As You Go Through Life...:) 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 Through no fault of my own we suddenly became an adult club in the love and romance directory so you will have to confirm that you are an adult when you go here. I still have no idea how to change this back as it sends me around in a circle when I try! or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* 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!! ================ "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ . , )). -===- ,(( ))). ,((( ))))). .:::. ,(((((( ))))))))). :. .: ,((((((((' `))))))))))). : - : ,(((((((((((( ))))))))))))))))_:' ':_(((((((((((((((' `)))))))))))).-' \___/ '-._((((((((((( `))))_._.-' __)( )(_ '-._._((((' `))'---)___)))'\_ _/'((((__(---'((' `))))))))))))|' '|((((((((((((' jim `)))))))))/' '\(((((((((' `)))))))| |(((((((' `))))))| |((((((' /' '\ /' '\ /' '\ /' '\ '---..___..---' *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels For 2011 *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a 2011 Shangrala Angel, please visit the site and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL page comes up. Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS ALL OUR ANGELS MOST ABUNDANTLY! ================ >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This one is Smokin! It comes from a forward from our friend Johanna. Considering many of us are thinking we've had enough snow to last us ALL Year, this one is to make light of the situation. How about a little smile to lesson the stress? And then watch the video and take a SNOW RIDE with me! |\ /| , _ .::::. | `' ' \,'| _ :::::: / `--.__ '-'/ :::::: 6_ 6 `--.__/ )====( <__) | \_ _/ \___, / !! _\--' _ .' !! ."(.'`-,-"/ \' \-. !!.'.'/`--;_;_\_/_.' `-. !/ / `-' / y (\ `. / / |`-, ( (| \\ \ \| `-' ) \\ `\ | !|,-. / \) /`.__/ !|\_; `-._.'`-' | />> !| | __ .' '} !\ / {_ \.' << !!\ / __ \( )_/``____!;' `-.__hjw____ `---`` `-._ _.-' - .. - Snow Fun! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/snowfun.html --- ...Such a joy! Thanks Johanna! =============================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: , .--'|} / /}} .=\.--'`\} //` '---./` || /| \\| | |\_\\/ \__/\\ \\ jgs \| >MORE ROMANTIC THAN FLOWERS by Jaye Lewis Celebrating Valentine's Day as a patient in a major hospital is a unique experience. My husband, Louie, in 1988, was on active duty, in the U.S. Navy, and his ship was hundreds of miles out to sea. I was in a hospital recovering from a complete immune system collapse. Of one thing I was very certain -- there would be no flowers for me on that Valentine's Day. Nor would there be a phone call or one of Louie's tender smiles to light up his eyes and melt my heart. Usually I could stand the separation, but not today. All the patients had their own problems, and my goal was to get well, so that I could get on with my life. I suppose one could say that I'm an overly optimistic person. I view each downfall as a new beginning. I usually carry hope in my heart by the bushel full, but today hope felt like an elusive dream. Valentine's Day is a day to spend time with those you love, however, with my husband out to sea, and my children in school, I felt pretty much alone. By lunchtime, I had attended two physical therapy sessions. I had attended a craft class, where I'd been given sharp pointed objects to help inspire my "creative side," and I couldn't help wondering who needed the medication here. Then came a lunch that was guaranteed to add another five pounds. Those of us who were ambulatory gathered in a small dining area so we could stuff ourselves. Suddenly, the heavy steel door opened, and in walked my daughters, Jenny, age 16, and Helen, age 13, wearing excited grins. Seeing their blonde and red-gold loveliness brought joy to my heart and a smile to my lips. What a nice surprise! They explained quickly that they both had school permission to leave during lunch, and to make a special trip, with the hospital's permission, to see their mother outside of visiting hours. Incredulous, I looked over at the clustered nurses, who were wearing mysterious smiles on their faces. Then Jenny handed me the small, brown paper bag. What in the world was this? The last thing I needed was a donut. I opened the bag, my hands trembling, and inside I found my husband's small, pocket computer. Oh, it was nothing like what you'd see today. It was one of the first small computers which ran on an archaic "DOS" program. I hated the little thing. I didn't even know how to find the "on" button. I parked a smile on my face, before I looked back up at the girls. "What's this?" I asked, in a cheerful voice. "It's from Daddy!" They chorused, grinning broadly. Of course, my husband, the original techno-geek, wouldn't send flowers. "How sweet!" I lied, grinning broadly through my teeth. "Turn it on!" Helen instructed, her red curls bouncing merrily. "OK," I said, now truly annoyed. I began pressing one button after another, looking for the