Father's Love And More ... :) 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 ================ "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ _..---.._ .' .-'''-. '. / .' _..._'. \ __ : : /`;' ) : : _,="`\ ,--''` ``'.; : |; ,-; : ; __..==""==.,_| `-, `; .\; / ^\ _,.="// '-,_.--._ '.(;_.'__/`_.-'`\ ,.--''`` _..=. `'--.// `` \ `--, '` `- |_\ '-. | `-._ _.;--`-..___,.-'` `'-...-_:',;`==,| \ _.--',=" / /"=;="=, _.' ,=".-'` .' /| ,=" _.--' .-' "=, : .' | ", `;._ .--'.' .-' .' . ; ,;;\_ . '._.'--'` -' / ,;;;._ '-._ .''.__.' `\_ .' '._ / '._ .(` jgs '._ ';./ `;` *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels For 2010 *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a 2010 Shangrala Angel, please visit the site and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL page comes up. Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS ALL OUR ANGELS MOST ABUNDANTLY! ================ >-->2 Hot Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This Smokin one comes from a forward from our friend Jo Ann. When she first sent it to us, I tried but couldn't verify if it was true or not so put it on 'my back burner'. I came across it again and low and behold it is true and quite an impressive story with pictures to go with it! See what you think of it here... _ __ _ ;' '',) /;6 , ;/ (Y)_:., | `-', :; \ |; ,.:\ /:.; ;;) |:;,.'| :/ / |: / ; / /:;\ `| "// /_,: | |./,| _/: \.'|,|/| | /:.,:.|,|"| |:| /:;:|:,/;|:| |'| snd |',:| \_ \ |_|;\_ /;\_ /\_)) \_))\_)) (;(________ '''''`'''~` Leopard Vs Crocodile http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/leopard.html This next one comes from a combination of two forwards from our friends Viv and Sandi. They just seem to go together so perfectly that I could not resist. Check it out here: __ __ ,-' `' \ _---``-- / _ _ ; __ `. / / `' \; /`----- ) / .-/ ,( ), \-. ; | \( \ / )/; | - _5 `7 -; / ( ___-' `-____ | ( ___`-_ \ ____| \ / `,/ \ _(\__ / \ \ ; \ .' /' `i. / | | \ _-'( _\__-/ `- | | ` ,` `_ | BP I Believe... http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/believe.html --- ...Very Awesome and most Beautiful! Thank You All Ladies!! =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend John-Paul :) I have put together many thoughts here, In a type of a letter to all of us--- GOD`S LOVE To HIS Children. (could be used for several Sermons?) >FATHER`S LOVE ____ ____ .-" "-. .-" "-. / `. .' \ | (`-"-`) | | /'Y'\ | ; __\_^_/__ ; \ ()_ >o< _() / `\ ) : ( /' `\ / /-\ \ /' `\ ()/ \() /' jgs `\ /' `\ /' `\ /' Y My CHILD... You may not know me, but I know everything about you Psalm 139:1 I know when you sit down and when you rise up Psalm 139:2 I am familiar with all your ways Psalm1 39:3 Even the very hairs on your head are numbered Matthew 10:29-31 For you were made in my image Genesis 1:27 In me you live and move and have your being Acts 17:28 For you are my offspring Acts 17:28 I knew you even before you were conceived Jeremiah 1:4-5 I chose you when I planned creation Ephesians 1:11-12 You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book Psalm 139:15-16 I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live Acts 17:26 You are fearfully and wonderfully made Psalm 139:14 I knit you together in your mother's womb Psalm 139:13 And brought you forth on the day you were born Psalm 71:6 I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me John 8:41-44 I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love 1 John 4:16 And it is my desire to lavish my love on you 1 John 3:1 Simply because you are my child and I am your Father 1 John 3:1 I offer you more than your earthly father ever could Matthew 7:11 For I am the perfect Father Matthew 5:48 Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand James 1:17 For I am your provider and I meet all your needs Matthew 6:31-33 My plan for your future has always been filled with hope Jeremiah 29:11 Because I love you with an everlasting love Jeremiah 31:3 My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore Psalms 139:17-18 And I rejoice over you with singing Zephaniah 3:17 I will never stop doing good to you Jeremiah 32:40 For you are my treasured possession Exodus 19:5 I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul Jeremiah 32:41 And I want to show you great and marvelous things Jeremiah 33:3 If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me Deuteronomy 4:29 Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart Psalm 37:4 For it is I who gave you those desires Philippians 2:13 I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine Ephesians 3:20 For I am your greatest encourager 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you Psalm 34:18 As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart Isaiah 40:11 One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes Revelation 21:3-4 And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth Revelation 21:3-4 I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus John 17:23 