Christian Hope And More... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList Through no fault of my own we suddenly became an adult club in the love and romance directory so you will have to confirm that you are an adult when you go here. I still have no idea how to change this back as it sends me around in a circle when I try! or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! ================ "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ ()._ _.--. (##)_`-. / . ``u (##), ` `. \__) _/ (##),--. \ | --' ()' \ \ / | | | ,' \ _,' / ,' | ,;--// / ___\ |/ ___V__{(_ | ' \| || ,'-===- `,'| __| ,' /| || |""""""""|-L| ,`__. < _)))_))) |________|,' gnv (,' ool *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels For 2011 *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a 2011 Shangrala Angel, please visit the site and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL page comes up. Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS ALL OUR ANGELS MOST ABUNDANTLY! ================ >-->3 Hot Off The 'Shangy' Press :) ALL Three of these hotties are from our friend Linda. This first one struck me as simply amazing! I've never seen so many people crowded together before - and on a beach no less! Check this out here... {_ \. - - . _____..' ' _ , -`. _ .-' ' _,' _,' ,-' ' ,-' _/ `-, ' ,-' \ _/ ,-' ' ,' \ _' _ `-, ' ' _\' ___/_\___ ` , ' , _,-' \ ,^^##--- ' , \,_,--' \ _/<\_ \ it's even harder ,` \ < to swim with the { ejm \^^- These next two hot pages will grab you, make your shake your head. Some of the photos are down right disturbing, but all of them will tickle your funny bone making you wonder what is wrong with these people! I had so many of these, that I had to make two pages - now we have 3 pages in this series! Check them out here... _)_ .-'(/ '-. / ` \ / - - \ (` a a `) \ ^ / '. '---' .' .-`'---'`-. / \ / / ' ' \ \ _/ /| |\ \_ `/|\` |+++++++|`/|\` /\ /\ | `-._.-` | \ / \ / |_ | | _| jgs | _| |_ | (ooO Ooo) ,,,, //// ,_ _ \ \ ( / ('* \*( OK! I Got Cha TOMMY ! ` ' ' -`, '\ `_C/ \\\| .\ __,(___ \ ) / .\__.-' `. ` | .____ \ '| | /` \ '| | / ` \'| | / ` | | / `-' _________))||( ( __\ \ ` \ `----. __\ ` \ `(_. \ `\ ` \ ,) >) /( ( / ""o ,/ ,/ ( )\ ejm o"" Parenting No-No's 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/parenting2.html Parenting No-No's 3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/parenting3.html --- ...LOL! Wow, didn't realize there was so many 'tips' out there! Thank you Linda for enlightening us! ============================================================= , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >-->Our Christian Hope -- A Biblical Look at "Hope" In order to properly understand the Christian’s hope, it is important to examine the exact meaning of the word "hope." "Hope" means "a desire for, or an expectation of, good, especially when there is some confidence of fulfillment." It is used that way both in common English and in the Bible. However, the Bible often uses the word "hope" in another way-to refer to the special expectation of good that God has in store for each Christian in the future. This includes the "Rapture," receiving a new, glorified body, and living forever in Paradise. Today, the ordinary use of "hope" allows for the possibility that what is hoped for will not come to pass. However, when the Bible uses the word "hope" to refer to things that God has promised, the meaning of "hope" shifts from that which has a reasonable chance of coming to pass to that which will absolutely come to pass. To be a useful anchor, hope must hold fast. Read the rest here - Our Valuable Anchor http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >-->From Our Friends At TruthOrTradition.com: Hope Fuels Our Passion - http://tinyurl.com/6fkfse7 The Christian Hope topics: http://tinyurl.com/3bt8y6s ============================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: ______ |o | ! __ |:`_|---'-. |__|______.-.'_'.-----.| (o)(o)------''._.' (O) LGB >HIS IRON CHARIOT by Shelley Madden My grandfather, Clarence Madden, had no life of luxury back in the late 1930s. Though he was born with a bad heart, he toiled relentlessly in the fields each day, coaxing crops from the parched soil to feed his wife and four children. He owned 60 acres of farmland in the heart of Texas. His summer days were spent on an ancient kerosene tractor, which sported a metal seat and matching iron wheels, guaranteed to sizzle your blue jeans into your hide the moment you perched on its throne. Kerosene in those days was a whopping twelve cents a gallon. It was used to fuel the tractor, and the little cook stove my grandmother could often be found hovering near, as she dabbed the sweat from her brow. When lunchtime drew near, she'd throw a white pillow on the roof of the low-slung farmhouse porch, signaling granddad it was time to eat. He'd watch for the pillow from the fields, park the tractor, and drive the half mile home for his meal. The aged car felt like a Cadillac to him, after