Happy 4th Of July! ... :) 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 ================ *~* Please Consider Giving To ShangralaFamilyFun.com The cost of the website has gone up dramatically due to the ever increasingly wonderful pages and photos being added each week to entertain you and our fellow Christian families. If every one would chip in $25 or more, we'd be good for the whole year! So Please - I need your help today! "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a Shangrala Angel, the easiest way to do that is through online giving. It is easy to use, and most of all, it is secure. Please visit the site, scroll down and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL form page comes up. NOTE: Paypal will generate a 'Quantity 1' and 'Price per item' form. Just ignore the price per item and put whatever it is you desire to give in there. With Paypal, you will have your normal receipt for your 'payment' donation in USD (United States Dollars). You can put a memo in there if you'd like. Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS YOU MOST ABUNDANTLY FOR YOUR GIFT! ================ .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. __, ,___) ______) ,_) ,_) _____),_) (--|__| _, _ _ (--|_ _ ,_-|-|_ _ |_ (--| | _| |(_||_)|_)(_| _| (_)(_)| | | | (_)| |(_)|(_| ( | | ,_| ( |_, | (__| ,_| .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. *~* Wishing You And Yours a Very Happy Blessed 4th Of July! Watch the greatest Fourth of July celebration in our Nation’s history. Americans will gather in Washington, D.C., for a celebration of our Nation’s independence on its 243rd birthday. Year after year, the Fourth of July is a patriotic reminder of the freedoms and opportunities this country has blessed us with. This year, President Donald J. Trump is inviting Americans to join him for a first-of-its-kind ceremony on the National Mall. “Our July 4th Salute to America at the Lincoln Memorial is looking to be really big,” President Trump wrote on Twitter today. “It will be the show of a lifetime!” Watch: President Trump’s “Salute to America” live at 6:30 p.m. ET https://tinyurl.com/yylysz8c -<>- >-->In The 'Shangy' News :) Our supporter at BudgetPetCare.com, is running an Exciting Offer on their Top Selling Products over the Summer Season - 10% off Store-wide & Free Shipping on All Orders! AND Here is an exclusive coupon code: FORTHJULY for 12% Extra Discount on Everything with free shipping! You know what that means don't you? If you have a cat it means you don't have to lug that heavy cat litter from the store home! And if you have a dog, well, forget about lugging that 50lb bag of food from the store home! Free shipping is the way to go for all your on-line purchases! You can still protect your sweet pets and save big time with this summer sale from them of buy one dose get one dose free. Be sure to check them out here... _ |\___/| \\ ) ( |\_/| || =\ /= )a a `,_.-""""-. // )===( =\Y_= / \// / \ `"`\ / / | | | \ | / / \ \ /- \ \ \ / || | // /` jgs_/\_/\_/\_ _/_/\_/\_/\_((_|\((_//\_/\_/\_/\_ Frontline for Cats: Buy 4 Get 4 Doses Free + Extra Discount & Free Shipping https://tinyurl.com/y35ypdn3 _=,_ o_/6 /#\ \__ |##/ ='|--\ / #'-. \#|_ _'-. / |/ \_( # |" snd C/ ,--___/ Advantage for Dogs: Buy Online Cheap Advantage For Dogs with Free Shipping in US https://tinyurl.com/y333x3p4 You may always safely click on any ads on our website and have fun checking all our many sponsors products and sale items out. You'll be helping out our web site with every purchase. Thank You! :) -<>- >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press This flaming hot new page is from our friend Linda. I was leery of this one and looked it up. Totally amazing what technology wizards are doing these days! Be sure to check this one out as well as the fun videos here too... &&& && && &&&&. &&& .&&&&& && &&& &&&&&&&&& &&&&&&&&& & &` && && .&&&&& &&&; &8 .&&&: && &` & && 8&& & `& && && .&_ oO_&.-.-. && ( __ -/--' &&~ .'-__-'& &&&~`'\`& &&&~` _& &&&&` && &&8&&&& &&&&&&& & &&&&&&& &&;&&&&&&& &&&&&&&&&& ~~~ .~~~~~ `&&&&&&&&& ~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~;!&&&&&&&&&&~/~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~\~~~~&/` \`~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ `~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ BP Is That A Bug? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/drones.html --- ...Awesome and amazing! Thanks Linda! -<>- An Updated Page: Our Friend LouiseAu sent us a video of one I thought we already had, but found the video on its page was no longer available so thankfully was able to replace it with the one she sent us. Be sure to check this out here... _ (_) |_________________________________________ |* * * * * |##########################| | * * * * *| | |* * * * * |##########################| | * * * * *| | |* * * * * |##########################| | * * * * *| | |* * * * * |##########################| |~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | |#########################################| | | |#########################################| | | |###################################JGS###| |~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | | | | | | | Nation's Tallest Flagpole! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/flagpole.html --- ...Wonderful video! Thanks LouiseAu! I appreciate you bringing this to my attention. No way I can keep up with all the videos coming and going! -<>- *~* We Had A Fabulous Month Of Caring And Sharing Last Month! * Please Be Sure To Visit And Share Our New Pages: Amazing Sinkholes! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/sinkholes.html The Look! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thelook.html Grizzly Bear Encounter! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/grizzlyencounter.html A look At Mars! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mars2.html * May God Super Bless All Our Contributors! Thank You! :) =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: _ (_) <___> | |______ | |* * * ) | | * * (_________ | |* * * |* *|####) | | * * *| * | (________________ | |* * * |* *|####|##############| | | * * *| * | | | | |* * * |* *|####|##############| | |~~~~~~| * | | | | |######|* *|####|##############| | | |~~~' | | | |######|########|##############| | | | | | | |######|########|##############| | |~~~~~~| | | | | |########|##############| | | '~~~~~~~~| | | | |##########JGS#| | | '~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | | | | | | >GOD BLESS AMERICA by Ron Gold She was "The Songbird of the South" -- the on-air host of three popular programs in Radio's Golden Age and one of the nation's three most admired women. She would eventually sell more than $7 million in Defense and War Bonds and be honored by every American President from Franklin D. Roosevelt to Ronald Reagan. He was America's favorite composer -- a Russian immigrant destined to create a personal empire by writing both the words and music for some of America's best-loved musical stage plays and movies. Their historic collaboration turned a rejected song from a World War I soldier show into a continuing charity fund-raiser, a professional hockey team's good luck charm, major league baseball's "stretch music", a new president's emotional sign-off statement and... America's second national anthem. In November of 1938, Kate Smith, America's favorite radio personality, wanted to sing a special song to recognize the twentieth anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I. Her manager, Ted Collins, asked America's favorite composer, Irving Berlin, to create a new song to honor the occasion. Berlin agreed and began writing, but nothing satisfied him. He then remembered a song he wrote when he was in the Army -- a tune the show's producers rejected for being "too much of a flag-waver". The song was "God Bless America". Berlin reviewed the song and made two changes in the lyrics. He rewrote "Stand beside her and guide her to the right with a light from above", changing the political words "to the right" to the non-political "thru the night". He also changed "From the green fields of Virginia to the gold fields in Nome" to "From the mountains to the prairies to the oceans white with foam". Miss Smith loved the song and sang it as her closing number on her November 10, 1938's "Kate Smith Hour". The new anthem was an immediate hit and the singer sang it on almost every broadcast through December 1940, when public performances of ASCAP songs were banned from the airwaves. The lyrics of "God Bless America" were inserted into the Congressional Record in a failed attempt to make the song our nation's new national anthem. The song was sung at both the Democratic and Republican conventions of 1940 and again, via a Kate Smith videotape, at the Republican Convention (which nominated George W. Bush) in 2000. President Bush ends most of his speeches saying the words: "God Bless America". In 1940, Irving Berlin established The God Bless America Foundation which assigned all royalties from his and Miss Smith's performances of the song to the Boy and Girl Scouts of America. In 1943, when Irving Berlin produced his WWII soldier show, "This Is The Army" at Warner Brothers Pictures, he included a scene featuring Kate Smith recreating her 1938 radio broadcast. Two decades later, National Hockey League officials noted that, while Philadelphia Flyers' fans were not duly respectful when "The Star Spangled Banner" was played, they were more attentive when the public address system played Kate Smith's recording of "God Bless America". Flyers' fans also noted that their team won most games when Kate Smith's record was played. On the opening day of the 1973 season, Kate Smith strode across a red carpet in Philadelphia and sang the song in person. The Flyers beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-0. At critical games throughout the season, Kate Smith was driven down from New York to perform "God Bless America". She performed the song the night the Flyers beat the Boston Bruins to win the Stanley Cup. Following the championship game, both teams lined up to shake her hand. The next season she sang it again when the Flyers retained the Stanley Cup, beating the New York Islanders. In 1987, the year after her death, Kate Smith was honored with a bronze statue, recognizing her as the Flyers' "good luck charm". Irving Berlin's "most important composition" has been constantly performed since the Twin Towers disaster on September 11, 2001. On our nation's "Second Day of Infamy", U.S. Senators sang "God Bless America" on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. Canadian singer Celine Dion performed America's "Second National Anthem" on a nationwide telethon: "America: A Tribute To Heroes" on September 21, 2001. And major league baseball officials ordered the song to be played during the seventh inning stretches of all their baseball games. Not a shabby resume for a song originally rejected as "too much of a flag-waver". -- Ron Gold ___________________________________________ Ron lives in West Orange, New Jersey. He enjoys writing inspirational stories, mostly about his youth. He is the creative director for two major motivational agencies. You can reach him by clicking here: mailto:outthinkresumes@aol.com You can see the lyrics of the song God Bless America, written in the hand of Irving Berlin, which was sent to Dwight D. Eisenhower on December 28, 1940, here: http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/images/at0067_1s.jpg ---------------------------------------------- .:::. ':::' .: .:*~*:._.:*~*:.