God Is Real And Heals ... :) 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 ~ _.-''. .' '. .' '. .' '. .' '. .' '. .' '. : '. : ; :' ; : : : ; : .._ . : '. SSSSS. .SS : '. SSSSSS. .SSS .' _.-' _. 'SS"SSS'.SS/'\ :. .' .' '. : 'SS:S:_o:' : : :.-SSSSSS---O..' :.' : ' .SSSSSSSSSSS' :SS. Are Ya Ready To [WILU] '. SSSSSSSSSS--.'-.__.-SSSSSS '-._S''SSSSSSS: : '.__.SSSSSSSS. Do Yer Part? _.-'' ' .SSSSSSS'.:..:..:SSSSSSSSS _.-' SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS ..'"' '-. _.SSSSSSSSSSSS''' 'SSSSSSS' : . '..-'-.SSSSSSSSS"' SSSSSSS'''. '.: : _.- .' .SSSSSSSSS .''.SSSSSS' -.: '-:___:':'-. S' SSSSSS' .' SSSSSS . : .' '. ' SSSSSS''--.' SSSSS' :'' : ''SSSSSS' .-' SSSS''--' : . SSSS' .: SSSS. : '.:'S' ' : 'SSSS '. :..-_ .' 'SSS : :' :___.-'-. ' .''-...-:' : .' .' : ': '-. '-. ..' '..'.____: '. '. '-..__' *~* WE NEED 2009 CARING AND SHARING ANGELS *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a 2009 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 YOU MOST ABUNDANTLY! ================ >From Heartwarmers: __ __ .' `'._.'` '. | .--; ;--. | | ( / \ ) | \ ;` /^\ `; / :` .'._.'. `; jgs '-`'.___.'`-' >PRETZEL MEDICINE by Teri Goggin-Roberts The rumors had been swirling for months but it still came as a shock when the hospital board announced that our small community hospital would be closing on July 1st. The hospital had served this working class poor neighborhood of Philadelphia for nearly 100 years but it would soon become another casualty of the health care crisis. The day after the announcement co-workers walked around in a stunned state of disbelief. And if impending unemployment wasn't stressful enough, those looking for comfort in the form of their morning soft pretzel found out that pretzels had been eliminated from the cafeteria menu the same day the hospital announced its closure. For those of you outside the Philadelphia area, let me explain... Soft pretzels are the lifeblood of this city. They are sold in schools, sports arenas, delicatessens and at hundreds of street vendors across town. They are a snack, a meal and a revered tradition. So losing access to soft pretzels is no small matter. A week later, I decided to cheer up my co-workers by picking up some soft pretzels at a local store in Havertown called Pretzel Boys. I arrived just as it opened so I was the only customer. The tantalizing smells of warm dough, yeast and salt engulfed me. Rows and rows of freshly baked brown-crusted pretzels were packed into cardboard boxes, ready for the day. These are the sights and smells of nirvana for any Philadelphian. A sign posted on the cash register read, "Ten dollar minimum for credit cards." Just then it dawned on me that I only had $5 cash in my wallet. So much for planning ahead! I work inside a large office at the hospital and knew I'd need more than the half dozen pretzels my five dollars would buy. But did I really need 25 pretzels -- the only amount of pretzels I could get for $10. A man's voice interrupted my thoughts. "Can I help you?" Distracted and embarrassed by my hesitation, words tumbled out of my mouth, "Ah, yes. I only have $5 but I have a debit card. I'm not sure how many pretzels I need." The man nodded like what I just said made sense and so I continued to babble. "You see, I work at a hospital and it's closing and they stopped selling pretzels." As if this explained my previous rambling. The man's smile disappeared. "What hospital?" "Oh, um Northeastern Hospital." The pretzel guy looked deeply shocked. "I used to sell medical supplies and that was one of my hospitals. What a shame. They are good people." I started to respond but the pretzel guy held up his palm to stop me. Then he turned around and grabbed a box of 25 pretzels and slid them across the counter. I was stunned by his generosity and started to reach for my wallet, "Oh I can pay. Please let me..." The pretzel guy pushed the box another six inches across the counter and smiled. "Just tell them Joe Sullivan said to do something nice for someone else." And so that day everyone in medical records was treated to a soft pretzel. Word spread fast as people came up to my desk asking, "Is it really true? Did you bring in soft pretzels?" It was as if I'd carried in a box of gold. With each pretzel, I shared the story of Pretzel Boys generosity. Without exception each employee was moved by Joe Sullivan's words and kind deed. It mattered to them that a stranger cared. And with every bite of soft pretzel a little bit of healing took place. Thank you Joe! -- Teri Goggin-Roberts ______________________________________________ Teri is a native Philadelphian who lives just outside the city with her husband and children. She says, "I am blessed to continue to be employed in another part of the hospital system. I dedicate this story to my co-workers in the hopes that they all land on their feet." ====================================================================== >-->From Our Friend John-Paul :) .========. .========. // I .'..' \ // VI.'.,".\ || II .'..'| || VII..'..| || III .'."| || VIII,'.'| || IV ,','.| || IX.'".'.| || V '..'.'| || X .'..',| jgs .\_________/ .\_________/ >`GOD IS REAL AND HEALS` `My Brother JIM` My family not only believes that GOD heals, but God did In fact heal my brother of `CANCER` Totally destroyed in side, all major organs eaten up with Cancer, a boy of just 10 years. The doctors open Jim up, for what they thought was appendix rupture what they found was a mess. One of the doctors came out in the hall way to tell my folks there was nothing he could do to save Jim. He told us that Jim`s temperature was already so high that it had destroyed his Brain. The doctor told us the only thing we could do was to make funeral arrangements for Jim would not last the night. Crying in the hall way, in despair --- my folks had no way to turn, and no Idea what to do. You see, we were good Baptist, but no one ever told us that GOD heals. BUT , GOD !!! There were two Little Gray Haired Ladies sitting at the end of the hall, and over heard the doctor. As they came to comfort Mom and Dad, they asked if they and their prayer partners could pray for Jim. Jim`s intestines and all of his major organs were busted inside, destroyed by the Cancer`S`. The Doctor. said ,"If Jim had one --- he had 10,000 cancers, and they looked like large fish eggs" THE cultures sent of to the Mayo`s` Hospital to be checked, was reported later that; `who ever had this cancer -- it was in the last stages for it was growing wild in the cultures.