Choices... :) 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 ================ *~* A REMINDER: For Facebook Users: Please Friend Me / Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND For Google Plus Users: You can find me here... Shangy Bigham https://plus.google.com/106648555948034085752/posts 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 scorching hot new page is from our friends PatDeE and Linda. These have a tendency to draw you in and captivate you with their intensiveness easily proving why they are winners. Turn on your sound and give this one plenty of time to load. o#######o o###########o o#############o ################# ###### \########o '#;^ _^,/---\#####! ,` /^_ .-~^~-.__\# / ^\/,,@@@,, ;| | \!!@@@@@!! ^, #. .\; '9@@@P' ^, ###./^ ----,_^^ /@-._ ^--._,o@@@@@@ ^;@@@@@@@@@ ^-;@@@@ Beautiful Photo Winners! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/photowinners.html --- ...Most Stunning! Thanks PatDeE and Linda! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: ,v. _____>o< / |_ (_________) ///,-.-.\\\ _||__|__||_ (_\|_O|_O|/_) )(#__)( ((`---')) _,. \\-.-// ////) \`-'/ (`'//// __/\`-'/\__ _ ) / ,-'|( )o( )|`-. /o`. ,' ,' ||\/>-<\/|| /`-/`. `. ,'`- || /)O_\ || '` `./ /` !||/o.(_)\||!, -..' / .'!|/o_O o(_\|!`-.__.' / .' !|\(_)o Oo/|! /`._.' !||\O.o_o/||! \o | .=!|| `.(.' ||!=. /`-'\ (( \|| o ||/ )) _\ |) )`-||___o___||-'( / `--'\ |//|| | : ||\\| /.--==--.\ |/(X) | : (X)\| o/ ______ \o| |_: | _ [\' `/]| __ ,,,,,| (/ |\`--==--'/||,,,,, | |///| | _ | )/)/`.(' |||oOo| | |///| | (/ | `(_) \) |||OoO| | ''''' | \ `PAINT'/ |''''' _| | _,`-=..=-' | |_| ,'\ | (_/ /( | | \,' | \_) `-.___.-^-.___.-' ,---. |=| |=| ,---. ( # \,,,,&/`-'| |`-'\&,,,,/ # ) \ ) ( / `========'`==' `=='`========' hjw >TEARS OF A CLOWN by Kathleene S. Baker David glanced into the rearview mirror of his car, double-checked his makeup, and straightened his gawdy, polka-dot tie. "I really do look good!" he muttered and smiled at his reflection. With head held high, David strode across the parking lot to his workplace. He had rummaged through tables at Goodwill and visited garage sales to gather items for his perfectly coordinated outfit. Polyester slacks, in a large red, white, and blue check, were his favorite find. After a good spit-shine, his second-hand, navy and beige, wing-tip shoes looked like new, though he wished they fit a bit better. He feared by the end of the day he'd be crippled from blisters -- his red, orange and yellow striped socks weren't quite thick enough for comfort. "David! You look fantastic this morning." Obviously one co-worker approved of his attire as he'd barely walked through the door before she piped up. David politely tipped his red derby hat, exposing a shock of orange hair. "Thanks, Fran, and so do you. You should wear that shade of purple more often." They both chuckled. David stuck his thumbs under his suspenders and gave them a tug. Compliments from co-workers continued. David was all but giddy. Devon, Jerry, and David didn't have clients for another half hour, so they stepped into the mall smoking area. Soon the shop would buzz with folks and it might be afternoon before they'd have another smoke break. The three were puffing and chatting, when out of nowhere, she charged like a mad bull. "What are you doing?" screeched the young, shorthaired woman as she closed in on them. The three looked at one another and then at her -- they had not a clue what she wanted. With the stealth of a panther she pounced! David hit the tile floor face first. His red derby hat adorned with a yellow and orange band bounced to a stop several feet away. The attacker grabbed hold and stayed atop David. "What do you think you are doing?" What brought this on, David wondered. His pals stood paralyzed, their eyes enormous. He looked up at them -- why aren't they doing anything to get this crazed woman off of me? With an angry voice the wild woman began lobbing questions. "How long have you been a clown? "Uh, well since about 7:30 this morning," David snapped. Within moments a crowd had gathered. David struggled to get on his feet. Several people offered him a hand. Still, the strange attacker kept a tight grasp on one arm. "Are you a professional clown?" Her dark eyes were flashing. "No!" David spat. "Then where did you get that costume?" David explained he'd assembled his costume from a mishmash of items found at Goodwill. She looked skeptical, very skeptical! The livid female kept at it. "Who did your makeup? It looks too professional." "I did my own makeup, thank you! But, I'm not a professional clown if that's what you're driving at. The Regis Hair Salon dresses for Halloween each year and this year I'm a clown. Got it? We do it for fun." She continued her death grip on David's arm! "How many hours will you wear that clown suit today?" "I'll wear it until I'm finished with my customers and then we're going out to party! Now would you let go of me and leave me alone?" Glaring at the cigarette still on the floor, she loosened her grip and began to explain. "Look, I am a professional clown! Clowns do not smoke." She poked David in the chest with her forefinger and ordered, "Do not smoke while dressed like that! I mean it. Don't let me see you do it again." "Lady, don't poke me! I'm a clown for Halloween and that's all. If you are finished manhandling me, I'm going to work." As David walked toward the salon she gave him one more warning, "I don't want to see you smoking in that clown outfit again today!" The early morning assault left a damper on the usual Halloween merriment at the salon. As for David, the day had been downright ruined. The few smoke breaks he took were wrought with angst for he knew his assailant was lurking somewhere in the mall and might strike like a cobra at any moment. Constantly looking over his shoulder, he felt like a criminal on the run. He vowed to never