Happy Blessed Easter Weekend! :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our ShangyFunList: Group Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* Please Consider Giving To ShangralaFamilyFun.com :) The cost of the website has gone up dramatically due to the ever increasingly wonderful pages and photos being added each week to entertain you and our fellow Christian families. If every one would chip in $25 or more, we'd be good for the whole year! So Please - I need your help today! "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a Shangrala Angel, the easiest way to do that is through online giving. It is easy to use, and most of all, it is secure. Please visit the site, scroll down and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL form page comes up. NOTE: Paypal will generate a 'Quantity 1' and 'Price per item' form. Just ignore the price per item and put whatever it is you desire to give in there. With Paypal, you will have your normal receipt for your 'payment' donation in USD (United States Dollars). You can put a memo in there if you'd like. Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY FOR YOUR GIFT! ================ *~* May You All Have A Happy Blessed Easter Celebration! :) __________________________ |.-----------..-----------.| || _ _ _ _|| ___ _ _ || || | | |/ \| \ \ \/ / || || | | ' | '_/ '_/\ / || || |_|_|_|_|_|||_| /_/ || ||___ _ ___||___ __ ___ || || _|/ \/ _/_ _| _| \|| || _| ' |__ \| || _| ' /|| ||___|_|_/___/|_||___|_|_\|| || || || ||-._________||___________|| '---------------------jgs--' >-->2 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) Our first flaming hot new page is from our friends Linda and KarenF. It's full of dazzling eye candy sure to delight flower lovers of all ages. Be sure to check this one out here... _._ .' '. / \ ___ _.. _.--. | / |.' `'. ;-._ .' `\ .' `\ \| / \ .' `\/ ; / _ \.=..=./ _.' / | `\.---._| '. .-'-.}`.<>.`{-'-. / .--; . ( .' '. \ .---.{ <>()<> }.--..-' / _ \_ './ _. `-./ _},'<>`.{_ `\ ( = \ )`""'\;--. .' .-'/ )=..=;`\`- \ {= (| ) /`. ( / /| \ ) ( =_/ )__..-\ .'-..___.' : '.___..-' \ }/ / ;.____.-;/\ | ` | '--' | .' | \ \ /'. _.' \ ' / |\.\ ; /`--.-' ) .'`-. / \ \ |`| /__.-' \_.'jgs \ \ |-| Vivacious Exotic Flowers http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/vivaciousflowers.html --- ...Most stunning and beautiful! Thanks Ladies! Our next piping hot new page is from our friends LouiseAu and RichardF. It is one to bring you Smiles on your day full of good thoughts and inspirations. Give it a few moments of your time and check it out here... ||\ \ .__. || \ \ \ = \ . ~ ~ . || |\ \ \ \` ~ ' ~ ~` || ||\ \ \ = \~ ~ ~' -( ____ || || \ \ \ \~ ! . /= / || || \ \ _____ \ = \`:~; /= =/ || || ||\ .\===/ \ \--.=-. /_,_/ || || || \ | | \ = \ ) /"/ || || || \| | \ \ \__/ / @\`@ ~\@/ %| |____________\== \__._/__. ,_______________ @~ \%\|/@*/~@~| \___________\ \ % \|/ %|*/~@~\@| // \\ \ , @~ \%\/|@*/~/@*| .//________\\ \ \ @ \/ @<|/@<*`\@| // \\ \ \ `@*,\^@|/^@/| | .`'// \\. \ \ www @ *| www| |Pru `-._`------------''''.) \. ____________________________```-------'''----'|\__+________ ___________________________________________________________ Aging With Grace http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/aging.html --- ...So uplifting! Thanks My Friends! -<>- *~* Last Month We Had A Superior Month Of Giving And Sharing! /\ /\ |`\\_,--="=--,_//`| \ ." :'. .': ". / ==) _ : ' : _ (== |>/O\ _ /O\<| | \-"~` _ `~"-/ | >|`===. \_/ .===`|< jgs .-"-. \===' | '===/ .-"-. -----{'. '`}---\, .-'-. ,/---{.'. '}----- `"---"` `~-===-~` `"---"` >Be Sure To Visit And Share All These New Pages: Snow Sculpture Art 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/snowart2.html Funny Crabs! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/crabs.html Hollywood Movie Quiz! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/hollywoodquiz.html Life's Little Oops 15! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/whoops15.html Amazing Petrified Forest! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/petrifiedforest.html It Doesn't Fit! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/nofit.html Scenic US Route 66 West! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/scenicroute66.html Unusual Photos 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/unusual2.html ,_ ,_ (\/) _, _, | '. '. \/ .' .' | \ \ \ / / / '.__\_|_ _|_/__.' /` '. .' `\ / ^ ) ( ^ \ / __.' '.__ \ .' (_ _) '. .' \'-._ _.-'/ '. / '.__)(__.' \ ; .-. '. .' .-. ; /`| / '._)(_.' \ |`\ | \ /--. .--\ / | '--'\ '-.__) (__.-' /'--' jgs )_____) (______( * May God Abundantly Bless All Our Contributors Through Christ Jesus! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: _________________________________________________________ ||-------------------------------------------------------|| ||.--. .-._ .----. || |||==|____| |H|___ .---.___|""""|_____.--.___ || ||| |====| | |xxx|_ |+++|=-=|_ _|-=+=-|==|---||| |||==| | | | | \ | | |_\/_|Black| | ^ ||| ||| | | | | |\ \ .--. | |=-=|_/\_|-=+=-| | ^ ||| ||| | | | | |_\ \_( oo )| | | |Magus| | ^ ||| |||==|====| |H|xxx| \ \ |''| |+++|=-=|""""|-=+=-|==|---||| ||`--^----'-^-^---' `-' "" '---^---^----^-----^--^---^|| ||-------------------------------------------------------|| ||-------------------------------------------------------|| || ___ .-.__.-----. .---.|| || |===| .---. __ .---| |XX|<(*)>|_|^^^||| || , /(| |_|III|__|''|__|:x:|=| | |=| Q ||| || _a'{ / (|===|+| |++| |==| | | |Illum| | R ||| || '/\\/ _(|===|-| | |''| |:x:|=| |inati| | Y ||| ||_____ -\{___(| |-| | | | | | | | | | Z ||| || _(____)|===|+|[I]|DK|''|==|:x:|=|XX|<(*)>|=|^^^||| || `---^-^---^--^--'--^---^-^--^-----^-^---^|| ||-------------------------------------------------------|| ||_______________________________________________________|| Qryz >"STORIFYING" by Kristine Lowder Say the word "family" and what comes to mind? Most people think of folks they're related to by blood or adoption -- mom and dad, grandparents, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews and so on. I realized that all of my most cherished memories involve family. Ditto the biggest challenges, most hair-raising adventures, greatest triumphs, deepest heartaches and happiest moments. Family is where life happens. Where we share our lives, our hearts, and our stories. No one was better at "storifying" -- telling or spinning stories -- than my uncle, Norman Naas. In fact, there are no words for my Uncle Norm. He used them all. In spades. Uncle Norm smoked like a chimney, loved a roaring fireplace, good food, fine wine, and traveling. He loved feeding and entertaining friends, Romans and fellow countrymen by the bus load. The more, the merrier. Even in retirement Norm was a party waiting to happen. The thing I remember best about Norm was how much he loved books. Outside of dad, Norm was the best-read person and most voracious reader I've ever met. His rambling, bougainvillea and camellia-draped house groaned with books. They were everywhere, sprouting like weeds in a garden. You couldn't sit down without first removing a book from your planned perch. Books populated the kitchen, family room, living room, bathroom, bedrooms, coffee and kitchen tables and every available space. Even the garage housed shelf after shelf of books. When we visited Uncle Norm, I looked forward to afternoons when I'd climb into my uncle's ample lap with a book. "Well dear, what do we have today?" he'd ask, adjusting his glasses and oohing and ahing over my selection. "Ah, this is a good one!" he'd smile, even if it was the same "one" we'd read nineteen times in the last two days. Not surprisingly, Uncle Norm