Happy Blessed Halloween! :) 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! ================ >-->In The 'Shangy' News :) . . . . ,-,--. __| //``-, \ \_`\ )\a-a-? \ \ \_`(_=_/_-`__ \__, , \| | _ _,' ___7 ) | (_)(_`__(_,---' | ( _( ) | / /_| |________| __/__/__|__|_________) _________(__,_|)/ (__)|/____\(_______________ mic Late Tuesday I discovered that many of my webpages were not displaying their text correctly. Since I had not done anything to cause this, I remembered that Firefox had a recent update. That meant that the HTML code I've been using for years, was not correct any more. Considering that I am like an artist with my pages and am very picky about how they look, I got busy yesterday to fix it. Since I am a self taught HTML programmer, I first went searching for code to replace the code I was using to make paragraph indentations. As normal with HTML, it required a script and then a code before each paragraph. I tried this, but then, it added an extra blank line. I like my pages to look how I want them to look and I didn't like this. So I went to just doing the indent myself for each paragraph. With HTML, it doesn't recognize spaces so you have to give it a code for it to actually make a space. I know, pain in the you know where, but if I had to do it the hard way to get it the way I wanted, then so be it. To make a long story short, I spent yesterday editing over 300 of my pages to correct them from the Firefox update. I will do more as my time permits. Yes, I understand that if Firefox discovers they messed up this code and fix it themselves, my pages will all be correct and I won't have to do all this editing. But, I don't like anyone seeing a messed up page. The code I am using will be fine even if Firefox corrects their update. I can't see them getting rid of or messing up a space code. To make a long story short, if you come across a messed up page, you can email and let me know which page or know that I eventually will get it fixed. It will take a while to go through my thousand plus pages. Thanks for your Patience and Understanding. :) -<>- >2 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This super flaming hot new page is from my daughter Tammy. It is just in time to give you lots of Halloween smiles with some of your favorite pets featured. Be sure to check it out here: _.---,_ .' `'. \ __..-'\ }-"` \ /__,,..---.._| \ | |---..__ | / ``"-./ .'---...__ | .' ``"-./ ,--./...,,,__ / '--.'__ __```.-. /._ / ` ` ' `=/.-.|-._) | .-. .-. "\\ / || O| | O| ""=='_\ .-' '-'o '-' ""=\` `''--/- ""=-,\--._ .---|- ( ""=-. \` \ /`)"=."=|'-. '. _.-' ' "=|\| (`----` '="=|/ `-. "=/` '. =/ \ =| .-. |` "=| ( ~._ | "==| _.-~`\ \ ~. |'"="| _.-~ ) ; ~-.|.-._|_.-~ / / _-( /-.__ ( '._..--~~`/`/-'\-._ `~~- ; jgs /"=| |" =\~-...___.-~ /=" / | "==\ / = (_ \ "==\ ;="= `\_) =="\ Tricks For Treats 5! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/tricksfortreats5.html ...Our next new page needed editing to correct it's text... This too hot to handle new page is from our friend Judy. She sent us the latest update for her dog Ricochet. Like all of our Ricochet pages, this one is sure to warm your heart. Be sure to visit and check out the inspirational video here too: \\ ///// | | (| _ _ |) |` | '| | __ | >>>___/\_^__/\___<<< / ||| \ Mike Hertz Ricochet And Jose http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ricochetjose.html --- ...Aww, What an awesome story! Thank You So Much Judy! -<>- (\ \'\ \'\ __________ / '| ()_________) \ '/ \ ~~~~~~~~ \ \ \ ~~~~~~ \ ==). \__________\ (__) ()__________) unknown >>>>> Reader Comment <<<<< >We got this From our friend Michelle: NOTE: Yahoo Groups Is Winding Down and All Content Will Be Permanently Removed. Users won't be able to upload new content to the site after October 28 and have until December 14 to archive their content. The only thing Yahoo groups will serve as are email groups. You will still be able to write in the groups but nothing else will work. Yahoo said in an announcement. Click on link below: https://tinyurl.com/y2laucm4 She Added In Response to our Last Inspirations email... "I just wanted to forward this email to you since you mentioned using the Inspired Buffalo content for your newsletter. You can save their archives by using this: http://www.personalgroupware.com/ I have used this myself and it does work. Just thought as a group owner myself it may be helpful to you. Hugs, Michelle" --- ...Aww, so sweet and thoughtful of you Michelle! Thank you! I've tried it. It does work. I will see how much it costs as to whether I can justify the time saved by using it verses formatting and editing the messages myself each time I use the saved database files. I'm already short over $500 for this year. Fortunately, they are readable using Wordpad - but will take a lot of work to be usable without this extracting program. =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: ___ .-""-. ___ \ "-. / \ .-" / > -=.\/ \/.=- < > -='/\ /\'=- < /__.-' \ / '-.__\ jgs '-..