Bringing In The New Year ... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@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 =========================== >-->In The 'Shangy' News: _____ I hope Every One Had A VERY _ __ : | //___\_ :---: ___ //;_____\ ======= :___: {(=);;;; _|:::: /\ __ [========]//;;;;;;; / /~~~~\_/ / ,'_= ccCC}}}} |:: '\ // (/~U~( \\: __/ / /___ C)) o( \ /~_/ );} |\ \|_ __ [ / //,--\ ){} > / `-'( \_//~ \\___(,= \ ___ ( \_; O O c))) `-< : _ :\__/:=====: | \ _/___\_ \ \ (`') {}}\-_' | ;=; `; | : \ \ (/;::oo\) \ \ `c'_ : (__\_// | ,' \ ; __\ ( _\ ; ; ;\`----: )\_/ | ; :| /\ / \_`-, : `,.;.;;\;;;;) /---:~~~~(~ : ___:|__/ \__/ ,-`~ __:;; ;;; / (_~~~\_ \_ ;____/_ \ : \_ \ ; ( \__`__ ; ;; ( :; | \__ \ || \ \ ( ( \ \ \ \___(,= ; ;; \ |:\ \ \\ ) || ) ) | | \__\__ |===: (; __;\ ) /==\ ) : / / || -{ / (\__| [____) /____\ / ,-';;) ) ===/ |: /_/ / (\_\_ \ \ \(__) : : \ ) ;;;/ ;_ :: ;(_ )~(_ ! \_> \_> ) )\ ) |;;,-/ ; =) ;(_ v--'[____) |_||_| (__ =) ~~~~~~ v--' [ `-, `-, `-' ~~~~ ~~~ HAPPY NEW YEAR CELEBRATION! MAY YOUR YEAR BE SUPER BLESSED WITH GOOD HEALTH, PROSPERITY, & HAPPINESS! ==================================== I've been busy adding more animated gifs to my web site. You can check them out here: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs.html And doing up this new picture page - HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press... .-'"`/\ // /' /\`\ ('//.-'/`-.; \ \ / /-. __.__.___..__._.___.\\ \\----,_ .:{@&#,&#@&,@&#&&,#&@#&@&\\` \-. .-'-. .:{@#@,#@&#,@#&&#,@&#&@&,&@#&&\\, -._,"- \ .{#@#&@#@#&#&@&#@#@&#,@#@#&@&&#@#\ \// = \`=\__ `{#@,@#&@&,@&#@,#@&#@#&@#&@,&#@,#/\/ =`-. -_=__ `:{@#&@&#@&#@&#@,#&&#@&,@#/.' / / "/.-', / `:{@#&,#&@#,@&#&@&,@&#/.-// //-'-_= ",/ jgs `~`~~`~~~`~`~`~~`~( / , /__,___.-" \ \\/ `\\\' Forget Corn! This is the best yet! Air Cars http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/aircars.html -<>- >From Our Friend Maxy's Pal :) Happy New Year CHEERS ~ Wanda's Country Home http://wandascountryhome.com/newyear/cheers.html And She sent us a picture of Maxy I just had to add to our group photos here! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList/spnew?yguid=77014325 --- ...Adorable! Thank you Maxy's Pal! ============================================= >-->Are you feeling kind of 'ducky' today? &&& && && &&&&. &&& .&&&&& && &&& &&&&&&&&& &&&&&&&&& & &` && && .&&&&& &&&; &8 .&&&: && &` & && 8&& & `& && && .&_ oO_&.-.-. && ( __ -/--' &&~ .'-__-'& &&&~`'\`& &&&~` _& &&&&` && &&8&&&& &&&&&&& & &&&&&&& &&;&&&&&&& &&&&&&&&&& ~~~ .~~~~~ `&&&&&&&&& ~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~;!&&&&&&&&&&~/~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~\~~~~&/` \`~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ `~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ BP Well we all know we can walk like a duck, dress like a duck, and even talk like a duck but it certainly won't make us a duck! So it is with the truth. Just because someone is honestly sincere and looks like they are telling the truth doesn't mean they are. We see it in the news and on TV all the time. How can we tell what is truth and what is not? Today we have a full teaching from Truth or Tradition to help us with this understanding. >Characteristics of Truth By John W. Schoenheit There is a saying, “If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it’s a duck.” That is all well and good if you are looking for a duck. But what if you are searching for truth? What does truth look like? Truth has certain characteristics that distinguish it, and set it apart from theories, ideas, opinions, faith, and of course, untruth and lies. Christianity asserts certain specific truths, starting with the existence of God, the Father of Jesus Christ. If we Christians know the characteristics of truth we will be more able to both understand our own faith and communicate it to others. Also, we will be more able to understand the attacks on the Christian faith, and not only defend it, but hopefully win over our adversaries. After all, since the universe is based on truth, a faith based on truth makes sense to the mind and fulfills the soul. As we of Spirit & Truth Fellowship have studied and examined the subject of Truth, we have come to recognize six characteristics that it has. These six characteristics of truth are: absolute, correspondent, coherent, universal, exclusive, and objective. These characteristics are not totally separate. In fact, they dovetail into each other and overlap each other. Nevertheless, they define truth in distinctive ways that help us understand it and recognize it. Absolute When