Courts Of God... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList 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 ================ * 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 hot new page comes from our friend Desi. Just in time for President's Day week. Sure to tickle your funny bone! Give this one plenty of time to load and check it out here... _ _.-'`-._ _ ;.'________'.; _________n.[____________].n_________ |""_""_""_""||==||==||==||""_""_""_""] |"""""""""""||..||..||..||"""""""""""| |LI LI LI LI||LI||LI||LI||LI LI LI LI| |.. .. .. ..||..||..||..||.. .. .. ..| |LI LI LI LI||LI||LI||LI||LI LI LI LI| ,,;;,;;;,;;;,;;;,;;;,;;;,;;;,;;,;;;,;;;,;;,, ;;jgs;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; Obama Saga http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/obamasaga.html --- ...This is a riot! Thanks Desi! -<>- >-->From our friend Karen :) * _..-.._ * * .'_/ _ \_'. /_ _| __|_ _\___ * | _ |_ _| _ | /\ jgs |___|___J___|__\/ >A Reminder... February 20th, is Hoodie-Hoo Day. Go outside and yell “HOODIE-HOO!” at the top of your lungs to the sky. Why? To scare away winter and bring on spring, of course. --- ...Hope it works! It's only 9F here right now! Thanks Karen! The http://www.Emergencyemail.org says my area is under... .WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM EST /10 AM CST/ FRIDAY. HAZARDOUS WEATHER. * DANGEROUS WIND CHILL VALUES BETWEEN 10 BELOW ZERO & 25 BELOW ZERO ARE EXPECTED THROUGH FRI MORNING. =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: __..._ _...__ _..-" `Y` "-._ \ Once upon | / \\ a time..| // \\\ | /// \\\ _..---.|.---.._ /// jgs \\`_..---.Y.---.._`// '` `' >THE PAGES LONG FORGOTTEN by Michael T. Smith John stepped into the used bookstore and smiled as he smelled the old pages. Here was a wealth of old stories, history waiting to be read, and a host of other joys. On a back shelf, he found what he was looking for... They'd served their use to those who once held them dear, but now gathered dust in the darkest corner of the store. They were Italian, American, French and Greek. They contained secrets from around the world. There were collections of chicken, beef, pastries, bread, and desserts. They waited, hidden in a little explored part of the store, and hoped someone discovered their treasures. John knew what to do. He picked one up, held the spine in his hand and let the book fall open. They always opened to the most used pages, the recipes loved by lost generations. The page in front of him was for a recipe called "Beef-filled cornbread." The picture showed a delicious layer of meat and cheese, layered with cornbread and covered with a hot sauce. The pages were stained with splatters of tomato sauce. It was obviously a favorite of the previous owners. He'd try this one. Those used the most are the best. He found several other books, each with its own marked pages, and carried them to the counter to make his purchase. "I hope you found something you like," the cashier said. "Oh yes. Very much! I'm sure these are exactly to my taste." He paid for his purchase, left the store and carried them in a bag on his way to work. In the locker room, he placed his books on the top shelf and changed into his scrubs. The recipes would wait. He had a duty. Freshly dressed, he walked his floor. "Hello, Mrs. Smith!" He smiled at the elderly lady sitting in the sun room reading a book. In her day, she must have been a beautiful woman. She still was, for a woman in her eighties. "How was your day?" "Horrible!" she growled. He sat beside her, held her hand and looked into her eyes. "My grandson didn't visit me," she continued. "He promised me he'd be here today." She adjusted her shawl and tried to hide the tears about to spill from her wizened eyes. "Maybe tomorrow," he replied. "You know how busy these young people are." He noted the tear in the corner of her eye and changed subject. "Mrs. Smith, didn't you tell me you lived during the great depression?" A smile came to her face. "Oh, yes. What a time that was. There was no work, ya know. But we survived." "How did you get by?" "Well, we all worked together. Everyone worked together. We helped each other." She frowned. "It's not like today, where people are too busy to worry about anyone but themselves. In those days, we worked together. If you didn't, you starved." "It must have been a hard time, Mrs. Smith. I don't know how you did it." "I didn't," she grinned. "We did. We did it together, the neighbors and my family." He left her smiling and hoped her grandson paid a visit the next day. He moved down the hall and stepped into Mr. Walker's room. "Hey, Walk! How's things?" He used