Don't Hope. Decide! :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList Through no fault of my own we suddenly became an adult club in the love and romance directory so you will have to confirm that you are an adult when you go here. I still have no idea how to change this back as it sends me around in a circle when I try! or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! ================ "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ _,-'^\ _,-' ,\ ) ,,-' ,' d' ,,, J_ \ ,' `\ / __ ,-' \ \ ,' / / _,-' ' \ \ / |,-' / } ( ,' / '-,________ / \ / | | / | / | / /~\ (\/) { / \ } | | | =| / | ~\ | J \, (_o '" *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels For 2011 *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a 2011 Shangrala Angel, please visit the site and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL page comes up. Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS ALL OUR ANGELS MOST ABUNDANTLY! ================ >-->2 Hot Off The 'Shangy' Press :) These two are sure to amaze you. With camera technology now, we can see just how awesome God's creation truly is! These two pages highlight some of God's best in nature... This first scorcher is a mesmerizing one from our friend Sharon. If the birds don't get you, the video sure will! _.----._ ,'.::.--..:._ /::/_,-;._.:._.;,-=_(.-' __ `._ ,;' _..-(((('' .,-'' `-._ _,'<.-'' _..``'.'`-'`. ` _.-((((_..--'' \ \ `.`. -' _.``' \ ` SSt ,' Colorful Birds http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/birds.html --- ...So awesome! Thank You Sharon This second one is from our friends Linda and PatDeE. I've always been drawn to owls because of my mother-in-law. She collects owl figures so I always have an eye out for unique or beautifully made ones. She would love this page for sure! Make sure you watch the mind blowing video too! ,\--/, ,-,__ ------{ @ @ }-------------------,-,| |_/| ----------| \/ |-------------------| |`-/ | | ) ( | ,-,`-'_/ _/ --------------`W-mm-W'----------------| | _/ / \ / /`-'/ _/| WW /___/ / | | | /| | |___|/ | | | | | -Ed Savage- | | | | | | | | | | | | Great Horned Owls http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/owls.html --- ...I absolutely loved this one! Thank You Linda And PatDeE! -<>- *~* We Had A FANTASTIC Month Of Caring And Sharing Last Month *~* Be sure to check these out and share them with all your loved ones! Got A Nanosecond 2? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/nano2.html Celebrities: The Long And Short Of It! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/celebrities2.html Woman Cops Around The World! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/womancops.html Farmers Gone Wild! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/farm.html Play With Harley! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/harley.html Thoughts Action 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/action2.html Life Is..2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lifeis2.html Lion Cub Rescue! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lionrescue.html True Fish Tale! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/fishrescue.html Maxine On Fall! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/maxineonfall.html Tricks For Treats #4! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/tricksfortreats4.html *~* Big THANK YOU And Huggums In Christ To All Our Super Contributors! ================================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: _____ "Hello! What a lovely young girl!" | | / | | ____ / | | | | ( ) | | | | ( ) _| | | | ( ) / ) | | | /\(__)/\/ /| | | | / / \ / | | | | \ \ /\/ | | | | \ | | (|) | | | / \ | | | | / \ | | | | / \ | | | | /__________\ | | | | | | | | | |___|_____| | |____| |___ |_|_| | / //\//\_> | / JROJROJROJROJROJROJROJROJROJROJROJROJROJROJROJROJRO ORJORJORJORJORJORJORJORJORJORJORJORJORJORJORJORJORJ >GOOD NEIGHBORS by Lynn Lombard "Hello," I said, after opening my front door to a stranger and a little girl. "Hi," the man said in a friendly voice as he proceeded to introduce himself and his daughter. "I was looking at the land for sale next door and was wondering if I could ask you a few questions." I immediately offered to answer anything I could. After all, my husband and I had been waiting for someone to become our neighbor for more than a year. Living out in the country has been a wonderful experience for me. Many times, I think back to how it was when I was little, and we lived in the suburbs. Our neighbor's house was less than 20 feet away from ours. If my dad came home late at night, the curtains next door would gradually open, and the next morning something would be said to my dad like, "Late night yesterday?" My dad hated every minute of other people knowing, or wanting to know, his business. Nosy, he would call them. But as a kid, it never bothered me because I didn't know any other way of living. In fact, I loved the older people on the other side of us. Mr. and Mrs. B. were wonderful to us kids. I have many fond memories of my sister and me eating breakfast with them before we walked to school. I was entering the fourth grade when my parents decided to build a house away from the only home I had ever known. It was a big change having neighbors who were more than 150 feet away from us. I no longer could walk to school, and the closest convenience store was an inconvenient three miles away. But when my parents got home late, no curtains were opened. No nosy busybodies. They had privacy at last. I became accustomed to this way of living. That's why, once my husband and I began thinking about building our own house, the suburbs never entered our minds. When we bought our property, just miles away from where we both grew up, open fields surrounded us. The closest house was at the corner, 1,000 feet away. At first I liked the prospect of having no immediate neighbors. Like my father, I love my privacy. Many nights, though, if I came home by myself in the dark and my husband wasn't home, I had visions of "Jason" hiding back in the woods that bordered my property, hockey mask on, machete in hand. I hated that there were no lights, and no "safe" place to run to should there be an intruder in my home. So I was thrilled when the friendly man came back a second time to let us know that he had decided to buy the land. Our neighbors finished building their house this summer, and it's been a few months since they moved in. It feels wonderful to be able to wave to them as they drive by. I enjoy yelling "hello" when I get home from work if they happen to be out in their yard. It's especially nice to watch their daughter and hear her laugh as she plays outside. Just the other weekend, the belt broke on our lawnmower, and we weren't able to finish mowing the front grass. We returned home later that night to find it mowed. Our neighbor had finished it up for us. Whoever said fences make good neighbors didn't have neighbors like ours. -- Lynn Lombard ___________________________________________ Lynn is a Heartwarmer Gem and is a legal assistant and writer. She lives in Western New York. You can reach her at: mailto:douglynn1@juno.com ============================================================== >-->From our Friend PatDeE :) _ // // _______________//__ .