For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed John 17:26 He is the exact representation of my being Hebrews 1:3 He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you Romans 8:31 And to tell you that I am not counting your sins 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 His death was the ultimate expression of My Love for you 1 John 4:10 I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love Romans 8:31-32 If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me 1 John 2:23 And nothing will ever separate you from my love again Romans 8:38-39 Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen Luke 15:7 I have always been Father, and will always be the Father Ephesians 3:14-15 My question is--Will you be my child? John 1:12-13 I am waiting for you Luke 15:11-32 Love,your Dad, GOD (In~JESUS~john-paul) --- ...What An Awesome God and Father we have! Thank you for this reminder John-Paul! , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' To look any of these up go here: http://quod.lib.umich.edu/k/kjv/browse.html God is so good that he gave us His only begotten son, Jesus, so that we might through Jesus and Jesus' sacrifice might live and be God's for all eternity... So GOD made it really easy for ANY ONE TO Born Again and be His... Romans 10:9 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Say out loud that Jesus Christ is your Lord and believe in your heart of hearts that God rose Jesus Christ from the dead then you are saved. Born Again with that wonderful spirit of God, In Christ, In You!! ==================================================================== >-->From Our Friend Wesley :) _ (_) |=| |=| /|__|_|__|\ ( ( ) ) \|\/\"/\/|/ | Y | | | | | | | _| | | __/ | | |\ / \ | | | \ __| | | | /\/ | | | |\ < +\ | |\ /> \ > + \ | LJ | + \|+ \ < \ (O) + | ) | \ /\ ( | ) (o) \/ ) _\\|//__( | )______)_/ \\|// >The choice is yours As the battle was raging I felt I were dead I needed a place To rest my head. "A stranger's approaching!" Came a cry from the night. I lifted my eyes - Too weary to fight. The stranger then smiled, And offered me rest. But the simple cost was - To give up my quest. The price was then paid, And I settled to nap; Now knowing my head Was in the enemy's lap. I rose the next morning, Determined to fight. But to that lap I returned, To rest for the night. Then, in the night, I awoke with a start. I could feel every beat, Of my fast-beating heart. My blood - it pulsed through me; I trembled with fear. Laughing and mocking, Was all I could hear. The enemy laughed, "How dumb your belief; To think me your friend, Because I gave you relief! We now have you captured! It's over! It's done! Because of your blindness, The enemy has won!" I fell to my knees. "Lord, how can this be, That the one that I trusted Was my enemy?" It was then that the Lord Began to speak, "My child, you were blinded Because you were weak. Instead of fighting with your sword, You fought with your hands. You keep sword in sheath, And let the enemy stand. I warned you that night That a stranger came. Yet you were too weary To know his name. In the morning when you rose, You could have come to me. But instead you went to the lap Of your enemy. But my grace is sufficient; I will meet your need. But now you must choose: The stranger or me. , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. ~ Matthew 7:7-8 --- ...Wonderful! Thank You Wesley for this reminder... Reminds me of this... Give it time to load... ,-. ("O_) / `-/ /-. / / ) / / _ /-. / (_)"-._ / ) "-._ "-'""( )/ "-/"-._" `. / "-.'._ /\ /-._"-._ _,---...__ / ) _,-"/ "-(_) ___<__(|) _ ""-/ / / / ' `----' ""-. \/ / / ) ] / / ____..-' // / ) ,-"" __.,'/ / ___ /, / ,--""/ / / /,-"" """-. ,'/ [ ( / / / / ,.---,_ `._ _,-',' \ `-./ / / / / `-._ """ ,-' `-._ / / / /_,' ""--" "/ / / /" / / / / / / / / o!O / |,' / : / / [ / ,' "Blackadder" | / ,' |/,-' P' Take the sword! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/sword.html =================================================================== >-->From InspiredBuffalo: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Dear God: I want to thank You for what you have already done. I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards, I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better, I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me, I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears, I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves, I am going to thank you right now. I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet. I am going to thank you right now. I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job. I am going to thank you right now. I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief, I am going to thank you right now. I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed. I am thanking you right now. I am thanking you because I am alive. I am thanking you because I made it through the day's difficulties. I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles. I am thanking you because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better. I'm thanking you because Father, you haven't given up on me. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13) -<>- Never judge a book by its cover for what is on the outside is nothing compared to what is on the inside... Remember this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY -<>- ___ . _~"| ~~ ~.\.~ / : / / \_ ?"" ; ` ,' ) /-, / . . . | / ~-_ / dp . . | .%"": .? |: . . . | % '. . \|:. . .. . . / / '. '.: : :| : .. . . _/ / ~~~::. .:: ::. . .::.:. ..'~ \::... `'.. : : : " . :. . ~~| _____ (:::. .. '.: .:.::. : . : "/__-"" -- )"".> --~~~__. ::::*## :.:.:) : .:` ~\ |..::' >> ####### '.: .' . .` ? \_.___ :''> ######### ::.". ~ ..~'" |, _">~____~~::. #* )#### : ..~ . ) /:.:'';.:::_- _-#####*:;: ::>,, } o__o___q~_-" _-"###### .:.'' ..~~ ~ | ( o() &@&__--" *::####::" ";.. ~~...::.) (o& O& O?S).` .:':::*: : ~~~... "/ oS %@&>/ .:' ::::: :. .~ "'. { \~*~~"" __:/ "::::..L ~ ''/ |::' /##) :':::::\ . % \:; . |#/ : :::::::-___ -" \::::: | : :::::::::::\----" \::::::|:. : :::::::::::| \::::::|' . : ::::::::::::| -::::/ \ :.'::::::::::::/ ~__/ \. ;:.::::::::::_/ Eric Berger \::.::::::::::::/ --_;::::::_-~/ """""" >The Cape of Good Hope I can still recall a geography lesson from elementary school in which we learned that the southernmost point of Africa is a point which for centuries has experienced tremendous storms. For many years no one even knew what lay beyond that cape, for no ship attempting to round that point had ever returned to tell the tale. Among the ancients it was known as the " Cape of Storms ," and for good reason. But then a Portuguese explorer in the sixteenth century, Vasco De Gama, successfully sailed around that very point and found beyond the wild raging storms, a great calm sea, and beyond that, the shores of India. The name of that cape was changed from the Cape of Storms to the Cape of Good Hope. Until Jesus Christ rose from the dead, death had been the cape of storms on which all hopes of life beyond had been wrecked. No one knew what lay beyond that point until, on Easter morning, those ancient visions of Isaiah became the victory of Jesus over our last great enemy. Suddenly, like those ancient explorers, we can see beyond the storm to the hope of heaven and eternal life with the Father. More than that, we dare to believe that we shall experience in our own human lives exactly what the Son of God experienced in his, for the risen Christ says to us, "Because I live, you shall live also." This is the heart of the Easter faith. Robert Beringer, Easter People, CSS Publishing Company -<>- >GOD'S ACCURACY . + . . . . . . . . . * . * . . . . . . + . "You Are Here" . . + . . . . | . . . . . . | . . . +. + . \|/ . . . . . . V . * . . . . + . + . . . + . . + .+. . . . . + . . . . . . . . . . . . . ! / * . . . + . . - O - . . . + . . * . . / | . + . . . .. + . . . . . * . * . +.. . * . . . . . . . . + . . + unknown How lovely to think about the way our Creator God planned everything so carefully and perfectly, everything with a plan. As His highest creation, "we are fearfully and wonderfully made." God's accuracy may be observed in the hatching of eggs. For example, the eggs of the potato bug hatch in 7 days; Those of the canary in 14 days; Those of the barnyard hen in 21 days. __ /` ,\__ | ).-' / .--' / / , _.==''` \ .'( _.=' | { `` _.=' | { \` ; / `. `'=..' .=' `=._ .=' jgs '-`\\`__ `-._{ The eggs of ducks and geese hatch in 28 days; Those of the mallard in 35 days. The eggs of the parrot and the ostrich hatch in 42 days. (Notice, they are all divisible by Seven). __ _,-'`````--.___..----.,'__`---..__ ,'' ,' `.`. `. ,'' / ` ) \ // | / \ // : : .`{-'-. / .--; . ( .' '. \ .---.{ <>()<> }.--..-' / _ \_ './ _. `-./ _},'<>`.{_ `\ ( = \ )`""'\;--. .' .-'/ )=..=;`\`- \ {= (| ) /`. ( / /| \ ) ( =_/ )__..-\ .'-..___.' : '.___..-' \ }/ / ;.____.-;/\ | ` | '--' | .' | \ \ /'. _.' \ ' / |\.\ ; /`--.-' ) .'`-. / \ \ |`| /__.-' \_.'jgs \ \ |-| God has caused the flowers to blossom at certain specified times during the day, so that Linneus, the great botanist, once said that if he had a conservatory containing the right kind of soil, moisture and temperature, he could tell the time of day or night by the flowers that were open and those that were closed! Thus the Lord in His wonderful grace can arrange the life that is entrusted to His care in such a way that it will carry out His purposes and plans, and will be fragrant with His presence. Only the God-planned life is successful. Only the life given over to the care of the Lord is safe. -<>- __,,,__ ,-""-,-" "-,-""-, /,-' , .-'-.7.-'-. , '-,\ \( / _ _ \ )/ '-, { (0) (0) } ,-' / > .---. < \ |/ .-' \___/ '-. \| {, / ,_ _, \ ,} \ {, \ / ,} / ',\. '---' ./,' _.-""""""-._ _.-""""""-._ .' `._.` '. _/_ _ \ .'` `\ | | \ / | | | ; | / |_| | \ ;'---' _ ___ _ _ ___ ; '. ; | | / \| || || _| _ ; `-\ | |_ | | || |/ /| _| .' `, `\ |___|\___/ \__/ |___| | \ \ _ _ \ | jgs `\ | | | /` _/ ,-""-. .'