` My Mom, as all Mothers would do, beg the little ladies "OH, Please Pray" They did, and went to the phones and started, what was to be one of the greatest chain prayers of that time. The prayers went all over the country, and even to ( at that time ) A tent preacher named "Oral Roberts" The prayer that went out: Was that `Jim would Live and Pass Naturally the Many Cancers from his Little broken body.` Jim lived through the night, and the next day ( in fact for the next 15 days) he drank a little water and a little soup, and he `PASSED`--what looked like deflated black balloons, about the size of a Thumb ( by the 1,000`s.) On the 15th day my, Dad walked into the room, to find Jim with his legs hanging off the bed and crying. Dad ask, "what is the matter `Peege`"(Jim`s nick name) Jim answered; "I want to go home". "Put on your clothes son", Dad said `GLORY TO GOD` My Brother, and My Dad walked out of that Hospital Hand-In-hand `WITH NO CANCER IN HIS BODY`, AND A SOUND MIND! JIM WENT ON TO BECOME A CHURCH OF GOD PREACHER. I`LL STOP, HERE FOR NOW, BUT IT IS ONLY THE BEGINNING. there is more -"The rest of this true story", as Paul Hearvy would say, It only becomes better. `GOD IS REAL AND HE HEALS` John-Paul -<>- __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >God Heals and is Real (Second chapter of my brother Jim`s true Testimony) My brother`s Life with GOD Being the only two children in our family, needless to say, Jim and I were close in growing up. We were only 18 months apart , I being the oldest. I guess it was when we were in High School, Jim talked with me one day, and told me me of his experience -- "that God had spoke to him". being a young boy myself, I came back with "He did, just what did He say to you Jim? (God had never spoke to me). Jim began to tell me, that God told him," that he was to tell of his `Cancer Healing` to all that would listen, and that when I reached a number, HE would come to me, and take me `Home` with HIM". I quickly came back with -- what was the number, Jim? "I don`t know," he said, "GOD didn`t tell me". So from that day on, both Jim and I, told of his story of how GOD Healed him of `Cancer`, when he was 10 1/2 years old. As we grew up , both of us played football, and was able to go to the University of Alabama on a football scholarship. After school we both enlisted in the United States Navy Air Force, and served our Country. Jim volunteered to go to Veit- Nam where the helicopter he was in was shot down. Jim had to jump some distance to the ground to avoid the crash. He jarred loose one of his kidneys, by the time help arrived, and he was taken to a hospital to be tended to, he received some 17 pints of blood, of which was contaminated with Hepatitis `B`. A death sentence to any one receiving it into their body. Just a matter of time. Jim was sent back to the States to die a slow and painful death. But Jim didn`t give up. He returned to the work force and started to study to become a `Preacher` of the Gospel. During this time he met and fell in love with a very nice girl, name Georgia. She was a secretary of the Diamond Sugar corp. Before they were married, Jim told her of his condition. but love won out, and they were married. Georgia`s office manager left the sugar company, and the Home office in Baltimore Md., asked Georgia to run the office till they could hire some one to take the job. All this took place in Atlanta Georgia. Well, the Sugar Sells went up, as Georgia took over, to the point that the Home Office asked her to go into `Sells` as an agent. Every where Jim and Georgia were sent, the company`s Sells would increase, while Jim and Georgia would build `Churches`. Jim continued to tell of his Cancer Healing, as a boy, although Jim continued suffering from the slow death of `Hepatitis `B `. One day , while returning from a check up at the Veteran Hospital located in New Orleans La. Jim feeling very ill, stopped at a little country church, of whom Jim knew the minister, and that the church was always open, went down to the `Alter`. There he knelt down and spoke to the LORD. "GOD, he prayed, I can not do what You want me to do, or go on any longer in this condition. I`m going to lay it down here on Your Alter and leave it." With that, Jim rose and left the church. Arriving home, a few minutes later, he could hear the telephone ringing. Opening the door, and rushing to answer the phone, he heard the doctor from the vet. hospital on the other end. "Jim I`m sorry to have to ask you to return to the Hospital, but it seems as though we have made a mistake, and got your samples of blood mixed up with some one else`s some how. We know you have Hepatitis `B`, but these blood samples labelled with your name, don`t show any sign of it . Jim smiled to himself and said, "Doctor, I`ll be glad to drive back to the hospital , and you can feel free to take all the samples you care to--, but I can tell you, you will not find anything. You see, GOD has healed me once more. You guessed it, no more Hepatitis `B`-- (To be continued to part three of my brother, Jim`s true life story with GOD) John-Paul -<>- __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >GOD IS REAL AND HEALS (my brother Jim`s life Testimony) As I told of the wonderful mission God had sent my brother Jim and his sweet