Agape' Love ... :) Shangy! >-->We are heading toward LOVE DAY - Valentines Day :) _ _ ( \/ ) .---. \ / .-"-. / 6_6 \/ / 4 4 \ \_ (__\ \_ v _/ // \\ // \\ (( )) (( )) =======""===""========""===""======= jgs ||| ||| | | The Bible says God Is Love and because of this we need to know... >What is Love? By John A. Lynn [The following article was written by John A. Lynn and taken from The Contender, a bimonthly magazine published by Christian Educational Services.] Hello there, dear contender in the human race. May the blessings of God be upon you as you continue to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. What a walk this is, huh? Lately, as I have struggled to suppress the “self-full-ness” (I just made up that word) wedged within me, so that I can love with the pure love of Christ, I have found myself having more empathy with others engaged in the same challenge. I have seen how self-oriented my “love” too often is, and it absolutely disgusts me. So I thought I’d discuss this subject in my column in this issue of The Contender, and I hope that you can relate to what I share and also benefit from it. “What is love?” That’s a question that has no doubt been asked countless times, and no doubt been answered in countless ways, such as: “A many-splendored thing”; “Five feet of heaven in a ponytail”; “Giving”; “Rosie” (or whatever woman’s name may be tattooed on your arm). But, of course, since God is love, we should allow Him to define this term for us, and He certainly does so in His Word. The Greek word agape, unknown to writers outside the New Testament, is a familiar one to most Bible readers, and I like E.W. Bullinger’s lexical definition of it: “Agape denotes the love that springs from admiration and veneration, and which chooses its object with decision of will and devotes a self-denying and compassionate devotion to it.” Gosh, I want to love that way. Keys to doing so? Keep putting on the mind of Christ, so that I see each person as he does. Keep reaching out to others. Keep adjusting my heart and actions when I see that others are not getting the love I think I’m giving. No self pity! No whining! 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 has been quoted, carved, decoupaged, needlepointed and calligraphied. What I really want to do is live it. Here it is from The Message: Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, Doesn’t have a swelled head, Doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always “me first,” Doesn’t fly off the handle, Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, Doesn’t revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end. >Please Visit Here for the rest of this great teaching: http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=737 What is LOVE ========================================================================= >-->From HeartWarmers: "CHANGING" WITH KINDNESS by Michael Segal She was one of my second grade teachers. She taught me math, but at that time, I thought she was teaching me everything I would need to know about life itself. Yes, Mrs. Pillar was a great teacher. However, I will always remain indebted to her for what she did for me more than a decade later. As a sophomore in college, I was involved in a near fatal "accident" when I walked into a robbery at a convenience store. One of the thieves shot me in the head -- pumping a bullet into my brain. The thieves, as well as most people, thought that I was dead. Obviously, they were wrong. However, it was a severe and difficult battle getting back into the mainstream of life. I had to drop out of college to be hospitalized. Even after I was discharged from the hospital, I endured many hours of intensive therapy. I had to re-learn practically everything, including walking, talking, and yes, even math. To help me with that task, Mrs. Pillar volunteered to come to the hospital and later to my house once a week, to work with me. At first, the material that she presented appeared, to most people, to be very basic math skills. Then, as time progressed, and I made progress, my "homework" became progressively more difficult. I remember very vividly how she would come to my home on Sundays, sit with me at the kitchen table, and throw various coins on the table. She would ask me to show her 38 cents, 17 cents, 63 cents. It was challenging, but she also made it fun. After eighteen months had passed, I had progressed sufficiently, both physically and mentally, to return to college. Once there, I continued therapy regularly, but I was enrolled in college. I was back at the University of Texas. Four years after I returned to college I graduated from the University at the top of my class. Following that, I went on to graduate School. As the years went by, I always kept in touch with Mrs. Pillar. Unfortunately, one day my parents informed me that Mrs. Pillar had been hospitalized because she had suffered a stroke after having undergone open-heart surgery. Now it was my turn to help her. When I walked into the ICU at the hospital, Mrs. Pillar was in a hospital bed and could not speak. I thought that the situation was extremely ironic. Nothing had changed except for who was in the bed and who was standing