again dress as a clown. In days to come David made it a point to learn about professional clowns. He found there is more to "clowning" than entertaining others with nonsensical fun. They adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and smoking is not tolerated when dressed "in clown." Still, he found little solace in their principles after being subjected to an attack on his person by a crazed woman. Strict Code of Ethics, indeed! An old song played incessantly in David's mind the rest of that horrid Halloween day, "Tears of a Clown"... -- Kathleene S. Baker __________________________________________________ Kathleene is from Texas. You can visit her site here: http://www.txyellowrose.com =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Jacinto :) . .:::. .:::::::. V^V^V^V^V^V (| ^ ^ |) | (_) | `//=\\' (((())) )))(( (()))) ))(( (() )) ( jgs >Wisdom Thoughts Be Energetic, Enthusiastic and Excited in life always What you don't like others may also not like You get what you give. give love to receive love Your thoughts are things so mind your thoughts always Realize that it is never too late to start a new thing Keep doing ordinary things meticulously to become extraordinary Remember that a little little everyday adds up to big results Stop Wishing and Start Fishing means take Action Now -<>- . | . \ | / `. \ ' / .' `. .-*""*-. .' "*-._ /.*" "*.\ _.-*" : ; ____ """"': .. ; _.-*" \ `.__.' / "*-._ .' `-.__.-' `. bug .' / . \ `. / | \ ' | ` >Good Day! Shadows of yesterday have faded away Sun has reappeared it's a brand new day Birds singing their song loud and clear Announcing to the world a new day is here Sun appears in the east has begun a new quest In the middle at noon and then sets in the west Wishing you contentment and peace along the way Good morning to you have a nice day! --- ...Sweet! Thanks Jass! =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Linda :) _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ >Quiet time There is nothing better than other people praying for you. Be Still. The instructions are to pick four people You want God to bless. I pick you. Please pass this to at least four people you want to pray for. This prayer is powerful, and prayer is one of the best gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of rewards. Let's always pray for one another. The prayer: Father, Thank You for each and every day You have blessed us here on earth. Thank You for Your tender mercies. Thank You for giving us friends and family to share these Internet joys with. I ask You to bless my friends, relatives and those I care deeply for, who are reading this right now. Where there is joy, give them continued joy, Where there is pain, give them your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence. Where there is need, fulfill their needs. Please bless their homes, families, finances, their goings and their comings. In Jesus Christ's name, Amen. (If you choose to send this to more than four people, you are truly blessed to have such friends.) --- ...Beautiful! Thank You Linda! =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseA :) .--._..--. ___ ( _'-_ -_.' _.-' `-._| - :- | _.-' `--...__| .-' '--..___ / `._ \ `. `._ | `. `._ / '. `._ :__________....-----' `..`---' |-_ _- |___...----..._ |_....--' `.`. _...--' `.`. _..-' _.'.' .-' _.'.' | _.'.' | __....------'-' | __...------''' _| '--''' |- - _ | >Choices John is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, 'If I were any better, I would be twins!' He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, John was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation. Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up and asked him, 'I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time How do you do it?' He replied, 'Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood. I choose to be in a good mood.' Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life. 'Yeah, right, it's not that easy,' I protested. 'Yes, it is,' he said. 'Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live your life.' I reflected on what he said. Soon thereafter, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it. Several years later, I heard that he was involved in a serious accident, after 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, he was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back. When I asked him how he was, he replied, 'If I were any better, I'd be twins.. Wanna see my scars?' I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place. 'The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my wife,' he replied. 'Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or I could choose to die. I chose to live.' 'Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?' I asked He continued, '...the paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man'. I knew I needed to take action.' 'What did you do?' I asked. 'Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me,' said John. 'She asked if I was allergic to anything 'Yes, I replied.' The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Gravity'' Over their laughter, I told them, 'I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead.' He lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. Attitude, after all, is everything. 'Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.' Matthew 6:34. After all today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday. --- ...Love this one! It is so true! Thanks LouiseA! Believing = Receiving! And Giving = Receiving - So being Positive helps you reap the positives or good things in life! YOUR Attitude can make or break you! See these ones... 90/10 Principle http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/giving.html Excellent examples of people using positive attitude: Attitude Is Everything http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude.html