*.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. .:*~*:.*.:*~*:._.:*~*:.*.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. .:*~*:._.:*~*:.*.:*~*:._.: :. .:*~*:.*.:*~*:._.:*~*:.*.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. .:*~*:._.:*~*:.*.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. .:*~*:.*.:*~*:._.:*~*:.*.: :. .:*~*:._.:*~*:.*.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. .:*~*:.*.:*~*:._.:*~*:.*.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. .:*~*:._.:*~*:.*.:*~*:._.: :. .:*~*:.*.:*~*:._.:*~*:.*.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. .:*~*:._.:*~*:.*.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. .: :. .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. .: :. .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. .: :. .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. .: jgs .: .: .: >STAND UP STRAIGHT I wrote this poem long before 9/11 happened. I had come to believe that people didn't have enough respect for the American flag and I am the most patriotic person you would ever want to meet. I am the American Flag And I have something to say, Please take time to listen As I speak to my country today, I was in the hands of my first President At Valley Forge in blood and snow, I was there when my nation was born, And I have watched her grow, With wilderness at her back And seas at her sides, And not one friendly nation To help her save her pride, This struggling infant orphan Survived through it all, And always the victor, Now she stands straight and tall, I have earned the right to speak And though most of you forget, Men have fought and died for me, In memory I see them yet, At Normandy, Iwo Jima, Pearl Harbor and Pork Chop Hill, Bravely these men fought for me, Until they fell and then lay still, I draped my honor over their caskets When they died for me, And wrapped them in my love, In deserts, tropics, and on the seas, I went with them to Korea, In Vietnam I flew, Always I came home again, And always I fly over you, Look proudly at my stars and stripes As over this land I wave, This land of hope and freedom, This land of the strong and brave, Salute me when you see me, Stand up straight and tall, I'm the one who saved your freedom, I answered when you called. -- Anita Burney __________________________________________ Anita says, "I am a retired printing and publishing consultant living in Topeka, Kansas. My hobbies are reading, writing poetry, and crocheting. I love living in America and have a great appreciation for our flag and the military people who defend it with their lives." __________________________________________ o /\ /::\ /::::\ ,a_a /\::::/\ {/ ''\_ /\ \::/\ \ {\ ,_oo) /\ \ \/\ \ \ {/ (_^____/ \ \ \ \ \ \ .=. {/ \___)))*) \ \ \ \ \/ (.=.`\ {/ /=; ~/ \ \ \ \/ \ `\{/( \/\ / \ \ \/ \ `. `\ ) ) \ \/ jgs \ // /_/_ \/ '==''---)))) >REMEMBER ME! I am your flag. Remember me? They still use me to start ballgames. They still use me to sign-off television stations. They still use me to drape caskets of American martyrs. I am your flag. Remember me? My endurance under fire inspired Francis Scott Key to scribe a new nation's anthem to an old British tune. I am your flag. Remember me? I was tearfully surrendered at Bataan and Corregidor. I share an ocean grave with brave sailors on the U.S.S. Arizona. I was raised to emotional heights at Iwo Jima. I am your flag. Remember me? Children pledge me their allegiance in school rooms. Immigrants still view me as the answer to their prayers; their dreams of freedom. I am home to the expatriate. I am your flag. Remember me? Patriots still rally by my colors. Rascals still hide behind my glory. Parades still start with me ... though they're fewer in number -- and not so well attended. I am your flag. Remember me? Betsy Ross tailored me from a dream. And in his Viet Cong cell, an Air Force Colonel named Dramesi stitched me in secret -- from parts of a white blanket, pieces of a blue jacket and strips from red underwear. I am your flag. Remember me? I fly proudly -- full time -- under God... from Pike's Peak and atop memorials in Massachusetts and Virginia. And from the U.S. Capitol -- and from the moon. I am your flag. Remember me? I am a fixture in our nation's embassies. And a concept in the hearts of freedom-loving people throughout the world. I am your flag. Remember me? I still create awesome shivers. I still inspire artists. And Olympic athletes. And great acts of heroism. I am your flag. Remember me? I am the picture of America. And I deserve to be remembered. I am your flag. Remember me! Today. Tomorrow. And forever. -- Ron Gold, Heartwarmer Gem =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Viv :) Nikita Khrushchev, 1959 Quote "We cannot expect the Americans to jump from capitalism to Communism, but we can assist their elected leaders in giving Americans small doses of socialism until they suddenly awake to find they have Communism." - Soviet Leader Nikita Khrushchev, 1959 --- ...Yeah, why we are concerned! Thanks Viv! -<>- .-"""""""-. .' __ \_ / / \/ \ | \_0/\_0/______ |:. .' oo`\ |:. / \ |' ; | | |:.. . \_______ | |::.|' , \,_____\ / |:::.; ' | . '| ====)_/===;===========;() |::; | | ; ; | | #######:::::: /::::.