God's Amazing Answer :) 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!! AND For Facebook Users: Please Friend Me / 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! :) ================ >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This scorcher is from our friends Karen And Linda. It is sure to give you lots of Ooos and Awwws! Check it out here... .-~~-.--. : ) .~ ~ -.\ /.- ~~ . > `. .' < ( .- -. ) `- -.-~ `- -' ~-.- -' ( : ) _ _ .-: ~--. : .--~ .-~ .-~ } ~-.-^-.-~ \_ .~ .-~ .~ \ \' \ '_ _ -~ `.`. // . - ~ ~-.__`.`-.// -Lian Wang- .-~ . - ~ }~ ~ ~-.~-. .' .-~ .-~ :/~-.~-./: /_~_ _ . - ~ ~-.~-._ ~-.< Beautiful Rare Flowers 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/rareflowers2.html --- ...Awww, So many awesome flowers! Love this! Thanks Ladies! =========================================================== >-->This sounds like FUN - From Our Friends At TruthOrTradition: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Our FREE National Event is open for registration! http://tinyurl.com/noduuzx The STF National Conference is a time when people from all over the world are invited to spend a weekend together to be encouraged, inspired, and better equipped in their walk with the Lord. There will be: Inspirational Teachings Praise and Worship Workshops Presentations Instruction in the use of STF products and resources Fellowship and Friendship View all the details of the event! http://tinyurl.com/kzt99c9 Our conferences have always proven to be a time of much spiritual refreshment and encouragement, so please consider attending this year’s conference— it just won’t be the same without you! God bless you, The Home Office Staff Spirit & Truth Fellowship Our mailing address is: Spirit & Truth Fellowship International 180 Robert Curry Drive Martinsville, IN 46151 Add us to your address book http://tinyurl.com/kd6k753 =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: /`. ___ /`. `.___ _.---'__ `./ `. O| ,' _.:-:-:`. `. `. | ,' ,':-:-:-:-:`. `. `. `. ,' ,':-:-:-:-:-:-:`. `. `. > ,' ,':-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:`. `.__.-' ,' ,':-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:\ \ ,' ,':-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-| | ,' ,':-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-| | ,' ,':-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-/ | ,' ,':-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-;' / ,' ,':-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-;' ,' ,' ,':-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-;' ,' ,' <:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-;' ,' `. `.:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-;' ,' `. `.:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-;' ,' `. `.:-:-:-:-;-:-:-:-;' ,' `. `.:-;-:-:-:-;-;' ,' `. `.:-:-:-:-,' ,' `. `.:-:-,' ,' `. `-:' ,' `. ,' hjw `.,' >GOD'S AMAZING ANSWER by Helen Roseveare One night, in Central Africa, I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward. But despite everything we did to save her, she died leaving us with a tiny, premature baby and a crying, two-year-old daughter. We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive. We had no incubator. We had no electricity to run an incubator, and no special feeding facilities. Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous drafts. A student midwife went for the box we had for such babies and for the cotton wool that the baby would be wrapped in. Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle. She came back shortly, in distress, to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst. Rubber perishes easily in tropical climates. "It was our last hot water bottle!" she exclaimed. Well, as they say, it's no good crying over spilled milk, or in this instance, a burst water bottle. They do not grow on trees, and there are no drugstores down forest pathways. "All right," I said, "put the baby as near the fire as you safely can. Sleep between the baby and the door to keep it free from drafts. Your job is to keep the baby warm." The following noon, as I did most days, I went to have prayers with many of the orphanage children who chose to gather with me. I gave the youngsters various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny baby. I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough, mentioning the hot water bottle. The baby could easily die if it got chilled. I also told them about the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother had died. During the prayer time, a 10 year old girl, Ruth, prayed with the usual blunt consciousness of our African children. "Please, God," she prayed, "send us a water bottle. It'll be no good tomorrow, God. The baby'll be dead. So, please send it this afternoon." While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added by way of corollary, " ...and while You're at it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl so she'll know You really love her?" As often with children's prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly say, "Amen?" I just did not believe that God could do this. Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses' training school, a message was sent to me that there was a car at my front door. By the time got back home, the car had gone, but there, on the veranda, was a large twenty-two pound parcel! I felt tears pricking my eyes. I could not open the parcel alone, so I sent for the orphanage children. Together we pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper, taking care not to tear it unduly. Excitement was mounting. Some thirty pairs of eyes were focused on the large cardboard box. From the top, I lifted out brightly colored, knitted jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then, there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and the children began to look a little bored. Next, came a box of mixed raisins and sultanas - - that would make a nice batch of buns for the weekend. As I put my hand in again, I felt the... could it really be? I grasped it, and pulled it out. Yes! "A brand-new rubber, hot water bottle!" I cried. I had not asked God to send it. I had not truly believed that He could. Ruth was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward, crying out, "If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly, too!" Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out a small, beautifully dressed dolly. Her eyes shone -- she had never doubted! Looking up at me, she asked, "Can I go over with you, Mummy, and give this dolly to that little girl, so she'll know that Jesus really loves her?" That parcel had been on the way for five whole months, packed up by my former Sunday School class, whose leader had heard and obeyed God's prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator. One of the girls had put in a dolly for an African child -- five months earlier in answer to the prayer of a believing ten-year-old to bring it, "this afternoon!" -- Helen Roseveare ______________________________________________ Helen is a retired missionary from Northern Ireland and she included this true story in her book, Living Faith published in 1988. You can learn more about her fascinating life here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Roseveare ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Jacinto :) .-""""--. / ) / --"` / _`:---. | .-' `\ \ / .----'./ \ : ,-' ~(.).)\ \_| \ ._) | / | \.__, / _.--' )`///-,-' / / _| (_\\ | (____/____) \ ___/ | _ `---( ` ) `-, .' (__.'._/'._/ |`| | __/ / / // | `--. || /_____) jgs `=---` >Good Thoughts: This is the beginning of a new day. I have been given this day to use as I will. I can waste it, or use it. I can make it a day long to be remembered for its joy, its beauty and its achievements, or it can be filled with pettiness. What I do today is important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes this day will be gone forever, but I shall hold something which I have traded for it. It may be no more than a memory, but if it is a worthy one I shall not regret the price. I want it to be gain not loss, good not evil, success not failure. The less you respond to negative people the more peaceful your life will become. Wish you have a clean beautiful and bright day. Mistakes increase your experience; And experience decreases your mistakes. Count your good deeds every morning and fill your mind with positive thoughts. That is secret to being happy and inspired all day long. Do Not Undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others. It is because we are different, that each of us is special. Do Not... Set your goals by what other people deem important. Only you know what is best for you.. Do Not... Take for granted the things closest to your heart Cling to them as you would your life for without them life is meaningless. Do Not... Let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past nor for the future By living your life one day at a time, you live all the days of your life. Do Not... Give up when you still have something to give Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying. It is a fragile thread that binds us to each other. Do Not... Be afraid to encounter risks It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave. Do Not... Shut love out your life by saying it is impossible to find. The quickest way to receive love is to give love The fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly. Do Not... Dismiss your dreams To be without dreams is to be without hope To be without hope is to be without purpose. Do Not... Run through life so fast that you forget not only where you have been but also where you are going. Have a nice day .... --- ...Most Inspiring! Thanks Jass! =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Fran :) __ __ ,-' `' \ _---``-- / _ _ ; __ `. / / `' \; /`----- ) / .-/ ,( ), \-. ; | \( \ / )/; | - _5 `7 -; / ( ___-' `-____ | ( ___`-_ \ ____| \ / `,/ \ _(\__ / \ \ ; \ .' /' `i. / | | \ _-'( _\__-/ `- | | ` ,` `_ | BP >Thoughtful Quotes Only those who dare to fall greatly, can ever achieve greatly. - Robert F Kennedy We don't know who we are until we see what we can do. - Martha Grimes "You must look into other people as well as at them." - Lord Chesterfield "There is a grace of kind listening, as well as a grace of kind speaking." - Frederick William Faber “If you would be loved, love and be lovable.” ~ Benjamin Franklin "If things start happening, don't worry, don't stew, just go right along and you'll start happening too." ~ Dr. Seuss "True love stories never have endings." - Richard Bach --- ...Awww, I love that! thanks Fran! -<>- \\\ ____ ________``` \ =|- [________] \ | =| | _ | | \ __ ejm |__=|- O--(_) `.