wife Georgia on in chapter `2` of Jim`s life Testimony , I`ll continue by now telling you --While located in New Orleans La., Georgia`s sells skyrocked, and she and Jim built a church in the swamp area where the Shrimp Boaters lived. this was a very difficult and rugged area. But Jim and Georgia with open hearts of giving and love, soon found an ever lasting friendship among the boat people. I`ve been there and those people know how to cook and feed! Jim would even go out on the boats, and help in shrimp fishing during the day. Then at night the fleet of boats would gather in a large circle. Jim would stand on the bow of one of the boats, and preach to the fishermen, with a light on him that all could see and hear Gods word. Many gave their hearts to Jesus, even whole families, and God blessed. A large church was built there in the bayou. Jim and Georgia built many churches, as Georgia`s company sent her to the trouble sell areas. Every where they went God blessed them. Finally, feeling that their work was over, one winter, while located in Chicago Ill. they decided that Georgia would resign her Job and the two of them would return to the people they came to loved so, in the Bayou of Louisiana, and build a home to live there with them. But when Georgia called her home office of the `Diamond o Sugar company in Baltimore Md. to resign, she was informed that the company was returning them to Baltimore for her to take a Junior Vice President job in sells. Being her home, and her folks living on the Chesterpeek Bay, and giving them one of two homes located on the Bay itself, near the Boat club her father help operate, they changed their plans, and moved to Baltimore Md. Here again, they found themselves building churches, and Jim preaching. He started a tape ministry for those unable to read the Bible. He would find the elderly and blind, to give the Word of God to them once more. Jim and Georgia visited and fed the elderly and sick, conducting prayer and church in the old folk homes and many other deeds too many to write at this time. (to be continued chapter `4` --- `THE REST OF THE STORY` ---Always~~John-Paul) -<>- __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >GOD IS REAL AND HEALS (Chapter (4) of the Testimony of my brother Jim`s Life) a One night, just before Christmas, in the year of 1990, Jim stood to deliver his Sunday night message to his church. He paused for a moment, bowed his head, then looking out over the audience, he shut his Bible, and said, "God just told me to give my Healing of Cancer Testimony. As he finish, he set down in the chair behind him. Georgia leaned over to speak to him from her place in the choir. "What is wrong Jim,"she ask. "I don`t know, Georgia", Jim answered," I just feel so tired". Later, after church , instead of going out to eat with a group from the church, Jim asked to go home. Latter sitting in his big old lazy chair at home, and looking out the big picture window, over the Great Chesterpeek Bay with night lights of the ships anchored, Jim told Georgia he felt that it was time to go home to be with the Lord. Georgia, convinced Jim was not going to die then at home, rushed him to the hospital where he was put in the Intensive Care area. She called my mother who lived in Atlanta Georgia and told her the problem. Mom then got in touch with me and we were off to Baltimore the next day. Before we left, Jim called Mom and told her he was ready to go and not to pray for him to get well. "You see, mom", he told her," I`m ready to go." "Mom, I got it all right, Mom, Jesus came today and sit by my bed , Oh!, mom He is Realy Real!, it is Awesome to be in His presence". We talked and I was able to get every thing right, so please don`t worry I`m ready". When Mother told me this , my thoughts went back to the day when Jim and I were Boys , and Jim told me of the Lord speaking to him, telling him that he was to give his Testimony to as many that would listen, and when he reached a `Number` that GOD only GOD knew, then God would come, and take him home with HIM." DID JIM FINALLY REACH HIS NOUMBER OF SOULS?" "WAS IT TIME FOR HIM TO LEAVE HIS EARTHLY BODY, AND BE WITH GOD?" (to be continued to the (5) and final chapter and "THE REST OF THE STORY") Always~with~Jesus~love~~~~~John-Paul --- . , )). -===- ,(( ))). ,((( ))))). .:::. ,(((((( ))))))))). :. .: ,((((((((' `))))))))))). : - : ,(((((((((((( ))))))))))))))))_:' ':_(((((((((((((((' `)))))))))))).-' \___/ '-._((((((((((( `))))_._.-' __)( )(_ '-._._((((' `))'---)___)))'\_ _/'((((__(---'((' `))))))))))))|' '|((((((((((((' jim `)))))))))/' '\(((((((((' `)))))))| |(((((((' `))))))| |((((((' /' '\ /' '\ /' '\ /' '\ '---..___..---' ...Absolutely awesome and such a blessing! Thank You John-Paul! I am anxious to hear - 'the rest' of your story! When it comes to you or your loved ones health, always keep these scriptures in mind... #1: "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." - 3 John 1:2 People often say, 'if it be God's will I know I will get better.' Or something like 'If God wants me to be healed...' God tells us His will in His bible. READ IT! Study it! Memorize it. Then you will know what to believe and what to thank God for! What does this verse tell us? First off, it is directed to who? - 'Beloved' - those special to God's heart - His beloved - that would be God's children! To you wwho are God's beloved, he says, if I could wish any thing for you I'd wish ... that you would be poor and sickly? NO way! That you prosper. This is so important! To Prosper means not only to have money and wealth but to flourish and grow - mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. AND with this growth or prospering God says it is not His wish that you grow in poor health but to grow in health! God is very explicit so there is no room for private interpretation as to what He wishes for you. He even says for how long! He wishes this