Death & Taxes ... :) Shangy! >-->Have you heard it? - Did you see it? .'``'. ... :o o `....'` ; `. O :' - Who was it? - `': `. `:. `. : `. `. `..'`... `. `... `. jgs ``... `. `````. Blame it on the ghost of that person. That dead soul is haunting the grounds of this house because they have died a terrible death and can not rest until they have their revenge. Or - wouldn't ya know it? That ghost is just a little dead girl that was murdered and doesn't know she is dead and is haunting the nursery room trying to find her mother. Or, Oh No!, he hates all woman because he was killed by his wife's lover during an intrusion on their affair. Or, isn't it sad? The man hung himself and every night he walks the halls waiting to pass over to the other side. They are all waiting to pass over to the other side. For umpteen million reasons these ghosts are just dead people waiting to pass over to the other side. Some are nice, some are sweet, some are mean and some are nasty. Some are seen. While others are just heard but what they all have in common is that they are dead people who haven't passed on over to the other side. Other side of what? _.-, _ .-' / .._ .-:'/ - - \:::::-. .::: ' e e ' '-::::. ::::'( ^ )_.:::::: ::::.' '. o '.::::'.'/_ . :::.' - .::::'_ _.: .-''---' .'| .::::' ''':::: '. ..-:::' | .::::' :::: '.' :::: \ .::::' :::: :::: .::::' :::: ::::.::::'._ :::: ::::::' / '- .:::: '::::-/__ __.-::::' '-::::::::::::::-' jrei '''::::''' Today we're going to do some ghost-busting and take a walk on the other side looking to see what death is all about... >-->From TruthOrTradition: "If the Church fails to change its wholly untenable biblical position that the “dead” are actually “alive,” it will unwittingly continue to play into the hands of spiritualists, adherents of Eastern mysticism and the proponents of the rapidly growing New Age movement, who deny both the significance of Christ’s resurrection and the unique opportunity for everlasting life through faith in His name. It will also continue to offer people a weak and false hope based on paganism, rather than the comforting and satisfying truth of God’s Word." Consequences of Believing Satan’s Lie The Father Of Lies Among other things, Jesus Christ came to expose Satan’s methods. Chief among these is the Devil’s consistent contradiction of God’s Word. John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do, he was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. In John 10:10a, Jesus clearly revealed Satan’s intentions: “The thief cometh not but for to steal, and to kill and to destroy.” Satan’s ultimate goal is to promote death and destruction, as the Bible makes clear. Hebrews 2:14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil. (NIV) The Devil holds the power of death, and one of his most effective aids in exercising this power is the lie that death is in reality the gate-way to everlasting life and ultimate wisdom. He first told this lie early in Genesis. Perhaps you recall that Satan’s first recorded utterance in Scripture was a challenge to the veracity of God’s Word. Satan said, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’” (Genesis 3:1, NIV). This deceptive misquote of God’s revealed Word led to his second utterance, “Ye shall not surely die” (Genesis 3:4), which was just the opposite of what God had said to Adam. Genesis 2:16 and 17 (16) And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: (17) But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. God said, “Thou shalt surely die.” Satan said, “Ye shall not surely die.” Scripture makes clear who was telling the truth. Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. Death, both spiritual and physical, was the result of man’s believing Satan’s lie. The idea that there is really no such thing as death is still being promoted today, even within the Christian Church. Satan’s purpose has remained the same: to promote the idea that humans do not actually die, but go on living after their death whether they believe God’s Word or not. In this way, he obscures the light of the good news of Christ and His resurrection, one’s only hope of deliverance from death unto everlasting life. False Hope The false doctrine that the dead are alive and already in heaven or hell is so well entrenched in the average Christian’s mind that he has probably never considered its harmful ramifications. Understanding that Satan is the “father” of this lie explains why the consequences of believing it are so serious. The first, and perhaps most serious, consequence of believing this doctrine is that it changes the Christian’s focus from the appearing of the Prince of Life, Jesus Christ, to the coming of one’s own death. >Visit here for the rest of this tremendous teaching: http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=132 Believing the devil All The Rest of The Biblical Death Topics... http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&new_topic=15 Deathtopics ========================================================================= >Departure Tax Deficit Story Editor: Jodi Hendon Thomas Wheeler Texas, USA ,--. \ _\_ _\/_|_\____.'\ -(___.