`\ | | | /`-,-'` .-""-, / `\.' `\ \___/ /` './` \ ; .--. \ '\ /' / .--. ; | ( \ |, '\ /' | / ) | \ ; } ;\ /; ` { ; / `;\ \ _.-' \ / `-._ / /;` \ \__.' _.-' Y `-._ '.__// '.___,.-' `-.,___.' >Your Life is Jesus to Someone -Author Unknown "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." - John 13:35 YOUR LIFE is Jesus to someone, though tattered and torn it may be. Though often times weak and unstable, you're all of God someone will see. YOUR TONGUE is Jesus to someone. That idle, insensitive word reflects to at least one searching heart an idle, insensitive Lord. YOUR GOALS are Jesus to someone. What you put first, they believe, are the goals of God for the Christian. Your life is all they receive. YOUR FAITHFULNESS... that's Jesus to someone. Their judgment of how God is true, rests unquestionably in the faithfulness they see day by day in you. YOUR LOVE is Jesus to someone -- that someone who is seeking to know that Jesus will follow and guide and befriend wherever in life they might go. SO BEWARE lest others blaspheme God by what you say or do, for the only Jesus that someone may see is the Jesus they see in you. -<>- -| -' | -' | __ ==wkm=====|'\/ () /| `O /` : /\ \ \ ` ` ____________________________________ ///\\\///\\\///\\\///\\\///\\\///\\\ >A CONSPIRACY OF KINDNESS Kevin is a boy who might be described as "slow." He didn't learn his ABCs as fast as other kids. He couldn't compete in schoolyard races. But Kevin had a way with people. His bright smile and big heart won him plenty of friends. My friend Randy, the pastor at Kevin's church, decided they needed a basketball team for boys. Kevin signed on and soon basketball became a center of his life. He practiced hard. While the other boys worked at dribbling the basketball and shooting lay-ups, skills Kevin would never master, he simply shot baskets. Or more correctly, he threw the ball AT the basket. He had a special spot near the free throw line. He threw and threw, and it occasionally went in. On the rare times that he succeeded, Kevin raised his arms and shouted, "Look at me, Coach! Look at me!" Randy looked at him. And smiled. The day before their first game, Coach Randy gave each player a bright red jersey. Kevin was number 12. He scrambled himself into the sleeves and wore that jersey almost every day. Everywhere. One Sunday morning the church worship service was interrupted by Kevin's excited voice. "Look, Coach!" He lifted his gray wool sweater to reveal the red jersey underneath with number 12 on the front. Nobody there minded the interruption; the congregation knew Kevin and loved him. I'd like to be able to tell you that the team did well. But the truth is they never won a game that season -- except for the night it snowed and the opposing team never showed up. At the end of the season, the boys played in the church league's tournament. As the last-place team, they drew the unfortunate spot of playing against the best team -- boys who had never lost a game all year. Game day arrived. Both teams played their best, but the game went as expected. Near the end of the last quarter, Kevin's team stood nearly 30 points behind. It was then that one of the boys called timeout. "Coach Randy," he said, "this is our last game and Kevin has never made a basket. I think we should let him make a basket." The team agreed. Kevin was instructed to stand at his special place near the free throw line and wait. He was told that when he was given the ball, he should shoot. Kevin was ecstatic. He ran to the floor and waited. When the ball was passed to him he shot -- and missed. Number 17 from the other team snatched the rebound, dribbled down the court for an easy basket. But a moment later Kevin got the ball again. He shot -- and missed again. Number 17 repeated his performance scoring two more points. Kevin shot a third and fourth time with the same result. But slowly the other team seemed to figure out what was going on and the next time they snatched the rebound, a boy threw it to Kevin! He shot...and missed. Now every rebound came to him and he threw and threw toward the basket. Time was running down and Kevin still had not scored. BOTH teams circled the boy by this time and all of the players were shouting, "Kevin! Kevin!" The crowd took up the chant. Soon everyone in the gym was shouting Kevin's name. Coach Randy was sure that time must have run out; the game HAD to be over. He glanced at the official clock. It was stopped at 4.3 seconds. Even the timekeepers joined in the mania and stood by their table shouting with the crowd, "Kevin! Kevin!" Kevin shot and shot. Everyone was screaming. He attempted again and again and again and...miraculously, one of his shots took a crazy bounce on the rim. Everyone held their breath. The ball dropped in. Chaos reigned. Nobody remained seated. Everyone stood and cheered as if one boy had single-handedly won a world championship. Kevin's arms sprang up in the air and he shouted, "I won! I won!" He had scored. His team escorted him off the court, the clock ticked down and the game was over. That day an undefeated team retained their perfect record. But everybody won. Everybody. Because everybody had participated in a crazy conspiracy of kindness that was so compelling, so powerful, the earth itself might have stopped for a moment to rejoice with one young boy. How beautiful it is when we all conspire together in kindness. Everybody wins. -- Steve Goodier -<>- "At the name of Jesus every knee should bow..." Philippians 2:10 Mike Benson, Editor __ _ / /| |\\ \/_/ \_\| / __ \/_/__\ .