something is absolute, it means that it is not dependent upon anything else. We can better understand absolute if we understand its opposite, “relative.” Something that is relative has a necessary dependence on something else. For example, we tend to think of the passage of time as absolute, that one minute is the same for everyone everywhere. However, scientists can now show that time is relative, and that time for an object depends on the speed of that object. For any given object, time slows down as it approaches the speed of light. Thus time is relative, it is dependant on something else. However, truth is not relative; it is not dependant on anything else. An example of a truth is that God exists. He exists everywhere for everyone. He is not a different God at differing speeds, or with or without a gravitational field, inside or outside of a church, or for different people. He is the same for everyone, everywhere, for all time. At this point we should note that not all truth is immediately evident to everyone. The fact that many people do not recognize the existence of God does not mean His existence is not a truth, it just means that they have failed to perceive the truth. Truth is absolute, not relative, so truth does not depend on people recognizing it for it to exist and be true. God does not have to be known or believed to be God. Correspondence Truth is absolute, so it corresponds to reality, the way things really are. Because truth exists, “reality” is what corresponds to truth. We understand this when it comes to true and false statements. A false statement is false because it does not correspond to reality. Police use the principle of correspondence to determine whether a person is lying. Does what someone say line up with, or correspond to, reality? Christians must understand that people’s beliefs and perspectives, although real to them, may not be true. Douglass Grothius correctly observed that, “…we all have differing perspectives (which can be biased, prejudiced, ignorant, arrogant, uninformed and so on), but our perspectives only affect our sense of what is true; they do not determine truth. A perspective may be partially true, largely true, or mostly false…” We live in a world that elevates man’s ideas, beliefs, and perspectives. In fact, some people consider it rude and uneducated to assert that another’s person’s beliefs are wrong. They would be correct in their assertion if there were no such thing as truth, because then everyone could be correct no matter how widely their beliefs differed. However, there is truth, and because of that, people cannot hold inherently contradictory views of something (i.e., there is a God and there is not a God) and both be correct. In fact, because there is truth, the value of any given perspective depends on how accurately it corresponds to reality, to truth. What makes lies and untruth dangerous is that they lead us from the truth. We see this in the world around us all the time. A lie or untruth about what is good to eat, or is a good medicine to take, can leave a person sick or dead. Sadly, the consequences of believing a lie about God and Jesus (such as they do not exist, or Jesus is not important for salvation) will leave one just as dead, but the death will be everlasting. Thus untruth and lies about God and Jesus are dangerous indeed! Coherence Coherence is internal cohesion and consistency. Truth cannot contradict itself internally or externally. In the debates between science and religion we occasionally hear someone say, “Well, that may be true in religion, but it is not true in science.” Truth is truth in every category pertaining to it. It is not true to science that God does not exist, but true to religion that He does. Similarly, Evolution is not true in science while Creation is true in religion. When it comes to a single subject, there must be one absolute, internally consistent truth, and that truth will then correspond to the reality of the situation. In some cases we can observe something and have differing opinions about it, but in the end we will find that there was only one truth. It is important to understand that truth is internally consistent when it comes to obeying God, and it is one reason that logic plays such an important role in faith. If God could be internally inconsistent, then we could not use logic as a tool to understand God or our faith. Logic is what allows us to extrapolate from the rules and regulations in the Bible to practical use in our world today. Understandably, the concept of internal consistency can cause Christians to be uncomfortable, because there are