______.' \ O=======(__) /|\ (/(|(\ >Tips: I love cooking with lemons and limes: Getting more juice from your lemons and limes Before squeezing them, immerse in hot water for about 15 minutes. Cleaning your washing machine has never been so easy: Periodically run a gallon of distilled vinegar through your washing machine to clean it thoroughly, get rid of soap scum, and clear out the hoses. Run the machine through the warm water wash cycle empty and then add the vinegar during the rinse cycle. --- ...Good advice! Thanks Fran! ========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: ///"\ |6 6| \ - / .@@@. __) (__ @6 6@/ \./ \ @ = @ : : : \ _) (_'| : |) ) /' \./ '\ : |_/ / /\ _ /\ \=o==|) \ \ ) (/ /%|%%' '7/ \7%%|%%' | |`%%|%%' | |`%%|%%' | | %%|%% |_.._| /_|_\ pjb >BEATITUDES FOR THE HOME -Author Unknown BLESSED are the husband and wife who continue to be affectionate and considerate, loving after the wedding bells have ceased ringing. BLESSED are the husband and wife who are as polite and courteous to one another as they are to their friends. BLESSED are they who have a sense of humor, for this attribute will be a handy shock absorber. BLESSED are they who love their mates more than any other person in the world and who joyfully fulfill their marriage vows of lifetime of fidelity and mutual helpfulness to one another. BLESSED are they who attain parenthood, for children are a heritage of the Lord. BLESSED are they who remember to thank God for their food before they partake of it, and who set apart some time each day for the reading of the Bible and for prayer. BLESSED are those mates who never speak loudly to one another and who make their home a place where "seldom is heard a discouraging word". BLESSED are the husband and wife who faithfully attend the worship service of the church and who work together in the church for the advancement of Christ's Kingdom. BLESSED are the husband and wife who can work out problems of adjustments without interference from relatives. BLESSED is the couple who has a complete understanding about financial matters and who has worked out a perfect partnership with all money under the control of both. BLESSED are the husband and wife who humbly dedicate their lives and their home to Christ and who practice the teachings of Christ in the home by being unselfish, loyal, and loving. -<>- ,_ | `""---..._____ '-...______ _````"""""""'`| \ ```` ``"---...__ | |` | ``! | | A | /\ /#\ /`--..______..-' | ### | / `\ /`--. | ### _| | .-;`-./;-. || ### / \ \ /\_| |_/\ //\ ##' | `-' \__/ _ \__/ | |`# \_, /_/ `\ / '. '.__.' .' jgs `-,____,-' /"""I""\ /`---'--'\ A college student was in a philosophy class which had a discussion about God's existence. The professor had the following logic: "Has anyone in this class heard God?" Nobody spoke. "Has anyone in this class touched God?" Again, nobody spoke. "Has anyone in this class seen God?" When nobody spoke for the third time, he simply stated, "Then there is no God." The student did not like the sound of this at all, and asked for permission to speak. The professor granted it, and the student stood up and asked the following questions of his classmates: "Has anyone in this class heard our professor's brain?" Silence. "Has anyone in this class touched our professor's brain?" Absolute silence. "Has anyone in this class seen our professor's brain?" When nobody in the class dared to speak, the student concluded, "Then, according to our professor's logic, it must be true that our professor has no brain!" The student received an "A" in the class. -<>- _.._ _________....-~ ~-.______ ~~~ ~~~~-----...___________..-------- | | | | | | || | | | | |'. .' .`.| ___________________________________________|0oOO0oO0o|____________ - - - - - / ' '. ` ` \ - - -- -- -- / ' . ` ` \ -- --- --- --- / ' \ --- ---- ---- / ' ' . ` ` \ ---- ----- ----- ----- / ' ' ` ` \ .-~~-. ------ / ' . ` ` ` \ (_^..^_)------- / ' ' ' ` Lester||||AMC --------/ ' ' ' Half a century ago [this was written in 1931] a man was to walk a wire across Niagara Falls with another man on his shoulders. After weeks of preliminary practice, as the final moment for the event drew near, the rope walker cautioned his young colleague in words like these: "We are about to risk our lives. I am to walk the wire. The whole responsibility is mine. You have nothing to do but match my movements. If I sway to the left, let yourself sway with me. If I sway to the right, do the same. Under no circumstances try to save yourself, for there must be only one will in this adventure, and that will is mine. You must submerge yours to ensure harmony, for without perfect unison we are both lost. There is only one thing for you to do - sway with me." As they drew near the opposite side, the unexpected happened. The long vibration of the