Did Jesus Use... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! AND For Facebook Users: Please Friend Me / Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND Please Share This email with All Your Friends And Family! ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! :) -<>- * NOTE: An easy way to adjust the size of print in email or any page is to hold down the Ctrl tab while moving the scroll button on the mouse. You can also use the keyboard to change the font size in your web browser or emails. Hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the + key for larger text or the - key for smaller text! ================ >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This too hot to handle new page is from our friend Karen. It has been 5 years since I first promoted this artist and his work. He has proved to be most dedicated and devoted to serving and blessing others with his inspiring talent. I am most pleased to have this opportunity to share his work with you again. Be sure to see his latest work here... \\ ///// | | (| _ _ |) |` | '| | __ | >>>___/\_^__/\___<<< / ||| \ Mike Hertz Ray's Freedom Rock 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/freedomrock2.html --- ...Such an awesome artist! Thank You Karen! -<>- >-->From Our Friends At TruthOrTradition.com , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' God bless you! Our newest issue of the Sower Magazine online is now available! http://tinyurl.com/o32ysco =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: .---. ___ /_____\ /\.-`( '.' ) / / \_-_/_ \ `-.-"`'V'//-. `.__, |// , \ |Ll //Ll|\ \ |__// | \_\ /---|[]==| / / \__/ | \/\/ /_ | Ll_\| |`^"""^`| | | | | | | | | | | | | L___l___J jgs |_ | _| (___|___) ^^^ ^^^ >A HOME THAT SOLDIERS BUILT by Shelley Madden The colors of the American flag ripple above as the winds toss and snap it, demanding my attention. I gaze at it in awe as it waves proudly against the cobalt sky. Mesmerizing colors melt and swirl together until they are one. They quickly reform with the next breeze. My mind journeys back in time as I watch it. Red might be the blood lost in battle so we could have our freedom. Blue could be the blue-eyed soldier standing on the battlefield ready to give his life for ours. White may be the color of angels who ultimately guide our nation's heroes to the next and final frontier. A frontier where there are no battles. Highways and bi-ways moan and groan under the weight of thousands of motorists as they journey home in a never ending rhythm of gleaming steel and metal. Malls full of shoppers haggling over goods and rushing to sales. The farmer plowing a field in endless rows, praying for rain. The roar of the buses and trains and planes. Tiny windows glittering amber light within the towering skyscrapers overlooking it all. Our land. Our freedom. Our country. Home after home I passed, as I commuted to my destination. Maybe someone in that endless row lost a father or brother or son or even a daughter. A life given so I could have mine. A century of lives given so we could have futures. Thousands of soldiers who now lie forgotten in cemeteries washed away by time. Granite markers long gone, their names crumbled away by the winds and the sun and the rains. The once dotted hillside no longer carries the scars of their fight for ours. It has become smooth again, only rolling fields of meadow grass dotted with the occasional wildflower, rippling in the silent winds. The same winds that whip the flag above me. I gaze at the flag as people hustle by. They rush back and forth, reminding me of a million ants in an ant farm. One day a year set aside to remember them. One day. A day off work which has become a day for many to lie in the sun at the beach, or indulge in an enormous meal of BBQ and beers with family and friends, laughing the day away. Day after day they fought for us, year after year. Battle after battle was won, so we'd have a home to come home to, and food on the table. So we could have malls and trains and buses and planes. So we could indulge in the frivolities of existence. I shed a tear to the beat of drums in the distance, as the majestic flag is lowered. It is carefully folded by two misty-eyed soldiers while dozens of watery eyes watch in hushed melancholy. They slowly march to the grieving widow, and solemnly present it to her in unison. Her dark glasses hide her misery. Another life forever changed. Another life given so we could have ours. The sun is setting on my meager home when I return. Golden hues gently light the familiar weathered wood and sagging sills. But today, somehow, it looks different. It looks better. It is a home that the soldiers built. Maybe not by hand, but definitely by spirit. A home within a city, within a state, within a great country. A country the eagle proudly soars over -- an icon of the sacrifices made for our land, for our homes, for our freedom, for our very existence. I will make it a pact to remember the soldiers, and thank them for what they have given us, every day. -- Shelley Madden __________________________________________________ Shelley is an author who resides in Wise County, Texas with her son, Dustin, along with her ponies, poultry, dogs and cats. She enjoys writing, fishing, shooting her pink guns, and falling off her horse, Diamond. She writes a weekly column for an Entertainment magazine, and is a frequent contributor to Heartwarmers and Petwarmers. Her short stories have also been published in newsprint and on numerous websites and e-zines across the nation. She aspires one day to learn how to change the light bulb in her gun cabinet. ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseA :) .-~*~--,. .-. .-~-. ./OOOOOOOOO\.'OOO`9~~-. .`OOOOOO.OOM.OLSONOOOOO@@OOOOOO\ /OOOO@@@OO@@@OO@@@OOO@@@@@@@@OOOO`. |OO@@@WWWW@@@@OOWWW@WWWW@@@@@@@OOOO). .-'OO@@@@WW@@@W@WWWWWWWWOOWW@@@@@OOOOOO} /OOO@@O@@@@W@@@@@OOWWWWWOOWOO@@@OOO@@@OO| lOOO@@@OO@@@WWWWWWW\OWWWO\WWWOOOOOO@@@O.' \OOO@@@OOO@@@@@@OOW\ \WWWW@@@@@@@O'. `,OO@@@OOOOOOOOOOWW\ \WWWW@@@@@@OOO) \,O@@@@@OOOOOOWWWWW\ \WW@@@@@OOOO.' `~c~8~@@@@WWW@@W\ \WOO|\UO-~' (OWWWWWW@/\W\ ___\WO) `~-~'' \ \WW=*' __\ \ \ \ \ __\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \\ \\ \ \ >The God of Truth (By Alan Smith) There once were four preachers who had a series of theological arguments, and three were always in agreement against the fourth. One day, the odd preacher out, after the usual "3 to 1, majority rules" statement that signified that he had lost again, decided to appeal to a higher authority. "Oh, God!" he cried. "I know in my heart that I am right and they are wrong! Please give me a sign to prove it to them!" It was a beautiful, sunny day. As soon as the preacher finished his prayer, a storm cloud moved across the sky above the four. It rumbled once and dissolved. "A sign from God! See, I'm right, I knew it!" But the other three disagreed, pointing out that storm clouds form on hot days. So the preacher prayed again: "Oh, God, I need a bigger sign to show that I am right and they are wrong. So please, God, a bigger sign!" This time four storm clouds appeared, rushed toward each other to form one big cloud, and a bolt of lightning slammed into a tree on a nearby hill. "I told you I was right!" cried the preacher, but his friends insisted that nothing had happened that could not be explained by natural causes. The preacher was getting ready to ask for a *very big* sign, but just as he said, "Oh God...," the sky turned pitch black, the earth shook, and a deep, booming voice said, "HEEEEEEEE'S RIIIIIIIGHT!" The preacher put his hands on his hips, turned to the other three, and said, "Well?" "So," shrugged one of the other preachers, "now it's 3 to 2." It's a serious problem. The problem of putting God's words on an equal level with man's words. But spiritual truth is not determined by taking a vote. In fact, even if 1,000 people agree with us, it makes no difference unless we agree with God. As Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane, "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." (John 17:17) That's why Paul was so determined that the Thessalonians know the source of his teaching. "For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe." (I Thess. 2:13) Father, in the confusion of so many voices telling us what is right and what is wrong, may we look to Your Word for truth. Thank You for being a God of truth, one in whom we can place our utmost confidence. In Jesus Christ's name, Amen. --- ...Absolutely! Thanks LouiseA! ===================================================== >-->From Our Friend Linda :) _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ >Prayers for you We need to be especially mindful of praying at these trying times. QUIET TIME There is nothing better than older people praying for you. We're not getting older, just getting closer to home The instructions are to pick four people You want God to bless. I pick you. Please pass this to at least four people you want to pray for. This prayer is powerful, and prayer is one of the best gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of rewards. Let's always pray for one another. The prayer: Father, thank you for each and every day you have blessed us here on earth. Thank you for your tender mercies. Thank you for giving us friends and family to share joys and sorrows with. I ask You to bless my friends, relatives, brothers and sisters in Christ and those I care deeply for, who are reading this right now. Where there is joy, give them continued joy. Where there is pain or sorrow, give them your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence. Where there is need, fulfill their needs. Bless their homes, families, finances, their goings and their comings. In Jesus Christ's name, Amen. If you choose to send this to more than four people, you are truly blessed to have such friends. --- ...Aww, a sweet one! Thank You Linda! ============================================================ >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: _________________________________________________________ ||-------------------------------------------------------|| ||.