Being One With God... :) 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 ~ *~* 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 sizzling hot new page is from our friends Linda and LouiseAu. It is one to give you plenty of smiles and sure to tickle your funny bone. Be sure to check it and the cute video out here too! ______.--------. /' \ /'\ \ ..-'\()'\ .'''. ./' | .' / \..} '\. / { /' '\ \ {------' .' '. '| \ . | \ | '\_____/ | | | / | | | .' | | | | | | | | | | | | | \ | Decorating A Man Cave 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mancave2.html --- ...HahaHa! Love a good rib tickler! Thanks Ladies! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: "The first half of our lives is ruined by our parents, and the second half by our children." -- Clarence Darrow You can learn a few lessons by the time your youngest child reaches 18. Today, newspaper editor, Dave Kurtz, shares some ideas that folks who are just starting out will find quite helpful. ,.,. ((((^)) d e_e b \._./ ,---i`-'i---. / | `-' | \ |__| |__| \ | | | \ \______ | | \/ ) \|| \ |- | |'//\ |___|___| | | | ( | ) {_ |__| (__|__} _>= | =<_ hjw (__._|_.__) >BRAG ANYWAY My job here is nearly over. Our youngest son turned 18 last week. That's three boys raised to adulthood, half a dozen trips to the emergency room, one car totaled, no felonies. Twenty-seven years I wouldn't trade for $27 million. What would you like to know from someone who survived all this? Let's start at the beginning: Be firm early and you won't have to be firm (or sorry) later. No two kids are alike. Our most easygoing son left us totally unprepared for the next one. Thank goodness for Dr. James Dobson's priceless book, The Strong-Willed Child. Dobson convinced me to become a "brick wall" that my kid would run up against every time he crossed the line. The little snot put a few dents in that wall, but it held. Parents of easy-going children can't imagine what it's like to battle a strong-willed child. When you're at war with a pocket monster, sometimes you can't help looking a little silly. I used to lie on top of one kid during his tantrums. It was the only way to make him stop hitting and kicking without hitting him back. Backing the authorities is good. But stick up for your own kid if you think he's right. When the school didn't protect one of our boys from bullies, he had to protect himself. He got in trouble for winning a couple of fights -- a little too convincingly. This came as a shock to a mild-mannered dad. But we knew our kid didn't start these brawls. We defended him in the principal's office, and even though he had to serve some detention, it was worth it. The bullies wised up and he never had to fight again. When another of our boys was the smallest kid in his second-grade class, karate lessons helped. He only had to protect himself once or twice after the word got around. He learned a lot of self-confidence and discipline in the process. Go ahead. Spend a little money. Buying a quality drum set for Christmas one year seemed like an extravagance -- the biggest present we ever bought for any child. Five years and an armful of music awards later, it's turned out to be the best money I've ever spent. Be willing to change your mind. I'd always scorned the idea of financial rewards for good grades. But by the eighth grade with one of the boys, I was desperate. Paying for A's and B's became the second- best money I've ever spent. Grown-ups work harder to earn bonuses. Why should kids be any different? Eventually, he didn't need money to motivate him to study. But I kept paying anyway. A deal is a deal. When he started coming home with all A's, report-card day became a joy to my soul and a disaster for my wallet. Coach your kid's sports team. Never mind that you don't know a soccer ball from a pumpkin. You can learn. Keep your perspective. Only a couple of kids on your team will ever become varsity athletes in the sport you're coaching at the moment. They might not be the ones you expect. And they'll never remember how many games they won in fifth grade. Try to do some big, special things with your kid. However, it's more important to do little things. Schedule a time every week to go to dinner. He'll pick a fast-food joint with plastic hamburgers. Don't worry if those meals are filled with yep-nope answers and awkward silences. He'll talk someday. Every kid will have one horrendously bad hair year, and the earlier in life, the better. Someday, his mirror will work properly and he'll see how stupid it looks. Keep your mouth shut, take lots of photographs and laugh about it later. Never underestimate the value of a good girlfriend. When my sons were out with the boys, I always worried that one of their buddies would be driving too fast, or drinking, or both. A good girlfriend won't put up with that kind of nonsense. Only one thing can go really, really wrong when your son is out with his girlfriend -- and it never did. I guess a good girlfriend won't stand for that, either. As a bonus, your son will start brushing his teeth and using deodorant. The safe, secure feeling when my sons were out with their girlfriends came as a marvelous surprise. My own experience with girlfriends of any kind in high school was zilch,zero, nada. What if your son is underachieving? A wise and successful father once counseled me: Be patient. Remember, it's your son's life, not yours. You might have given your left ear to have his throwing arm, but maybe he doesn't want to be a baseball player. Encourage him to do what he really likes. He'll be one of the best. You'll learn to love it. Be careful not to brag on your kid too much. It could come back to bite you. Brag anyway. -- Dave Kurtz ___________________________________________ For the past 27 years, Dave has lived in Auburn, Indiana, with his wife, Betsy, and is the managing editor of The Evening Star daily newspaper. You can email him by clicking here: mailto:dkurtz@kpcnews.net =========================================================== ___ ____ ___ ____( \ .