so many denominations on the earth today, each with somewhat differing beliefs. No matter how we try to explain it away to minimize our differences, there is not a different truth for different Christians. God asks Christians to get to the point “…that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought” (1 Cor. 1:10b). The way to get there is not by compromising what we believe, but by much prayer along with careful, diligent study of the revelation that God has given us about Himself: His Word. Universal Truth is universal in that it applies equally to everything, or every person, within a specific set of parameters. Another way to think of the universal characteristic of truth is that it is not provincial, parochial, constrained, or petty. Truth is ecumenical, broad, sweeping, and ubiquitous. Truth is not trendy or superficial. Because truth is universal, no one can escape it. For instance, in today’s world, death is a truth for all mankind, and there is a coming Judgment that no one will escape. No one that lives can avoid it or escape it, especially by simply not believing that it applies to them. No one can change the truth about death and the Judgment by deciding not to think about it. The danger in not recognizing that truth is universal is that some people act as if it does not apply to them simply because they do not believe it. That will work until it actually comes upon them, at which time the scripture will be fulfilled that says, “…there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 8:12). The universal nature of truth should drive each one of us to seek it until we are confident we have found it. Being content or comfortable with where we are and what we believe is not good enough. Many people say they are “content with what they believe,” but that does not make them right, and it can be a dangerous place to be if what they are content with turns out to be an untruth. God expects us to seek Him, and He promises that if we seek we will find. Interestingly, sometimes finding God actually makes us uncomfortable, because we may find that God has more for us to do than we are comfortable doing, or we may find that the evil in the world marshals against us in a way that makes us uncomfortable. That is when the truth of the next life becomes a true comfort. Exclusive While the universal aspect of truth describes its broad nature, the exclusive aspect of truth describes its narrow and specific character. Truth always “draws a line in the sand” in the sense that anything contrary to it is false, or error. Truth excludes anything that is contrary to it. It is the exclusive nature of truth that causes people to think of those who embrace it as “narrow-minded.” Since God created both the physical world and the spiritual world, it makes sense that they would both reflect the exclusive nature of truth, and they do. The exclusive nature of truth is built into the fabric of the material world in which we live. Romans 1:20 points out that God’s creation points to the Creator, and the “narrow-mindedness” we see in nature would naturally be a reflection of the exclusive nature of truth. Examples of the exclusive nature of truth, which show up as inherent narrow-mindedness in Creation, are all around us. It may seem “narrow-minded” to use only gasoline (or substances with similar combustible properties) in our gas tanks, but when we pour our leftover soda pop into the gas tank, the car stops. Thus, drivers are all very “narrow-minded” about what they put in the gas tank. In fact, we are very “narrow-minded” about almost everything in our lives. We do not burn the kid’s old plastic toys in our fireplace, even though they will burn, and we certainly do not burn our used glass jars and tin cans, because they are so “narrow-minded” they will not catch on fire. We are very “narrow-minded” about what we eat, and pass up all sorts of free things (like grass, gravel, and our old clothes) and pay lots of money for “food.” If we are boating on the ocean, we are so “narrow-minded” that we will allow ourselves to get thirsty rather than drink the ocean water all around us. Could it be that the God who created inherent exclusiveness, or inherent “narrow-mindedness” into His physical creation would then not have such exclusiveness in His spiritual creation? As Christians, it should occur to us that God is no less “narrow-minded” about spiritual things and His spiritual Creation than He is about His physical Creation. God wove it into the nature of truth to be exclusive, and there is no way around that. It should not upset us when non-Christians call us “narrow-minded” because we are, and that is the nature of truth. The fact is that many people are wrong when it comes to what they believe about God, and our not being willing to confront that, or hoping to “include everyone” will not change the nature of truth. It will only help keep people from coming to terms with the way reality, and God, really are. Objective The word “objective” means in the realm of experience but independent of a person’s thoughts or perceptions. Truth is not dependant of any person’s desires, beliefs, or emotions. Truth is not subject to man’s control, determination, or veto. No one gets to decide what truth is; it is not subjective, subject to man. It is objective, outside of man. It must be revealed to man, because man cannot make it or change it. There are people who think in terms of “their own truth,” but thinking that way is contrary to the nature of truth. If everyone could have his or her own truth, then truth would not be true, but would be only a personal experience or belief. When it comes to God, the objective nature of God seems obvious. We do not make God, nor can we change Him. Nor does it modify Him if we do not believe in Him or believe something false about Him. It is our job, as created beings of God, to discover the truth that lies outside us, and discover, and develop a relationship with, our Creator. There are religions that teach that we must discover God “inside us.” Those types of teachings have been around a long time, and their fruit is consistent: each person ends up with a somewhat different view of God. God is not inside us, nor can we find Him by looking inside ourselves. The Bible guides us to read and learn about God in it’s pages, and from there develop a personal relationship with Him. Conclusion As we examine the characteristics of truth, that it is absolute, correspondent, coherent, universal, exclusive, and objective, many things about God, the Word of God, the Son of God, and life itself, come into clearer focus. For one thing, we become more acutely aware of the spiritual battle raging around us. A primary weapon of the Adversary is lies and untruth, but a lie cannot be seen for what it is if no one believes in truth. No wonder the Adversary has such an intense campaign going on against the existence of absolute truth. If he can get people to believe that all that matters is “what is true for them,” or “the truth they find inside themselves,” he will succeed in his mission to “steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).” People will meet God at the resurrection and find that “their truth” was just a lie they were comfortable with while on earth. At that time the scripture that says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death” (Prov. 14:12 and 16:25; said twice for emphasis) will be seen to be “the truth,” but it will be too late for those who did not seek God and get saved. As Christians, we should believe the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, that the Word of God is the truth (John 17:17), and we should labor hard to understand it, believe it, and teach it to others. At the end of time, the only theory, idea, concept, ideology, or belief that matters will be those that are actually true, that correspond to the reality that God has set in place. We need to honor God, and bless ourselves and others by discovering truth and communicating it to those around us. This great Teaching is from: http://truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=923 ===================================================================== C @=. /|\/ | \| | __.__ /\ |( |()| ejm97 / / _ >Sing It Forward Story Editor: by Susan L. Miller Clayton Bennett California, USA After four years of marriage I wanted my family to meet my husband, so over the 1978 Fourth of July weekend my husband and I flew from California to New York. At La Guardia Airport we found a bus strike. How would we get to Manhattan? Taxis were expensive, and our family couldn't pick us up. A very dignified, somewhat stocky, nicely dressed man overheard our dilemma, and explained how to catch a commuter train. Then he offered to share a cab to the train depot. In the cab we chatted; he'd just returned from an opera singing engagement in Italy. I was amazed, as my family loves concerts, musicals, and ballet, and I sing and play the guitar. At the station, he took us to our platform, and gave careful directions on which transfers to make. The train arrived; he waved and departed. In two hours we were safely at my cousin's apartment. We had a lovely visit, but I wished I'd gotten our benefactor's name and number to let him know we'd arrived, and thank him once again. 