Being A Committed Christian... :) 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 $5 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 ~ *~* 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! ================ >-->2 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This flaming hot new page is from our friend LouiseAu. It is sure to warm your heart. There are some working dogs who are heroes on a daily basis. These canines are specially trained to be heroes in the ocean to those in need. Check this page out to learn more and see them in action. __ /\/'-, ,--''''' /" ____,'. ) \___ '"""""------'"""`-----' pb Italy's Lifeguard Dogs! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lifeguarddogs.html --- ...So amazing! Thanks LouiseAu! This next smoking hot page is from our friends Linda and GloriaB. It just might leave you wishing you had learned some of these great life lessons a long time ago. Be sure to give it a few moments of your time and check it out: `\|/' .---------------. ,'Y`. _( To think.... )_________ )|._.|( ( Using Ones Brain Instead of ) /(___)\ ""( little lightbulbs over )" ( ) ""( your head )""""""" `..-.,' """"""""""""" |"| .--' `--. Ojo Life Hacks http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lifehacks.html --- ...WoW! Great resource! Thanks Ladies! -<>- *~* We Had A Fabulous Month Of Caring And Sharing Last Month! _._ .' '. / \ ___ _.. _.--. | / |.' `'. ;-._ .' `\ .' `\ \| / \ .' `\/ ; / _ \.=..=./ _.' / | `\.---._| '. .-'-.}`.<>.`{-'-. / .--; . ( .' '. \ .---.{ <>()<> }.--..-' / _ \_ './ _. `-./ _},'<>`.{_ `\ ( = \ )`""'\;--. .' .-'/ )=..=;`\`- \ {= (| ) /`. ( / /| \ ) ( =_/ )__..-\ .'-..___.' : '.___..-' \ }/ / ;.____.-;/\ | ` | '--' | .' | \ \ /'. _.' \ ' / |\.\ ; /`--.-' ) .'`-. / \ \ |`| /__.-' \_.'jgs \ \ |-| -> Be Sure To Visit And Share These With All Your Friends... Begging Squirrels! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/squirrels2.html World's Fastest Trains! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/fasttrains.html Leon The Watchcat! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/watchcatleon.html Jacqueline Kennedy! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/jkennedy.html It's Punny! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/puns.html Gender-Reveal Party Fail! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gparty.html American Patriots! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/americanpatriots.html Trump VS Biden! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/trumpvsbiden.html ..::''''::.. .:::. .;'' ``;. .... ::::: :: :: :: :: ,;' .;: () ..: `:::' :: :: :: :: ::. ..:,:;.,:;. . :: .::::. `:' :: .:' :: :: `:. :: '''::, :: :: :: `:: :: ;: .:: : :: : : :: ,:'; ::; :: :: :: :: :: ::,::''. . :: `:. .:' :: `:,,,,;;' ,;; ,;;, ;;, ,;;, ,;;, `:,,,,:' :;: `;..``::::''..;' ``::,,,,::'' * May God Smile On All Our Sweet Contributors! Thank You! :) =========================================================== >-->From HeartTouchers: T \`. T | T .--------------.___________) \ | T ! | |//////////////|___________[ ] ! T | ! `--------------' ) ( | ! mn '-' ! >"The Hammer" by Cheryl A. Mariano I pictured clearly in my mind The cross at Calvary I saw a line of people there With names from A-Z The line moved slowly single file We knew why we were there My turn is coming up I sobbed My heart filled with despair Alas I stood before His face I saw shame and sorrow, mixed with grace I gazed at Him so tenderly Two pain filled eyes gazed back at me I saw the blood upon His brow I heard Him say, It’s your turn now You must pound the nails without delay I AM dying here for you today Pick up the hammer and hold it tight Now, swing it back with your might And drive the nails yet deeper in I AM here to take away your sin The hardest thing I have ever done Was to drive the nails in God’s own Son But there was just no other way And He offers that hammer to you today Cheryl A. Mariano (AKA Cheremiah) cherylmariano @ gmail.com Send Cheryl an e-mail and let her know what you thought of her writing! Cheryl is from Arizona and was saved when she was 30 years old. She has been married to her husband Marcelo for 48 years. Together they have 3 children, 6 grandchildren, and 5 great-grand children. In 2014 her book: “Tali’s Mysterious Dream” was published. She has been writing poetry for the last 38 years and she loves the Lord Jesus Christ with all her heart, soul, and mind, and serving Him is her greatest desire. -<>- @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@,""""""@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@"- "@@@@@@@@@@ "@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@( ^^^ )@@@@@@@@@ ' @@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@( ( 