|-| |_|-|, \ #######:::::: /'-=-'` '-' '--'\ #######:::::: jgs / \ #######:::::: ############# H A P P Y ############# ############# F O U R T H O F J U L Y ############# ############# ############# >Happy 4th of July! I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC, FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL! For All of our other military personnel, where ever they may Be Please Support all of the troops defending our Country... And God Bless our Military who are protecting our Country for our Freedom. Thanks To them, and their sacrifices we can celebrate the 4th of July We must never forget who Gets the credit for the freedoms we have, of which we should be Eternally grateful. I watched the flag Pass by one day, It fluttered in the breeze. A young Marine Saluted it, And then he stood at ease.. I looked at Him in uniform So young, so tall, so proud, With hair cut square And eyes alert He'd stand out in any crowd.. I thought how many men Like him Had fallen through the years. How many died on foreign Soil How many mothers' tears? How many pilots' planes Shot down? How many died at sea How many foxholes were soldiers' Graves? No, freedom isn't free I heard the sound of Taps One night, When everything was still, I listened to the bugler Play And felt a sudden chill. I wondered just how many times That Taps had meant 'Amen,' When a flag had draped a Coffin. Of a brother or a friend. I thought of all the Children, Of the mothers and the wives, Of fathers, sons and Husbands With interrupted lives. I Thought about a graveyard At the bottom of the sea Of unmarked graves in Arlington. No, freedom isn't free. Enjoy Your Freedom God Bless Our Troops When You receive this, please stop for a moment And Say a Prayer for our servicemen. Of all the gifts you could give A US Soldier, Prayer is the very best One. --- ...Amen! Thank you Viv! =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: "True individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence. People who are hungry and out of a job are the stuff of which dictatorships are made." -- Franklin D. Roosevelt -<>- ( (_) ### . (#c __\|/__ #\ wWWWw \ \-. (/. .\) /\ /`\/\ /\ |\/ \_) (_| `\.' ; ; `' ;`\ `\; ; . ;/\ `\; ; ;| \ ; .' ' ; / |_.' ; | /) ( ''._;/` | ' . ; |.-' .:) | | ( .' : | |,- .:: | | ,-' .;| jgs_/___,_.:_\_ [I_I_I_I_I_I_] | __________ | | || | | || | _| ||_|__|_|| |_ /=--------------=\ / \ | | >Happy Birthday, America Happy 4th of July (United States of America's Independence Day). Celebration of our Freedom! "Ragged Old Flag" By John R. Cash (C) 1974 House of Cash, Inc. I walked through a county courthouse square, On a park bench an old man was sitting there. I said, "Your old courthouse is kinda run down." He said, "Naw, it'll do for our little town." I said, "Your old flagpole has leaned a little bit, And that's a Ragged Old Flag you got hanging on it." He said, "Have a seat," and I sat down. "Is this the first time you've been to our little town?" I said, "I think it is." He said, "I don't like to brag, But we're kinda proud of that Ragged Old Flag. "You see, we got a little hole in that flag there when Washington took it across the Delaware. And it got powder-burned the night Francis Scott Key Sat watching it writing Say Can You See. And it got a bad rip in New Orleans With Packingham and Jackson tuggin' at its seams. "And it almost fell at the Alamo Beside the Texas flag, but she waved on though. She got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville And she got cut again at Shiloh Hill. There was Robert E. Lee, Beauregard, and Bragg, And the south wind blew hard on that Ragged Old Flag. "On Flanders Field in World War I She got a big hole from a Bertha gun. She turned blood red in World War II. She hung limp and low by the time it was through. She was in Korea and Vietnam. She was sent where she was by her Uncle Sam. "She waved from our ships upon the briny foam, And now they've about quit waving her back here at home. In her own good land here she's been abused -- She's been burned, dishonored, denied, and refused. "And the government for which she stands Is scandalized throughout the land. And she's getting threadbare and wearing thin, But she's in good shape for the shape she's in. 'Cause she's been through the fire before And I believe she can take a whole lot more. "So we raise her up every morning, take her down every night. We don't let her touch the ground and we fold her up right. On second thought, I do like to brag, 'Cause I'm mighty proud of that Ragged Old Flag." Happy Birthday America! Johnny Cash - Ragged Old Flag (Audio) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfzJ8UBr-c0 -<>- >Passing the Dream By Penny Caldwell She sat on the bench, feeding the birds. Just throwing crumbs, not saying a word. I sat down with my beads and braids, Proclaiming what a mess her generation had made. I spoke of poverty, and the war in 'Nam. What is the use of going on? She replied softly: "All my life, I have worked for change. Today, I give you my dream. You can make a difference, with the small things you do. The future is entirely left to you. If things go wrong and you feel down, Open your eyes and look around. Don't look for someone to blame. Search for an inspiration, to rise again. The changes you make may not always be seen. But perhaps you can give a child the chance to dream. So get to work, and maybe find A small solution to help humankind. All my life, I have worked for change. Today I give you my dream." Today I decided to take a walk. I passed a teen loudly playing his boom box. He turned his music down low And we chatted