could quote entire scenes out of Shakespeare. He'd tell us about writers and literature for hours. Not lectures. These were more like command performances. Norm gobbled up books like a starving man, barely taking time to chew. After dinner Norm would regale us with his "storifying" expertise. Remember that Mel Gibson movie from 1993, Man Without a Face? Gibson plays Justin McLeod, a former teacher turned recluse after his face has been horribly disfigured in an auto accident. Known as "Hamburger Head" to the locals, McLeod is the subject of many rumors and wild stories. Chuck Norstadt (Nick Stahl) is a young boy determined to get into the same military school as his father. Desperate for a tutor, Chuck encounters the reclusive McLeod, and together they begin to help each other deal with a world that has shunned them both. There's a scene where teacher and student are reading Shakespeare (I think it's The Merchant of Venice). Except that they're not really reading it. At least, not in the usual sense. They're interpreting the text, acting it out with costumes and props. Teacher and student aren't reading the story. They ARE the story. That's what listening to Uncle Norm tell or read a story was like. Uncle Norm and I corresponded regularly when I was in high school and college. We did this the old fashioned way -- with paper and pen and postage. This was before email. A running dispute developed over an arcane theological point. I was as right as Norm was, as shy as a cyclone in making my own case on paper. I recall how disappointed I was when my uncle stopped writing. No, that's not it. Not exactly. His letters petered out slowly, over time. Like twin guttering candles. So did mine. It wasn't until my junior year in college that I noticed that I never heard from Uncle Norm anymore. I never asked why. An "oops" moment. I didn't detect any rancor between us -- we just got busy elsewhere and moved on. Another oops. Norm died a few years later. In one of my last missives to my uncle, I told Norm how much I liked to listen to him talk when I was a child. His rich, sonorous bass was as smooth as glass. That was nearly forty years ago. I sometimes wonder what else Norm might have said -- what else I might have said -- if just one of us hadn't allowed the other to drift. It's easy to take people for granted, isn't it? Especially family. How many things we would, could, should say and share and laugh about or argue over or lean back in our chairs and storify -- and never quite seem to get around to it? That uncle, that aunt, those parents, siblings, children or spouse seem as regular as the seasons. We mistake familiarity for permanence, which is a clever but deceptive chimera. That's why I choose to thank God for uncles. For books and letters and storyifying. And family. If we let Him, God somehow smoothes out the frayed edges of our oops-blotted lives, rewrites the smudges and slips in something new and fresh and beautiful. He can give us a fresh start. A blank page. A second chance. A new story. Like the one I'm writing now. Uncle Norm would've loved that. -- Kristine Lowder __________________________________________________ A multi-published author, Kristine Lowder resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Chris, their four sons and one yellow Labrador Retriever. -<>- "Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life." -- S.D. Gordon Happy Easter and Passover! We hope that Spring will be popping out all over for you. We're starting to see budding daffodils here in the Northeast. Meantime, Kathe shares some memories in today's Heartwarmer about raising the kids and moving to a new log cabin in the Montana hills. Sounds good to us! ,__ / \ | '. | ; \ \| | '.__\ _/ .' '. .'```'-. / = ^ Y^)= ,-./ '-'` ,___^/ { | \ (_ '-\ | \'-._ \ / _..._ '.__) `. \";`` `'-. '. \ \_) jgs '._) '-' >BUNNY AND BEAR PANCAKES by Kathe Campbell It's said that if you wisely spread your bundles of joy out with a few years in-between, they won't abandon you in a blue funk all at once. I'm not sure how Ken and I managed it, but the good Lord must have lent a hand as we empty nested in tolerable stages. Our son was born six years ahead of our daughters who are two years apart. Dad and son had close years with all their guy stuff, while the girls and I did perpetual tea parties, dance, and Girl Scouts. After a little arm-twisting and greasing of the palm, our son became a built-in baby sitter of sorts. No more packing a half-asleep sitter into the car and driving her across town at 2am. The day came when our son, his mini fridge, and his truck went off to college, followed by a stint in the service. But for two smart and spirited teenyboppers keeping us on our toes, we'd have been as homesick for him, as he was for us. Only two grades apart, the girls savored their own special friends. Sports and cheerleading became their lives as they too sailed right past us, but always saving Sunday for family fun. Then suddenly, no more relaxing on Saturdays with pancakes in the shape of bunnies and bears, or giggly campouts in the backyard playhouse. No more carpools with a half dozen dusty ball players, their bags, and overflowing Slurpies. No more freaky music that fairly rocked the house off its moorings, endless practicing the right moves in the family room, and hours of clandestine phone calls. When the oldest daughter hit the college dorms, I looked forward to less laundry, although the question became debatable. We may have been part-time empty nesters but for her big laundry bag appearing in our hallway more often than not. And along with the laundry, the grocery bill hit the ceiling after numerous weekends of roommates and college chums rolling out in sleeping bags upstairs and down. The last one graduated college, got married and cast off to new horizons as we waved and threw weepy kisses. Ken and I looked at each other like strangers, barely knowing how to act in the sobering silence of our big deserted house. They had grown up, giving pleasure to replace any pain of their teen years. That made it all so worthwhile. No laying in bed at all hours wondering if they were just late, or bloody and broken on a snowy highway somewhere. And who's going to think we're not cool if we flop into bed by ten for a good night's sleep for a change? It was soon apparent that nobody was handy to help with yard chores and the job I abhorred most, washing a thousand windows. Ken was great about the yard, but claimed the windows were strictly woman's work. Rattling about, living with empty rooms crying out for growth and fun, even tempestuous moments and raging hormones, we kicked our traces. I took the bull by the horns, called our realtor, and viewed a glorious piece of wooded and streamed acres teeming with wildlife. We had talked often about a log home in the mountains only twenty minutes from town. So we did it. We were now land owners in our own paradise. The old house in town sold with grand memories and no regrets. I drew plans, the logs were ordered, and suddenly along came our brood with their campers on more weekends than we could count to help with the rise. Today we sit and rock in front of the fireplace on two-dog winter nights, swapping our times back and forth, still loving this new lifestyle while flipping a bunny pancake over for one of the grandchildren. We sometimes yearn for the sleepless nights worrying when the children were out, only now it's our backs and knees that are out. We miss those magnificent beings we so lovingly shaped and molded into success stories, for not long ago I heard our youngest daughter remark, "I have every intention of