for you - 'Even as thy soul prospereth'. Soul is 'that which makes you you' - For as long as your soul [that which makes you you] prospereth [grows] - this simply means for as long as you are alive in the flesh - as long as you are breathing. Now you know you don't have to ask God or wonder if God wants you to get well - YOu ALREADY KNOW IT because GOD TOLD YOU SO! #2: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 1 Peter 2:24 If nothing else, memorize this part 'by whose stripes ye were healed.' Past tense - already healed! Healing has been paid for you! You are bought with a price! Jesus paid the full price for your righteousness - but not only life - but the 'more thenn abundant life' - life not spent being sick or sickly! Jesus paid for you to be healed. He paid for this for you with his stripes. He allowed then to whip him and leave the deep bloody whip marks on his body. These are the stripes. People back then where given 40 stripes save one. If the stripes on them exceeded 40, then the person whipping them would be punished and given 40 lashes as well. So they would stop at 39 just In case they had miscounted. Your healing has already been paid for by the pain and suffering of Jesus himself! You can come confidently before God and know your rights. Healing has already been paid for. There is nothing you have to do to pay God to get healed. Jesus already paid the price for you. #3: "Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Bind? What is Jesus talking about? Read more... "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. --Matthew 18:18-20 Bind here is like sticks. Bind 2 or 3 together and they become really hard to break. Loose them and individually, you can break them more easily. Jesus uses this example to show the strength in numbers. Pray in groups over the same thing and you have Jesus right there in the middle as your stronghold as an advocate to God Almighty! For this reason Prayer groups are extremely powerful! The more the better! When my little niece was diagnosed with a very rare and deadly form of cancer [normally found in adults instead of children] back in 2001, I went to The World Prayer Network and asked for them to help by praying for her. This was my first 'Praise Report' to them... My Mom just got an update from my Niece. 8 year old Kali is doing much better. She has been moved to the Ronald McDonald's House so she and her younger brother may visit each other. She is able to sit up in a chair for 2 hours now! Praise God!! Still very dependent on her Mom, and scared, doesn't like her to leave her even for 10 mins. We are hoping for no relapse as she has had 3 of them so far. Please keep her in your prayers for a complete recovery. Thank you! AND This was my last one to them less then a month later... Thank you all for your prayers for my nieces little 8 year old daughter, Kali. By the grace of God she is getting even better! She is back home now! A room was made over for a hospital type room for her, and she is back with her entire family! God was also instrumental in blessing her in two prior ways. Her mood was quite low and she wasn't very happy at the hospital, so God made it available for her to go to the Ronald McDonald house where her mood greatly increased being able to see her little brother. After that, he blessed her with winning a Wish from the Wish Foundation. I feel these two things greatly increased her desire to get better and improved her recovery so she was allowed to go back home! Thank you all again, and please continue to keep her in your prayers and ask in the name of Jesus Christ for her complete recovery. I prayed and they prayed and she has fully recovered and is a healthy happy little girl now! No sign of the cancer. Here is their website: World Network of Prayer: http://www.wnop.org/ Also, be sure to read and study this teaching: BibleStudy: Prosperity And Health http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/prosperityhealth.html By the way, my niece is an atheist. God healed her daughter even though she doesn't believe He even exists! That's the love of God. BECAUSE we his children asked Him to help them, He did. Now isn't God good? ================================================================= >-->From Our Friend Jo Ann :) |\ ___ | ) / '-. ||.+ L (__ \ || '-.\ ___)a \__ \ || `-. /.__ J__//--. |J `-. |_ '-._ \ _.------. | L ` L__. _/`----.____ / b a (__c> |J \ __,-_____ __._>\__/ ( c " h\ L L \ ./--+///___)_.--' /\ -. \ d e f g / J J | \\__// `--(_.( `--.....-' | \ J )_ _,- \__ \ `--' L | L ` )-)_/ \_._..--''-..) J | | \ [_._._,.. _] | | | ,,' _/ ( __ | _ | J ,' \ _________ / \ \ | _______a:f____ | J_.L_.' \ / _\_/\ ( L | \ / _| / \_ F J J ( (_ L `-. / L \ \__. `. \__ \ / J ^ \ ) \____ \ / L .---.-)_ _/ ) \ /_ | ( `-' \__/. L__\_\ | `-.__.--.___) --- / (_/ J |_ ( .-' --- `---' >"Painting The Picture" When my hair is thin and silvered, and my time of toil is through; when I've many years behind me, and ahead of me a few; I shall want to sit, I reckon, sort of dreaming in the sun; and recall the roads I've traveled and the many things I've done. I hope there'll be no picture that I'll hate to look upon; when the time to paint it better or to wipe it out, is gone. I hope there'll be no vision of a hasty word I've said that has left a trail of sorrow, like a whip welt, sore and red. And I hope my old age dreaming will bring back no bitter scene of a time when I was selfish, or a time when I was mean. When I'm getting old and feeble, and I'm far along life's way, I don't want to sit regretting any bygone yesterday. I am painting now the picture that I'll want someday to see; I am filling in a canvas that will soon come back to me. Though nothing great is on it, and though nothing there is fine, I shall want to look it over when I'm old, and call it mine. So I do not dare to leave it while the paint is warm and wet, with a single thing upon it that I later will regret. -- Author Unknown -<>- (, ,) | *_ | \\ (('^, // \`()) _.'