Happy 4th Of July Weekend ... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList Through no fault of my own we suddenly became an adult club in the love and romance directory so you will have to confirm that you are an adult when you go here. I still have no idea how to change this back as it sends me around in a circle when I try! or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! ================ "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ .-"""-. , (_ _ \ /| ____ _ )= `) ) ,"";, |(| ()___>===(()====( ( (//``;\\ (| ||~\__ `) ( ) ;|| || `==\--`.-; ;|| \\ / |`-._, ;\\ , `---;` / `._`\\ ,/| >~~~~`._ `"` |(| / ' `""---.....___ (| | '. ' _ . ``\ \ '-. '- . _ / \ '. - ._`\ '. '. '-.. _/ jgs '._ - ._ _/ `-..__ .-'` `"'""` *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels For 2011 *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a 2011 Shangrala Angel, please visit the site and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL page comes up. Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS ALL OUR ANGELS MOST ABUNDANTLY! ================ .-"""""""-. .' __ \_ / / \/ \ | \_0/\_0/______ |:. .' oo`\ |:. / \ |' ; | | |:.. . \_______ | |::.|' , \,_____\ / |:::.; ' | . '| ====)_/===;===========;() |::; | | ; ; | | # # # #:::::: /::::.|-| |_|-|, \ # # # #:::::: /'-=-'` '-' '--'\ # # # #:::::: jgs / \ # # # #:::::: # # # # # # # H A P P Y # # # # # # # # # # # # # # F O U R T H O F J U L Y # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # *~* Wishing You A Happy, Safe, And Blessed Holiday 4th of July weekend! ================ >-->From Heartwarmers: Today's story is a little different because it focuses on Canada Day -- the holiday our friends and neighbors to the north celebrate on July 1. We will soon be celebrating 200 years of peace with Canada, after experiencing a brutal and bloody War of 1812 when America invaded Canada attempting to drive the British out of North America. But after the war, which defined our borders with Canada, we have been living as friends and allies ever since. So, thank you Canada for your friendship and partnership in defending democracy! .''. .''. . *''* :_\/_: . :_\/_: _\(/_ .:.*_\/_* : /\ : .'.:.'. .''.: /\ : /)\ ':'* /\ * : '..'. -=:o:=- :_\/_:'.:::. | ' *''* * '.\'/.'_\(/_ '.':'.' : /\ : ::::: = *_\/_* -= o =- /)\ ' * '..' ':::' === * /\ * .'/.\'. ' ._____ * | *..* : |. |' .---"| * | _ .--'| || | _| | * | .-'| __ | | | || | .-----. | |' | || | | | | | || | ___' ' /"\ | '-."". '-' '-.' '` |____ jgs~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ & ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ /| ejm97 ) ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ /|~ /_|\ _-H-__ -~-~-~-~-~-~ /_|\ -~======-~ ~-\XXXXXXXXXX/~ ~-~-~-~ /__|_\ ~-~-~-~ ~-~-~-~-~-~ ~-~~-~-~-~-~ ======== ~-~-~-~ ~-~~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ ~-~~-~-~-~-~ ~-~~-~-~-~-~ Happy Canada Day! >MIRACLE ON 42ND STREET by Michael Smith Many Americans will not be home to celebrate their July 4th holiday. Some are traveling or working abroad. Others reside in different countries. Many are in the armed forces, and voluntarily spend their holiday fighting and dying for the country they believe in. On July the 4th, their friends and families back home in the U.S. gather together. A grill is fired up. The smell of charcoal filters throughout their old neighborhoods. Their families gather to laugh -- grandfathers toss baseballs to grandsons, fathers tend to burning meat, and later, everyone stands under a dark sky to admire the fireworks that explode over their heads. At the end of the day, they walk hand-in-hand on their way home after a day of love and celebration. Those who aren't home feel lonely. They don't have a day off from work. It's business as usual where they are. There’s no one to wish them a happy July 4th. I know how they feel. On July 1st –- Canada Day, the Canadian equivalent of 4th of July -– I walked through our Lexington Avenuee office in Manhattan. I wished everyone I passed a happy Canada Day. Most people had heard of it, but they had no idea how important a day it is for their neighboring country. They didn't know Canada celebrated just as the USA does for Independence Day. I was working on a holiday I hold dear. I had no one to celebrate with. Back in my home country, the party was on. They celebrated. I worked. The work day came to a close. I dropped beneath the concrete jungle and followed the crowds to the "E" train of the New York Subway system. Beneath the streets, the platforms were hot and crowded. The 42nd street subway station is one of the largest in Manhattan. It spans several blocks beneath Times Square. It's a connecting point for five different subway lines. Above ground is the Metropolitan Authority bus station -- a huge complex for the major bus lines into and out of Manhattan. People jammed all around me. I felt sorry for myself- – alone on a New York subway station. I wanted to celebrate my country. A splash of red caught my eye. I turned to my right. Twenty feet down, a young woman stood by herself, waiting for the same train. She wore a jersey with a maple leaf on the front. I walked up to her. She had earphones plugged in her ear. I leaned close, "Happy Canada Day!" I said it loud enough to be heard over her music. I started to walk away. "Hey!" I heard behind me. I turned. She pulled her earphones out. "Are you Canadian too?" "I sure am!" I smiled. "No way! Are you kidding me? So am I!" Laura and I stood, chatted about our memories of Canada, and waited for our train. When it came, it was packed. "You know what?" I