(______________//___). | / | |. . . . . . . / . . .| \ . . . . . ./. . . . / | / ___ | _.---._ |::......./../...\.:| _.-~ ~-._ |::::/::\::/:\::::::| _.-~ ~-._ |::::\::/::::::X:/::| _.-~ ~---.;:::::::/::\::/:::::| _.-~ ~\::::::n::::::::::| .-~ _.;::/::::a::::::::/ :-._ _.-~ ./::::::::d:::::::| `-._~-._ _..__.-~ _.-~|::/::::::::::::::| / ~-._~-._ / .__..--~----.YWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWP' \_____(_;-._\. _.-~_/ ~).. . \ /(_____ \`--...--~_.-~______..-+_______) .(_________/`--...--~/ _/ /\ /-._ \_ (___./_..-~__.....__..-~./ `-._~-._ ~\--------~ .-~_..__.-~ _.-~ ~-._~-._ ~---------' / .__..--~ ~-._\. _.-~_/ \`--...--~_.-~ `--...--~ >Let's all eat at Chick-Fil-A this week Now the Socialists have targeted Chick-Fil-A, a Southern based company with the below resume.. I think, I'll have a Chick-Fil-A sandwich tomorrow. Chick-fil-A is an American success story. Founded by Georgian entrepreneur Truett Cathy in 1946, the family-owned chicken-sandwich chain is one of the country's largest fast-food businesses. It employs some 50,000 workers across the country at 1,500 outlets in nearly 40 states and the District of Columbia ... The company generates more than $2 billion in revenue and serves millions of happy customers with trademark Southern hospitality. So, what's the problem? Well, Chick-fil-A is run by devout Christians who believe in strong marriages, devoted families, and the highest standards of character for their workers. The restaurant chain's official corporate mission is to "glorify God" and "enrich the lives of everyone we touch.." The company's community-service initiatives, funded through its WinShape Foundation, support foster-care, scholarship, summer-camp, and marriage-enrichment programs. On Sunday, all Chick-fil-A stores close so workers can spend the day at worship and rest. Over the past month, several progressive-activist blogs have waged an ugly war against Chick-fil-A. The company's alleged atrocity: One of its independent outlets in Pennsylvania donated some sandwiches and brownies to a marriage seminar run by the Pennsylvania Family Institute, which happens to oppose same-sex marriage. In the name of tolerance, the anti-Chick-fil-A hawks sneered at the company's main product as "Jesus Chicken," derided its no-Sunday-work policy, and attacked its operators as "anti-gay." Petition drives on websites are demanding the company change and disavow their standards. Facebook users dutifully organized witch hunts against the company on college campuses. Progressive groups are gloating over Chick-fil-A's public- relations troubles. This is not because they care about winning hearts and minds over gay rights or marriage policy, but because their core objective is to marginalize political opponents and chill Christian philanthropy and activism.. The fearsome "muscle flexing" is being done by the hysterical bullies trying to drive them off of college grounds and out of their neighborhoods in the name of "human rights." TO READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE: HTTP://WWW.NATIONALREVIEW.COM/ARTICLES/258646/CHRISTIAN-BUSINESS- LEFT-S-CROSSHAIRS-MICHELLE-MALKIN Please pass this on if you believe companies with Christian principles have a right to freely conduct business in the U.S -<>- Silver Stock Report: Halloween is Bible Prophecy http://tinyurl.com/3vjwajd --- ...Great Interesting Reads! Thanks PatDeE! ============================================================ >-->From LaughAndLift: ,-. ,-. ( * ) ( * ) `-' `-' <##> /\/\ /\ / \ / \/\ /\/\/ \ / \/\/ \ / / \ /\ / \/\ /\/\/ \/\/\ / \/\/ \/ Krogg "Fear imprisons, Faith liberates; Fear paralyzes, Faith empowers; Fear disheartens, Faith encourages; Fear sickens, Faith heals; Fear makes useless, Faith makes serviceable; And most of all, Fear puts hopelessness at the heart of life, while Faith rejoices in it's God." - Henry Emerson Fosdick .----------. / .-. .-. \ / | | | | \ \ `-' `-' _/ /\ .--. / | \ | / / / / / | `--' /\ \ /`-------' \ \ Jym Dyer >Spooks, Skeletons, and Saints (By Micca Monda Campbell) [Edited] "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15 (KJV) Many Christians don't know what to do with Halloween. They wonder if they should ignore it; protest against it; go along with it, or find alternative ways to participate without offending their faith. We often reason, nothing good can come from evil so why take part in this holiday? Yet, Joseph tells us in the bible that what is meant for evil God can use for good. In that case, Halloween can be an opportunity for us to do good! Some of you may be wondering if I've been living on a far away planet unaware of what Halloween is. No, I'm very much aware of its meaning and tradition. Before Christ, Halloween was part of the Celtic Feast of Samhain. This Druid priest celebration commemorated the beginning of winter. The Festivals consisted of animal sacrifices to the dead and bonfires in recognition of departed souls. Those who participated in the festival believed that goblins, demons, witches and elves were sent from the world beyond to harass the living. For self-protection, the Druid's would dress up like ghouls and goblins and involve themselves in demonic activities. They believed participating in this way kept them from being attacked by real witches and demons. The early church responded by moving All Saint's' Day from spring to fall and renamed it Hallows' Eve. In doing so, Christians used the pagan festival as a catalyst in which to proclaim Christ's