wire broke in the center into two waves, and each of these broke again into two, and so on, in accordance with the law of vibration, until the shortened wavelike movements became so violent that the man could scarcely keep his feet where he placed them. It was a perilous moment, but the feat was accomplished, and the spectacular escapade was a success, holding a place on the first page of the newspapers. After this, the young man who had played a secondary part settled down to private life, married, became an active leader in Christian endeavor and an elder in a certain church. And he used to say: "I learned more religion on the wire that day than in all my life. I learned that the only sane and safe way to live is to sway with God." By Frank S. Arnold, Signs of the Times, November 24, 1931 -<>- o-o /,_,\ ,Mm/_\mM, fsc >Austin My 9-year-old's last-second request surprised his doctor and taught me a valuable lesson about sharing the gospel. Last fall my 9-year-old son, Austin, had his tonsils removed. Before the surgery, Austin's anesthesiologist came to start an IV. He was wearing a cool surgical cap covered in colorful frogs. Austin loved that "frog hat." The doctor explained that he had two choices? he could either try to start the IV, or he could wait until Austin was up in the operating room. In the OR the doctor would give Austin some "goofy" gas, and start the IV when he was more relaxed. "So, Austin," he asked, "which do you want?" Austin replied, "I'll take the gas." But when the doctor started to leave, Austin called, "Hey, wait." The doctor turned. "Yeah, buddy, what do you need?" "Do you go to church?" "No," the doctor admitted. "I know I probably should, but I don't." Austin then asked, "Well, are you saved?" Chuckling nervously, the doctor said, "Nope. But after talking to you, maybe it's something I should consider." Pleased with his response, Austin answered, "Well, you should, 'cause Jesus is great!" "I'm sure He is, little guy," the doctor said, and quickly made his exit. After that a nurse took me to the waiting room. Someone would come and get me when Austin's surgery was done. After about 45 minutes, the anesthesiologist came into the waiting room. He told me the surgery went well and then said, "Mrs. Blessitt, I don't usually come down and talk to the parents after a surgery, but I just had to tell you what your son did." Oh boy, I thought. What did that little rascal do now? The doctor explained that he'd just put the mask on Austin when my son signaled that he needed to say something. When the doctor removed the mask, Austin blurted, "Wait a minute, we have to pray!" The doctor told him to go ahead, and Austin prayed, "Dear Lord, please let all the doctors and nurses have a good day. And Jesus, please let the doctor with the frog hat get saved and start going to church. Amen." The doctor admitted this touched him. "I was so sure he would pray that his surgery went well," he explained. "He didn't even mention his surgery He prayed for me! Mrs. Blessitt, I had to come down and let you know what a great little guy you have." A few minutes later a nurse came to take me to post-op. She had a big smile on her face as we walked to the elevator. "Mrs. Blessitt, I couldn't wait to tell you something exciting that your son did." With a smile, I told her that the doctor already mentioned Austin's prayer. "But there's something you don't know," she said. "Some of the other nurses and I have been witnessing to and praying for that doctor for a long time. After your son's surgery, he tracked a few of us down to tell us about Austin's prayer. He said, 'Well girls, you got me. If that little boy could pray for me when he was about to have surgery, then I think maybe I need his Jesus too.'" She then recounted how they joined the doctor as he prayed to receive Christ right there in the hospital. Wow! Austin had played a small part in something wonderful. But then, so did the nurses who prayed and witnessed. I thought about John's words in his Gospel, "One sows and the other reaps" (John 4:37). Austin's experience taught me that, although we never know which role we may be called to play, in the end it doesn't matter. What's important is that we remain faithful in sharing the gospel. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Here's Your Frog! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/frog.html Aww Animals 3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animals3.html Creation Museum http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/creationmusem.html World Of Wonder http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/worldofwonder.html Animated Comments - AGIFS Words http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs_u-z.html Australian Cockatoo Story http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/cockatoos.html Baby Squirrel Finnegan http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/finnegan.html Creation VS Coincidence http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/creationvscoincidence.html God Is Like... http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/godislike.html God's Advertisements http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/godsads.html Dolphin Rescue http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dolphinrescue.html -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseA :) Everyone needs time to relax and let off some steam. That is especially true for our troops stationed around the world. These soldiers really let loose with some awesome dance moves. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO__qIxoqWw&feature=player_embedded You won't believe where this photographer goes to capture breathtaking ocean photos. There might be some risk involved, but he definitely loves his job. You have to see it to believe it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pXMObfeOcE&feature=player_embedded Ana Yang performing some amazing feats with bubbles in this highlight reel from her Gazillion Bubble Show. I think people become fascinated with bubbles as little kids and being intrigued by the complexity and beauty of bubbles just continues throughout life. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=KMrvR836TFI --- ...Aww, gotta love bubbles! One of God's little joys! Thanks LouiseA! -<>- >From Our Friend Geniann :) Video done by Alberta, Canada. This is fast paced but the HD scenery is awesome http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=ThFCg0tBDck --- ...Beautiful! Thanks Geniann! -<>- >From Our Friend Melody :) Thank You God - a Video All About Giving Thanks to Him http://tinyurl.com/nsnmz6z 50+ Greatest Hymns of All Time http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ed3Er7dUE0 Mac Powell (Third Day) - Films and Music Inspired by THE STORY "When Love Sees You" (JESUS) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2zHk95UnsE#t=24 Amazing Grace - Best Version By Far http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDdvReNKKuk --- ...Ooo, Gives Goosebumps! Thanks Melody! 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 ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Linda :) ,%/7\\` (/// .\\) (((( - ))) ((|)_*_/((( ))(/) (\((|) ((((\___/))(\ / ,-) (-. \ ( ( ( _ _ ) ) ) \ \ )^ ^ ^( / / >A Good Read... In an evening class at Stanford University the last lecture was on the mind-body connection - the relationship between stress and disease. The speaker (head of psychiatry at Stanford) said, among other things, that one of the best things that a man could do for his health is to be married to a woman whereas for a woman, one of the best things she could do for her health was to nurture her relationships with her girlfriends. At first everyone laughed, but he was serious. Women connect with each other differently and provide support systems that help each other to deal with stress and difficult life experiences. Physically this quality "girlfriend time" helps us to create more serotonin - a neurotransmitter that helps combat depression and can create a general feeling of well being. Women share feelings whereas men often form relationships around activities. We share from our souls with our sisters/mothers, and evidently that is very GOOD for our health. He said that spending time with a friend is just as important to our general health as jogging or working out at a gym. There's a tendency to think that when we are "exercising" we are doing something good for our bodies, but when we are hanging out with friends, we are wasting our time and should be more productively engaged? Not true. In fact, he said that failure to create and maintain quality personal relationships with other humans is as dangerous to our physical health as smoking! So every time you hang out to schmooze with a gal pal, just pat yourself on the back and congratulate yourself for doing something good for your health! We are indeed very, very lucky. Sooooo let's toast to our friendship with our girlfriends. Evidently it's very good for our health. Thanks to all the girls in my life who have helped me stay healthy, happy, and feeling very loved. --- ...Awww, so true! Thanks Linda! That's why fellowship with like minded believers is so very important for us! All Christians need it! ========================================================== >-->From Laff&Lift: sSSSSSs SS;; SSSS S< ?SSS S> SSS ___)(____ ( \/ ) \||, )( ( / ( \\/ /\ / \ \ \./ )==( / / / \//' ( '|\` \ / \ / "Christian Speech" (Author Unknown) PART 1 "Have you ever been saved?" "Sure. Once when I was 9, I was swimming at the beach and a strong undertow began to drag me out to sea. My uncle heard my call and..." "No, not that," came the interruption. "I mean redeemed, reborn, you know, washed in the blood. Have you?" "What in the world are you talking about?" "Convicted, I mean. Have you ever been convicted?" "Well, of course not. I've never been in trouble with the law." A pause. "I think you need to be delivered." "Delivered? I was just waiting for the bus home. I think I'll stick to that, thank you very much." "No, man! Hey, I think we should have lunch together some time." "OK." So a time was set. PART 2 "Sorry I'm late. I was having a quiet time, and forgot to keep track of the clock at work." "A quiet what?" "You know, your prayer closet." "You pray in a closet? At