0@@@@@@@@@, (@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@) ) _/@@@@@@@@@@@m "@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@(__/ (@@@@@@@@@@@@@' @@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@" )@@@@@@@@@@' @@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@' \@@@@@@@@' @@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@' )@@@@@@' A @@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@ ,@@@@@@@" /@@ @@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@, @_____" =, @@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@ :',@@@@ `@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@' @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ M@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@' `@@@@@@@@@@@@@" ,@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@" / @@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@" @@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@| @@@@@@@@@@" / @@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@| @@@@@@@@@" ," .@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@| @@@@@@@@' .@@ `@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@| @@@@@@@@m `@@@, @@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@| :@@@@@@@@@m )@@. )@@@@@@@@ >Love is a Decision, Not a Feeling by Michael T. Powers I have been officiating a lot of weddings this summer and fall. When you are involved in youth ministry for 30 years, the weddings eventually catch up to you! As a videographer, I have videotaped hundreds of weddings and I have heard a lot of wedding messages given by ministers over the years. And I can tell you, that as a society we do a horrible job of preparing people for what marriage is truly like. Marriage is the toughest, most gut wrenching, and mentally exhausting thing you will ever experience in your entire life. I wonder if any couple on their wedding day has even the slightest clue the amount of hard work that is ahead of them. I wonder if any couple on their wedding day really understands the type of commitment that is necessary to make a marriage work for even a month, let alone a life time. I wonder if any starry-eyed bride and groom truly understands the solemness of this ceremony and more importantly, how seriously God takes the vows that they make to each other. Because of that, couples enter into marriage with false hopes, false dreams, and false expectations… and they become disillusioned, distant, and eventually divorced. Society will tell you that it is what YOU get out of a marriage that counts. It will tell you that YOU deserve to be happy in life. And when you are no longer “happy” in your marriage it is time to end it. If you went into your marriage with the preconceived notion that marriage was designed to make you happy, then chances are your marriage will not last. As Author Gary Thomas talks about in his book “Sacred Marriage”, God didn’t design marriage to make us happy. He says, “What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?” Don’t get me wrong. There are moments of happiness, and more importantly, great joy in marriage. But true fulfillment is attained when we die to ourselves in loving others. Not when we set out to make ourselves happy. The best thing that my beloved bride Kristi and I have ever learned in our 27 years of marriage was this simple truth. Love is a decision, not a feeling. Let me write that again. Love is a decision, not a feeling. You and your spouse need to commit to waking up every morning and CHOOSING to love each other, even when the feelings might not be there. When you do that through some rough patches in your relationship, you will be amazed at how the "feelings" will follow. Brides, as handsome and funny and loving as your husband may be, he will never complete you. He will never make you truly happy. He will never fulfill the deepest longings of your heart. Grooms, as beautiful and charming and loving as your wife is, she will never complete you. She will never make you truly happy. She will never fulfill the deepest longings of your heart. The truth is that you both were made for a love far deeper, far richer than any human relationship could ever offer. The void in the human heart is God-shaped, not spouse shaped. You will both let each other down on a regular basis. Why, because we as human beings fall miserably short of being God. No human being can meet all of our needs. No human being deserves to live under that much pressure. No spouse can be "God" in your life. But Jesus Christ can. And He does. Jesus once said that no one has greater love than the one who will lay down his life for his friend. And then he proved it by giving up his life as a sacrifice to pay our sin