asked. "When the train is that packed, there is usually one close behind that’s empty. I'm going to wait." "You're right!" she said. "I'll wait too." We wanted the moment to last -- a few minutes of Canada on our day. The next "A" train arrived. It was practically empty. We stepped in, sat beside each other, and chatted for the next 133 blocks. Laura was a beautiful young girl from Toronto. She was in New York to study dance, music and singing. Her energy and love for her country was contagious. The heaviness in my heart vanished. I had a moment of Canada beneath the streets of New York City. At 175th street, I had to get off the train. I shook her hand. "Laura, thank you. I'll never see you again, but I want to thank you for making my Canada Day special." I stepped off and watched the subway pull away. As it disappeared into the tunnel, I thought to myself, "There goes my personal 'Miracle on 42nd Street.'" -- Michael Smith __________________________________________________ Michael lives in Idaho. He works as a project manager in the telecommunications industry. In his spare time, Michael writes inspirational stories. You can sign up to receive Michael's stories go at: http://tinyurl.com/ldjruh To read more of Michael's stories, click here: http://tinyurl.com/moud8u ==================================================================== >-->From CupO'Cheer: -=====- _..._ .~ `~. ,_ / } ,_\'--, \ _.'`~~/ \'--,_`{_,} -( '.`-.`\;--,___.'_ '._`/ |_ _{@} / ` |-';/ _ / \ / | _ {@}_ / '--;_ _ {@} _Y{@} _\ `\ {@}\Y/_{@} Y/ / |`-.___. / \Y/\|{@}Y/\|// ^^^jgs^^^`--`------'`--`^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >GRIEF Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. --Psalm 31:9 Author Edgar Jackson describes grief: "Grief is the silent, knife-like terror and sadness that comes a hundred times a day, when you start to speak to someone who is no longer there. "Grief is the emptiness that comes when you eat alone after eating with another for many years. "Grief is teaching yourself to go to bed without saying good night to the one who has died. "Grief is the helpless wishing that things were different when you know they are not and never will be again. "Grief is a whole cluster of adjustments, apprehensions, and uncertainties that strike life in its forward progress and make it difficult to redirect the energies of life." Few things are as painful as grief—especially when having to adjust to the loss of a spouse. Even though we all know that death will one day come to each one of us, we still can never be prepared enough to deal with the sense of loss and intense sadness that comes when death takes a loved one. If you are dealing with grief, then you can find healing in a grief recovery group through your local church, senior center, or hospital. There are others out there who have dealt with grief and mended from the loss of a loved one before. Begin searching for that person with whom you can share your thoughts, feelings, and tears. Finally and above all, seek healing in the arms of the Lord and His Word. It's only natural to ask Him "Why?" and "How come?" when someone we love passes away. But He is the ultimate Healer of our hearts and sovereign in His timing. PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to give you strength to take steps forward toward healing if you are experiencing grief. Pray that He would give you someone to share with in your journey. as seen in Daily Living For Seniors --- ...Also look for ways to help others. Volunteer to do something that you especially like. This will help take your mind off of your own sorrow and focus your mind on something upbeat and constructive. -<>- .-""-. _______ .-""-. .'_.-. | ,*********, | .-._'. / _/ / **` `** \ \_ \ /.--.' | | **,;;;;;,** | | '.--.\ / .-`-| | ;//;/;/;\\; | |-`-. \ ;.--': | | /;/;/;//\\;\\ | | :'--.; | _\.'-| | ((;(/;/; \;\);) | |-'./_ | ;_.-'/: | | );)) _ _ (;(( | | :\'-._; | | _:-'\ \(((( \ );))/ /'-:_ | | ; .:` '._ \ );))\ " /(((( / _.' `:. ; |-` '-.;_ `-\(;(;((\ = /););))/-` _;.-' `-| ; / .'\ |`'\ );));)/`---`\((;(((./`'| /'. \ ; | .' / `'.\-((((((\ /))));) \.'` \ '. | ;/ /\_/-`-/ ););)| , |;(;(( \` -\_/\ \; |.' .| `;/ (;(|'==/|\=='|);) \;` |. '.| | / \.'/ / _.` | `._ \ \'./ \ | \| ; |; _,.-` \_/Y\_/ `-.,_ ;| ; |/ \ | ;| ` | | | ` |. | / `\ || | | | || /` jgs `:_\ _\/ \/_ /_:' `"----""` `""----"` >PREACHING CHRIST In one of my preaching classes, I had to give several sermons in front of my peers and professor. The first sermon I preached was well-received and complimented. So, after the second sermon (from the Old Testament), I sat down arrogantly waiting to hear "the showers of blessings" and compliments about how well I had done. My professor, Greg Heisler from Southeastern Seminary, said, "Tyler, that message was passionate and challenging…but you made one huge mistake." He continued, "You could have preached that message in a Jewish synagogue or a Muslim mosque and [the congregation] could have said ‘Amen!' to everything you said. You never once mentioned Christ in your entire message." He left me with this challenge: "You need to be sure that every time you preach—even from the Old Testament—that if a Jew or Muslim were in the audience [he or she] would feel extremely uncomfortable." Remember, we are not simply theistic preachers; we are to be distinctly Christian preachers. --Tyler Scarlett as seen in The Timothy Report --- ...Teehee. Got a kick out of this one. It is why I often add 'in the name of Jesus Christ' to the pass-around prayers I get. I like reminding people that we serve the God and Father of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Not any other god. -<>- _..._ (,-'-,) / `"""` \ | /_ _\ | .