/ ` )__)-' Keep on Your Toes! \ ) .__)(_.'___________ \_ _/_ ,.__,-_,-' \`-' \' ), ( ) \ , ejm '| \/ >A Christian Several years ago, a preacher from out-of-state accepted a call to a church in Houston, Texas . Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had given him a quarter too much change. As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, 'You'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it.' Then he thought, 'Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a 'gift from God' and keep quiet.' When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, and then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, 'Here, you gave me too much change ' The driver, with a smile, replied, 'Aren't you the new preacher in town?' 'Yes' he replied. 'Well, I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I'll see you at church on Sunday.' When the preacher stepped off of the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, 'Oh God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter.' Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read. This is a really scary example of how much people watch us as Christi ans, and will put us to the test! Always be on guard -- and remember -- You carry the name of Christ on your shoulders when you call yourself 'Christian.' Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.... I'm glad a friend forwarded this to me as a reminder. So, I choose to forward it to you - my friend. God bless you; I hope you are having a wonderful day! If you don't pass this on to anybody, nothing bad will happen; but, if you do, you will have ministered to someone. The Will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not PROTECT you..... Stay FAITHFUL and Be GRATEFUL! “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 --- ...Thank You Jo Ann! Yes, often it is easier to not do the right thing. But we need to keep in mind what the bible says... "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient;" - 1 Corinthians 6:12a Jesus paid the price so you have life and nothing will take that away from you no matter what you do. Thus 'all things are lawful unto you' You are not going to have your eternal life taken away - but all things are not expedient - meaaning that if you do certain things, you will look bad to other people and be a bad witness. In other words, you don't want your actions to be the reason someone does not come to the cross or sins against God! Also, you don't want to take part and do what sinners do for the same reasons. It is not expedient even if you know it is lawful for you to do so. "But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak." 1 Corinthians 8:9 ================================================================ >-->From InspiredBuffalo: _.-""""-. ( ': '. .___.' : : _.."----".._ .-" "-. ." ". .":.".. .' `. : '.' : :" "": : .-" .'""-: .-"""-. :": : : ". .' `. : " '-._ : : _:" : : "" : : : : _ : : : '. : : : `#. ' : : _:. : '. ' `#. : grp : '._ .' : . ." .-" :"-._ _.-" (_. '. ""------"" (_.: . : '.:`-' .::"- .:::::. .':::::::: ' `::::' " Mr. Bounce >YOU DON’T HAVE TO TELL ME TWICE By: Joseph J. Mazzella An early April snow had caught us by surprise here in the mountains of my home. Flowers that had just popped out of the ground a week before were now drowning in a sea of white. It felt like someone had turned back the clock two months. Slowly it grew warm enough for the snow to begin to melt in the late afternoon but soon the temperatures dipped again as the cold, evening air turned the melted snow into ice. Early the next morning I walked out to my cars. I needed to take my sons to school and then had a 30 mile round trip to make after that. I wondered which car to take. My little one had the better gas mileage, but the tires on my bigger one were less worn. Just as I took a step towards my little car, however, my foot slipped on a patch of black ice and I felt my body hitting the driveway. I got up slowly and smiled. "You don’t have to tell me twice God!", I said before heading over to start the car with the better tires. After dropping off my boys at school I made the round trip safely. I felt my car hit patches of black ice several times, but each time the tires gripped and adjusted well. I found myself laughing and grinning even with my still sore left hip and shoulder. I was happy I had followed God’s guidance and I felt loved and watched over. God’s loving guidance comes in many ways. You can hear its gentle whisper in your heart. You can listen to it come out in the touching lyrics of a beautiful song. You can see it in the wise passage of a book. You can notice it in an overheard scrap of conversation. You can feel it in the quietness of nature. You can even get it when you fall to the pavement of your driveway. However it comes to you, though, don’t turn away from it. Don’t make God have to tell you twice. Listen to Him the first time. Trust Him, love Him, and follow Him. He will take you to ever greater love, joy, and learning. He will keep you safe and lead you home. -<>- ___________ `:::::::::' ':::::::' -._:::::::_.- :""""""""""""""""": : . \ .- . : : : 0 0 .' : : ' ..::. : : ::::::: : .': ':::::' :`. : : "" : : `. : __ :.' ": .' ". : : : : : : ' : :_____ _____: __ : : :.--. grp ." " : ' : '. : .' `-...-"'-..