Don't Leave It On The Desk... :) 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 ~ ,-. ,-. ||,\ -=- /,|| F'\\\,o8o,///`J J'J`,\(".")/,'F`L |F||\ \>PVDo 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! ================ >-->In The 'Shangy' News :) >Welcome to the amazing world of learn something new every day! I just learned something new Monday. I knew this... , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Matthew 12:40 "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." Which told me that there was no way that Jesus could of been raised from the dead on Sunday having been crucified on Friday. The days and nights do not add up. So I thought he must of been raised from the dead on Monday. Which gives the proper three days and three nights. But, what I just learned from the TruthOrTradition people totally blows my mind. They write... John 20:1 Early the first day of the week,… The first day of the week is Sunday. John 20:1 while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. Notice that it is Sunday morning here and it is still dark, yet the stone has been removed; the body of Jesus Christ is gone. He has already risen. The question would be from a traditional stand point, “If you have Christ buried just before sunset on Friday and he is up on Sunday morning already and it is actually still dark, then how in the world can you get three days and three nights in the time period?” You cannot get three days and three nights from Friday afternoon to Sunday morning. In fact, you need to back up from Saturday afternoon because when you look at 1 Corinthians 15, verse 4 it says that Jesus Christ got up in the daytime." [not night time] Studying this I have learned not only do they teach us the wrong day for Jesus having been raised from the dead but they teach us the wrong day for him being crucified!!!! Study this to learn more: http://tinyurl.com/6eafjhp Amazing how this bit of truth eluded me all these years! I was talking with Paul and it just makes sense that the devil would want to hide the actual days from us. After all, he hid Jesus' birthday from us. Now we find he's been hiding Jesus' death and resurrection days too. ================ >-->Please Continue to Pray for Texas ... ( . ) ) ( ) . ' . ' . ' . ( , ) (. ) ( ', ) .' ) ( . ) , ( , ) ( . ). , ( . ( ) ( , ') .' ( , ) (_,) . ), ) _) _,') (, ) '. ) ,. (' ) jgs^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ An Update from Our Friend - my Brother Del in Texas: He writes.. Well, yesterday around 5pm the police came by and asked to leave the lake because the fire was headed towards the lake [where he lives] and with the winds gusting 60+ and steady at 45 it was not controllable. So i packed up a few things of value and then I called [my neighbor] and told him. He said he was in no condition to go, said he would just chance it and see what really happens. So I told him i would stay and help him if the fire really got close to us. Pretty brave of me but I just couldn't leave knowing he was in no condition to get out. That would be on my mind for the rest of my life. So I stayed...finally around 11:30 the wind calmed a bit and changed from the west to the north. The police came by and said the fire was moving away from us now with the wind change...yea. [Praise God!] this has been really a scary moment... My pastor had to leave and his house and barn was burnt to the ground.... sad, very sad. --- ...Our prayers are with you and your Pastor Del! -<>- . '@(@@@@@@@)@. (@@) ` . ' . @@'((@@@@@@@@@@@)@@@@@)@@@@@@@)@ @@(@@@@@@@@@@))@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@)@@` . @.((@@@@@@@)(@@@@@@@@@@@@@@))@\@@@@@@@@@)@@@ . (@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@)@@@@@@@@@@@\\@@)@@@@@@@@) (@@@@@@@@)@@@@@@@@@@@@@(@@@@@@@@//@@@@@@@@@) ` .@(@@@@)##&&&&&(@@@@@@@@)::_=(@\\@@@@)@@ . .' @@`(@@)###&&&&&!!;;;;;;::-_=@@\\@)@`@. ` @@(@###&&&&!!;;;;;::-=_=@.@\\@@ ' ` @.#####&&&!!;;;::=-_= .@ \\ ####&&&!!;;::=_- ` ###&&!!;;:-_= ##&&!;::_= ##&&!;:= ##&&!:- #&!;:- #&!;= #&!- #&= jgs #&- \\#/' ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ PLEASE also Pray for all those affected by the natural disasters from Texas to New York, wiping out homes and businesses and killing nearly 300 people. Full news here: http://tinyurl.com/5rnjepp We ask you God to bless them and help them cope during these horrific times, restore, and rebuild through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Please also keep in mind these are indeed acts of god - [little g = god of this world, Satan] not the loving God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He gives life, he does not take it. =================================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: ,"=-. / _),`'". ( /a( ), ) ) C = = ?/ ( )) (_ o-< ) ( `-' \; ( \_ ( | \ ) )| \_/} \ \ \(_;/-|_) )/) `._,--/ / / `!__!! ( (_o)) ---`-._, )--- ------( / |---- | ( | :__/|\_; \ |/ )(\_ /_)--` gpyy \_! >IN MY HEART FOREVER by James Colasanti Jr. Hey Mom, I'm on my way! The florist had your Mother's Day bouquet of white roses ready for me, bundled in bright blue tissue paper. I will put them in water immediately when I arrive. I know they are your favorite and these are especially grand. I picked them out myself. And you know, there's nothing quite like the sweet scent of rose petals perfuming the car as I drive. I can remember our house at 15 South Chase Street being the showplace of our neighborhood. The tall three-story house with gray asphalt shingles and white painted trim was kept immaculate by you and dad. Tulips of various colors bloomed early every spring; tall gladioluses were in blossom during the summer; and patches of big brightly-colored orange pumpkins filled the side yard in the fall. People would slow down to a crawl in their cars and sometimes stop just to get an eyeful of the splendor. And they would always see you out there with your scissors, cutting a fresh bouquet for the house. Every Sunday afternoon I would sit with you and Aunt Tina in the kitchen eating lemons -- still one of my favorite fruits. It was always a calming and reflective time when we would talk about the problems in the world and we would then devise a plan to solve them. Often a simple solution would be found for what we thought was an insurmountable problem. And you would often tell me, "There is not a problem that doesn't have a solution." Do you remember the Dracula cape you made for me for Halloween when I was 12? Your best friend, Minnie, helped you cut it out, fit it, and sew it up for me in our dining-sewing room two weeks before the day I was to wear it to school. The black satin lining on that cape looked especially scary during trick or treat. I can still wear it but the collar is too small for my neck without an extender. And then there was the time I was the Mummy in third grade and my bandages unravelled long before the school day had finished. That ancient Singer sewing machine cranked out a slew of costumes for me, dresses for you, and shirts, coats, and even a tie or two for dad. Halloween was always one of my favorite holiday occasions with Christmas being the first. And you always did your best to make them special for us. And who could forget the Halloween night that Karl and I spent sleeping in the Johnstown Cemetery with my first dog, Butchy. I don't think two guys and a dog have ever been more scared. But most of all, Mom, I remember the food. The great Sicilian country-style meatballs with the cheese centers that oozed in your mouth when you bit into them. The many, many layers of lasagna stuffed with different meats and cheeses and smothered with homemade tomato sauce. In addition, I miss