Attitude Is Everything 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude2.html Attitude Is Everything 3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude3.html Attitude Is Everything 4 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude4.html Attitude Is Everything 5 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude5.html More Positive Inspirational pages: Think Positive http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/positive.html Think Happy Thoughts http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/happythoughts.html Top Reasons To Smile http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/smile.html ===================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: ,-. _,. / / ; \____,-==-._ ) //_ `----' {+> ` `'--/ /-'`( / / dew `=' >A Time to Be Silent A pilot had turned off his radio in order to elude the enemy, but as he came across the channel, he turned it on again and began turning the dial to find the proper frequency, which changed from time to time. His plane was almost out of petrol, and he was terrified of what might happen if he ran out and did not find his way precisely toward the goal he was seeking. As he twiddled the dial, he broke out in perspiration. Finally, he caught a faint signal and adjusted the dial. The signal came in strong and clear. He changed his flight path onto the signal and landed safely at his airport. We're all trying to do that in life. We're trying to pick up those signals that tell us who we are, what direction we ought to be headed, and where home is. As we fiddle with the dial and adjust the signal receiver in our lives, we begin to hear in the stillness and the quietness a voice telling us where home is. We are able to readjust our patterns and head homeward. That's the promise of the text. If we will be still, we will know that God is God; we will know which way to go toward God. -- John Killinger --- ...Pss.46: [10] Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. -<>- _____ / \/_ //\__(\_\ |\ ^ ^ | .//_O \O_ \ \_ (_) / \ \_/ / __/\ /\__ / \ \ / / \ / \/\/\/ \ / | . | \ / | . | \ JRO >AH, THERE YOU ARE By: Joseph J. Mazzella I misplaced my joy this morning. I woke up to find it missing like a set of lost keys. I started looking for it everywhere. I looked for it in the morning paper. It wasn’t there. I looked for it in my books. It wasn’t there. I looked for it in some music. It wasn’t there. I looked for it while I ate breakfast, got the kids ready for school, and headed out the door this morning, but I couldn’t find it anywhere. When I finally got back home I decided to take a walk. I thought that if I couldn’t find my joy then at least I could get some exercise. The last leaves of Autumn were thickly covering the ground. I walked for awhile on this beautiful, crunchy carpet and breathed in the fresh, cool air. It was so peaceful and wonderful. After walking for a bit I stopped and smiled. I suddenly knew where to look. I glanced down and saw my joy peeking up at me from deep inside my soul. It had been sitting there right next to my love and God’s love just waiting for me to find it. "Ah, there you are," I said. Then I laughed at myself for not knowing where to look all along. It is amazing how we so often look for joy in every single place except the only place where it can truly be found, within ourselves. We are like a person running around searching for the glasses that are perched on the top of his head. We need to stop the search. We need to look deep into our souls and see the joy that has been sitting there all along. It isn’t hidden and it isn’t hard to find. It is there shining brightly right next to God’s love and our love. It is just waiting for us to smile down and say, "Ah, there you are." Reach down and grab that joy today. Choose it, rejoice in it, and live in it. Take it along with your love and God’s love and share it with the world. And if you ever misplace it again remember where to look for it first. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Thank You God! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thankgod.html Beautiful Bridges http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bridges.html All Occasion Cakes http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/aocakes3.html You And Me Together http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/youandme.html Up Close And Personal http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/personal3.html Sgt.Stubby War Dog Hero http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/stubbywardog.html Kilroy Was Here http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kilroywashere.html Willie, Joe And Bill In WWII http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mauldin.html Proud Of Our Troops 7 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/troops7.html Rescued Squirrel http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/rsquirrel.html Semper Fidelis http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/semperfi.html Humor With The Troops 4 http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/humor4.html -<>- >From Our Friend Melinda :) Don't Mess With Texas Women http://tinyurl.com/nnnh5ff What is affordable about the Affordable Care Act? Medical costs continue to climb... http://tinyurl.com/pocg3ho "Top 10 Unique Bridges Around The World" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wybpv20EDoU&feature=em-share_video_user 102 y/o Dancer Sees Herself on Film for the First Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bktozJWbLQg&feature=em-share_video_user After reviewing hundreds of reader suggestions, we've chosen one of them to name our new baby donkey! (See new photos, too...) http://tinyurl.com/qbggu6g --- ...Cute! Thanks Melinda! -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseA :) Did you see this video of the Ohio State University marching band's tribute to Michael Jackson? They're back with an even more spectacular performance! See them reenact the biggest Hollywood blockbusters in stunning detail! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxhWyaD_SUQ Oh no! Drones are scary enough without dressing them up like the Grim Reaper and terrorizing unsuspecting folks! See this Halloween trickster put his remote-controlled quadcopter to sinister use. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tB8D2QZ9lA4 If you've ever caught a monster fish from the deep sea, you know what it's like to proudly display your trophy for the camera. That's why this ludicrous larceny was luckily captured on video! Watch a thieving sea lion snatch a fish right out of his hands. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGz-NIBZwEw Everyone knows laughter is contagious, even on the grim morning subway ride. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeauvE1M7qc Why have a marching band when you can have a biking band? The Dutch Army Bicycle Band wants to ride their bikes. They want to ride them where they like! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvjPz4X7jqw When you're a kid, you always want your dad to show up to your big game or your dance recital. But when your dad's a soldier in Afghanistan, that isn't always possible. That's what makes this military reunion so special! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndKZL7rBMUE --- ...Excellent! Thanks LouiseA! 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 CupO'Cheer: _|_ | / \ //_\\ //(_)\\ |/^\| ,%%%% // \\ ,@@@@@@@, ,%%%%/%%% // \\ ,@@@\@@@@/@@, @@@%%%\%%//%%%// === \\ @@\@@@/@@@@@ @@@@%%%%\%%%%%// =-=-= \\@@@@\@@@@@@;%#####, @@@@%%%\%%/%%// === \\@@@@@@/@@@%%%######, @@@@@%%%%/%%//| |\\@\\//@@%%%%%%#/#### '@@@@@%%\\/%~ | | ~ @|| %\\//%%%#####; @@\\//@|| | __ __ | || %%||%%'###### '@|| || | | | | | || ||##\//#### || || | | -|- | | || ||'#||###' || || |_|__|__|_| || || || || ||_/` ======= `\__||_._|| || jgs__||_/` ======= `\_||___ >BE A TITHER! It's estimated that less than one-tenth of all those who attend church give a tenth of their income to God's work, even though the Bible clearly teaches that the first tenth of all we earn belongs to God. "A tithe of everything... is holy to the Lord." (Leviticus 27:30) Today it is estimated that two-thirds of the church's income comes from people aged 69 or older. That's alarming! We need to teach our children the responsibility and rewards of tithing. Perhaps you think tithing only applied to those who lived under the Old Testament law, like the Pharisees. No, Jesus said, "...unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees... you will certainly not enter the Kingdom of Heaven." (Matthew 5:20) The tithe is a minimum. Your love and faith should determine the maximum. Abraham paid tithes 600 years before the law (Genesis 14:20), then Jesus endorsed it saying we "ought" to tithe (Matthew 23:23), and the writer to the Hebrews confirmed that it is still God's plan (Hebrews 7:4-5). As believers, we are the spiritual seed of Abraham, and as such, his blessings have been promised to us (Galatians 3:14). But if you want what Abraham had, you've got to do what Abraham did – and he was the first man in Scripture to tithe! Giving God the first tenth of your income makes Him number one in your priorities. His Word says, "Bring the whole tithe... Test Me in this...and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of Heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." (Malachi 3:10) Do you want to walk in God's blessings? Become a tither! as seen in firstIMPRESSIONS --- ...my two cents... , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Why Tithe? by emb As I've studied the bible, I've come to learn something about the Old Testament. While it wasn't written to us as born again believers today, it holds good lessons of God's fatherly attitude toward His people. He created the world and set up the rules so it is understandable that He would know what is best for all people. When God instructs something for the good of the people, like He said here... "Bring the whole tithe... Test Me in this...and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of Heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." (Malachi 3:10) Then you better believe that He knows what He is talking about! He set up the Law Of Giving = Receiving - as you give you receive, so He instructed the people He loved to give a tithe - for their own good. That's what most of His laws were about in the Old Testament. Laws for the good of all people not only for those He loved the most. Think about it. Even God's Law of no eating pork had good reasons back then. People didn't have the knowledge we do today. So instead of explaining the danger to people, God simply said, don't eat it. 'Undercooked pork can make people very sick. Trichinosis is caused by eating raw or undercooked pork and wild game infected with the larvae of a parasitic worm.' 'Trichinosis is a disease caused by parasitic roundworms (nematodes) that can infect and damage body tissues. When ingested, these parasitic worms can pass through the intestinal tract to invade other tissues, such as muscle, where they persist.' 