Happy Blessed Easter Weekend! :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* Please Consider Giving To ShangralaFamilyFun.com The cost of the website has gone up dramatically due to the ever increasingly wonderful pages and photos being added each week to entertain you and our fellow Christian families. If every one would chip in $25 or more, we'd be good for the whole year! So Please - I need your help today! "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a Shangrala Angel, the easiest way to do that is through online giving. It is easy to use, and most of all, it is secure. Please visit the site, scroll down and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL form page comes up. NOTE: Paypal will generate a 'Quantity 1' and 'Price per item' form. Just ignore the price per item and put whatever it is you desire to give in there. With Paypal, you will have your normal receipt for your 'payment' donation in USD (United States Dollars). You can put a memo in there if you'd like. Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS YOU MOST ABUNDANTLY FOR YOUR GIFT! ================ *~* 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 Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND Please Share This email with All Your Friends And Family! ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! -<>- * 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! ================ *~* May You All Have A Happy Blessed Easter Celebration! :) __________________________ |.-----------..-----------.| || _ _ _ _|| ___ _ _ || || | | |/ \| \ \ \/ / || || | | ' | '_/ '_/\ / || || |_|_|_|_|_|||_| /_/ || ||___ _ ___||___ __ ___ || || _|/ \/ _/_ _| _| \|| || _| ' |__ \| || _| ' /|| ||___|_|_/___/|_||___|_|_\|| || || || ||-._________||___________|| '---------------------jgs--' >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press This flaming hot new page is from our friends Linda, LouiseAu and Geniann. Many of us with fur-babies can easily relate to this one! It is sure to give you plenty of Smiles for your day! Check it out here... ________________ '------._.------'\ \_______________\ .'| .'| .'_____________.' .| | | | | Scooby _.-. | . | | * (_.-' | | | Snacks | .| | * * | .' |______________|.' LGB Pets Left Home Alone 3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/petshome3.html --- ...HaHaHa! So funny! Thanks Ladies! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: ,.%` ,;%%', __%%%;, ,%%%\___/%%% ' % \ %% _ %_-%% %%,' %/%%% \,%%%%;%_/%% ,%/% '%%;\%%% ;%, `;' `%-\_\ \%;_%/% ,,%_/%\|\%%`% %,%%|\%\,' `%% |-%%\%\%%% | %-_\%\`_', | '%`%'% | ,%%%%%, _____O_____ ,%%%` /\_________/\ /\/ \/\ /\/ ~;@;~ \/\ /\/ .-_-. \/\ /\/ : ('< : \/\ /\/ '.(_).' \/\ \/: :\/ \ ~;@;~ o ~;@;~ / '. .' '._______.' lc >NEW LIFE AT EASTER TIME by Diane Dean White Years ago at a car show, surrounded with all kinds of booths offering an array of items for sale, my eyes fell upon a variety of unique birdhouses. They were actually too cute to use, and I suspected they were more for decoration purposes. The house was made out of a fine polished wood with a license plate that fit over the top as a roof. I sought out the year of my high school graduation and the fact that it was a Michigan plate made it perfect! We hung it in sheltered areas where we could enjoy it and visitors would see the unique craftsmanship of this decorative birdhouse. A few years later when we moved from Michigan to South Carolina, we hung it outside our front door where guests would notice it. The birds, however, just flew by it! Recently, I heard some chirping outside the window near the area where I work on my computer, and I noticed a bird, possibly a finch that kept flying around the decorative bird house with the Michigan license plate. I listened as she sang and fluttered, and I continue to do my computer work. A little over a week later I was again working at my computer and my hubby and I heard another sound. We heard little peeps and the sounds of baby birds! I was amazed to think that this decorative birdhouse was actually being used for that purpose. I tried to get a good picture of the mother at feeding time, but the hole into the house was no bigger than my thumb, and I could not imagine ever seeing more than the feathers. One afternoon we heard a number of little birds calling for their dinner. My husband stood at the front door, with camera in hand and through the glass inside was able to capture the Mother guarding her babies. I'm going to be watching for the day that the Mother bird takes her continued role, and pushes them out to learn to fly, in order to allow them to go on their own. As the sounds of Spring are in the air and this precious guest and her babes are outside our window, I started thinking about another Mother and her role in life, and how as a young woman she was told she would give birth to the King of Kings. She was obedient to God and Christ was born of a virgin in a meager cave surrounded by animals. When He was a young man, his Mother Mary, had to allow him to do his own thing, and let go. Thinking that He was lost in a crowd one day she found him teaching at a temple and when she questioned what he was doing, he told her he was doing his Father's business. Although quite young, she had to let go. His 33 years of life on earth was consumed with teaching, preaching and miracles. On a dark Friday, the babe born to Mary gave the world His greatest gift. He was taken by Roman soldiers to a wooden cross, where he was nailed and tortured, spit upon and left to die; and yet spoke these words, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do." Friday was a dark day, a day of weeping for Christ's followers, but on Sunday morning, the sun shone and the tomb that was sealed was open and His body was gone. Christ ascended into heaven and all who doubted would believe. Just like the Mother bird who looks after her babies allowing them to be on their own, Mary had to allow Jesus to do what God ordained, letting Him go. We celebrate His resurrection and new life on Easter Sunday. Come to think of it, it was just about that time that those little birds left the nest! Happy Easter! -- Diane Dean White __________________________________________________ Diane is a published author of two books and many short stories and articles in various magazines and books. She and her husband are the parents of three grown children and three grand gals. They make their home in the sunshine state of Florida where Diane continues her writing. You may visit her website at: http://www.dianedeanwhite.com __________________________________________________ /`\ /`\ (/\ \-/ /\) )6 6( >{= Y =}< /'-^-'\ (_)""-(_). /* ((* *'. | *)) * *\ | * ((* * / \ *)) * .' jgs '-.((*_.-' >EASTER JOKES FOR YOUR FAMILY Why does the Easter bunny have a shiny nose? His powder puff is on the wrong end. Is it true that bunnies have good eyesight? Well you never see a bunny wearing glasses, do you? What is the difference between a crazy bunny and a counterfeit $20 bill? One is bad money and the other is a mad bunny! Why did the Easter egg hide? He was a little chicken! Why did a fellow rabbit say that the Easter Bunny was self-centered? Because he was eggo-centric! Why is a bunny the luckiest animal in the world? It has four rabbits' feet. What do you get when you cross a bunny with an onion? A bunion. What did the bunny want to do when he grew up? Join the Hare Force. What do you call a bunny with a large brain? Egghead! What does a bunny use when it goes swimming? A hare-net. What did the grey rabbit say to the blue rabbit? Cheer up! How does the Easter Bunny say Happy Easter? Hoppy Easter =========================================================== >-->From SermonFodder: .-. __| |__ [__ __] | | | | jgs | | '-' >Easter Sunday Thoughts Some of you may recall a New Year's Resolution I shared several years ago. I decided that rather than coming up with an excuse when I was asked to do something for God's Kingdom I would make a conscious effort to say, "yes" more often. I was really blessed by the places that simple effort at obedience took me. I was invited speak at a number of churches and to a number of groups that I might have previously turned down. Since then, there have been periods when I've been invited as a lay speaker every other week or so for a several months. There have also been periods when I've gone several months with no invitations. The last 6 months of down time have given Beth and I some time to spend together. Now, it appears to be time to for me to get back out there again and get to work. I normally get invitations to fill in for vacationing pastors, fill the pulpit for churches that are between pastors, an occasional Bible study, and things like local Promise Keepers Groups and Men's Prayer Breakfast events. However, occasionally I get a surprise. A few weeks back I got a call from a church I spoke at about a year ago. They are between pastors and had several open dates over the next few months they wanted me to fill, including Easter Sunday. They plugged me into this Sunday's service. This will be a first for me. I've never been invited on such a significant church holiday. I have about a half-dozen presentations. One is specifically for churches that are searching for a new pastor, aimed at helping them to prayerfully prepare for new leadership. The invitation to speak at their Easter service has made me realize I'm going to have to depend on God in a big way for this one. Yes, way more than normal. Please be in prayer for me, and for this wonderful country church that was nice enough to invite me back--- on Easter Sunday. I need all the help I can get. So will they. =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS Via Peggy I sat, with two friends, in the picture window of a quaint restaurant just off the corner of the towns-square. The food and the company were both especially good that day. As we talked, my attention was drawn outside, across the street. There, walking into town, was a man who appeared to be carrying all his worldly goods on his back. He was carrying, a well-worn sign that read, "I will work for food." My heart sank. I brought him to the attention of my friends and noticed that others around us had stopped eating to focus on him. Heads moved in a mixture of sadness and disbelief. We continued with our meal, but his image lingered in my mind. We finished our meal and went our separate ways. I had errands to do and quickly set out to accomplish them. I glanced toward the town square, looking somewhat halfheartedly for the strange visitor. I was fearful, knowing that seeing him again would call some response. I drove through town and saw nothing of him. I made some purchases at a store and got back in my car. Deep within me, the Spirit of God kept speaking to me: "Don't go back to the office until you've at least driven once more around the square." And so, with some hesitancy, I headed back into town. As I turned the square's third corner. I saw him. He was standing on the steps of the storefront church, going through his sack. I stopped and looked; feeling both compelled to speak to