beside it. I told Mrs. Pillar that I would be back and that I would work with her just as she had worked with me years earlier. As the days went by, I saw Mrs. Pillar progress each time I would visit her. One day, when I was visiting her, I pulled some coins out of my pocket, dropped them on her bed, and asked her to show me 12 cents. The nurse thought that my action was extremely strange until Mrs. Pillar smiled briefly as I began working with her -- just as she had worked with me years before. I would point to the dimes and the pennies and she would put them together when I would ask her to give me the proper amount of money. Mrs. Pillar was eventually transferred from the ICU to a private room and then to a Rehab room. As she moved from room to room, there was no doubt in my mind that she was improving. When I would visit her I would always ask her to tell me something good. At first, her family, who would generally be standing around her bed, would quickly jump in and say, "Mama is doing so well" or "My sister is doing great." However, I would quickly raise my hand and say, "Mrs. Pillar, you tell me something good." She would then slowly and hesitantly answer my question. As the days would go by, her responses would be quicker and more fluent. Mrs. Pillar made wonderful progress and was eventually discharged from the hospital with a prescription to continue with speech therapy as an outpatient. One day I called her to wish her a happy New Year. She spoke into the phone quite fluently and said, "Happy New Year to you and your family, Michael. Thank you for everything you've done for me." I quickly remarked, "Thank you for everything you've done for me." Mrs. Pillar was one of my second grade teachers, but she taught me so much more about life than mere mathematics. -- Michael Segal ___________________________________________ Michael is a social worker, writer, and well sought after motivational speaker. He married his high school sweetheart, Sharon, and together they have a daughter, Shawn. Mike has had much national recognition about his "miraculous" comeback after being shot in the head as an innocent witness to a robbery. He is currently looking for a publisher for his autobiography, In the Blink of an Eye -- The Bullet that Changed our Lives." You can visit his website here: http://www.inspirationbymike.com ====================================================================== >-->From AndyChaps: What Kind Of Mark Are You Leaving On Others? O , ----@' O /'\_r-, | , \ \ ')) \ .| / \ /.*` + ,+ , | (' .+` | '++ | -Anderson Mills- .L-'' . / ,.--'--------.. _' .+ '+. ( .' + '++ ' , + .. ....+' ,' + ', '+. '''''''''''''''''' ..+' ,+ +.. '''------------------''' ..+' ''++____________________+++'' "The best advertisement of Christianity is a good life. People read us a great deal more than they read the Bible. They see us; they only hear about Jesus Christ." - Encyclopedia of Sermon Illustrations What a sobering thought! The question that we must seriously ask ourselves today is - What are people reading when they open up the book of our life? What kind of information are they gathering about Christ, His Word, His Kingdom, His Ways, and His Principles when they observe our lifestyles? Whether we realize it or not, our lives may be the only Bible that some people will ever read. God forbid that we should give them a reason to reject the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior after being acquainted with us. Or that, by our inconsistencies, we would cause someone to live beneath the holy standards of the Word of God and, resultantly, miss heaven for all of eternity. The Scriptures do instruct us on how we can be effective witnesses for the Lord. Although there may be many more qualities to consider, this message will deal with six of them. 1. Walking Honestly 1 Thessalonians 4:12 - "That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing." Walking "honestly" before the heathen consists of walking decently, respectably, becomingly, and honorably. It includes living a life of purity, holiness, sobriety, and usefulness before those outside of the church. This would include being honest with others in our speech and mannerisms. At no time are we to tell a lie or live a lie! We are to be faithful in our engagements, contracts, or commitments. We should strive to always be courteous, kind, and patient, always looking for opportunities to extend the goodness of the Lord to those who don't expect or deserve it. To "walk honestly" before sinners also entails being industrious and competent in a trade or on a job(unless disabled or elderly). At no time, should we be dependent on others - be a "mooch," always looking for a hand-out - due to idleness or laziness, extravagant spending, irresponsibility with resources, or neglect on our part. 2. Being Of Good Report 1 Timothy 3:7 - "Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without..." Christians should "have a good report" of those who are unsaved. They should be commended by the "outsider" for having an honest and reliable reputation, while living an upright, pure, holy, true, and just life before the eyes of all. Never should their lives exhibit any inconsistencies with that which is moral and chaste, especially when dealing with the opposite sex. They should always demonstrate that their lives are uncompromisingly and strictly regulated - guided by the principles of the Word of God. One such man who was well-spoken of by all men was Demetrius. 