Come Adore Him ... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net =========================== >-->In The 'Shangy' News: ___ .dSSSS$$pp.. .dSSSS$$$$$$$$; .dSSSS$$$$$$$$$$$ :SSP^" T$$$$$$$$$$b_ dSSP $$$S$$$$$$$b` dSS$;_. .:$$$SS$$$$$$b dSS$$$_ ; __."^TSS$$$$$b dSS$$P;" ""' :lSS$$$$$b :SS$$$ ; ::SS$$$$$$b_. SSS$$$ : ` ;:SS$$$$$$$bp. :SS$$$$b \ -=- .-" SSS$$$$$$$$$$b SSS$$$$$b.`. / d$SS$$$$$$$$$$$b :SS$$$$$$$; ""T :$$$SS$$$$$$$$P^^t--' SSS$$$S$$$ : $$$$$SS$$$$$$$ : :SS$$$SS$; __; _$$$$$$SS$$$$$$ : SSS$SS l;: ; : $$$$SS$$$$$; ; :SS$SS $;: ; : $$$SS$$$$$$; /; TSSSS :$ \ ; ; :$S$$$$$$$$.-"/ `SP; :; ;: ; T$$$$$$$$; /; : ; ; : `.; /)T$$$$$P .' : ; : : ; .'/ :$$$P'.' .'\ ; \ :; / /$P^".' .-" ; : ;: .' .-" / \ `.____/_'.___:--""\ --' .' ) .-" .' "-._ "-._ ..--"")\ :-' : "-. "-._ ---""" /; I was working on a new page Tuesday when I got an email that ripped my heart out... Sad News - Steve Grant Hi All, I have bad news. Steve Grant had a heart attack today and did not make it. Can you please let Steve's friends know about his passing? Warm regards, Shirley Grant I finished the Christmas page through a fountain of tears and signed it in Loving Memory of Steve Grant - 11/27/07 I found an mp3 of the Vienna boys choir for it so be sure to be patient and turn up your sound when you visit it here: + * + + + `.!.' * + + -=x=- + .'!`. * + + ! * + + + + + * + * + ,-. * //"\\ + * + * // \\ * // = \\ + w w w + + //___o O \\ \O O O ||\_/|\|\ || + |\ `|\ '|\ _ ___||_Y_| \_\||_________|_\_|_\__|_\ hjw Come Adore Him! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/comeadorehim.html Paul and I did not know Steve long but he emailed us every day and we got to be good close cyber friends. He will be greatly missed by us. I realize my tears are selfish tears - the old pity party - so I get a hold of myself and stop whenever I start up again. I know Steve is well taken care of in the bosom of God our Father and is sleeping waiting for the Return Of Our Lord. I know too I shall meet him again. This is a comfort. I am sad only because until then, I shall miss him. I think the devil took him too soon. He was not an old man or a sick man. He was just in the front lines of the battle field like many soldiers are. He was doing God's work bringing smiles to his friends and family as best he could and spreading God's love. Some may not like what I am going to say here, but it is from my heart. Anyone dare try and tell me that God took him and he is alive looking down on me from heaven, I think I'll punch that person for the Blasphemy of calling God Almighty, the giver of life, a killer and a murderer! Don't even go there with me. I am in no mood. Instead, here are a couple teachings that convey my feelings better: >Jesus Christ Lifted The Veil \I Can See Clearly Now/ / ___ ,-.-. (___\_ _______ && '}O==)_____)_) ----,' '-'/----|-------------------------------------------------------- | ,' /|\ ~~ ~ |___| / | \ ~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ (( |,--/--|--\__ ~ ~ ~ __,--|| | / | \ `-----. _ || | / -.|_ \ _,-' ) || | | `-- ( ~~ ''--' _,--) ~ ,-. `-' `---' / ,--. ~ _ -'-._/ _ -. `-./ ~~ ~ ~~ `--. __,-- ' ----...__,-,--.___.....__ ~~ ~ `/-._ \ . `''''------..._____ ,-' --' | . ,-. ,--. --._ __ / ,--./,--. ,--. _ . __, `--. ( ( ,-'|--. ),--.,'' ) :. ) . ( || ' ,-',--.` . --' ,--' _\ ___ ,-. || ,--.( _|| ) __,--' / ',--`,--. || ,--.,--.) . `- \ ,-' (,--.,-. ) ( ,-.,--.) `-._ --._,- _/ ( || ) ( || ` . `--.__,.--' || || ---' / ,--. _,-. || ,'`--.._|| __ ,-. `-- | _,--./,--. ,' `'--.._ ( _`./,--. __/ ( ,-.|--. ) ,' ,' `-._ (,-.,--. ) _,--' ( . ( || ) `--..__ ,' _.| ( || , \ || | |`-. `'--..,' _,|| || || ,--' `-- \ || | '-.| |`'| | | |'-'_| || | __,--``--..__ `--..__ `--' | | |,-' `. \_,--' _,--..__ ``--..__ `'--..|_|-' `-. `-._ ) _,-' ``--..__ ``--..__,-' _,-' ( ,-' . ``--..______,-' . jrei ,---' \ | A major problem with “orthodox” Christian thinking today is that so many Christians believe what the Old Testament says about God without critically examining their beliefs in light of the New Testament. Is the Old Testament literally correct: Does God kill believers? Does God send evil spirits to torment people? Does God cause sickness and disease? The answer to each question is the same: 'NO, a thousand times NO!' The New Testament clarifies for us the truth on these issues, and only in its light can the Old Testament be understood. John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth [biblically, the Greek word aletheia basically means 'reality,' i.e., things as they really are] came through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ brought to light truths that were never known before his lifetime. That is why the Old Testament must be read in light of the New Testament. 