work?" "Oh, no, it's in my car." "You have a closet in your car?" Another pause. "I think you'd better read this when you go home. It'll help you get there." PART 3 "Well, I got born again." He was elated. "Now we're getting somewhere! So what you need now is to find a good body." "You mean at the local health clubs?" PART 4 "I found a good body." He was elated. "Now we're getting somewhere!" "Her name is Denise. We're married." A pause. "Well, OK. What you both need to do is to get planted somewhere." "I'm not a plant. Why would I want to do that?" "No, no, no. I mean committed, plugged in, you understand?" "Not really. I'm not a toaster." "Oh, man! Come on, we'll go to my church Sunday." "OK." PART 5 After the service, the question came. "Boy, God really moved, didn't He?!" "Huh? Where did He go? I was getting to know Him, and now you're telling me that He's gone!" "No, man, He didn't leave! It's just that so many were stepping out and moving in the gifts!" "You mean people were leaving? And what's this about presents?" "No, no, no. The gifts were really flowing, didn't you see? And didn't you notice Denise was on fire?" "Fire? Denise got burned? What happened? Is she OK? Did she touch the furnace?" "No, no, no! Denise is fine. I just think she is really called and God really wants to use her." "What do you mean? Did she say she was getting too many phone calls or something? And what's this about God wanting to take advantage of her?" A deep sigh. "I think we need to walk in the light for awhile and talk more." "Sure, OK, where do you want to go? We can go now; plenty of daylight outside." One final, deep sigh. PART 6 Now it's been 2 years since I was saved and delivered, plugged in, planted, committed to a good body. God has been moving and I've been stepping out in the gifts. I can hardly believe how God is using me. I do have one new problem, however. It seems that my friends can't understand me anymore. When I share about my redemption, about how I've been washed in the blood as white as snow, that I desire to follow the Lamb where ever He goes, they just tune me right out. I guess they're just convicted when they see me on fire. --------- AND NOW A QUICK MESSAGE FROM CHRIS: What a reminder to us that sometimes our "Christian Speech" can be downright confusing and odd sounding to those that are not Christians. We need to be extra careful with the words we use when witnessing and not assume that the other person will automatically know what we mean. -Chris ========================================================== ,---. .--. ( . ) ( . ) `/--___ __`--`. ,. _'| |___||___| _|`. (-./_,|-,,' `.' |\ ` __`-`-'|// `:. \,|' -- - --- |\ | ||| ` | | -- | \ _|_|\\ jrei / | - _ \ \ ,-'-.`._____,',-'-. ______________ `[]\ .\____________________ |`.____________`. || \`| .::' ._ | |_''_o_o__o =.| || \|_________________ | | ,--. ,--. : _ || | |( () ) ( () )|: \`::') --- __ `.|_`-_'___`-_'_|`. / :: \ - _ - : \___:/ _ - - `--..___) >I Want Performance Story Editor: by Betty Thompson Joyce Schowalter Mississippi, USA From 1973 to 1977, I was a member of the Liberty Central High School marching band. Our public school system was separated: the girls attended Liberty Attendance Center and the boys attended Liberty Central High School. The girls in the band were bussed to the boy's school for the 6th period band class. Band was one of my greatest accomplishments. I loved that class! It was literally made up of families. There were usually at least two or four members of the same family playing in that band. In my case, my sister, brother and first cousin were also in the band. The band was also one of Liberty's greatest accomplishments -- due in full to one of the best directors ever born. He was so multi-talented he should have been playing at Carnegie Hall. Instead he belonged to us. His name was Mr. Claude Harness. His motto was "I don't want excuses, I want performance." Believe me, performance was what he got. He instilled in us to be the best band, and under his leadership we were. He was not only our director; he cared about us as his students. Back in the day, I wasn't as self-assured as I am now. I came from a strict family and I wasn't allowed to do as I pleased or go where I pleased. The band gave me a chance to travel. Mr. Harness knew I was quiet person who did what I should. He always made a list of children he wanted to sit at the front of the bus... those who got into trouble if they sat in the back when they thought he wasn't looking. Out of curiosity I looked at the list. My name was on it. I was surprised! I overheard someone say, "Why is her name on the list? Everyone knows she wouldn't dare sit at the back of the bus." That hurt my feelings a little. I remember replying, "I don't have to look for a seat since I have been assigned one." Before we left for our trip, Mr. Harness called me into his office. He told me that he put my name on that list because I was a nice person and he knew that I didn't want to sit where trouble could arise. He also told me I didn't have to sit there; I could sit anywhere I wanted to. I thanked him and told him that I appreciated it because he was right. If Mr. Harness reads this I would like to say *thanks* and I have thought of you often through the years. Your thoughtfulness inspired me to always be my true self -- no matter what others may think. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Kidwarmers: _ _(_)_ wWWWw _ @@@@ (_)@(_) vVVVv _ @@@@ (___) _(_)_ @@()@@ wWWWw (_)\ (___) _(_)_ @@()@@ Y (_)@(_) @@@@ (___) `|/ Y (_)@(_) @@@@ \|/ (_)\ / Y \| \|/ /(_) \| |/ | \ | \ |/ | / \ | / \|/ |/ \| \|/ jgs|// \\|/// \\\|//\\\|/// \|/// \\\|// \\|// \\\|// ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >FUNNY THINGS KIDS SAY On world environment day, Prabhav and his father planted a few seeds in a pot. Prabhav was very impatient to see the growing plants that day itself. When his father told him that you have to water the seeds for a few days, and then plants will come out of the seeds, Prabhav said in an all knowing tone: "When the seeds are filled with water, and they open their mouth to BURP, plants will come out, right?" -- Janaki of Bangalore, India Lindsay, 6, and Katelinn, 4, were playing with moon sand in the kitchen. Katelin kept telling Lindsay to do something, but Lindsay didn't want to. Lindsay finally had enough and told Katelinn, "Stop it! I am going to use my imagination my own way!" -- Janice Bruce of Wolcottville, Indiana Here are some more stories from Janice. Lindsay and Katelinn were playing with make-up and they came to Janice to show her how beautiful they were. Katelinn had an "x" on her forehead with lipstick and Lindsay had it all over the outside of her lips. Janice gave them a bath but the lipstick wouldn't come off. "Next time you put lipstick on, make sure it's only on your lips!" Janice said. Lindsay replied, "Mom, you know I can't color in the lines!" ___ .-Ooo0O-. /.o0O0o0O0\ |:o0O0ooO0o0| |:ooOo0o0oOo| \.oOoo0o0O/ /`'O0o''\ jgs / (_) \ (`-.,___,.-') `-.,___,.-' When Katelinn gets gum with a hot flavor she asks Janice to "chew the hot out of it" and then let her chew it. Janice had killed a deer with a bow and arrow. Katelinn asked her if she had killed it by running it over with her van! Amy pulled up to the drive through window at the bank and Riley, 2, yelled out, "I want chicken nuggets and fries please!" -- Donna Kensky of Fort Wayne, Indiana `-)))/))) (((((\( )/)\)\\ ,//(((((\\. ((( (! !) ))) "bAd hAIr dAy" _))) - |(_ ._//\ O /\\_. `-'_/`,-.'\-`- ,' \/===\/ `. hjw Dorrie couldn't figure out why her adorable 2-year-old granddaughter Lydia was pulling her curly blonde hair this way and that way, exclaiming, "My hair is broken! My hair is broken!" Then Dorrie realized, don't we always say, "Come let me fix your hair!" -- Grandma Dorrie of Massachusetts Tamara went into Lauren's room one recent morning to wake her up. Tamara was patting her back, talking to her, tickling her and such to get her to wake up. Lauren, 10, was lying on her stomach with her eyes closed. Then Lauren reached out her arm and started poking Tamara in different places with her finger. Tamara asked her what she was doing. Lauren said, "I'm looking for the snooze button!" -- Tamara of Lancaster, Pennsylvania Instead of always telling their children what to do, Kathleen's son and daughter-in-law give their children two choices. One evening Alex wanted everyone to watch the video he chose. But it was his brother's turn to pick, so his mother asked, "Alex, do you want to watch Achille's video or go to bed?" He didn't answer. His mother asked him the question again. He still didn't answer. Finally his mother said, "Alex, if you don't answer this question, I am going to have to send you to bed." He thought really hard for a moment and then asked her, "Can I have another question?" -- Kathleen McDade of Denver, Pennsylvania (*) (*) (__) ^ ^ (__) (oo) | | | @(oo)@ [..] | = | [..]@@ \ | U (-) | | | | (-) U @@@@ || ==<_\=====/_|______=_____|=|____________=__|____\====/_>== || || ) |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| ( || ||___)==||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||==(___|| |\====| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| |====/| | \ | | | | / | = * = = = = * = candlelight dinner cfbd Anne went out to dinner with her step daughter and son-in-law and their two children. The youngest, Rylie, 5, asked Anne if she was her aunt and Anne replied, "No, I'm your grandmother because I'm married to your grandfather." Rylie replied, "You can't be my grandmother. You aren't old enough!" -- Anne of Cherry Valley, Illinois JoAnne's husband passed away in November 2003. The following June JoAnne took her daughter who was 11 and son Brian who was 7 to Disney World. It was their first ever airplane trip. Brian had a window seat. He was fascinated as they were taking off. When the plane got above the clouds he said, "Hey Mom! I think I can see Daddy over there watching us!" -- JoAnne Johnson of Blackwood, New Jersey Natalie, 5, told her father, "I'm lucky." When Matt asked her why she's lucky she said, "Because when I was a little baby inside Mommy's tummy I always wanted a daddy just like you -- handsome and with glasses!" -- Matt Getts of Kendallville, Indiana __ _ | | Yye |_| |--| .---. e AA | | | | /.