Eternal Ink... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* Please Consider Giving To ShangralaFamilyFun.com The cost of the website has gone up dramatically due to the ever increasingly wonderful pages and photos being added each week to entertain you and our fellow Christian families. If every one would chip in $25 or more, we'd be good for the whole year! So Please - I need your help today! "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ .-""-. _______ .-""-. .'_.-. | ,*********, | .-._'. / _/ / **` `** \ \_ \ /.--.' | | **,;;;;;,** | | '.--.\ / .-`-| | ;//;/;/;\\; | |-`-. \ ;.--': | | /;/;/;//\\;\\ | | :'--.; | _\.'-| | ((;(/;/; \;\);) | |-'./_ | ;_.-'/: | | );)) _ _ (;(( | | :\'-._; | | _:-'\ \(((( \ );))/ /'-:_ | | ; .:` '._ \ );))\ " /(((( / _.' `:. ; |-` '-.;_ `-\(;(;((\ = /););))/-` _;.-' `-| ; / .'\ |`'\ );));)/`---`\((;(((./`'| /'. \ ; | .' / `'.\-((((((\ /))));) \.'` \ '. | ;/ /\_/-`-/ ););)| , |;(;(( \` -\_/\ \; |.' .| `;/ (;(|'==/|\=='|);) \;` |. '.| | / \.'/ / _.` | `._ \ \'./ \ | \| ; |; _,.-` \_/Y\_/ `-.,_ ;| ; |/ \ | ;| ` | | | ` |. | / `\ || | | | || /` jgs `:_\ _\/ \/_ /_:' `"----""` `""----"` *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a Shangrala Angel, the easiest way to do that is through online giving. It is easy to use, and most of all, it is secure. Please visit the site, scroll down and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL form page comes up. NOTE: Paypal will generate a 'Quantity 1' and 'Price per item' form. Just ignore the price per item and put whatever it is you desire to give in there. With Paypal, you will have your normal receipt for your 'payment' donation in USD (United States Dollars). You can put a memo in there if you'd like. 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 YOU MOST ABUNDANTLY FOR YOUR GIFT! ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! AND For Facebook Users: Please Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND Please Share This email with All Your Friends And Family! ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! ================ ============;===========;() # # # #:::::: # # # #:::::: # # # #:::::: # # # #:::::: # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # jgs # # # # # # # *~* Happy Safe and Blessed Memorial Day Weekend! :) >From VA News: Memorial Day Ceremonies Online, Leave a Tribute to Your Loved One, 20 VA Facilities to Expand Select Services https://tinyurl.com/ya5zf5kn -<>- , /) // (/ _/ ______ ) ( (-----( /INK\ \ \ \___/ \ \ jgs _)_____) `------` >-->In The 'Shangy' News :) I am quite pleased to announce that we have a new sponsor for the website www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com. Parker Waichmann LLO is a National Law Firm with clients in all 50 States. The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is compiling a trust to pay out to their abuse victims, but they've also filed a bankruptcy. This means that victims have a limited time to file claims against them. For many victims, this means they’ll be denied their day in court to tell their story and will only have the opportunity to obtain settlement from a victim compensation trust. If you want to pursue a lawsuit against the Boy Scouts of America, it’s important to act now: contact them to discuss your legal rights and options, and how best to begin the pursuit of justice. If you are a BSA victim, you're not alone, there’s a history of Boy Scout abuse allegations that stretches back decades, and now, the organization and those who have supported it are finally being brought to justice. If you have been victimized by the Boy Scouts of America or anyone associated with BSA, contact Parker Waichman LLP today to speak with a talented and compassionate Boy Scout abuse attorney who will help you and your family fight for the compensation you deserve. For Legal Cases Involving the Boy Scouts of America: https://www.yourlawyer.com/boy-scouts-sexual-abuse-case-lawyers/ Be sure to check them out today! They have chat personal available on the site to hrlp answer all your questions. You can always be assured that I only go with the best for you! :) -<>- >HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) Today's hot new page is from our friend Linda. It's a fun page with little known trivia to help wipe the cobwebs from the far corners of your brain and get those cells working. It's also a most interesting one that will give you many sparks for that 'learn something new every day' saying. Be sure to check this one out and find out how many you already know... ..:::::.. .:::::::::::. ::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::: :::::::_/|::::::: ::::=/_/::::::: `:_/ |::::::' ( / ,|:::'' \_/^\/||__ _/~ `""~`"` \_ __/ -'/ `-._ `\_\__ /jgs /-'` `\ \ \-.\ Name These Animal Groups! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animalgroups.html --- ...Wow! Fun and Amazing! Thanks Linda! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free. And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me. -- Lee Greenwood Gail shares a touching Memorial Day tribute. Have a safe holiday weekend and let's "never forget." -<>- .---. ___ /_____\ /\.-`( '.' ) / / \_-_/_ \ `-.-"`'V'//-. `.