2 Corinthians 3:14b-16 (14b) ...for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. (15) Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. (16) But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. John 1:18 is an interesting verse when considered in light of the New Testament bringing new information that the Old Testament did not have. John 1:18 (KJV) No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he [Jesus] hath declared him [God]. According to this verse, Jesus Christ 'declared' God. The Greek word translated here as 'declared' is exegeomai, which means 'to lead out,' 'to make known,' or 'to unfold.' Jesus Christ was the first one in history to clearly manifest to mankind the heart of God as a Father. The God whom we know as all love, all light and all goodness was made known as never before by His Son Jesus Christ. It is very, very important to realize that Jesus Christ revealed God in a completely new light that had not been known in the Old Testament. Read the rest of this teaching here: http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=828 ---------- >In What State of Being Are the Dead? _.-, _ .-' / .._ .-:'/ - - \:::::-. .::: ' e e ' '-::::. ::::'( ^ )_.:::::: ::::.' '. o '.::::'.'/_ . :::.' - .::::'_ _.: OH NO! Not That! .-''---' .'| .::::' ''':::: '. ..-:::' | .::::' :::: '.' :::: \ .::::' :::: :::: .::::' :::: ::::.::::'._ :::: ::::::' / '- .:::: '::::-/__ __.-::::' '-::::::::::::::-' jrei '''::::''' >The 'Sleep' Metaphor I Thessalonians 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are ASLEEP, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. As we have seen, the dead are truly dead and in gravedom. When their bodies have rotted, they have ceased to exist. But because they exist in the memory of God, He remembers them and intends via Jesus Christ to raise them to life. Thus He figuratively refers to their state of being as sleep. This clearly implies a future awakening. Because both their body and soul are dead, the term 'sleep' has to be a metaphor. The purpose of biblical figures of speech is to communicate truth more effectively or forcefully than would simple statements of fact. A metaphor or analogy is useful to augment our understanding if we carefully analyze the points of similarity between the compared terms. In this case, death and 'sleep' have at least five points of similarity that give us much insight into the state of the dead, consistent with what we have already seen from the Old Testament. Visit here for the rest of this teaching: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/sleepmetaphor.html Visit here for all their 'Death' topics: http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&new_topic=15 ================================================================== >-->From Our Friend Dan :) >Fw: Join me and stand with our veterans ,-=-. [[_ @~] ((a a)) ` = ' _.-) (-._ /( ("+") )\ / \ \./ / \ (=<( \/8\/ )>=) \ \- 8| -/ / \/_> 8|<_\/ ;-.__;,-; | | Greetings veterans and their families. Of the thousands of e-mails I receive, I am reluctant to pass them on out of my respect for your time. I believe this is a simple gift that we can give to members of our armed forces. Its Christmas time. Time to give. Please consider sending a short message to your Congressional representatives showing your support for our wounded veterans. Thank you, Dan Young PS. Jim Lewis, thank you for sharing this with us. ---- Join me and stand with our veterans Some of our injured troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are facing a ridiculous and unnecessary obstacle. Because they have been discharged early, they are not receiving their full enlistment bonuses. Some are even be asked to return payments they have already received. A new bill that would ensure this does not continue is gaining momentum in Congress, and lawmakers need to hear from civilians who support it. We can help our nations' veterans on this critical issue. Please take a minute to send a message to your representatives, and tell them you support this bill. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America has made it easy - just visit www.iava.org Thank you! ==================================================================== >-->From Our Friends Del, Casey, & MrWu :) .--. {\ / q {\ { `\ \ (-(~` { '.{`\ \ \ ) {'-{ ' \ .-""'-. \ \ {._{'.' \/ '.) \ {_.