Angels, Cops And Jesus Christ... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* Please Consider Giving To ShangralaFamilyFun.com The cost of the website has gone up dramatically due to the ever increasingly wonderful pages and photos being added each week to entertain you and our fellow Christian families. If every one would chip in $25 or more, we'd be good for the whole year! So Please - I need your help today! "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ _ === _ / \(_)/ \ | / \ | | \\ // | \_/ \_/ .--" / \ `"-. ( ( '.___.' ,') (__,-. )--' jgs '.____)--' *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a Shangrala Angel, the easiest way to do that is through online giving. It is easy to use, and most of all, it is secure. Please visit the site, scroll down and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL form page comes up. NOTE: Paypal will generate a 'Quantity 1' and 'Price per item' form. Just ignore the price per item and put whatever it is you desire to give in there. With Paypal, you will have your normal receipt for your 'payment' donation in USD (United States Dollars). You can put a memo in there if you'd like. Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS YOU MOST ABUNDANTLY FOR YOUR GIFT! ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! AND For Facebook Users: Please Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND Please Share This email with All Your Friends And Family! ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! -<>- * NOTE: An easy way to adjust the size of print in email or any page is to hold down the Ctrl tab while moving the scroll button on the mouse. You can also use the keyboard to change the font size in your web browser or emails. Hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the + key for larger text or the - key for smaller text! ================ >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This flaming hot new page is from our friend Linda. So amazing to see a world seldom seen! Check out this page to see what you've been missing... Amazing Underwater Creatures! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/underwater3.html --- ...Wow! So alien and beautiful! Thanks Linda! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: Remember that fear always lurks behind perfectionism. Confronting your fears and allowing yourself the right to be human can, paradoxically, make you a far happier and more productive person. -- Dr. David M. Burns __________________ / _@___@___@___@_ \ |@/ \@| | | | | |@| ,;;;-, |@| | | /;/))))) | | |@| (;/ . .(( |@| .-;;;-. | | ):( > )) | | (((;(::(\ |@| (;)\ = /( |@| ).`\):):) | | )):) .'):) | | < (:(:( |@| .:(:\_(_)( |@| = `\:):\ | | /`::) `\ | | '--')(:(:) |@\_/___________\_/@| )(::)"( jgs \___@___@___@___@___/ .' (::)) / / ;;-` \/ / | >HIDDEN FEARS by Mary Jane West-Delgado I just saw a movie about a man who was given a diagnosis of cancer and had a slim chance of coming out of surgery alive. As I sat in the theater alone (my husband is out of town for two days), I couldn't help but think about my own history of brain surgery to remove a tumor that was thought to be cancerous, and that removal of it may cause a stroke during surgery. The scene in the movie that really hit home with me was when, in the pre-surgical room, the family was present until the last second before he was taken away. This is a moment of panic for everyone. As I sat in the theater watching this family and patient clinging to each other, I realized that I had never told my family how very afraid I was after leaving them behind in that room. Though the surgical team was very pleasant and attentive, they were also necessarily pre-occupied and sterile, leaving me to fend for myself emotionally. I lay there worrying about waking up with severe disability, or maybe not waking up at all. I needed someone to be holding me until I was asleep. I really did, but I never told anyone. I was the mother of three toddlers at the time. My doctor advised me to get all of my affairs in order prior to surgery. I wrote letters to each of my children, to be read if they had to grow up without me. Our oldest son was 4 years old, our only daughter was 2, and our youngest son was 11 months old. I felt that I had to be strong for them -- I had to be sure that my kids weren't afraid. I couldn't show my fears, I thought I had to be in "mommy mode" until the very end. It's no secret that a patient and family are desperately afraid at these times. What hit me at this moment during the movie is that, in all these years since then, I never told anyone how afraid I was. I suddenly felt as though I had missed an important step in the grieving process of my own trauma. Those few moments in the surgical suite, before drugged induced sleep, are cold and lonely and downright scary no matter how old you are. So, there I sat in the theater, sobbing uncontrollably for not having let anyone know that I really wasn't the brave little warrior that I had pretended to be. It doesn't matter that I was already a mother at the time. It doesn't matter that I am now 26 years post-op and in good health. What matters is that when I came home from the theater, I emailed my family about it and then cried on the phone about it with my husband. I got it all out, finally. Gosh, I feel so good, now that I've told everyone! -- Mary Jane West-Delgado __________________________________________________ Mary Jane West-Delgado has been published on Heartwarmers twice with "Cheerleader Mom" and "Wearing 9/11." It is the personal connections she's made, and continued emails from children and parents that make writing a complete joy. Mary Jane is a retired physical therapist and current algebra/chemistry tutor, transplanted from Wisconsin to the Central Coast of California. =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Fran :) >Quotes: We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. - Thornton Wilder What we fear comes to pass more speedily than what we hope. - Publilius Syrus - Moral Sayings Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today. - Lord Chesterfield -<>- -=====- _..._ .