--._____( \ \ \ \ `--' jg Twenty years ago seems like ancient history to my 21-year-old son, of course, but seems such a short time ago for me. In 1986 I made a quick weekend trip from Texas to Cuernavaca, Mexico to attend a friend's wedding. I took only about $50 in cash, since the trip was so short and I was staying at my friend's house. When I got back to the airport, I had about $15 left. My husband would pick me up at the airport in Texas, and I wouldn't need money while flying, so I decided to buy a couple of bottles of Mexican Kahlua to bring home. This left me about $4. At the boarding area the attendant told me I needed to pay a $10 departure tax. I was unaware of this tax, and when I told her I only had $4 she wasn't too sympathetic. I did have my American Express card, so I decided to see if I could get some money that way. I figured, if worse came to worse, maybe I could return the Kahlua and get the cash back. In those days, we had nothing like today's check cards. While in line at the "banco," the woman in front of me in line was a little taller than me, with blonde or light-brown hair, probably in her middle 30's. She was dressed well, and seemed business-like. I asked her if she knew whether I could get some money on my credit card. There was still time to make my flight, but I was starting to panic a little. She asked what the problem was and I told her. She pulled $6 out of her purse and insisted I take it. I started to refuse, but then decided she was the answer to a prayer I hadn't prayed yet. I took her card, discovered her name was Carolyn, and told her I'd return the money when I got home. It turned out she was originally from Australia, worked for an advertising firm in New Zealand, and was traveling to South America. When I got home, I immediately sent Carolyn the money back with a thank-you card and a self-addressed stamped postcard so I'd know when she got the money. About a month later, I got the postcard back. She said she'd forgotten all about it and my card was a nice surprise. I'm sure she thought she'd never see the money again. I've never forgotten the kindness of Carolyn from New Zealand, and whenever I can I try to pay her favor forward to someone else. ======HeroicStories======= >-->From InspiredBuffalo: . . . ' . . : ; : . ; | _.---.._ . | .-"' `;"--, L""--..__ | .'J |:`' - ..`""-.' | |. `":J F J: ,-. .| J J FG)| ;F | L. `-' .J F ' Turn Your Security System On L: :| J/, , .my |'._ :| /^_,- ' \-) `c-.__'- .;F/ =_,;_" F"J - -=_,) `"--3'7'" "-J | . ' .-';,F;L,4_ "-. ` F , ' ;'/ ^-, "-._J .%52_._' ,-' , . .-;_ `3_(( "` .-`; -' ,5-' "-._ `-._ .-" "-; // \, "-._ " itz `G L._ `\ `L J `"-._ \ | L,-"' `\ \ J ' _J; \ L _,-' `\ ,-) \._,-' `r',;=-. (f _,/' "' A horrible thing happened to me today... a thief broke into my house. It happened shortly after I awoke this morning. I got up and began rushing about. I had a thousand things on my list and was already running behind. Quickly, I gulped down breakfast, took a shower and got ready for work. In my rush, I forgot to turn the security system on at my house. It was just about a half an hour later that the thief broke in. Of course, he didn't make a sound. Just kind of snuck inside, not drawing any attention to himself. In fact; none of the neighbors ever saw him, but I did. You see, I WAS HOME when the thief broke in. He naturally startled me, as I was unprepared for his visit. He, of course, didn't announce that he was coming and I certainly had not invited him over. And yet, I found myself face to face with danger and I felt so powerless. I also felt so very stupid, because this whole incident could have been avoided if I had just taken the time to turn the security system on. You better believe I'll be turning it on tomorrow morning! I thought I'd warn you about this guy, because he's still on the loose and chances are, he's in your area. Possibly even headed for your house. His name? His name is Satan. You see, this morning when I jumped up in my haste to get started on my busy day, I skipped my prayer time - opting to "pray later today." In other words, I DIDN'T TURN ON THE SECURITY SYSTEM. My defense wasn't on and my guard was dropped... and when the thief came into my home to attack me, I was unprepared to do battle. He tempted me and I felt powerless. Like I said, I also felt so very stupid, because I could have avoided the incident if I had just taken the time to pray. My friend, the thief has come to "steal, kill and destroy." And, as a Child of God, you are on his "hit list." He'll probably pop over to your house today. He may be lurking outside your door right now, just waiting to catch you off guard. Take time to pray this morning. Ask God to bind Satan from your very presence, to protect you and empower you to do battle. In short........ don't forget to turn your security system on. Have a wonderful day in Christ! ====================================================================== >-->Everything I Have Is Yours Wilbur Chapman often told of the testimony given by a certain man in one of his meetings: "I got off at the Pennsylvania depot as a tramp, and for a year I begged on the streets for a living. One day I touched a man on the shoulder and said, "Hey, mister, can you give me a dime?" As soon as I saw his face I was shocked to see that it was my own father. I said, "Father, Father, do you know me?" Throwing his arms around me and with tears in his eyes, he said, "Oh my son, at last I've found you! I've found you. You want a dime? Everything I have is yours." Think of it. I was a tramp. I stood begging my own father for ten cents, when for 18 years he had been looking for me to give me all that he had." What a wonderful illustration of the way God longs to treat us, if we will only let Him. From: Knight's Master Book of 4000 Illustrations, page 20, By Knight, Walter B., Published by Eerdmans Publishing Company, William B., Copyright (c) April 1956, ISBN: 0802840663, http://isbn.nu/0802840663/price Source: My Daily Dose of Inspiration, http://www.quietstones.com/mydailydose ================================================================= >-->From InspiredBuffalo: A SHORT TIME HERE .:::. .:::. /:::::\ /:':':\ | _ | | _ | | (_` | | |_) | | ,_) | | | | | | jgs | | /`'---'`\ /`'---'`\ `'-----'` `'-----'` By: Joseph J. Mazzella I got a surprise when I looked in the mirror today. It seems that my salt and pepper hair has more salt than pepper in it now. It doesn’t seem to need a comb anymore either. I have lost so much of it that a simple hand pat will do. It appears that a few of my hairs have lost their way too and ended up in my ears. I can’t really blame them, though. All of those wrinkles on my face must be tough for them to navigate through. Still, I wouldn’t give up a single wrinkle or grey hair. I’ve earned them all. They are the evidence of every laugh and smile I’ve ever had. Sometimes, however, I am amazed at how my young soul ended up in this aging body. I surely don’t feel like a forty year old man on the inside. My soul keeps looking at this body in the mirror and wondering what happened. I guess that life here on Earth is just too brief to grasp at times. We were meant for eternity and life here is far too short even if we live 100 years. I can remember once reading the last words of Crowfoot, the great orator of the Blackfoot Nation. He said, "What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the Wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset." Before your shadow loses itself in the sunset of eternity make sure that you live your life here to the fullest. Don’t worry so much about your aging body. It is just the vehicle that for a brief time carries your soul. Focus instead on the things that go on forever. Focus on the love you can give, the joy you can spread, the good you can do, and the oneness with God you can share with others. Fill your days with smiles and laughter and let the wrinkles fall where they may. Fill your days with learning and becoming through both dark hair and grey. Fill your days with love and joy and you will be too busy living them to count them. Remember, God only gives us a short time here. It is up to us to make the most of it. ====================================================================== >-->From SermondFodder: Death ... ;::::; ;::::; :; ;:::::' :; ;:::::; ;. ,:::::' ; OOO\ ::::::; ; OOOOO\ ;:::::; ; OOOOOOOO ,;::::::; ;' / OOOOOOO ;:::::::::`. ,,,;. / / DOOOOOO .';:::::::::::::::::;, / / DOOOO ,::::::;::::::;;;;::::;, / / DOOO ;`::::::`'::::::;;;::::: ,#/ / DOOO :`:::::::`;::::::;;::: ;::# / DOOO ::`:::::::`;:::::::: ;::::# / DOO `:`:::::::`;:::::: ;::::::#/ DOO :::`:::::::`;; ;:::::::::## OO ::::`:::::::`;::::::::;:::# OO `:::::`::::::::::::;'`:;::# O `:::::`::::::::;' / / `:# ::::::`:::::;' / / `# unknown Death haunts humankind. Poets, philosophers, and other writers throughout the ages have sought to explain, understand, and cope with death. Ernest Hemingway, the famous author, was obsessed with the reality of death. His father, an intellectual, had killed himself when Hemingway was a young man. As a result, Hemingway wanted to demonstrate to all humanity that he feared neither life nor death. Ironically, when he was sixty-one years old, he committed suicide in a moment of rage and human weakness. The Bible recognizes the inevitability of physical death. In Hebrews 9:27 we read, "Man is destined to die." In a sense, everyone is terminally ill. Unless Christ returns in our lifetime, our pilgrimage through this world will end in death. Longfellow succinctly observed, "The young may die, and the old must." Physically death is the most stubborn and persistent enemy of humanity. But it is not the most dangerous foe. The Bible distinguishes between physical death (which everyone eventually faces) and spiritual death (which everyone initially experiences). Death basically means separation from something or someone. It implies loneliness. A person begins life separated from God and spiritually dead because of his or her sin. Sartre, the famous French existential philosopher, accurately observed, "Man is alone." Apart from a personal relationship with God and commitment to Him, every human being is spiritually dead and very much alone. The Bible also mentions eternal death or "the second death" (Revelation 20:14). This is eternal, irreversible separation from God. Anyone who refuses to commit one's life to