stupid "on" button. "It's the red button," Jenny explained. Of course. Red means "stop" in any language, so it had to be the "on" button. Tentatively, I pressed the red button. Then all kinds of whirring began, and the tiny view screen became busy, and then stopped. The words jumped out at me, and in my heart they were ten feet tall. "I LOVE YOU, JAYE...I LOVE YOU, JAYE...I LOVE YOU, JAYEŠ." Again and again the words scrolled across the tiny screen, as the tears streamed from my eyes. Louie had programmed his precious pocket computer to scroll his love for me, for as long as there was life in it, and that's when I discovered that a computer can be more romantic than flowers. -- Jaye Lewis __________________________________________________ Jaye is a proud Heartwarmer Gem and contributing author to Chicken Soup for the Soul. She also has stories published in Guidepost books, God Allows U-Turns, and many other popular anthologies. Jaye says, "The little computer scrolled my husband's love message for two years. After my recovery, I would often turn it on to remind myself just how blessed I was." For more about Jaye, you can visit her website at http://www.entertainingangels.org where you will also find links to her blogs. ================================================================= >-->From DevineHalowings: .-~*~--,. .-. .-~-. ./OOOOOOOOO\.'OOO`9~~-. .`OOOOOO.OOM.OLSONOOOOO@@OOOOOO\ /OOOO@@@OO@@@OO@@@OOO@@@@@@@@OOOO`. |OO@@@WWWW@@@@OOWWW@WWWW@@@@@@@OOOO). .-'OO@@@@WW@@@W@WWWWWWWWOOWW@@@@@OOOOOO} /OOO@@O@@@@W@@@@@OOWWWWWOOWOO@@@OOO@@@OO| lOOO@@@OO@@@WWWWWWW\OWWWO\WWWOOOOOO@@@O.' \OOO@@@OOO@@@@@@OOW\ \WWWW@@@@@@@O'. `,OO@@@OOOOOOOOOOWW\ \WWWW@@@@@@OOO) \,O@@@@@OOOOOOWWWWW\ \WW@@@@@OOOO.' `~c~8~@@@@WWW@@W\ \WOO|\UO-~' (OWWWWWW@/\W\ ___\WO) `~-~'' \ \WW=*' __\ \ \ \ \ __\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \\ \\ \ \ >Men of Fire and Lightning As our small plane dropped to the ground and we scrambled to safety, we looked back and saw two magnificent figures. The night was serene above the clouds, and I marveled at the sensation of flying. Just like angels, I thought, imagining them all around us. I was with my friend David Wright, who was piloting a Beechcraft Bonanza back to our local airport in Fort Worth from Oklahoma, where we'd taken our pastor and his wife. We'd had a prayer service before we left Texas, and people told us they'd linger at the church for a while to pray some more. "Bad weather reports," they'd said. Although I was grateful for their prayers, there seemed no cause for alarm. Our flight was less than an hour, and I saw only calm on the horizon. The lights of Dallas were bright as we landed at Love Field to refuel. "Any news about the weather?" David asked the tower. The answer came back, "A-OK," but we were airborne only 10 minutes when thunder rumbled and lightning pierced the sky. "Hold tight," David said. "Just 25 miles and we're home." We bounced around like a leaf in the buffeting wind. Our heads were thrown against the canopy of the plane. The view cleared. "I see the airport ahead!" David shouted. "There's more storm coming, but with any luck I'll make it in before it hits." I jerked back in my seat as he increased the speed. The plane lurched forward. We zoomed between two giant electrical towers, skimming above the transmission lines. The plane dipped to the left. Wham! It felt like the bottom dropped out. I gripped the arms of my seat. "Jesus," I said in prayer. Wham! We were slammed, almost stopped in midair by something with enormous power. "What was that?" I cried. All at once, we were flung backward. David pulled on the stick. We were falling! Jesus, I prayed again. This is it. When would the blackout come? I wondered. But it didn't. I was wide-eyed awake as the plane crashed into the ground, twisting, turning, its wheels digging into the dirt. David and I didn't move. Could we? The engine burst into flames. Lightning flashed all around us. I grabbed the door at my side. I couldn't open it. Frantic, I tugged at the handle. I pushed and shoved. It wouldn't budge. "I can't open the door!" I shouted. Then I felt a hand near mine. David! The door swept open. "Run!" David shouted. We leaped from the plane. The constant flashes of lightning were almost as bright as day, and we quickly looked around. Our feet were deep in muddy grass. We'd crashed into a farm pasture, with no roads or houses nearby. Then I spotted a hangar in the distance. "There's the airport!" I shouted. We'd missed it by maybe half a mile. We ran, afraid of an explosion. The plane engine burned, and the lightning threatened with fierce, jagged force. David and I reached a fence a few yards away. "You okay?" David said. "I'm exhausted, but yeah," I said. We scrambled over the fence, and then turned to look back. -<>- My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ( James 1:2-3 *NKJV ) We all have times in our lives when our patience and our endurance seem to be running low. Times that we may even think that