death and resurrection. Halloween, for the early church, became a time to evangelize. They took something evil and used it for good. We would do well to follow their example. Halloween is full of trickery and illusions about mystical powers and the living dead. Christians today can use these illusions in comparison to the truth that Jesus overcame the grave by the power of God and is the true Resurrection and Life. Better yet, those who are in Christ will also conquer the grave and live forever in the presence of God. What good news to share on a dark day! There are many ways to share the good news of the gospel. My church has a Harvest Party on October 31 every year. The children play games and collect candy while the adults enjoy hayrides and wiener roasts. The most significant part about our party is the gospel room. This is where a drama is presented sharing about the good news of Jesus Christ and His saving power. One way for you to share Jesus with others is to invite an un-churched family to your church's festival. Another way to participate if you're a stay-at-home kind of person is not to turn off the lights and hide as some of us tend to do. Instead, be a shinning light on a dark night. Tie scripture or gospel tracks to some candy and hand it out at your front door with Christ-like love and joy. If you have the gift of hospitality, then have a Harvest party at your house. Invite friends, family, and neighbors to sit around a camp fire or your living room floor and swap Holy Spirit stories rather than ghost stories. Halloween is not a time for avoidance. It's a time to communicate with your children, family, and friends that, "yes," evil, death and the grave are real, but through Christ, we are more than conquerors over it all. What better time to share this good news with others then when our minds are on such things? It's an opportunity to take something meant for evil and use it for good. "Dear Lord, Give me your perspective on Halloween. Help me to be a shining light on this dark night by sharing about your saving power with my children, family and friends, in Jesus Name, Amen." Power Verses: 1 Corinthians 9:19 "Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible." (NIV) Mathew 5:13, "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men." (NIV) 1 Corinthians 2:14, "The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." (NIV) --- ...My two cents... As long as you teach your children properly, I see nothing wrong with little ones dressing up like their favorite super heroes and having fun on trick or treat night. I live between two churches and both were host to handing out goodies of cyder, donuts, popcorn, and hotdogs to all who came by dressed up or not no matter what their age. It's a time we can celebrate the greatness of God and give Him the glory for our bounty. Lots of loving and fun fellowship. Because of the participation of these churches, everyone in my neighborhood was smiling and happy and in an extra good mood. Children having a good time with their parents. Nothing evil about that. Keep it Godly and everyone can have a good time to the Glory of God. -<>- If faith in Christ is worth having, it's worth sharing. The Lift .---. /` ___|`\ |_/ \| ( -/- ) \_ - _/ .-'|_|'-. / \ / O \ / _____!_____ \ /.-------------.\ \| ,;, |/ | ;;; | | ;;;;;;;;; | | `';;;'` | | ;;; | | ;;; | | ::: | | ';' | | | _| _ __ __ _|_ jgs_/ _ __ ___ __ _\_ _/ __ ___ _ ___ __ _ \_ >Gone Fishing (By Kirk Cameron) [Edited] For years, I have been witnessing on camera (for "The Way of the Master" television program) to hundreds on the streets, in malls, in shopping centers, on planes, and in taxis. I've preached to thousands in churches, universities, and outreaches, but I've never had the courage to find a "fishing hole" in my own neighborhood and go there on a regular basis. I decided it was time. I scouted out my territory and asked the local police station where teenagers hung out on a Saturday night. The "Westlake Promenade" (a local outdoor shopping center) turned out to be perfect--hundreds of high schoolers with nothing to do but stand around and hope for something exciting to happen. It was a Friday night, 9:30pm. I loaded up with tracts and went out alone. I was very nervous. No cameras, no help, no encouragement from my friends. I got talking to a group of junior high kids and brought out the "Light Show" followed by a few trivia questions for them to win a bit of Christmas cash ($1 for each correct answer). As I swung to the subject of God, a little Indian Buddhist girl stepped forward and said "So this is what you do now? You give people money so they'll stand here so you can brainwash them?!" I felt sick. She might as well have said "You're pathetic. I used to like you on TV, but not anymore because you're bribing people to listen to your religious garbage." I swallowed my pride for about 10 more minutes before I packed it in and went home, licking my wounds. I felt terrible, as my fears got the best of me that night. I was determined not to be defeated by a shrimpy little girl, so I went back the next night. Ray offered to come with me. This time it was electric! Totally different and incredibly effective. I learned so much that night about being bold, unashamed, and straight forward in my approach. It made all the difference. About 20 teenagers soaked up everything we had to say, took our literature, and thanked us for talking with them about eternity. I left with evangelistic goose bumps. The next weekend I was back. Alone again. Shared the gospel with about 15 more high schoolers getting out of a movie. They loved it--Million Dollar Bills, trivia, and the Million Dollar Question: "Do you consider yourself to be a good person?" Great debates, spirited conversations, took them through the Law to the cross and they all took some "Save Yourself Some Pain" booklets! I left clicking my heels with gratitude for the seeds sown that night. The next weekend I returned to the same spot with my pastor. In my car we read Spurgeon's evening devotional: ...Jesus died for sinners, cannot we live for them? Where is our tenderness? Where our love to Christ, if we seek not His honour in the salvation of men? O that the Lord would saturate us through and through with an undying zeal for the souls of men. Thoroughly inspired, we talked to one group in the parking lot, two groups in front of the theatre, and