-' `-. / )____ (____ \_____ / (O O) \ _____/ ____) (____ `-----( ) )-----' ____) (____ _____________\ .____. /_____________ ____) (______/ Joe Reiss `-.____.-' \______) >-->We're In This Together by emb One of the things I like about President Trump is the way he acknowledges his supporters at his rallies. When he speaks of his accomplishments he says 'we' did this or that and 'we' are Making America Great Again. He often makes sure the audience knows who he is referring to when he says 'we' by saying - 'We - you and I' and uses hand gestures motioning to the crowd and then back to himself. I'm not much for egotistic people who like to put themselves out as the most important person in center of the Universe. I prefer people who are strong but meek and humble at the same time. That was the example our Lord Jesus gave us. While he was out preaching God's Word and healing people doing signs, miracles and wonders, he kept himself meek and humble saying... , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' John 8: [28] Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. John 14: [10] Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. [11] Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. [12] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. [13] And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. Never is Jesus saying he is all that and a bag of chips. Instead, he gives credit to God his Father for all his works and even tells people they will be able to do greater things than he has done! Of course, I think Jesus Christ IS all that and a bag of chips so to speak as without Him always doing the Will of the Father, we'd be lost in sin forever and never get the opportunity to know God as our Lord Jesus Christ did. That is partly why he went through the hell he did - for us. He knew he was our only hope... John 14: [6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. No bragging here - just a simple truth. Great men throughout history have done like our Lord Jesus did. They take the heat and do God's will to make other's lives better. They allow God to work through them for the betterment of many. Jesus Christ was our best example of total love and selflessness. Like John the Baptist with God's Wisdom said... John.1 [29] The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. And again - twice it is established - [36] And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! Jesus Christ is my forever Lord and I shall serve Him Always for all He sacrificed for me so that I may be saved and know God. Jesus last Prayed - not for himself - but for all of us: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' John 17: [9] I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. [10] And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. [11] And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. [12] While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. [13] And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. [14] I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. [15] I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. [16] They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. [17] Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. [18] As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. [19] And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. [20] Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; [21] That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. [22] And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: [23] I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. [24] Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. [25] O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. [26] And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them. Like Jesus says - "that they may be one, even as we are one" We are in this together. "I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one" - God In Christ In You! _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _( )_ ( ) ( ) _( )_ ( ) ( ) _( )_ ( ` ' )| |_| | _ _ __ ( ` ' )| |_| | _ _ __ ( ` ' ) > < | _ |( ) ( ) /'_ `\ > < | _ |( ) ( ) /'_ `\ > < (_, ,_)| | | || (_) |( (_) |(_, ,_)| | | || (_) |( (_) |(_, ,_) (_) (_) (_)`\___/'`\__ | (_) (_) (_)`\___/'`\__ | (_) ( )_) | ( )_) | \___/' \___/' unknown That is the essence of my website. It is not of my own doing. It is the product of people sharing forwards with me that has touched them in some way, shape, or form that they in turn wish to share and touch others with. They send it to me trusting me to bless others with it. I try not to disappoint them. I turn their forwards into website pages using what I call 'the world as my oyster' (as far as free graphics go) and spice it up as best I can to make it pleasing to those who would view and experience it. It is my desire and goal to keep these treasures available so that people may be able to enjoy and be blessed with them for many years to come. Often my family asks why I don't do this or that on the website seeing how it went viral or is super popular at the time. I tell them it is because I haven't been sent it. I almost always only do up pages of something that has been shared with me. They argued that it would make my site more popular and back when it had ads, they said it could make a lot more money. I'm not in this for the money. I went for 10 years not making a penny from the website. I was only using ads and now donations so it isn't a financial burden on my family. I don't like making my husband pay for it. For me it is a labor of love. I do it for God and for you. 