the homemade pickled pepper salad, with hot peppers, cauliflowers, carrots, broccoli, and celery stalks -- all freshly picked for our backyard ggarden. It was the fitting appetizer to any meal you served. I miss the melt-in-your-mouth breaded veal cutlets as well as your Hazelnut Canoli-cream cake. My mouth is beginning to water just thinking about them. I miss the pungent aroma of garlic wafting under my bedroom door early on Sunday mornings, the tangy steam of freshly-made tomato sauce bubbling on the stove, and the hearty smokiness of meats and bacon roasting in the oven. Over the years, all of these have made an indelible impression on my mealtime memories. I can remember the day I left for Syracuse University. I was the only one in our family to ever attend college. You took me aside and whispered in my ear, "Everything you do is a self-portrait of the person doing it. Make it a picture you'll want to hang in your gallery forever." Thank you for sharing that, and I want you to know that I have always tried to live up to your expectations. And Mom, I know I have told you this many times before, "Thank you for getting me Butchy." She was the best dog a fella could ever have. She was my big sister, my best friend, and a companion like no other. I always cherished the moments growing up with her. She was always by my side, my guardian and my shadow. I waved to Mr. Parker as I pulled into the drive. It's good to see he is still here taking care of the place for you. He does a wonderful job keeping the grounds manicured neatly with everything in its place. I am always impressed every time I come here. He has left some water in your vase so I can quickly unbundle your roses and freshen them up. I know they will shimmer and sparkle against the cool gray granite headstone. It has been so many years since I last saw you but every time I'm here I get that uplifting feeling of joy as though I had just been talking with you and solving any problems that I might have had when I arrived. And Mom, I'm sure you really do know what I mean when I say, "I miss you and your love will be in my heart forever. Thanks, Mom, thanks." -- James Colasanti Jr. __________________________________________________ James is the recipient of the Maxwell Medallion given by the Dog Writers Association of America for the Best Essay for 2010. A past president of the Animal Rescue & Foster Program of Greensboro, NC., James shares his home with a housemate and 9 dogs. He is a lead clerk with Barnes & Noble Booksellers. His stories have appeared in Cesar's Way Magazine and many others including the archives of Petwarmers and Heartwarmers. ================================================================ >-->From Our Friend Johanna :) _________ |\ /| | \ / | | `...' | |__/___\__|ldb _________ |~~ @| | ==== | | ==== | |_________|ldb ... /` `\ / \ |\~~~~~~~/| | \=====/ | | /`...'\ | |/_______\|ldb >THE THREE ENVELOPES A fellow had just been hired as the new CEO of a large high tech corporation. The CEO who was stepping down met with him privately and presented him with three numbered envelopes. "Open these if you run up against a problem you don't think you can solve," he said. Well, things went along pretty smoothly, but six months later, sales took a downturn and he was really catching a lot of heat. About at his wit's end, he remembered the envelopes. He went to his drawer and took out the first envelope. The message read, "Blame your predecessor." The new CEO called a press conference and tactfully laid the blame at the feet of the previous CEO. Satisfied with his comments, the press and Wall Street responded positively, sales began to pick up and the problem was soon behind him. About a year later, the company was again experiencing a slight dip in sales, combined with serious product problems. Having learned from his previous experience, the CEO quickly opened the second envelope. The message read, "Reorganize." This he did, and the company quickly rebounded. After several consecutive profitable quarters, the company once again fell on difficult times. The CEO went to his office, closed the door and opened the third envelope. The message said, "Prepare three envelopes." What do you do when things go wrong? Who do you blame? How do you react? Imagine for a moment that the apostle Paul has prepared three envelopes for you when life gets tough. The first envelope contains 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (make sure you don't read it until you really need it!) The second envelope contains Philippians 1:19-21 (only read it if things are getting worse!) And the third envelope contains 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (save this one for extreme situations!) May God's Word give you the strength you need to meet the struggles of life this day and every day. Have a great day! --- ...A Great one! Thanks Johanna Aww yes, here's a link so you can 'Look It Up Dear' for the above scripture references :) Browse the KJV Bible: http://quod.lib.umich.edu/k/kjv/browse.html -<>- .-. ..'-'.. < {> || || \ }/ |||) || .--.''.--. .---. |||X || | | || || || || |Tissues | ||~|| ||___||_ |________| ||_|| (_):======= oo ldb [Get out the tissues for these] We are asking everyone to say a prayer for the "Darkhorse" 3rd Battalion 5th Marines and their families. They are fighting it out in Afghanistan and they have lost 9 marines in 4 days. They are listed below. It would be nice to see the message spread if more could pass it on. Semper Fl, God Bless America and God Bless The United States Marine Corp........ Often tested, Always faithful, Brothers Forever. Lindsay Lohan, 24, gets her name and face all over the news because she went to jail. Now she`s getting it all over again for failing her drug test. [felony theft charges now] But nothing in the media about these guys because no one seems to care: Justin Allen,24, Zachary Fisher,24 Brett Linsley,29, Brandon King,23, Matthew Weikert,29, Christopher Tate,23, Justus Bartlett,27, Dave Santos 21 Chase Stanley, 21 Jesse Reed,26, Matthew Johnson, 21, All are marines that gave their lives for you this week. Honor them by forwarding this. I just did. -<>- \\ ///// | | (| _ _ |) |` | '| | __ | >>>___/\_^__/\___<<< / ||| \ Mike Hertz >MAY GOD BLESS THIS AIRLINE CAPTAIN: He writes: My lead flight attendant came to me and said, "We have an H.R. on this flight." (H.R. Stands for human remains.) "Are they military?" I asked. 'Yes', she said. 'Is there an escort?' I asked. 'Yes, I already assigned him a seat'. 'Would you please tell him to come to the flight deck. You can board him early," I said. A short while later, a young army sergeant entered the flight deck. He was the image of the perfectly dressed soldier. He introduced himself and I asked him about his soldier. The escorts of these fallen soldiers talk about them as if they are still alive and still with us. 'My soldier is on his way back to Virginia ,' he said. He proceeded to answer my questions, but offered no words. I asked him if there was anything I could do for him and he said no. I told him that he had the toughest job in the military and that I appreciated the work that he does for the families of our fallen soldiers. The first officer and I got up out of our seats to shake his hand. He left the flight deck to find his seat We completed our preflight checks, pushed back and performed an uneventful departure. About 30 minutes into our flight I received a call from the lead flight attendant in the cabin. 