--./\ e A // || \/\ e A //|/|| |\/\ aa a |\o/ o/-- ///|\|| | \/\ . ~o \.'\.o' //|\|/|| | |\/\ . /.` \o' //\|/|\|| | | \/\ ( ( . \o' __ __ _//|/|\|/|| | | |\/`--' ' __/__/__//|\|/|\|| | | | `--' |\|/|\|/|\|/|\|/|| | | | | RG +a:f Here's another one from Matt. When they were at SeaWorld in Florida Natalie was fascinated by the roller coaster and all its screaming passengers. Matt asked her if she'd like to go on the roller coaster, and she said no, it would be too scary. "Would you go on it with Daddy?" Matt asked. Natalie said emphatically, "No, it would be too scary!" After a minute or two of thought she said, "Maybe... MAYBE if Jesus came with me I'd ride on it!" Nolan, 4, was "helping" his mom Lisa with the dishes when she asked him who's birthday would be next week. He replied, "Yours, Mom." And he was right. Then she asked him how old she would be and he replied "33, Mom, and that's old." Well of course Lisa didn't like that very much so she asked him if she LOOKED old and he replied, "No, but you will when you are 33??? just like Daddy." -- Lisa Billingsley of Scaly Mountain, North Carolina Jacob, 3, was watching Cathy cook breakfast. He said, "I don't eat bacon but I'll look at it." Cathy laughed and said, "You are already full of bologna." Jacob replied, "I didn't eat any bologna so I'm not full with it." -- CathyYoungblood (grandmother of Jacob) of Carthage, Texas ,-----. W/,-. ,-.\W ()>a a<() (.--(_)--.) ,'/.-'\_/`-.\`. ,' / `-' \ `. / \ / \ / `. ,' \ / / `-._.-' \ \ ,-`-._/| |=|o |\_.-< <,--.) |_____| |o____| )_ \ `-)| |// _ \\| )/ || |' | `| || | | | || ( )|( ) || | | | || | | | || |_.--.|.--._| || /'""| |""`\ [] `===' `===' hjw As the family was going to the dining room for a meal, Grandpa lost his balance and fell over the chair arm into his recliner. Into the stunned silence came the voice of Erin, 5, "Well, that's something you don't see every day!" -- Marcia Gilbert (grandmother of Erin) of San Antonio, Texas Kyle, 11, and his mother Christal went to see a movie during the day, as he was out of school. Some of the buildings in the strip mall where the movie theater is were being torn down, rebuilt or remodeled. Kyle looked out the window, pointed to a building being torn down, and said, "I guess that's what happens when you don't pay your rent!" He'd been hearing so much lately on the news about how people are losing their jobs, homes and businesses, that Kyle thought that was what it meant to "lose your business." -- Christal Bricker of Colorado Springs, Colorado The Brickers have been "summer cleaning" for over a week. They are going through every nook, cranny, box, etc., to get rid of things they don't need and finish the construction projects. They made it up from the basement to the main floor where they are scrubbing everything. Caitlin, 17, scrubbed the refrigerator and it looked amazing. Kyle, 11, came in and said, "WOW Caitlin! Our refrigerator looks brand new!" Caitlin said, "Yes, it's like having a new refrigerator without the new refrigerator payment!" ___________________________ ______/ /____ |__|__| |__|__| _|__|_|\\ () |_|__|_ |__|__| [] ( ) * |__|__| _|__|_| * ( ( () ( ) ) |_|__|_ |__|__| ( \\\\()////( ) |__|__| _|__|_| ( ) ( ( ( oo oo ) ( )) |_|__|_ |__|__| ( () () \-/ \-/( ) ())|__|__| _|__|_|(___)____(____(____)____)|_|__|_ |__|__|| ||__|__| _|__|_|| ||_|__|_ |__|__||_______________________||__|__| /_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ /_/_/_/_/_/_###########_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_ /_/_/_/_/_/_###########_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_ JRO_/_/_/_/_###########_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ Amelia, 2, came to see her grandmother's new house. When she saw the jacuzzi tub in the master bath, she excitedly exclaimed, "A poool!!" -- Amy Morris (grandmother of Amelia) of Brunswick, Georgia Stacy was driving in their van one day when Luke, 7, said, "Mom, do you have life insurance?" Startled, she asked, "What?!" He continued, "Well, do you have insurance?" She said, "Well, yes I have insurance on you guys and insurance so that if anything happened I know you would be taken care of." Marc, 5, said, "Mom, I don't want you to die." Stacy said, "I don't want to die either but that's part of life. Everything is temporary. No matter what it is, it will go away eventually." Luke agreed. "Yes," Luke said, "everything is temporary EXCEPT for permanent marker!" -- Stacy Fry of Kendallville, Indiana ========================================================== .---. .---. ,';' `.';' `.. f :Bo. ` d88: `\ /d88P' `\ ; /d888P' `. ',d8&8P' : ;d8&7' | :8: | qx >-->God Hath Promised God hath not promised Skies always blue, Flower-strewn pathways All our lives through; God hath not promised Sun without rain, Joy without sorrow, Peace without pain. But God hath promised Strength for the day, Rest for the labor, Light for the way, Grace for the trials, Help from above, Unfailing sympathy, Undying love. Annie Johnson Flint, 1866-1932 American Teacher and Poet >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->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? 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