the name Walk, as all the others in the center called him. It made Walk feel comfortable. Mr. Walker looked up from a puzzle he leaned over. "Could be better, John. This damn puzzle has me stumped. These eyes aren't what they used to be." "I know, Walk. Just take your time. There's no rush." "There is too," Walk chuckled. "I need to finish it before I die." "Not too soon I hope," John said. "Say! Have I told you about the guy who walks into a bar with a giraffe under his arm?" John chuckled. Walk loved a good joke. "I don't believe you have." Walk's face broke out in a smile. "You see, this guy walks into a bar with a giraffe under his arm. He has a few beers. The giraffe falls asleep on the floor. The bartender looks down, sees the giraffe and asks, 'What's that lying on the floor?' The guy says, 'That's not a lion! That's a giraffe.'" Walk broke into a laugh that turned into a coughing spell. John slapped him on the back. "Come on, Walk. Cough it up." Walk got himself under control. "You're OK now. I got your back." "I know about covering someone's back." Walk sat straight in his seat. "I was in WWII ya know." "I heard that. Did you have a hard time?" John asked. "John, you have no idea. It was the winter of '41, or was it '42. I can't remember now. Snow was up to here." Walk pointed to his thigh. "We were on the front. The enemy was closeŠ" Thirty minutes later, John said, "WOW! That's a story, Walk. I knew you were in the war, but I don't think I ever thanked you. I want to say, Thank you. You made us safe." "Ah, stop it. It was nothing," Walk turned to his puzzle, too embarrassed to continue their talk. He and others knew what they did, but don't want to take credit. It's an unspoken rule between the veterans. They did what they had to. John continued on his rounds, held hands, shared hugs and listened. Here they were, like the cookbooks, sitting in dark corners, ignored. John knew what to do. He held them, let their hearts fall open, and found the pages stained with use. They are the most valued. They are the pages long forgotten. -- Michael T. Smith ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseA :) {} {} ! ! ! II II ! ! ! ! I__I__I_II II_I__I__I ! I_/|__|__|_|| ||_|__|__|\_I ! /|_/| | | || || | | |\_|\ ! .--. I//| | | | || || | | | |\\I .--. /- \ ! /|/ | | | | || || | | | | \|\ ! /= \ \=__ / I//| | | | | || || | | | | |\\I \-__ / } { ! /|/ | | | | | || || | | | | | \|\ ! } { {____} I//| | | | | | || || | | | | | |\\I {____} _!__!__|= |=/|/ | | | | | | || || | | | | | | \|\=| |__!__!_ _I__I__| ||/|__|__|__|__|__|__|_|| ||_|__|__|__|__|__|__|\||- |__I__I_ -|--|--|- ||-|--|--|--|--|--|--|-|| ||-|--|--|--|--|--|--|-||= |--|--|- | | | || | | | | | | | || || | | | | | | | || | | | | | |= || | | | | | | | || || | | | | | | | ||= | | | | | |- || | | | | | | | || || | | | | | | | ||= | | | | | |- || | | | | | | | || || | | | | | | | ||- | | | _|__|__| ||_|__|__|__|__|__|__|_|| ||_|__|__|__|__|__|__|_|| |__|__|_ -|--|--|= ||-|--|--|--|--|--|--|-|| ||-|--|--|--|--|--|--|-||- |--|--|- jgs| |- || | | | | | | | || || | | | | | | | ||= | | | ~~~~~~~~~~~^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^~~~~~~~~~~~ >The Courts Of God By Steve Troxel The moment we enter through the Gate of Jesus Christ, by believing in Him for the forgiveness of our sins, we dramatically alter our eternity; "I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved" (John 10:9). We were once blind and destined for eternal separation from God, but now we "see" and will spend eternity as His child. After passing through the Gate, God begins to conform us "to the likeness of His Son" (Romans 8:29), until our only desire is to bring Him glory, and praise His name forever. At times, this process can be painful. It can hurt to strip away layers of pride and crawl from under the dominion of our old sinful nature - it can hurt to be conformed to the likeness of Jesus. But as we persevere and catch a glimpse of His glory, we will never again desire to be away from His presence. Psalm 84:10 "Better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked." A single day in the presence of God is better than a thousand days anywhere else - better than ANYTHING this world can offer. If we do not believe this truth, we have not yet been in His presence - we have not yet tasted the sweet fruit of His Spirit. And if we believe and have experienced the peaceful joy of His courts but are now consumed and burdened by the trials of this world, then perhaps we've simply forgotten how sweet and fulfilling His presence can be. Let me paraphrase the second part of the above verse: "I would rather be the lowest and most insignificant servant