we can't take it anymore. When that happens to you remember that our Heavenly Father is a; God of patience and comfort ( Romans 15:5 ) He is always there for us, and will lead us out of our problems if we practice patience. Now we learn by reading the Scriptures that patience is a Virtue. For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. ( Romans 15:4 ) Further by learning about how God has handled things in the past gives us knowledge of how He will handle the future as well. Remember the story of Job and how he endured? The Bible tells us; Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord - that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. ( James 5:11 ) So never give up, but; wait patiently and be sure; that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. ( Hebrews 6:12 ) Therefore members, May the Lord direct your heart into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. ( 2 Thes 3:5 ) and; let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. Amen. ( James 1:4 ) All My Love & Prayers, angel To subscribe from this group, send an email to: DevineHalowings-subscribe@yahoogroups.com --- ...Teachings to aide you... Are Angels Real? http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/angelsreal.html Never Give Up! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/nevergiveup.html ==================================================================== >-->From CupO'Cheer: GOD * . dZZZZZ, . * dZZZZ ZZ, * . ,AZZZZZZZZZZZ `ZZ,_ * ,ZZZZZZV' ZZZZ `Z,`\ ,ZZZ ZZ . ZZZZ `V * ZZZZV' ZZ ZZZZ \_ . . V l . ZZ ZZZZZZ . l \ ZZ, ZZZ ZZZZZZ, . / ZZ l ZZZ ZZZ `Z, ZZ l ZZZ Z Z, `Z, * . ZZ ZZZ Z Z, `l Z ZZ V `Z \ V ZZC l V Z l V ZR l . \ \ l ZA \ C C \ K / / K A \ \ | / / / \ \\|/ / / __________________________________\|/_________________________ >THE STORM WILL PASS One day a young lady was driving with her father in the family car and they drove into a very heavy storm, and the young lady asked her father, 'What should I do, stop or keep driving?' He said, 'keep on driving.' As they drove on cars began to pull over to the side of the road as the storm was getting worse. Again the young lady asked, 'Father, what should I do, stop or keep driving?' 'Keep on driving' her father replied. A few kilometers on the young lady noticed that not only more cars were pulling over, but also some big transport trucks were also pulling over to the side of the road. She told her father, 'Now I must pull over, I can barely see ahead. It is terrible and everyone is pulling over!' Her father told her again, 'Don't give up, just keep driving!' Now the storm was at its worst, but she did as her father had advised and kept driving and then the storm started to ease and she could see a little more clearly. After a couple of kilometers she had driven out of the storm and the sun came out and the road ahead was dry. Her father said, 'Now you can pull over and let's get out.' 'But why now, Father?' she asked. Her father said 'When you get out, you can look back at all the people in cars and trucks that gave up and are still in the storm and because you never gave up your storm is now over.' This is a testimony for anyone who is going through 'hard times' and their own 'personal storms.' Just because everyone else, even the strongest, gives up. You don't have to . . . If you keep going, soon your storm will be over and the road ahead will be dry and clear, and the sun will shine upon you again!!! author unknown as seen in Inspiration Plus -<>- __..--.._ ..... .--~ ..... `. .": "`-.. . .' ..-'" :". ` ` `._ ` _.'`"( `-"'`._ ' _.' ' ~~~ `. ~~~ .' / ( ^---' Lester >HER EYES "I need to be reminded once in awhile," she said. "Me, too!" I replied. Then we stood there and watched. I was shopping for those "new fangled" LED lights. I felt like time zipped past me and I was trying to catch up with the new technology. Saying "new fangled," to the clerk made me sound like an old cowboy in a Roy Rogers movie, "Dag Nabbit!" Thankfully the clerk was a bit older and really didn't notice my advancing age and verbal attachment to "the good old days, by golly!" She had just pointed me in the right direction to find the lights when a young mother and her child approached nearby. On the end cap was a display of huge stuffed animals. Mom passed by close enough that the little girl was able to grab hold of one. She just wouldn't let go. Now, I'm not good at guessing the age of children, all I knew was she was an infant in a stroller with a grasp like a linebacker. Mom stopped. The clerk and I turned toward them and we all captured one of those "Kodak moments." If you know what a "Kodak moment" is you're old enough to say "New Fangled", too. Mom backed up for a moment and pulled the toy off the display so her child could hold it. That's when we saw it. I was looking for my childhood. The clerk was seeing her own grandchild she told me later and we saw it all in the eyes of an infant. They were like bright portals into the light of tomorrow. She wasn't