him, yet wanting to drive on. The empty parking space on the corner seemed to be a sign from God: an invitation to park. I pulled in, got out and approached the town's newest visitor. "Looking for the pastor?" I asked. "Not really," he replied, "just resting." "Have you eaten today?" "Oh, I ate something early this morning." "Would you like to have lunch with me?" "Do you have some work I could do for you?" "No work," I replied. "I commute here to work from the city, but I would like to take you to lunch." "Sure," he replied with a smile. As he began to gather his things. I asked some surface questions. "Where you headed?" "St. Louis." "Where you from?" "Oh, all over; mostly Florida." "How long you been walking?" "Fourteen years," came the reply. I knew I had met someone unusual. We sat across from each other in the same restaurant I had left earlier. His face was weathered slightly beyond his 38 years. His eyes were dark yet clear, and he spoke with an eloquence and articulation that was startling. He removed his jacket to reveal a bright red T-shirt that said, "Jesus is The Never Ending Story." Then Daniel's story began to unfold. He had seen rough times early in life. He'd made some wrong choices and reaped the consequences. Fourteen years earlier, while backpacking across the country, he had stopped on the beach in Daytona. He tried to hire on with some men who were putting up a large tent and some equipment. A concert, he thought. He was hired, but the tent would not house a concert but revival services, and in those services he saw life more clearly. He gave his life over to God. "Nothing's been the same since," he said, "I felt the Lord telling me to keep walking, and so I did, some 14 years now." "Ever think of stopping?" I asked. "Oh, once in a while, when it seems to get the best of me. But God has given me this calling. I give out Bibles. That's what's in my sack. I work to buy food and Bibles, and I give them out when His Spirit leads." I sat amazed. My homeless friend was not homeless. He was on a mission and lived this way by choice. The question burned inside for a moment and then I asked: "What's it like?" "What?" "To walk into a town carrying all your things on your back and to show your sign?" "Oh, it was humiliating at first. People would stare and make comments. Once someone tossed a piece of half-eaten bread and made a gesture that certainly didn't make me feel welcome. But then it became humbling to realize that God was using me to touch lives and change people's concepts of other folks like me." My concept was changing, too. We finished our dessert and gathered his things. Just outside the door, he paused. He turned to me and said, "Come Ye blessed of my Father and inherit the kingdom I've prepared for you. For when I was hungry you gave me food, when I was thirsty you gave me drink, a stranger and you took me in." I felt as if we were on holy ground. "Could you use another Bible?" I asked. He said he preferred a certain translation. It traveled well and was not too heavy. It was also his personal favorite. "I've read through it 14 times," he said. "I'm not sure we've got one of those, but let's stop by our church and see." I was able to find my new friend a Bible that would do well, and he seemed very grateful. "Where you headed from here?" "Well, I found this little map on the back of this amusement park coupon." "Are you hoping to hire on there for awhile?" "No, I just figure I should go there. I figure someone under that star right there needs a Bible, so that's where I'm going next." He smiled, and the warmth of his spirit radiated the sincerity of his mission. I drove him back to the town-square where we'd met two hours earlier, and as we drove, it started raining. We parked and unloaded his things. "Would you sign my autograph book?" he asked. "I like to keep messages from folks I meet." I wrote in his little book that his commitment to his calling had touched my life. I encouraged him to stay strong. And I left him with a verse of scripture from Jeremiah, "I know the plans I have for you," declared the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a future and a hope." "Thanks, man," he said. "I know we just met and we're really just strangers, but I love you." "I know," I said, "I love you, too." "The Lord! is good." "Yes, He is. How long has it been since someone hugged you?" I asked. "A long time," he replied. And so on the busy street corner in the drizzling rain, my new friend and I embraced, and I felt deep inside that I had been changed. He put his things on his back, smiled his winning smile and said, "See you in the New Jerusalem." "I'll be there!" was my reply. He began his journey again. He headed away with his sign dangling from his bedroll and pack of Bibles. He stopped, turned and said, "When you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?" "You bet," I shouted back, "God bless." "God bless." And that was the last I saw of him. Late that evening as I left my office, the wind blew strong. The cold front had settled hard upon the town. I bundled up and hurried to my car. As I sat back and reached for the emergency brake, I saw them... a pair of well-worn brown work gloves neatly laid over the length of the handle. I picked them up and thought of my friend and wondered if his hands would stay warm that night without them. I remembered his words: "If you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?" Today his gloves lie on my desk in my office. They help me to see the world and its people in a new way, and they help me remember those