{. {` | {._{ ' { ;'-=-. | Happy Thanksgiving {-.{.' { ';-=-.` / {._.{.; '-=- .' {_.-' `'.__ _,-' jgs |||` .='==, http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=HY27482779 --- ...Yummy! Thanks Del! ==================================================================== >-->From Our Friend Maxy's Pal :) ! -~*~- /!\ /%;@\ o/@,%\o /%;`@,\ o/@'%',\o '^^^N^^^` hjw The spirit of Christmas http://heavens-gates.com/spiritofchristmas/ --- ...Sweet one. Thanks Maxy's Pal! ==================================================================== >-->From Our Friend Tony in Australia :) the computer has been drinking... not me... _.,_ ,-'.' .`-, ;; '. ' `. ;` - _ _,-; ' ; `. ,% .-, - *click* ,_.,-'` ';; ; : ;%' | | \ ___ _._,-`'\ `'-`' _.,' `. ) __,--`-,,`' ,._,.-`-., _.,-.--.-,`''` | _| |__ `---'////\ / .-, `-`-^--`'^`-...,,| | |.,/ //\)(/ `-\.-. | `-' ( .-; | | ,. `-~ ~~-. `._.' ,/ / `~ ~~~ ~~ /,.`) // / /_ `/ ( `/ `-' mic --- DON"T DRINK AND DRIVE - THIS IS WHY! --- Help Jacqueline http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/adults/saburido.asp --- ...A shocking eye opener - Thanks Tony! ==================================================================== >-->From InspiredBuffalo: >THE HABITS OF LOVE By: Joseph J. Mazzella /___/____/____/____/_____/_______/______ /_/____/____/___/______/_____/_____/___ /_____/____/______/___/____/___/______/___/ /__/_____/_o__o/____/____/___/_____/____/______ | o__O_\o | __o \ o | __o| __) o _______ | | || \_/ o o | ___ | |_|_||/\_| o | | | || | |/_/\_\ o | |__ ||_|_/I/ \_\ o | |___/_/ \_\ o |() /_/ \_\ o | /_/ \_\ o o | / / ejm \ \ o |_ o o o o o o o o I stopped at the local gas station with my oldest son to fill-up my car the other day. I told him to go on in and get himself a can of pop while I pumped the gas. After I finished and got in line to pay I looked to see where he was. I soon found him by the front doors of the store. He was opening one for a woman with her arms full of groceries. He accepted her thanks with a cheerful "no problem" and quickly moved to the other door to open it for a little girl struggling to pull it out. I smiled when I saw this wonderful goodness, kindness, politeness, and helpfulness in my son. He was so full of the habits of love that it warmed my heart. I told him what a fine, young man he has become as we walked back to the car. It is something I can never tell him enough. The theologian John Powell once wrote that, "The habits formed in youth can become the tyrants in old age." As I look at the beautiful, loving habits of my own children I think that they can also become the blessings as well. My oldest son's habits are so joyful and caring that everyone shines brighter when he is around. My daughter's habits too are full of compassion, sharing, and gentleness. All that she wants to do with her life is to help others, and that is just what she does every single day. My youngest son has many habits of love as well. His habit of smiling is contagious and his habit of laughter can uplift the heaviest heart. You don't have to be young, however, to form the habits of love. It is never too late to choose them. They can become your blessings not just in old age but at any age. You can start today to fill your life with the happiness they create, joy they share, and oneness with God they bring. You can open doors with your kindness, open hearts with your helpfulness, and open souls with your goodness. God gives you a lifetime to learn the habits of love and to share them with the world. May you always delight in doing so. -<,,>- >I Wish You Enough __ __ ,-' `' \ _---``-- / _ _ ; __ `. / / `' \; /`----- ) / .-/ ,( ), \-. ; | \( \ / )/; | - _5 `7 -; / ( ___-' `-____ | ( ___`-_ \ ____| \ / `,/ \ _(\__ / \ \ ; \ .' /' `i. / | | \ _-'( _\__-/ `- | | ` ,` `_ | BP Recently I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the mother said, 'I love you and I wish you enough'. The daughter replied, 'Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Mom'. They kissed and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy but she welcomed me in by asking, 'Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?'. Yes, I have,' I replied. 'Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?'. 'I am old and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is the next trip back will be for my funeral,' she said. 'When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I wish you enough'. May I ask what that means?'. She began to smile. 'That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone'. She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail and she smiled even more. 