'Trichinella spiralis has a long standing association with pork products, not only in the U.S. but around the world. The concept which many people have about the need to cook pork thoroughly is based on the risk of becoming infected with this parasite. This concern is well founded in history. At the beginning of the 20th century conservative estimates showed a 2.5% infection rate in U.S. pigs. Even more alarming were postmortem surveys, conducted in the 1930's. A National Institute of Health report published in 1943 found 16.2% of the U.S. population to be infected (1 out of every 6 people). This type of information led to considerable publicity on the dangers of eating pork. The historical problem of trichinae infection in pigs is responsible for strict federal control of methods used to prepare ready-to-eat pork products in the U.S., and expensive carcass inspection requirements in Europe. These regulations are still in effect in the Code of Federal Regulations, for processed products, and in the Directives of the European Union.' https://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/trichinae/docs/fact_sheet.htm While not even a hundred years ago people didn't have a clue, God Knew! God was protecting people by telling them not to eat pork. In the same manner, He challenges people to tithe knowing of His Law of Giving = Receiving. God always wants what is best for people, however, He always gives people their own choice to obey His Word or go against His Word and do whatever they want. It is their choice but choosing to go against God's Word can have its consequences. For example, people back then who ate pork anyway ran a huge risk of becoming violently ill. Likewise, people who choose not to tithe, may suffer the financial consequences of being poor or being not very prosperous and just living paycheck to paycheck. Check out these wonderful teachings... Tithing And The Law http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/TITHING_AND_THE_LAW.htm Giving = Receiving http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Promises/GIVING_EQUALS_RECEIVING.htm -<>- >SWEET RESTITUTION At a Promise Keepers event many years ago, one of the speakers began talking about a subject that conjured up memories of a former business associate who felt I had wronged him financially. Although the way I had handled our dispute was legal, God began to convict me that just being legal wasn't good enough. Soon I was praying about how to resolve this issue financially. That's when God spelled out His plan through Numbers 5:7, "He shall confess his sins which he has committed, and he shall make restitution in full for his wrong, and add to it one-fifth of it, and give it to him whom he has wronged." Imagine my former associate's surprise when he received a check for all of the money he had previously lost, plus an additional 20%. God's plan brought peace for me, healing of bitterness for my former associate, and glory to God. If you have someone in your past to whom you need to make amends, consider restitution. It works wonders. Courtesy of www.integrityresource.org -<>- ,-----. W/,-. ,-.\W ()>a a<() (.--(_)--.) ,'/.-'\_/`-.\`. ,' / `-' \ `. / \ / \ / `. ,' \ / / `-._.-' \ \ ,-`-._/| |=|o |\_.-< <,--.) |_____| |o____| )_ \ `-)| |// _ \\| )/ || |' | `| || | | | || ( )|( ) || | | | || | | | || |_.--.|.--._| || /'""| |""`\ [] `===' `===' hjw >I LOST MY PLACE By Bob Perks "I lost my place," he said. I paused for a moment as I was walking by. I wasn't sure if he was talking to me or simply talking to himself. I was in a nursing home visiting some of the residents. I always keep my mind and heart open to speak to anyone along the way. I do the same no matter where I go. I simply enjoy listening. I sat down next to the man and placed my hand on his arm. His thin hands shook slightly as he looked at me. His speech was clear but slow. His eyes looked young and vibrant, surrounded by soft wrinkles, and patchy dry spots associated with aging. As he turned toward me, he greeted me with a revealing smile indicating that he was as beautiful inside as he was out. "You lost your place?" I asked. Turning his head slowly he looked back and forth a few times finally answering, "Yes, yes I did." I waited for a moment. I wanted to hear more without leading the conversation. "I was headed in the right direction and simply lost my place," he said. "Life does that. If you don't pay attention you suddenly realize that life went one way and you the other." I thought he was talking about his home. I figured he lost his home and ended up there. He was talking about losing his place along life's journey. I can clearly remember losing my place in school. The teacher would have us read out loud and I often started day dreaming. Then she would call on me and I had no idea where they left off. She would tell me and say, "Bobby pay attention." I knelt down in front of the man and said, "Did you ever think that maybe God put you back on track and placed you here so that you would be well taken care of?" He leaned forward in his chair and tilting his head slightly to one side, he placed his hand on my head and said, "I hope it's only temporary. I'm tired and need to move on." Later when I got back to my car I wrote those words on a piece of paper..."I lost my place." The more I think about it, the more I realize that God was speaking to me, as He always does, through the eyes and gentle touch of another. When I struggle in life, when I give up or give in, I blame myself. When I look around and don't like where I am I curse the day and lie in my own self pity. As I walked by that man that day, God called on me to see if I was paying attention. Apparently I wasn't. Not only had I lost my place, I lost my way, I lost my dreams, I lost faith in myself and life went one way and I the other. I returned to that home a few weeks later. I tried to find that man again and couldn't. I asked one of the workers about him and she said, "I'm sorry to say he died." I replied, "No, he found his place." I heard, "Bobby, pay attention!" To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ========================================================== .