raising my kids just as I was raised." That just may say it all! -- Kathe Campbell __________________________________________________ Kathe lives her dream on a Montana mountain with her mammoth donkeys, a Keeshond, and a few kitties. Three children, eleven grands and three greats round out her herd. She is a prolific writer on Alzheimer's, and her stories are found on many ezines. Kathe is a contributing author to the Chicken Soup For The Soul and Cup of Comfort series, numerous anthologies, RX for Writers, magazines and medical journals. =========================================================== >-->From Daily Encounter: __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >I Am the Way "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"1 Stanley Jones tells of a missionary who got lost in an African jungle, nothing around him but bush and a few cleared places. He found a native hut and asked the native if he could get him out. The native said he could. "All right," said the missionary, "show me the way." The native said, "Walk," so they walked and hacked their way through unmarked jungle for more than an hour. The missionary got worried. "Are you quite sure this is the way? Where is the path?" The native said, "Bwana, in this place there is no path. I am the path."2 When it comes to finding the way to God, there are various religions in the world today all claiming to have a corner on the truth and to be "the path" to God. There are also vast numbers of people who believe that the way to God and the path to Heaven are through good works. Or at least, they reason (as I did in youthful days), "If I do more good things than I do bad things, my good deeds will outweigh my bad deeds, and that will get me into Heaven." According to God's Word, the Bible, this belief is also doomed for failure. As the Bible says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."3 However, in today's verse Jesus made it clear to us that HE is the ONLY way to God, our Father. All we need to do is accept the sacrifice He made on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin. Jesus is the way to Heaven. Suggested prayer: "Dear God, in all the many voices claiming to have the way to you and that of eternal salvation, help me to know the truth that can only be found in you. Your Word is so clear when it comes to how we can have salvation and eternal life through Jesus. Help me cling strong to your truth always. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus Christ's name. Amen." 1. John 14:6 (NIV). 2. Brett Blair, http://www.esermons.com/ 3. Ephesians 2:8-9, (NKJV). <:))))>< , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Hidden Treasure “... I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."1 I once heard an illustration about a couple who purchased a large piece of land. They liked the idea of having the space, but never cultivated it or invested time in the property. Instead, they spent their days going back and forth to work, just making enough money to get by. One day they decided it would be better to sell the land and hopefully make a little profit from it. Eventually,they found a buyer for the property and they went on to live their lives. The new owner saw much potential in the land and started cultivating it and planting seeds. One day while digging, the owner found petroleum! The profit he made from selling the petroleum was far greater than he could have imagined. All this time the first couple had been sitting on hidden treasure, but since they never took the time to cultivate the land, they missed out on the riches found therein. The same is true with God’s Word. It is filled with great treasures that could impact our lives and allow us to live rich lives. We have access to God’s wisdom and knowledge right at our fingertips, yet many times we neglect it and live mediocre lives as a result. Monetary wealth is temporary, but the riches we obtain from studying and applying God’s Word to our lives will bring true joy and lead to a meaningful life. If you are not investing time in God’s Word, may I suggest you start by setting aside just a few minutes a day to read a couple verses? As you start “digging" into the Bible, you will start finding treasures for every circumstance. And when you apply these nuggets of wisdom to your daily life, you will notice the positive impact it can make on your life in the long run. Suggested prayer: “Dear God, at times I allow distractions to keep me from spending time in your Word and cultivating my spiritual life. I ask that you give me the dedication to spend time with you, knowing that there is no greater treasure than knowing you and living in your ways. Thank you for the rich and meaningful life I can have in you. Even when hard times come, I can have hope and peace because I have you. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus Christ’s name, amen." 1.Colossians 2:2-3 (NLT). When copying or forwarding include the following: "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2016 ACTS International. , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' --- ...You might like to start your daily studying with this: Absolute Bible Study Index Contents: http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Contents.htm =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: ____________ _..._ | ________ | ___ .' `. ____________ ||s`edewS || | /`. .-' \ | ||rehctuB || | )X / X. "\ | || pohS || | | (_) _/ | ||________|| | /((())) / \_____ | | ] | | \______/ // \ | | | | _..-) // (\/)\ | | | | / .\\_..-' \ \/ \ | | | |_/ \ `. Mom \___| | | / | \ / _____|__________| / / / / _______ | ./| / / _|____\_| | / \ / _) \__ \ / (_\ \() ___|_____|____ / / \\_\/ __/ | |/ /___| ..'`..'| | | _/_/ | JRO .'(( ((( |__| |(__() | .'((( ((( .'__| | |______|________ ((( (( ((`. | | | / ((((( (((((`.| | | / ((( ((( ((.'| | / / `..-''-....' |___________|/ / >Today's Story by: Bill Greer, Chicken Soup for the Veteran's Soul A butcher watching over his shop is really surprised when he saw a dog coming inside the shop. He shoos him away. But later, the dog is back again. So, he goes over to the dog and notices he has a note in his mouth. He takes the note and it reads "Can I have 12 sausages and a leg of lamb, please. The dog has money in his mouth, as well." The butcher looks inside and, lo and behold, there is a ten dollar Note there. So he takes the money and puts the sausages and lamb in a bag, placing it in the dog's mouth. The butcher is so impressed, and since it's about closing time, he decides to shut up shop and follow the dog. So off he goes. The dog is walking down the street when he comes To a level crossing. The dog puts down the bag, jumps up and presses the button. Then he waits patiently, bag in mouth, for the lights to turn. They do, and he walks across the road, with the butcher following him all the way. The dog then comes to a bus stop, and starts looking at the timetable. The butcher is in awe at this stage. The dog checks out the times, and then sits on one of the seats provided. Along comes a bus. The dog walks around to the front, looks at the number, and goes back to his seat. Another bus comes. Again the dog goes and looks at the number, notices it's the right bus, and climbs on. The butcher, by now, open- mouthed, follows him onto the bus. The bus travels through the town and out into the suburbs, the dog Looking at the scenery. Eventually he gets up, and moves to the front of the bus. He stands on 2 back paws and pushes the button to stop the bus. Then he gets off, his groceries still in his mouth. Well, dog and butcher are walking along the road, and then the