spending half a day clinging to the bumpy tractor seat. There was no electricity on the farm, nor did they have the luxury of running water. It was stored in a large wooden barrel, which was kept under the water pump in the front yard. They'd bring a bucketful into the house, and set in on the table to dip from throughout the day, to quench their thirst. The ice man came round once a month, only then would the family indulge in the fine luxury of homemade ice cream. Bath time consisted of a short trek to the windmill, where they would soak in the large number three washtub beneath, once a week. The oldest kids got the bath first, moving right down the line until the youngest was squeaky clean. As the temperature soared day after day into the hundreds, the family struggled to stay cool in the little farm house. It was too hot to do much inside, and by bedtime, the heat drove them to the sleeping quarters on the unscreened front porch, where they hoped to catch a rare summer breeze. In those days, a screened porch to sleep under was a luxury. The boys slept under the stars out back, on army cots. Those kids, nor my grandma never complained. They were too eager to begin each day anew, to help out with daily chores, to feed the hogs and cows, and help in the fields and garden. They'd often sneak into the barn loft after shelling peas, and pinch a peanut or two out of the fresh cut peanut hay for a hearty afternoon snack. Back then, they thought they had it made. When I find myself toiling on my five acre farm in the summer heat, I can't help but think of my grandpa, driving his ancient tractor, fighting the heat and the sun and the bugs and the droughts to feed his family, all without a complaint. He had no choice. I do. No one twisted my arm to buy a hobby farm, along with a handful of ponies and poultry. We now live in the future. An era of electronics and sleek cars and cell phones and fancy kitchen gadgets of every kind to come home to. We have the oh-so-wonderful luxury of air-conditioning in our homes and cars. We don't have to throw a pillow on the porch at lunchtime to call grandpa home. We have a means to escape the heat now, unlike our forefathers in summers past. As I ride my little tractor with a cushioned seat in the summer sun, I think the mowing will never end. I stop for a moment to wipe my brow, and gaze into the horizon. When I peer through the clouds, I can see granddad on his ancient iron chariot in the sky, blazing across the heavens as he plows its barren acres into a bountiful harvest. He will inspire me to get through this wretched heat. His strength will be my strength. If he could do it with what he had back then, then I know I can do it with what I have now. As hard as it is, I won't fret about the heat, and the mowing and the seemingly endless outdoor chores. Because I know I can crawl into my house when the sizzling sun finally sets, and enjoy the luxury of air-conditioning, and a refreshing indoor shower. And, maybe even the quenching coolness of store-bought ice cream. -- Shelley Madden __________________________________________________ Shelley is an author who resides in Wise County, Texas, along with her ponies, poultry, dogs and cats. She enjoys writing, fishing, shooting her pink guns, and falling off her horse, Diamond. She writes a weekly column for an entertainment magazine, is a guest columnist for a local paper, and is a frequent contributor to Heartwarmers and Petwarmers. Her short stories have also been published on numerous websites and e-zines across the nation. She aspires one day to learn how to change the light bulb in her gun cabinet. =============================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: .--. .--. / ' .\ |'. ( .-. \ \ . ` HUGS - Does A Body Good /\. /`. / ) ( `.' .' '--'` (\ \.' .' ) \`. \ _/ _..--' `. \ /`'<_/ : )"'``..`-3 : :. `"'. ) / |-.'' (_.-._ | / ( .'`--..J ' |-'( |_| | : >` '. .'' : | Y | < | : > ' \ `_ : '` \ / :- ' || : / ./: | \ .'J /_ ) : | '% | a:f /.-.`). : I | / ( \ ) : .^) `-' `..-' (`"' / ===' >"The Ten Most Important Things" 1- LOVE: The special feeling that makes you feel all warm and wonderful. 2- RESPECT: Treating others as well as you would like to be treated. 3- APPRECIATION: To be grateful for all the good things that life has to offer. 4- HAPPINESS: The full enjoyment of each moment. A smiling face! 5- FORGIVENESS: The ability to let things be without anger. 6- SHARING: The joy of giving without thought of receiving. 7- HONESTY: The quality of always telling the truth. 8- INTEGRITY: The purity of doing what's right, no matter what. 9- COMPASSION: The essence of feeling another's pain, while easing their hurt. 10- PEACE: The reward for living the 10 Most Important Things. -<>- ,-._,,_,-. ((`,-""-.')) |=,'""`.=| |=|O__O|=| ;`-'(__)`-'; ',_ -. _,` > ,`--',-. >; ;=-=\ =| ;,='| =| | ==| =| }`=-| =| |`==| =| ;===| '| | \-. '| \ `--< (=\ \_)-' |=`.___/=| |`=|`=-j=| hjw ,-'`_|`=-|=( (i_,' `==(-=\ (i_i_____)==\ __)`=) (`.