A Whole Lot Of Love... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* Please Consider Giving To ShangralaFamilyFun.com The cost of the website has gone up dramatically due to the ever increasingly wonderful pages and photos being added each week to entertain you and our fellow Christian families. While the ads on the website do help, I don't want to drag the site down with tons of them to pay for it. I need your help! ! - \ _ /) ( ) ___ \O / ) -\ _ /) / \/|) ) - \O / ) | ./||\ ) ___ ___ ___ ( & )/)\) \___/ | \ [ ][ ] /\ | -\/|\ /|\ |__\ | || | -- | | \ ejm97 " \_/ \_/ /|\ |__\ " "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a Shangrala Angel, please visit the site, scroll down and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL page comes up. (Please be aware that Paypal puts 'Quantity 1' and 'Price per item' or other retail type stuff in. Just ignore the price per item and put whatever it is you desire to donate 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. So sorry for any confusion with this. Just trying to give you an easy and secure online option.) Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS YOU MOST ABUNDANTLY FOR YOUR GIFT! ================ * NOTE: An easy way to adjust the size of print in email or any page is to hold down the Ctrl tab while moving the scroll button on the mouse. You can also use the keyboard to change the font size in your web browser or emails. Hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the + key for larger text or the - key for smaller text! ================ >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This too hot to handle new page comes from our friends LouiseAu, PatDeE, and Linda. The photography is absolutely stunning. Take a little time and see some outstanding photos from around our amazing world! ()._ _.--. (##)_`-. / . ``u (##), ` `. \__) _/ (##),--. \ | --' ()' \ \ / | | | ,' \ _,' / ,' | ,;--// / ___\ |/ ___V__{(_ | ' \| || ,'-===- `,'| __| ,' /| || |""""""""|-L| ,`__. < _)))_))) |________|,' gnv (,' ool Amazing Photos 4 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/amazingphotos4.html --- ...Simply mesmerizing! Thanks my Friends! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: ___ / \ 's true! /'8-8'\ |- _| / ( ._) ) O O ( ( |\ | _ | (_/') \ -'/ \_'===/|\_/|\=== /`-'/. /.\___/.\ \ / // /.\ /.\ ;\_____________ `__''| | | | \ frank behnsen >IN PLAIN SIGHT by Ellie Braun-Haley This short piece you are about to read, really caused me to stop and think. I remember a man in the subway in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who asked me if I wanted him to sing for me and I said yes. His voice was richer than velvet, sweeter than your favorite flavor. It was pure and beautiful. I did not take my eyes off him as he sang, though I knew my family waited. This was like a special concert for me, just for me! When he was done I told him his voice was too beautiful not to share with others. He told me he had been an opera singer, but he had to stop because he was ill and could not be depended on. I wonder if the people of that city realize that a man who works in their subway has the voice of an angel? Here is a true story: In a Washington, DC, Metro Station, on a cold January morning in 2007, a man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After about 3 minutes, a middle-aged man noticed that there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds, and then he hurried on to meet his schedule. About 4 minutes, the violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk. At 6 minutes, a young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again. At 10 minutes, a 3-year old boy stopped, but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head the whole time. This action was repeated by several other children, but every parent forced their children to move on quickly. At 45 minutes, only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32. After 1 hour, he finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed and no one applauded. There was no recognition at all. No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell played to a sold-out theater in Boston where the seats averaged $200 each to sit and listen to him play the same music. This is a true story and was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities. This experiment raised several questions: In a common-place environment, at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? If so, do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context? One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made, how many other things are we missing as we rush through life? -- Ellie Braun-Haley __________________________________________________ Ellie is a long time Heartwarmers contributor, author and motivational speaker. =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseAu :) _ _ / \ _ _ _ / \ | | / \/ \/ \ | | % | |I| || || |=o | % % | | j_jj_jj_j | | % v % V | | ||_________|| | | .:,>@<%% >@<| ; | | | || || | | | | ~*~ | |% *| |:X:| |I| || || | | | |*'|`\|/|| ~@~ * ,||/|`|'|_| |_||_||_| |_|,||,|/ |,||Vv,`|',v`|v hjw >"A Pack of Seeds" (Written by Charles G. Ramsey) I bought myself a pack of seeds, To grace my garden fair, And stuck them in my pocket. For months they waited there. And when the time had come to see The flower's lovely face, I thought it strange that only weeds Were growing in their place. How foolish then, oh Christian man, God's Word, you have indeed. You carry it or hide it But do not plant the seed. No fruit there grows in garden fair, Unless the seed you sow. For you the Word of God must plant, Then God will make it grow. --- ...So True! Thanks LouiseAu! =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Bunni :) _,._ __.' _) <_,)'.-"a\ /' ( \ _.-----..,-' (`"--^ // | (| `; , | \ ;.----/ ,/ ) // / | |\ \ jgs \ \\`\ | |/ / \ \\ \ | |\/ `" `" `"` >Naming the Sheep The following story comes from Julie Helms in Christian Reader, "Lite Fare": My husband and I, with our two daughters, operate a small sheep farm. One day a non-farming friend asked, "How can you bear to slaughter those cute little lambs?" My husband explained, "We don't want to get emotionally attached to the ones we plan to eat, so we don't give them names." Not satisfied, the friend probed, "What about your kids?" Her husband quickly replied, "Oh, we name them!" While very few of us are personally familiar with sheep and shepherds, the relationship between the two is one of the most powerful images in the Bible used to describe the relationship between Christ and his followers. The loving care shown by shepherds to their flock, and the willingness of sheep to utterly depend on what the shepherd can provide offer a glimpse of our personal relationship with the good shepherd. While it may seem to be a small thing, our name plays a significant role in that relationship. "He who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out." (John 10:2-3) "He calls his own sheep by name." Though there are many disciples of Christ around the world, we are not just "one of the masses", not just a number. We are intimately known and loved by the good shepherd. He knows us by name. It tells us not only that he cares about us, but that he plans for his relationship with us to be a lasting one. May the fact that your shepherd knows your name give you comfort this day. Have a great day! Alan Smith --- ...Thanks Bunni! reICareI reICareIC ICareICareICar ICareICareICare reICareICareICareI reICareICareICareIC CareICareICareICareICa reICareICareICareICareI ICarICareICareICareICareI ICareICareICareICareICareI ICarICareICareICareICareICare CareICareICareICareICareICare ICareICareICareICareICareICareI CareICareICareICareICareICareICa ICaICareICareICareICareICareICareI ICareICareICareICareICareICareICar eICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICar ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICar ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareIc eICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICa ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareI reICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICare ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICa reICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareIc ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICare reICareICareICareIICareICareICareICareIca ICareICareICareICareICareICareICarICa reICareICareICareICareICarICare areICareICareICareICareICa ICareICareICareICare areICareICareICa eICareICareI -Grim CareICar reIC eI A Whole Lot Of Love... I was just thinking about the love of God today. I was thinking of all the things that are so awesome about God - His power, goodness, glory, grace, magnificence, generosity, strength, truth, wisdom - to name just a few. I think the most important thing about God is His boundless love for us. I think of all the times I have fallen short of His expectations or of His greatness and yet, He has never given up on me. He has allowed me to walk away from Him but He has never left me. He has always been most loving and patient with me. Which I find astounding because I am aware that I am not His only child. It is estimated that there are well over 2 billion Christians alive in the world today. Yet God often makes me feel like I am at the center of His universe with how He comes to my aide or answers my prayers. His love knows no bounds. He is the epitome of long suffering grace. How else would He be able to continue as the most loving Father of so many thankless children who spend most of their time ignoring Him and when they do talk with Him, they only do so to ask Him for something for themselves. It takes a whole lot of Love to always be there for such children as He is for us. Think about this too. God finally had a Son who always did His will. A Son who loved Him back