__, |// , \ |Ll //Ll|\ \ |__// | \_\ /---|[]==| / / \__/ | \/\/ /_ | Ll_\| |`^"""^`| >LEST WE FORGET by Gail Bracy We all wore them in the 70s -- those stainless steel POW-MIA bracelets. The best-dressed high school students had AT LEAST one each, and we all wore them proudly. After all, war was dirty business, and we were doing our part... by remembering. We were wearing bracelets that had the name and rank of a soldier Missing In Action or who was captured and kept as a Prisoner of War. Our bracelets told which country the soldier represented, as well. They listed where the soldier was stationed when he disappeared and his home state. There was information concerning his last-known address, so if you wanted to, you could send a note to the family, telling them that you had their son's name on your bracelet, and that you'd never forget him. That was the idea, after all -- to wear the bracelet until he came home, or simply to always remember him. I had every intention of writing to the parents of "my guy," but every effort was interrupted by important things thinks like pajama parties, dances, pep rallies, bicycle trips and county fairs. Things like summer camp, tree climbing, book reading and birthday parties. I would remember to write later. I promised myself at least weekly for a number of months that I'd write to his parents, yet never seemed to have the time or the postage stamp. There were no home computers or email messages back then. I would remember next week after final exams. Yes, I'd remember next week. This was important stuff, and I'd remember. We started choosing colleges. I wanted to find a husband and start a family. Sue was going to be a chemist. Cliff was going to be a missionary on some island in the Pacific, and Wanda was going to be a dental assistant. Joe was going to open a car repair shop and Millie was going to marry Fred and start having children. Everyone was heading out into the big world to make his/her mark. Time passed.... I'd occasionally run across my bracelet as I emptied drawers or filled boxes to go to college, my first apartment, another college, our first house. I'd remember to write after I unpacked and before classes started, babies came, jobs, changed, I was sure. This was important, and I'd remember. Part of the hesitancy was a result of not knowing what to say. It was fifteen years after high school graduation that I met John. John sported one of those stainless steel bracelets. No one wore them anymore. Memories of the Vietnam War and life in the 70s rushed through my mind in an embarrassing memory of unmailed letters and unkept promises. I remembered! I remembered the sit-ins, the protest marches, peace signs, "War is not Healthy" posters and black lights. I remembered the perfumes that were named after nature -- Wild Grasses, Ocean Mist, Warm Earth. I remembered John Denver and Annie's Song and bell-bottom pants, chokers and fringed everything. I remembered Richard Nixon's 'ending that war' for us, and how proud I was. I remembered his trip to China. I remembered it all. But the warmth of the memories was soon replaced by the ice- water jolt of the realization that I had unfinished and important business. YOU know the kind -- the complete shock, embarrassment and urgency that makes your heart race and your skin crawl. The kind that makes you hear rushing wind when everything's still, the feeling that you've committed an unforgivable offense. I had forgotten to write The Letter. I had forgotten to wear the bracelet. I had forgotten my commitment to those who were missing or dead. I forgot that these people were somebody's children. I had forgotten to remember. As John fingered the bracelet and told me about his POW, I saw tears glistening in his eyes, threatening at any moment to cut a trail down his cheek and through his beard and mustache. He looked at me and said, "You know, my son graduated from West Point, and he may well be in the same position as these poor guys one day. I pray that it never happens, but if it does, and if God wills it, and my son disappears, I pray that someone remembers. We must never forget." Lt. Col. Bruce G. Johnson (USA, MI, 6/10/65, South Vietnam), please forgive me. Please forgive us all, lest we forget. -- Gail Bracy __________________________________________________ Gail says, "I live in Watertown, NY, and very much enjoy writing. One of my passions is photography, and I hope to one day combine my photos and stories in a book of my own." =========================================================== >-->From DailyEncounter: ,%%%%%%%%, ,%%/\%%%%/\%% ,%%%\c "" J/%%% %. %%%%/ o o \%%% `%%. %%%% _ |%%% `%% `%%%%(__Y__)%%' // ;%%%%`\-/%%%' (( / `%%%%%%%' \\ .' | \\ / \ | | \\/ ) | | jgs \ /_ | |__ (___________))))))) >Be on Guard “Control yourselves. Be on your guard. Your enemy the devil is like a roaring lion. He prowls around looking for someone to chew up and swallow."1 My four-year-old son is in karate. As part of his training, he must learn different stances depending on the attack they are practicing. One of these stances is called a Guard Stance, which means that he bends his knees, keeps his back straight, and bends his arms back and has them firmly near his chest. Having his arms in this position allows him to strike at his opponent quickly and firmly, as opposed to having his arms down at his sides where it would be slower to strike back or defend himself from an attack. Over time and with much practice, he becomes stronger and his balance improves as he performs his stances. This may seem like a simple illustration, but it got me thinking of a profound truth. As Christians, we are always under attack. Perhaps not physically, but spiritually. As today’s verse says, “Your enemy the devil is like a roaring lion. He prowls around looking for someone to chew up and swallow". Many times,we get distracted and lower our guard. This is exactly what the devil is waiting for to strike and attack us. His goal as we see in John 10:10 is to,“steal and kill and destroy." Our stance(foundation) needs to be firm and centered on Christ. Only in Him can we fight against the devil. He is our Rock. 1 Corinthians 16:13 says, “Be on your guard;stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong." The more we practice by praying without ceasing and mediating on God’s word, we will have the strength to stand firm. Be on guard! Suggestedprayer: “Dear God, allow me to always be on guard. Standing firmly on Christ as my Rock and my Foundation. In you I have the victory over the devil and any of his attacks. Thank you for never leaving or forsaking me. I can be confident knowing that I can do all things through Christ because you give me strength. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus Christ’s name, amen." 1. 1 Peter 5:8 (NIRV). <:))))>< _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` >Ignoring the Warnings "Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment."1 I read about a West Virginia State Trooper who stopped a woman driver for going 15 miles over the speed limit. After handing her a ticket, the driver asked him, "Don't you give out warnings?" "Yes, ma'am," he replied. "They're all up and down the road. They say, 'Speed Limit 55.'"2 I can imagine that many people--who have rejected God all their life and failed to accept His forgiveness for their sins--when they stand before God at the end of life's journey and are required to give an account of their life and receive God's judgment are going to want to say the same as the lady above: "Don't you give out warnings?" I can imagine God saying, "Yes, sir/madam, my Word, the Bible, is filled with warnings from cover to cover to prepare for life after death. And every year of your life you were reminded of my offer of forgiveness and eternal life at both Christmas and Easter." And this is what they will hear God say to them: "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!"3 Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank You that You have warned me over and over to prepare to meet You face to face after I die. Please help me to make my life right with You. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen." 1. Hebrews 9:27 (NIV). 2. from Reader's Digest, "All in a Day's Work," by Patricia Greenlee. 3. Matthew 7:23 (NKJV). When copying or forwarding include the following: "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2016 ACTS International. --- ...My Two Cents... My daughter lately has been rather upset by what she has seen on many ID shows and in the news concerning those who go to church or work in the church. She says, "See! Why would I want to go to church? They aren't any better for going there!" I remind her primarily of two things. , , , , , <(__)> | | | | \/ | \_|_/ \^ ^/ | /\--/\ /| jgs / \/ \/ | 1: The devil likes to use God's people as an example to others seeking God. He tempts them. Mainly with lust or greed and they do horrible things while supposedly being good God abiding church going Christians. By tempting them to go against God in a horrific way, the devil gets others who are not sure if they want to go to church and receive God's Word and fellowship with God's children bale on the whole idea. They see church goers and even ministers, pastors and Church leaders etc. who kill their own wife just to avoid the shame of a divorce or just so they can be with another woman they are having an affair with or just for financial gain not wanting to split their estates in a divorce or over life insurance they have taken out on their wife and the list goes on. The devil laughs at all of this. He wins in the short battle as they are not only a shame to their church members and themselves, but also get life in prison and many souls may be turned away from God and Jesus Christ from their actions. We are in a spiritual war. This is what the devil does. Turning law-abiding people into evil doers is his specialty. .---. /` ___|`\ |_/ \| ( -/- ) \_ - _/ .-'|_|'-. / \ / O \ / _____!_____ \ /.-------------.\ \| ,;, |/ | ;;; | | ;;;;;;;;; | | `';;;'` | | ;;; | | ;;; | | ::: | | ';' | | | _| _ __ __ _|_ jgs_/ _ __ ___ __ _\_ _/ __ ___ _ ___ __ _ \_ 2. God doesn't let these people off scot-free just because we are in The Age Of Grace period. These Church leaders that God has entrusted with His flock - His children - His Church, have a grave responsibility to God and Jesus Christ. Matt.12 [36] But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. God's going to hold you accountable for every idle word you speak so how much trouble are these church leaders in for going against God and hurting His ministry? They may have even turned their brother or sister in Christ away from God putting them in extra harms way of the devil by them leaving God's protection. == == <^\()/^> <^\()/^> \/ \/ \/ \/ /__\ . ' . /__\ == /\ . | . /\ == <^\()/^> !_\/ ' | ' \/_! <^\()/^> \/ \/ !_/I_|| . ' \'/ ' . ||_I\_! \/ \/ /__\ /I_/| || -== + ==- || |\_I\ /__\ /_ \ !//| | || ' . /.\ . ' || | |\\! /_ \ (- ) /I/ | | || . | . || | | \I\ (= ) \__/!//| | | || ' | ' || | | |\\!\__/ / \I/ | | | || ' . ' * || | | | \I/ \ {_ __} | | | || || | | | {____} _!__|= || | | | || * + || | | | || |__!_ _I__| ||__|__|__|_|| A ||_|__|__|__||- |__I_ -|--|- ||--|--|--|-|| __/_\__ * ||-|--|--|--||= |--|- | | || | | | || /\-'o'-/\ || | | | || | | | |= || | | | || _||:<_>:||_ || | | | ||= | | | |- || | | | || * /\_/=====\_/\ * || | | | ||= | | | |- || | | | || __|:_:_[I]_:_:|__ || | | | ||- | | _|__| ||__|__|__|_||:::::::::::::::::::::||_|__|__|__|| |__|_ -|--|= ||--|--|--|-||:::::::::::::::::::::||-|--|--|--||- |--|- jgs|- || | | | ||:::::::::::::::::::::|| | | | ||= | | ~~~~~~~~~^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^~~~~~~~~~ Rom.14: [10b] ...for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. [11] For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. [12] So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. So we need not blame those seeking fellowship with fellow believers in church or blame the church itself. The blame goes to the devil and those who allowed the devil to temp and twist them into doing evil. Gal.6: [7] Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. These so called men of God should have been more concerned with the years after death - their eternity with God - rather than the few years of life they have left on this present earth. Those whom God has trusted with his flock and betray Him are the ones that really get me angry. But I know that our God is a very just God and shall hold each one of them accountable for what they have done. _.