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 2 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 ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! AND For Facebook Users: Please Friend Me / Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND For Google Plus Users: You can find me here... Shangy Bigham https://plus.google.com/106648555948034085752/posts AND Please Share This email with All Your Friends And Family! ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! :) -<>- * NOTE: An easy way to adjust the size of print in email or any page is to hold down the Ctrl tab while moving the scroll button on the mouse. You can also use the keyboard to change the font size in your web browser or emails. Hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the + key for larger text or the - key for smaller text! ======;===========;() #######:::::: #######:::::: #######:::::: jgs #######:::::: ############# ############# ############# ############# ############# ############# *~* Wishing You A Happy, Safe, And Blessed 4th of July weekend! >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This flaming hot new page is from our friends Linda and Geniann. It is always refreshing to see a relatively worthless item recycled into something of worth. This artist not only does that but turns junk into valuable items of poise and beauty! Be sure to see what he does with old broken pieces here... ,=====,---. /=====/=====\ |=====|\=====; _j---j_|=====| /,-"0"-.\=====| // | \\====| ||9 o 3|D===| \\ `. //====| \`-.6.-'/=====| `j---j'|=====| |=====|/=====; \=====\=====/ `-----`---' hjw Recycled Watch Vehicles! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/watchart.html --- ...Amazing level of talent! Thanks Ladies! =========================================================== >-->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 be celebrating over 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 Avenue 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 Our Friend louiseA :) _ (\\ _ ___ .-"`"(\\ _.""` `"-. / ` `-._ _.-" `\__ 6 6) `-.__.-' `", / `;-` / , | () / /` | `---`"~``\ | \ | \ \ / / /`, , | | / / "-.| | | /' / / | /,__ | /`\ jgs / /' | / `"'\ ( \ __/ /' | | `\ \ \ \ / | | `\ \ \ `-,/ / | / |-"` `"""^^^ `^^""""` A former park ranger at Yellowstone National Park tells the story of a ranger leading a group of hikers to a fire lookout. The ranger was so intent on telling the hikers about the flowers and animals that he considered the messages on his two-way radio distracting, so he switched it off. Nearing the tower, the group was met by a nearly breathless lookout, who asked the ranger why he hadn't responded to the messages on his radio. A grizzly bear had been spotted stalking the group, and the authorities were trying to warn them of the danger. Is your "radio" turned off when it comes to God? Any time we turn out the messages God has sent us, we are put at peril, not only ourselves but also those around us. How important it is that we never turn off God's saving communication! --- ...Good lesson! Thanks LouiseA :) Always got to have our 'spiritual' ears tuned in! =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Bunni :) _____ (((\\\\\ )_ \\\| / \\|\/ \\( ), & \) ( (( |` \\ ))) _ | \` __| ` | , \ ` , \ | \ ,\ , \ ' \/ \_ \/ \ `_,`-._ ` \ ejm / `-. _ \ ` / ,`. \ === / '== =`. | ==== / | === ` / /========= / | / , /______| / , ======== __-' | = === / ,======= ' - -- ( \ \ \ ` \ ` \ ` \_____ \ / ` _/ / '-- ' >SILENT TEARS Silent tears flow down her cheeks As she lies upon her lonely bed Cutting Searing Like a red hot blade Over and over she relives Painful, agonizing memories He was her life He was her world From the day they were wed She believed he loved her Because He told her it was so She was his woman Nothing more to be said Ever so slowly he changed His words losing their glow Only cruelty remained She cringes under his gaze Awaiting the blows Tensing Preparing Seconds before She feels his first savage blow Searing pain rips through her Physically and mentally Her silent tears flow As he strikes her AGAIN and AGAIN She suffers so As he vents his rage On her small, frail body Then his rage exhausted He turns and goes Silent tears flow She tries so hard to understand How her world Her life Has changed so Slowly she reaches out Fingers reaching For the only release she knows The bottle on her nightstand With trembling fingers She swallows One by one Until the bottle is empty With the pain receding Warm emptiness takes its place One last silent tear Slides down her face As she slips into God's protecting arms Never to cry another silent tear She is free at last (C) 2012 Bunnilady (All Rights Reserved) --- ...Sad. We need to stop violence against woman! Thanks Bunni! Suicide isn't the answer. It never is. The devil wants all of us dead. We don't do God any good dead (sleeping) waiting for Christ to return. We are His soldiers in Christ. Sleeping soldiers are of no good use to God. Matt.22 [32] I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. Luke.8 [52] And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. See also this great teaching... The Sleep Metaphor http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/sleepmetaphor.html ======================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: .''. .''. *''* :_\/_: . :_\/_: . .:.*_\/_* : /\ : .'.:.'. .''.: /\ : _\(/_ ':'* /\ * : '..'. -=: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 bothering 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! -<>- ..........