-" Mr. Grumpy >Joy Joy does not come about as the result of agreeable circumstances. Joy is, rather, a powerful and reliable cause of agreeable circumstances. There's no need to wait for things to be just right before you begin to enjoy them. Instead, enjoy what is, and that joy will begin to transform what is into what you would like it to be. Have you ever wondered why some people always seem to enjoy the best that life has to offer? It's not really because more good things come their way, but rather because they find and enjoy the good in whatever does come their way. Imagine how very much more effective your work would be if it was done with sincere joy in your heart. Consider how much more richly you could relate with others if you consistently did so from a perspective of joy. Rather than looking for something to be joyful about, look for things, for people, for situations to be joyful upon. Let joy freely flow from you and you'll find that there's always plenty of joy around you. -Ralph Marston --- ...Two cents here... Who do you serve? WHO is your Lord? 1 Cor: 10:31 'Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.' Colossians 3:23 'And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;' If you are working - work as if the work you do is for Jesus to Glorify God Almighty. If you are eating, or drinking - do so as if Jesus is right with you eating and drinking the same as you! Give God thanks well for what you have and enjoy! WHATEVER you do, do it heartily as you would if it were directly for Jesus Christ himself! BE HAPPY And THANKFUL to God! -<>- ___ / `\ \ // \ \ //\ \__ _/ |\ | \ \__| as >I'm Only a Mirror Fragment Contributor: Matt Black I want to share with you a story about a very interesting well-educated Greek philosopher whose name is Dr. Alexander Popaderos. Dr. Popaderos, every summer on the island of Crete, taught a class on ethics for two weeks. And this particular summer just as he was getting ready to close the class, the last few minutes of the class, he said, "Now are there any questions before we go?" And just as he was getting ready to say, "OK then you re dismissed," a little man in the back of the room, a rather timid looking man, sort of carefully raised his hand and said, "Dr. Popaderos? I have a question." "Yes, what is it?" The man said, "I'd like to know, what is the meaning of life?" As you can imagine, people were ready to go home, and they were very irritated by this little fellow's heavy question! Dr. Popaderos very quickly quieted the group, then said to the class, "You know, if you don't mind I'd like to answer that question." He reached into his back pocket, and took out his wallet. He took out of the wallet a little mirror about the size of a fifty-cent piece, honed down on the edges, kind of sparkling. And then he told this tale: "When I was a child, I began to realize that I could have so much fun with that mirror. I would simply catch the glint of the sun and shine that mirror into an otherwise darkened place. As I grew older I began to learn that this is no child's toy. This is really a metaphor for my life. Now I am not the light—I am not the source of the light. I am simply a broken mirror fragment. But if I allow the sun to shine on my mirror fragment, it is amazing what light I can bring into darkness." Then he ended simply, "Ladies and gentlemen, that is the meaning of life." Each of us is a mirror fragment. We are not the Light. We are not the source of the Light. We are simply a broken mirror fragment. But when we permit the SON to hit our mirror fragment, and then bounce off into the life of a darkened heart, there can be change—there can be illumination. Remaining Thankful Source: Boyce Mouton, Carl Junction Christian Church, Missouri. From a sermon by Steve Shepherd, "For Granted, or Gratitude". -<>- >Forgiveness.... One day a while back, a man, his heart heavy with grief, was walking in the woods. As he thought about his life this day, he knew many things were not right. He thought about those who had lied about him back when he had a job. His thoughts turned to those who had stolen his things and cheated him.. He remembered family that had passed on. His mind turned to the illness he had, that no one could cure. His very soul was filled with anger, resentment, and frustration. Standing there this day, searching for answers he could not find, knowing all else had failed him, he knelt at the base of an old oak tree to seek the one he knew would always be there. And with tears in his eyes, he prayed: 'Lord- You have done wonderful things for me in this life. You have told me to do many things for you, and I happily obeyed. Today, you have told me to forgive. I am sad, Lord, because I cannot, I don't know how. It is not fair Lord, I didn't deserve these wrongs that were done against me and I shouldn't have to forgive. As perfect as your way is Lord, this one thing I cannot do, for I don't know how to forgive. My anger is so deep Lord, I fear I may not hear you, but I pray you teach me to do the one thing I cannot do: Teach me to forgive.' As he knelt there in the quiet shade of that old oak tree, he felt something fall onto his shoulder. He opened his eyes. Out of the corner of one eye, he saw something red on his shirt. He could not turn to see what it was because where the oak tree had been was a large square piece of wood in the ground. He raised his head and saw two feet held to the wood with a large spike through them. He raised his head more, and tears came to his eyes as he saw Jesus hanging on a cross. He saw spikes in His hands, a gash in His side, a torn and battered body, deep thorns sunk into His head. Finally he saw the suffering and pain on His precious face. As their eyes met, the man's tears turned to sobbing, and Jesus began to speak. 'Have you ever told a lie?' He asked? The man answered - 'Yes, Lord.' 'Have you ever been given too much change and kept it?' The man answered - 'Yes. Lord.' And the man sobbed more and more. 'Have you ever taken something from work that wasn't yours?' Jesus asked? And the man answered, 'Yes, Lord.' 