~ `~. ,_ / } ,_\'--, \ _.'`~~/ \'--,_`{_,} -( '.`-.`\;--,___.'_ '._`/ |_ _{@} / ` |-';/ _ / \ / | _ {@}_ / '--;_ _ {@} _Y{@} _\ `\ {@}\Y/_{@} Y/ / |`-.___. / \Y/\|{@}Y/\|// ^^^jgs^^^`--`------'`--`^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >Flower Angel There's a tiny little Angel In charge of all the flowers She checks each fragile petal Then sprinkles them with showers. She makes them smell so fragrant With her wrist she gives a flick She checks them with her tiny nose It's a flower Angel's trick. So when you pick a posie And place it to your nose Remember all the work she's done So you can smell that rose! - Unknown -<>- \\///// |6 6| ( _\ | | = | |\___/ ___/| |__ /` | '----' |`\ / | | \ /~% | ; \ / /\/ |`\ \ \ \ | | / / `\ \| |/ /` `\; |/` (| |) |_________| | | | | | | |____|__| \ | | | ) ) / | | |___|__| \===|==| / `-.`-. jgs \______)__) >TRULY GRITTY A few days have passed since the Academy Award ceremonies in Hollywood. I think I can finally talk about my disappointment. And no, it had nothing to do with what I saw on the red carpet (but seriously, whoever heard of a Roger Vivier tube clutch with a silver sequined Gucci gown?) Nor did my disappointment have to do with the hosts for the evening, even though I did find myself subconsciously humming "Thanks for the Memories" a few times during the evening. I was disappointed because my movie didn't win. Not "my movie" in the sense that I wrote, directed, produced, starred in or had anything to do with a movie that was up for an award (although I do have a great little Christmas story that could be made into a movie -- have your people call my people.) It was "my movie" because I saw it, I liked it and I wanted it to win. And it didn't. My movie was "True Grit." I thought it was terrific. Of course, I'm old enough to remember the John Wayne "True Grit," and I liked that version, too -- Glen Campbell notwithstanding. I like the story. I like imperfect good guys -- knights in dingy armor, so to speak. I can relate to that. I like it when the bad guys are clearly bad, and get what they have coming to them. I like justice that is neat, clean and uncomplicated by confusing realities. I like escaping in a darkened theater to a world in which a man with true grit can ride into the fray, reins in his mouth and rifles blazing, and take care of the problem. ANY problem. But mostly, I like grit (not to be confused with grits, for which I have never been able to acquire a taste.) I like the idea of grit. And I like people who have it. According to my dictionary, one who has grit -- true or otherwise -- has "firmness of character, an indomitable spirit, pluck." These are excellent traits, even if they can sometimes get you into trouble -- just like they did with Rooster Cogburn. My wife, Anita, for example, is as firmly charactered and indomitably plucky as they come. Not too long ago she was riding mass transit with our eldest daughter, Amy, and her family to a concert in a nearby city. No sooner had the trip begun than a rather large and mostly inebriated gentleman sat next to her and began to talk to her. Loudly and obnoxiously. Unlike many of us who would be uncomfortable with that situation, Anita chatted pleasantly with the gentleman even though much of what he said was... well... relatively incomprehensible. Watching this conversation, Amy's husband, Brock, moved from his seat on the train to a standing position right behind Anita and the gentleman. I should mention here that Brock has served three tours of duty in Iraq. He can handle himself in a confrontational situation, if you know what I mean. And he was prepared to come to his mother-in-law's aid. But Anita gave him a look that let him know she was fine, and continued her conversation. At one point the man became agitated about something and started using harsh, vulgar language. Brock was about to intervene when Anita straightened up and faced her neighbor. "I don't like that kind of language," she said, looking him pluckily in the eye. "If you don't stop talking like that I'm going to move." Brock waited to see how the gentleman would respond, ready to... well, the "fill your hand!" scene in "True Grit" comes to mind. But the gentleman calmed down immediately. "I'm sorry," he said, firmly chastened. "I'll watch my mouth." Now, you might think that Anita was emboldened knowing that Brock was hovering nearby, just an eye patch away from doing a Cogburn on the man. But I've lived with this woman for nearly 34 years. She would have responded in the same way if she had been traveling alone. She's plucky. Indomitable. Spirited. Hopefully you know someone like that. In fact, you very well may BE someone like that. If so, I salute you. In a world filled with vacillating morality and wavering will, we need more gritty, plucky people. Even if you don't win Academy Awards. - Joseph Walker --- ...Great Story! Reminds me of you. Thanks Fran! =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` >Class Now in Session, by Patrick D. Odum (edited) During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him ... (Hebrews 5:7-9) A thin, flimsy strand of silver moonlight connects heaven to earth and barely illuminates a Middle-Eastern garden. A man lies prostrate there, looking from a distance indistinguishable from the three other men sleeping nearby. But venture a little closer, quietly and respectfully. This solitary man isn't asleep at all. At first, you hear the groans and sobs. A few steps closer and the prayer they punctuate becomes audible. Then, you see the fingers digging into the dirt and you recognize that this man is in agony. Not physically, like he will be in just hours ... minutes. He is in agony emotionally and spiritually. This man is a student and this garden is his classroom. You've stumbled upon the last lessons before his final exam. Shocking thought, really, when you recognize just who this is. The Son of the Creator of the Universe, learning? The One Before Whom Every Knee Shall Bow, being schooled? Hard to comprehend, isn't it? But that's exactly what's happening here in Gethsemane. "God With Us" is learning what it means for a human being to ignore his clamoring fears and stifle his screaming instincts and trust God His Father instead. "The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Those words don't just describe the disciples to whom he spoke them. They describe him as well, this night. His spirit knows what must be done and waits to walk obediently into what God has designated as his destiny. But, his flesh hasn't caught up yet. So as the moments tick by and the priests and temple police fall in line behind a treacherous friend, Jesus wrestles alone with his fears and impulses. Make no mistake; the cross wasn't a done deal when Jesus walked into this garden. He could at any time have put a stop to the whole thing. He could have listened to his fears and followed the impulses of his flesh right out of Jerusalem. What was that he said to Peter: "Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?" Think that was the first time it had crossed his mind to whistle for the cavalry? It is as much a heresy to make Jesus less human than he was as it is to make him less God's Son than he was. To rob him of humanity is to dismiss Gethsemane as just a bit of drama for the benefit of his followers. It was not just a bit of drama; it was a battle over whose will would carry the day. It was a war to bring flesh in line with spirit. It was a preview of the war his followers still fight. If you've felt the pull of sin, the encroaching, spirit-freezing cold of doubt, the sting of fear, the fires of anger, or the numbness of boredom, then you know the war Jesus fought in Gethsemane. You've fought that war before, haven't you -- fought it on a thousand different fronts? You fought it when your children taxed your patience. You fought it when a lie looked so attractive and the truth so difficult. If you've ever been confronted with the allure of illicit s%x, if you've ever been tempted to cheat on a test, if you've ever struggled with the desire to take what isn't yours or to take credit for what you didn't do, you've been with Jesus in the garden. You're a veteran of the same war if you've ever wanted to stay quiet when God wanted you to speak out, or if you've ever wanted to stay comfortably at home when God was sending you out to serve. If you've ever wondered whether your ministry made a difference -- if there was any real reason to keep on -- you've fought what Jesus fought in Gethsemane. In fact, you are the battleground. Your willing spirit versus your weak flesh. Sometimes it makes you feel guilty, doesn't it? Well, don't. If Jesus had to fight that battle, if his spirit and flesh clashed, then why should you expect it to be any different with you? Why shouldn't you have to pray and sob and grieve and sweat blood sometimes to follow through with your Father's will? Jesus did it alone, but remember that you're in good company. The Son of God himself will stay awake and watch and pray and weep with you. He knows the struggle first-hand. He knows the horrible disconnect of flesh and spirit that don't line up. So know that when you pray like he did, he hears and nods and smiles. He doesn't look with disdain on those struggles. He does not regard them as weakness, because he knows from experience that it's in those struggles that human beings find strength. Continue to fight, knowing that your Savior is sympathetic to your predicament. However, I can imagine that he doesn't appreciate it much when we don't fight at all -- when we don't even bother to enter the garden. I can imagine it still frustrates and even angers him when we make the same mistake as countless other disciples and doze off when we should be watching and praying -- fighting the battle. Too often we never even fire a shot. We never kneel before the Father, confess our weakness, and announce our intention to do his will anyway. We never even ask him for the strength to want to do his will. And I imagine that it just drives the one who sweated blood in Gethsemane crazy when we lay back and allow our weak flesh to overcome our willing spirits without so much as a quick prayer. So step a little closer, there in the garden of your mind. Get close enough to smell the fear and sweat and to hear even the whispered prayers. Lie down beside him with your face to the ground, and join him in the battle. Acknowledge with him the weakness of human flesh and announce with him your intention to follow him in the will of the Father. Just like his, your prayer will be heard, too. Class is now in session. -<>- .