God Knows... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our ShangyFunList: Group Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: 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 ~ *~* 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 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! -<>- * NOTE: An easy way to adjust the size of print in email or any page is to hold down the Ctrl tab while moving the scroll button on the mouse. You can also use the keyboard to change the font size in your web browser or emails. Hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the + key for larger text or the - key for smaller text! ================ _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ >-->Our Hearts And Prayers Go Out To All Who Suffered From The Violence At The Capital Last Night. May God Bless Them Richly And Wrap His Arms Around Them In Healing And Comfort. I was shocked at hearing that the Capital had been breached last night. Normally when a large group of protesters are expected, they make sure to beef up the security so nothing can get past the outer perimeter. It was as if they had it all planned. I suspected that the extreme violence was not due to the normally mild pro-Trump rally goers but due to fake Trumpers in the mix. After all, pro-Trump people are law abiding and never would attack the police like what was happening last night. And they certainly wouldn't bring in pipe bombs and leave them in Republican offices! Maybe an extreme radical right leaning group not normally affiliated with Trump might do such a horrible thing but definitely not to the Republicans, that would be more likely that they would put them into the Democrats offices and totally without any President Trump's approval. I couldn't believe all the left news media blaming Pres. Trump for this chaos. It just has NEVER happened at any pro-Trump gathering except by those that oppose him. When he was campaigning, he had Antifa and the likes causing mayhem and violence to try and stop him. No Trump supporters would attack the police. That's not who we are. And so I found today in the News, that I was right. The Washington Post Reports: "Two known Antifa members posed as pro-Trump to infiltrate Capitol riot: sources At least two known Antifa members were spotted among the throngs of pro-Trump protesters at the Capitol on Wednesday, a law enforcement source told The Post. The Antifa members disguised themselves with pro-Trump clothing to join in the DC rioting, said the sources, who spotted the infiltrators while monitoring video coverage from the Capitol. The infiltrators were recognized due to their participation in New York City demonstrations, and were believed to have joined in the rioting so that Trump would get blamed, the source said. Two other DC protesters were actually Philadelphia-based Antifa members, the Washington Times reported Wednesday night, citing a retired military officer with access to facial recognition software." https://tinyurl.com/y5zh4n4t Because of this, "Congress certifies Biden victory, and Trump pledges 'orderly transition' of power https://tinyurl.com/yyof5zdo It's a sad day for our Republic and Democracy. “Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20th," Trump said. "I have always said we would continue our fight to ensure that only legal votes were counted. While this represents the end of the greatest first term in presidential history, it’s only the beginning of our fight to Make America Great Again!” __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown I give it to God through Christ Jesus. Like I was telling my daughter this morning, President Trump turned from a mostly secular Billionaire to a pretty strong advocate for God and religious freedom in the United States. Thanks to him, we got prayer back in schools and people no longer felt intimidated to say God Bless You or Merry Christmas in public. A little thing but a big thing in the whole scheme of things. He accomplished more conservative Godly minded things than even President Reagan had. God has a bigger purpose. , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' 1 Cor. 13: [12] For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. We don't see the whole picture because sometimes, only God knows. He has these things planned out and the ultimate outcome is according to His plan. Often God allows things to happen, like the crucifixion of our Lord, for a far bigger and better purpose. , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' 1 Cor. 2: [5] That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. [6] Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: (see how that was slipped in - 'that come to nought' - their end is already predestined by God Almighty) [7] But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery (secret), even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: (before He created the world, God ordained - or set - things to go for our glory.) [8] Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. [9] But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. God has a fuller plan - all for us - His children. , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' 2 Cor.5: [7] For we walk by faith, not by sight: So we wait to see what God has in store for us who love Him. :) John 14: [27] Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. -<>- __ __ |--| |--| .._ o' o' (()))) _ o' o' //\\\ | __ )) _ _)) ,' ; | __ ((-.