then... I panicked. In the distance I could see that little Indian Buddhist girl standing on a bench in front of her friends. I ducked behind a tree, but it was too late. She spotted me, ran up and threw her arms around me and yelled in a mocking voice, "Oh Kirk Cameron, where's my free Bible? I want a free Bible!" After shaking off this little distraction (obviously a demonic dart to discourage me again), Johnny and I shared with another group and prayed with a young man to receive the Lord. I am so thankful for the encouragement I've received to press on, get back into the game, and never give up for the sake of the lost. I've now found my own local fishing hole and I plan to be there every weekend I'm in town. How about you? Do you have an hour to spare one night a week for the sake of the lost in your neighborhood? Find out where the fish congregate and go to them. May God bless you and help you bring in a big one as you faithfully serve Him. SUBSCRIBE INFO Want to receive a Christian inspirational item AND great clean humor in an email to you each day of the week? It's easy and FREE! Read all about Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com ============================================================== _ _ /_) (/| __|___ ./ \. ./) (\. (______________) ((( ))) ((( ^ ^ ))) (( @ @ )) (c C o)> \ ___, / \_ _/ jgs `--' >85 Years Old and 85 Pounds Story Editor: by Barbara Kelman Joyce Schowalter California, USA My mother, Helen, lives at Golden Oaks, a board and care facility. This is a private home inhabited by up to six elderly people and two caregivers. It's a wonderful alternative to a nursing home for those who cannot live alone and need more care than that provided in assisted living. Mom has had a hard time of it the past few years. She's 89, has had both hips replaced, her gall bladder removed, has congestive heart failure and has recently left the hospital after her third bout with pneumonia. After being in the hospital for three weeks, she was weak and disinterested in socializing with other Golden Oaks residents. She mainly stayed in her room, watching TV or dozing. When she first moved to California, mom kept me busy with requests for library books. But for several months she hadn't been reading. One of the other residents is Ellie, who's there for hospice care. This means she's in the board and care to be kept comfortable until the end. She was refusing all solid food. Although not terribly sick, she was just waiting to die. In February 2005 a new woman moved in. Jackie is a real live wire. The day I met her she confided, "I'm 85 years old and weigh 85 pounds". Sadly, Jackie is going blind. Her greatest concern is that soon she'll be unable to read even large print books. About a week after Jackie moved in, I found my mother, Jackie and Ellie sitting in the living room playing gin rummy. They were talking and having a great time. We'd brought over some Valentine candy, and all three ladies had a couple of pieces of chocolate. Apparently Jackie is the new "social director" of Golden Oaks. A few days later the three of them played cards again. Jackie was in my mother's room when I arrived a week later, with my mother reading to her from a Danielle Steel novel they'd both read before, yet were enjoying again. Jackie said she was training my mother to be her eyes when she herself could no longer read. I suggested that the caregivers bring Ellie in, and she too enjoyed the story. Two weeks later things were really looking up! Mom called to ask me to get new books from the library. Ellie started joining the rest of the women for meals in the dining room. She was eating a little solid food, looked a lot better, and no longer talked so much about her "six months to live". Jackie was less depressed about her own situation, was eating more and was "85 years old and 95 pounds". I'm so grateful to Jackie for the new life she brought my mother and the other ladies at Golden Oaks. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Our Friend Johanna :) .----. //""""\\ (( '__' )) ))-__-(( (.-. `\)) /( " ) , \ \)`"`() / / (___)==(\/ | | | | | | | | | | jgs | | """"""" >The most dangerous place: abortion & the arts in Gotham City By Mark Ellis The most dangerous place to be in America is not walking on the streets of New York after midnight. New York City averages 400 to 500 murders each year on or off the streets. The most dangerous place to be in America is inside the womb of an expectant mother in New York City, where 41 percent of pregnancies were aborted totaling 80,629 in the last year statistics were available, 2009. It is even more perilous to be inside the womb of a non-Hispanic Black woman, with abortion rates of 59.8%. In the Book of Jeremiah it says, Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I set you apart. And David praises God in the Psalms, saying: You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Most Christians believe human life begins at conception. But your life began in the mind of God before conception. He knew your whole life before you were born: your struggles, your cares, your woes, the things you cherish, the things you hold dear. He formed you with great care and tenderness in your mother's womb. With creative genius and artistry beyond compare, he knit you together in the secret, once-protected environment of the womb. Theologian R.C. Sproul maintains that the reason life in the womb is so valuable why there is dignity assigned to every human being is that we are made in God's image. His imprint gives life its dignity. When God prints his image on a human creature, that image is precious and sacred. It is almost like a tiny self-portrait He is painting in the womb. When someone willfully assaults that sacred space, while God is fashioning together human life, He considers it an assault upon Himself and His creative prerogative. In addition to its horrific abortion rates, New York City is considered the arts capital of the United States. I attend church in a community of artists in Laguna Beach, California. My wife, Sally, is an artist. If I walk into her studio while she is painting and interrupt her concentration and creative process, she gets upset. Allow me to take this a step further. Let's say it is 1658 and Rembrandt is in the process of creating one of his famous self-portraits at his studio in Amsterdam. The painting has a certain dignity because