unconditionally. A Son who would do anything for Him and kept Him in his thoughts day and night. Yet, God had to allow the unthinkable to happen to this one treasured and only begotten child of His. He had to watch and allow His Son to be brutally tortured and murdered in the most horrific of ways. Why? Because God could see into the future and knew this is what had to be so that He could have many more children He would love, who would love Him and be together with Him for all eternity. He loved us so much, He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, for you and for me. Now that takes a whole lot of Love. That's our Father, Our God. ========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: 'x|` '|xx| ` '|x| ` ' |xx| ` ' |x|` |xx| |x| ============|===============|===-- ejm ~~~~~|xx|~~~~~~~~~~~~~|x|~~~ ~~ ~ ~ >Bridge PEOPLE USED TO travel between the UP (Upper Peninsula) and LP (Lower Peninsula) of Michigan by ferry until they built a bridge along the Straits of Mackinac... In 1934, the Michigan Legislature created the Mackinac Straits Bridge Authority to study the feasibility of the bridge and authorized it to sell bonds for the project. Preliminary plans for the bridge featured a three-lane roadway, a railroad crossing on the under deck of the span, and a center-anchorage double- suspension bridge configuration similar to the design of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. From 1939 to 1941, a cause-way of approximately 4,000 feet in length was constructed with concrete road fragments extending from the northern shore. With uncertainty in funding and the initiation of World War II, further building was delayed. In 1950, engineers resumed construction and the state legislature authorized the sale of $85 million in construction bonds on April 30, 1952. David B. Steinman was appointed the design engineer in January 1953, and the American Bridge Division of United States Steel Corporation was awarded a contract of over $44 million to build the steel superstructure. On November 1, 1957, after two-and-a- half years of construction and the loss of five lives, the bridge finally opened to traffic. It was officially dedicated on June 25, 1958. The bridge is approximately five miles long, the third longest in the United States. Forty years after the dedication, the 100-millionth crossing was celebrated. Most of us probably look at the construction of this bridge as a feat of modern engineering. True enough, it is. But behind the construction was the need: the need to connect two cultures and two land masses, to expand and improve economic prosperity by bringing people together. Did the bridge spring up immediately? No. How did it start? With a vision, a picture in the minds of visionaries of what it might resemble and how it might change the lives of all affected by its construction. When it became clear that ferries were too expensive and too inefficient to accomplish the goals of connecting the two sides, the bridge came to the forefront of everyone's mind. The old ways of transportation just were not working. Something new had to be put into place. Was it cheap? No. Was it easy to build? No. Were human lives put in danger? Yes. Was it worth the cost, the hardship, the lives lost, the requirements of years of work and commitment to make this bridge happen? For most people connected with the bridge, the answer was an overwhelming yes. THOUGHT: Like suspension bridges built across bodies of water, it takes time, money and risk for bridges of healing to be built between estranged people. Many may feel that the cost is too high to achieve the bridge. It might cost me time or pride. I might have to say I'm sorry. What if the person to whom I am trying to direct my bridge laughs at me, scorns me or refuses my overture-- or worse yet, just plain ignores me? Jesus said that we must count the cost of discipleship (cf. Luke 14:28). Building bridges that result in restored relationships is probably one of the most important costs of being a disciple of Jesus. Christ taught that reconciled relationships are more important to God than any offering we could bring before Him. Why? Because for God, how we treat others is synonymous with how we treat Him (cf. 1 John 4:20). (H. Norman Wright, Larry Renetzky) KneEmail: "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift" - Matthew 5:23-24. -<>- A blind fish with it's seeing eye dog fish! :) () , O -. )', \'._.,-" c '-,_ o ) _,.c cc =[]L] /." ', c __.` -' \('---' '=.____ '-. O \ 0 , \|\_/) \-, |',T( 66,_ o ) '-" \\.