for a minute or so. He spoke of the homeless, and the streets filled with crime. Couldn't my generation have found the time To ease some of this discord By feeding the hungry, and housing the poor? I replied softly: "All my life, I have worked for change. Today, I give you my dream. I hope you make our world a better place. But you must work diligently; just keep pace With the changes and dreams of the generation to come. But with a little luck, a small battle may be won. Someday, we will merge. And in time you will be The older generation looking back to see How you have answered all these questions you ask. Fixing tomorrow is now your task. All my life, I have worked for change. Today, I give you my dream." -<>- ..::''''::.. .:::. .;'' ``;. .... ::::: :: :: :: :: ,;' .;: () ..: `:::' :: :: :: :: ::. ..:,:;.,:;. . :: .::::. `:' :: .:' :: :: `:. :: '''::, :: :: :: `:: :: ;: .:: : :: : : :: ,:'; ::; :: :: :: :: :: ::,::''. . :: `:. .:' :: `:,,,,;;' ,;; ,;;, ;;, ,;;, ,;;, `:,,,,:' :;: `;..``::::''..;' ``::,,,,::'' >LIFE AT THE POOL By: Joseph J. Mazzella I used to love to swim as a boy. My home was just a short walk away from the local pool and I used to spend most of my Summer days there. I would head out early with just my trunks and a towel. I always got there before it opened and then stayed until closing time. It was four hours of pure joy. I loved to dive in that cool, clean water. I would swim, splash, play games with my friends, talk, laugh, and only dry off during the breaks. I always walked home in the evenings with a smile on my face too. As a boy I thought Summertime at the pool was about as good as life could get. There were some people who came to the pool that I never could understand, however. They would show up everyday carrying around and watching over these huge, heavy bags full of stuff. They would be all dressed up in fancy swimsuits. That always had on hats, sunglasses, and sandals. They would cover themselves in lotion but then sit in the shade of umbrellas. They spent most of their time near their bags, sitting in chairs, and watching other people swim. If they did dive in the pool it was only for few minutes before retreating back to their stuff. I often wondered why they even came to the pool at all. Sometimes I think that life at the pool is a lot like life in general. Some people spend so much time carrying around and worrying about their stuff that they hardly get to swim at all. They just sit in the shade and watch their bags while everyone else soaks up the sun and delights in the day. Don't become one of them. Life is for living not for sitting with your stuff. Dive deep into God's love today. Swim all day long in joy. Play, love, laugh, and celebrate life with everyone around you. Make everyday of your life as good as it can get and help others to do the same. I want you to walk home to God with a smile on your face, because the bag isn't coming with you. -<>- >Weeping Willow RONNIE LEVINER COPYRIGHT©2004 Oh weeping willow come cover me Our lives may be as one This sadness in the days I've known And hope for setting sun As you at times seem gracefully To bow before the wind And yet stand tall in heat of day Though your limbs may bend So help me now I ask of you That I may learn your way For long as we both shall weep Beneath your bowing wings I'll stay Oh weeping willow now I know That God made you for me To show me I can stand These things I plainly see Now I am in storms of life Standing tall I can be His Word come in light of day Through the weeping willow tree -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Patriot Fire/Rescue/Transport! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/patriot.html Chevy: American Pride!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/chevypride.html Bleed America!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bleed.html Freedom Isn't Free!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/freedom.html Hero! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/hero.html Angels Are Watching http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/angelswatching.html Humorous Ads http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/humorad.html Proud of our Troops 6!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/troops6.html Awww Animals 1 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animals.html Military Dogs!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/militarydogs.html Liberty Air Show!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/liberty.html Jacob's US Flag!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/jacobsflag.html Fighter Aircraft!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/fighteraircraft.html Kilroy Was Here!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kilroywashere.html Angel Wing Decoys!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/angel.html USA 9/11 AND TROOPS INDEX!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/911andtroopsindex.html SUMMER INDEX!