-\) o' |--| ,;::::;. (C ) / /^ o' |--| _))'='(\-. o' o' ,:;;;;;::. )\ -'( / / o' o' ( \ :' o o `:: ,-)() /_.')/ . | | .)(. |\ \ ( (_ ) / ( `' /\_) .:izf:,_ . | | | _ _| \ \ :| ,==. |: / , _ / 1 \ .:q568Glip-, \ | \ \/ '-' (__\_\____::\`--'/:: / / / \/ /|\ \-38'^"^`8k=' \L, \__\\[][]____(_\_|::,`--',:: / / /__/ <( \ \8) o o 18-'_ ( / :\o*.-.( '-,': _ :`.| L----' _)/ ))-..__)( J 498:- /] : [ \ | |=| ' |\_____|,/.' //. -38, 7~ P88;-'/ / : | \ \ | | |_| | | || :: (( : : ,`""'`-._,' / : | \ \ ; | | | | \ \_::_)) | : , ,_ / :( | / )) / /| | | | | [ | \_\ _;--==--._ MJP: | / / / / | | | | | Y |CJR (_\____:_ _: : | / / _/ / \ |lf | | CJ|mk | | ,--==--. |_`--==--'_| " `--==--' *~* We Had A Fabulous Month Of Sharing And Caring Last Month! * Please Visit And Share These With Your Friends And Family: Things That Matter! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thingsthatmatter.html Inspirational Life Rules! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/liferules.html Christmas 2020! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/christmas2020.html Santa's Christmas Prayers! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/santaprayers.html Only In Israel 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/israel2.html Only ONE Job 5! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/onejob5.html Fun With Seniors 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/seniorfun2.html Carol Of The Bells! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/carolofbells.html Mary, Did You Know? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mary.html Pit Bull Heroes! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/pitbullheroes.html _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _( )_ ( ) ( ) _( )_ ( ) ( ) _( )_ ( ` ' )| |_| | _ _ __ ( ` ' )| |_| | _ _ __ ( ` ' ) > < | _ |( ) ( ) /'_ `\ > < | _ |( ) ( ) /'_ `\ > < (_, ,_)| | | || (_) |( (_) |(_, ,_)| | | || (_) |( (_) |(_, ,_) (_) (_) (_)`\___/'`\__ | (_) (_) (_)`\___/'`\__ | (_) ( )_) | ( )_) | \___/' \___/' unknown *~* May God Abundantly Bless All Our Sweet Thoughtful Contributors! =========================================================== >-->From HeartTouchers: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >"My Grace is Sufficient For You" by Rachel Martin “My Grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9a Do you ever notice that with a slower pace of life it is easier to give grace? It is for me. Sitting here by the lake in the north woods and it’s so peaceful. Not because it’s super quiet. Because let’s face it... between 5 children, two dogs, 17 youth and college kids... quiet is tough to come by. It’s peaceful because there is no stress, no media, no rushing from one thing to the next all the while thinking of everything you need to get done. Where else can our children wake up and hop in a canoe or immediately start fishing. I love the sounds and sights in the morning here on the lake – the frogs. the loons. our baby boys playing in the dirt or throwing rocks and sticks in the water. The swish of the canoe paddle and the zip of the fishing pole. The faint crackles of the fire pit. The turning of the pages as people read in hammocks, around the fire pit or on the edge of the lake. Wood being split. The crunching of twigs. The zip of tents as youth who stayed up into the wee hours laughing, crying, exploring and growing closer to God and each other, amble out for breakfast. The night sounds are cool too. They are a lot of the same sounds as the daytime but they sound different in the night. For example the paddle of the canoe on the lake sounds different at night. Is it because you can’t see what is making the sounds, just hear them? Hmmm…..the night sounds... The “who cooks for you” sound the owl makes. The coyotes. The fire pit burning bright and crackling. The water. The animals scurrying around the woods. The rustling of the wind in the trees. The laughter, O so much laughter. Here we do not have the demands of the world hovering and the world does not have constant access to our lives. Here we wake up early without an alarm and start the day with Gods beautiful creation staring us in the face and consuming all of our senses. Here we do not have pressure to look our best or be the best. Here we are real, we are relaxed, we are thankful, we are patient, we are forgiving, we are gracious. As I lay here I think I just want to keep my family here. I want this to be our new normal. But I think, this is not real. We cannot really live like this. But why not? I know we don’t live on a lake and can’t spend everyday together all the time. Kent has to go to work, the children have to go to school. The pressures of the world and stresses in our lives are still here even this week but we have chosen to put them to the back of our minds