26 years later, in December 2004, I was singing with "Threshold Choir". We sing to provide comfort to bedridden people who are injured, ill, or in comas. A member of my church, "Alice", was in the hospital, recovering from shoulder surgery. My two choir companions and I found Alice's room on a floor we normally didn't visit, and delighted her with our music. As we left, a nurse told us another patient had heard us and requested that we sing for him. She said he'd been in the hospital a while and was somewhat depressed. When we entered the room, the patient was propped up in bed, with an IV drip in his arm. In his mid-40's, he was quite pale, with bright blue eyes, and rumpled brown hair. He greeted us with a warm smile, and thanked us for taking the time to stop in. We sang a few songs from our repertoire, and then asked him if he had any requests. "How about 'Silent Night'?" he asked softly. As we sang the old carol, he joined us in a rich tenor. We complimented him on his voice, and it was as if a dam had burst. He regaled us with stories of his love of opera, of his life as a singer, and how his parents had introduced him to all the great operatic performances of the time. He sang us bits of arias in French, German and Italian, and his face took on a healthy glow of joy and reminiscence. Suddenly I realized I had experienced a sort of full-circle miracle. By bringing compassion to this stranger, I'd returned the long-ago favor from the New York opera singer's kindly transportation help. In addition, I'd received the gift of watching this man transform from someone debilitated by illness to someone transported by joy. And all it took was a simple Christmas carol. EDITOR'S NOTE: The author refers you to http://www.ThresholdChoir.org ----------==========----------o----------==========---------- Thank You All So Very Much For Your Support During the 2007 Year. Your kindness touched our hearts. Please let your friends know we're here -- we grow through your "word of mouse" efforts. Send folks here to subscribe: http://www.HeroicStories.com ----------==========----------o----------==========---------- =======HeroicStories======= >-->From our friend Barbara :) _____ _..--'''@ @'''--.._ .' @_/-//-\/>/>'/ @ '. ( @ /_-->From InspiredBuffalo: >New Year - 2008 ) (.) .|. l8J | | _.--| |--._ .-'; ;`-'& ; `&. & & ; & ; ; \ \ ; & &_/ F"""---...---"""J | | | | | | | | | J | | | | | | | F `---.|.|.|.---' Krogg "Another fresh new year is here . . . Another year to live! To banish worry, doubt, and fear, To love and laugh and give! This bright New Year is given me To live each day with zest . . . To daily grow and try to be My highest and my best! I have the opportunity Once more to right some wrongs, To pray for peace, to plant a tree, And sing more joyful songs!" --William Arthur Ward -<>- >NEW YEAR'S RECIPE _____________________ | _________________ | | | 2008 0. | | | |_________________| | | ___ ___ ___ ___ | | | 7 | 8 | 9 | | + | | | |___|___|___| |___| | ADD UP FOR THE YEAR's BEST! | | 4 | 5 | 6 | | - | | | |___|___|___| |___| | | | 1 | 2 | 3 | | x | | | |___|___|___| |___| | | | . | 0 | = | | / | | | |___|___|___| |___| | |_____________________| Take twelve, fine, full-grown months, see that these are thoroughly free from all old memories of bitterness, rancor, hate and jealousy; cleanse them completely from every clinging spite: pick off all specks of pettiness and littleness; in short , see that these months are freed from all the past; have them as fresh and clean as when they first came from the great storehouse of Time. Cut these months into thirty or thirty-one equal parts. This batch will keep for just one year. Do not attempt to make up the whole batch at one time (so many persons spoil the entire lot in this way), but prepare one day at a time, as follows: Into each day put twelve parts of faith, eleven of patience, ten of courage, nine of of work (some people omit this ingredient and so spoil the flavor of the rest), eight of hope, seven of fidelity, six of liberality, five of kindness, four of rest (leaving this out is like leaving the oil out of the salad, don't do it), three of prayer, two of meditation, and one well selected resolution. If you have no conscientious scruples, put in about a teaspoonful of good spirits, a dash of fun, a pinch of folly, a sprinkling of play, and a heaping cupful of good humor. Pour into the whole love ad libitum and mix with a vim. Cook thoroughly in a fervent heat; garnish with a few smiles and a sprig of joy; then serve with quietness, unselfishness, and cheerfulness, and a Happy New Year is certain. -<>- __ _ / /| |\\ \/_/ \_\| / __ \/_/__\ .