--. .-._ .----. || |||==|____| |H|___ .---.___|""""|_____.--.___ || ||| |====| | |xxx|_ |+++|=-=|_ _|-=+=-|==|---||| |||==| | | | | \ | | |_\/_|Black| | ^ ||| ||| | | | | |\ \ .--. | |=-=|_/\_|-=+=-| | ^ ||| ||| | | | | |_\ \_( oo )| | | |Magus| | ^ ||| |||==|====| |H|xxx| \ \ |''| |+++|=-=|""""|-=+=-|==|---||| ||`--^----'-^-^---' `-' "" '---^---^----^-----^--^---^|| ||-------------------------------------------------------|| ||-------------------------------------------------------|| || ___ .-.__.-----. .---.|| || |===| .---. __ .---| |XX|<(*)>|_|^^^||| || , /(| |_|III|__|''|__|:x:|=| | |=| Q ||| || _a'{ / (|===|+| |++| |==| | | |Illum| | R ||| || '/\\/ _(|===|-| | |''| |:x:|=| |inati| | Y ||| ||_____ -\{___(| |-| | | | | | | | | | Z ||| || _(____)|===|+|[I]|DK|''|==|:x:|=|XX|<(*)>|=|^^^||| || `---^-^---^--^--'--^---^-^--^-----^-^---^|| ||-------------------------------------------------------|| ||_______________________________________________________|| Qryz >Change Begins With Choice Any day we wish we can discipline ourselves to change it all. Any day we wish; we can open the book that will open our mind to new knowledge. Any day we wish; we can start a new activity. Any day we wish; we can start the process of life change. We can do it immediately, or next week, or next month, or next year. We can also do nothing. We can pretend rather than perform. And if the idea of having to change ourselves makes us uncomfortable, we can remain as we are. We can choose rest over labor, entertainment over education, delusion over truth, and doubt over confidence. The choices are ours to make. But while we curse the effect, we continue to nourish the cause. As Shakespeare uniquely observed, "The fault is not in the stars, but in ourselves." We created our circumstances by our past choices. We have both the ability and the responsibility to make better choices beginning today. Those who are in search of the good life do not need more answers or more time to think things over to reach better conclusions. They need the truth. They need the whole truth. And they need nothing but the truth. We cannot allow our errors in judgment, repeated every day, to lead us down the wrong path. We must keep coming back to those basics that make the biggest difference in how our life works out. And then we must make the very choices that will bring life, happiness and joy into our daily lives. And if I may be so bold to offer my last piece of advice for someone seeking and needing to make changes in their life - If you don't like how things are, change it! You're not a tree. You have the ability to totally transform every area in your life - and it all begins with your very own power of choice. To Your Success, Jim Rohn -<>- ,-`"-=') =/////// ,== _,_(((((-`6\ ==.| /,,...\\\C _| .--. ((((\\\\\` _, /;_| )9 )))))./ `. / } _\,_ ,-'))) \ / /=-. ,-./ \/ '))) . /\_/ / \ (,-.%\ / /-' ') \/\ / ( \ (/ \ ' /( ' `-/ \( \ ,- / ( `-' \ . / / \ \ &_) /\ \ | ( /--.- \ \----,------=;% | _/ _); `. ` `-. .`\ ) +++/ \ ,," %&-. ; \\| `-` `-=.;_,.__.__\_,/ )_/___+_/_________\,"(_//_(__)______:-._) gpyy >~~~~ Be a Friend ~~~~ BE a friend. You don't need money; Just a disposition sunny; Just the wish to help another Get along some way or other; Just a kindly hand extended Out to one who's unbefriended; Just the will to give or lend, This will make you someone's friend. Be a friend. You don't need glory. Friendship is a simple story. Pass by trifling errors blindly, Gaze on honest effort kindly, Cheer the youth who's bravely trying, Pity him who's sadly sighing; Just a little labor spend On the duties of a friend. Be a friend. The pay is bigger (Though not written by a figure) Than is earned by people clever In what's merely self-endeavor. You'll have friends instead of neighbors For the profits of your labors; You'll be richer in the end Than a prince, if you're a friend. ~ Edgar Guest -<>- \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \| |\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \| |\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ / / / / / / / / / | | / / / / / / __ / / / / / / / / | | / / / / / / / / / \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \| |\ \ \ \ \ /..\ ` ` \ \ \ \ \ \| |\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ ------------------' `---------- ( ) \|/ -----------' `------------------ ,------------------------- _\___> <__//` ------------------------------. |/ / / / / / / / / / / / / >,---. ,-' / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /| | \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ | . \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ | |/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / `. `. \ ., / / / / / / / / / / / / / /| | \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ | `. | \||_ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ | |/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / `. : |__|| / / / / / / / / / / / / /| | \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ __> `.,---' \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ | |/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / |.--'\`.\ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /| `------------------------------ _\\ \`.| -----------------------------' ------------------. ,------------ /|\ - |:| ----------. ,------------------ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \| |\ \ \ \ \ \ ' ` |:| \ \ \ \ \| |\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ / / / / / / / / / | | / / / / / / / / / |:| / / / / / | | / / / / / / / / / \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \| |\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ |:/ \ \ \ \ \| |\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ / / / / / / / / / | | / / --.________,-_/ / / / / / | | / / / / / / / / / \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \| |\ \ \ \ \ ```-----' \ \ \ \ \ \ \| |\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ / / / / / / / / / | | / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / | | / / / / / / / hjm >This is a true story that happened in Japan. In order to renovate the house, someone in Japan tore open the wall. Japanese houses normally have a hollow space between the wooden walls. When tearing down the walls, he found that there was a lizard stuck there because a nail from outside was hammered into one of its feet. He saw this, felt pity, and at the same time he was curious. When he checked the nail, turns out, it was nailed 10 years ago when the house was first built. What happened? The lizard had survived in such a position for 10 years! In a dark wall partition for 10 years without moving, it is impossible and mind boggling. Then he wondered how this lizard survived for 10 years without moving a single step--since its foot was nailed! So he stopped his work and observed the lizard, what it had been doing, and what and how it has been eating. Later, not knowing from where it came, appeared another lizard, with food in its mouth. Ahh! He was stunned and at the same time, touched deeply. Another lizard had been feeding the stuck one for the past 10 years... Such love, such a beautiful love! Such love happened with this tiny creature... What can love do? It can do wonders! Love can do miracles! Just think about it; one lizard had been feeding the other one untiringly for 10 long years, without giving up hope on its partner. If a small creature like a lizard can love like this... just imagine how we can love if we try. -<>- , |\ __ | | |--| __ |/ | | |~' /|_ () () | //| \ |\ () | \|_ | | \ jgs \_|_/ () | | | @' () >I found this kind of interesting. The words to "Taps" Here is something EVERY AMERICAN should know. TAPS We in the United States have all heard the haunting song, "Taps." It's the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes. But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be interested to find out about its humble beginnings. Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment. When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead. The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army. The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted. The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician. The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform. This wish was granted. The haunting melody, we now know as "Taps" ... used at military funerals was born. The words are ... Day is done ... Gone the sun ... From the lakes ..... From the hills ... From the sky ... All is well ... Safely rest ... God is nigh ... Fading light ... Dims the sight ... And a star ... Gems the sky... Gleaming bright ... From afar ... Drawing nigh ... Falls the night ... Thanks and praise ... For our days .... Neath the sun .... Neath the stars ... Neath the sky ... As we go ... This we know ... God is nigh... I, too, have felt the chills while listening to "Taps" but I have never seen all the words to the song until now. I didn't even know there was more than one verse. I also never knew the story behind the song and I didn't know if you had either so I thought I'd pass it along. I now have an even deeper respect for the song than I did before. REMEMBER THOSE LOST AND HARMED WHILE SERVING THEIR COUNTRY , and also those presently serving in the Armed Forces. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Which Parts Of The Bible Are Written To You? In regard to the quality of day-by-day life for a Christian, the subject of the administrations in Scripture is, in my opinion, perhaps more important than any other general biblical topic. Why? Because the understanding or misunderstanding of it affects many vital subjects critical to emotional health, starting with whether or not salvation is permanent. "What does the Bible say?" That is always the "bottom line," but the answer must be understood in light of to whom the Bible is speaking. Read the rest or listen/view the Video Here: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/whichparts.html The Sacred Secret In the books, articles, videos, and audio teachings of Spirit & Truth Fellowship we call the administration in which we live "the Administration of the Sacred Secret," and we translate the Greek word musterion as "Sacred Secret." We believe that "Sacred Secret" is the best translation of the Greek word musterion, a Greek word that most Bible versions translate as "mystery." Read the rest or listen/view the Video Here: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/secret.html Blink Of An Eye http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/eye.html Heroes Truck http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/herotruck.html In Days Past http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dayspast.html Let's Dance http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dance.html Truth About Work http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/work.html Baby Thoughts http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/babythoughts.html Houses For Hermits http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/house.html Life's Little Oops 3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/whoops3.html Until We Write Again http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/write.html Ricochet The Surf Dog http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ricochet.html Super Puppies http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/puppy.html -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseA :) An Amazing Dream Tower performance by acrobats at the opening ceremony of the 2nd Youth Olympic Games held in Nanjing, China in 2014. I can only imagine the many hours of practice and lighting coordination that went into making this performance a spectacular event to watch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=QRotUloxgZw In this imaginative performance by Japanese dance troupe 'Enra' two dancers interact with points of light to create an amazing experience. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=0813gcZ1Uw8 If you'd like to impress your friends and family with an Amazing Water Trick this short video tutorial will explain how to perform the illusion. The best part of this water trick is you can practice it in your kitchen until you have perfected it. Be sure to have those towels handy because I think you'll be needing them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ctaA2mERzI&feature=player_embedded Visit Melissa's Online Store You can get anything you want (except for Melissa ) at the online store http://pdhomes.net/mall/babylissa/mySTORES/ISELL4.html ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Fran :) __-----__ ..;;;--'~~~`--;;;.. /;-~IN GOD WE TRUST~-.\ // ,;;;;;;;; \\ .// ;;;;; \ \\ || ;;;;( /.| || || ;;;;;;; _\ || || ';; ;;;;= || ||LIBERTY | ''\;;;;;; || \\ ,| '\ '|><| 1995 // \\ | | \ A // `;.,|. | '\.-'/ ~~;;;,._|___.,-;;;~' ''=--' - Daniel C Au - >Three Penny Momma The year was 1958 and I was seven years old when I first met my Momma. It's not important how we three children fell into the child-care system, nor how we came to live at that orphanage. Simply stated, the man our birth Mother had run off with didn't want to raise three hungry children after she was killed in a car accident. So there we were. I vividly remember holding each sister's hand through a chain link fence: separated on the boys' and girls' sides. It remains important that we three children stayed close. One day they got us all "fixed up" and took us to the courthouse to seethe Judge. To insure good behavior, the social worker gave me three pennies for the gumball machine... "if we were good." When we arrived they walked us right past the gumball machine and, to our great joy, into a room with our biological Dad. The Judge told me, as the oldest,that if I wanted, we could go with our Dad and the new Momma he had for us. I looked her over, a large sweet-smelling, pillowy woman in a flowery dress. I reached into my pocket, pulled out those three pennies and asked her, "If I give you these three pennies will you take care of them?" Somehow she understood I meant a different kind of question. She replied, "Yes Honey, I will." I turned to the Judge and told him we would go with her. For the next twenty-five years she cooked and cleaned and slung hash at the Calico Kitchen all night long only to come to three more hungry mouths. She wasn't perfect, I don't know anyone who is, but she raised and reared us when necessary. Finally, we were all three out of the house and married and raising families of our own. Life was good. Then