--.\( _ )/.--. / .' '-...-' '. \ | / _/|\_ \ | / | -' \|/ '- | \ / \__..-'-..__/ \ ( / \ ) '-'._/ \_.'-' / \ ( ) jgs \ / `'-._____.-'` >LIFE IS FRAGILE Life is precious and so fragile, like a leaf blown in the wind; We know not what tomorrow holds for today our life could end. I can't worry about the future it's today that I must live; To make each moment count through the love that I can give. Little acts of kindness, a smile or a gentle touch May seem so insignificant but to that someone who is lonely they can mean so much! If I live each day as if it were my last day here on earth, And live like Jesus wants me to then my life will have some worth. My name won't be remembered for my fortune or my fame... But how I treated others when into my life they came. I would want to be remembered simply, as a child of God, Who served her Heavenly Father and in His footsteps trod! One who showed His love and compassion to all, not just a chosen few; Going that extra mile to lift up that one who is in need and share with them the hope God gives which makes each day brand new! And remember... God Loves You! And so do I... "One of God's Kids" - Helen Johnson --- ...This is a great poem by a great Lady. I always taught my children that life is fragile. God is the Creator of life. All the devil ever did or does is destroy. It is real easy to destroy something. The real challenge is in making it. -<>- __ {\ <__> {\ \ _)( _ { ~\ \ _______ //|! _.-'| {* \ \ <:<:<:>:> //||! | | { ~ * \ \(((//^^\ //|||! | () {* ~ \((((/ e e //||||! () { * ~ * |))))c o ) //|||||! {* * ////'_/~` //||||||! {~ * (((( `.`\ //|||||||! _ `{.~ ~ )))`\ \))_.-||||||! |`-._ _. `{ ~ *(() `\_.-'`|||||||! | | |=' `{.__.* `-*. ||||||||||! () | | .* ~ *.||||||||||! () () .*. * ~ *.|||||||||! .* . . *.||||||||! .* ~ * *.|||||||! .* * ~ *.\|||||! jgs .* ~ . *. `\|||! .* * . ~ * ~ *. :~~: ..* ~ * ~ *. .::::::. ~~* ~~* ~~* ~~* ~~* ~~* .::::::::::. ABC'S OF 'CHRISTIAN' LIFE [edited] A - Accept Accept others for who they are and for the choices they've made even if you have difficulty understanding their beliefs, motives, or actions. To each his or her own - no use fighting about it. B - Break Away Break away from everything that stands in the way of what you hope to accomplish with your life. Let God Guide your steps and be not tangled up by those who would snare you. C - Create Create a family of like-minded Christian friends whom you can share your hopes, dreams, sorrows, and happiness with and all grow stronger in God's Word. D - Decide Decide that you'll be successful and happy come what may, and God will make it happen for you. The roadblocks are only minor obstacles along the way that bive you an opportunity to become stronger in your Faith. E - Explore Explore and experiment. God though Jesus Christ has much to offer, and you have much to give. And every time you try something new in the Church, you'll learn more about yourself. F - Forgive Forgive and forget. Grudges only weigh you down and inspire unhappiness and grief. Soar above it, and remember that everyone makes mistakes. Forgive others as God for Christ's sake forgave you. G - Grow Leave the childhood monsters behind. They can no longer hurt you or stand in your way. Learn The Word, spread the Word, teach the Word. Give back to God and Jesus Christ what has been given to you. H - Hope Hope for the best and never forget that anything is possible as long as you remain dedicated to the task and believe in God through Jesus Christ. I - Ignore Ignore the negative voice inside your head. Focus instead on your goals and remember your accomplishments. Your past success is only a small inkling of what the future holds. Keep you Eyes on God and not on your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. J - Journey Journey to new worlds, new possibilities, by remaining open- minded with much prayer to God for wisdom and understanding. Try to learn something new every day, and you'll grow. K - Know Know that no matter how bad things seem, they'll always get better. Trust God - the warmth of spring always follows the harshest winter. L - Love Let the love of God fill your heart instead of hate. When hate is in your heart, there's room for nothing else, but when love is in your heart, there's room for endless happiness. M - Manage Manage your time and your expenses wisely, and you'll suffer less stress and worry. Then you'll be able to focus on the important things in life. Be a good overseer of what God has given you. N - Notice Never ignore the poor, infirm, helpless, weak, or suffering. Offer your assistance when possible, and always your kindness and understanding. Ask God for wisdom as to how best to help. O - Open Open your eyes and take in all the beauty around you. Even during the worst of times, there's still much to be thankful to God for. P - Play Never forget to have fun along the way. Success means nothing without happiness. Q - Question Ask many questions of God and Jesus Christ, because you're here to learn. R - Relax Refuse to let worry and stress rule your life, and remember that things always have a way of working out in the end when you put your trust and belief in God. S - Share Share your talent, skills, knowledge, and time with others. Everything that you invest in others will return to you many times over. As you give so shall you receive - it's a law. T - Try Even when your dreams seem impossible to reach, try anyway. You'll be amazed by what you can accomplish. If God brings you to it, then you most certainly are