smiling, her mind was too busy to tell her to. She was consuming the image and clinging to the soft, fleecy touch of a world she is still discovering. I don't know if I wanted to be the parent or the child, but I knew I longed for something missing in my life. Until recent events and the tough, piercing moments of reality, I always considered myself child-like. I could romp, play, scream and act silly enough that you would either appreciate the foolishness of it all or see me as a grown up who needed some serious help. I do still hold onto this motto: "Never turn your nose up at nonsense!" I love to be touched, I love to smell new things, I hunger for the taste of the sweetness of life and always welcome the warmth of a hug. I went back there for a moment that day. I longed for my childish ways and found it in "her eyes." "I wish you enough!" J Bob Perks as seen in Da Mouse Tracks --- ...Speaking of a Kodak Moment Reminds me of this teaching... A KAIROS Moment http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/kairosmoment.html -<>- _________________________ (, ______________________ ) | | || | | @@@@ || @@@@ | | @@@@@@@ || @@@@@@@ | | @@ - - || - @@@@ | | @ c/ || '_ @@@ | | _@| |_ || __\@ \@ | | ( \ )/_\ /_ || _\\ (/ ) @\_/) | | \ \|) / \) || |(__/ / /| | | |\_/ ( -/ || \___/ ----/_| | | / \ || ,: '( | | : _/| || |: \ | | : | || |: ) | | : | || |: | | |_______'____,_|_______|| |_____,_| .---('________________________)--. | / ( |____ __________ _| | /\ ) |___| -o- | |__| -o- | ( \| / |___| -o- | |__| -o- | | /'=. b'ger|________| |__|______| '=>/ \ / \ /|/ ,___/| >THE REARVIEW MIRROR Many times trouble seems a little clearer when it is seen from the rearview mirror. Often our judgment from days gone by becomes a bit clearer that we can't deny. Seen as the potholes of a daily advent some might be found as truly God sent. The rearview mirror of yesterdays sights might display clearer our wrongs and our rights. Time has a purpose to fulfill our need that in the future shall plant a seed. All of our problems getting much nearer might be answered in the rearview mirror. ©By Bill Pearce Jan 9, 2011 -<>- ________ _jgN########Ngg_ _N##N@@"" ""9NN##Np_ d###P N####p "^^" T#### d###P _g###@F _gN##@P gN###F" d###F 0###F 0###F 0###F "NN@' ___ q###r "" >TEN QUESTIONS (PLUS A FEW MORE) TO ASK AT THE START OF A NEW YEAR Once, when the people of God had become careless in their relationship with Him, the Lord rebuked them through the prophet Haggai. "Consider your ways!" (Haggai 1:5) he declared, urging them to reflect on some of the things happening to them, and to evaluate their slipshod spirituality in light of what God had told them. Even those most faithful to God occasionally need to pause and think about the direction of their lives. It's so easy to bump along from one busy week to another without ever stopping to ponder where we're going and where we should be going. The beginning of a new year is an ideal time to stop, look up, and get our bearings. To that end, here are some questions to ask prayerfully in the presence of God. 1. What's one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God? 2. What's the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year? 3. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year? 4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it? 5. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year? 6. What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church? 7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year? 8. What's the most important way you will, by God's grace, try to make this year different from last year? 9. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year? 10. What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? In eternity? In addition to these ten questions, here are twenty-one more to help you "Consider your ways." Think on the entire list at one sitting, or answer one question each day for a month. 11. What's the most important decision you need to make this year? 12. What area of your life most needs simplifying, and what's one way you could simplify in that area? 13. What's the most important need you feel burdened to meet this year? 14. What habit would you most like to establish this year? 15. Who is the person you most want to encourage this year? 16. What is your most important financial goal this year, and what is the most important step you can take toward achieving it? 17. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your work life this year? 18. What's one new way you could be a blessing to your pastor (or to another who ministers to you) this year? 19. What's one thing you could do this year to enrich the spiritual legacy you will leave to your children and grandchildren? 