3 John 12 says this of him - "Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true." Another man who was esteemed by all was Cornelius. Acts 10:22 says this of him - "And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nations of the Jews..." Both of these men displayed good characters before all. They had reputations that were founded in the truth and principled by the fear of the Lord. They were noted for their honorable, conscientious, sober, and charitable dealings with others. 3. Setting A Godly Example 1 Thessalonians 1:7 - "So that we were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia." Imagine having such an impact on our world like these believers had on their world! They were "ensamples to all" who believed in Macedonia and Achaia. In fact, the new Christians readily adopted the beliefs and closely followed the conduct of the Thessalonian Church. What a lasting impression these saints made on them. What a godly influence they had on these new converts! The word "ensamples" used in this verse denotes anything that is produced by means of a blow. It includes such concepts as that of a mark, print, impression, resemblance, figure, pattern, or model. 4. Having A Demonstrative Faith 1 Thessalonians 1:8 - "For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing." The Faith of these Thessalonian believers spoke for itself - "we need not to speak any thing." No one had to add to it. Their zeal and fidelity to the Lord and His work was seen and heard by all. It was spreading like a wild fire throughout the surrounding regions. Word was getting out concerning the "faith" and commitment of these dedicated Christians. There was no doubt in anyone's mind after being around these believers that they were the "Real McCoy." It was quite evident to all that they truly turned from all idolatry and false beliefs and worship and were undeniably and unreservedly serving the Lord Jesus. Trials did not hamper their spiritual progress in any way. In fact, they only served to make them stronger. 5. Being God's Reporter & Crime Stopper Matthew 5:13-14 - "Ye are the salt of the earth...Ye are the light of the world..." What does "light" do? For one thing, it makes visible that which is hidden. What does "salt" do? Among its many qualities, it preserves from corruption. Like the sun, Christians are to shed light on God's ways and will for mankind. They are to bring to the surface such things as the holy requirements of God as well as man's condition and his duty before Him and others. They are to be God's Reporters, commenting on all of the everyday happenings in the light of the Scriptures. In a world that is morally corrupt, they are to serve as God's Crime Stoppers. By their godly influence and example, they are to act as "salt" in stopping the process of death caused by crime, vice, evil, wickedness, and depravity in people's lives. 6. Being A Spectacle To The World Matthew 5:14 - "...A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid." There is no such thing as a "closet Christian." This verse clearly illustrates that believers are to stand out among others like "a city that is set on a hill." They are constantly in the public's view. Their every move and decision is watched, observed, and scrutinized. Hence, they walk circumspectly(avoiding even the very appearance of evil) and handle their affairs wisely, lest at any time they should bring reproach to the name of Christ. Where do you find yourself in this message? How do you qualify as an effective witness in this world? Are you walking honestly before the heathen? Are you reliable? Do you keep your commitments? Can others depend on you to get a job done well? Do you carry yourself in a decent and respectable manner? Do you have a "good report" of those that are "without" as well as among the believers? What are others saying about you this day? What do they see in your lifestyle that is commendable and reflective of the Power of the Gospel operating in your life? What kind of lasting impression are you leaving on those who know you personally? What kind of impact are you having on the younger generation who observe your lifestyle at home, on the job, in church, or in the neighborhood? Is your Faith so demonstrative that there is no doubt in others' minds as to which side of the fence you are on in current issues? Is it evident to others that you have abandoned all idols and that the Lord Jesus is your First Love? Do others know you as one who has devoted his or her life to the Lord's service? Are you God's Reporter? Do you speak out for Him on the job and in your relationships? Are people informed about the Truth of His Word after being around you? Are you God's Crime Stopper? Do others curb their ungodly conversation and mannerisms whenever you come around? Does your godly influence bring conviction on those who are not right with the Lord? Do you provoke people to live holy by your bold