-/`) // / / ) .=// / / / ) //`/ / / / / // / ` / || / \\ / )) .' jgs // / / I just pray for the ones that got misled by their evil deeds. This goes along with this one From Daily Encounter... , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Integrity "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine."1 Don Johnson of Afterglow wrote, "In ancient China, the people desired security from the barbaric hordes to the north, so they built the great Chinese wall. It was so high they knew no one could climb over it and so thick that nothing could break it down. They settled back to enjoy their security. During the first hundred years of the wall's existence China was invaded three times. Not once did the barbaric hordes break down the wall or climb over the top. Each time they bribed a gatekeeper and then marched right through the gates. The Chinese were so busy relying upon the walls of stone that they forgot to teach integrity to their children."2 Integrity means: keeping your word; being faithful to your commitments; doing an honest day's work; not doing in the dark what you would never be caught doing in the light. It is being loyal, trustworthy, and faithful. It means: being true to yourself and honest with others; being genuine, authentic, and real, faithful, trustworthy, and loyal. Our individual lives and our families will not be saved by personal power, wealth, education, popularity, nor beauty, but by integrity and our trust in the Lord. Neither will our nation be saved by the power and might of our military nor our brilliant technical warfare. In the long run we will only be saved by our integrity and our trust in the Lord, for "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me as an individual to always maintain integrity, and help us as a nation to realize the tremendous importance of maintaining integrity. And grant that we will be forever reminded that 'blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.' Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen." 1. Psalm 33:12,16-19 (NIV). 2. Afterglow, www.afterglow.org. <:))))>< When copying or forwarding include the following: "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2016 ACTS International. =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: . ' ' . ' /\ ' + ' || ' + |\ || /| ' - . \\||// . - ' -= <>>>><<<<> =- . - ' //||\\ ' - . |/ || \| + . || . + . || . ' .||. ' \/ >The Ripple Effect (Author Unknown) In 1855, A Sunday School teacher, a Mr. Kimball, led a Boston shoe clerk to give his life to Christ. The clerk, Dwight L. Moody, became an evangelist. In England in 1879, Dwight L. Moody awakened evangelistic zeal in the heart of Fredrick B. Meyer, pastor of a small church. F.B. Meyer, preaching to an American college campus, brought to Christ a student named J. Wilbur Chapman. J. Wilbur Chapman, engaged to YMCA work, employed a former baseball player, Billy Sunday, to do evangelistic work. Bill Sunday held a revival in Charlotte, N.C. A group of local men were so enthusiastic afterward that they planned another evangelistic campaign, bringing Mordecai Hamm to town to preach. During Mordecai Hamm's revival, a young man named Billy Graham heard the Gospel and yielded his life to Christ. Only Eternity will reveal the tremendous impact of that one Sunday School teacher, Mr. Kimball, who invested his life in the lives of others. --- ...See This... The Graham Family Impact: A Third Generation Story https://tinyurl.com/y83xyldz -<>- _..._ .~ `~. / } \ _.'`~~/ {_,} -( ,'-,___.' .-. / |_ /| __| |__ / ` |_/ [__ __] / \ / | | / '--;_ | | _\ `\ | | / |`-.___. / | | ^^^jgs^^^`--`------'`--`^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >ONE One song can spark a moment, One flower can wake the dream One tree can start a forest, One bird can herald spring. One smile begins a friendship, One handclasp lifts a soul. One star can guide a ship at sea, One word can frame the goal. One vote can change a nation, One sunbeam lights a room. One candle wipes out darkness, One laugh will conquer gloom. One step must start each journey, One word must start each prayer. One hope will raise our spirits, One touch can show you care. One voice can speak with wisdom, One heart can know what's true. One life can make the difference, You see it's up to "You" -<>- .--. W .--. .' ', {_} ,' '. < =( X )= > '. .`/'''\`. .' '--' '--' jgs ` >The Stinger Gets Stung (Author Unknown, Provided by Student Discipleship Ministries, TX) James 3:2-12 (NIV) says: "We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water." Not only do we harm others with our tongues, but notice that verse 6 says that we also hurt ourselves. The honey bee is a curious creature. When made angry, it stings, burying its stinger in the flesh of its victim. When it does, however, it inflicts a two-fold injury: to its victim and on itself. Shortly after it stings a person, the insect dies. You see, the bee really hurts itself worse than it hurts its victim. What are some ways that a person can hurt himself by saying evil things with his mouth? How does it hurt you when you "sting" another person with your words? -<>- .========. .========. // I .'..' \ // VI.'.,".\ || II .'..'| || VII..'..| || III .'."| || VIII,'.'| || IV ,','.| || IX.'".'.| || V '..'.'| || X .'..',| jgs .\_________/ .\_________/ >PRACTICING THE GOLDEN RULE I read recently about one of the most touching moments in sports I've ever heard about. It took place at a women's softball game on April 26. Central Washington and Western Oregon faced off against each other, with the winner to receive a bid to the NCAA's Division II playoffs. Sara Tucholsky, a Western Oregon player, came to the plate in the second inning with the score tied 0-0 and two runners on base. Sara had never hit a home run in her lifetime. However, things were about to change. She connected on a pitch and hit the ball over the center field fence. Due to her excitement, she missed first base. So she stopped and turned to go back to the base. But when she made the sudden stop and turn, she collapsed to the ground, having torn her ACL. Her first base coach wanted to run out and help her, but if she touched Sara, she would have been counted out. As Sara lay on the ground, umpires conferred and determined that the best thing to do was to allow Western Oregon to substitute a pinch runner at first base (which would have canceled the home run). The coach prepared to make the substitution when she heard a voice: "Excuse me, would it be OK if we carried her around and she touched each bag?'" You see, in softball, a teammate can't touch a player while running the bases, but there's no rule that says the opponents can't touch her. So Mallory Holtman and Liz Wallace, two players on the opposing team offered to carry Sara around the bases so that her home run would not be counted as a single. These two players gently picked up Sara, and carried her around the bases, allowing her to tap each base along the way. After reaching home plate, these two girls handed Sara off to her own teammates. When asked later why she did it, Mallory Holtman said, "Honestly, it's one of those things that I hope anyone would do it for me..." In other words, she was practicing the "Golden Rule" - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." There's not much I can add to a touching story like that. May it serve as an inspiration to find ways in your own life to look for people who could use a hand. When we are less concerned about "winning" than we are about helping others, we can truly begin to reflect Jesus Christ in our lives. "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." Matthew 7:12 -<>- | '.|.' -= + =- ___ .'|'. ___ ******* | ******* /-====) | (_.- )) | / '( )' ) )) / / _/ \_( (( | |-( _ _ )) ) ) / | \ //| |\\ /'-( ( / \ \/\/ *** \/\/ / ) ) | |\ / .=. \ / ( ( `-;./ ;-' _\/(")\/_ '-; ) ) | \ |'---'| / ( ( | \ _| |_ / ) ) _/ | /\ /\ | ( ( jgs .-/ / '=' \ ( )-. `""---`-----` `----`----`""` >Joy In This World Men have pursued joy in every avenue imaginable. Some have successfully found it while others have not. Perhaps it would be easier to describe where joy cannot be found: Not in Unbelief -- Voltaire was an infidel of the most pronounced type. He wrote: "I wish I had never been born." Not in Pleasure -- Lord Byron lived a life of pleasure if anyone did. He wrote: "The worm, the canker, and grief are mine alone." Not in Money -- Jay Gould, the American millionaire, had plenty of that. When dying, he said: "I suppose I am the most miserable man on earth." Not in Position and Fame -- Lord Beaconsfield enjoyed more than his share of both. He wrote: "Youth is a mistake; manhood a struggle; old age a regret." Not in Military Glory -- Alexander the Great conquered the known world in his day. Having done so, he wept in his tent, before he said, "There are no more worlds to conquer." Where then is real joy found? -- the answer is simple, in Christ alone. The Bible Friend, Turning Point --- ...See this great teaching... Joy Is An Inside Job http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/Joy_Is_An_INSIDE_Job.htm -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment :) Why My Son? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/why.html Kilroy Was Here! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kilroywashere.html 9/11 Hero Rescorla http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/911hero.html Anthem Memorial http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/anthemmemorial.html Israel's 9/11 Tribute http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/israeltribute.html Military Dogs http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/militarydogs.html Sands Of Normandy http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/normandy.html WWII Mustang Pilot http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wwiipilot.html Normandy Then/Now http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/normandy2.html WWI River Of Blood http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/riverofblood.html Sgt.Stubby War Dog http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/stubbywardog.html Sgt.Reckless - War Horse http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/sgtreckless.html Ricochet's Soul Vision http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ricochetvision.html Freedom Isn't Free http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/freedom.html Full 9/11 And Troop Index http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/911andtroopsindex.html -<>- A Renewed Mind Lesson: OVERSEER by emb http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/overseer.html The Five Gift Ministries http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Word/THE_FIVE_GIFT_MINISTRIES.htm Follow Your Heart http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Word/Follow_Your_Heart.htm What’s in a Word? – Praise https://www.truthortradition.com/ -<>- >In The News: CDC Coronavirus https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html New VA Home Loan Resources, Free Virtual Service Remembrance Plaque, Increased Urgent Care Access https://tinyurl.com/ycm5jkms Watters World - the Boiling Point! https://www.bitchute.com/video/sxwtcIkw2Or6/ No, ObamaGate is Not a ‘Conspiracy Theory’ -New York Post https://tinyurl.com/ya669g6b Here is everything you need to know about ‘unmasking’ and Michael Flynn, all in one place https://tinyurl.com/ybzdhxfm My HealtheVet Update | May 20, 2020 https://tinyurl.com/yabz5fglhttps://tinyurl.com/yabz5fgl First lady calls on governors to 'designate child welfare staff as first responders' in coronavirus response efforts https://tinyurl.com/yb3os67h Democrats signal new round of impeachment before election