God Knows Where You Are... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList Through no fault of my own we suddenly became an adult club in the love and romance directory so you will have to confirm that you are an adult when you go here. I still have no idea how to change this back as it sends me around in a circle when I try! or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! ================ "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ ___ _.-' ```'--.._ .' `-._ / `. / `. / `. : ( \ | ( \_ ) `. | \__/ '. / ) ; | (___: \ _/__/ ; : | _ ; .' |__) : : |` \ | / / / \ |_ ;| /`\ / / \ ; ) :| ;_ ; / / \_ .-''-. | ) :/ / .- ` .--.' / : _.----._ ` < : -'........'- `. `. `''''` ; `'-.__ ,' ``--. :'-------' jgs : : .' '. *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels For 2011 *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a 2011 Shangrala Angel, please visit the site and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL page comes up. Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS ALL OUR ANGELS MOST ABUNDANTLY! ================ >-->In The 'Shangy' News :) We've had a slow year so far as getting Shangrala Angels. Only our dedicated and trusted friend William Lysak has stepped up to the plate to help keep Shangrala financially alive. , _/ \_ _,--. < , > .-'.' /(/.\ .' .' .""". `/ ` / / / \ /) ; ; ,_.;._ _;-'}/ | | '. )( /' | | /'-._/\_.-' ; ; \_.' \ , \ \ / | _.'/ '. `'-\ /.-/.;,\ '-._ `"""""`_.|`"""`| jgs `"("\/")` |# | \(_/ `-...-' However, I am most Pleased To Announce... God didn't let us down! He always provides. He just sent us a text advertiser for the web site. Text links on pages like our http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html page are kid and family friendly. I especially like this advertiser as their ads are very helpful to the user and do not bombard you with flashing sales or rude popup pages. You can feel confident when clicking on their links. So Please honor and welcome our new Shangrala Sponsor by clicking on their links and checking out what they have to offer. Thank You! :) *~* These Pages Have Text Links from our new Sponsor... Shangy Fun Stuff URL's! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/urls.html Shangy Fun List! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ShangyFunList.html Why God Gave Us Pets! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gpets.html Shangrala's Animated Gallery! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs.html Driftwood Horses! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/horses.html Word/Phrase Origins http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/origins.html -<>- >-->Hot Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This one is white hot! It comes from our friend Johanna. This artist has some pretty awesome talent! Check out his work here (As always give it time to load): * + * ' | () .-.,-"``"-. - o - '=/_ \ | * |::'=._ ; ' ' \::. `=./`, ' + . '-::..-'``' * jgs O * . + . * . + Origami Dollar Art 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dollarart2.html --- ...Pretty neat! Thanks Johanna! ========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: \ / \\ // _______ )\-/( (M==M=M=)/e e\ .-'"-\=N==N/( =Y= ) .-'(___.-'\M=M/ /`---'\ (______(____)=(_/ /___\ \_ (M==M=M==M=M==M'''M=M=```M) \=N=N==N=N==N=N==N=N==N=/ \M==M=M==M=M==M==M==M=/ \N=N==N=N==N=N==N=N=/ jgs \M==M==M=M==M=M==M/ `---------------' >CHOCOLATE SOUP by Darlene Buechel In 1968, Easter preparations started on Saturday when Mom supervised egg-dyeing. Mom boiled a few dozen eggs and while they cooled, Dennis, Diane and I gathered supplies including broken crayons, dye tablets, and vinegar. We dropped a colored tablet in each of six bowls, added boiling water and vinegar, and then stirred to make tablets fizz and colors pop. Before using a spoon to carefully dip an egg into one of the pretty pastel colors, I'd grab a crayon and neatly print "Darlene" on one egg. Dennis and Diane followed suit. That way, when we hunted on Easter morning we'd be sure to snag the right basket. Being 8-years-old, I was an Easter veteran, but I was quick to remind younger sister Diane of the rules: 1. If you find someone else's basket quietly put it back (without stealing eighteen jelly beans) and continue the hunt. 2. If your basket isn't found by fifteen minutes before church you have to continue looking after church. That year I was the un-lucky looker who didn't find her basket before church so I spent the whole hour at St. Mary's plotting my hunt. The next Easter was a different story since I was lucky enough to find my basket first. I was jumping up and down and ogling the big chocolate rabbit in my basket when Mom and Dad told us to get dressed. Diane and I donned new ruffled dresses and pinned white doilies on our heads while Dennis grumbled his way into dress pants and jacket. I proudly left my basket in the sun porch before heading out the door. Dennis and Diane pouted the whole three blocks to church, but I merrily skipped into the bright April sunshine even though my new white patent leather shoes pinched a little. After church my siblings ran ahead but I was content to walk between Mom and Dad since I'd already found my basket and huge, chocolate bunny. As I skipped up the porch steps I figured Dennis found his too since he was laughing his head off. "Hungry for chocolate soup?" Dennis laughed. I guessed he was being a ding-a-ling since our Easter menu included ham, mashed potatoes, and lime green Jell-O -- never soup. One look at Dennis' pointed finger made me realize the true ding-a-ling was the girl who left her Easter basket out on the sun porch on a very sunny day. My beautiful chocolate rabbit was now a chocolate puddle. Dennis finally stopped laughing when Mom threatened to make him trade rabbits with me. After that, Diane gave a joyful screech as she pulled her basket from its cozy hiding spot. After lunch, when we were finally allowed to dig into our baskets, I opened my chocolate puddle box. When I broke off a piece and popped it in my mouth, I couldn't help but smile as I realized it was still yummy and sweet -- just like most of my childhood Easter memories. -- Darlene Buechel __________________________________________________ Darlene, a Wisconsin Cheesehead, enjoys reading, writing, and life with her farmer husband Rich. She is the proud mom of Dani and Ben and is enjoying every minute of Grandma-hood with her sweet one-year-old Grandson Maverick. -<>- .--. /``'. /wwww\ .---. |* * \ |-=-=|/ ^ ^ `;--. *| \wwww/\^ ^ ^/~~~~\.' __ '--' '----| | .'-=\ jgs .'``\ \~~~~/ .-""-:=-=-=| / * | '--' /><><><\=-=/ |* / .-""-.<><>RULES OF CHOCOLATE EASTER EGGS If you get melted chocolate all over your hands, you're eating it too slowly. Chocolate covered raisins, cherries, orange slices and strawberries all count as fruit, so eat as many as you want. Diet tip: Eat an Easter egg before each meal. It'll take the edge off your appetite, and that way you'll eat less. If you can't eat all your chocolate, it will keep in the freezer. But if you can't eat all your chocolate, what's wrong with you? If calories are an issue, store your chocolate on top of the fridge. Calories are afraid of heights, and they will jump out of the chocolate to protect themselves. Money talks. Chocolate sings. Chocolate has many preservatives. Preservatives make you look younger. The problem: How to get two pounds of chocolate eggs home from the store in a hot car. The solution: If you eat them now, they won't melt. Why is there no such organization as Chocoholics Anonymous? Because no one wants to quit. ================================================================= >-->From LaughAndLift: "When we pray, it is far more important to pray with a sense of the greatness of God than with a sense of the greatness of the problem." - Evangeline Blood The Lift mom, you up there? / ,==. |~~~ / 66\ | \c -_) |~~~ `) ( | / \ |~~~ / \ \ | (( /\ \_ |~~~ \\ \ `--`| / / / |~~~ jgs___ (_(___)_| >God Knows Where You Are (By Ken Gaub - Yakima, Washington) "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." Jer 33:3 Do you believe that God not only loves you, but knows where you are and what you're doing every minute of the day? I certainly do after an amazing experience I had several years ago. At the time I was driving on 1-75 near Dayton, Ohio, with my wife and children. We turned off the highway for a rest and refreshment stop. My wife Barbara and children went into the restaurant. I suddenly felt the need to stretch my legs, so waved them off ahead saying I'd join them later. I bought a soft drink, and as I walked toward a Dairy Queen, feelings of self-pity enshrouded my mind. I loved the Lord and my ministry, but I felt drained, burdened. My cup was empty. .----------. / \ | .--. :::::: | | / \'::::' | | \ / | | | | [][][] | | | | [][][] | R I N G g g g | | | [][][] | | / \[][][] | | \ /[][][] | | '--' | jgs8\ 8 / 8 '-8--------' 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8' `8'` Suddenly the impatient ringing of a telephone nearby jarred me out of my doldrums. It was coming from a phone booth at a service station on the corner. Wasn't anyone going to answer the phone? Noise form the traffic flowing through the busy intersection must have drowned out the sound because the service station attendant continued looking after his customers, oblivious to the incessant ringing. _________________ / __ \ | (__) | | | | .-----. .--. | | | | / \ | | '-----' \ / | | | | | | LI LI LI | | | | LI LI LI | | |Oo R I N G g g g g | LI LI LI | | |`Oo | LI LI LI | | | Oo | | | | Oo | .------. / \ | oO | | | \ / | Oo | '------' '-oO | oO | .---Oo | Oo | || ||`Oo oO | |'--'| | OoO | '----' | jgs \_________________/ "Why doesn't somebody answer that phone?" I muttered. I began reasoning. It may be important. What if it's an emergency? Curiosity overcame my indifference. I stepped inside the booth and picked up the phone. "Hello," I said casually and took a big sip of my drink. The operator said:" Long distance call for Ken Gaub." My eyes widened, and I almost choked on a chunk of ice. Swallowing hard, I said, "You're crazy!" Then realizing I shouldn't speak to an operator like that, I added, "This can't be! I was walking down the road, not bothering anyone, and the phone was ringing... "Is Ken Gaub there?" the operator interrupted, "I have a long distance call for him." It took a moment to gain control of my babbling, but I finally replied, "Yes, he is here." Searching for a possible explanation, I wondered if I could possibly be on Candid Camera! Still shaken, perplexed, I asked, "How in the world did you reach me here? I was walking down the road, the pay phone started ringing, and I just answered it on chance. You can't mean me." "Well," the operator asked, "is Mr. Gaub there or isn't he?" "Yes, I am Ken Gaub," I said, finally convinced by the tone of her voice that the call was real. Then I heard another voice say, "Yes, that's him, operator. That's Ken Gaub." I listened dumbfounded to a strange voice identify herself. "I'm Millie from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. You don't know me, Mr. Gaub, but I'm desperate. Please help me." / .- |/,-'` _.-'''-._ /` __ __ `\ ___ ;__.--._.--.__; / /\ ( O / \ O ) `\ | _\/_ '-' '-' _/ "What can I do for you?" _|_|' | (_) | / __) | | | __) | .___. | .-. _ | ___)'; /\.-./\ ; | | / | |~||/\ .\ `-` / __| |/ /_ | \_\/==;'._ - _.'__ (_ _) \ 8 /\"""""/\ `\ `| .'` '--8----.`-`\^/`-`. \ |~~| 8 | /~\ |`\ \ | | 8 | |\| | \ `y | jgs 8 | |\| | \ / 8 | |\| | '.__.' 8 |___|\|___| 8 |===\_/===| She began weeping. Finally she regained control and continued. "I was about to commit suicide, had just finished writing a note, when I began to pray and tell God I really didn't want to do this. Then I suddenly remembered seeing you on television and thought if I could just talk to you, you could help me. I knew that was impossible because I didn't know how to reach you, I didn't know anyone who could help me find you. Then some numbers came to my mind, and I scribbled them down." At this point she began weeping again, and I prayed silently for wisdom to help her. She continued, "I looked at the numbers and thought, 'Wouldn't it be wonderful if I had a miracle from God, and He has given me Ken's phone number?' I decided to try calling it. I can't believe I'm talking to you. Are you in your office in California?" I replied, "Lady, I don't have an office in California. My office is in Yakima, Washington." A little surprised, she asked, "Oh really, then where are you?" "Don't you know?" I responded. "You made the call." She explained, "But I don't even know what area I'm calling. I just dialed the number that I had on this paper." "Ma'am, you won't believe this, but I'm in a phone booth in Dayton, Ohio!" "Really?" she exclaimed. "Well, what are you doing there?" I kidded her gently, "Well, I'm answering the phone. It was ringing as I walked by, so I answered it." Knowing this encounter could only have been arranged by God, I began to counsel the woman. As she told me of her despair and frustration, the presence of the Holy Spirit flooded the phone booth giving me words of wisdom beyond my ability. In a matter of moments, she prayed the sinner's prayer and met the One who would lead her out of her situation into a new life. I walked away from that telephone booth with an electrifying sense of our heavenly Father's concern for each of His children. What were the astronomical odds of this happening? With all the millions of phones and innumerable combinations of numbers, only an all-knowing God could have caused that woman to call that number in that phone booth at that moment in time. Forgetting my drink and nearly bursting with exhilaration, I headed back to my family, wondering if they would believe my story. Maybe I better not tell this, I thought, but I couldn't contain it. "Barb, you won't believe this! God knows where I am!" God also knows where you are. Place yourself in His hands and concentrate on knowing His will for your life. He will never forsake or forget you. 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 --- ...my two cents... . . . .'. \ / \ / .'. .' '.' ' -= o =- -= o =- .' ' / \ / \ ' ' If this story is true there are many miracles. The obvious is that both people received a miracle... Ken from feeling like he was not being used much by God and having his prayer answered and the woman from committing suicide. The timing of this is absolutely incredible too. I noticed that not only did Ken help this woman not commit suicide but he led her to be born again because he said "In a matter of moments, she prayed the sinner's prayer and met the One who would lead her out of her situation into a new life.." Not only does God know exactly where all of his children are, there was no way he was going to allow this woman to commit suicide and thus not have the opportunity to be born again - - we are all chosen by God before the foundation of the world to be His children - God does not let what is His be stolen from Him! God made sure she was taken care of. Each of us are that special to Him. See this teaching... Choose His Children http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/choosehischildren.html Check out Ken from here... From the book: "God's Got Your Number" by Ken Gaub. To order a copy--contact: Dr. Ken Gaub Ken Gaub World Wide Ministries PO Box 1 Sun Hills Estate Yakima, WA 98907 Phone: (509)575-1965 Visit Ken's Website http://www.kengaub.com/index.html Email Ken ken@kengaub.com =============================================================== >-->From Our Friend Johanna :) | \ ' / __ __ .-. _\ \/ /_ __ -=== ( ) ===- /__oOoo__\/ /__ '-' /_/\__\oOo__/ / . \ || /_/\__\ | || || ~^~~||~^~||^~^^~^~^=^=^~=~=~^=^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^ ~^ ~|| ~~|| ~^~ ~^= =~^=~^~^= ~^~^~ ~^~^ ~^~ ^~ || ^ ||~^ ~^~ ~^==~^==~^~ = ~^=~ ~^ ~^~ .'. ||.'.||.' ..'..''.'.'. '.'..'.' .'''..''.' jgs || || ''. O ~O/ '' '' || /|\/| ' . ' . ' . ' . /| |\ . . ' . / | / | . . ' ' ` ` ` ` ' >The Best Day Of My Life! ~By Gregory M. Lousingnot, Ph.D~ ©1993 Today, when I awoke, I suddenly realized that this is the best day of my life, ever! There were times when I wondered if I would make it to today; but I did! And because I did I'm going to celebrate! Today, I'm going to celebrate what an unbelievable life I have had so far: the accomplishments, the many blessings, and, yes, even the hardships because they have served to make me stronger. I will go through this day with my head held high, and a happy heart. I will marvel at God's seemingly simple gifts: the morning dew, the sun, the clouds, the trees, the flowers, the birds. Today, none of these miraculous creations will escape my notice. Today, I will share my excitement for life with other people. I'll make someone smile. I'll go out of my way to perform an unexpected act of kindness for someone I don't even know. Today, I'll give a sincere compliment to someone who seems down. I'll tell a child how special he is, and I'll tell someone I love just how deeply I care for them and how much they mean to me. Today is the day I quit worrying about what I don't have and start being grateful for all the wonderful things God has already given me. I'll remember that to worry is just a waste of time because my faith in God and his Divine Plan ensures everything will be just fine. Tonight, before I go to bed, I'll go outside and raise my eyes to the heavens. I will stand in awe at the beauty of the stars and the moon, and I will praise God for these magnificent treasures. As the day ends and I lay my head down on my pillow, I will thank the Almighty for the best day of my life. And I will sleep the sleep of a contented child, excited with expectation because I know tomorrow is going to be ...... The Best Day Of My Life! ~By Gregory M. Lousingnot, Ph.D~ ©1993 --- ...Sweet! Thanks Johanna! -<>- . -|- | /A\ //^\\ ,// _ \\, |/`/_\`\| | , | | /^\ | |//'\\| ,//` _ `\\, ,//` .'|'. `\\, ,//` |-|-| `\\, ,//` [_|_] `\\, |/T T\| | _ __ __ _ | | /_\ | | | /_\ | | |_| | .|. | |_| | | |__|__| | jgs '----[_______]----' ======= ====== ====== >Church Bulletin Bloopers John Mark Ministries These sort of quotes will keep you careful about what you say & write: * Don't let worry kill you. Let the Church help. * Thursday night-Potluck Supper. Prayer and medication to follow. * Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community * For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs. * The rosebud on the alter this morning is to announce the birth of David Alan Belzer, the sin of Rev and Mrs. Belzer. * This afternoon there will be a meeting in the south and north ends of the church. Children will be baptized at both ends. * Tuesday at 4PM there be an ice cream social. All ladies giving milk will please come early. * Wednesday, the Ladies Liturgy Society will meet. Mrs. Jones will sing "Put Me In My Little Bed" accompanied by the pastor. * Thursday at 5PM there will be a meeting of the Little Mothers Club. All wishing to become Little Mothers, please see the minister in his private study. * This being Easter Sunday, we will ask Mrs. Lewis to come forward and lay an egg on the alter. * The service will close with "Little Drops of Water". One of the ladies will start (quietly) and the rest of the congregation will join in. * Next Sunday, a special collection will be taken to defray the cost of the new carpet. All those wishing to do something on the new carpet will come forward and get a piece of paper. * The ladies of the church have cast off clothing of every kind and they may be seen in the church basement Friday. * A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow. * At the evening service tonight, The sermon topic will be "What is Hell?" Come early and listen to our choir. * Weight Watchers will meet at 7PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance. * The 1991 Spring Council Retreat will be hell May 10 and 11. Pastor is on vacation. Massages can be given to church secretary. * Eight new choir robes are currently needed, due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones. * Mrs. Johnson will be entering the hospital this week for testes. * The Senior Choir invites any member of the congregation who enjoys sinning to join the choir. * Please join us as we show our support for Amy and Alan who is preparing for the girth of their first child. * The Lutheran Men's group will meet at 6PM. Steak, mashed potatoes, green beans, bread and desert will be served for a nominal feel. * The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new tithing campaign slogan last Sunday. "I Upped My Pledge--Up Yours". Reprint from John Mark Ministries --- ...LOL! Thanks Johanna! =================================================================== >-->From DevineHalowings: .-""-. { } e'._ { } __/ ;-' .--' /`===; .' | .-' / /` __ ; || | ` `\ | || jgs \ /`| || (`'._.--'-.\__}} `) )`""` `--` >The Presence of Teddy An empathetic collie helps her owner get through the difficulties of chemotherapy in a special way. BY: Rose-Marie Silkens Teddy is a black, tan, and white collie mixed breed. To my eyes, she's a dog of exceptional beauty, and we've been together as best friends and companions for nearly fifteen years. Teddy and I share an understanding based on total mutual commitment to each other. I have never doubted that Teddy would give her life for me without the slightest hesitation. My paltry human love cannot equal her unequivocal devotion. I have always described our relationship by saying, "My dog and I are completely bonded." But I had no idea how true this statement was until I was diagnosed with cancer. Through the stages of my recovery from three operations, Teddy stayed near me, sleeping beside the bed, watching my every move. She was clearly anxious and upset when I felt uncomfortable or distressed. Then came chemotherapy. I had been able to cope with many of the difficulties so far — the loss of body parts, the fatigue, the side effects of medication — but the thought of losing my long hair during chemo plunged me into depression. On the good advice of a cancer nurse, I had my hair cut short at the start of treatment. This would forestall the shock of seeing clumps of it falling out. Over a three-week period, handfuls of hair separated from my itchy scalp. Each loss brought me greater distress. My coping skills quickly eroded. One evening, I sat in my rocking chair, pulling out tufts of hair and sobbing energetically. Teddy lay on the floor beside me and watched intently. Suddenly she began to pull at the fur on her tail. Before I could stop her, she had ripped out a few clumps. Teddy's action, of course, stopped my tears and self-pity. I went to bed that night marveling at the depth of this dog's compassion. The next morning, I found Teddy sleeping in a mass of long black hair. She had yanked out almost all the fur from the midsection of her tail, no doubt with considerable pain. Her beautiful black tail and its white plume now looked like a funny little rat's tail with a pale-colored brush on its end. Then Teddy looked up at me with her devoted little face. It was as if she was willing me to feel better. I could almost hear her saying, "If you have to lose your hair, I'm going to lose mine, too." Teddy and I both appeared a bit strange that summer. In the fall, when her winter coat came in, Teddy's tail quickly began to look better. My hair took a quite a bit longer to return, but I never cried about it again. Sharing my loss with my best friend Teddy took the sadness away. =============================================================== >-->From CupO'Cheer: (\/) \/ (\/) /))))))))) \/ //) __ __\ ,%%%%%%%%%, C==/_o|^|o_\ ,%%%%%%%%%%%%, | _\ ) %/_ _%%%%%%% \ '---'/ /_o|^|o_\=?%%% _/`-. __.'_ ( /_ @%%, \ \'====' /%%% jgs _'-----' \%%%" / ` >FOR BETTER, FOR WORSE Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. PHILIPPIANS 2:4 I’ve been doing daily radio since 1992, and I can recall only one time when I was weeping so hard I couldn’t speak. It was the day I interviewed Charlie and Lucy Wedemeyr. At the age of 30, Charlie began experiencing the early symptoms of ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. A successful high-school football coach, he was given one to three years to live. Even now as I reflect on our time with them in the studio—with Lucy reading his lips and speaking for him—the emotion is profound. They recalled a day when Charlie, his care becoming more and more demanding on his wife and children, whispered to Lucy, “Maybe it would be better if I just died.” Lucy took a deep breath, asked the Lord for just the right words, and said to Charlie, “We’d rather have you like this than not at all.” Having him “like this” has meant more than two decades of continual life support. It takes Lucy three hours to get him ready each day! Lucy is a model of what we promised to each other in our wedding vows. In sickness and in health. For better or for worse. Keeping our covenant means more than avoiding divorce— it means we’ll be there, living out our love, no matter what. Don’t wait until you get in a dramatic situation where you’re facing something like Lucy and Charlie before you cement your promise to care for one another through any circumstance. If you don’t prepare for it today by submitting to the Lordship of Jesus Christ over your life and clinging to God’s blueprints, you’ll be unprepared when—not if—your crisis comes. DISCUSS Look each other in the eye right now and recommit yourself to a “for better or for worse” promise. Answer this question: “If what happened to Charlie happened to me, can I count on you?” PRAY Thank God for giving you a lifelong marriage partner. Ask Him to help you see each other for the blessing you are—even on days when it’s hard. Dennis and Barbara Rainey as seen in Moments Together For Couples -<>- 8 8 8 /```| .@@@@@, 8 8 | 66|_ @@@@@@@@, 8 (\/) 8 C _) aa`@@@@@@ 8 \/ 8(\/) \ ._| (_ ?@@@@ 8 |8:\/:~:~) /:~:~: =' @@@@~:~:8 |8::::::/\\/`\;_:::\ (__:::::8 |8:::::| \ '\___/``\\// `\)::8 |8::::|| | '|::/ / ^^ \ \::8 |8::::|| | ' \:| \__/\__/ |::8 |8o:::|\ \ ' |:\_\ /_/:::8o |"8o:::=\ \===::/`\`%%`/'\:::"8o |\"8o~| \_\ \| `""` |:~:\8o \ \"8o\ ))) \ \:::"8o \ \"8o:`. \ \ \:::"8o \|~~~~~| -|| -|mmmmmmmmmmmm~~~~| `~~~~~| || |~~| |~| |~~~~~` jgs | || | |__| |__| | || | \ | \ | |__||__| (~~^\(~~^\ ( \ \ `-._)`-._) `-._)-._) >DON'T EVER FORGET THAT YOU ARE UNIQUE Be your best self and not an imitation of someone else. find your strength and use them in a positive way. Don't listen to those who redacule the choices you make. Travel the road that you have chosen and don't look back with regret. You have to take chances to make your dreams happen. Remember that there is plenty of time to travel another road - and still another in your journey through life. Take the time to take the route that is right for you. You will learn something valuable every trip you take, so don't be afraid to make mistakes. Tell yourself that you're okay as the way you are. make friends who respect your true self. Take the time to be alone, too, so you can know just how terrific your own company be. Remember that being alone doesn't always mean being lonely, it can be beautiful experience of finding your creativity, your heartfelt feelings, and the clam and quiet peace deep inside you. Don't ever forget that you are special and you have within you the ability to make your dreams come true. ~Jacqueline Schiff~ as seen in Susan's Daily dose -<>- ___________________ / _________________ \ |/ \| || || || .-""-. || || / \ \ || || | /`-._| || || |/ . . | || .-;;;-. || ( _\ ) || (((;(::(\ || |\ = | || ).`\):):) || /\ \_._/ || < (:(:( || /\_\___//\ || = `\:):\ || /` \ \| `\ || '--')(:(:) |\/_____|__;_____\_/| )(::)"( jgs \___________________/ .' (::)) / / ;;-` \/ / \ >GETTING THE "I" OUT OF YOUR EYE Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. (Phil. 2:3-4 NASB) Love builds up relationships; selfishness erodes relationships. No wonder Paul is so urgent in his appeal: "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit" (Phil. 2:3 NASB). But aren't we born selfish? And if so, can we do anything about it? Can we get our eyes off of self? Or, better asked, can we get the little self out of our eyes? According to Scripture, we can. Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind. (Phil. 2:1-2 NASB) Paul's sarcasm is thinly veiled. Is there any encouragement? Any consolation? Any fellowship? Then smile! What's the cure for selfishness? Get your self out of your eye by getting your eye off your self. Quit staring at that little self, and focus on your great Savior. A friend who is an Episcopalian minister explains the reason he closes his prayers with the sign of the cross. "The touching of my forehead and chest makes a capital 'I.' The gesture of touching first one shoulder, then the other, cuts the 'I' in half." Isn't that a work of the Cross? A smaller "I" and a greater Christ? Don't focus on yourself; focus on all that you have in Christ. Focus on the encouragement in Christ, the consolation of Christ, the love of Christ, the fellowship of the Spirit, the affection and compassion of heaven. If Christ becomes our focus, we won't be like the physician in Arkansas. He misdiagnosed the patient. He declared the woman to be dead. The family was informed, and the husband was grief-stricken. Imagine the surprise of the nurse when she discovered that the woman was alive! "You better tell the family," she urged the doctor. The embarrassed physician phoned the husband and said, "I need to talk to you about the condition of your wife." "The condition of my wife?" he asked. "She's dead." The doctor's pride only allowed him to concede, "Well, she has seen a slight improvement." Slight improvement? Talk about an understatement! Lazarus is walking out of the tomb, and he calls that a "slight improvement"? He was so concerned about his image that he missed an opportunity to celebrate. We laugh, but don't we do the same? We've gone from cremation to celebration. We deserve a lava bath, but we've been given a pool of grace. Yet to look at our faces you'd think our circumstances had made only a "slight improvement." "How's life?" someone asks. And we who've been resurrected from the dead say, "Well, things could be better." Or "Couldn't get a parking place." Or "My parents won't let me move to Hawaii." Or "People won't leave me alone so I can finish my sermon on selfishness." Honestly. We worry about acid rain in silver linings. Do you think Paul might like to have a word with us? Are you so focused on what you don't have that you are blind to what you do? Have you received any encouragement? Any fellowship? Any consolation? Then don't you have reason for joy? Come. Come thirsty. Drink deeply from God's goodness. You have a ticket to heaven no thief can take, an eternal home no divorce can break. Every sin of your life has been cast to the sea. Every mistake you've made is nailed to the tree. You're blood-bought and heaven-made. A child of God—forever saved. So be grateful, joyful—for isn't it true? What you don't have is much less than what you do From A Love Worth Giving: Living in the Overflow of God's Love Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2002) Max Lucado To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ============================================================= >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: Ever wonder about the abbreviation A.S.A.P.? Generally we think of it in terms of even more hurry and stress in our lives. Maybe if we think of this abbreviation in a different manner, we will begin to find a new way to deal with those rough days along the way. _.-/`) // / / ) .=// / / / ) //`/ / / / / // / ` / || / \\ / )) .' jgs // / / There's work to do, deadlines to meet; You've got no time to spare, But as you hurry and scurry- ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER In the midst of family chaos, "Quality time" is rare. Do your best; let God do the rest- ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER. It may seem like your worries Are more than you can bear. Slow down and take a breather- ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER God knows how stressful life is; He wants to ease our cares, And He'll respond to all your needs A.S.A.P. - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER. -<>- | \ / .---. '-. | | .-' ___| |___ -= [ ] =- `---. .---' __||__ | | __||__ '-..-' | | '-..-' || | | || ||_.-| |-,_|| .-"` `"`'` `"-. jgs .' '. >"When The Fog Lifted" It was June 18, 1815, the Battle of Waterloo. The French under the command of Napoleon were fighting the Allies (British, Dutch, and Germans) under the command of Wellington. The people of England depended on a system of semaphore signals to find out how the battle was going. One of these signal stations was on the tower of Winchester Cathedral. Late in the day it flashed the signal: "W-E-L-L-I-N- G-T-O-N-- -D -E-F-E-A-T-E- D- -." Just at that moment onne of those sudden English fog clouds made it impossible to read the message. The news of defeat quickly spread throughout the city. The whole countryside was sad and gloomy when they heard the news that their country had lost the war. Suddenly the fog lifted, and the remainder of the message could be read. The message had four words, not two. The complete message was: "W-E-L-L-I-N- G-T-O-N- - -DE-F-E-A- T-E-D- - -T-H-E- - -E-N- E-M-Y!" It took only a few minutes for the good news to spread. Sorrow was turned into joy, defeat was turned into victory! So it was when Jesus was laid in the tomb on the first Good Friday afternoon. Hope had died even in the hearts of Jesus' most loyal friends. After the frightful crucifixion, the fog of disappointment and misunderstanding had crept in on the friends of Jesus. They had "read" only part of the divine message. "Christ defeated" was all that they knew. But then on the third day--Easter Sunday--the fog of disappointment and misunderstanding lifted, and the world received the complete message: "Christ defeated death!" Defeat was turned into victory; death was turned to life! --James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988) pp. 165-166. -<>- .-^-. .'=^=^='. /=^=^=^=^=\ .-~-. :^= HAPPY =^; .'~~*~~'.|^ EASTER! ^| /~~*~~~*~~\^=^=^=^=^=^: :~*~~~*~~~*~;\.-*))`*-,/ |~~~*~~~*~~|/* ((* *'. :~*~~~*~~~*| *)) * *\ \~~*~~~*~~| * ((* * / `.~~*~~.' \ *)) * .' jgs `~~~` '-.((*_.-' >THERE IS SPRING By William A. Ward Where there are love and generosity, there is joy. Where there are sincerity and sacrifice, there is friendship. Where there are harmony and simplicity, there is beauty. Where there are prayer and forgiveness, there is peace. Where there are moderation and patience, there is wisdom. Where there are conflicts and crises, there is opportunity. Where there are wonder and adventure, there is growth. Where there are adoration and confession, there is worship. Where there are compassion and concern, there is God. Where there are faith and hope, there is spring. -<>- _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` >Twenty Things to Remember (Trust) 1. Faith is the ability to not panic. 2. If you worry, you didn't pray. If you prayed, don't worry. 3. As a child of God, prayer is kind of like calling home everyday. 4. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape. 5. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot. 6. Do the math. Count your blessings. 7. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts. 8. Dear God: I have a problem. It's me. 9. Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted. 10. Laugh every day - it's like inner jogging. 11. The most important things in your home are the people. 12. Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional. (Preach it!) 13. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open: Come on in. 14. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry. 15. He who dies with the most toys is still dead. 16. We do not remember days but moments. Life moves too fast so enjoy your precious moments. 17. Nothing is real to you until you experience it; otherwise it's just hearsay. 18. It's all right to sit on your pity pot every now and again. Just be sure to flush when you are done. 19. Surviving and living your life successfully requires courage. The goals and dreams you're seeking require courage and risk-taking. Learn from the turtle, it only makes progress when it sticks out its neck. 20. Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting. Leave gentle fingerprints on the soul of another for the angels to read. I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment Visa http://buffalosjokes.com/112438.htm QVC Clip http://www.buffalosjokes.com/112439.htm leno photo booth http://www.buffalosjokes.com/121124.htm Lucky Tree http://www.buffalosjokes.com/121125.htm rounds http://www.buffalosjokes.com/121126.htm marry me http://www.buffalosjokes.com/121127.htm No Walk Today http://www.buffalosjokes.com/011150.htm Worst Dancer http://www.buffalosjokes.com/011151.htm Toy Mouse http://www.buffalosjokes.com/011152.htm Cool Phone http://www.buffalosjokes.com/011153.htm HOW TO QUIT SMOKING http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/quitsmoking.html Jellyfish Lake http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/jellyfish.html WORMS! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/worms.html TECH HORROR STORIES http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/tech.html A KAIROS Moment http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/kairosmoment.html Butchart Gardens http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bgardens.html Visit our site at http://www.inspiredbuffalo.com If you are looking to join any of our other fine e-zines visit www.buffalosjokes.com ================================================================ >-->From Our Friend GloriaB :) ,-._ _.-' '--. .' _ -`\_ / .----.`_.'----' ;/ ` jgs /_; ._ ._ ._ ._ _.-._)`\_.-._)`\_.-._)`\_.-._)`\_.-._ >A dolphin and a dog - friends Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful... no other word...!!! Click the link-sound on. http://www.dogwork.com/ddcv4/ --- ...Love this one! Thanks GloriaB! -<>- , |\ __ | | |--| __ |/ | | |~' /|_ () () | //| \ |\ () | \|_ | | \ jgs \_|_/ () | | | @' () A child singer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrCvMTGs2u8 --- ...Pretty Awesome! Thanks Gloriab! -<>- She sent us one we have here... _(\_/) ,((((^`\ (((( (6 \ ,((((( , \ ,,,_ ,((((( /"._ ,`, ((((\\ ,... ,(((( / `-.-' ))) ;' `"'"'""(((( ( ((( / ((( \ )) | | (( | . ' | )) \ _ ' `t ,.') ( | y;- -,-""'"-.\ \/ ) / ./ ) / `\ \ |./ ( ( / /' || \\ //'| jgs || \\ _//'|| || )) |_/ || \_\ |_/ || `'" \_\ `'" Attitude is Everything 5 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude5.html --- ...Such strength and fortitude! Thanks GloriaB! ================================================================ `'::. _________H ,%%&%, /\ _ \%&&%%&% / \___/^\___\%&%%&& | | [] [] |%\Y&%' | | .-. | || jgs ~~@._|@@_|||_@@|~||~~ `""") )"""` >Lauren Listened Story Editor: by Harold Spriggs Clayton Bennett Illinois, USA My life was transformed in 2004, when I was 15 years old on a mission trip with my church youth group. We were in Kansas City, Missouri, building the foundation of a house for Habitat for Humanity. I was very shy then. Halfway through the week and halfway through one day, I was tired. We were working in hot sun, loading rebar from a warehouse into our pickup truck for our worksite. After the truck was loaded, I jumped up into the rear with my friends. At the building site, I was about to leap from the back of the truck when our pastor began to back up. I lost my balance and fell hard on the blacktop. For a moment, I wondered if I'd died. When I got up, a man nearby on his front porch laughed at me. That was hard to hear; my self-esteem fell, too. The rest of the day I worked with my head a little lower than usual and didn't say much. After work, we returned to the church where we were staying for dinner. Then the girls in our group showed us a bag system for leaving encouraging notes to each other. That night I stayed up late in the kitchen, working on notes to my friends. Lauren, whom I'd known for a year, sat next to me and asked how I was doing. I could tell she really cared, and began saying more about my feelings than I expected. I was discouraged about falling earlier that day, and remembered my aunt Marion, who had died a year earlier after falling down her basement stairs. With Lauren keeping me company, I cried. Once I calmed down, Lauren told me some things I'd longed to hear. She said, "Don't worry about tomorrow, for that is in the future. Worry about this minute, what is going on now. It's OK to let your guard down every now and then to open up to me and the rest of our group. You'd feel a lot better if you would. It's not going to be easy to say goodbye to you at the end of this week, but I know our friendship will last. You're a great kid, Harold. You just have to find yourself, and accept yourself the way you are." That Friday night, our last in Kansas City, I took Lauren's advice. I told the group about my Aunt, and how much I missed her. For the first time, I felt better, like everything would be OK. I was really thinking about running away that Friday night. I didn't think anyone wanted me around, so I was going to run. I look back now, and know I would have regretted it all my life, and may have ended up worse off, possibly in jail. Just when I wanted to disappear out of hurt and embarrassment, someone helped me reach out to others. Thank you, Lauren, your lesson has stayed with me ever since. =======HeroicStories======= >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->BECOMING A CHRISTIAN HOW TO BE A CHRISTIAN! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Chrristian 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 DAARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do :) Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe ************************************************************************ >TO SUBSCRIBE: Visit Here This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR For the Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ************************************************************************