debt. A debt we could never pay on our own. Find your meaning and purpose and your identity in Christ and not in each other. When you focus on Christ and not your spouse meeting those deep needs in your life, you will be amazed at what that will do for your marriage. I don't know why I felt so strongly moved to post these words today. But it is my hope that someone out there needed to read this. That someone out there was thinking of throwing in the towel... Don't you dare give up and go back on your vows. Those vows made before your spouse, those witnesses and a Holy God. Kristi and I struggle in our marriage from time to time, but we made a decision a long time ago that divorce was not an option. I just want to encourage you and say, "IT IS WORTH IT!" There is no more powerful force for God on this earth, than a husband and wife who are committed to Christ, committed to each other, and committed to raising Godly children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. That is why marriages come under such heavy attacks. Satan knows where the real threats are and he goes after marriages with howling fury. Your marriage is worth fighting for. Never let your guard down. Fight for it every second of every day. Fight for it with every fiber of your being! That is worth fighting for. Never let your guard down. Fight for it every second of every day. Fight for it with every fiber of your being! Michael T. Powers © 2015 by Michael T. Powers =========================================================== >-->From Daily Encounter: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Commitment Contradiction - Part I "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins."1 Have you ever noticed that God doesn't worry about being politically correct? Today's politically "correct" society has all sorts of fancy watered down names for sin. We call a lie a fib (or “I misspoke"), adultery an affair, abortion a viable means of birth control, homosexuality an alternate lifestyle, etc., etc. But God doesn't beat around the bush. Sin is sin. To call poison by any other name would be deadly. To call sin by any other name is also deadly. If we do what we know is wrong, we sin. And if we know to do good, and don't do it, we sin. If I say I am a follower of Christ and don't do anything to help the poor, feed the hungry, care for the downtrodden in my community and in other parts of the world, nor support missions and those spreading the gospel, then I am not a follower of Jesus regardless of what I say I am. What I say is meaningless unless it is backed by my actions. Every one of us can do something to be “as Christ" to somebody. Even if we are bedridden, we can still communicate Christ's love to those who are ministering to us through a grateful and loving spirit, and we can pray for these nurses and doctors, and for those who are on the front line of action for Christ. To believe and not to act is not yet to believe, for I only truly believe that which motivates me to action. Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to be a 'doer' of Your Word and not just a talker about it. And please help me always to be faithful in being 'as Jesus' in some way to every life I touch, ministering to people at their point of need, and then communicating Your love and the gospel message with those who are lost and in need of the Savior. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus Christ's name, amen." 1. James 4:17 (NIV). <:))))>< , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Commitment Contradiction - Part II "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like."1 Could you imagine what our society would be like if we took away all the churches? And while I am tremendously thankful for all the good work that Christian churches have done--building schools, hospitals, homes for the aged, overseas missions and mission centers for the downtrodden, and numerous other social works--it would appear that, in the average U.S. church today, fewer than 10 percent of the people are doing 90 percent of the work. Here's the rub with many of today's Christians, at least in the United States. As George Barna, well-known research specialist, calls it: "The Commitment Contradiction." Following is what Barna’s research found: "One reason why many evangelical churches across the nation are not growing is due to the image that non-Christian adults have of evangelical individuals [Christians]. In a nationwide survey released by the Barna Research Group of Ventura, California, among a representative sample of people who do not consider themselves to be Christian, the image of 'evangelicals' rated tenth out of eleven groups evaluated. Not good. "Various studies conducted by