---------------. / oLo \ O/_____/________/____\O /__________+__________\ / (#############) \ |[**](#############)[**]| \_______________________/ |_""__|_,-----,_|__""_| | | '-----' | | APC'97 '-' '-' >How Could She Tell? Story Editor: by Crystal C. Clayton Bennett Oregon, USA Early in 1999, our family had to drive several hundred miles to Billings, Montana, to visit a hospitalized family member. Between travel, lodging and having given most of our available cash to help relatives out with expenses, we had very little money when we left to return home. It was dusk when we drove out of Billings. We didn't notice at first that our headlights were dimming, and that's probably why we missed the exit for the interstate leading home. After about 40 miles we began to see that nothing along the highway was familiar. In 35 more miles we saw an exit to a town that wasn't anywhere near where we were supposed to be. With eight miles to the next exit, we realized the headlights were dangerously dim. The car began to sputter, and I had to turn off the lights to keep it running. At the foot of the exit ramp there was a small post office. The car stopped running completely as we pulled into the parking area. I soon determined that the alternator wasn't working. It was 7 p.m. and we were in Rosebud, Montana, a tiny town with no services. To make things worse, heavy snow was falling. We needed to find our family a safe place to spend the night, then find an alternator to fix the car in the morning. We couldn't see any other buildings, and the rest of the town was nearly a mile away. Even if we walked there, we knew, there was probably no motel or parts store. Just then a lady stopped to check her mail before heading home. I asked if she had a few minutes to help charge up our battery and where we could find food, lodging, and car parts. She gave what we needed and more. She suggested we go to Forsyth, about seven miles away. We followed her with only our parking lights on so the car wouldn't die again. She led us to a motel, where she insisted on paying for the room. While were settling into the room, she returned with a meal she had purchased for us. The next morning she came back! She took us to the parts store and insisted on buying an alternator for us. While I was fixing the car, she got us another meal -- and when we were leaving, she filled our tank and insisted that we take some money for the trip home. She did all those things for us when we had just asked for a jump- start and a few recommendations. How she could tell what else we needed, I don't know, or why she gave us so much. But I know how much it meant to us. Perhaps her greatest gift was to give us a memory of one person who would do so much for complete strangers. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Our Friend Geniann :) ,--. ,--. ( O ) ( O ) `--' \ `--' \ _ >-. / /| `-.__.' Krogg >5 Important Lessons 1 - First Important Lesson - Cleaning Lady. During my second month of college, our professor Gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?" Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the Cleaning woman several times. She was tall, Dark-haired and in her 50's, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question Blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if The last question would count toward our quiz grade. "Absolutely, " said the professor. "In your careers, You will meet many people. All are significant.. They Deserve your attention and care, even if all you do Is smile and say "hello." I've never forgotten that lesson.. I also learned her Name was Dorothy.. 2. - Second Important Lesson - Pickup in the Rain One night, at 11:30 p.m., an older African American Woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway Trying to endure a lashing rain storm. Her car had Broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally Unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960's. The man Took her to safety, helped her get assistance and Put her into a taxicab. She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his Address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a Knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a Giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A Special note was attached. It read: "Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway The other night. The rain drenched not only my Clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying Husband's' bedside just before he passed away... God Bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving Others." Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole. 3 - Third Important Lesson - Always remember those Who serve. In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, A 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and Sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in Front of him. "How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked. "Fifty cents," replied the waitress. The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and Studied the coins in it. "Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the Waitress was growing impatient. "Thirty-five cents," she brusquely replied. The little boy again counted his coins. "I'll have the plain ice cream," he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on The table and walked away The boy finished the ice Cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress Came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the Table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, Were two nickels and five pennies.. You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had To have enough left to leave her a tip. 4 - Fourth Important Lesson. - The obstacle in Our Path. In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a Roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if Anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the King's' wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by And simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did Anything about getting the stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of Vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand! Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition. 5 - Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it Counts... Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes I'll do it if it will save her." As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away". Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her. Now you have choices. 1 Delete this email, or 2. Forward it other people. I hope that you will choose No. 2 and remember. Most importantly..... "Work like you don't need the money, love like you've never been hurt, and dance like you do when nobody's watching." NOW more than ever - Please... Pass It On... You never know how or when you'll be paid! --- ...Aww, a great classic! Thanks Geniann! ========================================================== >-->From Kidwarmers: >THE FUNNIEST THINGS KIDS SAY ____________________ | | | PSYCHIATRIC | | HELP | |____________________| || ,-..'``. || || (,-..'`. ) || || )-c - `)\ || ,.,._.-.,_,.,-||,.(`.-- ,`',.-,_,||.-.,.,-,._. ___||____,`,'--._______|| |`._||______`'__________|| | || __ || | || |.-' ,|- || _,_,,..-,_| || ._)) `|- ||,.,_,_.-.,_ . `._||__________________|| ____ . . . . . <.____`> .SSt . . . . . _.()`'()`' . Abby watches the news every morning to check the weather and then she discusses with her mother what they should wear or if they need an umbrella. This past week on their way to preschool it started to sprinkle. Abby said, "Hey, I thought it was going to rain later in the afternoon and night." Her mom said, "Yeah, so did I. That's what the weatherman said on TV." Abby replied, "I guess Jesus doesn't have a TV up there." -- Mary Lehman (mother of Abby Smith) of Kendallville, Indiana A 3-year-old was walking with his father down the sidewalk which leads to the entrance of Nancy's family day care home. The little boy said, "Boy, Daddy, Nancy sure does have a lot of MEATBALLS on her sidewalk!" (He meant acorns!) -- Nancy of Eagle, Wisconsin Weston, 6, had been having fevers all summer. The doctors ruled out anything truly bad, but still didn't know what was causing the fevers. In late summer he spiked a temperature of 106 and was taken to the emergency department. He has been having blood drawn, and a lot of other poking and prodding done for a long time now. At the hospital they were doing it all over again. It was 2 a.m. The doctor told him if he didn't settle down and cooperate, she was going to get two nurses to hold him down. Weston was in no mood to cooperate. He looked her in the eye and said, "You'd better bring three!" -- Kas Quimby (grandmother of Weston) of Elma, Washington / _ `_--/-/_ _ ~\/ / | . _ . |--\ _| # ( # ) / \ _ # / -_ _-~ -'--`-_ / . | | |~| |-----,,) -------- |_|_| _~__~__\ W< Max, 4, was peeking in his grandmother's pantry. A moment later he came her, holding up a box of cake mix, asking innocently, "Nana, please can I open this and have a piece of the cake?" He assumed that there was a ready-to-eat chocolate cake, already frosted, inside the cake mix box, because that's what the picture on front showed. -- Sandi (grandmother of Max) in Florida Debbi approached the garbage with a pair of shoes whose bottoms had worn through. Showing them to Anna, 13, Debbi remarked, "I think it's time for these to go, wouldn't you say?" Anna didn't miss a beat as she bowed her head and remorsefully replied, "Yes, the poor soles." -- Debbi Armstrong of Florida Dylan, 6, is doing very well so far in first grade. His father was bragging that Dylan had made "100" on both a spelling and an arithmetic test. When his grandparents congratulated him for being so smart, Dylan just smiled and said, "It's because I have a big brain!" -- Dennis Smith (PawPaw) of North Carolina __--_ //~-----\|/ _----__ . / /-~~---~\\\ /______, | / `c ` . ||| | | | (.. _ ..|||| _O----| | \ _ _ | || `- |___| /~` `\ `__ _/ |||/||~~| .' '~\ |||||||--| | |_| |||||||( | |____| | |______``` |____``` | | | |_|_| .'\\,\\_) /_/___| W< Here's another one from Dennis. Dylan's younger brother Dalton, 4, was saying the blessing at lunch. He said, "Thank you, God, for the food and Mommy and Daddy, and Nanna and PawPaw, and the nice weather, and the table and chairs." When Ginger was visiting her 4-year-old grandson in Arizona she took her coffee cup into the family room. He said, "Grandma, you have to go to the table with your cup because it doesn't have a lid on it. We have rules at our house you know!" -- Ginger Kennedy of Garrett, Indiana At the airport they were having lunch and Ginger's 4-year-old grandson -- who is used to thanking Mommy and Daddy at meals for whatever each has cooked -- was told to "thank Grandma for lunch." He was confused. "I don't think I have to thank Grandma," he said. "She didn't cook it. That lady over there did!" ,-~~-.___. / ()=(() \ ( ( 0 \._\, ,----' CURSE ##XXXxxxxxxx / ---'~; YOU / /~|- =( ~~ | RED /~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\ /_______________________\ BARON! /_________________________\ /___________________________\ |____________________| |____________________| |____________________| W< | | Gale is the grandmother of Joshua who just turned 3. This is a shortened version of a conversation she had with Joshua one night as they were getting ready for Joshua to say his prayers. Joshua commented that "Jesus and God -- they are bad." Gale said, "No, they are good. The devil is bad." "The devil is not bad," Joshua said. "He is just understood." Gale figured he meant "misunderstood." She corrected Joshua and emphasized that the devil is bad. "He's not a bad boy any more, Grandma," Joshua said. "You just must of missed that part." Gale says she has no idea where Joshua came up with those ideas! -- Gale Spence of Angola, Indiana Diane's grandson was on a flight from Chicago to Fort Myers as an unaccompanied minor. He was about 5. To