'I just found out the family of the soldier we are carrying, is on board', she said. She then proceeded to tell me that the father, mother, wife and 2-year old daughter were escorting their son, husband, and father home. The family was upset because they were unable to see the container that the soldier was in before we left. We were on our way to a major hub at which the family was going to wait four hours for the connecting flight home to Virginia. The father of the soldier told the flight attendant that knowing his son was below him in the cargo compartment and being unable to see him was too much for him and the family to bear. He had asked the flight attendant if there was anything that could be done to allow them to see him upon our arrival. The family wanted to be outside by the cargo door to watch the soldier being taken off the airplane. I could hear the desperation in the flight attendants voice when she asked me if there was anything I could do. 'I'm on it', I said. I told her that I would get back to her. Airborne communication with my company normally occurs in the form of e-mail like messages. I decided to bypass this system and contact my flight dispatcher directly on a secondary radio. There is a radio operator in the operations control center who connects you to the telephone of the dispatcher. I was in direct contact with the dispatcher. I explained the situation I had on board with the family and what it was the family wanted. He said he understood and that he would get back to me. Two hours went by and I had not heard from the dispatcher. We were going to get busy soon and I needed to know what to tell the family. I sent a text message asking for an update. I saved the return message from the dispatcher and the following is the text: 'Captain, sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. There is policy on this now and I had to check on a few things. Upon your arrival a dedicated escort team will meet the aircraft. The team will escort the family to the ramp and plane side. A van will be used to load the remains with a secondary van for the family. The family will be taken to their departure area and escorted into the terminal where the remains can be seen on the ramp. It is a private area for the family only. When the connecting aircraft arrives, the family will be escorted onto the ramp and plane side to watch the remains being loaded for the final leg home. Captain, most of us here in flight control are veterans. Please pass our condolences on to the family. Thanks.' I sent a message back telling flight control thanks for a good job. I printed out the message and gave it to the lead flight attendant to pass on to the father. The lead flight attendant was very thankful and told me, 'You have no idea how much this will mean to them.' Things started getting busy for the descent, approach and landing. After landing, we cleared the runway and taxied to the ramp area. The ramp is huge with 15 gates on either side of the alleyway. It is always a busy area with aircraft maneuvering every which way to enter and exit. When we entered the ramp and checked in with the ramp controller, we were told that all traffic was being held for us. 'There is a team in place to meet the aircraft', we were told. It looked like it was all coming together, then I realized that once we turned the seat belt sign off, everyone would stand up at once and delay the family from getting off the airplane. As we approached our gate, I asked the copilot to tell the ramp controller we were going to stop short of the gate to make an announcement to the passengers. He did that and the ramp controller said, 'Take your time.' I stopped the aircraft and set the parking brake. I pushed the public address button and said, 'Ladies and gentleman, this is your Captain speaking. I have stopped short of our gate to make a special announcement. We have a passenger on board who deserves our honor and respect. His Name is Private XXXXXX, a soldier who recently lost his life. Private XXXXXX is under your feet in the cargo hold. Escorting him today is Army Sergeant XXXXXXX. Also, on board are his father, mother, wife, and daughter. Your entire flight crew is asking for all passengers to remain in their seats to allow the family to exit the aircraft first. Thank you.' We continued the turn to the gate, came to a stop and started our shutdown procedures. A couple of minutes later I opened the cockpit door. I found the two forward flight attendants crying, something you just do not see. I was told that after we came to a stop, every passenger on the aircraft stayed in their seats, waiting for the family to exit the aircraft. When the family got up and gathered their things, a passenger slowly started to clap his hands. Moments later more passengers joined in and soon the entire aircraft was clapping. Words of 'God Bless You', I'm sorry, thank you, be proud, and other kind words were uttered to the family as they made their way down the aisle and out of the airplane. They were escorted down to the ramp to finally be with their loved one. Many of the passengers disembarking thanked me for the announcement I had made. They were just words, I told them, I could say them over and over again, but nothing I say will bring back that brave soldier. I respectfully ask that all of you reflect on this event and the sacrifices that millions of our men and women have made to ensure our freedom and safety in these United States of AMERICA . Foot note: As a Viet Nam Veteran I can only think of all the veterans including the ones that rode below the deck on their way home and how they we were treated. When I read things like this I am proud that our country has not turned their backs on our soldiers returning from the various war zones today and give them the respect they so deserve. I know every one who has served their country who reads this will have tears in their eyes, including me. Prayer chain for our Military... Don't break it! Please send this on after a short prayer for our service men and women. Don't break it! They die for me and mine and you and yours and deserve our honor and respect. Prayer: 'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. In Jesus Christ's Name Amen.' Prayer Request: When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our troops around the world. Just send this to people in your address book. Do not let it stop with you. Of all the gifts you could give a Marine, Soldier, Sailor, Airman, and others deployed in harm's way, prayer is the very best one. GOD BLESS YOU!!! --- ...Such a sweet heartwarming story! Thanks Johanna! -<>- .-. ..'-'.. < {> || || \ }/ |||) || .--.''.--. .---. |||X || | | || || || || |Tissues | ||~|| ||___||_ |________| ||_|| (_):======= oo ldb [keep those tissues handy :] ___ .´ __) ( /_ _(\ ( _| > )) ( ( (---'-. (_ `)\-`` ) `/-/ ) \ ----(__.´--------------. \ \ \\_______________________\ |,------------------------' gnv >One professor tells The Story: Don't Leave it on the Desk There was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr. Christianson, a studious man who taught at a small college in the western United States. Dr. Christianson taught the required survey course in Christianity at this particular institution. Every student was required to take this course his or her freshman year, regardless of his or her major. Although Dr. Christianson tried hard to communicate the essence of the gospel in his class, he found that most of his students looked upon the course as nothing but required drudgery. Despite his best efforts, most students refused to take Christianity seriously. This year, Dr. Christianson had a special student named Steve. Steve was only a freshman, but was studying with the intent of going onto seminary for the ministry. Steve was popular, he was well liked, and he was an imposing physical specimen. He was now the starting center on the school football team, and was the best student in the professor's class. One day, Dr. Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him. "How many push-ups can you do?" Steve said, "I do about 200 every night." "200? That's pretty good, Steve," Dr. Christianson said. "Do you think you could do 300?" Steve replied, "I don't know.. I've never done 300 at a time." "Do you think you could?" again asked Dr. Christianson. "Well, I can try," said Steve. "Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I have a class project in mind and I need you to do about 300 push-ups in sets of ten for this to work. Can you do it? I need you to tell me you can do it," said the professor. Steve said, "Well... I think I can...yeah, I can do it." Dr. Christianson said, "Good. I need you to do this on Friday. Let me explain what I have in mind." Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room. When class started, the professor pulled out a big box of donuts. No, these weren't the normal kinds of donuts, they were the extra fancy BIG kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls. Everyone was pretty excited it was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend with a party in Dr. Christianson's class. Dr. Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked, "Cynthia, do you want to have one of these donuts?" Cynthia said, "Yes." Dr. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut?" "Sure." Steve jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then Steve again sat in his desk. Dr. Christianson put a donut on Cynthia's desk. Dr. Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, "Joe, do you want a donut?" Joe said, "Yes." Dr. Christianson asked, "Steve would you do ten push-ups so Joe can have a donut?" Steve did ten push-ups, Joe got a donut. And so it went, down the first aisle, Steve did ten pushups for every person before they got their donut. Walking down the second aisle, Dr. Christianson came to Scott. Scott was on the basketball team, and in as good condition as Steve. He was very popular and never lacking for female companionship. When the professor asked, "Scott do you want a donut?" Scott's reply was, "Well, can I do my own pushups?" Dr. Christianson said, "No, Steve has to do them." Then Scott said, "Well, I don't want one then." Dr. Christianson shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten pushups so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?" With perfect obedience Steve started to do ten pushups. Scott said, "Hey, I said I didn't want one" Dr. Christianson said, "Look, this is my classroom, my class, my desks, and these are my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it." And he put a donut on Scott's desk. Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down. You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow. Dr. Christianson started down the third row. Now the students were beginning to get a little angry. Dr. Christianson asked Jenny, "Jenny, do you want a donut?" Sternly, Jenny said, "No" Then Dr. Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten more push-ups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn't want?" Steve did ten....Jenny got a donut. By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room. The students were beginning to say "No" and there were all these uneaten donuts on the desks. Steve also had to really put forth a lot of extra effort to get these pushups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved. Dr. Christianson asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in the class, to watch Steve do each push up to make sure he did the full ten pushups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all of those uneaten donuts. He sent Robert over to where Steve was so Robert could count the set and watch Steve closely. Dr. Christianson started down the fourth row. During his class, however, some students from other classes had wandered in and sat down on the steps along the radiators that ran down the sides of the room. When the professor realized this, he did a quick count and saw that now there were 34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it. Dr. Christianson went on to the next person and the next and the next. Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set. Steve asked Dr. Christianson, "Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?" Dr. Christianson thought for a moment, "Well, they're your pushups. You are in charge now. You can do them any way that you want." And Dr. Christianson went on. A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student, came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled in one voice, "NO, don't come in Stay out!" Jason didn't know what was going on. Steve picked up his head and said, "No, let him come." Professor Christianson said, "You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten pushups for him?" Steve said, "Yes, let him come in. Give him a donut." Dr. Christianson said, "Okay, Steve, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a donut?" Jason, new to the room, hardly knew what was going on. "Yes," he said, "give me a donut" "Steve, will you do ten push-ups so that Jason can have a donut?" Steve did ten pushups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down. Dr. Christianson finished the fourth row, and then started on those visitors seated by the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each push-up in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. By this time sweat was profusely dropping off of his face, there was no sound except his heavy breathing; there was not a dry eye in the room. The very last two students in the room were two young women, both cheerleaders, and very popular. Dr. Christianson went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, "Linda, do you want a doughnut?" Linda said, very sadly, "No, thank you." Professor Christianson quietly asked, "Steve, would you do ten push- ups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn't want?" Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow pushups for Linda. Then Dr. Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan. "Susan, do you want a donut?" Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry. "Dr. Christianson, why can't I help him?" Dr. Christianson, with tears of his own, said, "No, Steve has to do it alone, I have given him this task and he is in charge of seeing that everyone has an opportunity for a donut whether they want it or not. When I decided to have a party this last day of class, I looked my grade book. Steve here is the only student with a perfect grade. Everyone else has failed a test, skipped class, or offered me inferior work. Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes up he must do push-ups. I told Steve that none of you could come to my party unless he paid the price by doing your push ups. He and I made a deal for your sakes." "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Susan can have a donut?" As Steve very slowly finished his last pushup, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 pushups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor. Dr. Christianson turned to the room and said. "And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, plead to the Father, 'into thy hands I commend my spirit.' With the understanding that He had done everything that was required of Him, He yielded up His life. And like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten." Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically exhausted, but wearing a thin smile. "Well done, good and faithful servant," said the professor, adding, "Not all sermons are preached in words." Turning to his class, the professor said, "My wish is that you might understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that have been given to you through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He spared not only His Begotten Son, but gave Him up for us all, for the whole Church, now and forever. Whether or not we choose to accept His gift to us, the price has been paid." "Wouldn't you be foolish and ungrateful to leave it lying on the desk?" Share this with someone. It's bound to touch their heart and demonstrate salvation in a very special way. . --- ...Aww, I Love This Classic Story!!!! Thank You Johanna! ================================================================ >-->From LaughAndLift: Thought for Today __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown "The power that is in the gospel does not lie in the eloquence of the preacher otherwise men would be converters of souls. Nor does it lie in the preacher's learning; otherwise it could consists of the wisdom of men. We might preach till our tongues rotted, till we should exhaust our lungs and die, but never a soul would be converted unless there were mysterious power going with it - the Holy Ghost changing the will of man. O Sirs! We might as well preach to stone walls as preach to humanity unless the Holy Ghost be with the word, to give it power to convert the soul." - Charles Spurgeon >The Lift _.--._ \ ** / (<>) . ) ( . )\_.._/ /\ \_.._/( (*_<>_ _<>_*) )/ '' \ \/ / '' \( ' ) ( ' ( ) ) ( (<>) / ** \ /.-..-.\ Marvel Not (By Mike Hoskins, mhoskins@cfdevotionals.org) [Edited - twice] John 3:7 "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'" (NAS) For Nicodemus, the simple truth called to him and still eluded him. He had studied under the finest teachers of the Law. His prayers were as regular and as proper as the clock by which they were measured; morning, midday and evening. His skills of debate were refined by hour upon hour of questioning and reply with his peers and his mentors. But this itinerate Rabbi [Master], from Nazareth of all places, struck a chord deep inside. That chord reverberated inside, an empty place that had never been able to be filled with all the hours of study and the wisdom of his elders. Taking a considerable risk, his need to fill that hollow space had driven him down dark streets in common clothes. No one who saw him quietly passing from shadow to shadow would know that this was a member of the Council of Elders. If he had been recognized, it would have caused many questions to be raised. His position would be in jeopardy, especially if he were caught with this Rabbi Jesus. And so Nicodemus became an unexpected house guest of Jesus and His disciples. Jesus, the Son of God, knew that there would be a guest with many questions late this evening. The disciples would be slack-jawed to watch this Doctor of the Law come slipping in through the door. Nicodemus had honest, searching questions, unlike the ones that his fellows would raise. These were not traps set to trick, but probes into a darkness that Nicodemus could not pierce. When Jesus tells Nicodemus he must be born again, he is floored. Totally confused, Nicodemus pensively asks how this can be. Matt 11:25 "At that time Jesus answered and said, "I praise Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou didst hide these things from the wise and intelligent and didst reveal them to babes." (NAS) To those who would scoff, or not even entertain the question in their minds, it would never be answered. To those like this man, who would admit that he did not have all the answers, the answer came simply and honestly. "Don't be surprised when I say, 'You must be born again'" (Mike's paraphrase). Jesus must have said it with a smile. The second birth is of the spirit of God. It is a new spirit for man to replace what was lost when Adam and Eve sinned millennia ago in the Garden of Eden. Even though all of us are physically alive, we are born dead without spirit. To be born again is simply to have life restored via spirit. There is no mystical mumbo-jumbo, nothing you or I can do at all in fact, except ask and believe. If you ask with a sincere heart, Jesus has promised not to turn you away. John 1:11-13 "He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (NAS) Over the years before Jesus came, the truth had become buried in laws and interpretations of those rules and guidelines. Since then, there has been much the same happen again. The simplicity of God reaching out to mankind with compassion has been lost to most. Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. "For My yoke is easy, and My load is light." (NAS) Suggested prayer: "Jesus, I come to You today and I thank You that You do not turn away the honest seeker. My Lord, you know the darkness that I have felt and the questions that have burned in my mind. Jesus, I am drawn to You because I know that You have the answers that I need, for You are the answer. Jesus, I want to be truly alive - to have spirit and be made alive in You - to have fellowship with You. Please come into my life and give me this new birth from You. I believe in You - I believe that you died and God rose you from the dead to pay the penalty for my sins so that I might have this relationship with You and God Almighty. I receive You by faith into my heart. Amen." 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 =================================================================== >-->From CupO'Cheer: .-------. |(~\o/~)| _.||\/X\/||._ ,-" || \ / || "-, ,' () ||o X o|| () ', / () ,-|| / \ ||-, () \ : o ,' ||/\X/\|| ', o ; .----------._)~ ~(_.----------. |\/)~~(\/\ (~\ /~) /\/)~~(\/| |(X () X) >o >-X-< o< (X () X)| |/\)__(/\/ _(_/|\_)_ \/\)__(/\| '----------' ) ( '----------' ; o ', ||\/~\/|| ,' o ; \ () '-|| \o/ ||-' () / ', () |(~\X/~)| () ,' '-._ ||\/ \/|| _.-' '|| \_/ ||' || X || ||\(/\/|| ||=)O(=|| ||/\/)\|| || X || || / \ || ||/\X/\|| jgs |(_/o\_)| '._____.' >FATHER, FORGIVE THEM by Max Lucado The dialogue that Friday [Wednesday] morning was bitter. From the onlookers, “Come down from the cross if you are the Son of God!” From the religious leaders, “He saved others but he can’t save himself.” From the soldiers, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” Bitter words. Acidic with sarcasm. Hateful. Irreverent. Wasn’t it enough that he was being crucified? Wasn’t it enough that he was being shamed as a criminal? Were the nails insufficient? Was the crown of thorns too soft? Had the flogging been too short? For some, apparently so... Of all the scenes around the cross, this one angers me the most. What kind of people, I ask myself, would mock a dying man? Who would be so base as to pour the salt of scorn upon open wounds? How low and perverted to sneer at one who is laced with pain… The words thrown that day were meant to wound. And there is nothing more painful than words meant to hurt… If you have suffered or are suffering because of someone else’s words, you’ll be glad to know that there is a balm for this laceration. Meditate on these words from 1 Peter 2:23 (NIV): “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” Did you see what Jesus did not do? He did not retaliate. He did not bite back. He did not say, “I’ll get you!” “Come on up here and say that to my face!” “Just wait until after the resurrection, buddy!” No, these statements were not found on Christ’s lips. Did you see what Jesus did do? He “entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” Or said more simply, he left the judging to God. He did not take on the task of seeking revenge. He demanded no apology. He hired no bounty hunters and sent out no posse. He, to the astounding contrary, spoke on their defense. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”? (Luke 23:34 NIV)… “they don’t know what they are doing.” And when you think about it, they didn’t. They hadn’t the faintest idea what they were doing. They were a stir-crazy mob, mad at something they couldn’t see so they took it out on, of all people, God. But they didn’t know what they were doing. Yes, the dialogue that Friday morning was bitter. The verbal stones were meant to sting. How Jesus, with a body wracked with pain, eyes blinded by his own blood, and lungs yearning for air, could speak on behalf of some heartless thugs is beyond my compre- hension. Never, never have I seen such love. If ever a person deserved a shot at revenge, Jesus did. But he didn’t take it. Instead he died for them. How could he do it? I don’t know. But I do know that all of a sudden my wounds seem very painless. My grudges and hard feelings are suddenly childish. Sometimes I wonder if we don’t see Christ’s love as much in the people he tolerated as in the pain he endured. Amazing Grace. as seen at www.MaxLucado.com -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >BE STILL . . . DEVOTIONALS FOR DAILY LIVING© They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. "We are going up to Jerusalem," he said, "and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise. [Mark 10:32-34 (NIV)] I often wonder what the disciples thought when Jesus told them this. Think about what your reaction would be if you had been privileged to have been told of God's plans just a few days before they actually happened. Would you have believed what you had been told? Would you think that the man you had faithfully followed had lost his mind? Would you even consider the fact that everything He had ever done or had ever said He would do had come true? If you stop to think about it, we have been told exactly what God is doing. We have the prophets who reported in detail the very events that were about to unfold. We have the same prophets and Revelation to show us what will happen at some point in the future. Do we believe these words? It is human nature to say that we believe, yet, when it comes down to the actual events unfolding before us, we tend to not be able to recognize them as they happen. Perhaps that is why the old newspaper reporter's adage is appropriate. When writing a story, tell the people what you are going to tell them, tell them what you have to tell them, and then tell them what you told them. How many times had Jesus told them of the events that would transpire, yet, they still did not believe it? Fortunately, even though we are blind to what is happening right before us, Jesus still loves us. He leads us through our blindness. Copyright 1998 - 2011 Dennis J. Smock Daily Living Ministries, Inc. http://www.dailylivingministries.org -<>- .. ____ ____ . | / + \ || || /+ . \ | |o x.| =**= _ =**= | o x| | |____| || _( )_ || |____| | || /_____\ || | ______________//| |/__________________ |_______^________/ | + | /____^__ . _U_ / |___| // _U_ . | /_______________________________________// | /|\ |______________________________________|/ /|\ >SET APART CHRIST AS LORD But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. --1 Peter 3:15 The renowned 19th-century English preacher Charles H. Spurgeon told a story about King Cyrus, the man who conquered Babylon and freed the Jews from captivity. A visitor to King Cyrus' palace was admiring his garden and said it gave him much pleasure. King Cyrus responded, "Ah...but you have not so much pleasure in this garden as I have, for I have planted every tree in it myself." Spurgeon then commented on this story, "One reason some saints will have a greater fullness of heaven than others will be that they did more for heaven than others. By God's grace they were enabled to bring more souls there." What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind when you are gone from this earth? How many people will be in heaven because of you? Do you want to be known as a dynamic believer in Christ who never left the pew or walked outside of the church building to share Jesus? Or do you want to be known as one who spent every day sharing Him with the lost world around you? Nothing is more effective in drawing someone to Jesus Christ than sharing your personal testimony of faith. How did God change your life? What great and mighty things have you seen Him do as a result? Believers should always be ready to share their faith with others and have zeal to move beyond their comfort zone to bring more souls to Jesus. Become the kind of Christian that when you reach eternity, someone will say to you, "I'm so thankful for you. It was because of your testimony, your life, and your invitation to accept Jesus that I'm here today" (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20). PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that you would have a passion for sharing Jesus with those around you. As seen in Daily Living For Seniors -<>- \ | / -- * -- / | \ /') ./') ('\. ('\ /' /.--''./'') (''\.''--.\ '\ :--'' ; ''./'') (''\.'' ; ''--: : ' ''./') ('\.'' ' : : ''./' '\.'' : :--''-..--'''' ''''--..-''--: dp >WHERE I AM I closed my eyes and what do you suppose I could see; God’s outstretched hand where He wanted me to be. What do you suppose I then did in that very minute, I put myself and all that matters to me right there in it. Right there in the center of God’s capable hand, the place where He’s intended me to be since time first began. I have placed myself in the hand of my Heavenly Father, therefore when situations arise I needn’t try harder. I needn’t stress or worry over what I should do, no matter how things appear in my rather insignificant view. I just have to recall the things I’ve read in His Holy Word, or the teachings by our beloved Pastor that I’ve heard. I don’t have to ask others for their opinions or advice, no matter that they are willing, caring, or out and out nice. I just have to trust in Him who created us one and all, and know that I know that He hears my every single call. I just have to Thank Him every single chance I get, rather than where I would have at one time given into fret. No longer do you see worry and anxiety on my face, because peace and tranquility have now taken their place. No more sleepless nights concerned over what I should do; no anxieties over other people’s judgmental views. Just standing on and trusting in God’s Holy Word, knowing He is fully aware of everything that’s ever occurred. Sound and secure at last in God’s more than Loving Hand, that’s where He wanted me that’s where I am! Barbara Philbrook -<>- ___ [_ ] [do\ ] \L// /XX\\ {XXX{ } \\ XXX N \\=====[===[M] / / / [=[==] \ \ \ doPdoP Cheshirecat >BUILDING A BOAT Abraham Lincoln once said, "I will prepare, and some day my chance will come." When his chance came, he was ready. During his seminary years, one priest-in-training owned a favorite T-shirt. Across the front was emblazoned: "Expectant Father." His chance came and he, too, was ready. When your chance comes, will you be ready? I know that sports stories don't speak to everyone, but if you'll indulge me, I think Wayne Gretzky has something powerful to teach us about preparation. Former ice hockey superstar Gretzky knew the value of being ready. He broke almost every record imaginable and is generally thought to be the greatest hockey player of all time. "The Great One," as he is often called, is not particularly big - he stands at 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighed about 170 pounds during his career. He never skated particularly fast, his shot was not high-powered and he often placed dead last on regular strength tests administered to his team. So what made him so great? Gretzky attributes his stardom to practice and preparation. He practiced stick handling in the off-season with a tennis ball, as the ball was harder to control than a puck. In practice he innovated. He practiced bouncing the puck off the sideboards to his teammates until that technique became a regular part of his play. Then he worked on bouncing the puck off the net. He became so accomplished at these maneuvers that he sometimes said, "People say there's only six men on the ice, but really, if you use the angle of deflection of the board, there's seven. If you count the net, that's eight. From the opening face-off, I always figure we have 'em eight-on-six." The Great One was so great because, when his chance came to make an impact, he was ready. And because he was ready, chances came again and again. I've learned this: it doesn't matter what awaits me just across the sea if I haven't built a boat. Many years ago a friend and I were talking about a speaking engagement I had accepted in Los Angeles. "I'd love to go places and speak or lead seminars," she said. I asked her, "What would you speak about? What do you want to teach?" "I don't know. I've always wanted to write a book and lead seminars," she said, "but I've never gotten around to it." I've heard her speak - she has a great ability to relate to people. She has a charismatic personality. She is intelligent and articulate. I have no doubt she could excel in such a field. We talked about her need to develop expertise in an area about which she is passionate. We talked about how she might look for opportunities to lead local seminars and teach courses. And we talked about steps she might take toward writing her book, something she had wanted to do for years. But after a number of years, she has still done none of those things. If her chance comes, she will not be ready. And more likely, since she is not ready, her chance will probably never come. I often hear people say, "If only I had a chance." Maybe it's a chance at a new position, a bigger challenge or to do something different. Perhaps they are waiting for a chance to prove themselves or a chance to really make a difference. But I wonder -- if I were offered that new challenge today, would I be ready to meet it? Am I prepared to take full advantage? It's not enough for me to dream about exotic, new places. I need to build a boat. Steve Goodier as seen in Life Support -<>- To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ================================================================= >-->From Our Friend Tony In Australia :) _,aadZZZbaa,_ _,aad888baa,_ _,dZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZa ,d88888888888888b,_ ,dZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZa,d8888888888888888888b, dZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZb"888888888888888888888b ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZb"888888888888888888888 dZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZP'`YZZZZZZZZb"8888888888888888888b ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZP'd88b`YZZZZZZZZb"888888888888888888 YZZZZZZZZZZZZZP'd888888b`YZZZZZZZ 88888888888888888P YZZZZZZZZZZP'd8888888888b`YYYYY'd8888888888888888P YZZZZZZZP'd888888888888888888888888PYYY88888888P `ZZZZP'd888888888888888888888888"dZZZb"88888P' YP'd8888888P'd8888888888888"db"ZZZZZZb"88" ,d8888888P'd8888888888888"dZZZb"ZZZZZZZb" d8888888P'd888888P'd888"db"ZZZZZZb"ZZZZZZZb Y88888P'd888888P'd888"dZZZb"ZZZZZZZb"ZZZZP' `"YP'd888888P'd88"db"ZZZZZZb"ZZZZZZZb"P' Y88888P'd88"dZZZb"ZZZZZZZb"ZZZZZZP `"YP'd8888,YZZZZZb"ZZZZZZZb"ZZP' Y88888Pb"ZZZZZZb"ZZZZZZP `"YP'd88b"ZZZZZZb"ZZP' Normand Y88888`ZZZZZZP Veilleux `"YP' `YZZP' >Part Four of Walking and talking ….By Faith… Tony Illingworth© Living a life of “Faith’ is never going to be boring….. Exasperating sometimes! Exhilarating maybe! Down right ‘scary’ at times! But never boring… I am sure Abram didn’t have too many ‘dull’ days and I am just as sure that the day Abram pulled up those tent stakes, he would never have even ‘imagined’ what he was in store for! and never again would he feel any ‘stability’… That’s very much how it is for all of us who work hard to follow God’s lead….decision after decision. Move after move… With ‘us’ Christians, we tend to want God to show His hand first and when He does, then and usually only then, do we respond..Its almost always “ Lord , if YOU do this..I will do that!” And GOD always keeps His promises to us…. God is our source! He is the Power that we need but don’t have! Abram ‘knew’ that and he had NO dispute with God he had NO reason not to believe that as long as obeyed God and no one else, things would go along just fine….and really, it’s much the same with us…till we try to put words into God’s mouth!... There is NO power in God’s ‘commands’ to us…..did you know that? But only because he gave us the gift of ‘choice’….. If He has ‘commanded’ us to do something and we refuse and go ina different direction….the onus is on US! He doesn’t ‘punish” us because we bought the Ford instead of the Holden He wanted us to buy! If he did you would have a flat tyre and a dead battery every day! And Fords would have a terrible name amongst ’unbelievers?! But there is endless “power” in God’s promises to us! They NEVER are left unfulfilled… NO! not ever….’I guess it would be fair to say that oftern, when we make a bad choice, God will find a way to make us see our short falls, but He also always listens when we say the shortest and most frequently used prayer of all which is “ God! HELP ME” !.... and more often than not…He does! I was once a soldier( another life time) and I was used to hearing orders and taking as well as giving commands, in fact it became second nature to jump when I was told to, and expect others to ‘obey’ when I told THEM to jump.. But now here in God’s Army, we live on His promises! Not just His commands! You see, things work in almost the opposite way that we expect with God! WE DO! What we ‘know’ He would have us do,not because HE ‘commanded’ us! But because we ‘want to.. and then by His Grace He takes care of us! And that’s not because of the ‘works’ we do! It’s because of our FAITH! God, rewards our Faith… God’s Grace flows through to us, through His Promises! Isn’t that just fabulous? Come on give me a better word than FABULOUS! That doesn’t even begin! To describe God’s Grace! It really is true! That when God gives us a ‘moral’ command it will be a lesson in showing us where we fall short, but that doesn’t mean that God will just ‘be MR FIXIT!’ Often the lesson is for us to fix things or at least make the effort, ourselves. We need to learn to respond as Abram did, in perfect ‘faith’..! It was ‘faith’ that kept Abram moving onward! It was Faith that got him through to Canaan! And God’s grace flowed with abundance! And it keeps on flowing! Most of us cannot ‘act on faith’..we have to be ‘told’ to do things before they get done and we need it explained to us in minute detail Good job Abram didn’t react in such a way! He would still be wondering around in the desert country! But Abram obeyed when God said “Abram GO!” Abram… just went! He didn’t ask ‘Where Lord” he just pulled up the tent pegs….and he went! One foot in front of the other! ”The evidence of things not see”… We don’t ‘see’ promises, they are only words, we see the results of promises once the words are put into action and God did just that for Abram and His people! God’s love is revealed to us in His promises and that love is what draws us closer in our walk with him. Br Tony End of Part 4 --- ...Wonderful! Thanks Tony! So true! Our action - our walking out on the promises is our power. Also see.. Walking In Power http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/walkingpower.html ================================================================ >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: ,---------. ( HAJIME! ) `---,-----' _____________/__________ /' / `\ / ,ssssssssssosssssssssss. \ / dSSSSSSSSSS/|\SSSSSSSSSSSb \ / dSSP' p / \ q `?SSb \ / dSSP /V\ /V\ ?SSb \ / dSSP /"\ /"\ ?SSb \ / dSSSssssssssssssssssssssssssssSSSb \ / dSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSb \ / \ `-------------------------------------------' pb Ogden High School`s wrestling team showed up for a wrestling meet at Humboldt High School . The home coach greeted them with the news that one of his wrestlers had Down`s syndrome. "He has no skill but loves to compete. You can pin him in seconds. He knows he`ll lose; he just wants to roll around on the mat for a little bit. Would anyone on your team be willing to wrestle with him?" First, there was silence. Then a lone voice on the Ogden team replied, "I`ll do it," and wrestler Lane Brueland stepped forward to grapple with the boy named Brent. The gesture alone was commendable, but what Brueland did next was exemplary. Instead of doing what the Humboldt coach requested, Brueland wrestled with the boy for the full six minutes. Not only that, he let the youngster score enough points to win the match. When Brent`s hand was raised and he looked up in wonder and said, "I won?" There wasn`t a dry eye in the gym. Both boys got a standing ovation. Character Counts.org. -<>- ___ _-"_-" _-_-" _-_-" _______________________-"-"_ \ / \ / mga .--_\______________________/_--. ""--------------------------"" >A Bigger Frying Pan Two men went fishing. One man was an experienced fisherman, the other wasn't. Every time the experienced fisherman caught a big fish, he put it in his ice chest to keep it fresh. Whenever the inexperienced fisherman caught a big fish, he threw it back. The experienced fisherman watched this go on all day and finally got tired of seeing this man waste good fish. "Why do you keep throwing back all the big fish you catch?" he asked. The inexperienced fisherman replied, "I only have a small frying pan." Sometimes, like that fisherman, we throw back the big plans, big dreams, big jobs, big opportunities that God gives us. Our faith is too small. We laugh at that fisherman who didn't figure out that all he needed was a bigger frying pan; yet how ready are we to increase the size of our faith? Whether it's a problem or a possibility, God will never give you anything bigger than you can handle. That means we can confidently walk into anything God brings our way. You can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13). Nothing is too big for God. Stop telling God you've got big problems, but instead tell your problems to a big God! Jeremiah 33:2-3 "Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is his name; Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." James 1:5-6 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed." - Author Unknown -<>- ________ .##@@&&&@@##. ,##@&::%&&%%::&@##. #@&:%%000000000%%:&@# #@&:%00' '00%:&@# #@&:%0' '0%:&@# #@&:%0 0%:&@# #@&:%0 0%:&@# #@&:%0 0%:&@# "" ' " " ' "" To: YOU Date: TODAY From: THE BOSS Subject: YOURSELF Reference: LIFE - I am God. Today I will be handling all of your problems. Please remember that I do not need your help. If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do not attempt to resolve it. Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. It will be addressed in My time, not yours. Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold on to it. If you find yourself stuck in traffic; Don't despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of priviledge. Should you have a bad day at work; Think of the man who has been out of work for years. Should you despair over a relationship gone bad; Think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return. Should you grieve the passing of another weekend; Think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children. Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance; Think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk. Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror; Think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine. Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking what is my purpose? Be thankful. There are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity. Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities; Remember, things could be worse. You could be them!!!! Should you decide to send this to a friend; You might brighten someone's day! -Author Unknown -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment gagvid0048 http://www.buffalosjokes.com/121106.htm gagvid0079 http://www.buffalosjokes.com/121107.htm German Ad for Cat Food http://www.buffalosjokes.com/121108.htm Just A Hunch http://www.buffaloschips.com/sfduiosa.htm Just Following Instructions http://www.buffaloschips.com/opowepwe.htm Just Upgrading http://www.buffaloschips.com/908iu.htm gesto de amor1 http://www.buffalosjokes.com/121109.htm Babes In Christ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/babesinchrist.html God's Royal And Holy Priests http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/royalpriests.html Daddy Do-Do! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/daddy.html Where Was God? http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/where.html Greetings! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/greetings.html Tour Inside Google http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/insidegoogle.html Peek-A-Boo Panda http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/panda.html Panda's After The Earthquake http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/pandae.html Strange Buildings http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/buildings.html Thoughts Into Action http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/action.htm Taking A Cat Bath! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/catbath.html Wild Bear Farm! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wildbearfarm.html A cute one From Johanna - [Sweet reminder Thanks Johanna!] Margaret The Giraffe http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/giraffe.html A Must Watch from Linda - [funny! - thanks Linda!] The T-Mobile Royal Wedding http://tinyurl.com/64ue4m2 Visit our site at http://www.inspiredbuffalo.com If you are looking to join any of our other fine e-zines visit www.buffalosjokes.com =============================================================== >-->Count... _ _(_)_ wWWWw _ @@@@ (_)@(_) vVVVv _ @@@@ (___) _(_)_ @@()@@ wWWWw (_)\ (___) _(_)_ @@()@@ Y (_)@(_) @@@@ (___) `|/ Y (_)@(_) @@@@ \|/ (_)\ / Y \| \|/ /(_) \| |/ | \ | \ |/ | / \ | / \|/ |/ \| \|/ jgs|// \\|/// \\\|//\\\|/// \|/// \\\|// \\|// \\\|// ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Count your gardens by the flowers, Never by the leaves that fall; Count your days by golden hours, Don't remember clouds at all. Count your nights by stars, Not shadows; Count your life with smiles, Not tears; And with joy through all your lifetime, Count your age by friends, not years. -Author Unknown >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? 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 ************************************************************************