and not worry about them. We have chosen to go without media and not be on our phones. So if we can choose that this week here on the lake, we can choose it at home. We can choose to – be more real, relaxed, forgiving, thankful and patient, give more grace, wake up early and look at and listen to Gods beautiful creation to start the day. At this point I could get all hyped up and say “yes I'm going to go home and do all that and it’s going to be just like here! No it's going to be better!” But I will not. Instead I will start with the first one. – Be more real – My heart's cry is that our home be even more Joyful and Peaceful. So I will strive to be much more mindful of how I respond and give more grace. I will rejoice and be thankful when it happens. When it is not, I will remember cloud lake on that early morning on the hammock when God said to me, “My Grace is sufficient for you, for My Power is made perfect in weakness." Rachel Martin rachymm9@gmail.com Write to Rachel at the above email address and let her know your thoughts on her story! Rachel is married to her best friend, Kent and a Mama to three homegrown/homebirthed children and 2 adopted through Foster care. Her family has been in youth ministry for 15 years working with their best friends. She has a busy home with children of all ages coming and going. God has used their family through foster care and adoption and He continues to give them His all powerful joy to continue on this journey through the tears and sleepless nights. Whenever she finds a moment of peace and quiet she loves to read and write. To view the photos that Rachel took of the trip you can visit her blog at: https://wordpressfree861.wordpress.com/ -<>- Two more Long Reads to get your mind off the negative news media :) >Is President Obama Correct: Is America No Longer a Christian Nation? by David Barton (long but very interesting Read) https://www.hearttouchers.com/christian_nation_ >The Loss of a Trusted Friend By Michael T. Powers (another long but for the Smiles read) https://tinyurl.com/y26vxh39 =========================================================== >-->From Daily Encounter: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >When the Helper Needs Help "And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner.'"1 King Duncan tells about the story of a manager of a ten-story office building who was informed that a man was trapped in an elevator between the second and third floors. The manager rushed to the grill work under the stalled car and called to the passenger, "Keep cool, sir; we'll have you out soon. I've phoned for the elevator mechanic." There was a brief pause and a tense voice replied, "I am the elevator mechanic."2 Many of us, even when we are trapped, find it very difficult to say, "I have a problem. I need help." As a result, we pay a high price for our stubborn independence. When it comes to our spiritual wellbeing and life beyond the grave, many, if not most, people figure that if they have done enough good things to outweigh the bad things they have done, that this will qualify them for entering God's heaven. In other words we want to save ourselves, which is akin to a drowning man trying to save himself by picking himself up out of the water. Vance Havner used to say how the world's a goner. It's a sinking ship. God's goal isn't to save the world but to save lost sinners from the sinking ship that is drowning in an ocean of sin and degradation. Only the ones who admit that they are a lost sinner and cry for God to save them can be saved for all eternity. We simply cannot save ourselves. That's why Jesus came to die on the cross in our place--to pay the penalty for all our sins so we could be freely forgiven and given God's gift of eternal life. The prayer God loves to hear is, "God be merciful to me a sinner!" Suggested prayer: "Dear God, I acknowledge that I am a sinner and cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that he died on the cross for my sins. I believe God raised Jesus from the grave. Please have mercy on my soul and save me. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus Christ's name, amen." For further help be sure to read "How to Be Sure You're a Real Christian" at: http://tinyurl.com/real-christian. 1. Luke 18:13 (NKJV). 2. King Duncan http://www.sermons.com/. <:))))>< , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >God's Methods "I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one."1 Down through the ages since the beginning of time whenever God has a job to do, he has always chosen and started with a single individual. Think of Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Daniel, Mary, John the Baptist, Peter, and Paul for example. Robert C. Stone shared how, "In 1872, Dwight L. Moody attended an early morning meeting in a hay mow (the place they store hay) in Ireland. At the meeting he heard a man quietly say, 'The world has yet to see what God can do with, and for, and through, and in, the man who is fully and wholly consecrated to God's will.' "Years later, Moody was seated high up in Charles Spurgeon's tabernacle in London, and Spurgeon used those same words in his message. Moody bowed his head and prayed, 'By the power of the Holy Spirit, I will be that man.'" Moody was greatly used of God to win multiplied thousands to Christ and founded the world-famous Moody Bible Institute (MBI) in Chicago, a school that has trained many thousands for Christian service around the world. E M. Bounds said, "Men are looking for better methods. God is looking for better men [and women]." God will use every single person who makes him/herself available for Him to use, and he is still looking for dedicated people to stand in the gap today. Will you, too, in the words of D. L. Moody, say, "By the power of the Holy Spirit, I will be that man/woman?" Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that your methods are people. By and through your power, I want you to use me to stand in the gap to be what you want me to be and to do what you want me to do. Please use me to be a shining light in a dark world so that people, seeing Jesus in me, will want you for themselves. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus Christ's name, amen." 1. Ezekiel 22:30 (ASV). <:))))>< , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >The Ripple Effect "Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain."1 Brett Blair reports how Henry P. Crowell contracted tuberculosis when a boy and couldn't go to school. After hearing a sermon by Dwight L. Moody, young Crowell prayed, "I can't be a preacher, but I can be a good businessman. God, if you will let me make money, I will use it in your service." Under the doctor's advice Crowell worked outdoors for seven years and regained his health. He then bought the little run-down Quaker Mill at Ravanna, Ohio. Within ten years Quaker Oats was a household word to millions. Henry P. Crowell faithfully gave 60 to 70 percent of his income to God's causes, having advanced from an initial 10 percent.2 One of the recipients of Crowell's support was the Moody Bible Institute--the school that D. L. Moody founded in Chicago. God used Dwight L. Moody to be an encouragement and motivation to young Henry, which then led to the institute being blessed by the faithful financial support that Henry gave. What you and I do today for God can also have a ripple effect and touch many other lives for years to come--and many for all eternity. So let's invest our time, our talents, and our life wisely, keeping eternal values in mind. Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank You that no matter what my gifts and talents are--be they many or few--I can use them to serve You and help others. Please help me to do this and influence many for time and eternity. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus Christ's name, amen." 1. Philippians 2:16. 2. Brett Blair, http://www.esermons.com/, 2002 <:))))>< When copying or forwarding include the following: "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2016 ACTS International. =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: _ , (_\______/________ \-|-|/|-|-|-|-|/ \==/-|-|-|-|-/ \/|-|-|-|,-' \--|-''' \_j________ (_) (_) hjw >A Special grocery list Louise Redden, a poorly dressed lady with a look of defeat on her face, walked into a grocery store. She approached the owner of the store in a most humble manner and asked if he would let her charge a few groceries. She softly explained that her husband was very ill and unable to work, they had seven children and they needed food. John Longhouse, the grocer, scoffed at her and requested that she leave his store at once. Visualizing the family needs, she said: 'Please, sir! I will bring you the money just as soon as I can.' John told her he could not give her credit, since she did not have a charge account at his store. Standing beside the counter was a customer who overheard the conversation between the two. The customer walked forward and told the grocer that he would stand good for whatever she needed for her family. The grocer said in a very reluctant voice, 'Do you have a grocery list?' Louise replied, 'Yes sir.' 'O.K' he said, 'put your grocery list on the scales and whatever your grocery list weighs, I will give you that amount in groceries.' Louise, hesitated a moment with a bowed head, then she reached into her purse and took out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it. She then laid the piece of paper on the scale carefully with her head still bowed. The eyes of the grocer and the customer showed amazement when the scales went down and stayed down. The grocer, staring at the scales, turned slowly to the customer and said begrudgingly, 'I can't believe it.' The customer smiled and the grocer started putting the groceries on the other side of the scales. The scale did not balance so he continued to put more and more groceries on them until the scales would hold no more. The grocer stood there in utter disgust. Finally, he grabbed the piece of paper from the scales and looked at it with greater amazement. It was not a grocery list, it was a prayer, which said: 'Dear Lord, you know my needs and I am leaving this in your hands.' The grocer gave her the groceries that he had gathered and stood in stunned silence. Louise thanked him and left the store. The other customer handed a fifty-dollar bill to the grocer and said: 'It was worth every penny of it .. Only God Knows how much a prayer weighs.' THE POWER OF PRAYER: When you receive this, say a prayer. That's all you have to do. Just stop right now, and say a prayer of thanks for your own good fortune. Then please send this to all your friends and relatives. I believe if you will send this testimony out with prayer in faith, you will receive what you need God to do in your and your families' life. So dear heart, trust God to heal the sick, provide food for the hungry, clothes and shelter for those that don't have as we do. Amen & Amen -<>- . . , o. .o/ | .