dog turns into a house. He walks up the path, and drops the groceries on the step. Then he walks back down the path, takes a big run, and throws himself against the door. He goes back down the path, runs up to the door and again, it throws himself against it. There's no answer at the house, so the dog goes back down the path, jumps up on a narrow wall, and walks along the perimeter of the garden. He gets to the window, and beats his head against it several times, walks back, jumps off, and waits at the door. The butcher watches as a big guy opens the door, and starts abusing the dog, kicking him and punching him, and swearing at him. The butcher runs up, and stops the guy. "What in heaven's name are You doing? The dog is a genius. He could be on TV, for the life of me!" to which the guy responds: "You call this clever? This is the second time this week that this stupid dog's forgotten his key." Reflection: Looks like some, people will never be satisfied with what they've got. When it comes to the work place, Employers do not know how to appreciate their people who have served them loyally through the years. I've seen companies lose good people for the simple fact their leaders failed to show appreciation. Employers with big egos enjoy the fact that they have more power and authority than others. They show, in the way they give orders and directions, that they think they are superior. They get a kick out of displaying this superiority. People who do this are fools, and everyone but them knows it. They are never satisfied because they could not be satisfied even if their people perform well. They don't listen to the opinion and ideas of their subordinates. Why? Because of their stupid pride and insecurity. People of this kind will never be satisfied. Why? Because they are so busy wrapped up in themselves and, fact is, the self can never be satisfied. Happy and productive people are always those who are "others-centered" rather than "self- centered." The greatest idea of leadership is not someone who throws his weight around. Rather, he is a servant. As Bible would say, "He who wish to be a leader should first be a servant." His joy is derived from delivering a job that others benefit from his contribution. Aim for service and success will follow. -<>- ,_ ,_ _, _, | '. '. .' .' | \ \ \ / / / '.__\_|_ _|_/__.' /` '. .' `\ / ^ ) ( ^ \ / __.' '.__ \ .' (_ _) '. .' \'-._.===========._.-'/ '. / '.__) HAPPY (__.' \ ; .-. '.| EASTER! |.' .-. ; /`| / '._)===========(_.' \ |`\ | \ /--. .--\ / | '--'\ '-.__) (__.-' /'--' jgs )_____) (______( The celebration of Easter is one of the most important holidays in Christian countries throughout the world. But many Easter customs are not religious. In America , there is an Easter "parade." In towns and cities, people go walking or to church in their newest clothes. Men sometimes dress formally and women and girls traditionally have a new Easter bonnet. Easter eggs, parades, and bunnies have no part at all in the Latin American Easter. All of Holy Week -the week before Easter- is a religious festival in Mexico and South America . On Palm Sunday, palm leaves are blessed in the churches, as they are in many North American churches. Churches are decorated with fruit and green plants. There are religious processions and Passion plays, telling the Easter story. Lent, the 40 days of penance, is an important and serious part of the Easter season. And Carnival, right before Lent, is the wildest holiday of the year in many parts of Europe and Latin America . There are great parades, street dances, and costume balls for three days or even longer. The biggest South American carnival is in Rio de Janeiro , Brazil . Even the very poorest people work for months to have a beautiful costume for the street dances. French settlers brought this custom of carnival over to the United States. A Mardi Gras carnival is held in New Orleans each year. Mardi Gras really means "Fat Tuesday" in French, because everyone tries to eat up the good things they will not eat after Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. In England, people often have pancake festivals. In Germany, they make doughnuts. With all the parades and customs, though, Easter is still mainly a time to celebrate new life. Spring is in the air. The long days of winter and of Lent are over. It is a day to remember the man who was born on Christmas, died on Good Friday, and rose again on Easter Sunday. -<>- __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >The Truth Bill Walker wildbill6807@yahoo.com There is a funny thing about the truth. It can hurt in lots of ways. This is Easter time. The truth hurt a lot of people about two thousand years ago in history. Some took care of the problem with lies and half truths. A man came to town, the people took to what this man did and said. He was disliked by a few that saw him as a major problem. This man told the truth, it hurt the few. The few was the leaders of the church. Their problem was they never looked at this man and what the old men of the Bible said, was and is going to happen. Some of those still say the same things even today. Got to cover the back side you know with lies and half truths.. Now most of us takes the Bible. You know the Book of Books as the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. In the Old Testament, even way back there it starts to tell us about the Son that will some day come. Every so often it tells us what is going to happen, and how. Now if Good Friday, and Easter Morning had not come about. That would mean one of two things. It has yet to happen as the Bible tells us, or the Bible is a fake. Now if you take the Books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Those books tell the life and times of a man we call Jesus. If you read those books, and then read the telling of him coming in the Old Testament. You will see this man lived what was told in the Old. There is the truth of the Bible. If you go back to Moses time. When Moses was having his wars with Pharaoh. That night that the Angel of death came calling. Remember the blood of the lamb on the door post? That became known as the first Passover. Well Jesus blood on the cross is the blood of the pure Lamb for us that believe. The Angel of death passed over the door post of the house with the blood of the lamb. The Angel of death will pass over those that has taken to the cross with the blood of the pure Lamb. The Son of God. That does not mean the ones that take Jesus as the Son of God, will not die an earth death. That we all do sooner or later, but we will not go to the lake of fire to die a everlasting death. The Son of God, Jesus, paid the price on the cross for us sinners. His blood on the cross lifted us up to the Mansion on the Hill. Jesus was the Son of God. I have read and heard others call him a prophet. I beg to differ. Can you show a prophet that could have made the walk to the cross, and paid the price? No it took pure blood of the Lamb of God. The Son to pay the price. There never was a prophet that was without sin. Jesus was without sin. You see the Son of God, Jesus, walked the walk we all do. I am sure growing up, some little Jewish Dollie walked by him more then once. The Bible tells us he was a normal male, also handsome. So I am sure that happened. The Bible tell us he fasted for forty days. Then Satan talked to him. Showed him every thing, tempted him with all sorts of things. From food to sins of the world. Jesus told him where to go each and every time. You see if Jesus was just a prophet, he may have well weaken and took Satan up on the bread deal. He was hungry for food, any one would know that. You miss a couple square meals, and see how fast you will grab something like food. Some meat, potatoes, gravy, and a loaf of bread. So there you have the day we now call Easter. Know the truth, and it will set you free. -<>- __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >I'll be back! Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection? I never noticed this.... The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes. The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin. Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, 'They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!' Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple out ran Peter and got there first. He stopped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side. Was that important? Absolutely! Is it really significant? Yes! In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition. When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished. Now if the master was done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, "I'm finished.." But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because... The folded napkin meant, "I'm coming back!" AND SO HE SHALL... -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Jesus Life! http://www.shangralas.com/jesuslife.html Thank You Lord! http://www.shangralas.com/thanks.html Volker's Easter Tree! http://www.shangralas.com/eastertree.html Who Is This Jesus? http://www.shangralas.com/jesus.html Wally The Rabbit! http://www.shangralas.com/wallytherabbit.html Holy Alphabet!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/holyalpha.html Walk With Jesus!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/walk.html Beautiful Butterflies http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/butterflies.html Largest Easter Bunny! http://www.shangralas.com/bunny.html Pysanky Easter Eggs http://www.shangralas.com/eastereggs.html Church Mouse Wisdom! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/churchmouse.html Our Valuable Anchor! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html Last Day! http://www.shangralas.com/lastday.html Good Easter! http://www.shangralas.com/easter.html Who Is Jesus? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/whoisjesus.html Easter Joy! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/easterjoy.html FULL Spring/Easter Menu! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/easterindex.html -<>- Faith And Fun Come Together With These Family Activities For Easter https://tinyurl.com/4rdcxjyu What does the Bible say about Easter? https://tinyurl.com/yxcqv8u6 The Four Crucified With Christ https://tinyurl.com/yab68axa What does the Bible say about Judgment? https://tinyurl.com/y3ha469w Promises Of God http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Promises/Promises.htm Youtube - He Has Risen! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_UcWRcoleI Youtube - He has risen (2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwLR1BGmZSw Worshipping God is like being in a playground! https://tinyurl.com/y9mb4zxr NASA just recently confirmed what the Bible has said all along... https://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/media/060915/index.html Believe in God in 5 Minutes (Scientific Proof) Gerald Schroeder is a scientist with over thirty years of experience in research and teaching. He earned his Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate degrees all at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, with his doctorate thesis being under the supervision of physics professor Robley D. Evans. This was followed by five years on the staff of the MIT physics department prior to moving to Israel, where he joined the Weizmann Institute of Science and then the Volcani Research Institute, while also having a laboratory at The Hebrew University. His Doctorate is in two fields: Earth sciences and physics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQVm8RokoBA 9 Discoveries that Confirm the Bible | Proof for God https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQd-fdpq9mk Shine Jesus Shine! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr5Y63bDNNg&feature=related -<>- >In The News: COVID 19 Vaccine Update (9+ Things You Should Know Before Getting Vaccinated) https://tinyurl.com/v99pjnaw VA News: Free Employment Services, Stimulus Payments and Free Donuts https://tinyurl.com/4kfp4v7n Hannity – 3/31/21 - PLUS: Ingraham Angle / Tucker Carson https://one-news.net/hannity-%e2%80%93-33121-fox-news/ Facebook Deletes Video Of Trump Interview With Lara Trump, But Here’s How To Watch It / Border Patrol Video Exposes Smugglers Abandoning Toddlers At The Border And MORE: https://thescoop.us/ Texas State Senate Has Passed Seven Pro-Life Bills / Shooting in a California Office has Left Four Dead Including a Child / Deep State Goes After Rep. Gaetz in $25 Million Extortion Plot / Biden Administration Knew 15 Million J&J Vaccine Doses Ruined but Covered it Up / Washington Post Actually Fact-Checked a Blatant Lie by Joe Biden and More: https://reliablenewsnow.com/ Latest From Deep State Journal: https://deepstatejournal.com/ Latest From 2020 Conservative: http://2020conservative.com/ Latest From Independent Minute: https://independentminute.com/ Latest From TPN News: https://threepercenternation.com/ Latest From AFA: http://tinyurl.com/j7lakqw Students For Life https://tinyurl.com/yd5nxmu6 Latest From OperationRescue: http://www.operationrescue.org/ Latest Product Alert: Recall Alert: Vehicles, Cakes http://www.emergencyemail.org/products/?fmt=text Latest Health Alert: http://www.emergencyemail.org/health/?fmt=text Click to Give Free https://tinyurl.com/y2abb8d2 -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) The Potential Risk of Grapefruit Juice https://tinyurl.com/yblyq3bq --- ...Good info! Thanks LouiseAu! If you've flown anywhere recently, you probably took a very large commercial plane. It may not have been the most comfortable experience, with little legroom and tiny snacks, but compared to previous aircraft designs, today's large jets are luxurious. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwrIf_5gEEM --- ...Wow! Thanks LouiseAu! -<>- >From Our Friend Geniann :) Water: How much should you drink every day? Water is essential to good health, yet needs vary by individual. These guidelines can help ensure you drink enough fluids. https://tinyurl.com/yd4wmcl7 --- ...Great info! Thanks Geniann! -<>- >From Our Friend Melody :) Fun in Hluhluwe Umfolozi mud bath with starring role for baby elephant https://www.youtube.com/embed/f_gBWPs4r3U --- ...Sweet! Thanks Melody! -<>- Revisiting... >From Our Friend Bunni :) ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT.... AND FUNNY Hitler's Doctor I don't know who dreams this stuff up, but it is pretty entertaining. Hitler in the bunker video. http://safeshare.tv/w/jyeqLxShwx --- ...LOL! Thanks Bunni! -<>- >From Our Friend Fran :) This blind 16-year-old girl has never seen the Stars and Stripes, nor rockets' red glare or the dawn's early light. But you'll see them right before your eyes as you listen to her powerful rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at a Kentucky Wildcats basketball game. Awesome National Anthem - YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEdIHMJe8VM&feature=player_embedded --- ...Awesome! Thanks Fran! -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu: A wonderful look at some African Wildlife in this beautiful video that animal and nature lovers should enjoy. Many years ago I was fortunate enough to be able to take a guided tour through one of Kenya's wildlife parks. To see these African animals up close is truly a spectacular experience. Soundtrack is "We Found Love" - Lindsey Stirling. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=elHK4n1m__g He was in a small kayak when he hooked the big one. It dragged him miles out to sea. When he finally caught a look at what he'd snared, he rightly freaked out! And so will you when you find out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9bToT32GPSo --- ...Great ones! Thanks LouiseAu! -<>- >From Our Friend Geniann :) Great fun to watch – especially the trailer where difficult acrobatics were initial failures – very interesting . https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/HhabgvIIXik?rel=0 --- ...He Makes it look easy! Thanks Geniann! 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 Cup'OCheer: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >MAY GOD BLESS YOU THIS DAY...FOR HE IS! Faith is an interesting thing. In English the word refers to anything from religions to attitudes. But the primary definition is quite simple. Faith is a confident belief in the truth, value or trust- worthiness of a person, idea or thing. Even so, if we're not careful, that can be as clear as mud, so let's take a closer look. Having a confident belief means being sure or certain, rather than feeling something "might be". In court we'd hear "beyond a reasonable doubt". It’s what leads us to say, "This is the way it is". It may be whether something is true, has worth, or can be trusted but the conclusion is...This is the way it is. A mistake many make is they assume faith is only about things for which there can be no proof. That's not true. Faith runs the gamut, from mountains of evidence to little if any. That's because personal choice is involved. A person chooses what will be his "confident belief". Some may see the choice as wise or foolish, but that's more about what the belief is based on. For example, I have a confident belief that if I run into a brick wall, it's going to hurt. There's a lot of proof for that. Bricks are hard, walls are immovable, and I bruise easily. There's so much evidence to support my confident belief, most would say that proclaiming this as truth doesn’t take a lot of faith. But suppose a man has a confident belief there's no such thing as a doctor. He lives in a remote village and has never seen one. He's heard strangers from other villages say the same. His wife was once sick and needed such a person, but no one came and she died. You ask, "Did you try to find a doctor?" "Why seek what does not exist?" "But I have been helped and healed by a doctor, and I can show you others who have." "The healthy are healthy. The sick are sick. And the dying die. This is the way it is." We can hear what he says, see how he lives, argue that he's wrong, even call him a fool, but it doesn't change the fact that he has a confident belief of what he considers to be the truth, have value or be worthy of his trust. For him, there is no such thing as a doctor, no point in seeking one, and nothing to be trusted. This is his faith. This is the way it is. To have such faith, he must ignore overwhelming evidence – men, women and children who have been helped and healed, witnesses of what a doctor has done for them. Instead, he must rely on his limited experience, his choice not to seek a doctor, his expectation one would come to him, and some people he's never met, saying things he really doesn't know if they're true. We may not understand him, but this much is clear: To live a life based on such a belief requires a deeper commitment to that belief, in other words, much more faith, than those who live in the wealth of evidence that a doctor does exist and with the security of having proof from personal experience. This is much like the idea of whether a loving Creator exists. The vast majority of people on the planet have a "confident belief" there is such a One. But what proof do they have? Much of science points to a time of beginning when there was nothing and relies on the premise that all things result from cause and effect. Cause and effect are other words for creation. And logic requires a deliberate choice for the first cause to create the effect that resulted in the universe, stars, planets, earth, plants, animals...us. Though everything around us is evidence of a Creator, some rely instead on those they don’t know, who say things they can't be sure is true. They do not try to find the Creator. "Why seek what does not exist?" And despite the experiences of millions of witnesses who tell how they were helped and healed by a loving Creator, some choose to ignore their evidence, claiming, This is the way it is. And yet... Since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities - His eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20 Look around. We are truly blessed. It is so easy for us to believe there is a loving Creator. But pray for those who choose such an incredibly confident belief that casts Him aside. With all creation surrounding them, it takes tremendous faith to be an atheist. Chuck as seen in A Note of Encouragement -<>- , |\ /\/ \/| ,_ ; \/` '; , \_', \ / '. .' /`. jgs `~~` , /\ `"` . `" >WHEN TEMPTED, CHANGE YOUR FOCUS Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee - James 4:7 NKJV Pastor Jon Walker writes: 'When Tolstoy was a boy he started "The White Polar Bear Club". To become a member you had to stand for 30 minutes and not think of a white polar bear. Have you ever intentionally tried not to think about something? It's almost impossible! We often handle temptation in a similar fashion. We think we can stand near it, and if we don't think about it we'll have the victory. The problem is, the more we try not to concentrate on it the more it becomes the center of our focus... the longer we think about not submitting the more likely it is that we will. The Bible says: "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7 NIV). We quote the latter half of the verse, but if all you're doing is focusing on the devil you're still focusing on the temptation. I'm not suggesting... you shouldn't say, "Get thee behind me, satan." I'm saying you can't do it in your own strength; you do it by humbling yourself before God, recognizing that He's your strength... When you keep your eyes on Him the Devil will flee because you're resisting him by embracing God. Be humble enough to seek help. A sure sign you're about to fall is when you think, "I can handle this on my own." See this as an urgent alarm to submit to God and say, "Lord, I need your strength and wisdom. Lead me not into temptation." Then walk away from the temptation. And if you need to, call a friend for prayer and accountability.' as seen in the Word For Today -<>- .-^-. .'=^=^='. /=^=^=^=^=\ .-~-. :^= HAPPY =^; .'~~*~~'.|^ EASTER! ^| /~~*~~~*~~\^=^=^=^=^=^: :~*~~~*~~~*~;\.-*))`*-,/ |~~~*~~~*~~|/* ((* *'. :~*~~~*~~~*| *)) * *\ \~~*~~~*~~| * ((* * / `.~~*~~.' \ *)) * .' jgs `~~~` '-.((*_.