of the greatness of its creator, one of the great artists of all time. It has his unique imprint. If someone burst into Rembrandt's studio, pushed him away from his painting, and began to slash the canvas with a knife, how would the artist respond? More than 3,000 times a day in America such a scene unfolds in God's studio, as His creation is slashed, burned, injected, suctioned literally torn apart limb-by-limb. Then God's great artistic achievement is thrown away. R.C. Sproul has said, I believe that if the Christian community knew how God felt about abortion, there would never be another abortion in this country legally. Christians would turn this nation upside down. If I know anything about the character of Almighty God, whose person and work I have been studying for many years, I know that God hates abortion on demand. --- ...Interesting! Thanks Johanna! ============================================================= >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: .{{}}}}}}. {{{{{}}}}}}}. {{{{ {{{{{}}}} }}}}} _ _ {{{{{ }}}} 6 6 }}}} {{{{C ^ {{{{ }}}}}}\ '=' /}}}}} {{{{{{{;.___.;}}}}}} {{{{{{{) (}}}}}}' jgs `""'"': :'"'"'` `@` THE POWER OF CHOICE By: Joseph J. Mazzella When each of us is born in this world we are given a very special gift from God. This gift is more beautiful and priceless than you can imagine. It has the power to transform your life and the world around you. It has the strength to face any problems that may come your way and overcome them. It has the energy and ability to make you the person you always dreamed you could be. It has the miracles and magic to fill your body with health, your mind with peace, your heart with love, and your soul with joy. What is this glorious gift from God? It is simply the power of choice. One of the greatest days of my life was the day when I realized that with my every choice I could choose love, joy, and oneness with God, and then share them with the world. It was then that I saw the infinite possibilities for peace, happiness, delight, growth, and learning that existed in this life. It was then that I saw too how I could be a powerful force for good in this world. Don't ignore your own power of choice then. Use it, cherish it, and allow it to help you be a powerful force for love, joy, and God in this life. Use it to smile at your neighbors, hug your children, and tell your family just how much you love them. Use it to watch the sunrise, plant some flowers, and thank God for your life. Use it to give to a charity, help a friend in need, or donate a pint of blood. Use it to sing joyously, dance delightedly, and laugh happily everyday. Use it to share the wisdom of your mind, the goodness of your heart, and the strength of your soul with all who need them. Use it to make yourself a better person, your neighborhood a better community, and the world a better place. Use it to share your talents with the world, your love with everyone everywhere, and your joy with the entire universe. Use it to grow in oneness with life, in oneness with others, and in oneness with God for all eternity. -<>- .---. (_,/\ \ (`a a( ) ) \= ) ( (.--' '--.) / ( \_/ ) \ | / \ / \ | \\ /~~~\ // \/ \/ | | | | |_______| ( ( |\ \ jgs | \ \ /_Y/_Y >~~ A Poem To Give You Goose Bumps ~~ A drunk man in an Oldsmobile They said had run the light That caused the six-car pileup On 109 that night. When broken bodies lay about And blood was everywhere, The sirens screamed out eulogies, For death was in the air. A mother, trapped inside her car, Was heard above the noise; Her plaintive plea near split the air: "Oh, God, please spare my boys!" She fought to loose her pinned hands; She struggled to get free, But mangled metal held her fast In grim captivity. Her frightened eyes then focused On where the back seat once had been, But all she saw was broken glass and Two children's seats crushed in. Her twins were nowhere to be seen; She did not hear them cry, And then she prayed they'd been thrown free, "Oh, God, don't let them die!" Then firemen came and cut her loose, But when they searched the back, They found therein no little boys, But the seat belts were intact. They thought the woman had gone mad And was traveling alone, But when they turned to question her, They discovered she was gone. Policemen saw her running wild And screaming above the noise In beseeching supplication, "Please help me find my boys! They're four years old and wear blue shirts; Their jeans are blue to match." One cop spoke up, "They're in my car, And they don't have a scratch. They said their daddy put them there And gave them each a cone, Then told them both to wait for Mom To come and take them home. I've searched the area high and low, But I can't find their dad. He must have fled the scene, I guess, and that is very bad." The mother hugged the twins and said, While wiping at a tear, "He could not flee the scene, you see, For he's been dead a year." The cop just looked confused and asked, "Now, how can that be true?" The boys said, "Mommy, Daddy came And left a kiss for you." He told us not to worry And that you would be all right, And then he put us in this car with The pretty, flashing light. We wanted him to stay with us, Because we miss him so, But Mommy, he just hugged us tight And said he had to go. He said someday we'd understand And told us not to fuss, And he said to tell you, Mommy, He's watching over us." The mother knew without a doubt That what they spoke was true, For she recalled their dad's last words, "I will watch over you." The firemen's notes could not explain The twisted, mangled car, And how the three of them escaped Without a single scar. But on the cop's report was scribed, In print so very fine, An angel walked the beat tonight on Highway 109. {author unknown} -<>- .-""-._ / ___/ \ _&_ _.--""|/ `\| // \\ .' ( ^/ ^ )'. / / \ \ / | _ | \ // / \ \\ | _\____/ | /_/_/_\_\_\ | .' \____/-._ | .-"-. | / `; /# \ | / / _|_.---\ | | |.-.; :--.-(_/.____/.-""\___/"-. / \ / ~~/ /\ \{"=.______.="} /--. ; /___/_~~/ ; .--\"=...__...="} / \-/ `\______|/ \-.______..-; | /`| | \ | |||| || | /_ | |_______/ | |||| || | \_/| |-------' |--'||'--._|| | | | | || |> |______| |____________|._ || _..