-=='/~\ ____,__/__,_____,______)/ /{~}}} -,------,----,-----,---,\'-' {{~}} jgs '-==.\}/ REMEMBER WHEN YOU were dating and romance seemed to be everywhere...? Whatever happened to that? For most couples romance takes a nose dive shortly after marriage. The focus moves away from wining and dining to eating and sleeping. We are confident that we have "caught" him or her and proven to him or her that we care. Then we slack off. How is our spouse to take that feeling of being treasured from dating into marriage if we don't continue the behavior that made him or her feel that way? And even if you weren't a "Casanova" during dating, why not learn to be one now? Treasuring your spouse includes being romantic. Romance involves proving you think about your spouse when you are not together and showing it when you are together. It involves taking time out of busy schedules to make each other feel loved, cared about, important, and special. It means taking the ordinary (dinner or walk) and making it extraordinary (candlelit dinner or walk in the moonlight). Through romantic gestures you tell your spouse that he or she is the one and only one for you and worth the extra effort. Never forget the importance of dating your spouse. This may seem elementary, but you might be surprised (or maybe not) how many couples don't date anymore. Or, if they do, it is only once or twice a year for special occasions. If you want your relationship to thrive and your spouse to feel treasured, you must spend quality couple time together. Debbie L. Cherry -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment Impossible http://www.buffaloschips.com/hjkhyui.htm Jet Engine http://www.buffaloschips.com/kjki.htm John McCain http://www.buffaloschips.com/hjjhiu.htm Korean http://www.buffaloschips.com/dweewed.htm Bad Luck http://www.buffaloschips.com/fasd.htm Boogie Woogie http://www.buffaloschips.com/fsdjlk.htm Ford Police Chase http://www.buffaloschips.com/sdfds.htm Man Cheats DEA http://www.buffaloschips.com/asgs.htm Missile http://www.buffaloschips.com/gkhjg.htm Larry The Cable Guy 111 http://www.buffaloschips.com/srwewe.htm What Does the Bible Say About Tattoos? http://www.TruthOrTradition.com/tattoos Christ's Life: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/jesuslife.html Friendship http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/friendship.html In The Forest http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/forest.html Rules For US Citizens http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/rules.html Humor In Politics 4 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/politics4.html Humor In Religion 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/hreligion2.html Subscribe send a blank email to: the-inspired-buffalo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ================================================================= >-->From Heartwarmers: __,-O< ,-- --. \. -=' -' \ __\\O- ,--- --. `^ / ). __,-O< \ __,-O< ,-- ----' `. `\) __)\O-__ )/ ,--( ,;:. _) / `^ _)\O< / (_ .:;:;. | | `^ :;';.;:' |_ |_ | ';\||' ______/=\\______/=\\_______| JML ap :| '-'-'-[=]/'-'-'-[=]/'-'-'-/'.=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:= -'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-/ '. | '-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-/ .-' .--.--. |/| -'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-/ _.-'.-: .;; .;|;. ;. |/|/ ___ ___ |' _.'\ :|--|--|- .;_;' ';_;. --|--|--|/|/ |] [|_|_|] [|_|_|] | |\ | \:|--|--| ; ;' '; ; -|--|--|/ |] [|_|_|] [|_|_|] | | \|--' ;; .--.___.--. ;; _______________________| |.-' ;-[ O )=( O ]-; |/| ( `--' | `--' ) ____.-". |/|/ \| ( |/ ;( ,__.)/=' |/|/ . .:::::. . ; |/ \| |/|/ . '---' . \ | |/|/ |`. .'