Barna during 2002 ... revealed that less than half of the people who describe themselves as Christian also described themselves as 'absolutely committed to the Christian faith.' Less than one out of every ten regular attendees of Christian churches give 10%--a tithe--or more of their income to their church."2 Tragically, instead of giving God of our first-fruits, most of us who call ourselves Christian give God our leftovers. Giving through tithes and offerings is God's way to finance his work on earth. If every Christian tithed their income and gave offerings--and invested these wisely in God's work, God's work would be done on earth. The hungry would be fed. The homeless would be sheltered. The cold would be clothed. Worldwide missions would flourish--and everyone in the world would be given the gospel. Furthermore, the average church in America gives only 5% of its income to missions, spending 95% on itself. Certainly we need buildings but I struggle with multi-million dollar sanctuaries that are used only a few hours a week--a practice that very few--if any--secular business could justify."3 While we know that the only hope for any kind of lasting peace in the world is by turning our lives over to the Prince of peace--the Lord Jesus Christ, unless we practice and live what we say we believe, we will not make any significant impact on the non-believing world. Furthermore, we will not stem the tide of evil, and we will not help make our world a safer place in which to live for our children or our children's children. Suggested prayer: "Dear God, may we Christians in the U.S. in particular stop taking our incredible freedoms for granted, and never forget that these were bought with a price--the blood of servicemen and women who gave their lives to protect us. And remind us again of how greatly You have blessed us because of the faith of so many of our founding fathers who put their trust in You and gave You reverence and honor. May we repent of our sins, turn back to You, and become serious about our commitment to You and to our fellow man. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus Christ's name, amen." 1. James 1:22-24 (NIV). 2. Barna Research Online http://www.barna.org/. 3. Ibid. =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: _|_ | .-'''''-. .-' '-. .-' :::::_::::: '-. ___/ ==:...:::-:::...:== \___ /_____________________________\ ':'-._________________________.-'_ ':::\ @-,`-[-][-^-][-]-`,-@ / _| |_ '::| .-------------------. ||_ @ _| ::|=|* ___ _ ___ *|=|'.| | ':| |' ))_) )) ))_) '| |::.^| _:|=|' ((`\ (( (( '|=|::::::. _| || |' _ '| |:::::::. |_ |=|'1634 _( )_ 1789'|=|':::::. | || |' ( (_ ~ _) ) '| | ':::' |^||=|* ) (_) ( *|=| '::' | '-------------------' .::::' |_____________________.::::::' .'___________________.::::::'' |_______________.::::'':::''' .'_____________.::::::''::::'' .:::'''' LGB .'::::' .:::::''':. .:::::' >Live Backwards Ben’s first duty as a new pastor was to conduct a funeral service for Albert, a man who had died in his eighties. Since he didn’t know the deceased, he invited members of the congregation to say a few kind words about Albert. No one budged. “Many of you knew Albert for years,” Ben prompted them. “Surely someone can say something nice.” After an uncomfortable pause, a voice from the back of the room said, “Well, his brother was worse.” If you died tomorrow, what would people say about you? Would their comments make you proud of the way you lived and the choices you made? There’s an old saying: “If you want to know how to live your life, think about what you’d like people to say about you after you die and live backwards.” Thinking about the legacy we want to leave can help us keep our priorities straight. When the end is near, it’s not likely any of us will say, “I wish I’d spent more time at the office.” Unfortunately, many of us only begin to realize the value of the time we have after we’ve frittered much of it away in shallow ruts going nowhere important. It’s hard to think now what will matter later. But doing so can dramatically improve our chances of living a full and meaningful life with few regrets. Knowing how we want to be remembered also allows us to make a strategic plan for our lives. How much wiser would our choices be if we had the wisdom and discipline to regularly ask ourselves whether all the things we do and say are taking us where we want to be at the end? In a sense, we write our eulogies by the choices we make every day. - Michael Josephson -<>- _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ >A GLORIOUS RECIPE FOR THE SOUL Fold two hands together, And express a dash of sorrow; Marinate it overnight, And work on it tomorrow. Chop one grudge in tiny pieces Add several