-' >THE BEST TIME OF MY LIFE It was June 15, and in two days I would be turning thirty. I was insecure about entering a new decade of my life and feared that my best years were now behind me. My daily routine included going to the gym for a workout before going to work. Every morning I would see my friend Nicholas at the gym. He was seventy-nine years old and in terrific shape. As I greeted Nicholas on this particular day, he noticed I wasn't full of my usual vitality and asked if there was anything wrong. I told him I was feeling anxious about turning thirty. I wondered how I would look back on my life once I reached Nicholas's age, so I asked him, "What was the best time of your life?" Without hesitation, Nicholas replied, "Well, Joe, this is my philosophical answer to your philosophical question: "When I was a child in Austria and everything was taken care of for me and I was nurtured by my parents, that was the best time of my life. "When I was going to school and learning the things I know today, that was the best time of my life. "When I got my first job and had responsibilities and got paid for my efforts, that was the best time of my life. "When I met my wife and fell in love, that was the best time of my life. "The Second World War came, and my wife and I had to flee Austria to save our lives. When we were together and safe on a ship bound for North America, that was the best time of my life. "When we came to Canada and started a family, that was the best time of my life. "When I was a young father, watching my children grow up, that was the best time of my life. "And now, Joe, I am seventy-nine years old. I have my health, I feel good and I am in love with my wife just as I was when we first met. This is the best time of my life." -Author Unknown as seen in Inspiration Plus -<>- .======. | INRI | .========' xxxx '========. | /_;-.__ / _\ _.-;_\ | | `-._`'`_/'`.-' | '========.`\ /`========' | | / | |/-.( | |\_._\ | | \ \`;| | > |/| | / // | | |// | | \(\ | | `` | \\jgs _ _\\| \// |//_ _ \// _ ^ `^`^ ^`` `^ ^` ``^^` `^^` `^ `^ >NEVER FORGET by Sharon Jaynes [Edited] Today's Truth "I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago" (Psalm 77:11 NIV). Friend To Friend Sometimes it is easy to read about Adam and Eve's failure in the garden and wonder how they could have been so disobedient. But in reality, this is not Adam and Eve's story alone. It is our story as well. We make decisions daily that dishonor God or honor God. We disobey, take charge of our own lives, and become Lord of our own ring. Then like Eve, we try to cover up our shame and even attempt to hide from God. Do you know the first question God asked in the Bible? After Adam and Eve cowered in the bushes, hiding from God, He asked - Where are you? God knew exactly where they were, what they had done, and how the enemy had tricked them. However, He decided to remain in relationship with them and begin the process of restoration which was completed on Calvary's cross. He asks us the same question today when we attempt to hide ... Where are you? I think "but God" are two of most beautiful words in Scripture. The Bible says, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). When did we become sinners? The first time we sinned? No, we were born sinners and that sin is what separated us from God. While we were yet sinners, Jesus became the perfect sacrifice for us, not to cover our sin, but to cleanse us forever - once and for all. Salvation Army Officer, John Allen once said, "I deserved to be damned in hell, but God interfered." God interfered, intervened, and intercepted our death sentence. He sent His Son, who paid the penalty for our sin and all we have to do to receive the pardon is to accept His wonderful gift. How do we receive the gift? "If you confess with your mouth 'Jesus is my Lord' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9). When you accept Jesus Christ as your own personal Savior, you are freed from the penalty of sin (spiritual death and eternal separation from God) and He gives you a new living spirit. Someone once said, "Salvation is moving from living death to deathless life." "All this is from God who reconciled us [joined us back together] to himself through Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:18 AMP). Once there was a Christian group who sang a song with a line that said, "There's a bridge to cross the great divide." However, when they were recording, someone sang, "There's a cross to bridge the great divide." Suddenly, they realized that they had not made a mistake at all. We were separated from God because of sin, but He sent His Son to die on Calvary's cross to bridge the great divide. Why did God do this for us? "For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16 NIV). The Greeks had three words for life: bios (life of the body), psyche (life of the soul), and zoe (life of the spirit). Guess which word for life is in John 3:16? Zoe - life of the spirit! When you become a Christian, your spirit is reborn and you become a brand new creation. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV). We were crucified with Christ and now we no longer live, but Christ lives in us (Galatians 5:20 NIV). What about those glaring needs that cropped up as a result of Adam and Eve's sin in the garden? What about feelings of inferiority, insecurity, and inadequacy that so many struggle with today? Here's what the Bible says: "So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so, through one act of righteousness, there resulted justification of life to all men" (Romans 5:18, 19 NASB). All were condemned because of Adam's disobedience and all who accept Jesus are freed because of Christ's obedience. At the moment of your salvation, everything mankind lost when Adam and Eve sinned in the garden was returned to you in Jesus Christ. Once again you have: Significance because of who you are in Christ. Safety and security because of what you have in Christ. A sense of belonging because of where you are in Christ. Your glaring needs have been fulfilled and transformed into your glowing attributes. The question is, why don't we act like our needs have been fulfilled? Why do we continue to struggle with feelings of shame, fear, loneliness, and rejection? Why do we continue to try to get our needs met by our own means? Because even though our spirits are changed in an instant, our minds must be renewed, our wills must come under the control of the Holy Spirit, and our emotions must be reprogrammed. It's a process and that's why Girlfriends in God even exists. We are learning, growing, and reprogramming our minds together. And as we do, we grow more and more spiritually beautiful every day. Let's Pray Dear LORD, all through the Old Testament, the patriarchs told the Israelites to "remember." Today I stop and remember all that You have done for me. I remember what I was like before I came to Christ and I remember all that You have done to bring me to Yourself. Thank you, Father. Thank You, Jesus. May the remembrance of Your mercies be new every morning. In Jesus Christ's Name, Amen. Now It's Your Turn Sometimes, when you have been a Christian for many years, you forget just how amazing the gift of salvation really is. Today, I'm not going to ask you any questions, but I do want you to go back and reflect on the verses in this devotion. Write out your own prayer of gratitude for all that God has done to bridge the great divide that separated you from Him. as seen in Girlfriends in God To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ========================================================== >-->From LaughAndLift: If your Bible is in good shape, you probably aren't! , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >It's All Relative (By Greg Laurie) When you become a Christian, one of the more notable changes is that you will give up many of the things you once did. Of course, this depends on your lifestyle prior to your conversion. But for many of us, a dramatic change will take place. I have heard people share their stories of how they came to Christ and the great sacrifices they made to follow Him, saying things like, "I had a great life... I went to parties... I had so much fun... But I gave it all up for Jesus Christ, hallelujah! I