'We are in this together' o o //@@ o @@ ") @@@ - @ _____ / \ / \ |\____\ / ( X ) | | | | <___=\ | | | \======\ \|_"_| (____ That's why I say, 'We are in this together'. I figure, without your sharing and caring, there isn't much reason to keep the site going. I hope it is up for years to come to be a witness for God and Jesus Christ - and a sweet blessing for all who visit it. So, when you visit the site here... Shangrala Family Fun http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ Know it is the accumulation of my work with many others - over 22 years of us working together - to share and bless you. :) =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: ,--. _/ <`-' ,-.' \--\_ ((`-.__\ ) \`' @ (_ ( (_) ,'`-._(`-._/ ,-' )&&) )) ,-' /&&&%-' ,' __ ,- {&&&&/ / ,' \| |\&&'\ ( | |' \ `--. (%--'\ ,--.\ `-.`-._))) `---'`-/__)))`-._))) hjw >THE POTATO PUPPY My four-year-old son, Shane, had been asking for a puppy for over a month but his Daddy kept saying, "No dogs! A dog will dig up the garden and chase the ducks and kill our rabbits. No dog, and that's final!" Each night Shane prayed for a puppy, and each morning he was disappointed when there was no puppy waiting outside. I was peeling potatoes for dinner, and he was sitting on the floor at my feet asking for the thousandth time, "Why won't Daddy let me have a puppy?" "Because they are a lot of trouble. Don't cry. Maybe Daddy will change his mind someday," I encouraged him. "No, he won't and I'll never have a puppy in a million years," Shane wailed. I looked into his dirty, tear-streaked face. How could we deny him his one wish? So I said the words that were first spoken by Eve, "I know a way to make Daddy change his mind." "Really?" Shane wiped away his tears and sniffed. I handed him a potato. "Take this and carry it with you until it turns into a puppy," I whispered. "Never let it out of your sight for one minute. Keep it with you all the time, and on the third day, tie a string around it and drag it around the yard and see what happens!" Shane grabbed the potato with both hands. "Mama, how do you make a potato into a puppy?" He turned it over and over in his little hands. "Shh! It's a secret!" I whispered and sent him on his way. "Lord, you know what a woman must do to keep peace in her home!" I prayed. Shane faithfully carried his potato around for two days, he slept with it, bathed with it and talked to it. On the third day I said to my husband, "We really should get a pet for Shane." "What makes you think he needs a pet?" my husband leaned against the doorway. "Well, he's been carrying a potato around with him for days. He calls it Wally and says it is his pet. He sleeps with it on his pillow and right now he has a string tied to it and he's dragging it around the yard," I said. "A potato?" my husband asked and looked out the window and watched Shane taking his potato for a walk. "It will break his heart when the potato gets mushy and rots," I said and started getting out food for lunch, "Besides, every time I try to peel potatoes for dinner, Shane cries because he says I'm killing Wally's family." "A potato?" my husband asked, "My son has a pet potato?" "Well," I said shrugging, "you said he couldn't have a puppy. He was so disappointed, in his mind, he decided he had to have a pet..." "That's crazy!" my husband said. "Maybe you're right, but explain to me why he is dragging that potato around the yard on a string," I said. My husband watched our son for a few more minutes. "I'll bring home a puppy tonight, I'll stop by the animal shelter after work. I guess a puppy can't be that much trouble," he sighed, "It's better than a potato." That night Shane's Daddy brought home a wiggling puppy and a pregnant white cat that he took pity on while he was at the shelter. Everyone was happy. My husband thought he'd saved his son from a nervous breakdown. Shane had a puppy, a cat and five kittens and believed his Mother had magic powers that could change a potato into a puppy. And I was happy because I got my potato back and cooked it for dinner. Everything was perfect until one evening when I was cooking dinner, Shane tugged on my dress and asked, "Mama, do you think I could have a pony for my birthday?" I looked into his sweet little face and said, "Well, first we have to take a watermelon..." ~Author Unknown~ -<>- _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ To help us make the wisest use of our time, someone has offered these guidelines. Take time to pray - it's a source of power Take time to read - it's a fountain of wisdom. Take time to play - it's a secret of youth. Take time to be friendly - it's a path of happiness. Take time to laugh - it's the music of the soul. Take time to dream - it's a road to greater vision. Take time to love - it's GOD like. No one is useless in the world who lightens the burden for someone else. -<>- .