able to do it! U - Use Use your gifts to your best ability. Talent that's wasted has no value. Talent that's used will bring unexpected rewards. V - Value Value the friends and family members who've supported and encouraged you, and be there for them as well. W - Work Work hard every day to be the best person you can be for God and Jesus Christ, but never feel guilty if you fall short of your goals. Every sunrise offers a second chance. X - X-Ray Look deep inside the hearts of those around you and you'll see the goodness and beauty within. Y - Yield Yield to commitment to God. If you stay on track and remain dedicated, you'll find success at the end of the road. Z - Zoom Zoom to a happy place when bad memories or sorrow rears its ugly head. Let nothing interfere with your goals. Instead, focus on God and your abilities, your dreams, and making a brighter tomorrow. ~~unknown To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ============================================================ >-->From Our Friend PatDeE: .---. ___ /_____\ /\.-`( '.' ) / / \_-_/_ \ `-.-"`'V'//-. `.__, |// , \ |Ll //Ll|\ \ |__// | \_\ /---|[]==| / / \__/ | \/\/ /_ | Ll_\| |`^"""^`| | | | | | | | | | | | | L___l___J jgs |_ | _| (___|___) ^^^ ^^^ >Honoring or Veterans... When 2nd Lt. James Cathey's body arrived at the Reno Airport , Marines climbed into the cargo hold of the plane and draped the flag over his casket as passengers watched the family gather on the tarmac. During the arrival of another Marine's casket last year at Denver International Airport , Major Steve Beck described the scene as so powerful: 'See the people in the windows? They sat right there in the plane, watching those Marines. You gotta wonder what's going through their minds, knowing that they're on the plane that brought him home,' he said 'They will remember being on that plane for the rest of their lives. They're going to remember bringing that Marine home. And they should.' -+- The night before the burial of her husband's body, Katherine Cathey refused to leave the casket, asking to sleep next to his body for the last time. The Marines made a bed for her, tucking in the sheets below the flag. Before she fell asleep, she opened her laptop computer and played songs that reminded her of 'Cat,' and one of the Marines asked if she wanted them to continue standing watch as she slept. 'I think it would be kind of nice if you kept doing it,' she said. 'I think that's what he would have wanted'. -+- ======;===========;() #######:::::: #######:::::: #######:::::: jgs #######:::::: ############# ############# ############# ############# ############# ############# RED Fridays. Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing RED every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the 'silent majority' We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing. .---. .---. .---. .---. /_____\ /_____\ /_____\ /_____\ ( '.' ) ( '.' ) ( '.' ) ( '.' ) \_-_/_ \_-_/_ \_-_/_ \_-_/_ .-"`'V'//-. .-"`'V'//-. .-"`'V'//-. .-"`'V'//-. / , |// , \ / , |// , \ / , |// , \ / , |// , \ / /|Ll //Ll|\ \ / /|Ll //Ll|\ \ / /|Ll //Ll|\ \ / /|Ll //Ll|\ \ / / |__// | \_\ / / |__// | \_\ / / |__// | \_\ / / |__// | \_\ \ \/---|[]==| / / \ \/---|[]==| / / \ \/---|[]==| / / \ \/---|[]==| / / \/\__/ | \/\/ \/\__/ | \/\/ \/\__/ | \/\/ \/\__/ | \/\/ |/_ | Ll_\| |/_ | Ll_\| |/_ | Ll_\| |/_ | Ll_\| |`^"""^`| |`^"""^`| |`^"""^`| |`^"""^`| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | L___l___J L___l___J L___l___J L___l___J |_ | _| |_ | _| |_ | _| |_ | _| jgs (___|___) (___|___) (___|___) (___|___) ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -- and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar, will wear something RED. By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of RED much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once 'silent' majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on. The first thing a soldier says when asked 'What can we do to make things better for you?' is .'We need your support and your prayers.' Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear something RED every Friday. IF YOU AGREE -- THEN SEND THIS ON. IF YOU COULDN'T CARE LESS -- THEN HIT THE DELETE BUTTON. BET YOU DON'T! YOU MIGHT WANT TO PASS THIS ON, AS MANY SEEM TO FORGET BOTH OF THEM. The world is a dangerous place not because of people who do evil, but because of good people who look on and do nothing about it. - Albert Einstein Leonardo DaVinci wrote: He who does not punish evil commands it to be done. --- ...Very nicely Said! Thank You PatDeE! =============================================================== >-->From Our Friend Linda :) .---. /_/ \_\ ,;;;, ( '>') (((( )) \ -/ ('<' ))) )-(_ \= ((( / `-\'--.)_())) | \ |--./--' \ |\ \;_ /\\_ / | |_\___|_/) / / / | / /_/\ \ || | ((( | | || | | | || | | | || |_____| | || || | jgs |__||_ ||_| (___)_) ((_/Y >The Rain It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am. I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound. While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease. As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now. I was surprised, and asked him, 'And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?' ____ _[____]_ ( '7') __)(^_ She doesn't know me... / ,C^D,\ / /||:||\\ \ \|/:\|// `\\~~~|/ ,##\7|\ \ |#| \ \ |#| / / jgs |#|/_/ |#|\ \ (#_\`' He smiled as he patted my hand and said, 'She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is.' I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, 'That is the kind of love I want in my life.' True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be. The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have. 