20. What book, in addition to the Bible, do you most want to read this year? 21. What one thing do you most regret about last year, and what will you do about it this year? 22. What single blessing from God do you want to seek most earnestly this year? 23. In what area of your life do you most need growth, and what will you do about it this year? 24. What's the most important trip you want to take this year? 25. What skill do you most want to learn or improve this year? 26. To what need or ministry will you try to give an unprecedented amount this year? 27. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your commute this year? 28. What one biblical doctrine do you most want to understand better this year, and what will you do about it? 29. If those who know you best gave you one piece of advice, what would they say? Would they be right? What will you do about it? 30. What's the most important new item you want to buy this year? 31. In what area of your life do you most need change, and what will you do about it this year? The value of many of these questions is not in their profundity, but in the simple fact that they bring an issue or commitment into focus. For example, just by articulating which person you most want to encourage this year is more likely to help you remember to encourage that person than if you hadn't considered the question. If you've found these questions helpful, you might want to put them someplace—in a day planner, PDA, calendar, bulletin board, etc.—where you can review them more frequently than once a year. So let's evaluate our lives, make plans and goals, and live this new year with biblical diligence, remembering that, "The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage" (Proverbs 21:5). But in all things let's also remember our dependence on our King who said, "Apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). Copyright © 2003 Donald S. Whitney. Copyright Disclaimer: All the information contained on the Center for Biblical Spirituality website is copyrighted by Donald S. Whitney. Permission granted to copy this material in its complete text only for not-for-profit use (sharing with a friend, church, school, Bible study, etc.) and including all copyright information. No portion of this website may be sold, distributed, published, edited, altered, changed, broadcast, or commercially exploited without the prior written permission from Donald S. Whitney. You can download this article formatted as a bulletin insert at www.BiblicalSpirituality.org --- ...Teachings to help you with this... Christianity http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/christianity.html When You Pray http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/pray.html To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. =============================================================== >-->From Archives Inspired Buffalo: .... ,''. : __ \|_.' `: _.----._//_ .' .'.`'-._ .' _/ -._ \)-.----O '._.'.' '--''-'._ '--..--'-` .'.'___ /`'---'. / ,-'` snd _<__.-._))../ /'----'/.'_____:'. \_ : \ ] : '. \___: \\ : '. : \\__ : .' :_______________|__]__________: .' .' __ '. :.' .' .' '. '. .' .' '. '. .' .' '. '. _.' .'______________'. '._ [_0______________________0_] >As You Go Through Life ... 1. Set your own pace........When someone is pushing you, it's ok to tell them they're pushing. 2. Take nothing for granted........Watch water flow, the corn grow, the leaves blow, your neighbors mow. 3. Allow yourself time to be lazy and unproductive........Rest isn't a luxury, it's a necessity. 4. Listen to the wind blow........It carries a message of yesterday and tomorrow........And now.........Now counts. 5. Rest on your laurels........They bring comfort whatever their size, age or condition. 6. Talk slower. Talk less. Don't talk. Communication isn't measured by words. 7. Give yourself permission to be late sometimes........Life is for living, not scheduling. 8. Listen to the song of a bird........The complete song. Music and nature are gifts, but only if you are willing to receive them. 9. Slow down. God is still in heaven........You are not responsible for doing it all...yourself... right now. 10. Remember a happy, peaceful time in your past........Rest there. Each moment has a richness that takes a lifetime to savor. 11. Quit planning how you're going to use what you know, learn or possess........God's gifts just are. Be grateful and their purpose will be clear. 12. When you walk with someone, don't think about what you'll say next........Thoughts will spring up naturally if you let them. 13. Talk and play with children........It will bring out the unhurried little person inside you. 14. Create a place in your home...At your work....in your heart...where you can go for quiet and recollection. You deserve it. 15. Take time to think........Action is good and necessary, but it's fruitful only if we muse, ponder and mull. 16. Make time for play........The things you like to do. Whatever your age, your inner child needs re-creation. 17. Watch and listen to the night sky........It speaks. 18. Listen to the words you speak........Especially in prayer. 19. Learn to stand back and let others take their turn as leaders........ There will always be new opportunities for you to step out in front again. 