--. .--. / ' .\ |'. ( .-. \ \ . ` /\. /`. / ) ( `.' .' '--'` (\ \.' .' ) \`. \ _/ _..--' `. \ /`'<_/ : )"'``..`-3 : :. `"'. ) / |-.'' (_.-._ | / ( .'`--..J ' |-'( |_| | : >` '. .'' : | Y | < | : > ' \ `_ : '` \ / :- ' || : / ./: | \ .'J /_ ) : | '% | a:f /.-.`). : I | / ( \ ) : .^) `-' `..-' (`"' / ===' >Build A Box Of Friendship" Into a box of friendship To insure that it is strong First a layer of respect On the bottom does belong Then to the sides attach In the corners where they meet Several anchors full of trust Devoid of all deceit The height of friendship can be measured By the sides of four So make them all a larger cut And the box will hold much more Now fill it up with courtesy Honor and esteem Understanding, sympathy And passion for a dream Add to that your honesty Emotions joy and love And since they're so important Place them up above But leave the box wide open So all can see inside To learn what makes a friendship work From the box you built with pride. --Copyright © Chuck Pool -<>- ___ _,-' ______ .' .-' ____7 / / ___7 _| / ___7 >(')\ | ___7 jgs \\/ \_______ ' _======> `'----\\` >PHEASANTS IN FLIGHT This is the time of year when I feel the memories of small towns and country days come alive! I'm thankful for the gift of remembering, for wherever we are memories are a special gift from God. I can still see and smell the fall air mingled with the scent of crisp leaves, sunlight dancing on pumpkin patches, campfires and cider mills. In the month of October each year, our family spent weekends with grandparents and relatives in the northern part of Michigan. We would start out on a well traveled highway from the City, until an hour away from our destination Dad would take the backroads to the area where he and my Mother were from. Riding by dormant fields, already harvested for the winter, the remains of summer corn stalks were still visible. Tall silos were filled with the wealth of hard work. Many farmers had pumpkins and squash in the garden close to their homes, while hay bales were bundled and stacked away for another season. Smoke would fill the air as we drove through the country. Leaves which had been radiant in color, were now being burned along with dead brush under the watchful eye of someone who waved as we drove by. Chimney smoke reminded us the area we were visiting was colder than the City, and fireplaces in homes were heated as the autumn days would soon turn to winter. While riding along the country road, the trees stood tall and regal, heavily decorated with a mass of fallen leaves that lay on the ground against their mighty trunk. Perched on a limb high above, we could see the birds of the season, the pheasants, and watch as they took flight, their graceful wings in motion and along side their mates, flying to a hidden area away from the eyes of the hunter. Upon arrival, our grandparents always had a pumpkin glowing with a smile. It might be weeks before Halloween, but Grandpa grew some pie pumpkins and cooked the seeds with salt for us to eat. Often the small town would have a homecoming parade on Saturday morning, and we eagerly walked the two blocks to the main street where the school band would start off the festivities. Shop keepers and store owners would come out of their establishments and greet the folks from town and country who came to watch the parade. Often a speaker would make announcements from a small platform. The town Lion's Club would have a tent set up with a pig roast and all the trimmings. Church Women's groups would have a variety of desserts laid out on tables with colorful cloths along the sidewalk to raise funds for a special cause. Children played together and adults talked, often this was one of the few occasions people could take time away from their work to be together. What fun it was! Homecoming and harvest time was a special celebration for the whole county, everyone was part of it. Before day break, early in the morning, Dad would meet some men and they would go to an area owned by family, and wait for pheasants in flight. Although pheasant tasted good, I secretly hoped they would let the colorful birds fly. They helped make the country beautiful. Homecoming parades, a county fair, the harvest moon, picking fall apples and fun gatherings of a small town, were as special as the empty cornfields, sunshine glistening on the last colorful leaves and the beauty of pheasants in flight. All of these things are safely guarded in the place where memories are stored. As time goes by, the events of days past become more precious to me. Wherever I am and I drive down a country road, I once again picture scenes from the small towns in northern Michigan, where a simple beauty with so much love was part of a special harvest. © Diane Dean White 2002 TheLamb212@... -<>- _ _ / \ / \ _|_0/-\0_|_ / " \ \'-._____.-'/ .--.'._ _.'.