-;| | [___] | `||() || |______ |\/|____________|jgs|| () (__) \__/ (__) () >Don't hope. Decide! While waiting to pick up a friend at the airport in Portland, Oregon, I had one of those life-changing experiences that you hear other people talk about -- the kind that sneaks up on you unexpectedly. This one occurred a mere two feet away from me. Straining to locate my friend among the passengers deplaning through the jetway, I noticed a man coming toward me carrying two light bags. He stopped right next to me to greet his family. First he motioned to his youngest son (maybe six years old) as he laid down his bags. They gave each other a long, loving hug. As they separated enough to look in each other's face, I heard the father say, "It's so good to see you, son. I missed you so much!" His son smiled somewhat shyly, averted his eyes and replied softly, "Me, too, Dad!" Then the man stood up, gazed in the eyes of his oldest son (maybe nine or ten) and while cupping his son's face in his hands said, "You're already quite the young man. I love you very much, Zach!" They too hugged most loving, tender hug. While this was happening, a baby girl (perhaps one or one-and-a-half) was squirming excitedly in her mother's arms, never once taking her little eyes off the wonderful sight of her returning father. The man said, "Hi, baby girl!" as he gently took the child from her mother. He quickly kissed her face all over and then held her close to his chest while rocking her from side to side. The little girl instantly relaxed and simply laid her head on his shoulder, motionless in pure contentment. After several moments, he handed his daughter to his oldest son and declared, "I've saved the best for last!" and proceeded to give his wife the longest, most passionate kiss I ever remember seeing. He gazed into her eyes for several seconds and then silently mouthed. "I love you so much!" They stared at each other's eyes, beaming big smiles at one another, while holding both hands. For an instant they reminded me of newlyweds, but I knew by the age of their kids that they couldn't possibly be. I puzzled about it for a moment then realized how totally engrossed I was in the wonderful display of unconditional love not more than an arm's length away from me. I suddenly felt uncomfortable, as if I was invading something sacred, but was amazed to hear my own voice nervously ask, "Wow! How long have you two been married? "Been together fourteen years total, married twelve of those." he replied, without breaking his gaze from his lovely wife's face. "Well then, how long have you been away?" I asked. The man finally turned and looked at me, still beaming his joyous smile. "Two whole days!" Two days? I was stunned. By the intensity of the greeting, I had assumed he'd been gone for at least several weeks if not months. I know my expression betrayed me. I said almost offhandedly, hoping to end my intrusion with some semblance of grace (and to get back to searching for my friend), "I hope my marriage is still that passionate after twelve years!" The man suddenly stopped smiling. He looked me straight in the eye, and with forcefulness that burned right into my soul, he told me something that left me a different person. He told me, "Don't hope, friend... decide!" Then he flashed me his wonderful smile again, shook my hand and said, "God bless!" With that, he and his family turned and strode away together. I was still watching that exceptional man and his special family walk just out of sight when my friend came up to me and asked, "What'cha looking at?" Without hesitating, and with a curious sense of certainty, I replied, "My future!" Dream what you want to be.................. Make a decision where you want to go...................... Be committed to it and be what you wanted to be........ Because you have this precious life and chance to do all the things you want in life.......! -<>- Links for Your Enjoyment Cat Vendetta 1 http://www.buffalosjokes.com/21721.htm Cat Vendetta 2 http://www.buffalosjokes.com/21722.htm Click http://www.buffalosjokes.com/21723.htm Close 1 http://www.buffalosjokes.com/21724.htm Fear - Feeling Kind Of Buggy! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/fearfeelingkindofbuggy.html When You Pray http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/pray.html Directions Home http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/home.html Liberty Air Show http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/liberty.html Akiane Child Prodigy http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/prodigy.html Amazing Horse Trainer http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/horsetrainer.html Deer Rescue http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/deerrescue.html Willis (Sears) Tower http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/willist.html Visit our site at http://www.buffalosjokes.com/inspired.htm If you are looking to join any of our other fine e-zines visit www.buffalosjokes.com ================================================================ >-->From SermondFodder: ,---,_ , _> `'-. .--'/ .--'` ._ `/ <_ >,-' ._'.. ..__ . ' '-. .-' .'` `'. '. > / >`-. .-'< \ , '._\ / ; '-._> <_.-' ; '._> `> ,/ /___\ /___\ \_ / `.-|(| \o_/ \o_/ |)|` jgs \; \ ;/ \ .-, )-. / /` .'-'. `\ ;_.-`.___.'-.; >English Again If you've learned to speak fluent English, you must be a genius! This little treatise on the lovely language we share is only for the brave. Reasons why the English language is so hard to learn: 1) The bandage was wound around the wound. 2) The farm was used to produce produce. 3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse. 4) We must polish the Polish furniture. 5) He could lead if he would get the lead out. 6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert. 7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present. 8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum 9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes. 10) I did not object to the object. 11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid. 12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row. 13) The two were too close to the door to close it. 14) The buck does funny things when the does are present. 15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line. 16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow. 17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail 18) After a number of injections my jaw got number. 19) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear. 20) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests 21) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend? There is no egg in eggplant nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muffins weren't invented in England or French fries in France. Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat. Quicksand works slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig. And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham? If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth beeth? One goose, 2 geese. So one moose, 2 meese? If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it? Is it an odd, or an end? If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught? If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat? In what language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? Ship by truck and send cargo by ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell? How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites? You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out, and in which, an alarm goes off by going on. English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race, which, of course, is not a race at all. That is why, when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible. P.S. - Why doesn't "Buick" rhyme with "quick"? Contributed by Sermon Fodder member Rev Joseph S. Dye, Shiloh United Methodist Church, Carrollton, Georgia 30117-6007 Brought your way by The Sermon Fodder list. To subscribe drop a note to Sermon_Fodder-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or to ajokeaday7-subscribe@topica.com. Please leave this attached if you forward this to friends. ========================================= _,,,_ //_\\\\ ;/ \\\\; ( '7' ) ; _ ; \ _ / .---)_(---. /\\ <_> //\ ; > / \ <' _; | | | | | | _____| |\_|_|_/_ |_______ / / / / / /| / \/==/------, /==/ //| / (\( - / \\( //|| / / ~~~~ / // || / '------' // || /__________________________// || |-------------------------;; || || || | || |==|| || || || || |==||==| || || || ||jgs|/ / / / / || |/ || (__/ (__/ || || || || || |/ |/ >The New Marketplace: Are you using Yesterday's Mindset? By Roy Williams The last line in most TV or radio ads is usually a "call to action," right? Especially if the ad was produced locally: "Hurry. These prices won't last long." "Act Now. Offer expires soon." "You must be present to win." We say these things because we're trying to create a sense of urgency. We want to see customers respond immediately, so we yank the chain of self-interest. But the public is growing tired of having its chain yanked. And for this reason, ads that attempt to create a sense of urgency are becoming passé. We're developing an immunity to ad-speak. From the Great Depression through WWII, any product with the courage to advertise relentlessly was assured a place in the national consciousness. Mass media was cheap and all of America could easily be reached by it. You had three TV networks, a local newspaper and a small group of AM radio stations. Take your pick. Then we tumbled into the 60s and advertising got creative. Along came the 70s, FM radio arrived and right behind it, cable TV. Babies born in 1980 emerged into a plastic world of flashing lights and shallow hype. Cartoons like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were interrupted by ads for the Popeil Pocket Fisherman and the amazing Veg-O-matic. "It makes mounds and mounds of julienne fries! But wait! There's more!" Disco music and line dancing and riding the mechanical bull. Pop like a flashcube, baby. Then in 1983, Michael Jackson swept the Grammies and Madonna leapt onto the charts with Material Girl. "We are liv-ing in a material world. And I am a material girl." Fast forward a quarter century: Never has a generation had so much to do and so little time. We're drowning in recreational opportunities. The Saturday morning cartoons of childhood blossomed into their own round-the-clock cartoon network and the nightly news has become a series of non-stop news channels. Comedy has its own non-stop comedy channel, movies their own 24-hour movie channel and department stores have morphed into a theme park of superstores known as Power Centers where we can watch the retail giants slug it out for our discretionary dollar: Circuit City vs. Best Buy. Linens'n'Things vs. Bed, Bath, and Beyond. Lowe's vs. Home Depot, OfficeMax vs. Office Depot, and PetsMart vs. Petco. What is a citizen to do? Those jaded infants of 1980 are turning 25 this year and they bring with them a new sensibility: Use technology to block out a too-much world. 1. Digital Video Recorders allow us to skip TV commercials. 2. Satellite radio and iPods allow us to hide from radio ads. 3. Video games allow us to run from reality as we withdraw into an online world unreachable by modern advertising. MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games) like EverQuest and WarCraft are a movie that never ends. The reality hook is that you are connected with other people who know you only as you have chosen to be known. Think of it as the ultimate costume party. Did you know that you can type a text message on the keys of your cell phone that will instantly appear on the cell phone of a friend? This "instant messaging" is slow and laborious, but millions do it as a way of showing courtesy to their friends. "Ring the phone when your message can't wait, send a text when it can." Non-interruption is a high value among the emerging generation and they're beginning to spread an appreciation of it to their Baby Boomer parents as well. Bottom line: Our growing immunity to ad-speak means that the believability of ads that attempt to trigger urgency must be linked to the credibility of your desperation. So how do you think these "Hurry! Hurry!" lines are going to work in the future? "Prices so low we can't say them on the air!" "We won't be undersold!" "Be one of the first 200 people through the door and receive a free gift!" The marketplace is changing far more quickly than is advertising. Roy H. Williams Author of the Wall Street Journal and New York Times bestselling Wizard of Ads trilogy ============================================================== >-->From Kidwarmers: THE FUNNY THINGS KIDS SAY * ) `( * () * ) <^^> ( . .-""-. ) .---. ."-....-"-._ _...---''`/. ' ( (`\ \ .' ``-'' _.-"'` \ \ \ : :. .-' `\`.\: `:. _.' ( .'`.` _.' make a wish! `` `-..______.-' ):. ( ."-....-". jgs .':. `. "-..______..