- http://www.shangralas.com/ -<>- Audio Seminars - Truth Matters https://www.truthortradition.com/audioseminars Pledge of Allegiance, word-by-word meaning explained by Red Skelton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJNL_rhGDq4 John w/ Happy 4th Of July http://heavens-gates.com/50s/puppylove/ JD Micals - The Ballad of The Green Beret https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIg2ZVf2aN4 God Bless the USA - Lee Greenwood https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD4RFjmlzcQ Mueller Caught Redhanded After Truth Exposed http://trk.cp20.com/click/g6v6-160ysb-k3cumh-b61d11g7/ MSNBC Host Says THIS Holiday Is A THREAT To America What else can you expect from fake news... http://trk.cp20.com/click/g6v6-15zcuk-k31oet-b61d11g7/ #AOCResign - AOC has really crossed all lines. https://conservativeunderground.net/2019/07/03/aocresign/ Trump THRASHES Democrats For Wasting America's Time It's sad how Democrats refuse to see the crisis... http://trk.cp20.com/click/g6v6-15zcuk-k31of6-b61d11g6/ Hillary EXPOSED By Russian Collusion Investigation Oh how the tables have turned for Hillary Clinton... http://trk.cp20.com/click/g6v6-15zcuk-k31oew-b61d11g0/ Disgraceful - No More NIKE: Nike BENDS Over BACKWARDS For Kaepernick Looks like Kaepernick calls the shots for Nike now... http://trk.cp20.com/click/g6v6-15w3yb-k2n1uh-b61d11g3/ Tucker Carson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4gTQQA-ULo El Salvador President BREAKS Silence, Liberals SPEECHLESS http://trk.cp20.com/click/g6v6-15w3yb-k2n1ua-b61d11g6/ WhiteHouseNews: https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600daily/ Latest From AFA: http://tinyurl.com/j7lakqw Students For Life https://tinyurl.com/yd5nxmu6 Latest From OperationRescue: http://www.operationrescue.org/ Latest Product Alert: Cauliflower, Zucchini, Sweet Potatoes, Pig Ears http://www.emergencyemail.org/products/?fmt=text Latest Health Alert: CDC Warns Parasites Found in Swimming Pools http://www.emergencyemail.org/health/?fmt=text -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) Take a look at the beauty of America as The Charlie Daniels Band sings their song “My Beautiful America” in this entertaining music video. The United States is a vast land and there are so many beautiful places to see. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2AEkfjc6-o --- ...Lovely! Thanks LouiseAu! 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 Sandi ============;===========;() # # # #:::::: # # # #:::::: # # # #:::::: # # # #:::::: # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # jgs # # # # # # # >From USFlag.org Francis Scott Key 1780-1843 Francis Scott Key was a respected young lawyer living in Georgetown just west of where the modern day Key Bridge crosses the Potomac River (the house was torn down after years of neglect in 1947). He made his home there from 1804 to around 1833 with his wife Mary and their six sons and five daughters. At the time, Georgetown was a thriving town of 5,000 people just a few miles from the Capitol, the White House, and the Federal buildings of Washington. But, after war broke out in 1812 over Britian's attempts to regulate American shipping and other activities while Britain was at war with France, all was not tranquil in Georgetown. The British had entered Chesapeake Bay on August 19th, 1814, and by the evening of the 24th of August, the British had invaded and captured Washington. They set fire to the Capitol and the White House, the flames visible 40 miles away in Baltimore. President James Madison,his wife Dolley, and his Cabinet had already fled to a safer location. Such was their haste to leave that they had had to rip the Stuart portrait of George Washington from the walls without its frame! A thunderstorm at dawn kept the fires from spreading. The next day more buildings were burned and again a thunderstorm dampened the fires. Having done their work the British troops returned to their ships in and around the Chesapeake Bay. In the days following the attack on Washington, the American forces prepared for the assault on Baltimore (population 40,000) that they knew would come by both land and sea. Word soon reached Francis Scott Key that the British had carried off an elderly and much loved town physician of Upper Marlboro, Dr. William Beanes, and was being held on the British flagship TONNANT. The townsfolk feared that Dr. Beanes would be hanged. They asked Francis Scott Key for his help, and he agreed, and arranged to have Col. John Skinner, an American agent for prisoner exchange to accompany him. On the morning of September 3rd, he and Col. Skinner set sail from Baltimore aboard a sloop flying a flag of truce approved by President Madison. On the 7th they found and boarded the TONNANT to confer with Gen. Ross and Adm. Alexander Cochrane. At first they refused to release Dr. Beanes. But Key and Skinner produced a pouch of letters written by wounded British prisoners praising the care they were receiving from the Americans, among them Dr. Beanes. The British officers relented but would not release the three Americans immediately because they had seen and heard too much of the preparations for the attack on Baltimore. They were placed under guard, first aboard the H.M.S. Surprise, then onto the sloop and forced to wait out the battle behind the British fleet. Now let's go back to the summer of 1813 for a moment. At the star-shaped Fort McHenry, the commander, Maj. George Armistead, asked for a flag so big that "the British would have no trouble seeing it from a distance". Two officers, a Commodore and a General, were sent to the Baltimore home of Mary Young Pickersgill, a "maker of colours," and commisioned the flag. Mary and her thirteen year old daughter Caroline, working in an upstairs front bedroom, used 400 yards of best quality wool bunting. They cut 15 stars that measured two feet from point to point. Eight red and seven white stripes, each two feet wide, were cut. Laying out the material on the malthouse floor of Claggett's Brewery, a neighborhood establishment, the flag was sewn together. By August it was finished. It measured 30 by 42 feet and cost $405.90. The Baltimore Flag House, a museum, now occupies her premises, which