two hours with my unique friend and to pray for his ministry. "See you in the New Jerusalem," he said. Yes, Daniel, I know I will... If this story touched you, forward it to a friend! "I shall pass this way but once. Therefore, any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again." My instructions were to send this to four people that I wanted God to bless and I picked you. Please pass this to four people you want to be blessed. This prayer is powerful and there is nothing attached, please do not break this pattern, prayer is one of the best gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of rewards, let's continue to pray for one another. God bless and have a nice day! "Father, I ask you to bless my friends, relatives and e-mail buddies reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of your love and power. Jesus, I ask you to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through your grace, In Jesus Christ's precious Name I pray, Amen." -<>- .---. / ,-- \ .--. ( (^_^) ) .--. ,' \ (.-`-'(_) / `. / `-/ \ `. \-' \ : (_,' . / (.\_ ") \ . `._) : | `-'(_,\ \ / /._)`-' | | . `.\,O,'.' . : | | . : ! /\_ /\ ! . ! | | ! |-'-| : ""T"" : |-'-| | | | |-' `-'| H |`-' `-| | `-' | H .:| `-' | . H !|| | : H :!| | ! H !|| | | H ||| | | H ||| Ojo 98 /_,'V.L|.\ >Where Angels Tread My wife lay in the hospital bed, recovering from her liver operation, the chemotherapy treatment, and lastly coming out of a semi-coma. Her chances of survival were slim, about 1/2 of one percent, but survive she did. Phil, her son-in- law and I were visiting her, getting her ready to come home. While visiting with her, she asked me who is the lady that is scrubbing the floor. I looked but just the three of us were in the room, no other lady. I asked my wife about the woman's appearance, her attire. She responded, "She is wearing a white robe and has silver hair." We continued to visit, then she sat up in bed and said, "She is washing my feet." I had to turn away, tears were coming to my eyes. I realized for the first time my wife was being prepared for her last journey. What did my wife see? I cannot say except I believe she witnessed people from heaven, angels, whatever you wish to call them and they were preparing my wife. How could she see them and we could not? Medication? Perhaps. However, I prefer to believe, no, I have to believe she saw through the vail. My wife saw with spiritual eyes things that I could not see because I was too far from the otherside. B.J. Cassady Guthrie, Oklahoma B. J. Cassady ll -<>- >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 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! https://tinyurl.com/y4xyz2w8 -<>- This Friday - April: Pink Moon https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/moon/pink.html 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 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 --- ...I added the above video to this page: World's Top Geniuses! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/geniuses.html 9 Discoveries that Confirm the Bible | Proof for God https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQd-fdpq9mk Our God Is An AWESOME God! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RGcb7alSk0&feature=related Shine Jesus Shine! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr5Y63bDNNg&feature=related -<>- Democratic Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib met with another extreme anti- Israel activist and terrorist-supporter in her Capitol Hill https://tinyurl.com/y4r7a95j Lindsey Graham Drops The HAMMER On Illegals https://preservefreedom.org/lindsey-graham-drops-the-hammer-on-illegals/ Al Jazeera Host Goes Ballistic on Fox News https://tinyurl.com/y3pc8r33 Hannity 04/16/19 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5WSqTO-Okw The Ingraham Angle 4/16/19 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6phvyS4hlSY Westwing News: Mueller Probe Was a Waste of Time and Money – No Collusion, No Obstruction https://www.whitehouse.gov/westwingreads/ WhiteHouseNews: https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600daily/ Latest From AFA: http://tinyurl.com/j7lakqw Students For Life https://tinyurl.com/yd5nxmu6 Latest From OperationRescue: http://www.operationrescue.org/ Latest Product Alert: Cookies, Ice Cream, Fish http://www.emergencyemail.org/products/?fmt=text Latest Health Alert: http://www.emergencyemail.org/health/?fmt=text -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) This cute film contains a number of rather sneaky animals ... https://youtu.be/gpmCufQPTSs --- ...Teehee! Thanks LouiseAu! Veniamin's "Human Slinky" performing during basketball half-time at Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska. https://youtu.be/dUnoeZ7m82w --- ...Wowsers! Thanks LouiseAu! Visit Melissa's Online Store You can get anything you want (except for Melissa ) at the online store http://pdhomes.net/mall/babylissa/mySTORES/ISELL4.html ========================================================== >-->From laughAndLift: _ xxxx _ /_;-.__ / _\ _.-;_\ `-._`'`_/'`.-' `\ /` | / /-.