'Have you ever sworn, using my Father's name in vain?' The man, crying now, answered - 'Yes, Lord.' As Jesus asked many more times, 'Have you ever'? The man's crying became uncontrollable, for he could only answer - 'Yes, Lord'. Then Jesus turned His head from one side to the other, and the man felt something fall on his other shoulder He looked and saw that it was the blood of Jesus. When he looked back up, his eyes met those of Jesus, and there was a look of love the man had never seen or known before. Jesus said, 'I didn't deserve this either, but I asked God to forgive them and you.' It may be hard to see how you're going to get through something, but when you look back in life, you realize how true this statement is. Read the following first line slowly and let it sink in. If God brings you to it - He will bring you through it. -<>- ,,ggddY"""Ybbgg,, ,agd888b,_ "Y8, ___`""Ybga, ,gdP""88888888baa,.""8b "888g, ,dP" ]888888888P' "Y `888Yb, ,dP" ,88888888P" db, "8P""Yb, ,8" ,888888888b, d8888a "8, ,8' d88888888888,88P"' a, `8, ,8' 88888888888888PP" "" `8, d' I88888888888P" `b 8 `8"88P""Y8P' 8 8 Y 8[ _ " 8 8 "Y8d8b "Y a 8 8 `""8d, __ 8 Y, `"8bd888b, ,P `8, ,d8888888baaa ,8' `8, 888888888888' ,8' `8a "8888888888I a8' `Yba `Y8888888P' adP' "Yba `888888P' adY" `"Yba, d8888P" ,adP"' unknown `"Y8baa, ,d888P,ad8P"' ``""YYba8888P""'' >Remember Your Country Source: Introduction taken from Derrick Strickland's sermon "A Non-Negotiable Faith." While Secretary of State during the Regan presidency, George Shultz kept a large globe in his office. When newly appointed ambassadors had an interview with him, and when ambassadors returning from their posts for their first visit with him were leaving his office, Shultz would test them. He would say, "You have to go over the globe and prove to me that you can identify your country." They would go over, spin the globe, and put their finger on the country to which sent - unerringly. When Shultz's old friend and former Senate majority leader Mike Mansfield was appointed ambassador to Japan, even he was put to the test. This time, however, Ambassador Mansfield spun the globe and put his hand on the United States. He said, "That's my country." On June 27, 1993, Shultz related this to Brian Lamb on C-SPAN's Booknotes. Said the secretary: "I've told that story, subsequently, to all the ambassadors going out. 'Never forget you're over there in that country, but your country is the United States. You're there to represent us. Take care of our interests and never forget it, and you're representing the best country in the world.'" We must never forget where our home and our allegiance is - heaven. Daniel worked in a land that was hostile to the faith he held. His bosses were some of the most powerful, most ruthless, and egotistical kings in all ancient history. To contradict these men could mean death. The book of Daniel is a record of the many times Daniel's faith placed him in inconvenient and uncomfortable circumstances where the odds were the highest. It was this atmosphere that Daniel stood firm with a "non-negotiable faith." He knew what it meant to have his faith put him in some inconvenient places. sermoncentral.com -<>- \\ ///// | | (| _ _ |) |` | '| | __ | >>>___/\_^__/\___<<< / ||| \ Mike Hertz >FEAR NOT Please forgive me if I seem a little pensive today. Last night, we said goodbye to Brock, our son-in-law, who is leaving for his third tour of Army duty in Iraq. And today, I'm feeling... Well, I'm not exactly sure what I'm feeling. Sadness? Yes, I'm feeling that. Brock has become an important part of our family, and I'm going to miss him – no doubt about it. But it's more than just that. There's anxiety involved, trepidation, too. Brock is going to a scary place. I'm worried about his safety, and I'm concerned about his wellbeing. I'm troubled. I'm frightened. I'm afraid. Yes, that's it: fear. That's what I'm feeling: fear, pure and simple. Brock is going to be in harm's way for the next year, and I'm afraid for him, for my daughter, for my granddaughter, and for me. Please don't misunderstand. I'm proud of him. He's a good man, and he's doing something in which he profoundly believes. He understands the risks, and while he isn't exactly excited to go again, he goes willingly, honorably and, in my view, heroically. Still, I'm afraid. Partly because I'm not nearly as brave and courageous as Brock is. And partly because... Well... I'm human, and humans feel fear… Some of us more than others. God knows and understands that. So do His angels. That's probably why the first thing angelic visitors say when encountering mortal human beings here on earth is: "Fear not." You can look it up. That's the first thing the angel said to Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist. It's also the first thing the angel Gabriel said to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the first thing the angels said to the shepherds, who were "abiding in their fields" that first Christmas night. In each of those cases, I think there's a double meaning to the words, "Fear not." Of course, the first meaning was immediate, and had to do with the fact that those folks were seeing an angel and might be inclined to freak out a little. So the angel says, "It's OK. You don't need to be afraid. I'm not going to hurt you." But the deeper meaning had to do with the thing the angel was there to announce, which would lead to the elimination of fear, forever. This time of year, we think of a time when a woman named Mary Magdalene stood outside an empty garden tomb. When you consider all she had seen and experienced during the previous few days, it is only natural that she was troubled, concerned and, yes, afraid. So it's all the more remarkable that the first words out of the angel's mouth that first Easter morning were those two simple words I've been talking about: "Fear not." This time, I think, the words were all about their deeper meaning. Because of what had just taken place, "fear not." Because the tomb was empty, "fear not." Because of Easter, "fear not," fear not today, not tomorrow, not ever. It's a powerful message, especially at a time when fear seems to have us by the throat. War, disease, natural disasters, global