'When we said , 'I wish you enough', we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them'. Then turning toward me, she shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory. . | . \ | / `. \ ' / .' `. .-*""*-. .' "*-._ /.*" "*.\ _.-*" : ; ____ """"': .. ; _.-*" \ `.__.' / "*-._ .' `-.__.-' `. bug .' / . \ `. / | \ ' | ` I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting. I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. I wish you e enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye. She then began to cry and walked away. They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them but then an entire life to forget them. -<..>- >Prayer Request !|| !|||| ,/|||| !|'''| `\ | )\ \ ejm / \ \ \ I write this letter as a plea to all whom are good hearted and faithful in their walk. My plea is for your prayers. On the morning of November the 8th a man walked in to his job of over 5 years sat in his desk for 2hrs steady. He forgot where he was and what he was doing there, yet he knew it was important. A fellow worker came in a notice this man was not well and told him to go immediately to the hospital. The man drove home and walked to his friends house that was fifteen minutes away, I took this man 7 hours to get there! Soon after he was admitted to the hospital in the doctor said " Jesus just go home and rest" as this man stood up he had a seizer and lost all consciousness. After a week of test the doctors could not find why he was not talking, dazed, and aggravated so they transferred him to another hospital. This man lays in that hospital till this day not being able to breath for himself and has been paralyzed due to his aggravation states. My plea is for your prayers to the lord for " MY FATHER" PLEASE OH PLEASE. GOD BLESS Irene -<,,>- Links for Your Enjoyment Anti Road Rage.. Worried about a nasty confrontation http://www.buffalosjokes.com/12034.htm Mountain Biking Gone Bad http://www.buffalosjokes.com/120317.htm The Son-in-Law http://www.buffalosjokes.com/112451.htm Non Smoker Revenge http://www.buffalosjokes.com/112499.htm Nothing Like A Good Book http://www.buffalosjokes.com/1124100.htm Amazing Child http://www.buffalosjokes.com/1180606.htm America's Funniest http://www.buffalosjokes.com/1180607.htm To Subscribe send a blank email to: the-inspired-buffalo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ===================================================================== >A Dollar Short Story Editor: by Russell Waterman Joyce Schowalter California, USA Having to visit the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is never pleasant. It's lots of people waiting in long lines, being waited on by unhappy employees. In the early spring of 2007, I had business at my local Southern California DMV office and dreaded it. My father had "gifted" his old car to my twenty-year-old son, whose truck had finally given up the ghost. So, prepared for the worst, my son and I got the paperwork together to transfer the car into his name and drove down to the DMV. First, we stood in line at the Information Desk. They review paperwork to determine what "window" we should go to wait in next. When we got our chance, I handed the lady our paperwork and told her why we were there. She mumbled something and started to plow through some forms, clearly searching for more to give me. Anticipating what form she was looking for, I handed her a completed copy of another document I had with me. Indeed, that was the one she was searching for. Thinking I had just made her job a little easier by having the form already filled out, I expected maybe a grin. Instead, she frowned. Next, she handed us a ticket with a number on it. "Have a seat and wait for your number to be called". We found two seats together in amongst the rest of the sweaty mob of people "waiting to be called". We waited. And waited some more. Finally, my number was called. Stepping up to the counter, shoulder to shoulder with other people taking care of their business, I gave the lady all our forms. "That'll be $15.00," she said. After emptying our wallets, between the two of us we could only come up with $14.00! My brain started to spin. I was trying to figure out a way to pay so we wouldn't have to come back and wind through each line all over again. "Do you need a dollar?" I did a double take and looked at the gentleman beside me. He was in his mid-thirties, Hispanic, clean-shaven and soft-spoken. "Do you need a dollar?" he asked again. "Why, yes I do." I said. He casually reached for his wallet and gave me the bill. I thanked him very much, trying not to act too shocked at my good fortune. We completed our business and started to leave. The gentleman was still standing next to me. I gently tapped him on the shoulder and extended my hand in gratitude. "Thank you again, sir," I said shaking his hand. "Bless you," he replied. Even though it was only a dollar, he had really surprised me. Instead of leaving the DMV in a foul mood from being put through the meat-grinder, thanks to him I left with a good feeling. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Heartwarmers: .'`~~~~~~~~~~~`'. ( .'11 12 1'. ) | :10 \ 2: | | :9 @-> 3: | | :8 4; | '. '..7 6 5..' .' ~-------------~ ldb >SPEND AN EXTRA MINUTE by Frank P. Cotter They crossed in front of me as I was driving out of the store parking lot. My first reaction was anger at being delayed for a whole ten seconds. I was quickly jarred back into reality when I realized that this was an elderly couple who briefly delayed my departure. The man was large in stature but bent over from a lifetime of hard work. He leaned on his wife who walked in front of him. He not only used her for support but it was obvious that he was visually impaired as well. She was his eyes and his crutch, not just in the emotional sense, but literally as well. The two of them worked as one -- each needing the other to function in this fast changing world. That little example of true strength changed my whole personal, perception of life that day. Suddenly, I wasn't so mad about having to work a few extra hours on Saturday. I had my strength and I was still relatively young. That's the term most of us "Baby Boomers" use for growing old gracefully. That picture of those two elderly people, walking with dignity and strength, stayed with me the entire week. My life wasn't so bad after all. I had my health and a good job. I had a wonderful supportive wife. I started to think, not only was I lucky to have it all, but so was that wonderful old couple, who despite the trials and tribulations of a long life, still had the love and support of each other to carry them through this world. You can't put a dollar value on true love and emotional support. There are so many people out there just like that couple. We should all have a little extra time and patience when it comes to helping our elder friends. My wife and I sometimes picture ourselves in our old age, walking arm in arm into the sunset. That image always gives us a warm feeling of comfort. Just remember, none of us would be here if it wasn't for our elders. Spend that extra minute to listen, learn and help. -- Frank P. Cotter ____________________________________________ Frank says, "I am married to the most wonderful woman on this earth. I have been blessed with three beautiful children and my life is pretty darn good." ==================================================================== >-->From SermondFodder: >So you say you're an atheist? By Charles Blair __..._ ,-` `', ,' \ / | ,' , \ ,' ,/-'` \ _ ./ ,.'`/ \ .-` `^\_,.'` / `\__ 7 / / _,._,.,_,.-'.` `\ \A __/ ,-```-`` `, `, ` ,`) ^-` / ` ,/ -ART BY- ( , ,_ ,-,_,<` -ZEUS- \__ T--` `''` ``` _,\ \_/|\_ ,.-` | | _/ | |T\_ _,'Y / +--,_ <``` \_\/_/ `\\_/ / `\ / ,-- ` _,--,_`----` _,,_ \ / ` | <_._._ > ` \ ` \` | | , ` | | V| \ | | |` \ \ / / / \x \_ | /-` / \ `-,| ,/--` /` \x_ \_ /--'` , / \x_ `` ,,/` ` `-,_,-' ,'` _| |`\ ( `-``/``/`_/ Well, I don't believe you. No, I'm not angry with you, and I don't want to debate all the classical arguments for the existence of God; you've probably considered them all already and rejected them because of your own personal thoughts. And no, I'm not going to use the familiar line "God doesn't believe in atheists" as a premise here. It's just that you, as an educated person, should know the virtual impossibility of proving a negative, especially a universal negative. To claim to do so implies omniscience, and frankly, neither of us have that. We haven't been everywhere in the material universe, nor have we explored the entire world of thought. It's as if one were to say, "There is no such thing as a leprechaun, or a unicorn." To be sure, none of us have seen such creatures, but one documented sighting by an otherwise credible person would be enough to disprove such a sweeping universal negative. And one documented encounter with Deity from an otherwise credible person is sufficient to disprove the universal negative "There is no God." But there have been far more than one such