in the house of God, so I could be near Him and praise Him, than to live as a ruler in the greatest of mansions but apart from His presence." This passion to be in the presence of God is also recorded earlier in the same psalm: "My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God" (Psalm 84:2). Our Heavenly Father longs for us to have this same passion in our life; "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise" (Psalm 100:4). So if this passion has faded due to distractions and entanglements, know that He is calling for us to return. The courts of God's holy temple now reside within every believer; "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that His Spirit lives in you" (1 Corinthians 3:16). His presence is available to us right now! No matter how distant we may feel, He's really closer than we imagine. Let's enter through the gate and fill His temple with praise! Let's return to a life focused on passionate worship. Let's determine to spend every moment of every day rejoicing in the courts of God. --- ...Aww yes. Renewing our mind - a daily work! Thanks LouiseA! , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' God doesn't force His will upon us or mold us or shape us or make us into anything. He expects us to do that. We are encouraged to do that ourselves by renewing our mind to His Word and becoming like Jesus Christ was. Jesus always did the Will of the Father. God's will was and is His Will. That is what we need to do by renewing our mind to God's Word. We replace our own bad habits, thoughts and deeds with God's goodness and His way of thinking and doing things. We are to put on the mind of Christ. Phil.2: [5] Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Rom.12: [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Also see Eph.4:19-32 and Col.3:8-24 Check out these teachings... Babes In Christ http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/babesinchrist.html The Renewed Mind http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/THE_RENEWED_MIND.htm Return To Me http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/return.html More Study - The Basics - Bible Study Menu [Note: Many of these are by Dr.Victor Paul Wierwell] http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/Basics.htm ======================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` No one is immune from making foolish statements. One of France's greatest thinkers, Voltaire, once said that in 100 years the Bible would be a forgotten book, found only in museums. When the 100 years were up, Voltaire's home was occupied by the Geneva Bible Society. -<>- English evangelist George Whitefield (1714-1770) learned that it was more important to please God than to please men. At one point in his ministry, Whitefield received a vicious letter accusing him of wrongdoing. His reply was brief and courteous: "I thank you heartily for your letter. As for what you and my other enemies are saying against me, I know worse things about myself than you will ever say about me. With love in Christ, --George Whitefield." -<>- .---. /` ___|`\ |_/ \| ( -/- ) \_ - _/ .-'|_|'-. / \ / O \ / _____!_____ \ /.-------------.\ \| ,;, |/ | ;;; | | ;;;;;;;;; | | `';;;'` | | ;;; | | ;;; | | ::: | | ';' | | | _| _ __ __ _|_ jgs_/ _ __ ___ __ _\_ _/ __ ___ _ ___ __ _ \_ >Sense Of Purpose A strong sense of purpose will keep you going strong when all else fails. Following a clear and meaningful purpose will gather all your energy together and point it effectively in a single direction. Living, thinking and acting with purpose frees you from the tyranny of haphazard circumstances. Purpose brings you strength to rise above the distractions of the moment, and the will to overcome whatever obstacles stand in your way. The level of your achievement will rise to meet the level of your purpose. If your mission is just to get through the day, that's probably about the extent of what you'll do. Yet when you take on a mission that is more grand, more meaningful, more purposeful, that purpose will pull you along with it. Those people who are strongest indeed are those who have the strongest purpose moving them forward. Make the commitment to live out the highest possibilities available to you, today and every day. Make your purpose strong and worthy of the capable and worthy person you are. --Ralph Marston -<>- \\\\, / \\ '<' ) \- / _)_(_ .'\___/'. /.-.___.-.\ [_________] | | ( | , | (\/) ) _\)_ | -|- | <_@__> _(/_ || | | | (/\)(\/) || || | | (\/) <_@_> || || | | <_@_>'(/\) || || | | (/\|/|-. || || .---------. _|_|_ || ||_,-'---------'-,__ |WWWWW| ___jgs|_|____________________|_\_____/__ __ .