left it all for the glory of God!" When I hear statements like that, I feel like asking, "What are you talking about? You gave it all up? What did you give up?" If they were to look at those things honestly and realistically, they would come to the same conclusion that Paul did. He said, "But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord . . . " (Philippians 4:7-8). Paul was saying that the stuff that used to be so important, the stuff he once valued so highly, meant nothing to him now in relation to the excellence of the knowledge of Jesus Christ. It's a good idea to periodically ask ourselves, "Is this thing that I am doing slowing me down or speeding me along? Is it building me up spiritually or is it tearing me down?" If it is a weight, then we should lay it aside. [Copyright 2007 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.] -<>- "Paul's words, 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved...' have as much power in this millennium as they did when they were first spoken to a broken suicidal Macedonian jailer." - Pastor Clay A. Kahler ,(()). ,;;;;. __ ________ _____ ___ ((_ _));'_`'_( _| __ __ __ _| _| _| __ __ () \ /)\ ) / (_|__ _|-_| _(_|(_|(_|__ _|-- ((\ O(() \ O / _____(_|(_|_____________(_|_ SSt >Hosanna! (By Peder Eide, www.pedereide.com) [Edited] Palm Sunday was here! I love the word Hosanna. It's powerful. It's passionate. It's more heartfelt than we realize sometimes. The word is interpreted with the words "save us," a cry for salvation but it's also a declaration of praise! Some might find it to be a mix that doesn't easily mix, but I think it mixes well. Raised hands represent celebration, surrender, and a reaching out to touch and be touched! Hosanna, save us, blessed is He who comes! I think it deserves a hand raising! If you were drowning, you would raise and wave your hands to be rescued. At a winning score by your favorite team, you raise your hands in celebration! Same hands... This Easter Sunday, spend some time with your hands raised to the Lord! He is the one who saves us! He is the One who deserves all praise! HOSANNA! -<>- "We don't join the church and become a Christian. We join Christ and become [a part of] the Church." - Roy Putnam . | . \ ' / '-. | .-' --= --|-- =-- _. _|_ | _|_ ._ ' _|__|__|_ ' ____/HEISRISEN\_____ >EASTER STORY COOKIES To be made the evening before Easter. You need: 1c. whole pecans 1 tsp. vinegar 3 egg whites pinch salt 1 c. sugar zipper baggie wooden spoon tape Bible Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. (Read John 19:1-3.) Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. (Read John 19:28-30.) Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. (Read John 10:10-11.) Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. (Read Luke 23:27.) So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1c. sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. (Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.) Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. (Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3.) Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. (Read Matt. 27:57-60.) Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. (Read Matt. 27:65-66.) GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were sad when the tomb was sealed. (Read John 16:20 and 22.) On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! Explain that on the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. (Read Matt. 28:1-9) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 -<>- SUBSCRIBE INFO Want to receive a Christian inspirational item AND great clean humor in an email to you each day of the week? It's easy and FREE! Read all about Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com ========================================================== 88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888 88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888 88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888 88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888 888888888 888 8 8 8 8 888 888888888 888888888 888 8 888 8 888 8 888 88 8 8888888888 888888888 8 8 8 888 88888888888 888888888 888 8 888 8 88888 8888888 88888888888 888888888 888 8 888 8 88888 8888888 88888888888 88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888 888888 8 88 8 8 8 888888 888888 88888 888 8 888888 888 88888 888 888888 888888 888 888 8888 888 8888 888888 888888 88888 888 88888 888 888 88888 88 8888888 888888 8 888 8 8888 888 8 888 888888 88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888 88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888 8JGS8888888888888888888888888888888888888888888 88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888 >-->On the Mountaintop I like life On The Mountaintop ...and I’m here to tell... the peace, joy, and security make for a wonderful place to dwell! Why, you can see almost forever! And...you may think me a bit odd... but it’s like I can almost reach out and touch the Face of God! Yes, here On the Mountaintop, with others living in the Word, I find the most treasured fellowship with them and our Lord! I’d like to stay here forever just to bask in this joy with Him ...never again remembering my trials since I’ve now lived past them. To never again be distracted from the sweet joy of being this Me. To never again know the chaos of living below in the valley. Then the Lord reminds me to look to that valley below ...there are so many hurting people needing to learn what I already know! Then Lord whispers... You must go tell My children there is Hope ...And I want you to show My children the Way to this life On The Mountaintop! Virginia Archer 03-15 -<>- .-^-. .'=^=^='. /=^=^=^=^=\ .-~-. :^= HAPPY =^; .'~~*~~'.|^ EASTER! ^| /~~*~~~*~~\^=^=^=^=^=^: :~*~~~*~~~*~;\.-*))`*-,/ |~~~*~~~*~~|/* ((* *'. :~*~~~*~~~*| *)) * *\ \~~*~~~*~~| * ((* * / `.~~*~~.' \ *)) * .' jgs `~~~` '-.((*_.-' >-->Wishing You a Very Special Easter -Author Unknown Easter is a time of love, Of family and friends, And of peace, It is a time when We say a quiet Thanks For all that we have And all the future holds. Easter is a feeling in our hearts Of hope and faith and trust. It is a day of miracles; A day when our dreams seem A little closer; a time of retrospection for what has been and anticipation of all that will be. And it is a time for remembering With love and appreciation The people in our lives Who make a difference... People like you! May your Easter Be Especially Happy! Lots and lots of love always, ~ T H E J E L L Y B E A N P R A Y E R ~ __ RED is for the blood he gave. .;;. /;;;. GREEN is for the grass he made. /;;;;\ ,..., |;;;;;\ YELLOW is for the sun so bright. |;;;;|/;;;;;;;::.;;| ORANGE is for the edge of night. \;;;;/\;;;;;/::::\;' __ BLACK is for the sins we made. `''` `''''|::::| .;;;\ WHITE is for the grace he gave. jgs .;;;\ \::::/ ,;;;,:;;;;;| PURPLE is for his hour of sorrow. /;;;;;| `''` /::::::\;;;/ PINK is for our new tomorrow. |;;;;/ .-""-.:::::/''` `''` / \'''` A bag full of jelly beans \ / colorful and sweet, HAPPY EASTER '----' is a PRAYER, is a PROMISE, is a SPECIAL TREAT. __, ,___) ______) ,_) (--|__| _, _ _ (--|__ _, ,-|-_ ,_ _| |(_||_)|_)(_| _|___(_|/_)|(/_| ( | | ,_| ( >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->ShangyFunList AD RATES: $25 will get your a message (of up to 40 words) out to all web site list readers. Email me to secure dates. Ad Request ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->This is for all you who love food and DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe **********************************************************************