'Life isn't about how to survive the storm, But how to dance in the rain.' --- ...Very Sweet! Thanks Linda! ============================================================= ,;;;;;;;;;, /////////\\\\ |// __ __ \\| \/=(_o)^(o_)=\/ (_ (___) _) \ \_____/ / `-._ _.-' __.-)_(-,__ ./' \_\_/_/ `\. / > | //\ | < \ / \ | |/| | / \ / |\ | |/| | /| \ / /| \ | |/| | / |\ \ ( ( | \| |/| |/ | ) ) \ \| Y |/| Y |/ / \ | o| |/| |- | / `\ | | `^` | | /' `| o|=[Ll=|- |' | / \ | ~~|` \ `|~~ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |____|____| / / \ \ jgs / / \ \ `---' `---` >A Friend in a Stranger Story Editor: by Bonny Yegon Joyce Schowalter Kenya In April of 2001, I was pick-pocketed in Nairobi, Kenya, and I lost not only a very expensive phone but also all my contacts. I reported the matter to the police station because I knew my phone had a phone tracker and could be tracked. The police were not really very helpful, since they told me that they would recover the phone and keep it as court evidence and I might never get the phone back. They gave me some paper work to take to my service provider to begin tracking my phone. I reacted by giving up the process, and bought another phone. One month later, the police informed me that my phone had been tracked to Tanzania, a neighbouring country, and they were waiting for my go ahead to begin recovery. I told them that I would not wish to proceed since I would not get my phone back. And more so, the time and money I would spend in court would be more than the phone. They persisted that they wanted to go ahead and even offered me the number of the present phone owner in case I wanted to try it out. I called the phone number and was surprised to get a very innocent college girl who had been given the phone by a friend as a gift. She was so concerned to learn that the phone was being tracked by the police, and promised to send it back. I was very skeptical and offered to withdraw the case from the police and let her own the phone. She did not want anything to do with owning a stolen phone, because of her personal Christian beliefs, and insisted on sending it back. As a Kenyan who has fallen victim to pick-pocketing before I did not put my hopes up. But I gave the girl the authority to choose what to do and even offered to help her disable the phone tracker. One weekend I was surprised to get a call from her that she had sent me the phone and wanted nothing from me in return -- not even the amount she spent on sending it. I did not know people like her still exist, and she changed my way of looking at people. I might not be able to repay her, but I hope I will one day get a chance to help someone out, too. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From SermondFodder: ,---,_ , _> `'-. .--'/ .--'` ._ `/ <_ >,-' ._'.. ..__ . ' '-. .-' .'` `'. '. > / >`-. .-'< \ , '._\ / ; '-._> <_.-' ; '._> `> ,/ /___\ /___\ \_ / `.-|(| \o_/ \o_/ |)|` jgs \; \ ;/ \ .-, )-. / /` .'-'. `\ ;_.-`.___.'-.; >Literary Quotes "I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it." - Mark Twain "I feel so miserable without you, it's almost like having you here."-Stephen Bishop "A modest little person, with much to be modest about." - Winston Churchill "I've just learned about his illness. Let's hope it's nothing trivial."- Irvin S. Cobb "I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure."- Clarence Darrow "He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary." - William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway) "Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I'll waste no time reading it." - Moses Hadas "He is not only dull himself, he is the cause of dullness in others." -Samuel Johnson "He had delusions of adequacy." - Walter Kerr "I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it." - Groucho Marx "He has the attention span of a lightning bolt." - Robert Redford "They never open their mouths without subtracting from the sum of human knowledge." - Thomas Brackett Reed "He loves nature in spite of what it did to him." - Forrest Tucker "His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork." - Mae West "Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go." -Oscar Wilde "He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends." -Oscar Wilde "He has Van Gogh's ear for music." - Billy Wilder -<>- .--.-,-.-.-,-.--. | \ / | | \ / | | .===,=,===. | _/\_; .-'`^`'-. ;_/\_ ( /` /_________\ `\ ) | | |===========| | | | | | | | | | | | , | | | | | ;_{_________; | | | |/===`>========\| | | ;-._<`________.-; | | | | U | | | / | |___________| | \ | | |jgs | '-------------------------' >Things Parents Can Make Sure Their Kids Experience A delightful book came to me last year titled, 101 Things Every Kid Should Do Growing Up. What would you put on such a list for your children? Have a book read to them every night for bedtime? Go to the circus? Have a pet? The author, Alecia T. Devantier, has come up with a list of things that not only provide ideas for lots of activities for this summer, but also can give parents an idea-list of things they can try or initiate if they've run out of ideas. Parents who are involved with their children give their kids many benefits: love, stability, time together. ... Each of these items has a full page of explanation and additional "how to" in the book, but standing by themselves, makes a great reminder list of things to make sure you give your kids - in the way of experiences: 1. Every kid should go outside at dusk and stay there until it's dark, watching the stars come out. 2. Every kid should camp in the backyard. 