-. / \ //)\\ | | ||(|| .-. (\__/) .//\\\. //|\\ _)__(_ / `"""` \ )|||( /` `\ .jgs===================================. >A FEW GOOD FOLLOWERS A young woman was filling out an application for college when she came across the question: Are you a leader? She thought she had better be brutally honest, so she answered, "No." She was convinced when she sent the application in that she'd never hear from them because of that answer. But she received a letter back from the school that read: "We have reviewed numerous applications and, to date, there will be some 1,452 new leaders attending school next year. We have decided to accept your application because we felt it was imperative that they have at least one follower." One man bought a sign and put it on his office door. The sign read: "I'm the boss." The next day he came to work he noticed that someone had put a post-it on his sign that said, "Your wife called. She wants her sign back." We can't all be the boss. And what good are leaders without followers? In actuality, we need to be both. Sometimes we lead, sometimes we follow. We lead by example, but we still follow role models. We lead by sharing our expertise, but we remain open to the wisdom of others. There are numerous courses and lessons on leadership. Yet the best leaders are also excellent followers. They know how to listen, they respect and follow great ideas from those around them, and they are humble enough to seek help when it's needed. You may be the boss, but do you know how to follow? This world could use a few good followers. -<>- _.-/`) // / / ) .=// / / / ) //`/ / / / / // / ` / || / \\ / )) .' jgs // / / >Billy Graham and Oprah Last year I watched Billy Graham being interviewed by Oprah Winfrey on television. Oprah told him that in her childhood home, she used to watch him preach on a little black and white TV while sitting on a linoleum floor. She went on to the tell viewers that in his lifetime Billy has preached to twenty-million people around the world, not to mention the countless numbers who have heard him whenever his crusades are broadcast. When she asked if he got nervous before facing a crowd, Billy replied humbly, "No, I don't get nervous before crowds, but I did today before I was going to meet with you." Oprah's show is broadcast to twenty-million people every day.? She is comfortable with famous stars and celebrities but seemed in awe of Dr. Billy Graham. When the interview ended, she told the audience, "You don't often see this on my show, but we're going to pray." Then she asked Billy to close in prayer. The camera panned the studio audience as they bowed their heads and closed their eyes just like in one of his crusades. Oprah sang the first line from the song that is his hallmark "Just as I am, without a plea," misreading the line and singing off key, but her voice was full of emotion and almost cracked. When Billy stood up after the show, instead of hugging?her guest, Oprah's usual custom, she went over and just nestled against him. Billy wrapped his arm around her and pulled her under his shoulder. She stood in his fatherly embrace with a look of sheer contentment. I once read the book "Nestle, Don't Wrestle" by Corrie Ten Boom. The power of nestling was evident on the TV screen that day. Billy Graham was not the least bit condemning, distant, nor hesitant to embrace a public personality who may not fit the evangelistic mold. His grace and courage are sometimes stunning. In an interview with Hugh Downs, on the 20/20 program, the subject turned to homosexuality. Hugh looked directly at Billy and said, "If you had a homosexual child, would you love him?" Billy didn't miss a beat. He replied with sincerity and gentleness, "Why, I would love that one even more." The title of Billy's autobiography, "Just As I Am," says it all. His life goes before him speaking as eloquently as that charming southern?drawl for which he is known. If, when I am eighty years old, my autobiography were to be titled "Just As I Am," I wonder how I would live now? Do I have the courage to be me? I'll never be a Billy Graham, the elegant man who draws people to the Lord through a simple one-point message, but I hope to be a person who is real and compassionate and who might draw people to nestle within God's embrace. Do you make it a point to speak to a visitor or person who shows up alone at church, buy a hamburger for a homeless man, call your mother on Sunday afternoons, pick daisies with a little girl, or take a fatherless boy to a baseball game? Did anyone ever tell you how beautiful you look when you're looking for what's beautiful in someone else? Billy complimented Oprah when asked what he was