-"''-. _ .' `( \ @/ ') ,--,__,-" / / \ / / _/ __| , |/ / .~ `\ / \ , | / .~ `\ ` / _/ _/ .~ `\ ~~`__/ / ~ `--'/ / / / / /' /jgs >I Loved You Enough I loved you enough to ask where you are going, with whom, and what time you would be home... To insist that you save your money and buy a bike for yourself, even though we could afford to buy one for you... To be silent and let you discover that your new best friend was a creep... To make you take a Milky Way back (with a bite out of it), and tell the clerk, "I stole this yesterday, and want to pay for it..." To stand over you for two hours while you cleaned your room, a job that would have taken me 15 minutes... To let you assume the responsibility for your own actions when the penalties were so harsh they almost broke my heart... To let you see anger, disappointment and tears in my eyes. Children must learn that their parents aren't perfect... To say "No" when I knew you would resent me for it. Those were the most difficult battles of all. I'm glad I won them because, in the end, you won to! - Author Unknown -<>- sSSSSSSs SSS'\\\\SS SSS` - -'SS SS(, a \a S SSSSS -' |S 'SSS\ '= /S/| 'S|`-. __.' / | .-'| `-.__.' .-\ / /-. | | { _/ \_ } | | `| | | | | '. | | .' jgs '-.| |.' `"` >COLORS OF OUR LIVES By: Joseph J. Mazzella It looks like we are getting an early Autumn here in the mountains of my home. Even though it is only the middle of August, we are already getting some beautiful changing leaves here. The green trees are now getting splashes of wonderful reds, brilliant oranges, shimmering yellows, and glorious golds in them. Some of the early changing trees are already completely transformed into their heart-warming Fall colors. It looks as if it is going to be as awe inspiring an Autumn as I have ever seen here. My only regret is that it also looks as if it will be over so very quickly. I am doing my best then to get out and enjoy it as much as I can before it is over. I am doing my best to take all these glorious brush strokes of color painted by the hand of God into my heart, mind, and soul. I am doing my best to let them warm me, brighten me, and uplift me before they are gone for another year. I am letting this early Autumn remind me of a very important lesson in this life. This lesson is that it doesn't matter how long your colors last in this world, but rather how brightly they shine. I have known some truly beautiful souls in my days who have passed from this world while still so very young. The love they chose, the joy they shared and the lives they touched, however, made their brief time here shine brighter than a forest in the Fall. The colors of their lives transformed the world around them in the few days they had. May we all live as beautifully as they did then. May we all choose to shine our love, joy, goodness, and delight as brightly as possible. May we all make the colors of our lives glow as brilliantly as we can. None of us knows how long we have to make this world a better and more beautiful place. None of us knows how long or how gloriously God means for us to shine in this life before we move on to an even greater one. -<>- . L\ .-""-. |\_ / (--> \ \ \'--.)_>_=/_( \ )`-._/|_,( _. |_\ (_ ( \ /.- .' `\ ) \_/\ \.'/ _.','\ _/\ ( '._/ /_/` \ / jgs '-..-'] >Attitude The 92 year old, petite, well poised and proud lady, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with her hair fashionably coifed and makeup perfectly applied, even though she is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. Her husband of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, she smiled sweetly when told her room was ready. As she maneuvered her walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of her tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on her window. "I love it," she stated with the enthusiasm of an eight year old having just been presented with a new puppy. "Mrs. Jones, you haven't seen the room just wait." "That doesn't have anything to do with it," she replied. "Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged. It's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it ..... "It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away, just for this time in my life...." Old age is like a bank account ... you withdraw from what you've put in. So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories. Thank you for your part in filling my Memory bank. I am still depositing. ~ Author Unknown -<>- , /\ , / '-' '-' \ | POLICE | \ .--. / | ( 19 ) | \ '--' / '--. .--' jgs \/ >"Just a Cop" The funeral line was long, There's an awful lot of cars, Folks came out of the restaurants, They came out of the bars. The workers at the construction sites All let their hammers drop. Someone asked. "What is this all for?" And they said,"Aw, just a Cop." Some chuckled at the passing cars. Some shed a silent tear Some people said,"It's stupid." "All these dumb policemen here." "How come they are not out fighting crime?" "Or in a doughnut shop?" "Sure is a lot of trouble, For someone who's just a Cop." They blocked the intersections, They blocked the interstate. People yelled and cursed, "Damn, it's gonna make me late!" "This is really ridiculous!" "They're makin' us all stop!" "It seems they are sure wastin' time, On someone who's just a Cop." Into the cemetery now, The slow procession comes, The woeful Taps are slowly played. There's loud salutes from guns. The graveyard workers shake their heads "This service is a flop." "There's lots of good words wasted, On someone who's just a Cop" Yeah, just a Cop to most folks. Did his duty every day. Trying to protect us, Till they took his life away. And when he got to heaven, St. Peter put him at the top. An angel asked him, "Who was that?" And he said, "Aw, just a Cop." _A .'