`=/ `--' >Song of Hope In the dark moments of my coma, a special song on the radio helped me find my way out. By Shelly Guidotti It had been over a week and the only sounds you could hear were coming from the machines that were keeping me alive. The brain hemorrhage had been massive and doctors say I should have died instantly. When I didn't, they immediately warned my family that if I ever did come out of the coma, there most likely would be a host of disabilities to face. Frightening to say the least, that list included everything from severe brain damage, to an inability to walk, or even blindness. So immediately, all my family and friends went into "official denial mode" -- refusing to accept any of this and innstead, began searching for ways to rouse me from my silence. Though doctors refused to put any stock in this, some response was seen through my vital signs as they would change, depending on the visitor. My heart rate would slow or increase and my blood pressure would elevate or move lower. There were even some who were not allowed to see me as it appeared they agitated me too much -- something that was strictly prohibiteed! This whole response thing gave my brother-in-law, Greg, an idea. As a great supporter of my singing and songwriting career, Greg decided to take some of my songs I had recently recorded to a local radio station, where he explained about my illness. He told them he was sure I could hear what was going on around me and he knew that having my own songs played on the radio was a huge dream of mine. He was sure this could reach me and do more than any medicine or machine could. Times have changed and radio stations are not as free to do this sort of thing because of the legalities. So it was to Greg's amazement and delight, that without hesitation, they agreed to help! They even gave him a specific date and time so that he could have "radio in hand" at my hospital bed. Greg's idea had filled everyone with hope and now the moment had arrived. Nervous from sheer anticipation, Greg held the radio close to my ear, while family joined hands and watched over me hoping for any reaction. The DJ made a pre-song announcement about my situation to the general audience, then spoke directly to me. "Shelly this is for you, I want you to REALLY LISTEN now. This is not just your song we're playing, but your family's song of hope. All of us at KKDJ wish you a speedy recovery." Everyone in the room held their breath as the music began. The song was only part way into its verse, when they all witnessed the tears streaming down my pale cheeks. Though still not awake, it was obvious I heard my song. Greg said everyone, including medical personnel, cheered! It was in this moment, the very hope everyone had asked for, was realized. Just a few days later, hope turned into reality. I did in fact awaken and how fitting that Greg was the first person to see me open my eyes. Though not completely unscathed, I did not suffer from any of the major disabilities that had been predicted. Hope and love have no boundaries -- it is not something we can put on paper, or adeptly describe. It does not recognize medical science as its governing law. Hope is the part of us that makes us pick up the pieces and try again. Without hope where would we be? -<>- \\\\, / \\ '<' ) \- / _)_(_ .'\___/'. /.-.___.-.\ [_________] | | ( | , | (\/) ) _\)_ | -|- | <_@__> _(/_ || | | | (/\)(\/) || || | | (\/) <_@_> || || | | <_@_>'(/\) || || | | (/\|/|-. || || .---------. _|_|_ || ||_,-'---------'-,__ |WWWWW| ___jgs|_|____________________|_\_____/__ >"A Walking Sermon" Reporters and city officials gathered at a Chicago railroad station one afternoon in 1953. The person they were meeting was the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize winner. A few minutes after the train came to a stop, a giant of a man - six feet four inches - with bushy hair and a large mustache stepped from the train. Cameras flashed. City officials approached him with hands outstretched. Various people began telling him how honored they were to meet him. The man politely thanked them and then, looking over their heads, asked if he could be excused for a moment. He quickly walked through the crowd until he reached the side of an elderly black woman who was struggling with two large suitcases. He picked up the bags and with a smile, escorted the woman to a bus. After helping her aboard, he wished her a safe journey. As he returned to the greeting party he apologized, "Sorry to have kept you waiting." The man was Dr. Albert Schweitzer, the famous missionary doctor who had spent his life helping the poor in Africa. In response to Schweitzer's action, one member of the reception committee said with great admiration to the reporter standing next to him, "That's the first time I ever saw a sermon walking." --Author Unknown -<>- ^^ @@@@@@@@@ ^^ ^^ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ ^^ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ ~~ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~ ~ ~~~ ~ ~~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~~~~~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ pjb >TWENTY THINGS TO REMEMBER 1. Faith is the ability to not panic. 