*=*=*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*.......... ..........=*=*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=.......... ..........*=*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*.......... ..........=*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*=.......... ..........*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*=*.......... ..........=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*=*=.......... ..........*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*=*=*.......... ..........=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*=*=.......... ..........*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*=*.......... ..........=*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*=.......... ..........*=*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*.......... ..........=*=*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=.......... ..........*=*=*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*.......... ..........=*=*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=.......... ..........*=*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*.......... ..........=*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*=.......... ..........*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*=*.......... ..........=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*=*=.......... ..........*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*=*=*.......... ..........=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*=*=.......... ..........*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*=*.......... ..........=*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*=.......... ..........*=*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*.......... ..........=*=*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=.......... ..........*=*=*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*.......... ..........=*=*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=.......... ..........*=*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*.......... ..........=*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*=.......... ..........*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*=*.......... ..........=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*=*=.......... ..........*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*=*=*.......... ..........=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*=*=.......... ..........*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*=*.......... ..........=*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*=.......... ..........*=*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*.......... ..........=*=*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=.......... ..........*=*=*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*.......... ..........=*=*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=.......... ..........*=*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*.......... ..........=*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*=.......... ..........*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*=*.......... ..........=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*=*=.......... ..........*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*=*=*.......... ..........=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*=*=.......... ..........*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*=*.......... ..........=*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*=.......... ..........*=*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=*.......... ..........=*=*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*=.......... ..........*=*=*=*=*=h a p p y 4 t h o f j u l y=*=*.......... >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 atthe 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. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: 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 Where Was God? http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/where.html 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 Great White Shark! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/greatwhite.html Look Who's Talking 7 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/talking7.html -<>- >From Our Friends At TruthOrTradition: The 2016 STF National Event is right around the corner! Please join us for FREE on September 9-11 in Atlanta, GA! The STF National Conference is a time when people from all over the world are invited to spend a weekend together to be encouraged, inspired, and better equipped in their walk with the Lord. VIDEO: http://tinyurl.com/gowounu To REGISTER (for FREE), please use this direct link: http://stfonlinestore.com/stf-national-conference.aspx Bible Audio Books http://www.stfonline.org/audiobooks Bible Monthly Teachings http://stfonlinestore.com/teachingtapescds.aspx Bible Seminars http://stfonlinestore.com/seminars.aspx Bible Single teachings: http://stfonlinestore.com/ -<>- >From AFA: Just last week, the Bedford, New Hampshire Police Department arrested a man inside a Target store for recording juvenile girls in a dressing room. http://tinyurl.com/gnv2jpv Declare your independence from Target this July 4 http://tinyurl.com/gu86djn -<>- >From Our Friend Melody :) Check out | MyRecipes.com http://tinyurl.com/gldshe6 --- ...Good link! Thanks Melody! -<>- >From Our Friend Geniann :) The Destruction of Pompeii---Great Animation https://www.youtube.com/embed/dY_3ggKg0Bc --- ...Wow! Thanks Geniann! -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) A fantastic show where cats perform incredible tricks due to the mutual love and trust they have with their trainer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=XX_7z9HTbz8 An acrobatic fire and ice dance performance at the at 2013 CCTV Spring Festival Gala that is entertaining to watch. The strength, skill, and agility of these two performers is truly incredible. I like the visual effects that accompany the performance as well as I think it adds to the whole Fire and Ice Dance theme. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vCiWeaE3WAk The band OK Go is known for its elaborate music videos, but this latest one feels like a real-life M.C. Escher painting. You'll definitely start seeing things differently and will blow you away. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=m86ae_e_ptU This puppy was found 350 feet into a deep slot canyon, hungry and weak. That's when a hiker found and rescued him. What he did next will inspire you. What he did next will inspire you.Watch this heartwarming video and make sure you watch it all the way through! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KE6xmuqum0&feature=player_embedded This video is so crazy. Here's a guy that looks - for the most part - pretty normal. He has a few piercings and he's generally a bit gloomy. But then something will happen that will absolutely blow your mind! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mIBKifOOQQ&feature=player_embedded --- ...Thankfully it is just makeup! Thanks LouiseAu! Here's another https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTmcV7VixNg Looking at the comments makes me realize how messed up the world really is! Leviticus 19:28 'Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I [am] the LORD.' What does the Bible say about tattoos / getting a tattoo? Leviticus 19:28 An Overview - Part 1 of 5 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0O6t8wEoM0 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 PatDeE: ======;===========;() #######:::::: #######:::::: #######:::::: jgs #######:::::: ############# ############# ############# ############# ############# ############# >Honoring Our 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'. -+- 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. 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 :) .---. .---. ,';' `.';' `.. f :Bo. ` d88: `\ /d88P' `\ ; /d888P' `. ',d8&8P' : ;d8&7' | :8: | qx >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?' 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! ============================================================= ,,-,-.,-. ,-. ,,-. ,-,-. ,-.-. ,-.. ,-. ,-.,-.-.. (( ( ( ( '( ' ( ' ) ' )' ) ) ) )) \\ \ \ \ \ ,\ /. / / / / // \\ \ /\ / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ /\ / // gpyy'' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '' >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 CupO'Cheer: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ 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 Kidwarmers: ,a_a {/ ''\_ {\ ,_oo) {/ (_^_____________________ .=. {/ \___)))*)----------;=====;` (.=.`\ {/ /=; ~~ |||:::: \ `\{/( \/\ |||:::: \ `. `\ ) ) ||||||| jgs \ // /_/_ ||||||| '==''---)))) ||||||| >THE FUNNIEST THINGS KIDS SAY Tim, the father of three, was lying on the sofa, exhausted after a hard day's work and taking it easy because he had hurt his knee. "I am feeling really old," Tim told Andrew, 5. "Not me!" Andrew said brightly. "I'm feeling brand new!" Dustin, 3, told his mother that when he grows up his name will change. "No it won't," his mother said. "Yes, it will," Dustin said. "What will it be?" his mother asked. "Daddy!" Dustin replied. (So far, Dustin's name has not changed!) Not long after the close of the World Series, Christopher, 7, was still eating and breathing baseball. One night his father, Dave, wanted to see how Christopher would do reading the "Good News Bible." Dad was proud as Christopher began, "This is a list of the ancestors of Jesus Christ, a des... des... " Christopher couldn't pronounce "descendant" so he blurted out, "Jesus Christ... a designated hitter!" After Grandpa died the little Jeremy went with his mother to put flowers on the grave. Jeremy said his favorite toy was the wooden rifle Grandpa had made for him. Jeremy's mother said Grandpa was in heaven. She held Jeremy's hand and said softly, "I miss you, Grandpa. And I love you." Jeremy looked at his mom and smiled. Then he cupped both hands around his mouth and yelled at the grave, "THANKS FOR THE GUN, PAPA GEORGE. I REALLY LIKE IT A LOT!" .--.-,-.-.-,-.--. | \ / | | \ / | | .===,=,===. | _/\_; .-'`^`'-. ;_/\_ ( /` /_________\ `\ ) | | |===========| | | | | | | | | | | | , | | | | | ;_{_________; | | | |/===`>========\| | | ;-._<`________.