| ` `|/|/ ,-------/| `...' |\-------, |--|--|--|/|/ ,' | `. ,' | `, |--|--|--|/ / \ /'. ,'\ / \ ; |/ \ / \| ; ; ; / ' |. ' \ \; ; ; `-' | `-' MJP >OLD HOUSE, WARM MEMORIES by Kathy Whirity Dusting off the collection of photos that grace our family room wall, I lingered over the water color painting I had done of the old house, a gift to Bill, before it was torn done to make room for the new one. It seems like decades ago that we occupied that small two bedroom, gray sided home. Memories continued to flow freely as I stared at the home that Bill and I had lived in for over 23 years, and also the place where our two daughters grew up. In the painting, the house was depicted in all its summer time glory -- lush pink, red, white and purple flowers overflowed in the flower beds that, by August, resembled tall colorful bushes in all their flowering finery. The proof was there right on the wall. When we bought the house we fell in love with its cozy, lived-in charm. What we learned was that old fashioned charm translated into lots of repairs. That old house was far from perfect but the memories invoked are priceless. I'm particularly remembering back to when the girls were young. It was raining one Saturday afternoon and they wanted to play on their swing set. Bill went to the garage and returned with 4 huge round eye hooks and his trusty power drill. He went to work drilling the heavy duty bolts into the frame of the kitchen doorways. Then he went back outside to retrieve the swings. A few seconds later the girls were happily swinging from the kitchen doorways -- laughing and squealing with delight over their rainy day adventure. Another time Bill came home with an over-sized plastic slide. I foolishly asked him where he thought he was going to put it as our house was way too small to accommodate such a big toy. He gave me a look like I was the loony one and told me it would fit just fine in the front-room. When it was discovered that the slide wasn't slick enough Bill had a solution -- some baby powder sprinkled on the surface and, viola!, It was smooth sliding all the way. Afterwards, my clever hubby vacuums up the powder on the rug, and the front-room was none the worse for wear. I guess the reason for flashing back to these memories is sparked by the fact that we are now grandparents. This new turning point in our lives has definitely brought out the kid in us. Oh, and I'm also looking at familiar hooks in the door frame. We have a double doorway that divides the family room and my home office. Bill sized it up one day and decided it would be a great spot to hang a swing for our granddaughters. At first I balked at the idea. I resisted and then I remembered the fun the swinging sisters had and I relented. The bolts were screwed in and a pink baby swing gets hooked up whenever our little angel Avery wants to go for a ride. Our new house is a perfect home compared to the one we lived in for so many years. It is big, beautiful and can handle any ideas that my dear hubby can concoct. Last Christmas the girls had another painting done, this one of the new house. It is hung right next to the old one, and in between them is a silver heart that says, "Home is where you hang your heart. It doesn't matter if your house is big or small, fancy or plain. It takes love, laughter and joy to make a house a home." I'm looking forward to the years ahead with my grand kids. Those here and those yet to be born. I hope our house will be a home they'll have fond memories of, whether it be sliding, swinging or dancing their way into the future. -- Kathy Whirity __________________________________________________ Kathy is a newspaper columnist who shares her sentimental musings on family life. She and her husband, Bill, live in Chicago where they are enjoying life as grandparents. Visit Kathy's web site at http://www.kathywhirity.com ======================================================================= >-->From CupO'Cheer: Forgiveness does not mean the perpetrator goes free, it means that the forgiver is free and that God will justly deal with those who have caused pain. The stars are God's fingerprints. The sun is a mere smidgen of his radiance. The moon is to remind us that he doesn't sleep at night. The vastness of space proclaims the infinity of his wisdom, while the sand pebble indicates his thoroughness with the puniest details. The lion hints at his fearlessness, the bear at his power, the hawk at his keen insight. And yet, those possess only a tidbit of God's omnipotence and omnipresence. Every tree points toward heaven; every bird has a song to sing; even every moment of wind goes in some direction. There is nothing chaotic about our beautiful designed world. All creation has a message to tell. It says, "Listen, there is a God. There is a God!" ~ Brent D. Earles -<>- ______ | O | | ,|._ | | `A _|__ |__|\_\ \ O \ ._|.) \___A _|_ |\ SSt >IT'S ALL ABOUT CONTEXT by Marcia Lee Laycock Many years ago - truth be told, it seems like a lifetime ago - I enrolled in a community college to take an arts program. I was most interested in learning about weaving and pottery. When the first week of classes arrived I was delighted to discover the school was having an instructor's gallery. Their works of art would be displayed in the hallways. It would be a great way to get to know what our instructors would be like as artists and as people. I was thrilled at the fabric art I saw that week - my weaving instructor seemed like someone I would definitely relate to. But the pottery disturbed me. The pieces were all huge, some