Dad chose to leave with another woman. We kids were devastated. I wanted to show Momma my support, love, and appreciation for all her gifts and sacrifices. I wrote her a letter and told her that no matter what happened or what anyone else in the world did, she would always be our Momma. To emphasize my point, I taped three shiny new pennies into a card and sent it to her. She called. "I don't need three pennies to remember you children. Besides, I still have the first three." That was fifteen years ago. Momma died this spring, we buried her on Good Friday, but because of her, we will never again be motherless children. As we sorted her things out, I opened her jewelry box drawer. There in tiny individual plastic bags, lay three pennies, dated 1957, 1957, and 1958. I have them in my pocket at this moment. No one will ever make a movie or write a book about her, but to me and my sisters, she is the world's best Three Penny Momma. by Don L. Creacy --- ...So heartwarming! Thanks Fran! -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >ESTHER 4:13 Be still for a while and praise God for His favor, His grace and His awesomeness. God is able to do the impossible and is always near. He loves us unconditionally. Together, let's get 1000 ladies to praise Him with one voice. Please forward this to every woman you want God to bless. Let's all say this prayer: Dear God, This is my friend whom I love and this is my prayer for her. Help her live her life to the fullest. Please cause her to excel above her expectations. Help her to shine in the darkest places where it is impossible to love. Protect her at all times, lift her up when she needs You the most, and let her know when she walks with You, she will always be safe. Amen! Tell nine sisters you love them, including me. Be a Blessing!!!! --- ...Amen! Thanks Fran! ============================================================= ___..__ __..--""" ._ __.' "-..__ '"--..__"; ___ '--...__""; `-..__ '"---..._;" """"----' DrS >Smiles and Extended Hands Story Editor: by Tim Miller Joyce Schowalter Texas, USA It was a tumultuous time. In 1986 I was an American living in Cairo, Egypt. America had just bombed Gaddafi's tent compound in Libya, and Gaddafi had issued a death threat to all Americans in the region. Internal strife in Egypt was building, too, from changes initiated by Hosni Mubarak after Anwar Sadat's assassination. Next, the Egyptian military police rioted and burned down the Holiday Inn complex by the Giza Pyramids. In spite of the unrest, I still felt safe walking the Egyptian streets. But after the bombing and riots, it seemed more and more folks stared or frowned at me. Maybe they assumed I was an American who thought I was somehow "better off" than they were. Probably my self-conscious expression didn't help. At dusk one evening, I headed along a dimly lit sidewalk towards a local grocery. Cairo sidewalks were always lined with Egyptian men -- socializing, sharing cigarettes, and talking of the day's events. This night, it seemed as if their mood and conversational tone changed just as I approached. I felt negatively judged. Worried, I avoided eye contact and looked away as I quickened my pace towards the grocery. Then, wham! I slammed face-first into the sidewalk. I was so busy *not* looking I missed a step. I was immediately surrounded by several men. Being used to city streets in America, I must admit my first thought was they were going to take my wallet. Then I realized they were just lifting me up to set me back up on my feet. They brushed me off, straightened my clothes and asked if I was hurt. I said I was fine, smiled at everyone and shook their hands to thank them for their help. I suddenly realized these men were all smiling back. In fact, as I turned to see other men, women, and children along the sidewalk, they too smiled and asked if I was OK. I smiled, nodded, thanked everyone for the help and concern, and headed on. But now, something was different. Everywhere I went, every Egyptian was smiling. In fact, I couldn't find stares or frowns anywhere. For the first time, I felt not a foreigner in a foreign land, but rather a friend among friends. I suddenly felt at home, though over 8,000 miles from my family. That night the Egyptians showed me what humanity really is. In spite of regional political and economic upheaval, they refused to judge me because I was an American. Their reaching out to me with helping hands and smiles made me realize that maybe they were "better off" than I was. That night, I learned that a smile is an important gesture in our universal language, a simple act of kindness that transcends cultural and language barriers. Today I'm so very thankful for that brief moment in time. A moment where a simple smile enabled an Arab and an American to understand each other, and where I came away a changed man. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Kidwarmers: _.._ .-' `-. : ; ; ,_ _, ; : \{" "}/ : ,'.'"