try to keep him busy, the people around him started talking to him. When asked why he was going to Florida he said, "To see Grandma Di." The passengers were dismayed. It later became clear to them that he was going to visit his Grandma Diane! The flight attendant was laughing as she escorted him from the plane to the family's waiting arms! She couldn't wait to tell the story. -- Darlene Clark (mother of Grandma Di) of Lehigh Acres, Florida ,___. |-----| ============ / | OO ~\ ( ) 0 ) \_/-, ,-//-\\ ==== ||| | || -_/| | ||_ (____)) W< Wendy's fiance (and later her husband) Graeme was 16 years older than his baby sister Leanne who had just turned 4. Wendy was trying out a friend's wedding gown and came out to parade it. With her blue eyes getting bigger by the minute, Leanne breathlessly declared that Wendy looked beautiful. She then decided she wanted to also get married and pondered on a prospective bridegroom. An idea dawned and she stated that she would marry "Daddy." Her mother quashed the idea by informing her that Daddy was already married to Mummy. Undaunted, she triumphantly stated that she would marry her brother Graeme. Her mother told her that she couldn't as he was about to marry Wendy. Undeterred, she then chose her older sister Helen's fiance and once again was told that he was engaged to marry Helen. In sheer desperation, she sobbed as there was absolutely no man left that she knew she could marry! (Leanne is now in her 30's and happily married to Stuart.) -- Wendy Robinson of Sydney, Australia This story comes from England -- and it actually closely resembles a story shared with me a number of years ago by northeast Indiana family. (It shows how kinds minds around the world work alike!) Fiona was trained as an art teacher and a Montessori teacher in Dublin, Ireland, and this is where this story occurred. She was working with 3 and 4 year-olds in the weeks prior to Christmas and they all painted nativity pictures. Fiona was wandering about helping a child here, commenting there. "Look at the wonderful star!" she told one little boy. Then she noticed what appeared to be an "aeroplane" (spelled the British way) in the sky. "What's that?" Fiona asked, thinking that she would have to explain that in those days there were no aeroplanes. "That's Pontious the Pilot," the little boy replied. -- Fiona Pinsker (now in Bristol, England) John, who is 50, remembers when he was 5 and his dad said, "Let me smooth down your cow lick." John immediately asked, "Was it one of Mr. Regan's cows that licked me?" -- John of Lafayette, Louisiana _____ .---...-. ,' -. `. ,' _____...' / - _ - \ : .' _ _ \\ : ' _)' : | :-(_).(_):: (_ ;) | | -' || \ _ / ; | _ || `..___..' `-'..____.'`' ;._: _; :_ / \ SSt ,' `' `. SSt Cindy's daughter and family are big Georgia Bulldogs (University of Georgia) fans. Georgia's school colors are red and black. Cindy's granddaughter Amber, 4, just loves the "Dawgs," as she calls them. Kelli, her mom, took Amber and Briana, 1, to the doctor for a check-up. Amber had to add her 2 cents to everything Kelli was saying to the doctor. Kelli was telling the doctor that Amber is very creative with crayons. Kelli told the doctor that Amber had taken a red crayon and a black crayon and decorated her kitchen floor with them. Without missing a beat, Amber yelled, "GO DAWGS!" -- Cindy Waters of Middleburg, Florida Five-year-old Kendall prides herself on her early reading skill. During the family's recent vacation to Florida, she practiced reading the street signs. When she came to University Dr. she read University Road. "No," said brother Arrin. "Remember road is abbreviated Rd." Kendall quickly corrected herself: "Oh, yes, that says Dr. So it must be University Doctor." -- Rebecca Hayes (grandmother of Kendall) of Newtown Square, Pennsylvania Robert was helping his granddaughters get dried after swimming in the pool. The girls began to bicker. He told them, "If you girls don't stop arguing I'm going to go home." Becka, 6, didn't understand, but Kaylea, 5, quick spoke up, "But this is your home!" and grinned at him. -- Jean and Robert Felfe of Spicewood, Texas Note: You are welcomed to use, copy and share these stories, but please reference http://www.funnykids.com as the source. ========================================================== _ ______ / `'. ,-"` '. / /'-.'. ___ .' \ \/ '.\.' ' | .| .'`\ | /`"'--., / \ , _.--'` \/_ | ,----.| _ `_--;` ``` `\-. | | \ | -- C -- _/ \ \ | \ 0 0 / . | | \| ) | '. _.' |.__/ ; \ `'---` / / __ '. .' | (__) /'-._____,-` \ /---'.-""-.\ '. / ||,- \\ ;---`;-._||-= |\ , ."""-. \ ) `|'.___.' \ ___ \'. / '-. \ /`-`-; / \ ,/ `) \ \| \ `` | | \|| / /'.| )_ / || | | \/ .' \ \ .-'/ ` |` |.-' .-~ ~-~-._ |.'` \ ` '-. \___/,__/ ~` _ `~~-., `-.,_\_)`-.,_\) `~-,___ ~___~,,..-~~/ jgs \___/`\____/'._.' >-->BIG WARM FUZZIES Big Warm Fuzzies, are coming your way Apple Cider, and leaves gone astray Fall is upon us, crisp air is near Tree's beautiful colors, are finally here Thick Carmel Apples, Candy Corn, and more Are waiting to greet you, at everyone's door Squirrels gathering Acorns, food for the nest So when winter time comes, they'll eat their best Fireplaces stacked, with good burning wood Keeping us cozy, when lit, as it should The scent of leaves burning on fall time days Bring back to us memories, of our childhood ways Autumn friends of the forest, gather with reason Preparing with care, for the winter time season Birds of the air, overhead, that we see Formation takes flight, heading south, in a vee I count all this, as a warm fuzzy feeling Things that we love, gets those warm fuzzies reeling Warm Fuzzies can be, what you want them to be All our favorite things that fill us with glee. >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->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 ************************************************************************