`"`'. / , , \ | <\^/> | | < (_) >| /====\ (.--._ _.--.) |\ -`\- /| |(_.- >-.)| \__.-'^'._/ |\ . / _.'\ '----'|'-. _.-' O ;-.__.' \O `o. /o \ \/-.-\/| \ jgs| ;, '.|\| / The Judgment: The Officer stood and faced his God, Which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shinning, Just as brightly as his brass. "Step forward now, Officer, How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek? To my church have you been true?" The Officer squared his shoulder and said, "No, Lord, I guess I aint, Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint. I've had to work most Sundays, And at times my talk was rough, And sometimes I've been violent Because the streets are tough. But I never took a penny That wasn't mine to keep. Though I worked a lot of overtime, when the bills got too steep. And I never passed a cry for help Though at times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept an unmanly tear. I know I don't deserve a place among the people here. They never wanted me around except to calm their fear. If you've a place for me here, Lord, it needn't be so grand. I never expected or had too much, But if you don't...I'll understand. There was silence all around the throne, where the saints often trod. As the officer waited quietly for the judgment of his God. "Step forward now, Officer." "You've borne your burdens well." "Come walk a beat on heaven's streets," "You've done your time in Hell" -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Are Angels Real? http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/angelsreal.html Autumn of Life http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/life.html Return To Me http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/return.html Angels Are Watching http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/angelswatching.html Police Dogs http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/policedogs.html Attitude Is Everything 3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude3.html Ricochet And Kids With SMA http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ricochetsmakids.html The Blue Angels http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/blueangels.html Face Of Christ http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/faceofchrist.html Amazing Cop Cars http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/copcars.html Jesus Clinic http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/clinic.html My Precious Child http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mychild.html Short Life Stories http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lifestories.html That's God http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thatsgod.html Woman Cops Around The World http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/womancops.html Here's Your Frog http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/frog.html We The People http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wethepeople.html Summer Index https://tinyurl.com/y4xyz2w8 -<>- Bible Study - The Basics http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/Basics.htm Leadership Principles of Jesus Christ http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Leadership/Leadership.htm What does the Bible say about Death? https://tinyurl.com/y47cu745 One Less Day - Rob Thomas | Lyrics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEVhl8hXJyA black crowes - she talks to angels https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_5U0M9ErGA Heart - Stairway to Heaven (Live at Kennedy Center Honors) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFxOaDeJmXk Whitney Houston RIP. How Great Thou Art . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fazy_kzuziQ Elvis Presley - Lord this time you gave me a mountain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrOE5gMtDEg You Raise Me Up (with lyrics) - Selah https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DorNUsi5LE -<>- Westwing News: https://www.whitehouse.gov/westwingreads/ WhiteHouseNews: https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600daily/ Latest From AFA: http://tinyurl.com/j7lakqw Students For Life https://tinyurl.com/yd5nxmu6 Latest From OperationRescue: http://www.operationrescue.org/ Latest Product Alert: Chicken, Pajamas, Laptops http://www.emergencyemail.org/products/?fmt=text Latest Health Alert: Salmonella Found in Fresh Vegetables http://www.emergencyemail.org/health/?fmt=text Click to Give Free https://tinyurl.com/y2abb8d2 -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) The very best pickpocket in the entire world: Apollo Robbins - The Gentleman Thief. https://youtu.be/8-dWSIUNF10 Charming magician Lady Amila loses her head at the French television show The World's Geatest Cabaret hosted by Patrick Sebastien. https://vimeo.com/126053167 Shin Lim just won 'America's Got Talent: The Champions' and now he's back on Ellen with another astonishing card trick. https://youtu.be/rmd_Z0q-Ri4 --- ...Fun ones! Thanks LouiseAu! Visit Melissa's Online Store You can get anything you want (except for Melissa ) at the online store http://pdhomes.net/mall/babylissa/mySTORES/ISELL4.html ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseAu :) _ _ /_) (/| __|___ ./ \. ./) (\. (______________) ((( ))) ((( ^ ^ ))) (( @ @ )) (c C o)> \ ___, / \_ _/ jgs `--' >GARDENING FOR GOOD Plant three rows of peas: Peace of mind Peace of heart peace of soul Plant four rows of squash: Squash gossip Squash indifference Squash grumbling Squash selfishness Plant four rows of lettuce: Lettuce be faithful Lettuce be kind Lettuce be patient Lettuce really love one another Plant three rows of turnips: Turnip for meetings Turnip for service Turnip to help one another Water freely with patience Cultivate with love There is much fruit in your garden Because you reap what you sow. To conclude our garden...we must have thyme Thyme for each other Thyme for family Thyme for friends and especially Thyme for GOD --- ...Sweet! I do so love thyme. Thanks LouiseAu! -<>- .