of them totally ornamental rather than functional and many of them garish with slashes of bright glazes and even gold used inside and out. I wasn't impressed and almost dropped the class. But when I met the man who had made the pieces I decided to give it a try. I liked him. He was a big man - hence the large bowls and sculptures - and he had an engaging smile that put you at ease as he taught. The class had only been going for a few days when he invited us all to his home for a get-to-know-you dinner. That's when my eyes were opened to the man's talent. All over his home were the same pieces I had seen at the school, but instead of sitting on bare stands in an institutional hallway, they were displayed in the atmosphere for which they were created. The large bowl I had hated was mounted above a fireplace where the light danced and made the colors and slashes of gold come alive. The sculpture I had thought grotesque was peaking out from behind a large plant and made me want to see more. I realized I was seeing the teacher's art in context and it made all the difference. And the more I got to know him, the more I liked his work. Many times I have heard people quote the Bible with a sneer. It hurts because I know the beauty and power of God's word. It hurts because I know the scripture has been torn from its context and not used as it should be. When taken out of context the Bible can seem to be a vicious work of hatred written by an unforgiving God of vengeance. When studied The Bible is revealed as the face of a loving God whose wisdom and grace is overwhelming. Unfortunately I have heard Christians use the Bible with ignorance as well. That hurts even more. As people who call ourselves after the God of the Bible, we have a responsibility to use it well and wisely. We have a responsibility to study it, to know its context and to honour it for the powerful tool of God that it is. We also have a responsibility to know its author, Jesus Christ. Jesus himself chastised those who used the scriptures for their own agendas. He said they "nullify the word of God" (Matthew 15:6), honouring him with their lips while "their hearts are far from me" (Matthew 15:8). How do we avoid falling into the same trap? There is only one way - stay close to the teacher. The more I got to know my pottery instructor the more I loved his work and was eager to learn from him. The more we know Jesus the more our hearts will be tuned to His logic, to His Spirit. Then His word will rest in our hearts and minds and be used by Him when we open our mouths. Then we will understand - we will be living completely in the right context - within the power of the Spirit of God. as seen in Inspiration Plus To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ================================================================== >-->From Lift and Laugh: The Lift . |\ ' ` __ \ \ .-:'.-' ) ) / / \ '-'' ' , '` -.\ ./ O o `_ `---o--'. \ \|/ / BUNNY .###._.'._ BOXING '#####'H ' === /'#####'HH,\ \========== (__.###'HHH ` ) \ ( ) /'-' \-----/ | | \ `-- `-- kOs ( ) \ ) | | | | | | | | '-' `-`\. / \ ( `-. (____) `--._.' ===== === >Choose Your Battles (By Mike Hoskins, mhoskins@cfdevotionals.org) Matt 17:24-27 "And when they had come to Capernaum, those who collected the two-drachma tax came to Peter, and said, "Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?" He said, "Yes." And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?" And upon his saying, "From strangers," Jesus said to him, "Consequently the sons are exempt. "But, lest we give them offense, go to the sea, and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a stater. Take that and give it to them for you and Me." (NAS) Peter is confronted by men assigned the task of collecting the tax that supported the Temple. From Jesus' description of sons vs. strangers we learn that royalty was not expected to pay this tax. The sons of the earthly kings were exempt from paying the poll-tax. Jesus, as the Son of God, would have been lawfully exempt from paying the poll-tax. This is apparently a battle Jesus chooses not to fight. If God owns the cattle on a thousand hills then grudging the Temple two drachmas could be viewed as being cheap. And refusal to pay could easily create a fight that could cloud the mission of spreading the good news. Jesus stretches Peter. He sends him off to fish from the shore. He promises that when Peter throws in his hook from the shore Peter will catch a fish. The fish will be large enough to have a starter, a coin worth four drachmas, stuck in its mouth indicating that the fish will not be small. When fishing from the shore catching anything but smaller fish is unusual. And to top it all off, it will be the first fish Peter catches. There is no indication that Peter argued at all. He may have wondered, but if he did he kept quiet about it and Jesus honored that silence. Miraculously the fish is caught and the coin is found in its mouth as Jesus promised. The coin