20. Divide big jobs into little jobs........If God took six days to create the universe, can you do any better? 21. Direct your life with purposeful choices, not with speed and efficiency........The best musician is one who plays with expression and meaning, not the one who finishes first. 22. Take a day off alone........Make a retreat. You can learn from monks and hermits without becoming one. 23. Pet a furry friend........You will give and get the gift of now. 24. Work with your hands........It frees the mind. 25. Take time to wonder........Without wonder, life is merely an existence. 26. Sit in the dark........It will treat you to see and hear, taste and smell. 27. Once in awhile........Turn down the lights, The throttle, The invitations. Less really can be more. 28. Let go......Nothing is usually the hardest thing to do...but often it is the best. 29. Taste your food........God gave it to delight as well as nourish. 30. Notice the sun and the moon as they rise and set........They are remarkable for their steady pattern of movement, not their speed. 31. And as you ramble on thru life my dearest friend........Keep your eye upon the doughnut, and not upon the hole. 32. "AND SLOWLY COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS ONE AT A TIME" -<>- >I Can't Thank You Enough Father I can't praise you enough For the blessings you bestow For your wondrous love and mercy For cleansing my heart and soul. Father I can't praise you enough I'm unworthy to speak your name Yet you gave your only Son for me And He willingly took my blame. Father I can't praise you enough For your sweet Spirit living in me And Father I can't thank you enough For your Son who set me free. Father I can't thank you enough That even though I sometimes stray You reach down with rich blessings And you still love me anyway. ~ Lora Cox ~ -<>- ..................____________,..............., / .-. , ,.--. .-,/_/_/_/_/_/,-', ,. -,-,-- /| / / /- // / / ._/_/_/_/,-' // /-| / /-- / / / `-' ' '`--' '-'_'/_/_/,-' `-''--' `' '-- / / /..................'_/_/_,:.................. / / | .'_|_|_|_; -Shimrod | / """"""""""""""""" '"""""""""""""""""""' >CHOCOLATE SINGS One day I had a date for lunch with friends. Mae, a little old "blue hair" about 80 years old, came along with them---All in all, a pleasant bunch. When the menus were presented, we ordered salads, sandwiches, and soups, except for Mae who said, "Ice Cream, please. Two scoops, chocolate." I wasn't sure my ears heard right, and the others were aghast. "Along with heated apple pie," Mae added, completely unabashed. We tried to act quite nonchalant, as if people did this all the time. But when our orders were brought out, I didn't enjoy mine.. I couldn't take my eyes off Mae as her pie a-la-mode went down. The other ladies showed dismay. They ate their lunches silently and frowned. The next time I went out to eat, I called and invited Mae. I lunched on white meat tuna. She ordered a parfait. I smiled. She asked if she amused me. I answered, "Yes, you do, but also you confuse me. How come you order rich desserts, while I feel I must be sensible? She laughed and said, with wanton mirth, "I'm tasting all that's Possible. I try to eat the food I need, and do the things I should. But life's so short, my friend, I hate missing out on something good. This year I realized how old I was. (She grinned) I haven't been this old before." "So, before I die, I've got to try those things that for years I had ignored. I haven't smelled all the flowers yet. There are too many books I haven't read. There's more fudge sundaes to wolf down and kites to be flown overhead. There are many malls I haven't shopped. I've not laughed at all the jokes. I've missed a lot of Broadway hits and potato chips and cokes. I want to wade again in water and feel ocean spray on my face. I want to sit in a country church once more and thank God for His grace. I want peanut butter every day spread on my morning toast. I want un-timed long distance calls to the folks I love the most. I haven't cried at all the movies yet, or walked in the morning rain. I need to feel wind in my hair. I want to fall in love again. So, if I choose to have dessert, instead of having dinner, then should I die before night fall, I'd say I died a winner, because I missed out on nothing. I filled my heart's desire. I had that final chocolate mousse before my life expired." With that, I called the waitress over.. "I've changed my mind," I said. "I want what she is having, only add some more whipped cream!" Remember that while money talks, CHOCOLATE SINGS -<>- __________________ /\ ______________ \ /::\ \ZZZZZZZZZZZZ/\ \ /:/\.