were restored in 1953. At 7 a.m. on the morning of September 13, 1814, the British bombardment began, and the flag was ready to meet the enemy. The bombardment continued for 25 hours,the British firing 1,500 bombshells that weighed as much as 220 pounds and carried lighted fuses that would supposedly cause it to explode when it reached its target. But they weren't very dependable and often blew up in mid air. From special small boats the British fired the new Congreve rockets that traced wobbly arcs of red flame across the sky. The Americans had sunk 22 vessels so a close approach by the British was not possible. That evening the connonading stopped, but at about 1 a.m. on the 14th, the British fleet roared to life, lighting the rainy night sky with grotesque fireworks. Key, Col. Skinner, and Dr. Beanes watched the battle with apprehension. They knew that as long as the shelling continued, Fort McHenry had not surrendered. But, long before daylight there came a sudden and mysterious silence. What the three Americans did not know was that the British land assault on Baltimore as well as the naval attack, had been abandoned. Judging Baltimore as being too costly a prize, the British officers ordered a retreat. Waiting in the predawn darkness, Key waited for the sight that would end his anxiety; the joyous sight of Gen. Armisteads great flag blowing in the breeze. When at last daylight came, the flag was still there! Being an amatuer poet and having been so uniquely inspired, Key began to write on the back of a letter he had in his pocket. Sailing back to Baltimore he composed more lines and in his lodgings at the Indian Queen Hotel he finished the poem. Judge J. H. Nicholson, his brother-in-law, took it to a printer and copies were circulated around Baltimore under the title "Defence of Fort M'Henry". Two of these copies survive. It was printed in a newspaper for the first time in the Baltimore Patriot on September 20th,1814, then in papers as far away as Georgia and New Hampshire. To the verses was added a note "Tune: Anacreon in Heaven." In October a Baltimore actor sang Key's new song in a public performance and called it "The Star-Spangled Banner". Immediately popular, it remained just one of several patriotic airs until it was finally adopted as our national anthem on March 3, 1931. But the actual words were not included in the legal documents. Key himself had written several versions with slight variations so discrepancies in the exact wording still occur. The flag, our beloved Star-Spangled Banner, went on view ,for the first time after flying over Fort McHenry, on January 1st,1876 at the Old State House in Philadelphia for the nations' Centennial celebration. It now resides in the Smithsonian Institution's Museum of American History. An opaque curtain shields the now fragile flag from light and dust. The flag is exposed for viewing for a few moments once every hour during museum hours. Francis Scott Key was a witness to the last enemy fire to fall on Fort McHenry. The Fort was designed by a Frenchman named Jean Foncin and was named for then Secretary of war James McHenry. Fort McHenry holds the unique designation of national monument and historic shrine. Since May 30th, 1949 the flag has flown continuously, by a Joint Resolution of Congress, over the monument marking the site of Francis Scott Key's birthplace, Terra Rubra Farm, Carroll County, Keymar, Maryland. The copy that Key wrote in his hotel September 14,1814, remained in the Nicholson family for 93 years. In 1907 it was sold to Henry Walters of Baltimore. In 1934 it was bought at auction in New York from the Walters estate by the Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore for $26,400. The Walters Gallery in 1953 sold the manuscript to the Maryland Historical Society for the same price. Another copy that Key made is in the Library of Congress. From: http://www.usflag.org/history/francisscottkey.html -<>- Sandi Writes: "I don't know if you have ever seen this before, but I think it is the best e-mail I have ever seen. It made me cry not for sadness, but to be so proud to be an American. Thank God for America and the people who gave it to us. Your friend, Sandi" .''. .''. *''* :_\/_: . :_\/_: . .:.*_\/_* : /\ : .'.:.'. .''.: /\ : _\(/_ ':'* /\ * : '..'. -=:o:=- :_\/_:'.:::. /)\*''* .|.* '.\'/.'_\(/_'.':'.' : /\ : ::::: '*_\/_* | | -= o =- /)\ ' * '..' ':::' * /\ * |'| .'/.\'. '._____ * __*..* | | : |. |' .---"| _* .-' '-. | | .--'| || | _| | .-'| _.| | || '-__ | | | || | |' | |. | || | | | | || | ___| '-' ' "" '-' '-.' '` |____ jgs~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >Star Spangled Banner as you may have never heard it told: Many of us have heard how Sir Francis Scott Key was inspired to pen The Star Spangled Banner but, we haven't been told the entire story. It's called revisionist history. Below is an audio clip which was sent to me via email and I play this many times on my show. I will provide the download link for other show hosts who would like to have the audio to air on their shows. The story behind the story will cause cranial fissures in the skulls of the anti-Americanists across this great country we call America. Good. The fewer of them around the better. http://www.snooperreport.com/ --- ...Thank You So Much Sandi! Definitely awe inspiring listening. In my mind's eye, I have an old black and white movie I watched as a child. I still get goose bumps as I remember the vision in the movie of the flag still flying! I shall never forget it! I see it every time our National Anthem is played. God truly has blessed America! May He Always Bless