warming, March Madness . . . Everywhere you look there is some-thing about which to worry. And worry can be a good thing, I guess, if it motivates us to positive action in our lives and in the lives of others. But fear paralyzes. It freezes us. It makes us stop what we're doing, curl up in a little ball and hide. And so the message of Easter is simple: "Fear not." No matter what is happening in our lives or in the world around us, "fear not." Do what needs to be done. Respond to issues and circumstances as they arise. Change the world, if need be. But "fear not." War-bound sons-in-law notwithstanding. By Joe Walker -<>- _*_ ....iiooiioo __/_|_\__ [(o)_R_(o)] fe Prayer Request This morning -early, my son-in-law, Tom, was in a bad accident. It is unclear just what happened but somehow he ran off the road, down a hill and into a telephone pole. It was one of the large poles and his truck cut the pole in half. Another marine stopped when he saw Tom's truck off the road and he said the only thing holding the top half of the pole was some cable, otherwise it would have crushed the cab of the truck. Becky wasn't at home, so Tom called me and stayed on the line with me until EMS arrived. I had both their boys with me so couldn't go to the hospital, but Renee was working so I made sure they took him to the hospital where she works, rather than to Naval Hospital. Of course his truck was totalled, but thankfully, he wasn't. It appears that Tom will be ok, he's bruised, sore and rather out of it, but otherwise seems ok. Prayers of Thanksgiving please because this could have been sooooo much worse. No one knows how Tom was able to get out in one piece. I told him he better be getting down on his knees and he told me he couldn't get down, but had been praying sitting up. Love and hugs, Susan --- ...Always ask God to protect His children alive in the flesh. No accident, harm or injury! Pray for this every day in the name of Jesus Christ! Vehicle Accidents kill and serious injure millions of innocent people every year - it is important to give God the power to intervene to stop this senseless killing! Check out this report... http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/tables/09s1063.pdf From here; http://tinyurl.com/cae6kl Watch The Units used here - In 2006 there was 10,600,000 motor vehical accidents while those resulting in death were 44,700! A decline from 1980 but still way too many innocent people are dying on our streets and roads. -<>- Links for Your Enjoyment Baby Dog Duet http://www.buffaloschips.com/72217.htm Police Dog http://www.buffaloschips.com/72218.htm Texas Rabbit http://www.buffaloschips.com/72219.htm Balloon Dog http://www.buffaloschips.com/72220.htm Baptizing Kid http://www.buffaloschips.com/72221.htm Barmaid Of The Month http://www.buffaloschips.com/72222.htm 'Words' - comments and messages http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs_u-z.html Woman - Darkest Before Dawn http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/womandbd.html Hand Painting Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/hpaint.html Hand Painting Art 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/hpaint2.html Maxine On Jesus http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/maxineonjesus.html Overcome Negative Thinking http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/overcomenegative.html Fawn and Cat http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rooyt3ptNco Pro-Lifers: Most Dangerous Domestic Terrorists? http://tinyurl.com/c46nau Amazing Planet http://www.amazing-planet.com/en/home Egg Trick http://www.recipesecrets.net/eggtrick.html For Buffalo - Famous Birthdays http://www.famousbirthdays.com/ Subscribe send a blank email to: the-inspired-buffalo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ========================================================= >-->From Our Friend Jo Ann :) O (_) _ )_( _ /`_) H (_`\ .' ( { } ) '. _/ /` '-'='-' `\ \_ [_.' _,...,_ '._] | .:"`````":. | |__//_________\\__| | .-----------. | | | .-"""-. | | | | / / \ | | | ||- < -|| | | | \ \ / | | | |[`'-...-'`]| | | | ;-.___.-; | | | | | ||| | | | | | | ||| | | | | | | ||| | | | | | | ||| | | | | | | ||| | | | | | | _|||_ | | | | | | >===< | | | | | | |___| | | | | | | ||| | | | | | | ;-; | | | | | | ( ) | | | | | | '-' | | | | | '-------' | | jgs _| '-----------' |_ [= === === ==== == =] [__--__--___--__--__] /__-___-___-___-___-__\ `"""""""""""""""""""""""` Time Passes By Dreams drift away like leaves on the water, They roll down the river and slip out of sight; Too many times we do what we ought, Put off 'til tomorrow what we'd really rather do tonight, And later realize: Time passes by, people pass on, At the drop of a tear, they're gone; Let's do what we dare, do what we like, And love while we're here before time passes by. Thoughts are like pennies we keep in our pockets, They're never worth nothing 'til we give them away; But love's like a promise in an unopened letter, Where nights full of pleasure seldom see the light of day, When life gets in the way. Time passes by, people pass on, At the drop of a tear, they're gone; Let's do what we dare, do what we like, And love while we're here before time passes by. Written by Jon Vezner & Susan Longaker --- ...Nice! Thank You Jo Ann! ---> Visit my CyberHome - ALWAYS OPEN HOOUSE :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/index.html Shangrala ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->This is for all you who love food andd DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do :) Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe ************************************************************************ >TO SUBSCRIBE: This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR Send a BLANK email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ************************************************************************