3. Every kid should write a thank you note of gratitude to a relative or teacher. 4. Every kid should eat homemade ice cream on a hot summer evening. 5. Every kid should do a "senior study." (Interview grandparents or other elderly person and write or make a video about it.) 6. Every kid should take music lessons. (Some might argue with this, but the author includes suggestions for making homemade instruments-a good idea, too.) 7. Every kid should help bake a cake from scratch and then lick the frosting bowl. 8. Every kid should grow a vegetable garden. 9. Every kid should build a sand castle in the summer and a snow fort in the winter. 10. Every kid should go on a factory tour. 11. Every kid should spend some time on a farm, even for a short visit. 12. Every kid should go to a fair, carnival or amusement park 13. Every kid should visit the place(s) where Mom and Dad grew up. It is a grounding experience to stand on the old home place with your kids and they can connect just a little with your stories, photos and memories. 14. Every kid should have a personal library card. Every summer it was a special treat to go sign up for the Summer Reading Club at the library and haul home as many books as their arms or my bag would hold. 15. Every kid should enjoy lazy summer days. Don't schedule every week full with camps and lessons. If you must work, plan some vacation days when everyone is just at home to be lazy or do things you dream up on the spur of the moment. 16. Every kid should experience the ocean. 17. Every kid should go to summer camp. 18. Every kid should be taught to believe in things that can't be seen. From Daily Wisdom To subscribe, mailto:dw-subscribe@lists.gospelcom.net The Sermon Fodder Guy Sermon_Fodder-owner@yahoogroups.com ================================================================== >-->From Archived InspiredBuffalo: ( (_) ### . (#c __\|/__ #\ wWWWw \ \-. (/. .\) /\ /`\/\ /\ |\/ \_) (_| `\.' ; ; `' ;`\ `\; ; . ;/\ `\; ; ;| \ ; .' ' ; / |_.' ; | /) ( ''._;/` | ' . ; |.-' .:) | | ( .' : | |,- .:: | | ,-' .;| jgs_/___,_.:_\_ [I_I_I_I_I_I_] | __________ | | || | | || | _| ||_|__|_|| |_ /=--------------=\ / \ | | >SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE "In God We Trust" is our national motto. (36 United States Code USC), Section 186) "In God We Trust" has been on our coins since 1863, even before it was our national motto. (31 USC, Section 5112(D)(1)) Our Pledge of Allegiance cites "one nation under God." Both state legislatures and United States Congress employ paid chaplains to pray at the opening of all sessions. All military branches of the United States government have paid chaplains. The inscription on the Liberty Bell cites Leviticus 25:10. "And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family." A portrait of Moses with the Ten Commandments hangs above the Speaker's chair in the United States Congress. (But this is illegal in our public schools and municipal government buildings.) It is shameful that the very institution which governs us and makes the laws are able to display the Ten Commandments but the citizens cannot. Does this form of government sound familiar? The Library of Congress (another government institution) has statues of the apostle Paul and Moses, and it has large inscriptions of Micah 6:8 and Psalms 19:1 prominently displayed. (Try pulling that off at the next high school football game.) "He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy rod?" Micah 6:8 "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork." Psalms 19:1 The Lincoln Memorial (Government property) has chiseled on it, "Judgments of the Lord are righteous." The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is dedicated to a soldier "Known but to God." There is a prayer room in Congress. (Go tell your local school board you want the same thing that "our" Government has....a prayer room. Better yet, ask the ACLU if they will either allow prayer rooms in our schools or fight to have the one in our Government removed... just for grins of course.) This has to be the best one yet. The very branch of our US Government which ruled against prayers at a high school football game opens the Supreme Court Session with the words, "God save the United States and this honorable court." They do this publicly, not privately. The United States Constitution refers to Jesus, stating the Constitution was signed in 1787 "in the year of our Lord." (Could the US Government explain which "Lord" they were referring to on this document, if not Jesus?) The United States Government has mandated "National Day of Prayer." (36 USC, Section 169(h)). (Think about that.... The very government which has ruled against public prayer at schools because of the misguided "Separation of Church and State" doctrine has mandated a "National Day of Prayer" -- by US Government Law!!) Separation of Church and State. Maybe it is the believers in the US who have been separated from the State. Has that ever happened in recent world history? Think about it. God Bless America! -<>- _ (_) <___> | |______ | |* * * ) | | * * (_________ | |* * * |* *|####) | | * * *| * | (________________ | |* * * |* *|####|##############| | | * * *| * | | | | |* * * |* *|####|##############| | |~~~~~~| * | | | | |######|* *|####|##############| | | |~~~' | | | |######|########|##############| | | | | | | |######|########|##############| | |~~~~~~| | | | | |########|##############| | | '~~~~~~~~| | | | |##########JGS#| | | '~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | | | | | | >The American Flag - a true story For our visitors from outside the USA please permit us a moment for us to remember our national heritage as we prepare to celebrate our national holiday of our Independence Day. ------------------------------------------------------------- You've probably seen the bumper sticker somewhere along the road. It depicts an American Flag, accompanied by the words "These colors don't run". I'm always glad to see this, because it reminds me of an incident from my confinement in North Vietnam at the Hao Lo POW Camp, or the "Hanoi Hilton," as it became known. Then a Major in the U.S. Air Force, I had been captured and imprisoned from 1967-1973. Our treatment had been frequently brutal. After three years, however, the beatings and torture became less frequent. During the last year, we were allowed outside most days for a couple of minutes to bathe. We showered by drawing water from a concrete tank with a homemade bucket. One day as we all stood by the tank, stripped of our clothes, a young Naval pilot named Mike Christian found the remnants of a handkerchief in a gutter that ran under the prison wall. Mike managed to sneak the grimy rag into our cell and began fashioning it into a flag. Over time we all loaned him a little soap, and he spent days cleaning the material. We helped by scrounging and stealing bits and pieces of anything he could use. At night, under his mosquito net, Mike worked on the flag. He made red and blue from ground-up roof tiles and tiny amounts of ink and painted the colors onto the cloth with watery rice glue. Using thread from his own blanket and a homemade bamboo needle, he sewed on stars. Early in the morning a few days later, when the guards were not alert, he whispered loudly from the back of our cell, "Hey gang, look here". He proudly held up this tattered piece of cloth, waving it as if in a breeze. If you used your imagination, you could tell it was supposed to be an American flag. When he raised that smudgy fabric, we automatically stood straight and saluted, our chests puffing out, and more than a few eyes had tears. About once a week the guards would strip us, run us outside and go through our clothing. During one of those shakedowns, they found Mike's flag. We all knew what would happen. That night they came for him. Night interrogations were always the worst. They opened the cell door and pulled Mike out. We could hear the beginning of the torture before they even had him in the torture cell. They beat him most of the night. About daylight they pushed what was left of him back through the cell door. He was badly broken; even his voice was gone. Within two weeks, despite the danger, Mike scrounged another piece of cloth and began another flag. The Stars and Stripes, our national symbol, was worth the sacrifice to him. Now whenever I see the flag, I think of Mike and the morning he first waved that tattered emblem of a nation. It was then, thousands of miles from home in a lonely prison cell, that he showed us what it is to be truly free. Condensed from a speech by Leo K. Thorsness, recipient of The Congressional Medal of Honor. --- ...Here's a poll for you... _ (_) |_________________________________________ |* * * * * |##########################| | * * * * *| | |* * * * * |##########################| | * * * * *| | |* * * * * |##########################| | * * * * *| | |* * * * * |##########################| |~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | |#########################################| | | |#########################################| | | |###################################JGS###| |~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | | | | | | | Opinion Do You Have a Problem With Public Officials Who Refuse to Recite the Pledge of Allegiance? The city council in Eugene, Ore., has voted down a proposal to say the Pledge of Allegiance before every meeting. (For more on Eugene and the City Council story, click here: http://tinyurl.com/6a9qo8e ) Do you have a problem with our public officials refusing to recite the Pledge of Allegiance? Vote here: http://tinyurl.com/6ffmrok -<>- .''. .''. *''* :_\/_: . :_\/_: . .:.*_\/_* : /\ : .'.:.'. .''.: /\ : _\(/_ ':'* /\ * : '..'. -=:o:=- :_\/_:'.:::. /)\*''* .|.* '.\'/.'_\(/_'.':'.' : /\ : ::::: '*_\/_* | | -= o =- /)\ ' * '..' ':::' * /\ * |'| .'/.\'. '._____ * __*..* | | : |. |' .---"| _* .-' '-. | | .--'| || | _| | .-'| _.| | || '-__ | | | || | |' | |. | || | | | | || | ___| '-' ' "" '-' '-.' '` |____ jgs~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dear Lord, as we observe our nation's Independence Day this July 4th, let us all consider Benjamin Franklin's statement, given in 1787 when the Continental Congress was deadlocked. He stood and addressed George Washington, saying: "Sir, we have not hitherto once thought of humbly appealing to the Father of Lights to illuminate our understanding. In the beginning of the contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible to danger, we had daily prayers in this room for divine protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard and graciously answered. ... Do we imagine that we no longer need His assistance? I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see in this truth, that God governs the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice,* is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? ... We have been assured that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.** -- I firmly believe this." ... Lord, forgive us our arrogance as a nation for thinking that we can survive our present or build a future without You. In The Name Of Jesus Christ, Amen. -<>- .:::. ':::' .: .:*~*:._.:*~*:.