most thankful for; he said, "Salvation given to us in Jesus Christ" then added, "and the way you have made people all over this country aware of the power of being grateful." When asked his secret of love, being married fifty-four years to the same person, he said, "Ruth and I are happily incompatible." How unexpected. We would all live more comfortably with everybody around us if we would find the strength in being grateful and happily incompatible. Let's take the things that set us apart, that make us different, that cause us to disagree, and make them an occasion to compliment each other and be thankful for each other. Let us be big enough to be smaller than our neighbor, spouse, friends, and strangers. Every day, may we Nestle, not Wrestle! Please pass this one on . Peace and Blessings in Jesus' name... -- Author unknown --- ...Of course, if you endeavor to renew your mind as the bible teaches, you won't expect any one to take you as Billy Graham says of himself - 'Just As I Am' - without being the great Godly person Billy Graham worked on being and so became. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Who Is Jesus Christ? http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/whoisjesus.html Choose His Children http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/choosehischildren.html The Sacred Secret http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/secret.html Bible: Which Parts are Written To You? http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/whichparts.html Fawn Rescue http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/fawnrescue.html Lets Dance! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dance.html Help - God's Emergency Numbers: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/help.html Hidden Falls http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/hidden.html Hummingbirds: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/humming.html Beautiful Bridges 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bflowers.html God's Paintings 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gpaints2.html Niagara Falls Frozen http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/niagarafalls.html Albino Bears http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/albinobear.html The Moses Bridge! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mosesbridge.html Awww Animals 7! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animals7.html -<>- .-"""""""-. .' __ \_ / / \/ \ | \_0/\_0/______ |:. .' oo`\ |:. / \ |' ; | | |:.. . \_______ | |::.|' , \,_____\ / |:::.; ' | . '| )_/ |::; | | ; ; | | /::::.|-| |_|-|, \ /'-=-'` '-' '--'\ jgs/ \ Live Cam View of Eagle Nest http://berry.edu/eaglecam/ Decorah Eagles 2-18-2015 6:07 First Egg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwdiOB6c4F8 Published on Feb 18, 2015 Mom has been lying in the nest cup for several minutes. 0:14 She rises to a half-standing position. 2:28 She begins to shift from foot to foot and squats lower toward the nest cup. She shifts foot to foot a few more times. 4:35 The first obvious push, accompanied by a tiny chirp. This continues for the next 4 minutes. 8:24 Final push, the egg is out, and she swipes her beak across her scapulars -- a typical, perhaps reflexive motion that many eagles display just after laying an egg. 8:51 She looks underneath, then takes a long rest, still squatting over the nest cup and the new egg. 10:46 She begins to shift around, while the camera's infrared light comes on. 11:19 She gently rolls the egg, and we get our first glimpse. She nuzzles in the nest material to make a soft bed for the egg. She continues to rotate around the nest cup. 12:21 Another roll of the egg. 12:52 A good view of the egg as she continues to rotate and nuzzle the nest materials. 13:34 She settles over the egg finally, lowers herself and shimmies her brood patch over the egg. -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseA :) She sent us one we have here... Houses For Hermits http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/house.html --- ...An amazing funny one! Thanks LouiseA! Do you remember Jumpy, the most educated dog in the world? Well he and his owner are back, showing off just how smart and well trained Jumpy is. The video shows jumpy doing the hardest thing in the world for a dog: being patient and waiting to play with his favorite toy. You can tell that this dog loves nothing more than perform these amazing tricks with his owner, and he looks so cute and happy when he does them! https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=tVB0hLsZEj4 Alex & Jumpy - The Parkour Dog. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=39oGCTAJ9Vw An amazing look at how a man obtains honey for his family in the jungle. After watching Tete climb up a 40 meter tree with a vine in place of a rope, then balance on a precarious branch while being stung by an angry swarm of bees I don't think I'll ever quite look at a bottle of honey the same way. If this doesn't make you appreciate a grocery store nothing will. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3W_iMve4xvg The Berlin zoo opened in 1844, and the first animals were donations from the King of Prussia. During WWII, the zoo was completely destroyed, and most of the animals were tragically killed. After the war, the zoo was rebuilt in a way that makes the animal habitats as similar as possible to their natural habitats. This fantastic video lets you visit the Berlin Zoo in such detail as to seem lifelike! https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xMBdymTDxMM --- ...Good ones! Thanks LouiseA! -<>- >From Our Friend Melody :) Baby Alpaca Cuddling Up With Two Cats Is PRECIOUS! http://tinyurl.com/qjegyaw --- ...so adorable! Thanks Melody! More cute animal ones here... http://blog.theanimalrescuesite.com/ -<>- >From Our Friend Geniann :) I am going to try my hand at a new Mask Dance. It may take awhile to get the hang of it. Mask Dance - Zaouli de Manfla https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZ572yLH9sc#t=31 --- ...Wow! This dude rules! Thanks Geniann! -<>- >From Our Friend Wesley :) ambulance charges http://tinyurl.com/pm7p9za 3d Street Paintings http://goo.gl/Y51mz DNA Puzzles http://tinyurl.com/7w5zauu why we have leap days | bad astronomy | discover magazine http://goo.gl/KhYpV Personal Finance http://goo.gl/5wtme --- ...Great Info! Thanks Wesley! 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 ========================================================== >-->On the lite side From Our Friend Bunni :) _.-=""=-._ .'\\-++++-//'. jgs ( || || ) '.// \\.' `'-=..=-'` >THE FIRST CHURCH OF FOOTBALL In a never-ending effort to attract the unchurched, some churches have considered translating their unfamiliar terminology into familiar football phrases: ASSISTANT COACH: Every mother who has a kid in the children's Christmas program. BLITZ: The strategic play that takes place two seconds after every benediction. BLOCKING: Talking endlessly to the pastor at the church door and keeping everyone else from exiting. COACH: The children's Christmas program director. COMMERCIAL: Announcements. DRAFT CHOICE: The decision to sit close to an air conditioning vent. DRAW PLAY: What many children (and not a few adults) do with their bulletins during the service. END ZONE: The pews. EXTRA POINT: What you receive when you tell the preacher his sermon was too short. FIRST QUARTER: What most people put into the Sunday school offering so it looks like they are giving. FOURTH QUARTER: The amount that makes up the $1 most people put into the Sunday school offering when under peer pressure to give more. HAIL MARY: Desperate move made by ushers in a last-ditch attempt to get people to put something in the plate. HALFTIME: Usually during the offertory when at least 14 people decide they need to use the restroom. HOLDING: Passing on the offering place without putting in a cent. ILLEGAL CONTACT: What gets some church leaders into trouble and out of the ministry. ILLEGAL MOTION: Leaving before the benediction. INTERFERENCE: Talking during the organ prelude. OFFSIDES: When an orchestra member accidentally walks into the choir room (severe penalty incurred). PASS: When the new couple says no. PASS INTERFERENCE: 1. Single male usher spots single woman in audience. 2. A parent moving between two teens in the pew to halt the flow of notes back and forth during the sermon. QUARTERBACK SNEAK: 1. How the pastor gets from the pulpit to the rear door during the benediction. 2. Sunday school teachers entering the building five minutes after classes began. RAIN DELAY: Baptism RED DOG: Common strategy performed each Sunday by those who "own" their own pew. SUDDEN DEATH: The penalty to the pastor who preaches more than 25 minutes. TACKLE: 1. What happens to the only eligible bachelor at the 35-and-over singles enrichment retreat. 