2. If you worry, you didn't pray. If you prayed, don't worry. 3. As a child of God, prayer is kinda like calling home every day. 4. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape. 5. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot. 6. Do the math. Count your blessings. 7. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts. 8. Dear God: I have a problem. It's me. 9. Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted 10. Laugh every day - it's like inner jogging. 11. The most important things in your home are the people. 12. Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional. (Preach it!) 13. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open. Come on in. 14. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry. 15. He who dies with the most toys is still dead. 16. We do not remember days but moments. Life moves too fast so enjoy your precious moments. 17. Nothing is real to you until you experience it; otherwise it's just hearsay. 18. It's all right to sit on your pity pot every now and again. Just be sure to flush when you are done. 19. Surviving and living your life successfully requires courage. The goals and dreams you're seeking require courage and risk-taking. Learn from the turtle, it only makes progress when it sticks out its neck. 20. Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting. I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well -<>- .---. /_____\__ .===. _ _ `\/6.6\/--` / _/\ \ / )%.===.%( \ ( _ ) \/6.6\/ | // ,,, \\ | ,'---', ( _ ) \/ \/6.6\/ \/ .===. / _ \ _)---(_ /\ ( _ ) /\ / ,,, \ /\/ (_) \/\ / `~` \ ^^ /()-()\ ^^ ( /6.6\ ) \ | (_) | / /\/ \/\ / /o o\ \ )( _ )( \| |/ \ | | / (._\ Y /_.) (_/;---;\_) |_____| \|_____|/ (O_`&`_O) / `"*"` \ | | | | L | / / \ \ ( (_.@._) ) | | | |__|__| / ()/^\() \ /'._\|/_.'\ \__|__/ | | | /. . . . . . .\ /. . . . . .\ |_|_| |_|_| `"`"`|`|`|`"`"` `"`"|"|"|"`"` jgs _|_|_|_ _|_|_|_ _|_|_|_ _|_|_|_ (___|___) (___|___) (___|___) (___|___) >Angels Explained by Children I only know the names of two angels. Hark and Harold. Gregory, 5 Everybody's got it all wrong. Angels don't wear halos anymore. I forget why, but scientists are working on it. Olive, 9 It's not easy to become an angel! First, you die. Then you go to heaven, and then there's still the flight training to go through. And then you got to agree to wear those angel clothes. Matthew, 9 Angels work for God and watch over kids when God has to go do something else Mitchell, 7 My guardian angel helps me with math, but he's not much good for science. Henry, 8 Angels don't eat, but they drink milk from Holy Cows!!! Jack, 6 Angels talk all the way while they're flying you up to heaven. The main subject is where you went wrong before you got dead. Daniel, 9 When an angel gets mad, he takes a deep breath and counts to ten. And when he lets out his breath, somewhere there's a tornado. Reagan, 10 Angels have a lot to do and they keep very busy. If you lose a tooth, an angel comes in through your window and leaves money under your pillow. Then when it gets cold, angels go north for the winter. Sara, 6 Angels live in cloud houses made by God and his son, who's a very good carpenter. Jared, 8 All angels are girls because they gotta wear dresses and boys didn't go for it. Antonio, 9 My angel is my grandma who died last year. She got a big head start on helping me while she was still down here on earth. Katelynn, 9 Some of the angels are in charge of helping heal sick animals and pets. And if they don't make the animals get better, they help the child get over it. Vicki, 8 What I don't get about angels is why, when someone is in love, they shoot arrows at them. Sarah, 7 -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment Weddings Aren't Always Perfect http://www.buffalosjokes.com/062715.htm Unpleasant Surprise While Refueling http://www.buffalosjokes.com/062716.htm Can't Frown http://www.buffalosjokes.com/21717.htm Bungee http://www.buffalosjokes.com/12306.htm Dog http://www.buffalosjokes.com/12307.htm Chopper http://www.buffalosjokes.com/12250404.htm Car Commercial http://www.buffalosjokes.com/12250405.htm Dog Dance http://www.buffalosjokes.com/011609.htm Domino Pool Final http://www.buffalosjokes.com/011610.htm Effegeluk! http://www.buffalosjokes.com/011611.htm Are Angels Real? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/angelsreal.html One Texas Morning http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/fawn.html In The Blink Of An Eye http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/eye.html What Friends Are For http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/whatfriends.html Creation Museum http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/creationmuseum.html In Days Past http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dayspast.html Guoliang Tunnel Road http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/tunnel.html Extreme Homes http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/exhomes.html Wall Mural Art 3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wallart3.html Amazing Cop Cars 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/copcars2.html John Scapes' Basement http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/basement.html Visit our site at http://www.inspiredbuffalo.com If you are looking to join any of our other fine e-zines visit www.buffalosjokes.com ================================================================= >-->from Our Friend Jo Ann :) _ ___ (_) _/XXX\ _ /XXXXXX\_ __ X\__ __ /X XXXX XX\ _ /XX\__ ___ \__/ \_/__ \ \ _/X\__ /XX XXX\____/XXX\ \ ___ \/ \_ \ \ __ _/ \_/ _/ - __ - \ ___/ \__/ \ \__ \\__ / \_// _ _ \ \ __ / \____/ / __ \ / \ \_ _//_\___ __/ // \___/ \/ __/ __/_______\________\__\_/________\__/_/____/_____________/_______\____/____ ___ /L|0\ / | \ / \ / | \ / \ / __ | __ \ / __/ \__ \ / /__ | __\ \ /___________________\ / | \ / _|_ \ / ____/___\____ \ ___________[o0o]___________ O O O Paul Tomblin >Going Home Years ago, I was enthralled as I listened to a pastor who for several years had faithfully served the church. His executive responsibilities had taken him all over this country. As he concluded his message, he told of one of the most frightening yet thought-provoking experiences of his life. He had been on a long flight. The first warning of the approaching problems came when the sign on the airplane flashed on: "Fasten your seat belts." Then, after a while, a calm voice said, "We shall not be serving the beverages at this time as we are expecting a little turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened." As he looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of the passengers were becoming apprehensive. Later, the voice of the announcer said, "We are so sorry that we are unable to serve the meal at this time. The turbulence is still ahead of us." And then the storm broke. The ominous cracks of thunder could be heard even above the roar of the engines. Lightening lit up the darkening skies, and within moments that great plane was like a cork tossed around on a celestial ocean. One moment the airplane was lifted on terrific currents of air; the next, it dropped as if it were about to crash. The pastor confessed that he shared the discomfort and fear of those around him. He said, "As I looked around the plane, I could see that nearly all the passengers were upset and alarmed. Some were praying. The future seemed ominous and many were wondering if they would make it through the storm. And then, I suddenly saw a girl to whom the storm meant nothing. She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat and was reading a book. Everything within her small world was calm and orderly. Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again; then she would straighten her legs, but worry and fear were not in her world. When the plane was being buffeted by the terrible storm, when it lurched this way and that, as it rose and fell with frightening severity, when all the adults were scared half to death, that marvelous child was completely composed and unafraid." The minister could hardly believe his eyes. It was not surprising therefore, that when the plane finally reached its destination and all the passengers were hurrying to disembark, he lingered to speak to the girl whom he had watched for such a long time. Having commented about the storm and behavior of the plane, he asked why she had not been afraid. The sweet child replied, "Sir, my Dad is the pilot, and he is taking me home." Jesus said, "Fear not." Those who have given their hand to Jesus must trust that the Father is taking them Home. --- ...So true! Thank You Jo Ann! ================================================================= >-->From Our Friend B.D. :) >Up Up And Away! _..---.._ .' .-'''-. '. / .' _..._'. \ __ : : /`;' ) : : _,="`\ ,--''` ``'.; : |; ,-; : ; __..==""==.,_| `-, `; .\; / ^\ _,.="// '-,_.--._ '.(;_.'__/`_.-'`\ ,.--''`` _..=. `'--.// `` \ `--, '` `- |_\ '-. | `-._ _.;--`-..___,.-'` `'-...-_:',;`==,| \ _.--',=" / /"=;="=, _.' ,=".-'` .' /| ,=" _.--' .-' "=, : .' | ", `;._ .--'.' .-' .' . ; ,;;\_ . '._.'--'` -' / ,;;;._ '-._ .''.__.' `\_ .' '._ / '._ .