https://tinyurl.com/y8w38bek Ivanka Trump helps local farmers, launches new food distribution program https://tinyurl.com/y8h2gwlx Polls Reveal Crazy Statistic About What Travelers Will Do When America Fully Reopens https://tinyurl.com/yby86xw6 Trump Unveils Official Space Force Flag -The Hill “The Trump administration on Friday unveiled the official flag to be used by the Space Force, the newest branch of the military,” Brett Samuels reports. “The flag is dark blue with a delta wing, an elliptical orbit and three large stars . . . It is the first new military flag to be unveiled in 72 years.” https://tinyurl.com/yabwymg4 Westwing News: deregulation will help the country get back on its feet. https://www.whitehouse.gov/westwingreads/ WhiteHouseNews: President Trump sends letter to the WHO https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600daily/ Latest From AFA: http://tinyurl.com/j7lakqw Students For Life https://tinyurl.com/yd5nxmu6 Latest From OperationRescue: http://www.operationrescue.org/ Latest Product Alert: http://www.emergencyemail.org/products/?fmt=text Latest Health Alert: http://www.emergencyemail.org/health/?fmt=text Click to Give Free https://tinyurl.com/y2abb8d2 -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) Take a pictorial trip down memory lane in this nostalgic look back at memories of the 1950s. This decade was a little before my time but I still enjoy looking at the old photos. The soundtrack is comprised of music from Buddy Holly which makes this video even more enjoyable. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4kNeZzNSS8 All across the country, animals are kicking it into high gear as spring progresses and temperatures begin to climb. https://youtu.be/eybQD-x7jGw --- ...Sweet! Thanks LouiseAu! Visit Melissa's Online Store You can get anything you want (except for Melissa ) at the online store http://pdhomes.net/mall/babylissa/mySTORES/ISELL4.html ========================================================== >-->From Gods Work Ministry: This poem was sent to me a few months ago and it took me a few minutes to read, but I don't think a day goes by that I do not think about my Eternal Ink. It has changed my way of thinking and I thank God for sending me this letter. Please take these few minutes to read this poem and I hope it blesses you the same way. , _/ \_ _,--. < , > .-'.' /(/.\ .' .' .""". `/ ` / / / \ /) ; ; ,_.;._ _;-'}/ | | '. )( /' | | /'-._/\_.-' ; ; \_.' \ , \ \ / | _.'/ '. `'-\ /.-/.;,\ '-._ `"""""`_.|`"""`| jgs `"("\/")` |# | \(_/ `-...-' >ETERNAL INK I dreamed I was in heaven Where an angel kept God's book. He was writing so intently I just had to take a look. It was not, at first, his writing That made me stop and think But the fluid in the bottle That was marked eternal ink. This ink was most amazing, Dark black upon his blotter But as it touched the parchment It became as clear as water. The angel kept on writing, But as quickly as a wink The words were disappearing With that strange eternal ink. The angel took no notice, But kept writing on and on. He turned each page and filled it Till all its space was gone. I thought he wrote to no avail, His efforts were so vain For he wrote a thousand pages That he'd never read again. And as I watched and wondered that This awesome sight was mine, I actually saw a word stay black As it dried upon the line. The angel wrote and I thought I saw A look of satisfaction. At last he had some print to show For all his earnest action. A line or two dried dark and stayed As black as black can be, But strangely the next paragraph Became invisible to see. The book was getting fuller, The angel's records true, But most of it was blank, with Just a few words coming through. I knew there was some reason, But as hard as I could think, I couldn't grasp the significance Of that eternal ink. The mystery burned within me, And I finally dared to ask The angel to explain to me Of his amazing task. And what I heard was frightful As the angel turned his head. He looked directly at me, And this is what he said... I know you stand and wonder At what my writing's worth But God has told me to record The lives of those on earth. The book that I am filling Is an accurate account Of every word and action And to what they do amount. And since you have been watching I must tell you what is true; The details of my journal Are the strict accounts of YOU. The Lord asked me to watch you As each day you worked and played. I saw you as you went to church, I saw you as you prayed. But I was told to document Your life through all the week. I wrote when you were proud and bold, I wrote when you were meek. I recorded all your attitudes Whether they were good or bad. I was sorry that I had to write The things that make God sad. So now I'll tell the wonder Of this eternal ink, For the reason for its mystery Should make you stop and think. This ink that God created To help me keep my journal Will only keep a record of Things that are eternal. So much of life is wasted On things that matter not So instead of my erasing, Smudging ink and ugly blot. I just keep writing faithfully and Let the ink do all the rest For it is able to decide What's useless and what's best. And God ordained that as I write Of all you do and say Your deeds that count for nothing Will just disappear away. When books are opened someday, As sure as heaven is true; The Lord's eternal ink will tell What mattered most to you. If you just lived to please yourself The pages will be bare, And God will issue no reward For you when you get there. In fact, you'll be embarrassed, You will hang your head in shame Because you did not give yourself In love to Jesus' Name. Yet maybe there will be a few Recorded lines that stayed That showed the times you truly cared, Sincerely loved and prayed. But you will always wonder As you enter heaven's door How much more glad you would have been If only you'd done more. For