2. Asking that "new couple" to sing in the choir, work in the nursery, serve on a committee, join a Bible study, and teach the middle schoolers before they get away. TIME-OUT: Refreshment time in the Fellowship Hall. TWO-MINUTE WARNING: The pastor's wife looking at her watch in full view of the pastor. UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT: Usually takes place at a committee meeting to decide on the color of carpet or some other thing. --- ...LOL! Thanks Bunni! ========================================================= >-->From Our Friend Jacinto :) * * *%%* ,,,,, *%%* *%%%%%* W*W*W*W *%%%%%* *%%%%%%%* {//"\\}*%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%*{{/6.6\}}*%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%%%*{{( = )}}*%%%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%%%%*}}}}) ({{{{*%%%%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%%%* {{{{ }}}} *%%%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%* We are each of us *%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%* angels with only one wing*%%%%%* jgs *%%* And we can only fly *%%* * embracing each other. * -Luciano Decrescenzo >Good Thoughts: RELATIONSHIPS & MEDICINES play the same role in our life. Both care for us in pain but the only difference is that RELATIONSHIP doesn't have an expiry date. In life : 'Don't trust the people who change their feelings with time, Instead trust the people whose feelings remains same when your times change. Every problem is like a big door. Surely there is a solution like a small key, which can open it easily. Find the right key. Life is simple. Live it. It's not that you stop smiling as you grow old, The real thing is that you grow old because you stop smiling. Donate a Smile Today ... And Live Longer !!! The true secret about giving advice is that after you have honestly given it, You have to be perfectly indifferent whether it is taken or not. An injury on a tongue heals the quickest, but An injury caused by a tongue takes the longest time to heal. A life with affection will have some thorns too, but A life without affection will have no roses. Success is not defined by obtaining everything you want, but by enjoying and appreciating everything you have. Learn to enjoy what you have!!!! Most of the people refuse to understand, the secret code of success which is very simple: JUST TRY ONE MORE TIME IN A DIFFERENT WAY... --- ...Good Ones! Thanks Jass! Brings to mind these... Never Give Up! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/nevergiveup.html Value What You Have! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/valuewyh.html ======================================================= __ .-'||'-. .' || '. / __||__ \ | /`- -`\ | | | 6 6 | | \/\____7___/\/ .--------:\:I:II:I:/;--------. / \`:I::I:`/ \ | `------' | | \____/ | | , __ ___ , | |======| / | / _ \ |======| |======| ^| | | | | | |======| |~~~~~| | | | |_| | |~~~~~| | |\ [___] \___/ /| | \ \| |/ / `\ \ _ _.-=""=-._ _ / /' `\ '`_)\\-++++-//(_`' /' jgs ; (__|| ||__) ; ; ___\ /___ ; '. ---/-=..=-\--- .' `""` `""` >The Team Builder Story Editor: by Chris Kennedy Joyce Schowalter California, USA In the fall of 2010, I coached a fourth grade boys' football team in California. The boys were excited to play, including a boy whose family had just moved to America. Understandably, he had limited knowledge about American football... and by "limited," I mean "none whatsoever." "Bill" was challenging. He showed up late without cleats, mouth guard, or practice uniform. Playing a new sport, in a new country, in a second language, with strangers for a coach and teammates was hard enough. He also had to fit into an ultra-competitive group of boys, who weren't shy about pointing out mistakes. "Come on, you can't line up off sides, Bill!" Bill increased the workload I was already struggling to carry. I spoke slowly, instructed him individually on virtually every play...and still he often did things incorrectly. I limited his playing time in games because everything moves more quickly. Despite his lack of understanding, Bill always asked to go in. Bill's father wrote, concerned Bill wasn't learning enough because of limited playing time. I explained Bill had learning time at practice -- daily. Managing his game time was for his own sake and survival. With greater achievements he'd get more playing time...an expectation of every team member. His father understood... and Bill was beginning to. Even if he was blocking illegally, Bill seemed to find the joy football brings to a kid. In our final game I increased Bill's playing time. On one drive, he was penalized four times for jumping off sides. But he was trying hard. Towards the game's end, I put Bill at running back to give him the first carry of his career. "Dive Right." The quarterback's eyes brightened. A few teammates on the sideline overheard, and cheered. A parent walked over, "I don't know what you just called but it must be something special." The quarterback sprinted into the huddle with the play. Bill and a few teammates reared their heads back and looked at me with