___Y) ) ,-.Y _.G snd /-" /.' >THE EYES THAT SEE By: Joseph J. Mazzella I have a blind friend who lives in New York City. Although we have never met face to face, we still write each other frequently. She is a remarkable lady and has become like a sister to me. Her optimistic and enthusiastic letters always lift my spirits and the inspiring poems she shares with the world always bring a smile to my face. She is all the more amazing due to the fact that she lost her sight halfway through her life. She had to give up her career and relearn to do everything that most of us take for granted. Many would have given up after such a loss but not her. Instead she embarked on a glorious new life full of award winning volunteer work. Her days are full of teaching English to new immigrants, counseling hurting hearts, writing, serving her religious community, and helping others in every way she can. The light of my friend’s example is a beacon that I try to follow as well. Whenever I feel too challenged in my own life I look at the challenges that she has overcome in hers. She may have lost her sight but she never lost her soul. She knows that the eyes that really see are the eyes of the heart, and she does her best everyday to follow the loving vision that they give to her. I am sure too that the eyes of the angels watching over her are always filled with tears of joy and that their faces are always full of shining smiles. I hope then that when you go through your own life you are not distracted by the murky view that this world so often gives you. I hope that you see it for the illusion it is and instead look at life with the clear vision of your heart’s eyes. God wants us to see this world and our lives through the eyes of love. It is only then that our sight will be pure. It is only then that our path will shine brightly before us. It is only then that we will see how we were meant to live and how we can best bring Heaven to Earth. -<>- Flying pans _ ,io> /s~ .,a^ ,-'~~`+\#' .: cOMMOo |. _. :| tWWWMf ;; _ ,'~ `,_~~~~_:' ,io> __,---,_ ; ~~~~ /s~ /~~\ /~ _~'\ ,a^ | `._.' /~~ | ,-'~~`\d#' `\._ | | .: .'~~`.`|. ~: `\.__,-' _. :| : ; ;; _.' ,'~ `,_`--'_:' __,---,_ ; ~~~~ /~~\ /~ _~'\ | `._.' /~~ | `\._ | | ~: `\.__,-' _.' - a:f - >Right Attitudes Change Everything -Waylon B. Moore Nick Herman started his first career in the army and later got a position as a dishwasher. It turned out to be the only job he would keep for many years of his life. Washing dishes for 14 hours a day, the ho-hum of pots and pans, he endured the noise of shouting cooks and being the least important of all the workers. Then Nick made a decision, an attitude change. He chose to bring God into the kitchen! He began to wash dishes as a way to show love for the Lord. Everything changed. Nick said, “We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed… All things are possible to him that believes.” Nick worked 62 years serving others as a lay Carmelite monk in France, and died quietly at age 80. Millions know his spiritual name as Brother Lawrence. His book “The Practice of the Presence of God” is still in bookstores 400 years after his death! Brother Lawrence’s remarkable faith replaced drudgery with delight in the presence of a loving Lord. Waylon B. Moore “Mentoring,” Volume 27, Number 2, December 2008, page 1 -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Our Valuable Anchor! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html Attitude Is Everything! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude.html God's Most Beautiful! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mostbeautiful.html Making A Difference! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/makingdifference.html What Is Love? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wlove1.html Amazing Blind Artist! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/blindartist.html Miracle Baby! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/smellofrain.html God's Paintings! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gpaints.html Love Stories! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lovestories.html Thank You God! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thankgod.html Think Positive! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/positive.html God's Night Lights! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/night.html Just Have Faith! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/faith.html Newsworthy Animals! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/newsanimals.html God's Ice Creations! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gice.html -<>- >Please Visit This Link to Get New Traffic For Shangrala :) Fun Pages http://www.funpageexchange.com/go.php?uid=3559 -<>- >Please Follow Me on StumbleUpon: http://tinyurl.com/zwdgann -<>- >From Our Friend Linda :) THE WINDOW.................COOL https://www.youtube.com/v/pfxB5ut-KTs -<>- >From Our Friend Bunni :) Come see GOD'S discoveries. INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT BIBLICAL STORIES http://users.netconnect.com.au/~leedas/index.html --- ...Sweet info! Thanks Bunni! -<>- >From Our Melody :) 12 Crazy Laws That Only Exist In North Korea - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHzhfg5TiSQ 35 ILLEGAL PHOTOS THAT WERE SECRETLY