(` jgs '._ ';./ `;` HE IS COMING SOON....DON'T YOU FEEL IT? I HOPE YOU CAN CLICK ONTO THIS SITE.... http://community-2.webtv.net/HAPPYBD/UPUPANDAWAY/ --- ...Twice it is established! Thank You B.D. Yes, I do believe it - that is the hope of our faith. ============================================================== _ | | ( ! ) |=|-+ [___] MJP >Words of Encouragement Story Editor: by Joseph Hili Joyce Schowalter Gozo, Malta I live in the island nation of Malta. When I was young and attending the secondary school in the late 50's, I had to study by the light of a kerosene lamp. Since there was no electric service in our area, we had no electricity at home. When finally the electricity passed our house, in 1961, I called a local electrician to come and install electricity in our house. He promised to come, but he never did it. I was so frustrated that I went to a hardware store, bought all the material necessary to wire two rooms, and from my knowledge I installed them myself. Then I applied to get the electrical meter. The day the meter installer came, I was so frightened that he might tell me to take everything away because it was not a good installation. His helper, who was always with him just to carry his tools, looked at me and said, "Bravo, bravo, good work. You will pass the exam". These words were so encouraging for me that I decided to continue installing electricity in all of our house. Then my neighbors asked me to install electricity for them also. I made many mistakes, but from them I learned a lot. In the meantime, I began to take evening classes in electricity, to get the relevant certificates to be licensed. Eventually, I got them. Then, instead of continuing to study for a common clerk typist, which I had planned to do before, I became a professional electrician. I took big contracts until I retired. In about 1997, I was returning home from an urgent electrical repair request from a farmer who had given me two big melons to take home. I once again saw the gentleman who had told me "bravo" 45 years ago. He was standing with his son waiting on a bus-stage. I stopped to give them a lift, which he accepted. I offered him a melon and told him that it was as a reward for what he had said to me 45 years ago. I told him he had changed my entire route of life. He answered that he didn't remember anything about that encounter, but he was very happy to hear it, and thanked me heartily. I told him that it was I who had to thank him. I always remember him and mention this story frequently, for he changed my life completely. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From SermondFodder: _.-.._ _._ _,/^^,y./ ^^^^"""^^\= \ \y###XX;/ / \ ^\^\ `\Y^ / .-==||==-.)^^ ,.-=""""=-.__ /^ ( ( -/<0>++<0>( .^ .: . . :^===(^ \ ( ( /```^^^^^^^) / .: .,GGGGp,_ .( \ / /-(o'~'o)) .^ : . gGG"""YGG}. \ ) / / _/-====-\ / (. .gGP __ ~~ . .\ \ ( ( _.---._) / (. (GGb,,)GGp. . . \_-^-.__(_ /______./ ( \ . `"!GGP^ . . . . ^=-._--_--^^^^^~) ( /^^^\_. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ) ) / /._. . . . . . . . . . . . . ._.=) \ / | ^"=.. . . . . . . ._++""\"^ \ \ | | )^|^^~'---'~^^ \ ) ) / ) / \ \ \ |` | \ /\ \ ( / | | ( ( \ . .\ | ( ) | ) ) ^^^^^^ | | /. . \ | '| ) ( ^^^^^^ ) \ /. . \ / . . \ ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ Allen Mullen. >Darwin's Bulldog: Is Anything Extra-Christian? When you ask some people what they believe, they'll say they're "agnostic." What they usually mean is that they don't have enough evidence to decide whether or not God really exists. Agnostics in America today are a lot like Switzerland during World War II -- while the battle rages all around them, they try to maintain neutrality. It's interesting to note the origins of the word "agnostic." It was coined in the year 1870 by Thomas Huxley, who was known as "Darwin's Bulldog." Huxley was an atheist at a time when it was socially unacceptable, so he found a more comfortable word to describe himself: agnostic. In Huxley's sense, agnosticism means there's no credible scientific evidence for the existence of God. So, if God does exist, he's irrelevant. Huxley championed Darwin's evolutionary theory tirelessly -- not because he felt Darwin was infallible but because Darwin's theory helped Huxley ignore the Creator. Privately he admitted that the fossil record seems to suggest that sharks have always been sharks and crocodiles always crocodiles, but Huxley believed it was "more profitable to go wrong than to stand still." He hid his doubts from laymen, making bold statements like, "The whole evidence is in favour of evolution, and there is none against it." To Christians who were alarmed by Darwin's theory, Huxley was reassuring. During a lecture to the Young Men's Christian Association, Huxley declared that the sciences "are neither Christian, nor unchristian, but are extra-Christian." And it's precisely this contention that holds many Christians hostage today. To suggest that science is somehow outside the scope of Christianity is to suggest that Christianity is not a total worldview. Huxley's implication is clear: Christianity deals with the unseen and with faith, while science deals with cold, hard facts and reality. Don't worry if Darwin's description of reality seems to contradict your faith -- just place each one in its own compartment and let them be. When Christians accepted this point of view, they retreated. Suddenly, Christians couldn't take faith into the laboratory or, by logical extension, into other "secular" places like the courtroom, the classroom, or the media. Today's marginalization of Christianity is a direct result of our failure to understand our faith as a total worldview. We've lost our voice in the public square because we forgot, as Psalm 24:1 says, "the earth is the Lord's, and everything in it." God is sovereign over all of reality! Once a Christian understands this, he's prepared to enter the debate. And students who view their faith as a worldview can stand firm on college campuses, even in the face of atheism. Darwin's Bulldog caused problems, alright, but he also clarified the debate. Because nothing is "extra- Christian." And remembering this helps us understand the sovereignty of God, and the all-embracing scope of our Christian worldview. --- * * _ /\ * ___. / `) * //\\ /\ ///\\ / / ///\\\ //\\/\ ////\\\ / / /\ ////\\\\///\\/\\.