( \_._\ \ \`; > |/ / // |// jgs \(\ `` >He Is Risen (By Steve Troxel) [Edited] On the night before He was crucified, Jesus, while in great anguish, showed the human side of His nature and asked if there was another way for God's plan to be accomplished; "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me" (Matthew 26:39a). Though He knew He would be physically, emotionally, and Spiritually tormented, nailed to a cross and hung until dead, He gave His life into the hands of the Father; "Yet, not as I will, but as You will" (Matthew 26:39b). And as sure as Jesus knew God's plan was for Him to die, He also knew He would rise again; "And on the third day He will be raised to life" (Matthew 17:23). On the third day after Jesus was crucified, Mary Magdalene and her friends saw the empty tomb and immediately ran to tell the disciples; "But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense" (Luke 24:11). Even after Peter saw the empty tomb for himself, he was perplexed; "He went away, wondering to himself what had happened" (Luke 24:12). The disciples had walked with Jesus and listened to Him teach about this day but they still did not understand. It wasn't until Jesus personally appeared to the disciples that the events began to make sense; "Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures" (Luke 24:45). In an instant, everything fit into place. They finally understood how all the Old Testament scripture pointed to the coming of Jesus and how He would be sacrificed for the forgiveness of our sins. They saw the predictions of His death - and of His resurrection. They finally saw Him as much more than a good teacher, much more than even a mighty king. His resurrection meant He was the Savior, the one and only Son of God! Romans 1:4 "And who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord." The resurrection was God's declaration to the world: "This is My Son!" The resurrection lets us know that "with God ALL things are possible" (Matthew 19:26), and it gives us the assurance that every one of His promises will come to pass; if Christ is truly risen, how can any trials of this world possibly lead to [ultimate] defeat? True belief in the resurrection should fill us with awe and overwhelm us with a sense of peace and thankfulness. He died and rose again so we could live an abundant life and worship Him for all eternity. This Easter season, let's place our faith in the sacrifice of Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins and live in the promise and power of His resurrection. Let's pray for our mind to be fully opened to His truth and for our life to be lived as though we KNOW He is risen! 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 --- ...See This Great Teaching... , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' For The Joy That Was Set Before Him http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/joy.html ========================================================== ,=""=, c , _,{ /\ @ ) __ / ^~~^\ <=.,__/ '}= (_/ ,, ,,) \_ _>_/~ ~\_(/-\)'-,_,_,_,-'(_)-(_) -Naughty >You're Normal, Sweetie Story Editor: by Eric Storm Joyce Schowalter California, USA In 1998 our first child suffered through months of colic. Every night from 6 p.m. until 4 a.m. we took turns sitting up with our daughter as she cried and wailed. Though neither of us got any real sleep, I at least was able to escape to work. My wife stayed home. Just as it looked like things were improving slightly I was faced with a four-day business trip. My understanding boss tried to get me excused, but her boss made it clear I must go or face being fired. Two days into the trip things went VERY wrong at home. My wife, Deb, took Amelia in for a pediatric visit. Our doctor had no children and little experience with colic. During the exam, my still exhausted wife was trying to explain our ordeal and commented, "I'm starting to understand why some parents snap." The doctor excused herself. Deb picked our baby up from the exam table, and Amelia let loose with a big bowel movement. Left alone, Deb tried to clean the baby, herself, and the room as best she could. A few minutes later the Doctor returned. Standing in the doorway, she informed my wife that she had called Child Protective Services (CPS) and they were sending someone over to take her to their offices to interview. My wife was floored but the doctor wouldn't discuss the issue. When she asked if she could go to the bathroom to finish cleaning up, the doctor said, "The police will be called if you leave this exam room." That was too much for Deb. She bundled up Amelia and pushed past the Doctor. She said, "I know where the CPS office is. I'm not waiting two hours for transport, I'm going there myself," and left. As she walked into the CPS office she must have looked a complete fright: upset, crying, covered in baby poop with a wailing baby in her arms. She was hurried into an interview room and a nurse sat down with her. Deb recounted her story. At the end, the Nurse asked, "So you've got a colicky baby, your husband's out of town, and your doctor doesn't understand?" "Yes," my wife answered. "You're normal, sweetie," was the nurse's reply. The understanding Nurse had also faced similar challenges with one of her kids. She told my wife how hard it had been for her, and how horrible it had felt at the time. My wife felt a great weight lift. Here was someone who validated her feelings and understood her. A year later, my best friend had her first child and went through the same struggles with colic. We sat down and told these new parents our story: that we'd felt the same feelings of anger, pain and fear, and that we understood their problems. Hearing they were normal helped them to persevere, too. We were privileged to pass on the gift the nurse had given my wife. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From CupOfCheer: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >PROPHETS, TEACHERS AND YOU ESV Acts 13:1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. The horizon, that boundary line separating sky from earth, is not visible in many places. Here in Western Pennsylvania there are so many trees, hills, and mountains that one cannot see the horizon. Once while in central Australia, I could see far enough to notice the curvature of the earth, set apart from the sky, forming an almost endless horizon. It is that setting apart that Luke reminds us of in chapter 13 of the book of Acts. The church is in its infant stages and, as Pastor Harry Metzger likes to note, we see the very first ‘mission trip’ in the Christian world. Barnabas and Saul are set apart, just like the horizon, to serve very specific roles. I have read this text many times reflecting, “How nice. This is about pastors and the like.” There are great lessons and examples in these three verses, and they speak to more than just pastors. Note first, how this new church was composed of people from many different lands and backgrounds. Look at the beginning of verse 2 and notice the word “worship”. The Greek for this word denotes acts of service, work, and to minister. The early church here is serving publically in the community to the glory of God. Recall that Saul and Barnabas are called, set apart, for specific service. We too, are set apart for ministry! Have you considered that? You are called and set apart! Now, not all of us are called to be pastors or teachers. But we are all called to be His light in our spheres of influence. Do your neighbors know about your faith in Christ? Do your classmates know about your faith in Christ? Do your co-workers know about your faith in Christ? Do your children know about your faith in Christ? That one may sound a bit strange but it is a good question to ask. So many of us grew up going to church weekly, but that was about it in terms of our family faith playing out in the world. Your calling as a follower of Christ is just as clear and distinct as the calling of Saul and Barnabas. Are you living that out in open, voluntary, and public ways? Heavenly Father, help each of us to honor and glorify your name every day. Equip us with the faith and courage to share your good news with those whom you place in our lives daily! as seen in Thursday's Bread -<>- _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ >WORSHIP HIM, LIVE FOR HIM, TELL OTHERS ABOUT HIM My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle… --Job 7:6 Where are we going so fast? Scientific measurements indicate that we are moving even when we are standing still. Continental land masses sit on enormous slabs of rock that slide very slowly at the rate of 1 to 8 inches per year. In addition, America is gradually moving westward, away from Europe, at the rate of 3 inches per year. Consider this: our Milky Way galaxy is hurtling through space at 375 miles per second or 1.3 million miles per hour. And within our own galaxy, the sun and its solar system are zooming along at 12.4 miles per second toward the star Vega in the constellation Lyra. If you were to lie on your back in a quiet park on a cloudless day, you may feel as though all time and movement have stopped under the warm rays of the sun. And when you're walking down the street, you don't notice the earth spinning beneath your feet. But the scientist and the Christian know otherwise. Just as we are hurtling through the heavens at unimaginable speeds according to science, so too are we moving from here to eternity. Our days and opportunities to live for the Lord and share Him with others pass so quickly that we cannot afford to waste any more time. It is important that we remember our days are numbered and life is but "a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14). Time is God's gift to you, so worship Him, live for Him, and bring others to the saving knowledge of His grace and forgiveness in the days you have left. Live dynamically for Christ today because tomorrow may not come. PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you live without desperation or futility as you travel quickly from your earthly home to your heavenly home. as seen in Daily Living For Seniors -<>- (\ (\_\_^__o ___ `-'/ `_/ '`--\______/ | ' / | ` . ' -`/.------'\^-' >THE BRATS James 4:6 – But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (NIV) It was one of those days. You know the kind I mean: one little disaster follows another, until we finally reach the breaking point and we think we are just going to start screaming if one more thing goes wrong. I was minding my daughters' brats, Sienna and Sam — such cute, innocent names for such devious, mischievous little imps. Throughout the day, my patience had been stretched to the limit with their antics. Sam had discovered that wallpaper rips very nicely off the wall, while Sienna had happily munched on one of my favorite Christmas decorations. On top of all of this, they had both had me up during the night and then proceeded to have numerous accidents on the floor and the rugs throughout the day. As I pushed myself up off my knees from cleaning the carpet one more time, I found myself whispering, Grace, Lord, grant me grace to deal with this pair of little monkeys. And that's just what He did. His grace arrived through the gift of laughter, as everything Sam and Sienna had gotten into that day ran through my mind like some kind of crazy cartoon, causing me to see the humor of the situation in spite of my tiredness and frustration. Sam and Sienna are only a pair of Yorkshire Terrier puppies, and yet, God's grace was available for me amidst their trifling, unending antics. Such love and mercy, in the form of grace, is a great encouragement to me. For if God's grace is so freely available to us amidst the small, minute things of life, imagine the outpouring we can look forward to when we are asked to face the truly gigantic, scary, mind-boggling issues that life enjoys flinging across our path when we least expect them. Truly, as the old hymn written by Annie Johnson Flint states, we can trust that: He giveth more grace when the burden grows greater; He sendeth more strength when the labours increase… His love has no limits; His grace has no measure, His power no boundary known unto men; For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again! Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your gift of grace amidst the trivial as well as among the great burdens and frustrations of life. Truly, You are a most amazing God whose love and mercy have no limit and whose grace has no measure. For this, we praise You in Christ's name. Amen. Lynne Phipps Atlin, British Columbia, Canada as seen in PCCWeb Daily Devotional -<>- 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 >A SUPERB THOUGHT FOR TODAY There once was a farmer who discovered that he had lost his watch in the barn. It was no ordinary watch because it had sentimental value for him. After searching high and low among the hay for a long while; he gave up and enlisted the help of a group of children playing outside the barn. He promised them that the person who found it would be rewarded. Hearing this, the children hurried inside the barn, went through and around the entire stack of hay but still could not find the watch. Just when the farmer was about to give up looking for his watch, a little boy went up to him and asked to be given another chance. The farmer looked at him and thought, "Why not? After all, this kid looks sincere enough." So the farmer sent the little boy back in the barn. After a while the little boy came out with the watch in his hand! The farmer was both happy and surprised and so he asked the boy how he succeeded where the rest had failed. The boy replied, "I did nothing but sit on the ground and listen. In the silence, I heard the ticking of the watch and just looked for it in that direction." Moral: A peaceful mind can think better than a worked up mind. Allow a few minutes of silence to your mind every day, and see, how sharply it helps you to set your life the way you expect it to be! as seen in Inspiration Plus -<>- _|_ ____|____ #%@@ /~~~~.~~~~\ @@%# @%%#%%, /~~~~/ \~~~~\ ,%%#%%@ %%@@%%@%/~~~~/ : \~~~~\%@%%@@%% `@%%%@#@/____/ (X) \____\@%%%@#@` @@\@%%@`|.`.| ___ |.`.|`@%%@/@@ `#%/@ |:x:|| .||:x:| @\%#` || |:x:|| ||:x:| || -_|| _-|:x:||~ .||:x:|-_ ||_- !-!-!-!-!-|___||___||___|-!-!-!-!-!lc >THE POWER OF WORDS Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification. EPHESIANS 4:29 Kids today take "keyboarding" rather than typing, but when I was young, we learned to type on actual typewriters. In high school I struggled in my typing class, but I made a great discovery: If I could type 60 words a minute, even with 15 errors, I would get an A in speed and an F in accuracy. Round those together, and that would give me a C for the class. I could live with that. But my gray-haired typing teacher, Mrs. Whittington, didn't like my logic. Or my behavior. And one day in front of the whole class— exasperated with me over something I'd done—she pointed her very boney finger at me and said, "Dennis Rainey, you will never amount to anything." I'm sure before the day was out, she forgot her comment. But I never forgot it. And when I graduated from college, I drove over to her house and rang her doorbell. When she came to the door, I said (kindly), "Hi, Mrs. Whittington, I'm Dennis Rainey. I wanted you to know that I just graduated from college and am getting ready to go into full-time Christian ministry." In other words, "I'm going to amount to something, in spite of what you said." I'm sure she wondered why in the world I came to her house to tell her that! Now, should I have done that? Probably not. But words can hurt. They go deep and leave a mark, for good or for bad. That's why Paul instructed us to use our words for edification—to build up, to strengthen, to lighten the load of another, to give someone the heart to match the need of the moment. He wasn't talking about flattery, or false praise, but about speaking words of support and encouragement. Because when we're not building each other up, we're probably tearing each other down. DISCUSS Share an example of something encouraging your spouse said to you once that you've never forgotten. Talk about how that made you feel. PRAY Pray that your hearts will be filled with grace and that grace-filled words will follow. As seen in Moments Together For Couples -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >IDENTIFICATION WITH THE FATHER “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 (NAS) Devotion: As a children’s ministry volunteer for many years, I’ve noticed a common trait among the children of church employees and pastors: they walk through the church with a unique confidence. It’s as if they are thinking, “My dad owns this place and I can go wherever I want.” I understand this mentality because when I was a teenager, my mother worked as the office manager of our small church. She was an invaluable resource to every volunteer with her efficiency and outstanding problem solving abilities. Although I was a little older, I remember feeling pride in my mother’s role within the church. And it gave me a sense of ownership and authority. A little child gains confidence