cups of love, Dredge with a large-sized smile, Mix in ingredients from above. Dissolve the hate within you, By doing a good deed; Cut in and help your friend, If he or she should be in need. Stir in laughter, love and thankfulness, From the heart it has to come; Toss with genuine kindness, then share with folks who may need some. The amount of people served, Will all depend on you ... This recipe can feed an entire world, If you really want it to! ~Author Unknown -<>- __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >You Owe it to Him Contributor: Jeff Strite John Wesley was a popular evangelist in early America and often rode from one church to another to preach. On one such journey, stopped by a highwayman who shouted, "Halt, your money or your life." Wesley got down from his horse, emptied his pockets to reveal only a handful of coins. He even invited the robber to search his saddlebags - which only carried his books. In disgust, the thief was turning away when John Wesley cried "Stop, I have something more to give you." Puzzled, the robber turned back. Wesley then leaned towards him and said "My friend, you may live to regret this sort of life in which you are engaged. If you ever do, I beseech you to remember this: 'The blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanses us from all sin.'" The robber hurried silently away, but Wesley got back on his horse and rode on his way, praying in his heart that the Word might be fixed in the robber's conscience. Years later, at the close of a Sunday evening service, a stranger stepped forward and earnestly begged to speak with John Wesley. Wesley recognized him as the robber who had stolen from him so long before, but now he was a well-to-do tradesman and, better still, a child of God. Raising Wesley's hand to his lips, he affectionately kissed it and said with deep emotion, "To you, dear sir, I owe it all." Wesley replied softly, "Nay, nay, my friend, not to me, but to the precious blood of Christ which cleanses us from all sin." -<>- (\ \'\ \'\ __________ / '| ()_________) \ '/ \ ~~~~~~~~ \ \ \ ~~~~~~ \ ==). \__________\ (__) ()__________) unknown >THE LETTER By: Joseph J. Mazzella When I was a freshman in college I received a letter that forever opened a window in my soul. I had just started writing and the editor of my local county newspaper had been kind enough to publish some of my work. About a month later the letter arrived. Sadly, I lost it in the many moves I have made since then, but it’s essence still lives in my heart. Here is what it said. "You may not remember me. We last saw each other in kindergarten and my family moved the next year. We still get the county paper in the mail, though, and when I saw your name I had to write you. You see that first year in school was very difficult for me. I was a tiny, sickly, and homely girl that the other children teased everyday. The thing I remember about you is that you never did. You were always kind to me. When we lined up to go out the teacher always put me beside you and you would hold my hand as we crossed the street. You talked to me and played with me. When you were around too the other kids didn’t tease me. You saw me as a person, not someone different and I will be forever grateful for that. My whole life was better because of how you treated me all those years ago." I quickly wrote back to my kindergarten friend and we corresponded happily for several years before the illness that she had struggled with since childhood finally took her life. I will never forget, however, just how much that simple kindness I had shared meant to her. It made me see that kindness, goodness, love, and joy truly are the most important things in the world. Every act of kindness we do touches another’s heart. Every bit of goodness we share makes the world a better place. Every choice for love we make brings us and those around us closer to God. God blessed us with the power to help, heal, love, and change this world forever. Let’s use that power and make both Earth and Heaven smile. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment :) I Believe...- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/believe.html Life's Choices!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lifeschoices.html 90/10 Principle!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/giving.html Dreamy Ladies!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dreamy.html All About Hugs!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/hugs.html Animal Friends 7!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animalfriends7.html Advice For Living!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/advice.html Awww Animals 13!