disbelief. Wide smiles nearly made their mouth guards drop. The boys rushed to the line. Bill lined up correctly. He received the ball -- no fumble -- and ran through a large hole created by his teammates blocking with all their might. Bill ran as fast as his excited body could for a five-yard gain. A large cheer erupted! His teammates ran to congratulate and guide Bill back to the huddle. The quarterback sprinted over, "That play worked coach! Can we do it again?" Then the game clock expired. We'd won by a touchdown. Many parents said the boys' reaction to Bill running the ball was the season's best moment. One said, "They looked like a team." A team. At every practice, every game, every teachable moment, I endeavored to impart the importance of teamwork. To be unselfish, sacrifice, and strive for something impossible to attain individually. Working together can defeat any barrier. Bill needed our help to become a football player. We needed his to become a team. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Our Friend Geniann :) ___ /___\ |/. .\| ( > ) \ < / _)_(_ .' '. /.-.___.-.\ [_________] | | | , | | -|- | | | | | | | | | | .---------. __,-'---------'-,__ __jgs___|___________________|_________ >"Just Checking In Today" A Minister passing through his church In the middle of the day, Decided to pause by the altar To see who came to pray. Just then the back door opened, And a man came down the aisle, The minister frowned as he saw the man Hadn't shaved in a while. His shirt was torn and shabby, And his coat was worn and frayed, The man knelt down and bowed his head, Then rose and walked away. In the days that followed at precisely noon, The preacher saw this chap, Each time he knelt just for a moment, A lunch pail in his lap. Well, the minister's suspicions grew, With robbery a main fear, He decided to stop and ask the man, 'What are you doing here?' The old man said he was a factory worker And lunch was half an hour Lunchtime was his prayer time, For finding strength and power. I stay only a moment Because the factory's far away; As I kneel here talking to the Lord, This is kinda what I say: 'I Just Came By To Tell You, Lord, How Happy I Have Been, Since We Found Each Other’s Friendship And You Took Away My Sin. Don't Know Much Of How To Pray, But I Think About You Every day. So, Lord, This Is Ben, Just Checking In Today.' The minister feeling foolish, Told Ben that it was fine. He told the man that he was welcome To pray there anytime. 'It's time to go, and thanks,' Ben said As he hurried to the door. Then the minister knelt there at the altar, Which he'd never done before. His cold heart melted, warmed with love, As he met with The Lord there. As the tears flowed down his cheeks, He repeated old Ben's prayer: 'I Just Came By To Tell You, Lord, How Happy I've Been, Since We Found Each Other’s Friendship And You Took Away My Sin. I Don't Know Much Of How To Pray, But I Think About You Every day. So, Lord, This Is Me, Just Checking In Today.' Past noon one day, the minister noticed That old Ben hadn't come. As more days passed and still no Ben, He began to worry some. At the factory, he asked about him, Learning he was ill. The hospital staff was worried, But he'd given them a thrill. The week that Ben was with them, Brought changes in the ward. His smiles and joy contagious. Changed people were his reward. The head nurse couldn't understand Why Ben could be so glad, When no flowers, calls or cards came, Not a visitor he had. The minister stayed by his bed, He voiced the nurse's concern: No friends had come to show they cared. He had nowhere to turn. Looking surprised, old Ben spoke up And with a winsome smile; 'The nurse is wrong, she couldn't know, He's been here all the while.' Every day at noon He comes here, A dear friend of mine, you see, He sits right down and takes my hand, Leans over and says to me: 'I Just Came By To Tell You, Ben, How Happy I Have Been, Since We Found This Friendship, And I Took Away Your Sin. I Think About You Always And I Love To Hear You Pray, And So Ben, This Is your,Lord Just Checking In Today.' If this blesses you, pass it on. Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart... May God hold you in the palm of His hand And Angels watch over you.. Please pass this on to your friends & loved ones. If you aren't ashamed. The Lord said, 'If you are ashamed of me,' I will be ashamed of you before my Father.' If you are not ashamed, pass this on. So, FRIENDS & FAMILY, this is ME ... "Just Checking In Today" --- ...Such a sweet classic! Thank You Geniann! >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? 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