influence? Knowing that you are constantly under the surveillance of the world, do you live as to bring constant glory to the Lord? Do you watch your behavior, whether it be in private or in public, so as not to bring reproach to the cause of Christ? Remember the opening quote? "The best advertisement of Christianity is a good life. People read us a great deal more than they read the Bible. They see us; they only hear about Jesus Christ." Let's never forget these words. We are under constant watch; therefore, we must live our lives in a way that is pleasing unto the Lord and will influence others to live for Him as well. What a grave responsibility! Matthew Henry said - "Christians should be so good as by their example to influence others." May that be true of all of us. May God Bless His Word. Connie Connie Giordano P. O. Box 383016 Duncanville, TX. 75138-3016 Copyright 2002 by Connie Giordano ======================================================================== >-->From InspiredBuffalo: My name is Hazel Stone and I live in Odessa, Texas. I taught school in Odessa for 30 years and retired in 1992. I am a sixty-seven year old widow with two children and three grandsons. Hugs for Valentine Day Touch is one of the underrated senses. Touches have therapeutic value, and nothing expresses love and affection in quite the same way. Smiley Blanton, author and outstanding psychiatrist once wrote: "Love is like gratitude: it is not much good unless you show it, and touch is the surest way. There is magic in touch." A handshake, a hug or squeeze, a kiss, a pat on the back are all good ways of expressing the fact that you care for another person. Use God's wonderful gift of touch today. You could make someone's days lighter and this Valentine Day special. Proverbs 11:25 states: "He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." According to psychologists, everyone needs daily: four hugs to survive and eight hugs for maintenance, and twelve hugs for growth. Researchers have discovered that hugging can help you live longer, protect you against illness, cure depression, alleviate stress, strengthen family relation- ships and help you get to sleep without medication. Hugs reduce blood pressure, body temperature and heart rate and help relieve pain and sadness. In the 1996 DAILY GUIDEPOSTS on page 67 Mary Brown wrote: "Dear God, thank You for showing me Your compassion in unexpected ways. Help me remember the power of touch. Please show me someone who may need to feel Your comfort today." Roberta Messner tells about the time she cupped her hands over her Mother's hands and her Mother said, "You probably did it without ever knowing it, but it was just like heaven reaching down to touch me." Then Roberta did the same thing to a clerk in a fast- food drive through window and the clerk said "Thanks. I really needed that." What began as a spur-of-the moment gesture is now a tradition for Roberta whenever she senses a need for it. It is nothing dramatic, but she says that a subtle squeeze rarely fails to bring a smile. In these life-in-the-fast lane times, just about everyone can use an extra pair of hands! Hugs are fat-free, sugar- free and calorie-free. They are not fattening and they don't cause cancer or cavities. They are all natural with no preservatives, artificial ingredients, or pesticide residue. They are cholesterol- free, naturally sweet and 100% wholesome. They are completely renewable natural resource. Hugs require no batteries, tune-ups, or x-rays. They are non- taxable, fully returnable and energy efficient. They cost nothing but can mean the world. Dean Walley wrote this about hugs: "Hugs It's wondrous what a hug can do, A hug can cheer you when you're blue A hug can say "I love you so" Or "Gee, I hate to see you go." A hug is "Welcome back again." And "Great to see you, where've you been?" A hug can smooth a small child's pain And bring a rainbow after rain. The hug: There's just no doubt about it We scarcely could survive without it. A hug delights and warms and charms- It must be why God gave us arms. Hugs are great for Fathers and Mothers, Sweet for sisters and swell for brothers And chances are your favorite aunts Love them more than potted plants. Kittens crave them puppies love them Heads of State are not above them. A hug can break the language barrier And make your travels so much merrier. No need to fret about your store of them The more you give the more there's more of 'em, So stretch those arms without delay And give someone a hug today! In Mark 10:13-16, we are told that Jesus hugged the little children. Jesus still hugs today. In my life the Lord has covered me with His arms of love. He has embraced me with His compassion and gentle words. Hugs are one way to be the arms of Christ. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _( )_ ( ) ( ) _( )_ ( ) ( ) _( )_ ( ` ' )| |_| | _ _ __ ( ` ' )| |_| | _ _ __ ( ` ' ) > < | _ |( ) ( ) /'_ `\ > < | _ |( ) ( ) /'_ `\ > < (_, ,_)| | | || (_) |( (_) |(_, ,_)| | | || (_) |( (_) |(_, ,_) (_) (_) (_)`\___/'`\__ | (_) (_) (_)`\___/'`\__ | (_) ( )_) | ( )_) | \___/' \___/' unknown GIVE HUGS TODAY! ==================================================================== >-->YOU ARE ALL I WANT By Monique Nicole Fox You are all I want on Valentine's each and every day to be totally and faithfully mine You are all I want at any moment or anytime bringing me much happiness and joy and making my life okay and simply divine You are all I want in my life right here and right now giving me guidance and much needed support and helping me to figure out those things in life that I can't somehow You are all I want in my future and my tomorrow putting back together my broken heart and comforting me when I am sad or face sorrow You are all I want God, the Almighty It is your light and love that completes me and makes me whole spiritually Your presence in my life is heavenly ======================================================================= >-->From Our Friend Tony in Australia :) ,-""-. .-""-. / -. \/ -. \ ( ) \ / \ / `. ,' `. ,' hjw `.,' “Eyes of the heart” Our Senior Pastor recently preached on the ‘window of the soul” or the “Eyes of the soul” as he called it. I used to have a Country Roadhouse many years ago, and my wife and I went to a training school in Melbourne to learn out to convert domestic cooking skills into commercial cooking skills and one of the ‘sayings’ we heard so many times was “ 90 per cent of enjoying good food is done through the eyes”….In other words, what the eyes see, the ‘mind’ and the body absorbs… My Pastor was highlighting the corruption our bodies and minds go through when we ‘soak’ ourselves, in worldly activities. Watching T.V., listening to depraved music…watching videos or even glancing through magazines.. Everywhere we look~! We can see Satan’s handiwork….Its left in obscure places like hairdressers shops, Doctors surgeries in magazines we pick up. In record shops, where ‘rap music ‘ can he heard playing with words that prompted my own parents many years ago, to wash out my mouth with soap! Hey! They knew what the words meant! I didn’t! I was just ‘repeating” them! But it really is sad, that we get so “ de-sensitized” that if we are not careful, we become “ decent-isized”…. The ‘eyes’ of our hearts and minds, often see things that the eyes in our forehead and faces, tend to miss….or ignore..and I praise God for that!~ I can do that in good conscience~! Because I love My Lord God, I live as best I can for my Lord God…even though, I know at times, I fall short of His Glory….but all kids have a tendency to sometimes upset their Dad’s… The “ Eyes’ of our hearts…..This is where God reveals HIS wisdom to us…! Amen? He created us with a ‘blank spot’ and that ‘blank spot” I believe to be the one place in our hearts that is totally reserved for Jesus Christ! NO ONE else……can fill that spot~! Not in a myriad of life times!...It’s HIS! Why???? I tell ya why…because HE! Put it there…He created it as a place where He could be whenever the time is right. Think about this….. You are walking through a place you often walk….maybe a shopping centre..a parkland….. a route you take everyday to get to and from work or school….and you see this man ambling his way toward you. He has a beard , worn and ripped clothing….odd shoes and probably odd socks, and he is carrying a plastic bag containing all of his ‘worldy’ belongings….The lines you can see on his face as he gets even closer look like a page in a street directory! This man has had no ‘luck’…at all in his life!... and we tend to hold our breath as he passes by in fear that we may catch this’ badluck; disease as he brushes by us…. Well, there may be those walking behind us….who simply see a reflection…..of themselves…or what they are frightened to become, if things ‘toughen’…. I know….there are church organizations out there..that will feed their bellies, put pre-loved shoes and clothes on their bodies….but who? Is filling their hearts?..... I can sit here and type all sorts of ‘made-up’ tripe, tell you who I am, what I do, where I live and you wouldn’t really know me from the vagabond you pass often….in your daily walk… But I can visualize a man, not all that long ago..who walked dusty roads…..with very little to eat and drink. He probably had a sun burned and beaten face, beard and all….and he was fit enough, fed enough, well enough….and He loved enough..to carry ALL of OUR burdens…. A vagabond~…..no place He could have called home, no place to rest His head that was His…and yet….he had more than we will ever have…. He had a place reserved in every heart that has ever beaten in this world! Amen…… but….BUT!... He wouldn’t walk in and ‘possess’ it! And even if we had it for a while and let it go….he wouldn’t ‘re possess it! Not unless!...........He had been invited…when the time was right! With they eyes He gave us…why do we see anger? Jealousy? Hatred? When HIS eyes only ever saw LOVE! How true is it? That WE? You and I were created in HIS own image? If what WE see…..and what HE sees….are worlds apart?? The vagabond…. The “ Itinerant Preacher…. The “Rabble rouser”….he was called all of these names and yet he Loved even those who were His name callers!.... You see….the eyes of our hearts….are exclusively HIS! The eyes in our heads…HE gave us…..He gave us those eyes to see our way through life…to ‘enjoy’ the things He surrounds us with….. a flower, a