-" Casey, 5, was taking a shower. His mom, Traci, asked him if he had rinsed all the shampoo out of his hair. Casey replied, "I'm not sure. I can't see up there!" -- Traci Walker of Lebanon, Tennessee When Traci and her younger sister Allison were little, their mom overheard them singing a song they had learned in church. The lyrics went: "The angels beckon me from Heaven's open door." Traci and Allison were singing: "The angels peck on me from Heaven's open door!" -- as told by their mother Edith of Lebanon, Tennessee _.._ .--'` .-,) .' / , / / /\ ; ; | `.__..__ | | | `''-\ ; \ ` \ '. `. '--.,__ __..-'-. '. ``` `. '. `. `\ _.._ \ `\ _.' '-._ .__ | `\ .'/ .-' `\ | \ .' : .-. | / \ _ / \ /_ | /_..-`"-. ; / '. | . ) .-')_/` \.'` \ | ; \ /_.' .'_.' .-. .-./ .--._/ ; | _ '-'` ` / /o )(o ( ( __ / ; ( ' /// _) |'. `'` `'-; \ ` _ //// ,__ / `, _) '. ' ( `--.__.\ '. `"` / .-' '. ' .-) /-.__.'`-. ( . / \ ' __.' / / \ '---' | `-.'-=\.' / _._\ \ / '===/ /`'._.' _\_ \-.__.-' jgs `| /`-...--''' | \__/`-._ __.-'` `"""""` Bailey, 6, is quite the talker and loves to use new words as he learns them. There's just never a quiet moment when he's around -- especially when riding in the car. One day after his grandmother, Lyne, picked him up from school, he was really quiet and Lyne could tell something was on his mind. She put some music on that she knew he liked. No comments from Bailey. Lyne turned the volume up ... nothing from Bailey. Finally, Lyne made the music quite loud. Bailey turned with a scowl on his face and said, "Mama, do you mind? You're messing up my constipation!" -- Lyne Hitt of Statesboro, Georgia Sally took her grandson Ross, 4, to church and he wanted to sit in the balcony. On their way up the stairs, the minister came flying down the stairs, his robes billowing out. Ross asked, "Was that God?" -- Sally Hershiser of Kent, Ohio .-"""-. / \ \ / .-"""-.-`.-.-.< _ / _,-\ ()()_/:) \ / , ` `| '-..-| \-.,___, / \ `-.__/ / jgs / `-.__.-\` / /| ___\ ( ( |.-"` `'\ \ \/ {}{} | \| / \ , / ( __`;-;'__`) `//'` `||` _// || .-"-._,(__) .(__).-""-. / \ / \ \ / \ / `'-------` `--------'` Two of Theresa's foster children are a brother and a sister, ages 2 and 3. A couple of nights ago the 2-year-old started crying very hard for no apparent reason. Since he had a cold, Theresa suspected that he had an ear infection. But before driving him to a clinic, she decided to check with his sister. "Did you hit your brother?" she asked the 3-year-old. She hastily replied, "NO!" Then after some serious thought she added, "I hit him yesterday..." -- Theresa Gibbs of Green Bay, Wisconsin Bev asked her grandson Michael, 2, if he would like some graham crackers to eat. He said, "Me don't like them!" Bev tried to correct him and said, "I don't like them." He replied, "Yea, me don't like them either!" -- Bev Garber of Lima, Ohio __ __ / `\ _ /` \ \_ ` ` _/ /'^'.'^'\ | O O | \ o / jgs '._-_.' Debbi was with her children at a small fair and stopped by a table offering a free drawing for a new boom box. As the girls were handed a piece of paper to fill out their names and addresses, Anna had one question for the man running the booth: "What do we have to draw?" She thought she needed to draw a picture on the paper. -- Debbi Armstrong of Orlando, Florida Marlena's father-in-law, who loved to fish, died from cancer when her youngest son was 3. Brady understood death pretty well for a 3-year-old because they had lost a few pets. One day as they passed by the cemetery, Brady said, "I bet Grand-Dad is up in heaven catching dead fish!" -- Marlena Roye of Pampa, Texas __,,,,,,,,,_ .-' ___ .\ / /__ `\ , `\ ,""") / @ \ =\ : `\ .\_/`"'".`~'""'~' : `\ :. _\____,; . ;`. `\ : `\_| .) .: .' `. \ ' \...:/ /\`. `. \ `-._\::/ ./. \ `. ; \ _.)--'`--....-'.' ( \_) `. \ | _( -== .' \ `"'' .( -=- ,' \ ( =-= ) \ `( -= ) . `\ .' `( - ); ; `\ ; `( _.'.' .' \ , ; .';`"'~~'` .' .'; ;' ). \\\_; ;: :'(( _.' ( ; ). jgs .'`: ''"' \ ; ) _,-----'" `._ .-' - ._; )' / / __.`._ .' / `--' `'`'`'`'`''""" `": , ; :_/ / .' `''--'` Alex, 9, and his mother were doing some yard work in the back yard. Mom was cutting the branches and Alex was taking them down to the edge of the street for the waste pickup. After one trip seemed to take Alex an extraordinary amount of time, his mother called out his name. When he hollered back, she asked him if he'd "gotten lost." She was trying to be funny about his dawdling. He very seriously replied, "Mom, I've lived here for eight years. Do you really think I could get lost just walking to the front of the house?" -- Sandi (mother of Alex) of Florida Jacquie's little girl was feeling poorly. That night when her dad came home, she went and sat on his knee, looking for some sympathy. Her dad said, "You poor thing. Are you feeling sick and weak?" She said in a sorry voice, "No, Daddy, just today!" -- Jacquie of Alabama _ ,="` `""=, o / ,=="""'=; , __ ~ / ,--'/=,) o \`\\"._ _, | .='/ <9(9.=" / _ |||;._//) / (J ^\ \ o_/@ @ /// |=( .' .' \ '='/ '-. ( (`__, ,`\| / / \`-;_ \ '.\_/ |\_.' ~ / | /` _ \ ) `""``` | , ; /`\/ `\ \ /.-._///_ |/ ' \_,\__/\ \.-'.'----'` \| '. \ \ /`-, ~ `\ _.-'\ (`-` .' `-.-' _.-')__./,--' .--'`,-'`'""` ` \ /`"`-` | ~ | / ~ | .-'__ .' \ ;'"` `""----'` \ \ '. `\ jgs ) `-. ~ / `-._ | , `-, ~ \ .' `''----` `.( ` Megan, 4, went out to dinner with her family to a favorite seafood restaurant. On the way to the restaurant, Megan's family had discussed ordering Hush Puppies, a specialty at the restaurant. When the waitress got ready to take Megan's order she replied, "I don't want any of those hush doggie things!" -- Laura Ellis of Elk Grove, California ============================================================== .'\ /`. .'.-.`-'.-.`. ..._: .-. .-. :_... .' '-.(o ) (o ).-' `. : _ _ _`~(_)~`_ _ _ : : /: ' .-=_ _=-. ` ;\ : : :|-.._ ' ` _..-|: : : `:| |`:-:-.-:-:'| |:' : `. `.| | | | | | |.' .' `. `-:_| | |_:-' .' jgs `-._ ```` _.-' ``-------'' "The safest road to hell is the gradual one - the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without turnings, without milestones, without signposts." --C.S. Lewis >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->BECOMING A CHRISTIAN HOW TO BE A CHRISTIAN! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->This is for all you who love food andd DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do :) Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? 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