I record as God sees, I don't stop to even think Because the truth is written With God's eternal ink. When I heard the angel's story I fell down and wept and cried For as yet I still was dreaming I hadn't really died. And I said: O angel tell the Lord That soon as I awake I'll live my life for Jesus- I'll do all for His dear sake. I'll give in full surrender; I'll do all He wants me to; I'll turn my back on self and sin And whatever isn't true. And though the way seems long and rough I promise to endure. I'm determined to pursue the things That are holy, clean and pure. With Jesus as my helper, I will win lost souls to Thee, For I know that they will live with Christ For all eternity. And that's what really matters When my life on earth is gone That I will stand before the Lord And hear Him say, well done. For is it really worth it As my life lies at the brink? And I realize that God keeps books With His eternal ink. Should all my life be focused On things that turn to dust? From this point on I'll serve the Lord; I can, I will, I must! I will NOT send blank pages Up to God's majestic throne For where that record's going now Is my eternal home. I'm giving all to Jesus I now have seen the link For I saw an angel write my life With God's Eternal Ink. (the actual account of a dream) by Craig F. Pitts _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` In Malachi 3:16 the Bible declares, "Then they that feared (respected/reverenced) the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared (respected/reverenced) the LORD, and that thought upon his name." Can you imagine that every time you speak or even think of the Lord, there is a book being filled with what you are saying or thinking. Remember we are on this earth for a short time, so everything you do, do it unto the Lord thy God and you shall have reward in Heaven. Everlasting in Christ, Dwayne Savaya Gods Work Ministry ========================================================== >-->From LaughAndLift: "One dollar spent on a good lunch lasts for five hours. One dollar spent for a necktie lasts five weeks. One dollar spent on a car lasts for five years. One dollar spent in the Service of God - lasts for eternity." - Roger Babson , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >"Is God Showing Through Your Life?" (Author Unknown) A little girl, on the way home from church, turned to her mother and said, "Mommy, the preacher's sermon this morning confused me." The mother said, "Oh! Why is that?" The girl replied, "Well, he said that God is bigger than we are. Is that true?" "Yes, that's true," the mother replied. "He also said that God lives within us. Is that true, too?" Again the mother replied, "Yes." "Well," said the girl. "if God is bigger than us and He lives in us, wouldn't He show through?" I like that little girl's way of putting it. If God lives in us, then there's no way of keeping Him from "showing through." That's the essence of Christian living - living in such a way that people around will see God in our lives. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16). Is God showing through in YOUR life? -<>- ~+ * + ' | () .-.,="``"=. - o - '=/_ \ | * | '=._ | \ `=./`, ' . '=.__.=' `=' * + + O * ' . jgs . >Information Overload (by Mart De Haan, RBC Ministries President) [Edited] Never before have so many had access to so much information. With human knowledge doubling every few years and search engines like Google, Alta Vista, and Ask Jeeves at our fingertips, the potential for learning seems endless. Ironically, much of what we are discovering helps us to see how little we know. According to Reuters News Service, the Hubble Space Telescope has seen 10,000 galaxies in a window of the night sky about the size of a full moon. Who can even begin to imagine what it means to find 10,000 galaxies in one small area of the heavens? Our own galaxy, The Milky Way, is made up of about 100 billion stars, and our whole solar system revolves around only one of them. The Human Genome Project is another scientific effort that is harvesting knowledge faster than our minds can process. This global effort to map and sequence all of the 100,000 genes of the human body promises hopeful and disturbing implications for the treatment and prevention of disease. Deciphering the DNA alphabet of the human body brings with it the possibility of human clones to donate organs and gain complete knowledge of the human genetic code, so that any human characteristic can be altered with minimal risk or error. But who can understand the real benefits and risks of having this kind of knowledge? As with everything else in life, there is a downside to living on an information highway. Overloaded computers can crash and our minds can lock up. While looking for useful knowledge, we can get lost in a blinding blizzard of data. The same browsers we are using to solve our problems can be used to look for world-class gossip, pornography, or instructions on how to make a bomb. Our first parents discovered long ago that knowledge without wisdom is dangerous. By eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil they made the fatal mistake of trying to match wits with their Creator. From that day until now, infected knowledge has been to the human mind what corrupted files are to our computers. Like the MyDoom virus that did billions of dollars of damage by clogging information systems with unwanted e-mails, so the pursuit of knowledge without wisdom can overload our minds and drown us in data. Wisdom is the practical side of knowledge. It shows us what is important, gives proportion to what we know, and enables us to use insight skillfully to reach a desired goal. There is more than one kind of wisdom. According to the New Testament, the wisdom of the world is different than the wisdom of God. The first uses knowledge to get ahead at the expense of others. The second uses understanding for the