-; | | | | U | | | / | |___________| | \ | | |jgs | '-------------------------' On a hot summer day Fred took his son Barry, 3, for a bike ride. On the way home Barry was too tired for the return uphill and he asked his father to carry him AND the bike. His father said Barry would have to walk and push the bike himself. "But you're a psychologist," Barry said. "You're supposed to HELP people!" When Miko was 4 (he is 6 now), his mother's "mum" took him to the mall with her friends. He was following Ursula's "mum" until she wanted to buy something and asked him to stay for a while with her friends. One of her friend made sure that Miko wouldn't go anywhere by holding his hand. Later Miko whispered, "Grandma, I think she stayed too long in the bathtub, because her skin wrinkles." -- Ursula of Jakarta, Indonesia When Jeff was a little boy and his mother told him she was going to a "Tri Kappa meeting" he told her he thought she was going to a meeting to try on hats! -- Barb Davis (mother of Jeff) of Kendallville, Indiana (Note: Tri Kappa is a women's club in Indiana.) Aliyah, 5, was driving with her mother in the country and saw some bulls grazing in a field. Aliyah asked, "Mom, do bulls have gutters?" -- Destiny Renkenberger (mother of Aliyah) of Kendallville, Indiana Koen, 4, is playing T-ball and loves to go to the local Greensboro Grasshoppers baseball games. He refers to the players as "baseball mans." Koen and his daddy had been having batting practice in the back yard, when they were called in for lunch. After finishing his hot dog, Koen asked, "Daddy, will you come back outside and throw the ball at me." -- Dennis Smith (Koen's PawPaw) of Oak Ridge, North Carolina ( (_) ### . (#c __\|/__ #\ wWWWw \ \-. (/. .\) /\ /`\/\ /\ |\/ \_) (_| `\.' ; ; `' ;`\ `\; ; . ;/\ `\; ; ;| \ ; .' ' ; / |_.' ; | /) ( ''._;/` | ' . ; |.-' .:) | | ( .' : | |,- .:: | | ,-' .;| jgs_/___,_.:_\_ [I_I_I_I_I_I_] | __________ | | || | | || | _| ||_|__|_|| |_ /=--------------=\ / \ | | TerryAnn has a very thick New Orleans accent, even after not living there for 30 years. She was taking vitamins and her granddaughter asked if she could have one. TerryAnn had bought some new children's vitamins and she gave her one, the color of her choice. The little girl looked at it, confused, because it was not the usual gummy bear. "What do I do with this?" she asked. "Chew it," TerryAnn said. As TerryAnn was putting the vitamins back in the cabinet she could hear her granddaughter going, "Aaahh, choo. Aaahh, choo," blowing on the vitamin! -- TerryAnn Fielding of Brandon, Mississippi Here's another story from TerryAnn. Gabby received a dog for her third birthday. She heard wild giggling from the kitchen and found Gabby laughing because the floor had a spot on it from the dog having an accident. Gabby said, "Odie did it. He pee- peed. Odie needs a diaper!" Later TerryAnn caught Gabby trying to put a diaper on the dog! Sophie, 5, is definitely not a morning person. One morning she was admonished for being very mean to a family member. Sophie threw a monster tantrum which resulted in a "time-out" in her bedroom. From behind the bedroom door she could be heard to say, "I cannot help it if I am not a morning person. God made me this way!" -- Johanna Methot (Oma to the grandchildren) of Peterborough, Ontario, Canada Here is another Sophie story. The weather in Ontario has been as odd as in the rest of the continent. One night Kathy, Sophie's mom, googled "Earth" on the computer and showed Sophie and her little brother Jacob where Peterborough is on the globe. They wanted to see more, and were quite fascinated with the arctic regions, "where it is really cold." The next day Sophie left her spring jacket in the car as they were dropped off at the sitter's. Kathy brought it to her and said, "You will only need it for school." Sophie took this to mean something quite different than intended. When Kathy picked her up she said, "I was the only little girl in the WHOLE school to wear my jacket in class. I was the only little girl in the WHOLE world to wear a jacket -- me, and the people in Antarctica." . : . __________ '. : .' / /\__.__'.:.' . jgs \_________\/ . .':'. . .' : '. ' : ' Isaiah, 3, wanted some ice cream but it was only 10 a.m. so his mother told him he would have to wait. So he took a different approach. Isaiah gently put his mother's face in his hands and began to sing, "You are so beautiful, to me." (He really enjoys watching the Little Rascals movie). -- Irma Cisneros (mother of Isaiah) of Phoenix, Arizona Ember, 2, went to church with Gram and Granddaddy. She went down to help with the penny march, which is where all the children go to the front of the church, hear a short Bible story and then walk around with a cup collecting pennies from people. Granddaddy was sitting at the end of the pew and when Ember came back to sit down, she said "Move!" Gram gasped and said "Ember RaeAnn!" Ember quickly said, in a sweet voice, looking like a little angel, "Excuse me, please!" -- Gram of Lufkin, Texas When Brian was 8, after hearing the second verse of "Amazing Grace" (Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come...) he asked his father, "What is a toilet snare?" -- James Tew (father of Brian) of Kendallville, Indiana Note: You are welcomed to use, copy and share these stories, but please reference http://www.funnykids.com as the source. ========================================================== _..._ ||||||| ||||||| _|*****|_ ( '-...-' ) {`;-----;`} {(| a a|)} \| _\ |/ \ - / 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 =========================================================== .-"""""""-. .' __ \_ / / \/ \ | \_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 W E E K E N D ! <<< "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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->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 ************************************************************************