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animals13.html My Precious Child!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mychild.html Important Life Truths!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lifetruths.html God's Water Paintings!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/water.html Church Mouse Wisdom!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/churchmouse.html Inspirational Life Quotes!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lifequotes.html Adorable Animal Selfies 3!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animalselfies3.html Eleanore Roosevelt Quotes!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/eleanorquotes.html Beautiful Birds And Words!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/birdsandwords.html Wild Kisses And Snuggles 2!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wildkisses2.html Sweet Animals With Flowers!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animalswithflowers.html Beautiful Cactus Blooms & Tips!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/cactusblooms.html Old Barns, Old People, Old Friends!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/barns.html Awesome Tree Houses! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/treehouses.html Word Origins http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/origins.html Peek-A-Boo Panda http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/panda.html Fall & Halloween Index! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/halloweenindex.html -<>- Here I Am God https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcxOkht8w7c Our God Is An Awesome God! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RGcb7alSk0 You Raise Me Up | BYU Vocal Point (Josh Groban A Cappella Cover) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcLl0A-lXIc I Will Follow Him https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRipTuasXU0 Just A Little Talk With Jesus (Perfect Heart) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ar6ANlvz78 -<>- >Bible Study: The Christian Walk http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/The_Christian_Walk.htm Our Christian Stand http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/Our_Christian_Stand.htm Receive, Retain, Release [The 3 R's of God's Word] A committed Christian walking with power must continually renew their mind by studying or receiving the Word, by retaining it in their heart and memory and by releasing or sharing the Word with others. These are the 3 R's of a balanced renewed mind walk. In this teaching we will focus on three verses of Scripture which set like diamonds in God's matchless Word to clearly teach us this important concept. http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Study/RECEIVE_RETAIN_RELEASE.htm Speaking Up Truthfully https://www.truthortradition.com/articles/speaking-up-truthfully The Importance of Character https://www.truthortradition.com/articles/the-importance-of-character -<>- >Christian News: Illinois Pastor Defeats “Disorderly Conduct” Charge for Opening Church Amid Shutdown / Gay YouTube Superstar Shocks Fans by Renouncing Lifestyle, Giving Life to Christ / Why Christian Support for Amy Coney Barrett Goes Beyond Her Faith and Pro-Life Stance / Must-Watch Video: 1,000 Baptized in the California Ocean Amid Wildfires, COVID https://www.christianlifedaily.com/ “More than 80 percent of the world’s population lives in countries with high or severe restrictions on religious freedom,” U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican Callista Gingrich writes. “As America has shown time and time again, we will not sit back as individuals are killed, jailed, harassed, or tortured for their faith.” https://tinyurl.com/y39yrj3a “Passion of the Christ” Sequel to Depict Jesus’ Resurrection - Mel Gibson Working On Sequel to ‘The Passion of the Christ,’ Says actor Jim Caviezel https://tinyurl.com/y2435d94 Caviezel, who is starring in a new film called Infidel about the persecution of Christians in the Middle East, said in a recent interview that “barbaric Christian persecution is something that still goes on today” and “we should be aware and engaged in this issue.” He challenged listeners not to be apathetic, to also face the “barbarism of abortion,” and to remember all will face God’s judgement. https://churchleaders.com/news/381677-jim-caviezel-bold-judas.html -<>- >In The Worldly News: VA News: Free Tutoring for Veterans, Browse Top Questions from Women Veterans, New My Life My Story Podcast https://tinyurl.com/y5jajoed Trump campaigns in Minnesota, declares victory in Tuesday’s debate “Last night I did what the corrupt media has refused to do: I held Joe Biden Accountable for his 47 