{{}}}}}}. {{{{{}}}}}}}. {{{{ {{{{{}}}} }}}}} _ _ {{{{{ }}}} 6 6 }}}} {{{{C ^ {{{{ }}}}}}\ '=' /}}}}} {{{{{{{;.___.;}}}}}} {{{{{{{) (}}}}}}' jgs `""'"': :'"'"'` `@` >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. --- ...Awesomely beautiful! Thank you LouiseAu! Just As I Am, without One Plea - Christian Song - Scored Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa0m1jROb4w ========================================================== | --====|====-- | .-"""""-. .'_________'. /_/_|__|__|_\_\ ;'-._ _.-'; ,--------------------| `-. .-' |--------------------, ``""--..__ ___ ; ' ; ___ __..--""`` jgs `"-// \\.._\ /_..// \\-"` \\_// '._ _.' \\_// `"` ``---`` `"` >Meltdown At The Airport Story Editor: by Brian R. King Joyce Schowalter Illinois, USA I am an adult with Autism and my consulting work requires a lot of out-of-state airline travel. Airports and air travel are very overwhelming for me. One day this October I woke at 4:30 a.m. to travel out of state, traveling and working until 10:30 p.m. that night. As I flew home the next day, after two hours wait at a layover airport my flight home was canceled 20 minutes before boarding. I called customer service, and by the time I reached someone I was told to go to the customer service desk. The line was at least 100 people deep -- and not moving. Then they announced that there were no more flights that night; we'd have to stay overnight after booking another flight. I began to shake and my eyes began to tear up as I contemplated standing in this 100-person line for a prolonged time. Due to my Autism I was overloaded and beginning to shut down, which made it hard to think and hard to speak. I called my wife Cathy for help. She heard how much difficulty I was having even thinking. She remained calm and guided me step by step. Cathy told me to look for a person who transports special needs people around the airport. I found someone and said, "I have Autism, they canceled my flight and don't have any more flights and I need to get home." The woman, Shawn, gently took my bags, told me to sit down in her tramcar, and said she knew someone who could help. Shawn drove me to another part of the airport, then left me briefly to talk to someone about helping me. My wife kept talking to me the whole time. Shawn came back with a gentleman, Dale, who held a boarding pass with my name on it for a flight an hour and a half after my original flight. I am grateful and humbled to my core by how generously and tenderly I was taken care of by my soul mate and two complete strangers that day. Thank you doesn't even describe it but I'll say it. Thank you, Shawn and Dale at the Philadelphia Airport, you did your employer, U.S. Airways a tremendous honor by how you conducted yourselves. There is absolutely no value in going through your life stubbornly refusing to ask others for help. I was seconds away from a full-blown meltdown at the airport so I called my wife Cathy who helped me find Shawn. Shawn led me to her supervisor, Dale, who found a seat for me. Needing other people isn't a sign of weakness, it never was and it never will be. It is, and always will be, the precious gift of service that human beings give to each other. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From CupO'Cheer: _.--._ \ ** / (<>) . ) ( . )\_.._/ /\ \_.._/( (*_<>_ _<>_*) )/ '' \ \/ / '' \( ' ) ( ' ( ) ) ( (<>) / ** \ /.-..-.\ >WHAT'S JESUS DOING NOW? Hebrews 1:1-3 The New Testament tells us what Jesus did while He was on earth, but what is He doing now that He has ascended to the Father in heaven? His physical absence does not mean that He has abandoned us. Though we cannot presently see Him, His Word assures us that He is always acting on our behalf to empower, lead, and complete us. He gives us abundant life (John 10:10). Christ enables us to live with peace, joy, and the strength and determination to persist in accomplishing whatever He calls us to do. The Lord makes intercession for us (Rom. 8:34). Jesus hears our every prayer and is seated at His Father’s right hand, presenting our requests to Him. Christ reveals the Father. By seeing God through the Son’s eyes, we understand that He’s our loving heavenly Father, who is personally interested in every aspect of our lives. Scripture invites us to follow Jesus’ example of ongoing intimate conversation with God. He’s preparing a place for us and will one day come to take us home to heaven so we can be with Him forever (John 14:2-3). The Lord Jesus is also preparing for His return to rule and reign on earth as King of kings and Lord of lords. “Out of sight, out of mind” is definitely not a phrase that describes Christ’s relationship with us. He never forgets us and is continually working to complete His plans for both our lives and the entire world. His constant care should motivate us to make sure that He’s not out of our sight and mind. Copyright 2013 In Touch Ministries, Inc. All rights reserved. www.intouch.org. In Touch grants permission to