because of his or her identification with a parent. Today, you and I can walk through this world with confidence because of our identification with our Heavenly Father. As daughters of the Most High King, we have the privilege of approaching our Father’s throne with the boldest of requests. And yet, for some reason, (perhaps a false humility) we hang back. In fact, we often act like orphans; afraid to ask for too much, afraid to seem greedy. But the truth is we have a Heavenly Father who “is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). Even Jesus told us in Matthew 7:11 “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!” I heard the story of a professional golfer who was invited to play golf with the king of a Middle Eastern country. The golfer flew to meet the king and spent some time golfing with him. At the end of the visit, the king asked how he could thank the golfer for spending time with him. The golfer said there was nothing he needed, but the king insisted. So the golfer said, “How about a new golf club.” The king agreed, and the golfer returned to America. Weeks went by and the golfer was curious about what type of club the king would choose. One day, a man appeared at the golfer’s home with an envelope from the king. The golfer opened the envelope to discover the deed to a golf country club. The moral of the story is that we need to think like a king. But I would add, we actually need to think like the daughter of a King. We need to be convinced that God is able to do anything you or I ask, and that it pleases Him to do so. It would be wrong to give the impression that God is like a rich grandfather with a blank check. Scripture is clear in other places that we need to be seeking God’s righteousness and pray according to His will. But it is also wrong to walk around with our heads hung low, desperately seeking confidence and identity from worldly sources. I believe we need to walk with our heads held high, in quiet confidence, knowing that our identity is found in being loved by a generous Heavenly Father, who “chose us in Christ before the foundations of the world to be holy and blameless before Him in love.” And this same God, who chose us, longs to give us good gifts. My prayer for today: Heavenly Father, thank you for choosing me, and adopting me into your family. Your love is overwhelming. Teach me to hunger after your will and your righteousness. I ask for a heart of boldness and confidence that comes from knowing my identity lies in being loved by You. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Application Steps: Consider if your identity and confidence are found in your own abilities or from your relationship with God. Identify the areas of your life where you trust in your strength to meet your needs. Decide to lay all your needs and wants before our Heavenly Father. , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' John 8:28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. Reflection points: What are your most common prayer requests? If you could ask God for anything, what would it be? Why do you think God doesn’t answer every prayer with a “yes” answer? Is there anything in you that might hinder your prayers? (an unconfessed sin, unforgiveness, etc.?) Tell of a time when God gave you abundantly more than you even thought to ask. Power Verses: “Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7 (NIV) “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7: 8-11 (NIV) “For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich.” II Corinthians 8:9 (NRS) “I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make Your faithfulness known through all generations.” Psalm 89:1 (NIV) “Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them." Matthew 18:19-20 (NRSV) as seen in Growthtrac Encouragement For Today To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316kim@sc.rr.com. ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseAu :) _..._ _..._ .' _ '. .' _ './ (a) .-'-. / (e) .-'-. '-,-'` | '-,--'` / ; / ; | _ / |/ .\ _ (_\ __..;__ \ ::\ ,/_)._ _;\;``""----...___...---:"`` .-'_ `'. \ '::.()\__) (\())(`._'- `-._ ,:-" '. '. - : ; '::\--;__ _\()`''----...__ `-._ '-. '._ .' | .:::|()\_) (_/`;-. jgs _ ()`-. `""--...____..-'` ;_ .:::| `. \_) _;/_)/).;()'._ (`\.-();/_).__ .::::/().-./`) (_\`;(()(_/(()/(. __.--;();`\_)()\__) .::()--;__:() '-;---()_;\_/()"-._ (_/ (/ /()';();--._\_::'`.();\_)` ,() (_.-(); \._ ``""(_.();_().(`\.-();__)`(_/ `--.__ (_/ (_/() \_) __/(_/|\();__\_)` \_) ` (_/ \_)`-._); >Peace In His Presence In this world of uncertainty Where tomorrow may never be We have a HOPE that we can cling to That we find only, Lord, in Thee! With You, we need not fear No worries to consume our minds For each moment lies in Your hands With You, PEACE is what we'll find! We may lose our worldly possessions Relationships may come and go BUT Your Presence is ever abiding Your blessings will ALWAYS flow! As we stay obedient to Your Word With dedicated hearts and lives to You We know NOTHING will ever be too great, Lord - You will FOREVER see us through! So we'll cast ALL of our cares upon You We'll fret not what tomorrow will bring For the Lord watches over His children With You we KNOW we can face ANYTHING! --- ...Lovely! Thank You LouiseAu! ~ 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: $20 will get your a message (of up to 40 words) out to all self-subscribed readers and $5 more will give you the same message also put up for all web site readers. Email me to secure dates. 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