years of lies, 47 years of betrayals, and 47 years of failure." https://tinyurl.com/y6wutcgb Former Atlanta Police Chief Says He Was Fired for Being White / EU Sues Over Brexit / “Passion of the Christ” Sequel to Depict Jesus’ Resurrection / Hunter Biden’s China Dealings are Even Worse than Anyone Thought / New Study Shows Immunity to COVID-19 Probably Higher Than Thought AND MORE: https://reliablenewsnow.com/ Left Leaning Wallace - Ingraham, Gutfeld, Others Attack Chris Wallace After Debate https://tinyurl.com/yyo8kwlu TrumpWomen: Female GOP senators praise Barrett as role model for next generation https://tinyurl.com/yxjb74la New Shocking Revelation from FBI Agent Who Found Hillary Emails / California Gov. Gavin Newsom Attacks The Poor and Middle Class https://deepstatejournal.com/ The coronavirus outbreak has triggered unprecedented mass layoffs and furloughs. Here are the major companies that have announced they are downsizing their workforces. https://tinyurl.com/yx9uueyk Westwing News: Amy Coney Barrett Redefines Feminism: 'A New Role Model for Women Instead of the One Size Fits All' https://www.whitehouse.gov/westwingreads/ WhiteHouseNews: Judge Amy Coney Barrett meets with Senate Majority Leader 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: Mushrooms Linked to Salmonella Outbreak http://www.emergencyemail.org/products/?fmt=text Latest Health Alert: http://www.emergencyemail.org/health/?fmt=text Click to Give Free https://tinyurl.com/y2abb8d2 -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) Some unusual robberies by a number of rather sneaky animals ... https://youtu.be/gpmCufQPTSs This Is Your Internet: See a car tire rolling down the street at 40 mph crash into the front door of a home and more cool and interesting videos. I’m always impressed by how well longboarders are able to control themselves going downhill at high speeds but would never attempt it myself. I love seeing the divers free the whale shark from the rope that was tangled around it. I hope you enjoyed today’s edition of your Daily Dose Of Internet and perhaps learned something new. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tAFwNWVhzc --- ...Teehee! Good 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 LaughAndLift: He who kneels before God can stand before anyone. (Note from Chris: Speaking of strengthening faith...:) , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >In Whom We Trust (by Steve Troxel, God's Daily Word Ministries, http://www.gdwm.org) Hezekiah became the king of Judah soon after the northern tribes of Israel had been taken captive by the Assyrians. Judah was now being threatened by this same Assyrian army. Hezekiah was young and had a strong desire to do right in the eyes of God, but his faith was being greatly tested. Seeing his kingdom would soon be under attack, Hezekiah sought help through an alliance with Egypt. Though this alliance was not wrong in itself, the action was taken out of fear and without consulting God. This action was not only foolish, it was a sin! Isaiah 31:1 "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord." Hezekiah made the same mistake all too common among believers today. We say we believe God's Word is true, but fail to trust Him with the real trials of our life. It was easier for Hezekiah to place his trust in what he could see, than in the Hand of God which he "believed" but remained unseen. When the Assyrian's actually attacked Jerusalem, Hezekiah's faith had greatly increased. As he spoke with his soldiers, Hezekiah demonstrated full confidence in God. 2 Chronicles 32:7-8 "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles." Where do we turn when the enemy threatens? If our faith is restricted to the inside of church walls on Sunday morning, we are definitely ill-prepared. We must learn to walk in the presence of God all through our day so we KNOW God is with us. When we trust Him and love Him with ALL our heart, we begin to walk in victory regardless of the physical outcome of a particular battle. God may certainly direct us to protect ourselves, or avoid conflict; but with our eyes firmly set on Jesus, we must understand the real war has already been won. This truth is worth repeating! Regardless of the outcome in each of life's many battles, the end of the Book has already been written...Christ wins!! When we are under attack, let's put substance to our faith and allow our lives to demonstrate in Whom we trust! -<>- "One of the most wonderful things about knowing God is that there's always so much more to know, so much more to discover. Just when we least expect it, He intrudes into our neat and tidy notions about who He is and how He works." - Joni Eareckson Tada _ ///-._ ////////-._ /////////////-. ////////////////`. //////////////// .'