*.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. .:*~*:.*.:*~*:._.:*~*:.*.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. .:*~*:._.:*~*:.*.:*~*:._.: :. .:*~*:.*.:*~*:._.:*~*:.*.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. .:*~*:._.:*~*:.*.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. .:*~*:.*.:*~*:._.:*~*:.*.: :. .:*~*:._.:*~*:.*.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. .:*~*:.*.:*~*:._.:*~*:.*.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. .:*~*:._.:*~*:.*.:*~*:._.: :. .:*~*:.*.:*~*:._.:*~*:.*.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. .:*~*:._.:*~*:.*.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. .: :. .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. .: :. .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. .: :. .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. .: jgs .: .: .: >Hello, Remember me? Some people call me Old Glory, others call me the Star-Spangled Banner, but whatever they call me, I am your flag, the flag Of the United States of America. Something has been bothing me, so I thought I might talk it over with you- because it is about you and me. I remember some time ago, people would line up on both sides of the street to watch the parade, and naturally I was leading every one, proudly waving in the breeze. When your daddy saw me coming, he immediately removed his hat and placed it against his left shoulder so that his hand was directly over his heart-remember? And you, I remember, were standing there, straight as a soldier. You didn't have a hat, but you were giving the right salute. What happened ? I'm still the same old flag. Oh I've added a few more stars since you were a boy, and lot more blood has been shed since those parades of long ago. But now, I don't feel as proud as I used to feel. When I come down your street, you stand there with you hands in your pockets. you may give me a small glance, And the small children don't seem to know who I am. I saw a man take his hat off, then looked around didn't see anyone else so he quickly put it back on. Is it a sin to be patriotic today??? Have you forgotten what I stand for??? and where I have been Guadalcanal, Korea and Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan!!! Take a look at the memorial honors and see the names of those Americans who gave their lives to keep us free. When you salute me you are saluting them. Well it won't be long till I'll come down your street again so when you see me place your hand over your heart and I will salute you by waving back! -<>- >Links For Your Enjoyment: Marlene/ America will Stand/Happy 4th http://www.wtv-zone.com/summerhoosier3/html2/America-Will-Stand.html Where Was God? http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/where.html Dirty Sneakers http://www.buffaloschips.com/jdj.htm Dodge Viper VS Tzero Electric Car http://www.buffaloschips.com/89uy.htm Dog In Trance http://www.buffaloschips.com/t43e.htm Don't Eat While Driving http://www.buffaloschips.com/t54.htm Energy Star http://www.buffaloschips.com/gre3.htm Deep Sheep http://www.buffaloschips.com/Goldfish%20Sink.htm How Could You? http://www.buffaloschips.com/30706.htm Overseer http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/overseer.html Financial Stewardship http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/financialstewardship.html Attitude Is Everything 3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude3.html Believe In Your Dreams http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/dream.html Hero's Truck http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/herotruck.html Jesus Clinic http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/clinic.html Freedom Isn't Free http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/freedom.html Proud Of Our Troops 4 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/troops4.html Proud Of Our Troops 5 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/troops5.html Liberty Air Show http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/liberty.html LCS 2 USS Independence http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lcs2.html Aww Animals 4 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animals4.html Life's Little Oops 9 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/whoops9.html Visit our site at http://www.inspiredbuffalo.com If you are looking to join any of our other fine e-zines visit www.buffalosjokes.com ============================================================== .-"""""""-. .' __ \_ / / \/ \ | \_0/\_0/______ |:. .' oo`\ |:. / \ |' ; | | |:.. . \_______ | |::.|' , \,_____\ / |:::.; ' | . '| ====)_/===;===========;() |::; | | ; ; | | #######:::::: /::::.|-| |_|-|, \ #######:::::: /'-=-'` '-' '--'\ #######:::::: jgs / \ #######:::::: ############# H A P P Y ############# ############# F O U R T H O F J U L Y ############# ############# ############# >>> H A P P Y 4 T H O F J U L Y E V E R Y O N E <<< "The greatest lesson we can learn from the past... is that freedom is at the core of every successful nation in the world.” "Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigues of supporting it." - Thomas Paine (1737 - 1809) >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->BECOMING A CHRISTIAN HOW TO BE A CHRISTIAN! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 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 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 ************************************************************************