\ \ /:/\:\ \ /:/Z/\:\ \ /:/Z/\:\ \ /:/Z/__\:\ \____/:/Z/ \:\ \ /:/Z/____\:\ \___\/Z/ \:\ \ \:\ \ZZZZZ\:\ \ZZ/\ \ \:\ \ \:\ \ \:\ \ \:\ \ \:\ \ \:\ \ \:\ \_\;\_\_____\;\ \ \:\ \ \:\_________________\ \:\ \ /:/ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ/ \:\ \ /:/Z/ \:\ \ /:/Z/ \:\ \/:/Z/ \:\ \/:/Z/ \:\/:/Z/________\;\/:/Z/ \::/Z/_______itz__\/Z/ \/ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ/ >Alabaster Boxes Do not keep the alabaster boxes of your love and tenderness sealed up, until your friends are dead. Fill their lives with sweetness. Speak approving, cheering words while their ears can hear them and while their hearts can be thrilled and made happier by them. The kind things you mean to say when they are gone, say them before they go. The flowers you mean to send-use to brighten and sweeten their homes before they leave them. If my friends have alabaster boxes lay away, full of fragrant perfumes of sympathy and affection I would rather they would bring them out in my weary and troubled hours and open them, that I may be refreshed and cheered when I need them. Let us learn to anoint our friends beforehand. Post-mortem kindness does not cheer the burdened spirit. Flowers cast no fragrance backward over the weary way. -<>- >Life Is A Journey Life is a journey through many terrain From gardens of pleasure to deserts of pain From an ocean of love to a jungle of hate From mountains of glory to canyons of fate There's a highway for joy and a highway for sorrow A road for today and a road for tomorrow So choose your path wisely and walk with care If you follow your heart, you'll find your way there I've been to the garden and planted seeds there I've been to the desert and felt the despair I've swam in the ocean and drank of it's wine I climbed up the mountain to touch the sky I went to the canyon and started to cry I've traveled both highways, Both today and tomorrow I've basked in the joy and wallowed in sorrow My path has been chosen and I've walked it with care I followed my heart and I'm on my way there So I'll just keep walking till I find what I'm after To mountains and oceans and Gardens of laughter. Author Unknown -<>- %%%% %%%%-( _%%%%%_/ \ ' / _%%%%%%%% - (_) - _%%%%%%%/ \% / , \ %%%%%%%%%\\ \_ %%%%%% \ \\ ) /\_/ /(___. \ '----' ( / ) ---....____/ (_____ __ _ ___ ___ __ _ _ _____ _ _ ___ / )---...___ =-= = -_= -=_= _-=_-_ -=- =-_ ,' ( ```--.._= -_= -_= _-=- -_= _=- ,-' ) ``--._=-_ =-=_-= _-= _ '-._ '-..___( ``-._=_-=_- =_-= ``---....__) `-._-=_-_=- )|)| `-._=-_ gnv '-'-.\_ `-. >Beauty Is Soul Deep Abraham Lincoln loved to tell stories on himself. One of his favorites concerned itself with physical appearance. In the days when Lincoln used to be on the circuit (traveling on horseback from one county court to another), he was once approached by a stranger who said, "Excuse me, sir, but I have an article which belongs to you." "How is that?" Lincoln asked in astonishment. The stranger took a jack-knife from his pocket. "This knife," he said "was placed in my hand some years ago, with the injunction that I was to keep it until I found a man homelier-looking than I am myself. I have carried that knife for many years. Now I pass it on to you." Lincoln added wryly, "I've carried that knife ever since." One of Lincoln's greatest assets was his ability to laugh at himself. And he frequently laughed at his physical appearance. But history does not remember him as an "ugly" individual -- in fact, often just the opposite. His outer appearance was clothed in magnificently beautiful garments: character, honesty, humor and courage. But there are other clothes he wore equally well -- such as humility and forgiveness. We say that beauty is skin deep. But it isn't really. It has very little to do with the skin. True beauty is soul deep. It is a fabric that is woven in the soul and worn in plain view. The Bible speaks of something similar. It teaches us to clothe ourselves with "compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Then "over all of these put on love, which binds them in perfect unity." Regardless of how good looking we may otherwise be, it is these clothes that will determine our actual beauty. This was taught to me by a woman who used to think that if she were granted only one wish, it would be to be beautiful. She saw her wheel-chair dependent body as unsightly and, therefore, she missed her more attractive assets. But when she was finally convinced of some of her beautiful personality traits by her friends, she came to a different point of view. Today she says, "Now I know I AM beautiful. Very beautiful." Beauty is soul deep. Learn that and you may realize that you are far more attractive than you ever imagined! ~ Steve Goodier ~ -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment Domaci Mazlicek http://www.buffaloschips.com/012118.htm Drum Girls http://www.buffaloschips.com/012119.htm Escape Rescue http://www.buffaloschips.com/012120.htm Ever See A Snake Yawn http://www.buffaloschips.com/012121.htm Faryl Smith Britain's Got Talent http://www.buffaloschips.com/012122.htm Self Talk http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/selftalk.html Give Me Flowers http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/flowers.html Right Angle Photography http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/anglephoto.html