America! ========================================================== >-->From Laugh&Lift: "I don't believe that God chose you and blessed you so that you could heap those blessings up upon yourself. I believe God chose you... because He wants to make a difference in this world. And you know what? What I think is scary about God is He didn't come up with any 'plan B.' That He left the church here, and the church is the only group of people and the church is the only institution in the world that can bring about a change. This government cannot do it, so stop depending on the government. Educational systems cannot do it, so stop trusting educational systems. The church was chosen by God to make a difference...And you know what people?...You're gonna make a difference when you lay down your life, and in complete submission to God, choose to die with Him in service to other people." - Rich Mullins, the "Awesome God" guy ,sdPBbs. ,d$$$$$$$$b. d$P'`Y'`Y'`?$b d' ` ' \ `b / | \ \ / / \ | \ _,--' | \ | /' _/ \ | \ _/' /' | \ `-.__ __/' ,-' / | | \ `--...__ /' / | / \ \ `-. `\ / /;;,,__-' / / \ \ `-. / |;;;;;;;\ \ _|_ | /^\ /^\ /___\ /^\ \/^\ | # |__________ /^\/ \| | | # |__________\ . |_|/ | _ | # # # # | X | H | | >View from the Top (By Bayless Conley) I sometimes think Jesus views the Church much differently than we view the Church. In fact, there is a really alarming verse that points to this. It is Revelation 3:1, "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, 'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead." WOW! That was written to a church that on the outside looked like they had it all together! They had a reputation of being a living, vibrant church! People who saw them went to seminars to find out how they were doing it, and people applauded them for their success. But Jesus says, "You're dead!" The Knox Bible puts it this way, "How thou dost pass for a living man and all the while art a corpse." The Living Bible says, "I know your reputation as a live and active church, but you're dead." You see, activity is not synonymous with life. Sometimes people and churches that are decaying spiritually cover it up with activity. They are still "going through the motions," but there is really a spiritual decay eating away inside. People think they are doing great, but Jesus sees right to the heart of the matter, both in our individual lives and in the Church. May God keep you and me from being so mislead. May we look to Him always for our daily bread, recognizing and acknowledging that every blessing we possess, every stride of progress we make, is the result of His goodness and His grace alone. He is the One whose view really matters! ========================================================== .-~*~--,. .-. .-~-. ./OOOOOOOOO\.'OOO`9~~-. .`OOOOOO.OOM.OLSONOOOOO@@OOOOOO\ /OOOO@@@OO@@@OO@@@OOO@@@@@@@@OOOO`. |OO@@@WWWW@@@@OOWWW@WWWW@@@@@@@OOOO). .-'OO@@@@WW@@@W@WWWWWWWWOOWW@@@@@OOOOOO} /OOO@@O@@@@W@@@@@OOWWWWWOOWOO@@@OOO@@@OO| lOOO@@@OO@@@WWWWWWW\OWWWO\WWWOOOOOO@@@O.' \OOO@@@OOO@@@@@@OOW\ \WWWW@@@@@@@O'. `,OO@@@OOOOOOOOOOWW\ \WWWW@@@@@@OOO) \,O@@@@@OOOOOOWWWWW\ \WW@@@@@OOOO.' `~c~8~@@@@WWW@@W\ \WOO|\UO-~' (OWWWWWW@/\W\ ___\WO) `~-~'' \ \WW=*' __\ \ \ \ \ __\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \\ \\ \ \ >-->Awesome God by Rich Mullins Lyrics When He rolls up His sleeves He ain't just putting on the ritz (Our God is an awesome God) There's thunder in His footsteps And lightning in His fists (Our God is an awesome God) And the Lord wasn't joking When He kicked 'em out of Eden It wasn't for no reason That He shed His blood His return is very close And so you better be believing that Our God is an awesome God Our God is an awesome God He reigns from heaven above With wisdom, power, and love Our God is an awesome God Our God is an awesome God He reigns from heaven above With wisdom, power, and love Our God is an awesome God And when the sky was starless In the void of the night (Our God is an awesome God) He spoke into the darkness And created the light (Our God is an awesome God) Judgement and wrath He poured out on the Sodom Mercy and grace He gave us at the cross I hope that you have not Too quickly forgotten that Our God is an awesome God Our God is an awesome God He reigns from heaven above With wisdom, power, and love Our God is an awesome God Our God is an awesome God He reigns from heaven above With wisdom, power, and love Our God is an awesome God Our God is an awesome God He reigns from heaven above With wisdom, power, and love Our God is an awesome God Our God is an awesome God He reigns from heaven above With wisdom, power, and love Our God is an awesome God Our God is an awesome God (Our God is an awesome God) He reigns from heaven above (He reigns from heaven above) With wisdom, power, and love (With wisdom, power, and love) Our God is an awesome God Our God is an awesome God Our God is an awesome God Awesome God - Rich Mullins (Lyrics) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCkvGZy3kmQ >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->ShangyFunList AD RATES: $20 will get your a message (of up to 40 words) out to all self-subscribed readers and $5 more will give you the same message also put up for all web site readers. Email me to secure dates. Ad Request ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->This is for all you who love food and DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe ********************************************************************** >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 **********************************************************************