good of others. Each is distinguished by its motives. Seeing that real wisdom is not only a function of the mind but also a condition of the heart, an apostle of Christ wrote: "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom . . . . For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace" (James 3:13, 16-18). By describing what's at the heart of both kinds of wisdom, James explained why knowledge makes some people arrogant while enabling others to love. The wisdom he recommended is "pure" because it is not infected with "selfish ambition." It is "peaceable" because it values good relationships with others. It is "gentle" because it knows the value of handling others with care. This wisdom is "willing to yield" and is "full of mercy and good fruits." It is also "without partiality and without hypocrisy" because it puts the well-being of others above selfish interests. Once we see that knowledge without wisdom is like marriage without love, we can see why Solomon wrote, "Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her." (Proverbs 3:13-15). The priceless treasure Solomon is describing is found by those who invest their lives in the principles of the Bible. The Old Testament describes a wisdom that begins with the fear of God and is rounded out by timeless principles of practical insight (Proverbs 1:1-7; 9:10). The New Testament builds on the wisdom of Moses and Solomon but moves to another level of enlightenment. With the coming of Christ, the Gospel writers introduce us to Someone who makes the wisdom of Solomon pale by comparison. As the Son of God, Jesus did more than teach truth and knowledge and wisdom. He personified it (1 Corinthians 1:20-31). As Lord of heaven and earth, Jesus could have overwhelmed us with new information. He could have lectured on science, theology, and philosophy in the most prestigious academies of higher learning. Yet when He walked among us, He talked about what He knew was most important. He talked about honoring His Father and seeing the value of people who were regarded as worthless by others. Showing wisdom with a heart of love, Jesus had a way of putting other information in perspective. With a wisdom that speaks for itself, He simply asked questions like, "What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26). Suggested prayer: Father, in heaven, we are so quickly distracted from what is important. In our knowledge we are so inclined to be proud and self-sufficient. Please renew us once again in the knowledge and wisdom and love of Your Son. 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 --- ...Added INFO: Update: How Many Galaxies Are There? All in all, Hubble reveals an estimated 100 billion galaxies in the universe or so, but this number is likely to increase to about 200 billion as telescope technology in space improves, Livio told Space.com. https://www.space.com/25303-how-many-galaxies-are-in-the-universe.html . . | '. _..._ .' .' '. '-. / \ .-' _ _ ; L I F E ; _ _ \ / .-' '._ _.' '-. . ``` . jgs ' | ' ' ' NASA just recently confirmed what the Bible has said all along... https://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/media/060915/index.html Believe in God in 5 Minutes (Scientific Proof) Gerald Schroeder is a scientist with over thirty years of experience in research and teaching. He earned his Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate degrees all at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, with his doctorate thesis being under the supervision of physics professor Robley D. Evans. This was followed by five years on the staff of the MIT physics department prior to moving to Israel, where he joined the Weizmann Institute of Science and then the Volcani Research Institute, while also having a laboratory at The Hebrew University. His Doctorate is in two fields: Earth sciences and physics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQVm8RokoBA ========================================================== .::""-, .::""-. /:: \ /:: \ |:: | _..--""""--.._ |:: | '\:.__ / .' '. \:.__ / ||____|.' _..---"````'---. '.||____| ||:. |_.' `'.||:. | ||:.-'` .-----. ';:. | ||/ .' '. \. | || / '-. '. \\ |. | ||:. _| ' \_\_\\/( \ | ||:.\_.-' ) || m `\.--._.-""-; ||:.(_ . '\ __'// m ^_/ / '. _.`. ||:. \__^/` _)```'-...' _ .-'.' '-. ||:..-'__ .' '. . ' '. `'. ||:(_.' .`' _. '`'-. '. . ''-._ ||:. : '. .' '. . ' ' '.` '._ >-->CHILDREN EYES What kind of world is it my friend that little children see? I wonder if they see God first because they just believe? Do they see strength in caring eyes who watch them as they play - or maybe love through gentle hands that guide them on their way? Do you think they dream of future times when they would be a king - or just enjoy their present life while with their friends they sing? Do they see the acts of kindness done for people who are poor? Is the very best in everyone what they are looking for? And when the day is over, as they close their eyes to sleep, do they look forward to tomorrow with its promises to keep? If this is what the children see, then it should be no surprise, the world would be a better place if we all had children's eyes. by Tom Kraus "don't blame it on the chidren". >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->ShangyFunList AD RATES: $20 will get your a message (of up to 40 words) out to all self-subscribed readers and $5 more will give you the same message also put up for all web site readers. Email me to secure dates. Ad Request ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->This is for all you who love food and DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe ********************************************************************** >TO SUBSCRIBE:Visit Here This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR For the Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com **********************************************************************