painting. The birth of a butterfly or a horse! He gave us ALL of these things to ‘absorb’……to enjoy, to succor! And yet…… we see things, everyday. That some time ago would have made us sick…I am talking about when we were ‘innocents’…. Yes! I know we were born SINNERS! But we had to learn that! And learn we did…..but there was still this element of innocence….we were created in ‘HIS’! image remember…. Take a step back. Look at that ‘tramp’ again, that swagman, that vagabond….could that be you? A reflection of you???....or could it be a reflection of HIM? Either way, whatever you see……you see a Child of God… Lord, I pray that the eyes of my heart, take precedence over the eyes of my head…. I pray that I may never become ‘heart –eye’… blinded…. In Jesus name…. Amen…. © Br Tony Illingworth ---- ...AMEN! Thanks Tony! ================================================================= >-->From AndyChaps: Unexpected Help A few years ago I was walking to pick my son up from school. We unfortunately lived too close for a bus pick-up but also too far from the school for my 1st grader to walk home alone. It had become a ritual for my young daughter, infant son and I to walk the 6 blocks every afternoon. On one of those afternoons it began to rain about halfway to the school. My infant was sheltered by his carriage cover and a blanket, but my daughter and I were getting soaked. When a car pulled up to the curb with a lone male driver in it I panicked and began walking faster. The man, apparently realizing my fear, got out of the car (getting wet himself), handed me an umbrella, got back in his car and drove off. This small, but wonderful gesture proved to me that even with all the chaos in the world there are still some people who will go out of their way to help others. This man was not looking for public praise, or trying to look good for anyone. He just did something nice, on his own, with no ulterior motive. To that man, if you read this, many, many thanks. Written by Alexis ===================================================================== >-->From HeartWarmers: THE AGE OF INSULTS Welcome to The Age of Insults -- a time when civility, respect and tolerance mean nothing. Hurting people's feelings means even less. Today, making enemies is more popular than making friends, and political and cultural debates end up being personal. Heaven help you if you have the ability to actually put yourself in another person's shoes and see the world from his or her point of view! These days, that's considered a weakness, not a strength. Worse yet, insulting people has become a profitable endeavor. The more you insult, the richer you get. A man who could become the next president of the United States, U.S. Senator Barack Obama, just happens to have big ears -- a fact that a prominent journalist couldn't resist commenting on. Sen. Obama saw her at an event, approached her, and responded that he didn't take her remarks kindly. She told him that she was just helping him "toughen up" for the grueling campaign ahead. The next day, we hear radio commentator Rush Limbaugh referring to the Senator as Barack O'Dumbo. Several weeks earlier, Mr. Limbaugh made fun of Michael J. Fox's spasms caused by his Parkinson's disease. But that was nothing compared to the recent flap between Rosie O'Donnell and Donald Trump with the personal name calling. More recently, Rosie slammed Simon Cowell from American Idol for ridiculing one of the contestants in front of millions of people by saying he looks like a monkey, or more exactly, "a bush baby." Rosie was lamenting the fact that the show has less to do with music and more to do with laughing at physical characteristics for entertainment purposes. Rosie was right on that one. Yes, show business is a tough racket and it's not the place to be if you want to feel good about yourself. Judges are supposed to be critical and contestants have to be prepared to face the music, so to speak. But there's a big difference between saying, "You can't sing," and saying, "You can't sing and you're ugly too." No one is spared. From cruel grade school bullies to millionaires who think it has become stylish to berate, ridicule and be mean to each other and their guests, everyone is getting into the act. >Visit Here for the rest of this fine article: http://archive.mail-list.com/heartwarmers/msg01342.html AGAIN - Please Visit here for the rest: http://archive.mail-list.com/heartwarmers/msg01342.html Insults ==================================================================== >-->From InspiredBuffalo: MUSHROOMS ____ _.-'78o `"`--._ ,o888o. .o888o, ''-. ,88888P `78888P..______.] /_..__..----"" __.' `-._ /""| _..-'' "`-----\ `\ | ;.-""--.. | ,8o. o88. `. `;888P `788P : .o""-.|`-._ ./ J88 _.-/ ";"-P----' `--'\`| / / | / | | \| / |akn `-----`---' By: Joseph J. Mazzella I never liked mushrooms when I was a boy. There seemed something strange about them. They grew in clumps of dead leaves, on rotting tree trunks, and in moldy basements. Their white, fleshy texture seemed almost ghostly as well. In addition, I had been warned a hundred times not to eat any wild ones because they might be poisonous. This didn’t put me in a mood to taste them then when I saw my Grandma getting ready to put them on a pizza one day. I did, however, work up my courage and ate a raw one while she was spreading the sauce. It tasted just like it looked: musky, bland, and unwholesome. I spit it back out right away and from then on I picked the mushrooms out of anything I ate without tasting them. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I was pressured into trying mushrooms again. This time, though, I found out something I hadn’t known before. When you cook mushrooms in something they not only take on the flavor of that food, but they enhance it as well. Soon I was enjoying mushrooms in soups, on steaks, in sauces, and even on pizzas. I became a true mushroom lover and have enjoyed this wonderful creation of God ever since. I realized something special too. God often gives us a lot of different "mushrooms" in our lives. Often we have to go through things and experiences that we don’t like and even are afraid of. After they are stirred in with the rest of our lives, though, we find that they have helped us rather than harmed us. I know that more than once I have been mad at God for having to go through pain, disappointment, and hardship only to later find that these things have brought me to a place of deeper love, joy, caring, and oneness with Him. Don’t be afraid of the mushrooms that come your way then. Stir them in, cook them up, and enjoy the feast of life that God has given you. And don’t forget to set a place at the table for everyone you love. Subscribe send a blank email to: the-inspired-buffalo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ======================================================================= >-->FUN Places to Net Visit: >From LynnLynn's Links: Hyacinths' w/ Winter Portrait http://hyacinth.webbywarehouse.com/poetry/winterportrait.html Shangrala's REAL Fantasy Trees! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/trees.html Galvanized Tub http://www.utahcowboy.com/2005P139.htm Emergency Procedures http://mywebpages.comcast.net/singingman7777/Emergency.htm -<>- >From TheMouthPiece: Office Invaders Work got you down? Play this game where you can fire rubber- bands at co-workers who are determined to slow you down from rising to the executive suite. http://officeinvaders.kewlbox.com/index.cfm Baskin Robbins Office Invader Tip King Hundreds of tips to save your time, energy and money. Get a tip hint for home, cleaning, garden, stains, beauty, washing, health, pets, kitchen, internet, children, homemaking, home repair and worklife. www.tipking.com Tip King -<>- >From Linky & Dinky: REMEMBER WHAT YOUR PARENTS TOLD YOU: "I hope your kids are awful brats like you are!" ParentHack.com assembles parenting tricks and advice like recipe.com collects recipes. http://www.parenthacks.com/ FREE-FOR-NOW GPS TOOL Just enter any cell phone number and by linking GPS and cell tower info it finds the location of that cellphone. http://mobilebacktrack.com TIMES SQUARE has a lot of billboard ads http://www.ironicsans.com/2007/01/every_ad_in_times_square.html LOOK AT the CUTE FOOD PEOPLE! http://www.rit.edu/~ksh8863/saxtonfreymann.html =============================================================== >-->Quotes & Thoughts: "I believe that in the life to come I shall have the senses I have not had there, and that my home there will be beautiful with colour, music, and the speech of flowers and faces I love." -- Helen Keller "If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world." -- C. S. Lewis "If I work on a certain move constantly, then finally, it doesn't seem risky to me. The idea is that the move stays dangerous and it looks dangerous to my foes, but it is not to me. Hard work has made it easy." -- Nadia Comaneci "Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain cool and unruffled under all circumstances." -- Thomas Jefferson "A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist." -- Louis Nizer >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :)Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->Bigham's Computer Rescue - PC Sales & Seervice You can trust us to provide you with quality computer sales and repair. We've been servicing the Van Wert area since 1981 and can help you with all your computer needs. Please phone us at 419-238-5806 ************************************************************************ -->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: Subscribe ************************************************************************ >TO UNSUBSCRIBE: Remove ************************************************************************ -->Want to ADVERTISE in The Shangy FUN Listt Publication? >To ADVERTISE: Advertise ************************************************************************ -->Missed Any of These Teachings? 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We've got NCAA, NFL, MLB, and NBA, Disney, Name a star, Movies, and KinKade. Jewelry, furs, leather, and lighting, Music, instruments, and magazines at best pricing. >Beat The Crowds - Let Your MOUSE Do the Walking! :) http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/yellow.html Get It Here ***********************************************************************