`. //////////////// . '.'`. '|`'//////////// . .'.::|` : `'/////// . '.':| | . . `'// ' _|- ::| |. .-._ . | . | .':: | |:|:| | ' ' '.::| | |:|:| :. . .'.':| | . |:|:| . | .._.::: : `':| | ' ////-:| |. . | '/////////-._ | . . : .//////////////-._ : : ///////////////////-._ |. |////////////////////////-._ | . . :`'//////////////////////////-._ | . _.-\\\\``'//////////////////////////-._ | /\\\\\\\\..``'//////////////////////////". : . . /. \\\\\\\\\. .``'///////////////////// .'`. : / _ \\\\\\\\\. ``'//////////////// . .'`. | . / (@) \\\\\\\\\. . . ``'/////////// . '.'::|. {`)._ '| _` .\\\\\\\-`:|#| . . ``'////// '. .'.:| `-{_/`| ||::. \\'`.:|:.|#| |#| . ``'/ ' .##:'::: `-| ||||| |`.'::|::|#| |#| |#| . . '| . .|##|'.:| pils | ||||| : .'::|:.'#| |#| |#| |#| | |##|'::| | ||||| .| .'.:|::.'' '#| |#| |#| . : ' |##|'.:| {`\:|||| : .'::|:_.:. . '#| |#| | .|##|'::: `-{_/'|_ |_.-'/}_/'-._ '#| :. |##:'.:| `'{._('}_)-' `-}_}(-._ . . | ' '` .'::| `-' `-.} /-._ . : .'.'_:-'\ `-}_}(-._ | . _.-')_(-' `-/_)`-.:.-{ \{-' `-{_'_)-'' ^ >Hand-Crafted (By John Ortberg) One-size-fits-all discipleship programs are killing the church. Imagine a doctors office where every patient was told, "Take two aspirin and call me in the morning." It would be fine for headach sufferers. But if my appendix had burst, when I called back the next morning, I'd be dead. A good doctor diagnoses first, and prescribes second. Imagine a parent saying, "My kids are blank slates that I can mold however I want. They will each be motivated by the same rewards, impacted by punishment the same way, attracted by the same activities." What happens to obliterate these ideas in a parent's mind? Reality. The birth of actual children, all of whom come with intensely unique wiring. Why do churches not understand this? What would grow an orchid would drown a cactus. What would feed a mouse would starve an elephant. There are certain similarities: they all need light, food, air, water - but in different amounts and conditions. The key is not treating every creature alike. It's finding the unique conditions that help each creature grow. Our great model for this is God Himself. He always knows just what each person needs. He had Abraham take a walk, Elijah take a nap, Joshua take a lap, Adam take the rap; He gave Moses a forty year time out, He gave David a harp and a dance, He gave Paul a pen and a scroll, He wrestled with Jacob, argued with Job, whispered to Elijah, warned Cain, and comforted Hagar. He gave Aaron an altar, Miriam a song, Gideon a fleece, Peter a name, and Elisha a mantle. Jesus was stern with the rich young ruler, tender with the woman caught in adultery, patient with the disciples, blistering with the scribes, gentle with the children, and gracious with the thief on the cross. God never grows two people the same way. God is a hand-crafter, not a mass-producer. SUBSCRIBE INFO Want to receive a Christian inspirational item AND great clean humor in an email to you each day of the week? It's easy and FREE! Read all about Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com ========================================================== _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ >-->Prayer Request Over the world they flood mailboxes Requesting prayer by proxies, Urgent emails from someone in need Asking for a compassionate deed. Please pray for me some emails read Others for a beloved earnestly plead, Some want prayer for rank strangers, So many deal daily with dangers. As prayer-chains they call for prayer For many or someone somewhere, Prayers in number get Heaven bound By the "you have mail" sound. Some are so sad they cause you to cry It's awful to hear someone may die, Divine intervention they beseech of us And tearfully we pray to Lord Jesus. Some asking seem frivolous or insincere And you wonder why they sent it here But the truth is, there is no foolish prayer, It's important to someone somewhere. The suffering ask that prayer prevail As we read their heartbreaking email And in unison we bow our heads to pray In multitude on any God given day. We pray for the downtrodden on request We pray the oppressed have lasting rest, We pray for the ill and lame with no name For they are God's children all the same. Almighty God in Heaven upon requesting Offers salvation and eternal resting, In His grace all things are healed forever, There are miracles in prayer together. They flood email boxes in a continual stream And are entwined by a common theme, Someone in misery asks mercy from you, Will you pray to God? Is that what you'll do? -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. 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