encounter; millions of otherwise credible people, many of them the best people in their community in terms of human relations, the founders of hospitals, schools, mercy missions by the hundreds, the kind of good neighbors all of us love to have, all have claimed such "close encounters of the main kind." Now, a claim to have seen a unicorn from someone on heavy narcotics wouldn't impress me a great deal, and the fact that the Authorized Version of the Bible uses the word isn't final evidence; checking the Hebrew results in another term ("wild ox" in some versions, though I still like the song where God tells Noah, "And don't forget My unicorn.") And an Irishman heavy into his celebration of St. Pat's with the "drinkin' of the green" might not be the most credible witness concerning the "little people." But when you have multiplied thousands of witnesses, many of whom would be clinchers on the stand in any court case, over all 7 continents, over thousands of years, all with the same testimony, there is surely a presumption in favor of their words. Which, of course, leads to the relatively small number of self- professed atheists, agnostics, and skeptics (a recent national "Atheist's Convention" drew some 500, according to the news). More cautious thinkers prefer the terms "free-thinker" or "agnostic" and simply state, "I haven't been able to find God," and with Confucius may say, "We do not yet understand man; how then can we understand God? We do not yet understand this life; how then can we understand another?" Interestingly enough, this is precisely what at least three writers of the Judeo-Christian Scriptures also said. Isaiah, in the last portion of that book (55:8-9) quotes God as saying, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are my ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." The writer of Psalm 139 states (in v. 6) "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it." And Paul, in Romans 11:33, concludes an in-depth discussion of God's character with the doxology, "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!" Evidently these Bible writers believed that for man to search out God on his own was not to be expected, and that God to be known must choose to reveal Himself. Thus the agnostic is correct in stating that he has not found God, but the real question may be, are we willing to be found by Him? As Augustine once said, as if it were God speaking: "Fear not, for thou would not seek Me if I had not found thee." My reason for writing this brief discussion is not to seek an argument, or to try to win a debate; it is intended to help honest doubters think their way through the most serious issue of life. If God exists, then all else is insignificant in comparison to that truth. If there is no God, then nothing else really matters; life is ultimately, in the poet's words, "a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." One thinker wrote that he could not have the atheist's humility, to consider life insignificant. As a believer in the One Creator and Sustainer of the universe, it is my prayer for you that this brief essay will help create in your mind a desire to enjoy that sense of meaning in life that can come in knowing the One Who is beyond knowledge. Feel free to contact me if you want to talk about these matters. == AUTHORS NOTE: I hope most of us know someone who hides behind the label "atheist" to keep preachers away. If you're not comfortable handing this material to them, or forwarding it, possibly this line of reasoning will be helpful as you witness to them. I am strongly convinced that there are really no atheists, only skeptics and people who are so inured in their sin that this argument scares off some witnesses, and staves off some conviction for sin. If any of you are able to use any of it, I would be pleased to know the results. R. Charles Blair pr.eprayer@ethixs.com. =================================================================== "Many of the things you can count, don't count. Many of the things you can't count, really count." -- Albert Einstein >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->Bigham's Computer Rescue - PC Sales && Service You can trust us to provide you with quality computer sales and repair. We've been servicing the Van Wert area since 1981 and can help you with all your computer needs. Please phone us at 419-238-5806 ************************************************************************ -->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? 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