-' >WHERE'S THE GOOD STUFF? by Joseph Walker I don't know how it is at your house, but when our kids were growing up there were always two questions that invariably occupied an inordinate amount of time and attention this time every year: what were the children going to be for Halloween, and where did Mom hide the trick-or-treat candy? Through the years, I developed a stock answer to the "what should I be?" question. I would look thoughtfully at the asker, whichever of our five children it might be, then say: "Just be a good person." For some reason, they all stopped asking me. I don't know why. But the second question was trickier, because I know how my wife, Anita, does things. She would buy a bunch of Halloween candy as soon as our grocer put it on the shelves -- you know, right after the Fourth of July. (She did this ever since we got burned one year. We waited until the day before Halloween to buy candy, and there wasn't any good stuff, as in "chocolate candy bars" left. So she started buying it early and hiding it, since the average shelf-life of un-hidden chocolate in our house was about 37 seconds.) For some reason, however, I seemed to be the only one in the family who could never find Anita's Halloween stash. I remember one year catching then 7-year-old Jonathan wandering around the house munching on a trick-or-treat-sized Snickers bar. "Hey, Jon," I asked, "where'd you get that?" "Shhh!" he hissed, spewing a little stream of chocolate-caramel-nut spray. "It's a secret!" "I know!" I whispered. "So share the secret with me!" "Mommy said don't tell." "She meant that you shouldn't tell the other kids," I assured him. "It's OK to tell Daddy." "Mommy said 'specially don't tell Daddy!" "That's right, Dad," said 9-year-old Elizabeth, who had a mini- Milky Way in her hand. "We're not supposed to tell you where the candy is." "But you guys know," I whined. "That's because Mama trusts us," Elizabeth said. "If we tell, she won't trust us anymore." "Besides," Andrea added, "somebody has to not know where it is, or else there wouldn't be any point in hiding it." This is as close as you get to logic with a 16-year-old on a 3 Musketeers high. Just then 18-year-old Joe Jr. walked in with a little bag of Whoppers. "Mom's getting better," he said, swallowing malted milk and chocolate. "It took me four minutes to find the stash this year." "That's because I helped hide it," said 20-year-old AmyJo, maturely munching a Milk Dud. "No more Ms. Nice Guy!" "But what about Mr. Nice Guy?" I asked my children. "What about me?" "What is it you always say to us, Dad?" AmyJo asked. "'I could do it for you, but I love you too much to deprive you of the joy and satisfaction of doing it for yourself.'" She looked at me triumphantly as her brothers and sisters convulsed in laughter around her. She had been waiting for at least 16 years to turn that line around on me, and she was enjoying this. And if you promise not to tell I'll let you in on a little secret: I was enjoying it too. For the first time in my life as a father I realized that some of my teaching was actually sinking in to their chocolate-loving little heads. And it occurred to me that if they were using my own teaching here against me, maybe they were occasionally using it out there against the Big Bad World, too. The thought gave me comfort -- then and now -- my cholatelessness notwithstanding. Which reminds me -- I've got to get down to the store before all the good stuff is gone. -- Joseph Walker __________________________________________________ Check out Joe's website here: http://www.josephbwalker.com =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Phyllis :) ..::''''::.. .:::. .;'' ``;. .... ::::: :: :: :: :: ,;' .;: () ..: `:::' :: :: :: :: ::. ..:,:;.,:;. . :: .::::. `:' :: .:' :: :: `:. :: '''::, :: :: :: `:: :: ;: .:: : :: : : :: ,:'; ::; :: :: :: :: :: ::,::''. . :: `:. .:' :: `:,,,,;;' ,;; ,;;, ;;, ,;;, ,;;, `:,,,,:' :;: `;..``::::''..;' ``::,,,,::'' >"I wish for you..." Comfort on difficult days, Smiles when sadness intrudes, Rainbows to follow ALL clouds, Laughter to kiss your lips, Sunsets to warm your heart Gentle hugs when spirits sag, Friendships to brighten your being, Beauty for your eyes to see, Confidence for when you doubt, Faith so that you can WAIT, Courage to know yourself, Patience to accept ........, And love to complete your life. -<>- _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ >God Bless you! I asked the Lord to bless you As I prayed for you today To guide you and protect you As you go along your way.... His love is always with you His promises are true No matter what the tribulation You know He will see us through So, when the road you're traveling on Seems difficult at best Give your problems to the Lord And HE will do the rest. --- ...Awww, so heartwarming! Thank you Phyllis! =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: ________ .' / / ) / /##/ /| / `--' / | /__ __ __ / | //_//_//_// / __ //_//_//_// / \`.___ Listening end //_//_//_// / //_//_//_// /__ / / / \`.___ Buttons / .-. / / / /#/ / / / `-' / /__ / .====. / / \`.___ Speaking end |`--------' / \ , .'__ `-//----' \`.___ Disconnect button // // >INSTANT INSIGHT ON A BAD HEAR DAY I am a professional communicator. No, really, I am. You can look it up. I've been communicating professionally for a long time. That doesn't necessarily mean I'm good at it; just that I'm better at it than I would be at auto mechanics, for example, or anything that requires you to work with (shudder) numbers. During my career, I've faced a lot of different challenges, communicatively speaking. But nothing in my experience could prepare me for the communications crisis I faced one day a few years back when I tried to talk to my father on the phone. