God Vs Science ... :) 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 ~ __---__ ______ / ___\_ o O O _( )__ /====(_____\___---_ o _( )_ | \ (_ AI-YA!!!! ) | |@ (_ Shot _) \ ___ / (__ Again!__) \ __----____--_\____(____\_____/ (______) ==|__----____--______| / / \____/)_ / ______) / | | | _| | ______\______________|______ / * * \ /_____________*____*___________\ / * * \ /________________________________\ / * \ /__________________________________\ | | |________________________| | | |________________________| unknown (after W< ) *~* We NEED MORE 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! ================ >-->In The 'Shangy' News :) >SAD NEWS: From CNN: ..:::::::.. //////\\\\\\\ ||||||||||||| ||||||||||||| ||||||||||||| HH ||||||||||||| HH HH==================HH HH==================HH HH ############# HH This Just In HH ############# HH HH ########### HH HH ######### HH HH ####### HH HH ##### HH HH () HH \\ () // \\ () // \\ () // \\ (// \\ //)( ____\/___() ,#################.... ##################### ``` ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ unknown Michael Jackson, the show-stopping singer whose best-selling albums -- including "Off the Wall," "Thriller" and "Bad" -- and electrifying stage presence made him one of the most popular artists of all time, died Wednesday, according to multiple sources, including the Los Angeles Times and The Associated Press. Michael Jackson, shown in 2008, was one of the biggest pop stars in history. He was 50. He collapsed at his residence in the Holmby Hills section of Los Angeles, California, about noon Pacific time, suffering cardiac arrest, according to brother Randy Jackson. He died at UCLA Medical Center. Jackson's blazing rise to stardom -- and later fall from grace -- is among the most startling of show business tales. The son of a steelworker, he rose to fame as the lead singer of the Jackson 5, a band he formed with his brothers in the late 1960s. By the late '70s, as a solo artist, he was topping the charts with cuts from "Off the Wall," including "Rock With You" and "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough." In 1982, he released "Thriller," an album that eventually produced seven hit singles. An appearance the next year on a Motown Records 25th-anniversary special cemented his status as the biggest star in the country. http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/06/25/jackson/index.html?section=cnn_latest --- ...He was my fav pop singer. I will miss him. My prayers are with his family and fans. -<>- >Hot Off The 'Shangy' Press! This one was from a forward from our friend and my brother Del. The minute I saw it, I thought it was just too cute to resist doing up a page to share with everyone. I also immediately thought of the sweet picture of Maxy that our friend Maxy's Pal sent us. So it has his big brown eyes and nose at the end to perfectly complete the page! ."";._ _.---._ _.-"". /_.'_ '-' /`-` \_ \ .' / `\ \ /` \ '. .' / ; _ _ '-; \ ;'. _.' ; /\ / \ \ \ ; '._;._ .-'.--. | / | \0|0/ \ | '-. / /` \ | / .' \ | .---. \ | | | / /--' .-"""-. \ \/ \ | \ \ / / / ( , , ) /\ \ | / \ '----' .' | '-(_)-' | | '. / / `'----'` | '. | `'----'` jgs \ `/ '. , .' `-.____.' '.____.-' \ / '-' Dog Logic http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/doglogic.html --- ...What an adorable one! Thank You Del and Maxy's Pal! -<>- >-->A Note from Maxy's Pal :) Simply had to reply re: the Japanese Art.....I would need a PHD Mathematician, an Artist.You and God to help me even think about it. Oh yes, and a helicopter sufficiently stocked with very strong magnifiers and GAS, plus all of above...& TO PRAY I WOULDN'T DROP ANY SEEDS. CAN YOU IMAGINE? Now that's funny & don't mean to demean the beauty of the work. It is certainly deserving of its talented artists. It is mind boggling. I have shared it with my Buddies. --MAXY'S PAL. --- ...Aww, thank you so much Maxy's Pal! I do so agree with you - just awesome! To think something like 800 of them get together to make this happen! Wonderful! We have Jo Ann to thank for sharing this with us all! Japan's Crop Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/cropart.html -<>- >-->From Our Friend Vicki :) [Politics] --- . . \ \ / \ \| \ | / / , \ \ | | | |/ \ | | |/ / | . \ | \ \ | \ / | | / / / | | /_/ / \_ \ \ \ | |\ | | | / | | | / _/,-'/_,-' / _ _ \ \| \_\_ \| \ \\ | |/ / / / _/ _/,---' / \___\ \_ \__ \ \ | \ \ | / // | / // _/_/__/ __/_ __ _ \_ \ \ | \ \ |/ |/ | | / / / /___/ _/ _/ _ \___ \ / _____/ \_ \__ \ -------.___ -----._______ / _/ __/ \__ \ _____ ----- __ / __/ \ _______ ------' / __ | ___________ ___________ | __ / `| ,-' ___________ '. ,' ___________ `-. |' \ | /` (_,-' _______ `./ \,' _______ `-._) '\ | | | ,-' `._,`-. ,-' `._,`-. | | | |. ,' `. `. ,' `. `. :| | | \ `. `-._____,-,' `. `-._____,-,' / | \ ' `-._______,-' : : `-._______,-' ' / \_. | | ._/ | | | | \ / \ / \ / \ / \ | | / | \,--._,--./ | | _,.--'''`-'''`--.._ | --. ,---. ,---. | ,' __,------------.__ `. ,---. ,---. ,---. ,---. -- \( \( -- \_|____/_,'\/| | | || |\/`._\__ / -- )/ )/ -- )/,--, ) .--.\\ -- \\ .--.\ `-.|__|__|,-' /,--, // -- //,--, /(/__/ / \__\)\ .--.\\ \__\) (/__/ //,--, /(/__/ / `---' `---' \ \__\)`---' `---'(/__/ / `---' jrei `---' `---' ...First An Alert From Grassfire: TOMORROW (Friday), the House will vote on the Pelosi/ Obama- pushed massive carbon tax -- what the Wall Street Journal today is calling the "biggest tax in American history." That means we have just a few hours left to voice our opposition. The Journal says the bill "defies the laws of economics" and then lambasts the Congressional Budget Office for totally ignoring the negative effects on the economy this bill will cause. For example, Heritage Foundations estimates that the cap-and-trade Carbon Tax will: "Reduce aggregate Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by $9.6 trillion" "Destroy up to 2.5 million jobs in some years" "Raise electric rates 90%, gasoline prices by 74%, and natural gas prices by 55% after adjusting for inflation" "Raise a typical family's average annual energy bill by $1,500." Thousands of Grassfire team members have taken action this week -- with a flood of faxes and phone calls in the past 24 hours. But we must increase the pressure, especially on the Democrats in agriculture and coal states who are still undecided. I am asking every Grassfire team member -- even if you already took action this week -- to take immediate action .... Calling all Patriots! Please join me TODAY in calling Congressman Latta and telling him we SUPPORT his NO VOTE on HR 2454, the "Cap and Trade" Bill. We need to not only support him in this NO VOTE, but also help send a message to all of Congress that this is a very bad bill, and particularly bad for our area. (It has been determined that we, Congressman Latta's Ohio 5th district, will be the third hardest hit [out of 435 districts] in the nation.) This is not only a bad bill for us, it is a bad bill, period. It not only is a huge tax, but also gives even more power to the federal government. TELL YOUR CONGRESSMAN to vote NO on the Cap and Trade bill IN OHIO... PLEASE take a minute to call Congressman Latta at 1-800-541-6446 and tell the person who answers that you want Congressman Latta to vote NO on the Cap and Trade bill, and you appreciate that he is going to vote NO. (He/she may ask if you want to leave your address and phone number - your option.) As of today, it looks like they plan to take a vote on it tomorrow (Friday). So PLEASE CALL TODAY! (If you don't get this message until Friday, call Friday. It won't be too late.) It only takes a minute. By contacting Rep. Latta, we are also sending a message to all of Washington about what we out in the "Heart Land" think of this bill. Rep. Latta's office personnal have personally assured me that congressmen definitely pay attention to the phone calls / e-mails they receive. (And they pay attention to what other reps are hearing as well.) Consider asking friends to make this call as well. If you'd like to read more about this bill, here is a good article: http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2009/06/economic_downside_of_waxmanmar.html ....Linda The Constitution of the United States ... "... its only keepers, the people." ... George Washington -<>- My local Tea Party coordinator asked me to make sure to let everyone know about them for the 4th of July. There may all ready be plans for one in YOUR City! Check it out here... Tired of the spending? Join a Tea Party! http://www.teapartyday.com/ *~* Be Sure To Pass This On! Thanks :) =============================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: .'\ _.-'`-. _ _ _ _ \'\.-< _.-'| | | _ _ _ _ __| |_ | | __ _ __| |_ _ _.-\.`'_)-' | | | |_| || | ' \/ _| ' \| |__/ _` / _` | || | _.-' (_.-' | | |____\_,_|_||_\__|_||_|____\__,_\__,_|\_, | .-' _.-' | | .---. |__/ |`-.-' | | / \ | | | | J L | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | `-.___.-' | | | | | | | | _| | | | | | _.-' `-.| | | | | _.-' _.-'|-._ | | | | _.-' _.=''_ )|_ `-._| | __| |-' _.-' /' ` ' `\ `-._ |_____________________________ _/| | _.='' | | `-. |_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_ /_`-.|.-' _.-"._\ / _.-'| |/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ _/_/_|`-._ _.-' `-.'-'`-.__.-' | |_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_ /_/_/| `-._ _> _.-' | -) | |/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ _/_/_| `-._ _.-'_|-' | | | | | |-'_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_ /_/_/| `-.-' |_.-' / / |/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ _/_/_| | (-| _.-'_/-'/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_ /_/_/_`-._ | | \_.-'_.-'_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ _/_/_/_/_/`-._ | \__.-'/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_ /_/_/_/_/_/_/_`-._ | _.-'_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/`-|-'/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_ /_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ VK >THE LUNCH GROUP by Michael Jordan Segal A group of four women met for lunch every Friday. They had Chinese food, hamburgers, or salads. However, it really didn't matter what was on the menu. Rather, it was the friendship and support they gave each other. Throughout the years there had been plenty of happy occasions that would be the center of discussion around their Friday meal. However, there also had been much sorrow and sadness discussed around the table. When Helen discussed the upcoming marriage of her son, all four were so happy and proud. However, when Carol was sharing her pain in regard to her sister-in-law's recurring cancer all in the "lunch group" got the same lumps in their throats. When Allene's daughter made wedding plans at a Caribbean hotel all were happy, however when the wedding day happened to coincide with the arrival of a hurricane on the island, not too many of the family and guests were pleased. Fortunately, the wedding was moved to another location on the mainland and the bride and groom eventually had smiles on their faces, along with everyone as well. One of the group's members, Toby, experienced a trauma when her son was involved in a near-fatal injury. However, she too, eventually returned to the group. And Toby, her family, and her son are doing well -- partly due to the support of the "lunch group." I think that the lunch group learned many years ago that "life is not fair." However, it is important to "play the hand you are dealt" the best you can. That attitude was vital when Helen's husband became ill with dementia. For a few years, she lived with him in their home, taking care of him. Then, when the illness became even more severe, he had to be hospitalized, eventually going to a nursing home. For more than a year, Helen went daily to that facility. She wanted to make sure her husband was as happy as he could be, doing the best she could with the cards she had been dealt. But she was not alone. Everyday, family and friends would be with her, and her husband in the nursing home. But on Friday afternoons she made sure her husband has his meal and then guess where she would go? Right -- her lunch group. All four were always ready to do anything necessary for the other three. That is the true meaning of friendship. However, one day the group could do nothing but cry as one of the four, Allene, passed away. She had been so ill for so long, but three things were a certainty -- she was always smiling, she never complained, and she always made her Friday date with the other three. There was an empty seat that Friday when the others decided to return to their ritual. However, the others seemed to be able to feel a spirit at Allene's empty chair. At first, there were many tears around the table. But soon there was a feeling of comfort. I think Allene would have wanted the group to continue. In fact, everyone who knew her believed that. She was that kind of special person. The four were, and are, all wonderful in their own special ways. They all possess loving hearts, caring souls, and were, and are, friends to the end -- lucky they will always have each other -- forever. -- Michael Jordan Segal ______________________________________________ Mike is a social worker at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston and an author. He also is a popular inspirational speaker sharing his recipe for recovery, happiness, and success. You can visit his website here: http://www.InspirationByMike.com and you can see a Youtube video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNeRqpaoNpQ . ============================================================ _ | | ( ! ) |=|-+ [___] MJP >Words of Encouragement Story Editor: by Joseph Hili Joyce Schowalter Gozo, Malta I live in the island nation of Malta. When I was young and attending the secondary school in the late 50's, I had to study by the light of a kerosene lamp. Since there was no electric service in our area, we had no electricity at home. When finally the electricity passed our house, in 1961, I called a local electrician to come and install electricity in our house. He promised to come, but he never did it. I was so frustrated that I went to a hardware store, bought all the material necessary to wire two rooms, and from my knowledge I installed them myself. Then I applied to get the electrical meter. The day the meter installer came, I was so frightened that he might tell me to take everything away because it was not a good installation. His helper, who was always with him just to carry his tools, looked at me and said, "Bravo, bravo, good work. You will pass the exam". These words were so encouraging for me that I decided to continue installing electricity in all of our house. Then my neighbors asked me to install electricity for them also. I made many mistakes, but from them I learned a lot. In the meantime, I began to take evening classes in electricity, to get the relevant certificates to be licensed. Eventually, I got them. Then, instead of continuing to study for a common clerk typist, which I had planned to do before, I became a professional electrician. I took big contracts until I retired. In about 1997, I was returning home from an urgent electrical repair request from a farmer who had given me two big melons to take home. I once again saw the gentleman who had told me "bravo" 45 years ago. He was standing with his son waiting on a bus-stage. I stopped to give them a lift, which he accepted. I offered him a melon and told him that it was as a reward for what he had said to me 45 years ago. I told him he had changed my entire route of life. He answered that he didn't remember anything about that encounter, but he was very happy to hear it, and thanked me heartily. I told him that it was I who had to thank him. I always remember him and mention this story frequently, for he changed my life completely. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From InspiredBuffalo: .: / ) ( ( \ ) o ._(/_. o |___%| ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ | %| | | ._____|_|__|_|__|_|__|_|_____. | %| | | |__________________________|%| | %| |o| | | |%| | | | | |~| | | .|_%|. .' '. | | |%| | | |~| |#| | | | ()%| / o \ | | :%: :~: : : :#: | | .__|___%|__. :____o__: ._|_|_." " " "._|_|_. | ___%|_ '._____.' |___|%| |___|%| |_____(____ ) ( ( \ '._____.- grp '._______.- >God VS Science A science professor begins his school year with a lecture to the students, "Let me explain the problem science has with religion." The atheist professor of philosophy pauses before his class and then asks one of his new students to stand. "You're a Christian, aren't you, son?" "Yes sir," the student says. "So you believe in God?" "Absolutely." "Is God good?" "Sure! God's good." "Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?" "Yes." "Are you good or evil?" "The Bible says I'm evil." The professor grins knowingly. "Aha! The Bible!" He considers for a moment. "Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick person over here and you can cure him. You can do it. Would you help him? Would you try?" "Yes sir, I would." "So you're good...!" "I wouldn't say that." "But why not say that? You'd help a sick and maimed person if you could. Most of us would if we could. But God doesn't." The student does not answer, so the professor continues. "He doesn't, does he? My brother was a Christian who died of cancer, even though he prayed to Jesus to heal him. How is this Jesus good? Hmmm? Can you answer that one?" The student remains silent. "No, you can't, can you?" the professor says. He takes a sip of water from a glass on his desk to give the student time to relax. "Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?" "Er...yes," the student says. "Is Satan good?" The student doesn't hesitate on this one. "No." "Then where does Satan come from?" The student falters. "From God" "That's right. God made Satan, didn't he? Tell me, son. Is there evil in this world?" "Yes, sir." "Evil's everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything, correct?" "Yes." "So who created evil?" The professor continued, "If God created everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to the principle that our works define who we are, then God is evil." Again, the student has no answer. "Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things, do they exist in this world?" The student squirms on his feet. "Yes." "So who created them?" The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his question. "Who created them?" There is still no answer. Suddenly the lecturer breaks away to pace in front of the classroom. The class is mesmerized. "Tell me," he continues onto another student. "Do you believe in Jesus Christ, son?" The student's voice betrays him and cracks. "Yes, professor, I do." The old man stops pacing. "Science says you have five senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Have you ever seen Jesus?" "No sir. I've never seen Him." "Then tell us if you've ever heard your Jesus?" "No, sir, I have not." "Have you ever felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or smelt your Jesus? Have you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus Christ, or God for that matter?" "No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't." "Yet you still believe in him?" "Yes." "According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your God doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?" "Nothing," the student replies. "I only have my faith." "Yes, faith," the professor repeats. "And that is the problem science has with God. There is no evidence, only faith." The student stands quietly for a moment, before asking a question of His own. "Professor, is there such thing as heat?" "Yes," the professor replies. "There's heat." "And is there such a thing as cold?" "Yes, son, there's cold too." "No sir, there isn't." The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested. The room suddenly becomes very quiet. The student begins to explain. "You can have lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat, mega-heat, unlimited heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat, but we don't have anything called 'cold'. We can hit up to 458 degrees below zero, which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold; otherwise we would be able to go colder than the lowest -458 degrees." "Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of heat. You see, sir, cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat we can measure in thermal units because heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it." Silence across the room. A pen drops somewhere in the classroom, sounding like a hammer. "What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing as darkness?" "Yes," the professor replies without hesitation. "What is night if it isn't darkness?" "You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light, but if you have no light constantly you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? That's the meaning we use to define the word." "In reality, darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?" The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him. This will be a good semester. "So what point are you making, young man?" "Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is flawed to start with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed." The professor's face cannot hide his surprise this time. "Flawed? Can you explain how?" "You are working on the premise of duality," the student explains. "You argue that there is life and then there's death; a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought." "It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it." "Now tell me, professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?" "If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man, yes, of course I do." "Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?" The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he realizes where the argument is going. A very good semester, indeed. "Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a preacher?" The class is in uproar. The student remains silent until the commotion has subsided. "To continue the point you were making earlier to the other student, let me give you an example of what I mean." The student looks around the room. "Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the professor's brain?" The class breaks out into laughter. "Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor's brain, felt the professor's brain, touched or smelt the professor's brain? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, with all due respect, sir." "So if science says you have no brain, how can we trust your lectures, sir?" Now the room is silent. The professor just stares at the student, his face unreadable. Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man answers. "I guess you'll have to take them on faith." "Now, you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists with life," the student continues. "Now, sir, is there such a thing as evil?" Now uncertain, the professor responds, "Of course, there is. We see it everyday. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil." To this the student replied, "Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light." The professor sat down. If you read it all the way through and had a smile on your face when you finished, mail to your friends and family with the title: God vs. Science -<>- \\\\ c oo | .U __=__ ,,, |. __|___ oo ; ||_/ / / U= _ 0 \_/__/__E o /. .| | (___ || |~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~'----'~| I---||| |-----------------------| I ||| | c(__) | ^ '--'' ^ ^ Petrus >A MESSAGE FROM HEAVEN By James Colasanti, Jr. As the passing ambulance sped toward the hospital, the shrill Sound of the siren pierced the darkness. But it was too late -- no Amount of speed could meet the need of the ambulance's mission. Later that night, reaching from his bed, Jeremy Ward's left hand Pressed against the frosted window pane leaving an indelible print. Rivelets of water began to run down the glass forming a small pool on The window sill. Christmas Day was hastily approaching -- a mere five days away, And Jeremy was hoping to be back home. The 10-year old pressed his nose closer in order to get a better View of his family standing in the hospital parking lot below. In The glow of the streetlight stood his grandfather Sam, who was Holding a small box and the leash to Jeremy's dog, Cain -- a large White Lab-Samoyed mix. Jeremy's father, Robert, and Jeremy's mother, Margaret, were also there. Cain was the reason they were outside. Dogs were not allowed in The hospital's ICU. And it was Jeremy's beloved dog who had sniffed Out the recurring leukemia. Everyone had thought the disease had Long since been defeated, but Jeremy's body was no match for its Latest onslaught. Moments later, Grandpa Sam came ambling into Jeremy's room Carrying the same small box. Jeremy could see the box had been Wrapped in glittery Christmas paper with a small bow on the top. "What's in the box, Grandpa?" Jeremy asked. "A Christmas present for you. Something my father made for me, And I'm passing it on to you -- sort of like a tradition. When I was A little boy, just about your age, your great-grandfather Joseph, my Father, taught me about dogs and the angels." Grandpa Sam paused. "Jeremy, you know how Santa has all those elves to build all of the Toys at Christmastime. You know, his helpers?" Grandpa Sam continued, "You see, Jeremy, when God made the Earth He created dogs to be His eyes to maintain His watchfulness on Earth. You know, His helpers. He wanted them here to protect people, to be Their companions, and to just always be underfoot. And to be sure That they would report directly back to Him, He gave every dog an Angel to be the dog's voice between heaven and Earth. That way, God Could be aware of everything going on in His domain." "So go ahead," Grandpa Sam urged, "open the box." Inside was a small, hand-whittled oak ornament of an angel with Open wings holding a small dog in its arms. Attached was a bright Blue ribbon with which to hang it. Two days later, Jeremy Ward joined his great-grandfather Joseph in heaven. The sun remained a stranger at the cemetery that Christmas Eve, Privately mourning behind the curtain of ashen clouds. Snow was Falling at a steady pace. Grandpa Sam had slipped the angel ornament inside Jeremy's hand When no one was looking. Cain's head rested on the foot of the Casket during the services. Cain knew his master was gone, but, as with the rest of the Family, letting go was not yet an option. A pall had settled in for The night around the Ward household. Everyone chose to be alone with Private memories and to deal with their own feelings. Grandpa Sam had turned on the lights on the Christmas tree and Had left them on as part of the annual tradition. But he had long Ago retired to his room, dozing in and out in his chair as he feigned Reading a book. Cain's loud bark disturbed the still house. Grandpa Sam stirred from his shallow slumber. The barking was continuous and was coming from the living room. When Grandpa Sam got to the living room, Cain was seated at the Foot of the Christmas tree barking, almost happily. "Cain, what is it, boy? There's nobody here." Grandpa Sam looked up from Cain to the tree, a shimmer of blue Catching his eye. There on one of the upper boughs hanging from its Bright blue ribbon was the carved angel! Just as Grandpa Sam had said, delivering a message -- but this Time, from Heaven! -<>- .---. .---. ,';' `.';' `.. f :Bo. ` d88: `\ /d88P' `\ ; /d888P' `. ',d8&8P' : ;d8&7' | :8: | qx >Everyone can change the world Considering that there are so many people on earth, it would seem that what we do is pretty insignificant in the context of the whole world. Normally, only people of power and influence, like a president or mayor or leader of some sort, can change the lives of others greatly. But, do not underestimate the effect each and every person can have in making this world a better place. A person can influence the lives of those he or she comes into contact with by the way that person lives his or her own life. For example, by standing up for what you believe in, you might move others to do the same. Similarly, being helpful and selfless might cause others to behave the same way. When you a touch a person's life, the effect grows in that person, and he or she will go on to touch others. It's an expanding effect. Don't underestimate the potential in each and every one of us to improve the world. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment Ollie http://www.buffaloschips.com/jhg.htm Parrot Plays Golf http://www.buffaloschips.com/hgrf.htm Pepsi Please http://www.buffaloschips.com/uyr.htm Pilobolus http://www.buffaloschips.com/fer.htm Ponies http://www.buffaloschips.com/tred.htm Subscribe send a blank email to: the-inspired-buffalo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Keep On Smiling http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/smiling.html Never Give Up: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/nevergiveup.html The 3 R's of God's Word http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/receive.html WORMS! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/worms.html Love Test http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lovetest.html ================================================================ >-->From PetLovers: , ,, , , ,; ; ;; ; ; ; , ; '; ; ;; .-''\ ; ; , ; ;` ; ,; . / /8b \ ; ; `; ; .;' ;,\8 | ; ; ` ;/ / `_ ; ;; ; ; ; |/.' /9) ; ; ` ; ; ; ,/' ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; /_ ; ; ` ; ; `?8P" . ; ; ; ; ; ; ;; | ; .:: ` ;; ; ; ` ; ; `' `--._ ;; ;; ; ; ; ; `-..__..--'' ; ; ;; ; ; ; fL ; ; ; ; ; ; >HEART OF A LION by Susan Dart Years ago before the first Gulf war we moved to the desert Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on military assignment. We had two small children, a dog, and a cat. As we stepped from the airport into the stifling desert heat, we made a bedraggled little party, exhausted from our long trip. We had no idea what lay in store for us, or how much our lives would change over the next two years. Just two days later, as we were settling into our apartment at the military headquarters, we were visited by a kind woman from the housing office who noticed that we had pets. She immediately told us about a litter of kittens that desperately needed homes. Abandoned by their feral mother, they were barely surviving on dog food they scrounged from local residents. Perhaps it was the jet lag or some other malady, but we agreed to see the kittens and that very day Purr came into our lives. Little more than a piece of Calico fur, the starving kitten stole our hearts. She was tiny and weak and her eyes were infected, but we loved her from the start. As we nursed her back to health, she quickly became a member of our family. We named her Priscilla after a friend, but our son was too little to pronounce it, so she became Purr for the rest of her life. As her health improved she grew and thrived but living with her quickly became a challenge. She seemed unusually accident prone and leapt from one disaster to another, frequently falling as she tried to jump to higher spots. The shatter of breakable items became a common sound as she knocked over things in her path. Purr grew a luxurious long-haired Calico coat. Our children adored her and she almost never let them out of her sight. She tolerated being pushed in a doll stroller, slept with them at night, and woke them in the morning for school. She also seemed to be less clumsy than before and rarely missed when she jumped from the floor to a high perch to look out the window. We were able to move to a lovely house in the suburbs and life settled into a peaceful routine as we began our second year in Saudi Arabia, never suspecting it would all soon change. Later that summer, Iraq invaded Kuwait and we were plunged into months of fear and uncertainty as the first Gulf war evolved around us. Late one January night we awoke to the sound of missiles exploding in the sky over the city. The war had started and the next few months would be some of the most challenging we had ever faced. We spent many nights sitting in the hall wearing gas masks as sirens wailed and missiles roared over our home. We all slept in one room in the most protected