---. / /| \~~~/'---+ \ / \ | PING! \-. | |/ /_\ >NEW YEAR RECIPE Take twelve, fine, full-grown months, see that these are thoroughly free from all old memories of bitterness, rancor, hate and jealousy; cleanse them completely from every clinging spite: pick off all specks of pettiness and littleness; in short, see that these months are freed from all the past; have them as fresh and clean as when they first came from the great storehouse of Time. Cut these months into thirty or thirty-one equal parts. This batch will keep for just one year. Do not attempt to make up the whole batch at one time (so many persons spoil the entire lot in this way), but prepare one day at a time, as follows: Into each day put twelve parts of faith, eleven of patience, ten of courage, nine of of work (some people omit this ingredient and so spoil the flavor of the rest), eight of hope, seven of fidelity, six of liberality, five of kindness, four of rest (leaving this out is like leaving the oil out of the salad, don't do it), three of prayer, two of meditation, and one well selected resolution. If you have no conscientious scruples, put in about a teaspoonful of good spirits, a dash of fun, a pinch of folly, a sprinkling of play, and a heaping cupful of good humor. Pour into the whole, love ad libitum (at your pleasure) and mix with a vim. Cook thoroughly in a fervent heat; Garnish with a few smiles and a sprig of joy; then serve with quietness, unselfishness, and cheerfulness, and a Happy New Year is certain! -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: How True It Is!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/nyear.html Home Security!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/security.html Advice For Living!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/advice.html Ice Hotel!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/icehotel.html Polar Bear!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/polar.html Animal Friends 2!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animalfriends2.html Ice Sculpture Art 2!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ices2.html Wave Frozen In Time!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wave.html Nanny Animals 3!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/nannyanimals3.html Animal Friends 5!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animalfriends5.html Awww Animals 10!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animals10.html Dog Rescue Stories!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dogrescues.html Dangerous Critters!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dangerouscritters.html Animals First Snow!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animalsfirstsnow.html Christmas & New Year Index! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/christmasindex.html -<>- God Knows https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whrqoBsctVM The Cashmans - Only God Knows (Official Music Video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49-5_eJhsdM God Only Knows https://tinyurl.com/y22yrwv5 ONLY JESUS https://tinyurl.com/y657zt2y The Mystery Revealed http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Word/THE_MYSTERY_REVEALED.htm Beholding As In A Glass http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Word/Beholding_As_In_A_Glass.htm Words of Edification, Exhortation, and Comfort https://tinyurl.com/y2zqxt2n Seek First the Kingdom https://tinyurl.com/y35wy7f5 What’s in a Word? – Hope https://tinyurl.com/ybve6vgn New Year, New You? 4 Things Romans 12 Says About Sticking to Godly Habits / 5 Reasons to Start Memorizing Scripture in the New Year https://www.christianlifedaily.com/ -<>- >In The News: Sean Hannity 01/06/2021 Full Show https://www.bitchute.com/video/gIlMLsG2iygP/ VA NEWS: Super Bowl Tickets, Desert Storm 30th, Work From Home Opportunities https://tinyurl.com/y4lrbocy BOMBSHELL: 32,400 Votes Removed from Senator’s Vote Tally Live on TV! https://tinyurl.com/y33p7yuv WhiteHouseNews: https://www.whitehouse.gov Latest From Reliable News: https://reliablenewsnow.com/ Latest From Deep State Journal: https://deepstatejournal.com/ Latest From 2020 Conservative: http://2020conservative.com/ Latest From Independent Minute: https://independentminute.com/ Latest From TPN News: https://threepercenternation.com/ Latest From AFA: http://tinyurl.com/j7lakqw Students For Life https://tinyurl.com/yd5nxmu6 Latest From OperationRescue: http://www.operationrescue.org/ Latest Product Alert: Contaminated Alcohol Recalled Nationwide 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 :) Hidden History — 6 other times the U.S. Capitol was breached… Leftist Bombings / Kamala the hypocrite / ABC News demands ‘cleansing Trump movement’ from America / Kicking small business in the teeth / Did you see Antifa yesterday - FBI requests help from public And MORE: https://www.citizenfreepress.com/ --- ...Wow! Another source! Love the citizen Open Thread! Thanks LouiseAu! Revisiting... >From Our Friend Melody :) Recent articles by Chuck Norris https://www.wnd.com/author/cnorris/ Irish Creme Chocolate Trifle Recipe http://tinyurl.com/l68noz2 One-Pot Beef Stroganoff - Jo Cooks http://tinyurl.com/zv2b3aq Bible Challenge Free Christian Games, Trivia Questions Online http://tinyurl.com/zsgtjad --- ...Great ones! Thanks Melody! -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) You gotta watch this hilarious, sweet little lip syncing Christmas song. Wait for the bass 'singer' - he is an absolute riot! Kids stealing the show, literally, with a so cute lip-sync routine for the holidays. The boy who does bass really gets into it! This was one of the many fantastic songs performed during the annual "Living Christmas Tree" performance at the Florence Baptist Temple in Florence, South Carolina. A gospel quartet's van broke down nearby and the quartet took to the stage with this hilarious performance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=SzXJ3vuCzCc These hikers were crossing a river in New Zealand when something absolutely wild happened, and it was all caught on GoPro video. The suspension bridge they were on partially collapsed. Thankfully, they were all OK. But you have to watch this harrowing footage to see what happened. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fWTnV8uZ4ys Dennis Swanberg is a Baptist preacher who tells a funny story about a broken zipper during this church service. He travels to churches as a guest speaker entertaining just as singers give concerts while at the same time preaching the word of god. This style of preaching sure is different than preaching a Red Hot Revival. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWH-VToohro&feature=player_embedded --- ...Oh My! LOL! Thanks LouiseAu! -<>- Going back BEFORE Trump was elected... >From Our Friend Victor :) An Interesting Take on Trump http://cb75948.com/2015/10/13/donald-trump-a-prediction/ --- ...Yep, a good read. Thanks Victor! -<>- >From Our Friend Geniann :) She sent us one we have here... Silly Vegetables http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/veggies.html A MAGNIFICENT VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?t=12&v=moBvLFbFdJ4 This is a 1955 Chevy 210 with a V-12 powered 730 engine. https://www.youtube.com/embed/oJ_M-fdyKpw --- ...Awesome! Thanks Geniann! -<>- >From Our Friend Melinda :) Chinese government harvests organs from LIVE religious prisoners, complaints allege http://tinyurl.com/jdqy6me --- ...Crazy! Nasty! Thanks Melinda! She sent us one we have here... Winter Wonderland and Life Lessons http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lessons.html Children's Christmas Song - WINDS THROUGH THE OLIVE TREES - Tom Roush https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9Gvpd-dOJE --- ...Sweet! Thanks Melinda! 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 ========================================================== .--..-""""-..--. ///`/////////\`\\\ ||/ |///""\\\| \|| ## ( 6. 6 ) ## /_\ \ _. / /_\ _`) (`_ /` '--' `\ / _,,_ \ / /` `\ \ /\_/ / 6 6\ \_/\ \ \/\ Y /\/ / \ \/ `'U` \/ / \( \ / )/ |\_/ \_/| / ____ \ \ ( || ) / (__)||(__) | || | |__||__| jgs |==||==| /~`//~`/ / // / `""` `"` >What Courage Really Is Story Editor: by The Counselor Joyce Schowalter Texas, USA I'm a child counselor for an organization providing therapeutic foster care for children who've experienced abuse or neglect by their families. One of my former clients now lives with her grandparents in another state. She was placed into foster care with her two older sisters because her mother's boyfriend s%xually molested all three of them. At the time of this story, she was eight years old, about four feet tall, weighed 41 pounds, and looked like a little elf. When her abuser went on trial, the District Attorney tried him on charges against this child only, because she got the very worst of the abuse. She returned to our state to testify, spending two hours on the stand recounting in excruciating detail everything that he did to her over two years. She didn't back down when the defense lawyer tried rattle her during cross-examination. Instead, she announced that she knew he was trying to trick her, and he'd better knock it off! The investigating police officers, the doctor who examined her, the police examiner, her former foster mother, her grandparents and I also testified. The jury took 30 minutes to convict. My client's sister testified to his abuse of her during the penalty phase, to