-~~-.///\\\\ / / //\\ /////\\\\///\\/ `\\\\\\/ / ///\\ //////\\\\// / `\\\\/ / ////\\ ///////\\\\\// `~` /\ /////\\ ////////\\\\\/ ,_____, ,-~ \\\__//////\\\ ////////\\\\/ /~| |/////| |\\\\\\\\@//jro/\\ //< / /|__|/////|__|///////~|~/////\\ ~~~ ~~ ` ~ .. ~ ~ . ~` ` '. ~ _ - -~. .' .` ~ ., '. ~~ . '. ...What about the dinosaurs? I heard on Fox News that the scientists now believe the dinosaurs were all wiped out at about the same time ... Scientists Find Last Dinosaur Before Mass Extinction The leading culprit for the end of the Age of Dinosaurs is a catastrophic meteor strike about 65 million years ago. Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/07/13/fossil- last-dinosaur-supports-killer-asteroid-theory/#ixzz1SDJ7b5BS And... Creationist Claim That Man Lived With Dinosaurs Rocked Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/03/29/creationists- claim-humans-lived-dinosaurs-scientists-disagree/#ixzz1SDIlhdZe I am a 'creationist' I guess in that I believe in God almighty as the one and only creator of the entire universe. I do not believe in any way shape or form that the old time huge dinosaurs that ruled the earth lived together with humans. I believe the scientists are just proving the bible right. The bible says that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth and the earth was [became] void and without form and God had to fix it [Gen.1:1-2]. That's the time the earth could have lost the age old huge dinosaurs. The bible tells us that the devil and his angels were cast out of heaven into earth. [Isa.14:12-17, Rev.12:7-9] This could have caused the great destruction that the earth became 'void and without form'. For surely our perfect God would have never created it that way to start with! AND The only thing needed to be created after Gen.1:1 was people. [Gen.1:26,27] Check out this teaching for more... IN THE BEGINNING ... by emb http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/inthebeginning.html Also See - Creation vs. Evolution http://tinyurl.com/6ajzjkd ============================================================== >-->From Our Friend Del :) * * ,,, ____()() } ======= ( \\ \ \\____===. ______) ( )\(____ / ___/ \ [%]__ \ //|| // \ ||\\ || ||__^^^ ^^^___|| || ejm97 ||/____\_/----\_/_____\|| | ____________________ || || || || || || || || || || || || || >MAKE LIFE COUNT * Run when you need to! * Give lots of kisses. * Meet new people, even if they look different to you. __ /` ,\__ | ).-' / .--' / / , _.==''` \ .'( _.=' | { `` _.=' | { \` ; / `. `'=..' .=' `=._ .=' jgs '-`\\`__ `-._{ * Love your friends, no matter who they are. * Don't waste food. * Take an occasional risk. * RELAX! * Try to have a little fun each day... _.-. __.-' , \ '--'-'._ \ '. \ )-- \ __.--._ / .' '--. . _/-._ : ____._/ _-' '._ _.'-' '-._ _.' \_|/ __||| snd >__/' * Say, "I love you" often. * Express yourself creatively. * Be conscious of your appearance. * Always be up for surprises. * Love someone with all of your heart. * Share with friends. .-"""-. _.---..-; :.) ;"" \/ __..--'\ ;-"""-. ;._ `-.___.^.___.'-.____J__/-._J bug * It Will get better. There is always someone who loves you more than you know. * Exercise to keep fit. * Live up to your name. * Hold on to good friends; they are few and far between! _.._ / a\__, \ -.___/ \ \ (\____) \ |\_( )) _____| (_ /________ _\____(______/__ gnv ______ * Indulge in the things you truly love. * Cherish every Son day! * At the end of the day...PRAY ....and close your eyes and smile at least once a day! _ _ \`.__..--'' `. ( _ ,\ ( <_< < < `','`. \ (_< < < \ `. `. `----' ( q _p `-._ _.-' `-(_''\ (_'))--, `._\ `-._< hjw Have a wonderful day! And, if you aren't having such a great day, make sure someone else does! Your day will improve greatly! --- ...Great Advice! Thanks Del! ======================================================== >-->From Kidwarmers: .--..-""""-..--. ///`/////////\`\\\ ||/ |///""\\\| \|| ## ( 6. 