-=='/~\ ____,__/__,_____,______)/ /{~}}} -,------,----,-----,---,\'-' {{~}} jgs '-==.\}/ >LOVING REMINDERS By: Joseph J. Mazzella I am always amazed and delighted at how many reminders of God's love that I get every single day. They are everywhere and in everything. I see them in the twinkling stars, smiling moon, and sparkling snow when I walk my dogs in the morning. I see them in my youngest son's smile and feel them in the warm, caring hugs of my daughter and oldest son. I see them as the sun rises and lights up the sky with beauty and color and hear them in the morning chorus of joyous birdsong. I see them in the sweet, loving eyes of my dogs and cats and hear them singing in my wife's laughter. I see them in the inspiring books I read, hear them in the beautiful music I listen to, and feel them in the cool, gentle breezes that touch my face. I see them in every smiling face I look at and feel them warming my soul every time I hear those magical words, "I love you." I only wish that each of us could give those we love as many reminders of it as God gives us. It isn't, after all, a hard thing to do. It costs us nothing and it brings so much joy, happiness, and delight into their hearts and our own hearts as well. If you don't believe me then just try it for a day and see what happens. It may just change your life. It doesn't have to be anything major either. A reminder of our love can come in the simplest and most beautiful things. It can be a smile, a laugh, or a sincere compliment. It can be a card, a hug, or a kind word. It can be a poem, a flower, or a simple note. It can be a meal, a back rub, or a gentle kiss. It can be a song, a dance, or even a caring look. It can be holding hands, sharing jokes, or playing with your kids. It can come in a million ways as long as it comes from your heart and flows from your soul. Follow God's example today then and remind everyone just how much you love them. -<>- Links for Your Enjoyment Mixing People http://www.buffalosjokes.com/112425.htm Simply The Best http://www.buffalosjokes.com/112426.htm Skate Miss http://www.buffalosjokes.com/112427.htm >From Shangy Prosterity and Health http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/prosperityhealth.html Mystery Revealed http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/mysteryrevealed.html Toyger - Mini Tiger http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/minitiger.html Giant Catfish http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/giantcfish.html To subscribe to this group, send an email to: the-inspired-buffalo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ================================================================= >-->From SermondFodder: THE KEY TO WISE SPENDING ___________ @ @ / (@\ @ \___________/ _@ @ _/@ \_____ @/ \__/-="="` \_ / <| <| jgs <| ` God expects us to have faith, but also to use common sense and wise planning in allocating the resources He has given us. The best way to manage your money and stay out of debt is to have a strategy in place before the expenses or temptations arise. * Begin with a budget. A budget is a road map that guides you and tells you when you are on course. Budgeting won't ensure prosperity, but it will keep you from overspending your resources and will help you avoid the debt trap. * Decide to follow the budget. Most people understand the need for a good budget, but few follow through. Only 25% of American families operate on a budget. Fifty percent say they want to budget but never get around to it. Make your plan and stick to it. * Prioritize your expenditures. Make a list of what is most important to you. Start with the necessities (housing, food, car, utilities, insurance, and taxes). Then list what you "should have" (clothing, furniture, etc.). Finally, list the things you'd like to have. * Involve your family. When you create a list of priorities, it's important to involve your whole family so everyone understands the priorities and is focused on the goals. * Pay the Lord first. If you get this first priority right, each step thereafter is easier. God makes it clear He is to receive the first fruits of your income, not the leftovers. The key to honoring God with your finances is remembering that your money is not your money. God owns it all and gives to us as He pleases. * Pay bills on time. Establish a budget that allows you to pay all your bills in full and on time each month. If you can't pay them all, pay something on all of them and communicate your intentions of paying everything