SMUGGLED OUT OF NORTH KOREA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jE9rgbdidU Joe Black's Web Page http://www.oldjoeblack.0nyx.com/thinktst.htm Harris Poll Online https://join.harrispollonline.com/?sid=be151816-3e6b-4f10-9cff-5a8536db8992 ~*~ What A Savior ~*~ http://www.spiritisup.com/whatasaviorbh.html --- ...Wow! Some interesting links here! Thanks Melody! -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) It has been perhaps the most eventful 100 years in the history of mankind. The world has changed drastically in the last century, and we've known much suffering, along with an unprecedented rise in individual rights, freedom and technology. But when seeing it all in the space of 10 minutes, one cannot help but ask - What's next? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxh-sS8Qoco --- ...Lot's gone on! 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 ========================================================== 8 8 .,,aadd88P=8=Y88bbaa,,. .,ad88888P:a8P:d888b:Y8a:Y88888ba,. ,ad888888P:a8888:a8888888a:8888a:Y888888ba, ,a8888888:d8888888:d888888888b:8888888b:8888888a, ,a88888888:d88888888:d88888888888b:88888888b:88888888a, ,d88888888:d888888888:d8888888888888b:888888888b:88888888b, ,d88888888:d8888888888I:888888888888888:I8888888888b:88888888b, ,d888888888:d88888888888:88888888888888888:88888888888b:888888888b, d8888888888:I888888888888:88888888888888888:888888888888I:8888888888b d8P"' `"Y8:8P"' `"Y8:8P"' 8 `"Y8:8P"' `"Y8:8P"' `"Y8b " " " 8 " " " Normand 8 Veilleux 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 ,8, 888 888 __ Y88b,,,d88P `Y8888888P' `"""""' >The Gotham Gentleman Story Editor: by Rise Keller Joyce Schowalter Colorado, USA In early July of 1976, on a six-week road trip around the northeastern U.S. with my father, stepmother, and little sister, we stayed with my stepmother's relatives in Pennsylvania. I went roller-skating with the kids at their local rink. Someone crashed in front of me, I tripped over them, and my ankle hurt like crazy. The X-ray revealed a broken leg. I got a cast and crutches. The next leg of our trip: New York City. At that time NYC had a rough reputation, and we feared rudeness and difficulty. A friend's mom hosted us at her tidy, bright Brooklyn apartment for three days and nights. "Call me Aunt Mary," she insisted, though she'd never seen us before. Aunt Mary worked in a publishing house and went to work early every morning, leaving us with directions, tips for public transportation and which routes to avoid. We cooked dinners, ate and laughed together in the evenings after she got home. My parents had the brilliant idea that sightseeing in the Big Apple would be far easier if we had a wheelchair. They rented one, and at subway stations, if anyone was around, they always came to help my father maneuver my wheelchair up or down the steps. One of my dreams for our Manhattan visit had been to see Fifth Avenue's shops with my own eyes, and maybe go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. But we had three strikes against us, we learned as we got into the city: The museum was closed on Mondays, most shops and businesses were closed for the Fourth of July holiday, and it was raining. By now we were drenched, so we ducked under the awning of the Gotham Hotel to decide what to do next. A man had emerged from the hotel and was about to get into a cab. He saw us and stopped. "Wait right here!" he said to us. Curious, we waited under the awning, watching the taxis come and go, picking up and dropping off men in raincoats with their briefcases and umbrellas. Two minutes later, he reemerged from the hotel carrying an exotic item: a collapsible umbrella. He showed my father how to operate it, and handed it to him. "For you. Enjoy your visit!" he said, as he hailed a cab. "We can send it back to you...." "No, just keep it!" We thanked the man as he stepped into his taxi and rode off with a wave. We never saw him again, but his elegance and generosity ended any remaining fears that we wouldn't be treated gently in New York City. Even now, every time I see a collapsible umbrella, I think of that glamorous fellow outside the Gotham Hotel who took the time to do a small favor -- that made a big difference to us. I'm reminded how the compassion of people can surprise you, no matter where you are. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Laugh And Lift: ,(()). ,;;;;. __ ________ _____ ___ ((_ _));'_`'_( _| __ __ __ _| _| _| __ __ () \ /)\ ) / (_|__ _|-_| _(_|(_|(_|__ _|-- ((\ O(() \ O / _____(_|(_|_____________(_|_ SSt >Just As I Am (from J. Vernon McGee's commentary on James 2:13) A story is told that took place in London when a great preacher, a very fine young man, by the name of Caesar Milan was invited one evening to a very large and prominent home where a choice musical was to be presented. On the program was a young lady who thrilled the audience with her singing and playing. When she finished, this young preacher threaded his way through the crowd which was gathered around her. When he finally came to her and had her attention, he said, "Young lady, when you were singing, I sat there and thought how tremendously the cause of Christ would be benefited if you would dedicate yourself and your talents to the Lord. But," he added, "you are just as much a sinner as the worst drunkard in the street, or any harlot on Scarlet Street. But I am glad to tell you that the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, will cleanse you from all sin if you will come to Him." In a very haughty manner, she turned her head aside and said to him, "You are very insulting, sir." And she started to walk away. He said, "Lady, I did not mean any offense, but I pray that the Spirit of God will convict you." Well, they all went home, and that night this young woman could not sleep. At two o'clock in the morning she knelt at the side of her bed and took Christ as her Savior. And then she, Charlotte Elliott, sat down and wrote the words of a favorite hymn, "Just As I Am": "Just as I am, without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me, And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come! Just as I am, and waiting not To rid my soul of one dark blot, To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come!" And then the final stanza: "Just as I am - Thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; Because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come!" My friend, may I say to you, that this is the basis on which all of us must come to Christ. -<>- _|\ _/|_, ,((\\``-\\\\_ ,(()) `))\ ,(())) ,_ \ ((())' | \ ))))) >.__ \ (((' / `-. .c| hjw / `-`' >Blind Horse (By Alison Cotter) Just up the road from my home is a field with two horses in it. From a distance, each looks like every other horse. But if one stops the car, or is walking by, one will notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing. Listening, one will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, one will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to her bridle is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her. As one stands and watches these two friends, one sees how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is -- trusting that she will not lead him astray. Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need. Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by God and those whom he places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse, helping others see God. Prayer: Heavenly Father, who watches over even a blind old horse, thank you for watching over us and leading us to You. In Jesus Christ's Name, Amen. SUBSCRIBE INFO Want to receive a Christian inspirational item AND great clean humor in an email to you each day of the week? It's easy and FREE! Read all about Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com ========================================================== >-->From Kidwarmers: >THE FUNNIEST THINGS KIDS SAY ( . ) ) ( ) . ' . ' . ' . ( , ) (. ) ( ', ) .' ) ( . ) , ( , ) ( . ). , ( . ( ) ( , ') .' ( , ) (_,) . ), ) _) _,') (, ) '. ) ,. (' ) jgs^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ One day Rhonda's husband was burning brush to clear their woods. Rhonda overheard the following conversation: Breanna, 4: "See, that's why I like Mommy. She never burns anything in the fire." Christen, 6: "Yes, she does. It's called food!" -- Rhonda Bodeker of Ash Flat, Arkansas Last week Dart picked up Amberlyn, 2, at day care. Since it was nearly dinnertime, Dart said in a sing-songy voice, "Let's go pick your sister up and take her home to eat!" Amberlyn said, "I no eat my sister!" -- Dart in San Diego The other night Dart served her daughters dinner and Waverly, 8, said a prayer to bless the food. She thanked God for the dinner He gave us. Amberlyn interrupted, saying, "No! Mama cooked us this food, not God!" _____ _..--'''@ @'''--.._ .' @_/-//-\/>/>'/ @ '. ( @ /_-->The Stairs (Author Unknown) Oh long and dark the stairs I trod With trembling feet to find my God Gaining foothold bit by bit, Then slipping back and losing it. Never progressing; striving still, With weakening grasp and faltering will, Bleeding to climb to God, while He Serenely smiled, not noting me. Then came a certain time when I Loosened my hold and fell thereby; Down to the lowest step my fall, As if I had not climbed at all. Now when I lay despairing there, Listen...a footfall on the stair; On that same stair where I afraid, Faltered and fell and lay dismayed - And lo, when hope had ceased to be, My God came down the stairs to me >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->This is for all you who love food and DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? 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 ************************************************************************