part of the house wondering when the next attack would be. And through it all, our little desert cat was there. She comforted the children and entertained them with her antics. She never left their sides and they were less afraid. The following summer we moved back to Texas and brought Purr with us. We took her to our new vet and told him her story. He examined her and then told us that she was almost completely blind. The blood vessels in the back of her eyes had never developed, most likely from the poor diet she had eaten as a newborn kitten. She had somehow learned to cope and managed well. She had gone from a clumsy kitten to a graceful adult cat and a dear member of our family. I often think of those days when we lived under the cloud of war and how the experience forever changed our lives. We would never take our peace and freedom or safety for granted again. And I remember the little blind kitten that watched over us and helped us through -- a little desert cat with the heart of a lion named Purr. -- Susan Dart ___________________________________________ Susan says, "I live in San Antonio, TX. We settled here after my husband spent 15 years in the Air Force. I have two grown-up children and a sewing business. I have had pets my entire life. I currently have 5 house cats and a parakeet." ============================================================ >-->From CupO'Cheer: , \ : / `. __/ \__ .' _ _\ /_ _ /_ _\ .' \ / `. / : \ hjw ' >REACHING FOR THE STARS On the way to spend the weekend with us, our grand- children noticed a bright star in the sky. Our daughter, Nancy, told them that it was Mars, which was at its closest and brightest in many thousands of years. She went on to provide a simplified explanation of the solar system suitable for her young listeners in the back seat. Nancy ended her explanation with, "We live on a planet called Earth." After a long pause, my four-year-old grandson asked, "What planet does Grandpa live on?" as seen in Da Mouse Tracks -<>- ____ ___ ,' __ ``.._..'' `. `.`. ``-.___..-. : ,---..____________________>/ _,'_ | `-:._,:_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|.:SSt:.:|-|(/ | _.' ) ____ '-' ; ( `-'' __``-' / ``-....-'' ``-..-'' >IF GIVEN A CHANCE Many years ago I was living in California and doing some tutoring in a public school. One day I had my guitar with me and, as I passed a 'special-ed' class, was asked by the teacher if I could spend a few minutes entertaining her class. I went in and played for the kids, who seemed to enjoy it. One boy in particular had a great time and took to following me around. One of my volunteer activities at the school was to umpire for the 5th and 6th grade boys' softball games - little Timmy tagged along with me that day after I had played for his class and asked me if he could play ball with the boys. So I told the others that he was going to play and they started complaining. I told them either he played or nobody played. They reluctantly agreed and Timmy took a place in the field. A ball was hit to him that just bounced off his chest and another boy had to pick up the ball and throw it in. When they came up, I noticed that the boys had batted around but Timmy still had not had a turn, so I told them to let him hit. Again they reluctantly agreed and he stepped to the plate; the first pitch was over his head and he took a wild swing and didn't come close; the second pitch bounced on the ground and he took another cut without coming close. I told the pitcher to put it where he could hit it and he grooved one. Timmy put his bat straight out and it met the ball, which flew into right-centerfield. The boys had to tell Timmy to run to first and then had to tell him to run from there to second. The batted ball continued to roll and his teammates urged Timmy to run until he had crossed the plate with the go-ahead run. The bell rang and we had to go in, but not before all the boys had slapped Timmy on the back, congratulating him for winning the game. As we walked back to class, he looked up at me with shining eyes and thanked me for letting him play. I have a feeling that he never forgot that day, but my most fervent hope was that the other boys would remember that even the least likely person can be a winner if given a chance. -- Douglas Treadway To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com ========================================================== >-->From SermondFodder: ____ || | ||___| _)__<__ _ _ |____|__|:|___|:|_ | |_.---._|___| _ | o| | | |_o_| | || |/| |\| | |_||____|`\___/'|___| V _/-\_ fsc >THE LOST FILE Heartsick and in a state of shock, I sat at my desk unwilling to believe I had just lost more than a year's worth of research. The research, a compilation of personal true stories, was slated for my second book on angels and heavenly intervention. That day I had intended on making a back-up copy of my files and was distracted by phone calls. Thinking I was all done I placed old files into the trash on my computer and emptied it. Within seconds I realized what my distraction had just cost me. I had inadvertently deleted all the files. My stomach felt ghastly and fighting tears, I called out to my husband, "Shawn, if I empty the trash on my computer, is everything really gone?" I know he heard the distress in my voice because he was up the stairs in seconds, "What's happened?" he asked. I tried to explain what I'd been doing but somehow had gotten