to those you owe. If you can't pay your regular bills, it's time to move to a smaller house, drive an older model car, or make drastic cuts until your outgo matches your income. * Assign the job of paying the bills. This isn't about control, since both should fully understand the financial situation and goals, but about the most capable person taking on the job. * Get out of debt as soon as possible. Debt carries with it heavy responsibilities. Don't allow yourself to become a slave to creditors. Don't take on debt unless you have a clear plan for repaying it. Certainly stay away from debt if it is a habit out of control. * Plan for emergencies. Small emergencies can eat at your budget every month unless you begin to set aside funds as part of your budget. (E.g. the dog gets sick, your car radiator dies, time for back-to-school clothes, etc.) * Have some fun. Use some resources for personal enjoyment. After you have managed your money wisely and given generously, there comes a time for you to enjoy the fruits of your labor. * Invest the remainder wisely. Make wise, long-term invest- ments that could substantially increase your money in a few years. ----------- Bob Russell pastors Southeast Christian Church, a 10,000-member church in Louisville, Ky. His previous books include Marriage by the Book and When Life is a Zoo, God Still Loves You. Bob and his wife, Judy, oversee Living Word Ministries, a tape ministry. Rusty Russell holds a B.A. in Biblical Studies from Cincinnati Bible College. A former teacher, school administrator, and preacher, he now serves as a research associate for Southeast Christian Church. =================================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: WASTING PRECIOUS TIME by Joseph Sica __ __ ,-' `' \ _---``-- / _ _ ; __ `. / / `' \; /`----- ) / .-/ ,( ), \-. ; | \( \ / )/; | - _5 `7 -; / ( ___-' `-____ | ( ___`-_ \ ____| \ / `,/ \ _(\__ / \ \ ; \ .' /' `i. / | | \ _-'( _\__-/ `- | | ` ,` `_ | BP I recently visited a friend in the hospice unit at one of our local hospitals. As I was talking with Bill, a gentleman walked into the room. Bill began to cry and so did the gentleman. The gentleman leaned over the bed to embrace Bill. After a few moments the gentleman, Ken, said to me, "He's my brother. We haven't spoken in over 25 years." Caught by surprise by his comment, I said, "You're kidding me?" "No," replied Ken. "We had an argument over a piece of property and have been estranged from each other." Bill said, "Ken, you haven't met my children." Then Bill introduced his children to their uncle. I left the hospice unit thinking, there's something wrong when we can't forgive. Life is short and it's difficult to make up for all the time that has been lost. This experience caused me to think the power of forgiveness and the need for it in our lives. Sure, when someone says something or does something to cause us harm, it hurts. But we need to move beyond the hurt, to healing, which comes from forgiveness. I like to think of forgiveness as the bold choice we make to clear out of our lives resentment, bitterness, anger, hatred, and revenge. We need to ask ourselves, "Do I want to waste precious time and energy carrying around these nasty feelings?" It's the unfinished business we may have with a spouse, parent, child, brother or sister, or friend which we need to take care of before it's too late. Holding on to the past only weakens the relationship and keeps us from mending it and putting it back together. When we refuse to forgive, the other person owns us. Often forgiveness is not for the other person, it's for us -- to let it go and begin again. Charlie came to see me about a problem he was having. He was angry with his father for dying. He said, "He died just when I was getting to know him as a buddy, a friend. We'd fish, hunt, and golf together. Now it's all gone." I told him, "You have unfinished business with your father. Go and tell him." "He's dead," Charlie said, "How can I?" I said, "Get in your car and go to the cemetery and tell him how angry you are with him." He left me looking confused. Two weeks later, Charlie came and told me, "I feel better. I drove to the cemetery and stood over his grave and dumped my angry. Then I closed my eyes and said to myself what I felt my dad would say. Wow, I never realized how much energy keeping all that anger inside can do to a person." I agreed and applauded Charlie for what he did. Forgiveness brings healing, freedom, and peace back into our lives. It opens our eyes to see what happened. It calls us to break down the walls, stop the silent treatment and put an end