=..=''.'. ; / \ / \ ; .' ; '.__.' ; '. .-' .' '. '-. .' ; ; '. / / \ \ ; ; ; ; ; `-._ _.-' ; ; ""--. .--"" ; '. _ ; ; _ .' {""..' '._.-. .-._.' '..""} \ ; ; / : : : : : :.__.: : \ /"-..-"\ / fsc '-.__.' '.__.-' >THE FUNNY THINGS KIDS SAY Tim, the father of three, was lying on the sofa, exhausted after a hard day's work and taking it easy because he had hurt his knee. "I am feeling really old," Tim told Andrew, 5. "Not me!" Andrew said brightly. "I'm feeling brand new!" Dustin, 3, told his mother that when he grows up his name will change. "No it won't," his mother said. "Yes, it will," Dustin said. "What will it be?" his mother asked. "Daddy!" Dustin replied. (So far, Dustin's name has not changed!) Not long after the close of the World Series, Christopher, 7, was still eating and breathing baseball. One night his father, Dave, wanted to see how Christopher would do reading the "Good News Bible." Dad was proud as Christopher began, "This is a list of the ancestors of Jesus Christ, a des... des... " Christopher couldn't pronounce "descendant" so he blurted out, "Jesus Christ... a designated hitter!" After Grandpa died the little Jeremy went with his mother to put flowers on the grave. Jeremy said his favorite toy was the wooden rifle Grandpa had made for him. Jeremy's mother said Grandpa was in heaven. She held Jeremy's hand and said softly, "I miss you, Grandpa. And I love you." Jeremy looked at his mom and smiled. Then he cupped both hands around his mouth and yelled at the grave, "THANKS FOR THE GUN, PAPA GEORGE. I REALLY LIKE IT A LOT!" _ .~q`, {__, \ \' \ \ \ \ \ \ `._ __.__ \ ~-._ _.==~~ ~~--.._ \ ' ~-. \ _- -_ `. \ / } .- . \ `. | / } ( ; \ `| / / ( : '\ \ | / | / \ -r.millward- | /`-.______.\ |^-. \ | |/ ( | `. \_ | || ~\ \ '._ `-.._____..----..___ | |/ _\ \ ~-.__________.-~~~~~~~~~''' .o'___/ .o______} Brachiosaur " Briachiosaurus had little to do, But stand with its head in the treetops and chew, It nibbled the leaves that were tender and green, It was a perpetual eating machine." -- Jack Prelutsky On a hot summer day Fred took his son Barry, 3, for a bike ride. On the way home Barry was too tired for the return uphill and he asked his father to carry him AND the bike. His father said Barry would have to walk and push the bike himself. "But you're a psychologist," Barry said. "You're supposed to HELP people!" When Miko was 4 (he is 6 now), his mother's "mum" took him to the mall with her friends. He was following Ursula's "mum" until she wanted to buy something and asked him to stay for a while with her friends. One of her friend made sure that Miko wouldn't go anywhere by holding his hand. Later Miko whispered, "Grandma, I think she stayed too long in the bathtub, because her skin wrinkles." -- Ursula of Jakarta, Indonesia When Jeff was a little boy and his mother told him she was going to a "Tri Kappa meeting" he told her he thought she was going to a meeting to try on hats! -- Barb Davis (mother of Jeff) of Kendallville, Indiana (Note: Tri Kappa is a women's club in Indiana.) /| /| | \ __ _ _ / ; ___ \ \ _.-"-" `~"\ `"--' / _.-' ""-._\ "" ._," ; "\"--._./ _.-' \./ "-""", ) ~" | / ,- .' , ' `o. ; ) \ ;/ ' ; / |/ ' | \ ' | / | J."\ , | " : \ .' : | ,. _) | | / f | |`--"--' \_ \ \ / _/ | \ "-._ _.| ( j/; -'/ \ | "/ ( | /, | | \ | /\ |\_/// / \ / \ | \ \ / / || \ \| | | | || \ \ | | / |\ |_|/ || L \ || || `"' |\ |\ [nabis] ( \. \ `. |_ _\|_ _\ " " Aliyah, 5, was driving with her mother in the country and saw some bulls grazing in a field. Aliyah asked, "Mom, do bulls have gutters?" -- Destiny Renkenberger (mother of Aliyah) of Kendallville, Indiana Koen, 4, is playing T-ball and loves to go to the local Greensboro Grasshoppers baseball games. He refers to the players as "baseball mans." Koen and his daddy had been having batting practice in the back yard, when they were called in for lunch. After finishing his hot dog, Koen asked, "Daddy, will you come back outside and throw the ball at me." -- Dennis Smith (Koen's PawPaw) of Oak Ridge, North Carolina TerryAnn has a very thick New Orleans accent, even after not living there for 30 years. She was taking vitamins and her granddaughter asked if she could have one. TerryAnn had bought some new children's vitamins and she gave her one, the color of her choice. The little girl looked at it, confused, because it was not the usual gummy bear. "What do I do with this?" she asked. "Chew it," TerryAnn said. As TerryAnn was putting the vitamins back in the cabinet she could hear her granddaughter going, "Aaahh, choo. Aaahh, choo," blowing on the vitamin! -- TerryAnn Fielding of Brandon, Mississippi Here's another story from TerryAnn. Gabby received a dog for her third birthday. She heard wild giggling from the kitchen and found Gabby laughing because the floor had a spot on it from the dog having an accident. Gabby said, "Odie did it. He pee-peed. Odie needs a diaper!" Later TerryAnn caught Gabby trying to put a diaper on the dog! Sophie, 5, is definitely not a morning person. One morning she was admonished for being very mean to a family member. Sophie threw a monster tantrum which resulted in a "time-out" in her bedroom. From behind the bedroom door she could be heard to say, "I cannot help it if I am not a morning person. God made me this way!" -- Johanna Methot (Oma to the grandchildren) of Peterborough, Ontario, Canada .