mixed up and deled all the files, rather than just the old copy. Then I sat there in a state of shock. The lost "angel file", was a collection of stories from writers in a number of different countries and by losing the file I lost not only the material but all the contact names and addresses. With the file gone, there was no way to back track and ever locate those same stories. I was devastated, not believing that with one simple click, I had committed such a costly blunder. Now no one would ever read the story about an angel's visit to a young, lost 11 year old boy, and no one would read about the wondrous works of angels as they lifted a car to save the occupants from an accident. I sat there thinking about the many stories, those that demonstrated the power of prayer, and those that showed God's miracles in our lives and others that reminded us that death is not forever. I remembered how a tragedy was averted when one writer spoke of hearing the words, "GO CHECK THE BABY NOW." I recalled the words of a little boy to his mother, words that gave her a cherished night with her son the night before his death. I sat there with the beauty of the stories rushing through my mind and I felt heartsick that now I could not share the beauty of these hope- filled stories with readers My husband sat at the computer searching for the missing files. We have a program especially designed for locating any file within the system. Shawn provided the program with the name "angels" and the response indicated that "0" (zero ) files existed. He checked through systems but nowhere in the system was a file hiding called "angels". In fact nowhere could the word "angels" be found. It was as if the entire file had never existed. He turned and looked at me, "I'm sorry honey, there's nothing there." I looked at him, fighting tears and speechless. I silently pleaded with God for help. Shawn gathered me into his arms. "I'm sorry honey, the file is gone. There's nothing ." When he left the room, I sat in front of my computer, numb with shock. Unwilling to let go of hope that somehow this stuff would show up I went through the same steps that Shawn had just performed but the response still came back, "Zero files found." I continued sending out my distress signal to the only power I knew who could make things better and for the third time I used the search program to find the deleted files. Unbelievably the Finder suddenly gave me a positive response. I held my breath and stopped moving . I just sat there looking at the screen and the name of the file that my program had discovered. It was "Angels On Earth". Daring to hope that my prayers had indeed been answered, I shouted for Shawn. I was paranoid about touching anything. Shawn returned, sat at the computer and within moments we were staring at this huge file. All the stories were there. Everything that I had deleted had been returned. Awed and overwhelmed, I stood beside him, tears just flooding my eyes. An immense feeling of gratitude and relief washed over me and gratefully I sent up my silent words of "thank you." "I guess we just didn't scroll all the way up the first time," Shawn offered as an explanation. "Sweetheart, you saw it was gone. You saw the Find program tell us more than once that the file did not exist." Shawn I prayed for help and got it." Shawn just smiled at me. "I'm glad it's recovered honey," he said. Well there are some things that we just don't argue about but personally, I think I just got mail from God. Ellie Braun-Haley --------------- Ellie is the author of four books and has had numerous short stories published, most notably in Heartwarmers of Spirit and Chicken Soup For the Soul. She is presently gathering stories for a book similar to A Little Door, A Little Light, stories on the power of prayer, angels and other Heavenly Intervention type stories. ============================================================ >-->OLD DOG IN A LOCKET _ _V.-o / |`-' (7_\\ jg Old dog in a locket That lies next to my heart I will always love you As I did right from the start You were right beside me Through the darkest of my days It was your kind and gentle nature That made me want to stay Now I hold you in my arms Your breath still warm against my hand Our hearts still beat together And I wonder if you understand Through the hours that I held you Before the light did leave your soul I knew a way to keep you Forever in my hold I snipped the hair from around your eyes So I would always see The beauty that surrounds me Even in times of need I snipped the hair from around your ears So I would always hear Music in the distance To quiet any fears I snipped the hair from across your back To bring me strength in time of need And the power of your essence Would always be with me I snipped the hair from around your heart That beat in time with mine So I would know that love would find me At some distant time And so, your life slipped out of mine On a quiet spring like day But I knew that a part of you Old dog in a locket That lays next to my heart I will always love you Even though we had to part ~~ Author Unknown ~~ >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->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: Visit Here This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR For the Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ************************************************************************