establish a pattern, and the jury gave him 30 years. The District Attorney found two prior felony convictions for aggravated assault which this abuser lied about, adding another five years to his sentence for aggravated perjury. After sentencing, this tiny girl amazed us all. When she entered foster care she was so scared of her abuser she could barely even speak his name. After the verdict she informed her former foster mother that she had something to say to the perpetrator. "You need to help me find a way to do that." The foster mother talked to the District Attorney, who talked to the judge. The judge said this was unprecedented -- she'd never had a victim in any s%xual assault case want to make a victim's statement. But nothing legally prevented it, so she agreed. After the jury announced the abuser's sentence, this little girl stood up in the witness stand, looked straight at her abuser, and said, "I'm really sorry you have to go to jail, but you deserve it for what you did to me. I'm really happy to know that you're never going to be able to hurt me again. And that's all I have to say to you." Everybody in the room, with the exception of the defendant and his family and lawyer, was in tears by the end of her statement. We were all so proud of her! She made it possible for justice to be done that day. She faced her abuser bravely -- in a way that few adults have the courage to do. From the look of it, this little child is going to be just fine. Seeing her on the stand that day made it clear to me exactly what courage really is. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From LaughAndLift: "I've been asked the question, 'Who do you go to for counsel, for spiritual guidance?' My answer: My wife, Ruth. She is the only one I completely confide in. She is a great student of the Bible. Her life is ruled by the Bible more than any person I've ever known. That's her rule book, her compass. Her disposition is the same all the time - very sweet and very gracious and very charming. When it comes to spiritual things, my wife has had the greatest influence on my ministry." - Billy Graham ___ /_\_\ |;-^-'| ; ._ d - j :. ,<%@. |-_-| / \ {_ _,l ___/\_ _/\_ \,< ___ <~L~>\. /___\_\'/_/_`-.( `___\ \ - |` /___ \ \|/|po /||_/-___L":--;" L _ \ \ |o|LY| |(n==\^\^''--`-,-_ [-><-]=3 || ^;| |`\ _')>\ /<__/\ |< !c)|o ; |;| "| _' \ \/ /po | |- | | ; ' |,-. |.V \/ |LY | |\__, _L |o : | / \ \||\ |o^ ^| | _|/| / _\__ : / 7 '<|`. | | | / |L/ < /\: | Y \ | \|' | | | |/ /_ | | | | \| A|. | | /| |/|PO| | || | | |V| | | || |<|LY| | || | |,| | |_ | / | | ^^ | | | | | |____| |" | | | | | | | | |#^' |4 \ | | | | | | |,| | |%_| | | |m | A \ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | / | / | | \ || | | | | | | / /| |__| || | | l | | |> / / | | \___/|_A_| | | | | / / | | | | || |m1a >The Man I Want (by Ruth Bell) [Source: The Timothy Report, Copyright (c) 2002 Swan Lake Communications] This is a poem written by a teenage girl looking for a husband. It was written as a prayer, and this is what she said: Dear God, I pray all unafraid As girls are wont to be I do not want a handsome man But make him, Lord, like Thee. I do not need one big and strong nor yet so very tall, Nor need he be some genius or wealthy, Lord, at all; But let his head be high, dear God, and let his eye be clear, His shoulders straight, whate'er his fate whate'er his earthly sphere. And let his face have character, a ruggedness of soul, And let his whole life show, dear God, a singleness of goal. And when he comes as he will come With quiet eyes aglow I'll know, dear Lord, that he's the man I prayed for long ago. That girl's name was Ruth Bell, and she later met and married Billy Graham. -<>- If you always DO what you've always DONE, you'll always BE what you've always BEEN. \ i. / s / \ \ / / .n' | a |_.-._ / / / .-' `-. --._ / / | / \-.__' `. | ( | | _ \ _ .-. \ | `-.-' | .-' '-. | ' `-. ( )_ | `-._ \ ( | \ / \ `-' `. `--. \ ) \ \`-' / | .' \ .- '-.| `-._.-' \ / \ | / \ . `._.-' | | / | | ' / | (_/ | `-._ _.' \ //\ .| `--' \" \ '\ \___/)_ | | ` \_ \` , \ \ (\ .o-`-o | \__ _______,-'\` \ ( | | | \\ | [nabis] b "" \ >Spending Your Whole Life In One Tree (By James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988) pp. 128-129.) When I was a young writer with a very uncertain income, I went into a quiet park to contemplate a serious problem. For four years I had been engaged but didn't dare to marry. There was no way of foreseeing how little I might earn in the next year; moreover, we had long cherished a plan of living and writing in Paris, Rome, Vienna, London--everywhere. But how could we go three thousand miles away from everything that was familiar and secure, without the certainty of some money now and then? At that moment I looked up and saw a squirrel jump from one high tree to another. He appeared to be aiming for a limb so far out of reach that the leap looked like suicide. He missed--but landed, safe and unconcerned, on a branch several feet lower. Then he climbed to his goal, and all was well. An old man sitting on the bench said, "Funny, I've seen hundreds of 'em jump like that, especially when