Jesus Christ during his or her lifetime here on earth will experience this eternal death. Physical death clearly is not the end of our existence. The question is where you and I will spend eternity--in heaven or hell? There is no other option. The reality of death and hell should motivate Christians to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the unconverted. Approximately one-quarter million people die each day around the world. Most pass into a Christ-less eternity. History frequently records their agonizing last words when they realize that by rejecting Christ they are left without hope. Francois Voltaire, the noted French philosopher, once stated, "In twenty years, Christianity will be no more. My single hand shall destroy the edifice it took twelve apostles to rear." Yet when he faced death he cried, "I am abandoned by God and man!" Voltaire's doctor expressed astonishment at the emotional torment his patient experienced before passing into eternity. In contrast, the great evangelist John Wesley declared on his deathbed, "The best of all is, God is with me!" He finished his pilgrimage satisfied and content to be in the presence of his Lord. Death need not haunt us as Christians. If we have committed our lives to Jesus Christ, we have a glorious future awaiting us beyond death's door. Luis Palau, habits@palau.org By way of 'Thought & Humor' To subscribe please send a blank e-mail to: the_e_mail_newspaper-subscribe@yahoogroups.com -- This post comes your way through the Gobbbler Group Humor Exchange. ======================================================================= >-->Getting Assessed A tax assessor came one day to a poor pastor to determine the amount of taxes the pastor would have to pay. The following conversation took place; "What property do you possess?" asked the assessor. "I am a very wealthy man," replied the minister. "List your possessions, please," the assessor instructed. "First , I have everlasting life, John 3:16. "Second, I have a mansion in heaven, John 14:2. "Third, I have peace that passeth understanding, Philippians 4:7. "Fourth, I have joy unspeakable, 1 Peter 1:8. "Fifth, I have divine love which never faileth, 1 Corinthians 13:8. "Sixth, I have a faithful precious wife, Proverbs 31:10. "Seventh, I have healthy, happy obedient children, Exodus 20:12. "Eighth, I have true, loyal friend Proverbs 18:24. "Ninth, I have songs in the night, Psalms 42:8. "Tenth, I have a crown of life, James 1:12." The tax assessor closed his book, and said, "Truly you are a very rich man, but your property is not subject to taxation. " ~ Author Unknown ~ ========================================================================== >-->I learned to live "You know I almost died once," he said. "Really? What happened?" I asked. "Nothing!" he said. "Except I learned to live." We create what we want in our lives. I am sure you've heard it all before. "What you think about the most manifests in your life." "You reap what you sow." "If you believe it you can achieve it." Out of all the principles of success and happiness, that one singular concept is the absolute truth. It is the key to all success in life. But it can also be the key to failure and even death. Pete is a friend of mine. One of those people you call "friend" but you really don't know everything about them. Just when you think you have him figured out, he tells you something completely surprising. Something even brilliant. "Did I ever tell you about the time I thought I was going to die?" he asked. "No, I don't think I heard that one," I replied. "In reality I almost caused my death. You see I went through a period in my life when it seemed everything went wrong physically. It seemed to be one thing after another. Some of the things were identifiable. The doctor knew just what to do and he did it. But he had "concerns", as he put it. It was those concerns that nearly killed me," he said. Pete is one of those people who are rarely serious. I mean, it's not that he tells jokes all the time, he's just happy. So hearing and seeing this side really caught my attention. "Bob, I went through a series of tests that started me on a down hill slide. One after another revealed more and more possibilities. It was like when you take your car in because you hear a noise and the mechanic tells you, "It could be any number of things. It could cost you fifty bucks or we may need to drop your engine. Now you're talk big bucks." What is it that always happens? It costs you big bucks." "Boy I can relate to that," I told him. "Well, because of that belief system, the facts were staring me in the face. This was the end of my life," he said. "What do you think happened to me? My whole world came to a halt. I became depressed. The world looked dark and gloomy. The more I thought that way, the more it became a reality. I was in fact creating the world I imagined. I became so physically sick and mentally depressed thinking that I was going to die, that I was in fact dying. My body suffered terribly. So much so that I ended up in the hospital malnourished and depressed." "So what changed you? What did you do to turn things around?" I asked. "A young man. A teen who