6 ) ## /_\ \ _. / /_\ _`) (`_ /` '--' `\ / _,,_ \ / /` `\ \ /\_/ / 6 6\ \_/\ \ \/\ Y /\/ / \ \/ `'U` \/ / \( \ / )/ |\_/ \_/| / ____ \ \ ( || ) / (__)||(__) | || | |__||__| jgs |==||==| /~`//~`/ / // / `""` `"` >FUNNY THINGS KIDS SAY Eliza was doing a puzzle one night with two of her three daughters. The puzzle had a picture of God on it hugging someone. The 5-year-old said, "We're going to see God someday, right Mom?" Then the 2-year-old said, "I think I'm going to stay home, OK Mom?" -- Eliza Johnson of Center Conway, New Hampshire On a warm evening Lindsay, 7, was sitting outside in front of a crackling fire with her mother and father. The black sky was filled with stars. Lindsay was quietly looking up, at the sky. "Whatcha doing?" her dad asked. "I'm just counting the stars," Lindsay replied. "Lindsay, it might take you forever to count the stars," her mother said. "You might be an old woman by the time you are done," her dad added. Lindsay looked at her mom and then her dad and said, "No, it won't (take forever). I'm just counting the ones right around here." -- K. Anne (mother of three daughters) of Minnesota Valerie, a co-worker of Helen's, always told her little girl to never talk to strangers. Like most proud mothers, Valerie always has the latest pictures of her daughter on display so that her co-workers all know what her daughter looks like. When Valerie's daughter was 3, a co-worker saw her at the grocery store. Thinking he would have some fun with her, Len went up to the little girl and said, "Hi, Kenesha. I know your name but I bet you don't know mine." Her response was, "Yes, I do. Your name is Stranger, and my Momma told me to not talk to you!" -- Helen A. Weeks of Bella Vista, Arkansas Letitia sat down at her computer to check her e-mail. As it came up, you could hear the computer say, "You've got mail." Letitia's son Kimani, 4, walked out of the room. He was gone a few minutes. He came back holding the house keys with a look of confusion. "Mom, the 'puter lied," he said. "You don't have any mail." -- Letitia Epps of Schaumburg, Illinois Didi discovered her daughter Michal, 7, had lice so they went to get shampoo. While her hair was being washed and combed, Michal asked, "Mom why do bugs have to come and live in my hair?" Didi said they are what is called a parasite. Then Didi added, "Did you know we have bugs living all over our body and they don't do us any harm?" "Oh," Michal replied, "like the butterflies living in my stomach?" -- Didi Streak of Johannesburg, South Africa Dana, 9 was eating some taffy. She pulled it out of her mouth and said, "Oh, there's something hard in this." After inspecting the taffy Dana found a tooth. "There's somebody's tooth in here, Mom," Dana said. "We better take it back (meaning the taffy)." Then Dana said, "Oh, never mind. It's my tooth!" -- Patty Bruner of Kendallville, Indiana (friend of Della Reis, mother of Dana, of Ashley, Indiana) Katlin, 7, said to her neighbor Tracy, "You must be rich." Tracy explained to Katlin that riches are not just money, that Katlin had a father that loved her, a big brother who would look out for her, a nice home, good food, etc. Katlin said with a huge sigh and a roll of her eyes, "I guess I'm just rich in life!" -- Tracy Mills of Kinston, North Carolina While visiting her grandchildren, Pearl asked Allison, 7, how much she weighed. After Allison told her, her brother Hayden, 10, said, "Grandma, I only weigh one pound more than her and that is very, very sad." Pearl said, "Hayden, you are O.K. When your daddy was a boy he wanted to get bigger and his coach told him everything under the sun to do in order to gain weight." Later, Pearl heard Allison ask her father, "Dad, how long did you have to lie under the sun before you got bigger?" -- Pearl Tims of Chickasha, Oklahoma Three-year-old Peter insists that the last verse to "One, two buckle my shoe" is "Nine, ten, a big HAT hen." -- Lisa Cooper (mother of Peter) of Lawrenceville, New Jersey Heather, a granchild, was spending the night. As Maria put her to bed, Heather asked, "Grandma, do you snort (meaning snore) as loud a Grandpa?" -- Maria Finley Cullman of Alabama ============================================================= >-->"More Than" .'''. ' ' '. .' '.' ' ' ' /")\ / /\ \ / ()""() |=( . .) | '(o)| /______| | | _ / ____ \ _ ( ) / \ ( ) |_|/ \|_| tre William Arthur Ward wrote Twelve Guideposts for Living which emphasize the principle of going beyond what one might be "supposed to do." I will do more than belong- I will participate. I will do more than believe- I will practice. I will do more than care- I will help. I will do more than be fair- I will be kind. I will do more than forgive- I will forget. I will do more than dream- I will work. I will do more than teach- I will inspire. I will do more than earn- I will enrich. I will do more than give- I will serve. I will do more than live- I will grow. I will do more than be friendly- I will be a friend. I will do more than be a citizen- I will be a patriot. -- Edsel Burleson, Evangelist, The Worldd Evangelist >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->BECOMING A CHRISTIAN HOW TO BE A CHRISTIAN! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 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 andd 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 ************************************************************************