there are dogs around and they can't come down to the ground. A lot of 'em miss, but I've never seen any hurt in trying." Then he chuckled. "I guess they've got to risk it if they don't want to spend their lives in one tree." I thought, A squirrel takes a chance--have I less nerve than a squirrel? We were married in two weeks, scraped up enough money for our passage and sailed across the Atlantic--jumping off into space, not sure what branch we'd land on. I began to write twice as fast and twice as hard as ever before. And to our amazement we promptly soared into the realm of respectable incomes. Since then, whenever I have to choose between risking a new venture or hanging back, those five little words run through my thoughts: "Once there was a squirrel --" And sometimes I hear the old man on the park bench saying, "They've got to risk it if they don't want to spend their lives in one tree." -<>- "Circumstances may appear to wreck our lives and God's plans, but God is not helpless among the ruins. Our broken lives are not lost or useless. God comes in and takes the calamity and uses it victoriously, working out his wonderful plan of love." - Eric Liddell , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Our Help and Our Hope in This New Year (by John Fischer) [Edited] "O God our help in ages past - Our hope for years to come..." This is the time of year when we focus on God and thank Him for getting us through another year. Remember Y2K? We were wondering if we'd survive the turnover to a new century. Hard to believe that was years ago. As the hymn writer has reminded us, God is both our help and our hope - two four-letter words that pretty much sum up what we need to move into 2021. First, we look back on how He has helped us in the past. The greatest thing about this is you can go back as far as you want into the ages past and still find God there, thinking about you. "Long ago, even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes" (Ephesians 1:4). (By the way, we are so thankful it says without fault "in His eyes," because we have plenty of faults in other people's eyes, including our own.) The point being, you can never go too far back to not have anyone to worship. ("In the beginning, God...") But right now, it would be good to focus on just this last year and think about how God has specifically helped us. What do you have now that you didn't have a year ago? Think in terms of personal growth, experiences, and people God has blessed you with. How do you know God better than you did at this time a year ago? What more do you know about Him? What more do you know about yourself that He has revealed to you? What struggle has He helped you overcome? Is there anyone in your life who wasn't there a year ago that you can honestly thank God for? What has He helped you to accomplish? How has He been faithful to you even when you have not been faithful? Now think about this next year and how God is our only true hope. Think of specifically where you need to apply some of that hope. What are you afraid of? Where are you feeling inadequate? What do you want to change, and how can God help you? How about your plans? [Are they God's?] How far are you willing to stretch? For all of this, He is our hope. And for all that we will face this next year that we don't know anything about right now, He is our hope. And He will be enough. 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 ========================================================== _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ >-->Move Me Out Of The Way, Lord I run to the front To take the control But in the end It's harm to my soul. I must be in charge I think I know best "It's my life," I say. I'm leading the quest. Who knows me better Than I know me Though you look You do not see. There's only one Who truly sees me He knows who I am And who I could be The author and finisher Of my holy faith The love of my life He receives all my praise He truly sees me The intent of my heart He understands all He sees not in part The depth of His love For this wretched mean It boggles my mind So I don't understand Why I insist On running my life When in the end It cuts like a knife When I look upon The wreckage I've wrought It all came to ruin It all came to naught It's come to the point Where All I can say Is move me, dear Lord Move ME out of the way Make me decrease Make me small Make me, in the end The least of all Subdue my ego O' Lord bind my pride Have your way, Father Just move me aside To you be the glory Creator of life The author of peace Moderator of strife Flesh cries to be seen Pride desires to be known But I know the glory Is yours alone. So, Lord hear my plea and answer me true. Keep me from running ahead of you. Move me to the rear, drive me to my knees. Lead me to the light, move me Father, please. ~Norris K. Oler~ >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->ShangyFunList AD RATES: $25 will get your a message (of up to 40 words) out to all web site list 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 **********************************************************************