to the cold war. One day, the roles of wronged and wrongdoer may be reversed. Use today as an opportunity to open a door that has been closed too long. Forgive. Let it go. Put it behind you and see how much better you will feel. Give it try. It works. -- Joseph Sica ___________________________________________ Father Joe Sica is a priest from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. His book, Embracing Change, 10 Ways to Grow Spiritually and Emotionally, is now available. You can review and purchase it at this convenient Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1585952486/heartref=nosim You can email Fr. Sica by clicking here: mailto:frjoesica@hotmail.com --- ...Visit here for A fine teaching on this: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/dwellingonthepast.html ====================================================================== >-->From AndyChaps: I Am A Soldier ~~ (... Used by Permission) / @__, @_. @___/ /\_, /\_, /\__/ / \ / \ / \ / _/__|_____________________/__|_______________/__/_______ unknown I am a soldier in the army of my God. The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer. The Holy Bible is my code of conduct. Faith, Prayer, and the Word are my weapons of Warfare. I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity, and tested by fire. I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity. I will either retire in this Army or die in this Army; But, I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, or pushed out. I am faithful, reliable, capable, and dependable. If my God needs, me, I am there. I am a soldier. I am not a baby. I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, picked up, or pepped up. I am a soldier. No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me. I am a soldier. I am not a wimp. I am in place, saluting my King, Obeying His orders, praising His name, and building His Kingdom! No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy, or give me handouts. I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to. I am committed. I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around. I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside. I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit. When Jesus called me into this Army, I had nothing. If I end up with nothing, I will still come out even. I will win. My God will supply all my needs. I am more than a conqueror. I will always triumph. I can do all things through Christ. Devils cannot defeat me. People cannot disillusion me. Weather cannot weary me. Sickness cannot stop me. Battles cannot beat me. Money cannot buy me. Governments cannot silence me, and hell cannot handle me! I am a soldier. Even death cannot destroy me. For when my Commander calls me from this battlefield, He will promote me to a captain. I am a soldier, in the Army, I'm marching, claiming victory. I will not give up. I will not turn around. I am a soldier, marching Heaven bound. Y | . +._ O / | `#' | / \ ()) d b Here I stand! Will you stand with me? 1. Active Duty: Serving the Lord faithfully, daily, and on duty 24-7-365? 2. Reserve Status: Serving only when called upon, or twice a year: Christmas and Easter? 3. Guard Status: Backing up the Active Duty group? Or 4. AWOL! Absent With Out the Lord? -<>- P R O B L E M S P cause they're Predictable, each day gives birth to some, R cause they're Reminders, to never turn and run, for O has Opportunities, to conquer each attack, B has all the Blessings, to fill in every crack, L is for the Lessons, each problem tends to teach, and E because they're Everywhere, like sand upon a beach, M is for the Messages, that bring a just reward, and S means all are Solvable, when Jesus Christ is Lord! ©1994 William Heffner P.O. Box 677 Coldwater, Michigan 49036 ============================================================== >-->Quotes & Thoughts: Forgiveness is almost a selfish act because of its immense benefits to the one who forgives. -- Lawana Blackwell, When you reach for the stars you may not quite get one, but you won't come up with a handful of mud either. -- Leo Burnett Hate can only flourish where love is absent. - William C. Menninger ---> Visit my CyberHome - ALWAYS OPEN HOOUSE :)Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/index.html Shangrala ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->Bigham's Computer Rescue - PC Sales && Service You can trust us to provide you with quality computer sales and repair. We've been servicing the Van Wert area since 1981 and can help you with all your computer needs. 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