-. '-' // _..---._/| .' ." `-. /__/ \ * ====_____ __| : /# #""" | /()\ : ..* |# # | \__/ : .'' \#___#____| / :*:.. . \______________|_...f_: .. '* () // /\||||)))))))::::::: . . .( \_ \\_\// _-'.'/::M-K:::| * .. ( ) |^|^|^|ooo/ _#\.//"""_::::::| . . . (_)_.'v|v|v| / \# \_ / `_:::' . . | _ _/_/ /`./_-\" . . /#_#__"""-._ /# \__) . . |__ ""-._ |## . . . | ""|-"""-_/## . . /""--\__.-| . \-_.-<__ / . . /-_| / \ \-_| \_-<. . . <_-/ <_.-\ . <_-| |_.-| . .----| \__\ | . | .""" `. | . .___| |__| `.__...""" Here is another Sophie story. The weather in Ontario has been as odd as in the rest of the continent. One night Kathy, Sophie's mom, googled "Earth" on the computer and showed Sophie and her little brother Jacob where Peterborough is on the globe. They wanted to see more, and were quite fascinated with the arctic regions, "where it is really cold." The next day Sophie left her spring jacket in the car as they were dropped off at the sitter's. Kathy brought it to her and said, "You will only need it for school." Sophie took this to mean something quite different than intended. When Kathy picked her up she said, "I was the only little girl in the WHOLE school to wear my jacket in class. I was the only little girl in the WHOLE world to wear a jacket -- me, and the people in Antarctica." Isaiah, 3, wanted some ice cream but it was only 10 a.m. so his mother told him he would have to wait. So he took a different approach. Isaiah gently put his mother's face in his hands and began to sing, "You are so beautiful, to me." (He really enjoys watching the Little Rascals movie). -- Irma Cisneros (mother of Isaiah) of Phoenix, Arizona Ember, 2, went to church with Gram and Granddaddy. She went down to help with the penny march, which is where all the children go to the front of the church, hear a short Bible story and then walk around with a cup collecting pennies from people. Granddaddy was sitting at the end of the pew and when Ember came back to sit down, she said "Move!" Gram gasped and said "Ember RaeAnn!" Ember quickly said, in a sweet voice, looking like a little angel, "Excuse me, please!" -- Gram of Lufkin, Texas When Brian was 8, after hearing the second verse of "Amazing Grace" (Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come...) he asked his father, "What is a toilet snare?" -- James Tew (father of Brian) of Kendallville, Indiana Note: You are welcomed to use, copy and share these stories, but please reference http://www.funnykids.com as the source. ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseA :) ____ || | ||___| _)__<__ _ _ |____|__|:|___|:|_ | |_.---._|___| _ | o| | | |_o_| | || |/| |\| | |_||____|`\___/'|___| V _/-\_ fsc >Did Jesus Use... (Author Unknown) Did Jesus use Twitter, At the Sermon on the Mount? Did He ever try Facebook, To send His message out? Did the disciples carry cell phones, As they went about their route? Did Jesus use Twitter, At the Sermon on the Mount? Did Paul use a Laptop, With lots of RAM and ROM? Were his letters posted on a blog, At Paul.Rome.Com? Did the man from Macedonia, Send an E-Mail saying "Come?" Did Paul use a Laptop, With lots of RAM and ROM? Did Moses use a joystick, At the parting of the Sea? And a Satellite Guidance Tracking System, To show him where to be? Did he write the law on tablets, Or are they really on CD? Did Moses use a joystick, At the parting of the Sea? Did Jesus really die for us, One day upon a tree? Or was it just a Hologram, Or Technical Wizardry? Can you download the Live Action Video Clip, To play on your PC? Did Jesus really die for us, One day upon a tree? Have the wonders of this modern age, Made you question what is true? How a single man, in a "simple time", Could offer life anew? How a sinless life, a cruel death, Then a glorious life again, Could offer more to a desperate world, Than all the inventions of man? If in your life, the voice of God, Is sometimes hard to hear. With other voices calling, His doesn't touch your ear. Then set aside your laptop, And all your fancy gear. And open your Bible, open your heart, And let your Father draw near. --- ...So Inspiring! Thanks LouiseA! >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->This is for all you who love food and DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe ************************************************************************ >TO SUBSCRIBE: Visit Here This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR For the Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ************************************************************************