--. | \/ \/ | | / \ | ___\ / / \ \ /___ \__ ( \__ __/ ) __/ /__ |\ _/_ /| __\ jgs |_/ /_/\_\ /_/\_\ \_| >"The Power of Your Words" A group of frogs were hopping contentedly through the woods, going about their froggy business, when two of them fell into a deep pit. All of the other frogs gathered around the pit to see what could be done to help their companions. When they saw how deep the pit was, the rest of the dismayed group agreed that it was hopeless and told the two frogs in the pit that they should prepare themselves for their fate, because they were as good as dead. Unwilling to accept this terrible fate, the two frogs began to jump with all of their might. Some of the frogs shouted into the pit that it was hopeless, and that the two frogs wouldn't be in that situation if they had been more careful, more obedient to the froggy rules, and more responsible. The other frogs continued sorrowfully shouting that they should save their energy and give up, since they were already as good as dead. The two frogs continued jumping as hard as they could, and after several hours of desperate effort were quite weary. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to the calls of his fellows. Spent and disheartened, he quietly resolved himself to his fate, lay down at the bottom of the pit, and died as the others looked on in helpless grief. The other frog continued to jump with every ounce of energy he had, although his body was wracked with pain and he was completely exhausted. His companions began anew, yelling for him to accept his fate, stop the pain and just die. The weary frog jumped harder and harder and -- wonder of wonders! Finally leapt so high that he sprang from the pit. Amazed, the other frogs celebrated his miraculous freedom and then gathering around him asked, "Why did you continue jumping when we told you it was impossible?" Reading their lips, the astonished frog explained to them that he was deaf, and that when he saw their gestures and shouting, he thought they were cheering him on. What he had perceived as encouragement inspired him to try harder and to succeed against all odds. This simple story contains a powerful lesson. "There is life and death in the power of the tongue." Your encouraging words can lift someone up and help them make it through the day. Your destructive words can cause deep wounds; they may be the weapons that destroy someone's desire to continue trying. Speak life to (and about) those who cross your path. There is enormous power in words. If you have words of kindness, praise or encouragement -- speak them now to, and about, others. Listen to your heart and respond. Someone, somewhere, is waiting for your words. -Author Unknown -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Our Valuable Anchor! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html Free AUDIO CLASS - New Life In Christ! http://tinyurl.com/yk8q6rd Friends! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/friends.html GOD IS LIKE... http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/godislike.html Life's Choices! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lifeschoices.html Friends Together! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/together.html Here's Your Frog! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/frog.html I Believe In You! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ibelieveinyou.html Animals First Snow! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/animalsfirstsnow.html Friendship! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/friendship.html Best Pillows! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/pillows2.html Fall/Vets/Thanksgiving Index! https://tinyurl.com/y4xyz2w8 -<>- Can Christians Live Together Before Marriage? https://tinyurl.com/u88g6g2 Do People Become Angels When They Die? https://tinyurl.com/y4x88ojm -<>- >In The News: 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: Soup, Vegetables, Clothing 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 :) Remember Me is a tribute to all the brave women and men serving in the Armed Forces. This tribute video was created by a young teenage girl and is one of the most thoughtful ways I have ever seen to pay tribute to those that volunteer for military service. Thank you to all who have served in the past, present, and future. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ervaMPt4Ha0 Travel back in time to New York, Washington, Detroit, Boston and Baltimore with this animation created using photos from the early 1900s by Alexey Zakharov. https://vimeo.com/160024074 --- ...Beautiful! Thanks LouiseAu! -<>- A cool wildlife video of a couple of big brown bears having a confrontation over territory in Kuhmo, Finland. https://youtu.be/qmMBN8bpyzE A bear cub trying to climb a snowy slope has a lesson for everyone - never give up! https://youtu.be/rhjBXnEFKQs --- ...Awww, So Cute! Thanks LouiseAu! Reminds me of these... Never Give Up! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/nevergiveup.html Which goes along with our series here: Attitude Is Everything! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude.html Of course, it also reminds me of our series here... Aww Animals! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animals.html -<>- Their mind-blowing flips during their dance routine earned them a standing ovation At America's Got Talent. https://youtu.be/OWCDJnnxOSY --- ...Wowsers! Fantastic! 