Sweet Little Pad http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/homepad.html Thailand's Tigers http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/tiger.html God's Paintings http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gpaints.html Cat Spot Tips http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/catspots.html Visit our site at http://www.inspiredbuffalo.com If you are looking to join any of our other fine e-zines visit www.buffalosjokes.com ====================================================================== __,-O< ,-- --. \. -=' -' \ __\\O- ,--- --. `^ / ). __,-O< \ __,-O< ,-- ----' `. `\) __)\O-__ )/ ,--( ,;:. _) / `^ _)\O< / (_ .:;:;. | | `^ :;';.;:' |_ |_ | ';\||' ______/=\\______/=\\_______| JML ap :| '-'-'-[=]/'-'-'-[=]/'-'-'-/'.=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:= -'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-/ '. | '-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-/ .-' .--.--. |/| -'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-/ _.-'.-: ..; .;|;. ;. |/|/ ___ ___ |' _.'\ :|--|--|- .;_;' ';_;. --|--|--|/|/ |] [|_|_|] [|_|_|] | |\ | \:|--|--| ; ;' '; ; -|--|--|/ |] [|_|_|] [|_|_|] | | \|--' ;; .--.___.--. ;; _______________________| |.-' ;-[ O )=( O ]-; |/| ( `--' | `--' ) ____.-". |/|/ \| ( |/ ;( ,__.)/=' |/|/ . .:::::. . ; |/ \| |/|/ . '---' . \ | |/|/ |`. .'| ` `|/|/ ,-------/| `...' |\-------, |--|--|--|/|/ ,' | `. ,' | `, |--|--|--|/ / \ /'. ,'\ / \ ; |/ \ / \| ; ; ; / ' |. ' \ \; ; ; `-' | `-' MJP >The Plowman Story Editor: by Jane E. Silver Joyce Schowalter Colorado, USA In my young life, during the time that my father was very ill, my brothers and I were placed in foster care so that my mother could do what had to be done, earn a living. This was a completely voluntary solution, though imperative, since we were all very young. An agency through the Catholic Diocese and Los Angeles County screened these households during the early 1950s, and compensated those providing service. Some people apparently see foster care as a great way to supplement one's income. All looked rosy when first we took up residence. My two brothers shared a room and I, the little girl, had her very own room. The woman of the house was all sweetness and light when my mother was around. The man of the house had a hangdog expression, speaking infrequently and trying to be a buffer. I won't assail you with tales of physical abuse. Suffice to say the nightly ritual of dinner was an agonizing event. Once this woman prepared a pork roast and ate the cracklings at the kitchen table while we were required to watch. We were taunted about whether or not we had been good enough to enjoy this treat, which we had evidently not been. And man, I was glaring and salivating. We were removed soon enough from this place. There was a silver lining while there, however. This household was located in an area in Los Angeles that was just being developed and had acres and acres of wild areas. My older brother managed to survive all assaults, mental and physical, by finding a secret place in these wilds and disappearing. One day I followed him. I came upon him, crouched on the ground, digging. I crept up tentatively and asked what he was doing. He said he was building a miniature African fortress. We two then proceeded to spend hours: scraping the earth, evacuating the compound. We built huts and animal enclosures. We dug root cellars. A high observation tower was constructed by stripping twigs for twine to tie everything together. We enclosed all with a strong high wall out of available twigs and bark. It was a wonderful sight to behold in complete miniature. We left the fort that night planning to return when we could to continue our refinements. A few days later we went back. Our hearts sank. The field had been plowed! We ran to the place we remembered and there intact, with a distinct path around it, was our fort. We just stood there, looked at each other and smiled. I can only imagine what had occurred. Some big hulking sunburned man in this huge cultivator had somehow seen our little construction. He must have gotten out of his rig, squatted down, studied it and seen the intricacies and joy that went into it and decided to go around. I forever bless you kind sir. A miniature gesture -- of the highest order. =======HeroicStories======= >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->BECOMING A CHRISTIAN HOW TO BE A CHRISTIAN! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Chrristian 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 DAARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do :) Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe ************************************************************************ >TO SUBSCRIBE: Visit Here This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR For the Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ************************************************************************