---- |#####| ----< | `\###/' | `.__ / . \ __.' /| | | / `.___.^.___.' | By Helen Gleason – 1999 | \ \ )\ `. /' | \ /' ) \ /' /' \ /' /' \( /' ) /' | /' |( axiac || It's a lovely day to praise the Lord For a day that's fresh and new, That's filled with nature's beauty, Created just for you. It's a lovely day to look, to see, The flowers, the trees, the birds, The music of their voices rings, None sweeter can be heard. It's a lovely day to thank the Lord, As all around we see The vastness of blue skies above, and feel the summer breeze. It's a lovely day to think of how He cares for us each day. As we journey in this life, He's there to lead the way. Helen Gleason – 1999 >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? 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 ************************************************************************