print for personal use only. -<>- __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >SET BOUNDARIES (3) Written by Bob & Debby Gass '...like a city with broken-down walls.' Proverbs 25:28 NLT Permeable boundaries. Well-adjusted people find the right balance which allows them to invite others into their personal space without allowing infiltration, manipulation or domination. They know how to say "yes" to what's healthy and "no" to what's not. Permeable boundary people, on the other hand, allow others to permeate their lives at will, siphon off their time and energy, dictate their options, and deprive them of other important relationships. Unable to say "no", they permit others to make them feel guilty, obligated, uncaring, or even 'unchristian' if they withhold what's demanded. They inconvenience themselves, their families and their friendships to facilitate the endless demands of the seemingly helpless, disempowered, irresponsible user, believing they are being kind and helpful. The helper's toll is immense, often leading to emotional, physical, social and spiritual overload, while the 'helpee' feels increasingly dependent, irresponsible and entitled - not appreciating, and sometimes even resenting, the helper's efforts. Permeable boundary people are unaware that their 'open' sign is always illuminated, attracting a deluge of other people's needs they feel personally responsible for. They carry the weight of much that's wrong in the world, feeling exhausted, anxious, inadequate and guilty, taking it personally that they can't do more and fix things. And it leaves them feeling 'used'. 'A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.' Understand this: You can't take charge of your own life while you're overwhelmed feeling responsible for other people's lives. Set some boundaries, and live the life God gave you to live! Lev 23:26 - 25:55, Mt 7:1-14, Ps 74:1-11, Prov 2:6 as seen in The Word For Today -<>- C ON MY FEET WALKING by Joni Eareckson Tada “We ourselves who have the first fruits of the spirit groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved.” —Romans 8:23 Recently, when Ken and I were back in Maryland, my family showed 8mm home movies. There, larger-than-life on the living room wall, I saw me at the age of 16. I had the same basic hair style and hair color, but my head was attached to a walking body— my body! I watched my hands hold the reins of my horse and pat his neck. I watched how I put one foot in front of the other. It gave me goose bumps. Later on Ken asked me how I felt as I watched myself walk. “There was a time I would have sighed, ‘Aww, that’s the way it used to be. I wish I could go back to that,’” I said. “But now, thirty years later and almost as many years sinking my heart and head in the Word of God, I can say, ‘Oh, wow, this is the way it soon will be. I can look forward to having a body that works. And I’ll do so much more than walk!’” I am closer to this side of gaining my heavenly body than to the other side of losing my earthly body. Philippians 3:12 says, “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” The past is the past. The future is much more interesting to think about. Watching home movies doesn’t make me sad, it makes me happy to think of all I will gain back, and more! What are you dwelling on today? The loss of something or someone in your past? Let your groanings not be for “what once was,” but “what will soon be!” Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things above, not earthly things.” Count the years. You just might be closer to the future than you think. Lord, help me to set my heart and mind on things above! Joni Eareckson Tada’s inspirational daily devotionals are biblical insights that will enrich, enlighten, and encourage you in your walk with Christ Jesus. as seen in joniandfriends.org -<>- _ _{Ss //\\_/_/\Ss _/_| \_/ \_ pb >HERE I AM Well, here I am in the twilight of my life wondering exactly where the years went. How I could have possibly lived this long, and how was all that time spent? Yes, even though twilight is here, I’ve never thought much about being old. Nor that I would get here so quickly, while living those youthful days of gold. It doesn’t seem that long ago when life was all roses with no cares. Well, actually there were some valleys, between the mountaintops of those years. But through it all, God was by my side ...whether valleys or mountain tops... His angels were watching over me with a care that never stops! So far, twilight isn’t so bad... with my health and memories intact, each day can be a new adventure, just waiting for me to see that fact! by Virginia Archer 03-11 -<>- _ | | ( ! ) |=|-+ [___] MJP >OIL DEPLETERS By Sharon Jaynes Key Verse: Jesus replies, "let us go somewhere else – to the nearby villages – so I can preach ere also. That is why I have come." Mark 1:38 In the previous devotional, I compared the oil of the Holy Spirit in a mother’s life to the oil in the lamp of a lighthouse. Sometimes it is easy for a mom to give so much to others, she ends up running on empty when it comes to her own family. What are some common oil depleters among mothers? Here are a few: volunteering at school, helping in the community, counseling needy friends, taking care of other people’s children, teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir for all three services, cooking meals for everyone who has a baby in your church, working on the missions committee, chairing the PTA, leading a neighborhood Bible study, being on the decorations committee for the school homecoming, making costumes for all the