paid the Temple tax for both Jesus and Peter. It prevented what could have been a fire storm of controversy over a fairly trivial matter. If anyone had the right to decline to pay the tax it was Jesus. And yet for the sake of His mission He ended the issue quietly with a single coin. It was not worth jeopardizing the message of the good news being buried under the chaff of scandal over His own rights in such a small matter. It is an important lesson: choosing our battles. The American population overall is extremely concerned with "my rights". It gets to the point where "I don't care about your rights. Me first!" is an all too common cry. This primary mission is to live a life that calls to others. If we allow tiny issues, like pebbles in a wagon, to rattle and obscure the message then the message is lost. The priceless message is worth far more than two drachmas. Grace & Peace, Mike 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 -<>- Quick Jokes (, _ /| {())/ | ,)_,,((( / `___ ))| ` , / `, /`-- '\ \` `.` \| \| ejm _;_) _;_) -'-'- -'-'- One day I decided to take my three children to an ice skating party in a nearby town, but after several wrong turns and stops to ask directions, I pulled over to the side of the road and suggested we all ask God to help us find the rink. When we finally arrived, we were nearly an hour late. The following week, as we got into the car to go skating again, my five-year-old son exclaimed, "Mom, let's pray now and save time!" -------- As soon as I returned home from work one particularly long, hard day, I began taking off my suntan-colored pantyhose. I didn't realize my three-year-old son, Stephan, was watching me until he piped up in a concerned voice, "Mommy, why are you taking your skin off?" -------- /\_/\ >^.^<.---. _'-`-' )\ (6--\ |--\ (`.`-. --' --' ``-'BP cat Smoky, our family cat, had gotten injured and needed to stay at the vet clinic for several days. Our three children were so concerned that several times a day, my wife and I had to reassure them that Smoky was safe and being cared for by the "animal doctor." Finally, we got the call that Smoky was ready to come home. Driving to the vet's, it became clear that our four-year-old son, Ryan, had been doing a lot of thinking about Smoky's absence when he asked, "Mom, what kind of animal is the doctor?" -------- Worship brings all kinds of responses, as I observed in church recently. An elderly woman was standing with eyes closed and hands raised in prayer and praise. The three-year-old standing in the pew in front of her turned around and gave her a high-five! =================================================================== ,-'-. _., . ( '("'-' '). ( ' (( |. )\/( ) '( )) | () |" | | ') ( . ,-. ,-.. __.) /) / ' / / /) / / PjP >-->A Child's View of Thunderstorms...... A little girl walked to and from school daily. Though the weather that morning was questionable and clouds were forming, she made her daily trek to the elementary school. As the afternoon progressed, the winds whipped up, along with lightning. The mother of the little girl felt concerned that her daughter would be frightened as she walked home from school and she feared the electrical storm might harm her child. Full of concern, the mother quickly got into her car and drove along the route to her child's school. As she did, she saw her little girl walking along. At each flash of lightning, the child would stop, look up, and smile. Another and another flash of lighting followed quickly and with each, the little girl would look at the streak of light and smile. When the mother's car drew up beside the child, she lowered the window and called to her, "What are you doing?" The child answered, "I am trying to look pretty because God keeps taking my picture!" .-~*~--,. .-. .-~-. ./OOOOOOOOO\.'OOO`9~~-. .`OOOOOO.OOM.OLSONOOOOO@@OOOOOO\ /OOOO@@@OO@@@OO@@@OOO@@@@@@@@OOOO`. |OO@@@WWWW@@@@OOWWW@WWWW@@@@@@@OOOO). .-'OO@@@@WW@@@W@WWWWWWWWOOWW@@@@@OOOOOO} /OOO@@O@@@@W@@@@@OOWWWWWOOWOO@@@OOO@@@OO| lOOO@@@OO@@@WWWWWWW\OWWWO\WWWOOOOOO@@@O.' \OOO@@@OOO@@@@@@OOW\ \WWWW@@@@@@@O'. `,OO@@@OOOOOOOOOOWW\ \WWWW@@@@@@OOO) \,O@@@@@OOOOOOWWWWW\ \WW@@@@@OOOO.' `~c~8~@@@@WWW@@W\ \WOO|\UO-~' (OWWWWWW@/\W\ ___\WO) `~-~'' \ \WW=*' __\ \ \ \ \ __\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \\ \\ \ \ May God bless you today and everyday as you face the storms that come your way!!!! >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Chriistian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->Pass this on as it should be of interest to all who served. The study was carried out in Austrialia on their Vietnam Veterans. ABC Nat. Radio Health Report Autralian Vietnam Vets: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/HealthReportVV.mp3 VV ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->This is for all you who love food and DARRE 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 ************************************************************************