had been in a car accident. He must of had every bone in his body broken. His face was so badly damaged that they operated on him at least a dozen times. When I was in the hospital I met him. One day he asked me what was wrong with me and I couldn't explain it. I kept saying "they aren't sure." He said, "Well that's stupid. How can you fix something that isn't broken? Now me, I had a lot of fixing 'cause everything was broken. The only thing that wasn't broken was my will to live." Pete stopped for a moment and just looked around. "That's what was broken on me. My will to live. I had chosen to believe that I was dying and so I created it. I made it a reality. It was the one thing that all the doctors in the world couldn't fix. It was the one thing, the ultimate thing, that only I was in control of. It was the answer." "So what happened to this young man?" I asked. "He went on to college, graduated and owns his own company. He teaches safety in the work place to large corporations around the world. And from what I understand he tells his story to high school students as a way of giving something back." "And you my friend? How did you ever pull out of it?" I asked. "I willed it to be so. The very next day I stood in front of the mirror in the bathroom and had a good talk with the guy I knew was inside. We both agreed that life was too precious to waste. I made up this phrase and hung it every where I lived." He reached in his wallet and handed me a note that read: "Today I take control of my life. I will permit nothing to interfere with my full enjoyment of each and every moment that God has granted me. I am deserving of all the joy and happiness that this day has to offer. There is nothing that God and I can't accomplish. I will nourish my body with the best and purest food. I will nourish my mind with nothing but the most positive thoughts. I will feed my soul the Word of God and know that when my time on this earth is over I will have lived purely, fully and faithfully." So what life have you created? Are you living fully or dying slowly? Begin to live again. Take control of your life "The only thing that wasn't broken was my will to live!" he said. "Learn to Live!" "I believe in You!" ~ Bob Perks ~ Bob@BobPerks.com ======================================================================== >-->USA: Baby Revived In Hospital Ken Gaub, pastor in Hazard, Kentucky, visited the hospital regularly to pray for a sick baby. One day, he crept into the hospital room, because the baby seemed to be asleep. He prayed "Lord, revive this baby, to your glory." Then he went home. Shortly afterwards, he received an urgent message asking him to return to the hospital. Surprised, he made his way back. As he entered the baby's room, the father's hugged him, astonishing Gaub: "Preacher, I want you to know that I have completely changed my mind about religious things. Now I believe!" The father wept, unable to speak further, so Gaub, confused, asked "What's happened?" The baby's mother broke the silence: "Didn't you know that our baby died 2 hours before you came to the hospital?" Source: Ken Gaub, "God's Got Your Number", New Leaf Press, Arizona, page 83. ========================================================================= >-->Heart And Soul... The mystical truth, of the bride and the groom, the spirit of love, they share the same room. The truth reaches out and touches the mind, a divine force is created, forever they bind. This bond now established, in union forms one, the journey back home, has only begun. The illusions of life, are false idols at best, distortion of truth, they try to infest. The heart and the soul, at times they remind, that false treasures men seek, is best left behind. True gifts of the spirit, forever will shine, binds heart and soul, beyond the portals of time. The home here on earth, like our mansion above, all things created, contains the essence of love. The purpose of being, is meant to enfold, the worth of true love, outlasts the gold. All that I am now, is not all I can be, that which is meant, will set my thoughts free. I know in my heart and I long for the day, true heart and true soul, forever will stay. (C)1994 by Harold A. Sutton =============================================================== >-->Quotes & Thoughts: "Our defense is in the preservation of the spirit which prizes liberty as a heritage of all men, in all lands, everywhere. Destroy this spirit and you have planted the seeds of despotism around your own doors." --Abraham Lincoln "Show me a man who cannot bother to do little things, and I'll show you a man who cannot be trusted to do big things." -- Bill Cosby Goals: There's no telling what you can do when you get inspired by them. There's no telling what you can do when you believe in them. And there's no telling what will happen when you act upon them. >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Wow Baby :)Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->Bigham's Computer Rescue - PC Sales & Seervice 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 and DAARE 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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