animals in the school play, being a scout mother; den mother; and room mother; (all at the same time), taking care of aging parents, hosting supper club once a month…… Are you tired yet? I get tired just thinking about it. These activities are very noble and worthy causes, but we must realize that we can not do it all. Something will suffer. Our oil will run out. When it does, we know who will suffer the most, first ourselves, then our families. We must resist the tendency to be ruled by the tyranny of the urgent. We must learn how to say "no" without guilt. Jesus provides a good example of how to set priorities and get refueled in Mark 1:35. "And in the early morning, while it was still dark, He arose and went out and departed to a lonely place, and was praying there." Jesus kept His oil refilled by meeting with God first thing in the morning and getting alone to pray. It is also when He set His priorities for the day. Verse 36 goes on to say: "Simon and his companions hunted for Him, and they found Him, and said to Him, ‘Everyone is looking for you.’ And he said to them, ‘Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, in order that I may preach there also; for that is what I came out for." Jesus had just conducted a healing service the night before, and the people in Capernaum wanted more. Was it a noble cause for Him to return and continue to minister? Yes it was. But Jesus had set His priorities. He came to spread the gospel and that’s what He continued to do. He was not distracted by the tyranny of the urgent, but focused on the will of God. And because He had spent time with God, He had new oil in His lamp and knew exactly where He was to shine. Spending time with the Lord each day will help keep our priorities in order as well as fuel the light to keep our beacons burning brightly in our homes. We can ask Him to show us with fresh eyes what we should do. When we do, He guides our paths and instructs us in the way we should go (Psalms 32:8). He guides us in daily decisions. "Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it.’" (Isaiah 30:21) What priority do your children have in your life? Most of us would readily say they are right there at the top. But is that what our calendars say? Where your treasure is (your time) there will your heart be also. The word priority means "to prefer." Let’s make sure we prefer our children. When I was a teenager, I used to sing this little chorus that went "Give me oil for my lamp, keep me burning, burning, burning. Give me oil for my lamp I pray. Give me oil for my lamp, keep me burning, burning, burning. Keep me burning ‘til the break of day." That song has taken on new meaning as I have become a beacon who desires to never let her lamp run dry. My Prayer for Today: Dear Lord, help me to be a wise steward of the time you have given me. Give me the wisdom to know when and where to serve and when and where to say no. God, help me to always keep my family as top priority in my life, not just in word, but in deed as well. In Christ's name, Amen Application Steps: Re-evaluate all your activities and see if there are any oil depleters in your life. Reflection Points: Go back and read Mark 1:35-40. Are you surprised that Jesus turned down a ministry opportunity? How do you think Jesus knew when to say yes and when to say no? John 5:19 What were some oil depleters to the early disciples? Acts 6:1-4 How did they solve the problem? How do we begin to eliminate oil depleters? James 1:5 Power Verses: James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (NIV) Isaiah 50:4-5 "He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back." (NIV) Psalms 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. (NIV) Isaiah 30:21 "Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it.’" (NIV) as seen in Growthtrac Encouragement To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316kim@sc.rr.com. ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseAu :) _ *"_"* __ /`_`\ __ .' '. | / \ | .' '. , / ')\^_^/(' \ , \`--' . (_.> <._) . '--`/ '.__.' '._/ \_/ \_.' '.__.' / , _ , \ \ \_/|\_/ / \ //^\\ / \/` `\/ | | | | | | | | .. ..:::.| | ..::::. .. ..::::..::::... .::::::::| |:::::::::::::::. ::::::::::::::::::.:::::::::::| |:::::::::::::::::. ':::::::::::::::::::::::::::::| |::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::| |::::::::::::::::::' '':::' '::::::::::::::::\_.__./:::::::::::::::'' '':::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::' jgs '::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::'' '':::::'' '''::::::'' >The Guardian There are those that believe, So the story is told, That at birth you receive, Your own Angel to hold. You come into this world, On a wing and a prayer, And through your lifetime, She will always be there. A guardian Angel, Who will guide what you do, Her pure essence is love Sent to watch over you. - Author Unknown >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->ShangyFunList AD RATES: $20 will get your a message (of up to 40 words) out to all self-subscribed readers and $5 more will give you the same message also put up for all web site readers. Email me to secure dates. Ad Request ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->This is for all you who love food and DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe ********************************************************************** >TO SUBSCRIBE:Visit Here This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR For the Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com **********************************************************************