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: "It's exciting to live in complete oneness with the will of God. It is never dull or static because it is not a one-time, once-for-all commitment. It is something we have to work at constantly, moment by moment." - Evelyn Christenson _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` >Of Enoch and Long Walks (By Karen Ehman) "Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away." Genesis 5:24 (NIV) Do you have a favorite Bible character? One who inspires you, challenges you or one whose story you simply love? Perhaps it is Moses and his vast leadership skills. How about Esther, the compelling queen who, being both gorgeous and smart, used her quick thinking to help God save an entire nation? Maybe Joseph is your pick as you contemplate how someone so mistreated could continually take the high road; the road that lead him not only to political power but also to family forgiveness. All of these are marvelous choices, but none are my pick. I like Enoch. Since first hearing of Enoch as a young teen, that guy has fascinated me. Not a lot is written about him in the pages of scripture, but what is there sure piques my interest. He "walked with God and then he was no more because God took him away." Hmmm. My young mind pondered that strange description. As I grew as a believer, I learned a bit more about this biblical mystery man. In Hebrews 11:5-6 we catch more of the story. "By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (NIV) Ah ha! Enoch was whisked away, spared the pain of death and transported immediately to God's side all because of one simple thing. He pleased God. I say simple. But I don't say easy. It is a simple thing to please God. You just do what He says in His word. Straightforward enough, right? However, my years as a follower of Christ have taught me that simple is not always easy. Choices present themselves. The world screams. Our flesh gets in the way. We want revenge or our own glory. We lack faith and instead try to control our own destinies. We mess up the "pleasin' God" part with our very own hands. Enoch "walked with God." Oh, don't we long for that to be said of us? I'll admit I don't always walk with God. I take a stand for God; believe the right things and make it known. I may walk after God. And sadly, sometimes I run ahead of God; make my own plans and then say, "Oh yeah. By the way God, do ya mind blessin' these plans? I made them in Your name. I may have forgotten to consult You in the midst of them, but they are for You all right!" What a shame and a sham! No two ways about it, walking with God means that we daily give up our right to navigate our own lives. We place our faith in Him, admitting He knows what is best for us and realizing He might not always reveal the hows and the whys until the very last second. Remember, God is seldom early, but never late. Only day-by-day faith-walking pleases God. Oh, dear one, do you long to be one who pleases God this way? One who makes Him smile as He sees you daily place complete trust in Him and His infinite wisdom? Maybe then we just might be like my Bible hero Enoch; the one who walked so closely by our Creator's side that one day, during one of those long walks, God looked at him and said, "You know, we've been walking together for so long now that we are actually closer to my house than yours. Why don't you just come on home with me right now?" Glory!!! "Dear Lord, I am ready to learn to walk with You in faith. Show me how, step by step. In Jesus' Name, Amen." Psalm 84:11, "For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless." (NIV) 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 --- .-. __| |__ [__ __] | | | | jgs | | '-' ...I am sharing this with you for one reason - It is not because I want to share how you can avoid dying - that was the snake's charm to Eve - 'Thou shall not surely die..." - No. I am sharing it because of the lesson here about pleasing God and being one with God. That was what made Enoch so important as a character. He walked with God and pleased Him. How awesome to be able to do that! To have God smiling when He hears your name or sees your face! You touch God so much as to please Him! What an awesome goal to have as a child of God! Now as far as Enoch goes, we need to get down to the nitty gritty and learn the rightly divided Word of God concerning him. Check out this great teaching here... (Be aware, This is not a teaching for those who are beginning bible scholars): _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` Do Christians go to Heaven if they die? https://tinyurl.com/ru94zr3 ========================================================== ,_('--, (.--; ,--')_, | ;--.) .-. |.| .-. \|\|/ .-. .-.`\|/|/`_ `\|/|/` ' `^jgs`^^`^``^``^``^``^`` >-->"Before I Go" When my life has reached its very end, And I take that final breath; I want to know I've left behind, Some "good" before my death. I hope that in my final hour, In all honesty I can say: That somewhere in my lifetime, I have brightened someone's day. That maybe I have brought a smile To someone else's face, And made one moment a little sweeter While they dwelled here in this place. Lord, please be my reminder And whisper softly in my ear ... To be a "giver," not a "taker," In the years I have left here. Give to me the strength I need, Open up my mind and my soul . . . That I might show sincere compassion, And love to others before I go. For if not a heart be touched by me, And not a smile was left behind . . . Then the life that I am blessed with, Will have been a waste of time. With all my heart, I truly hope To leave something here on earth . . . That touched another, made them smile And gave to my life . . . worth. (Author Unknown) (¯`v´¯) `*.¸.*´ ¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•. Huggums!... :) Shangy! >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 **********************************************************************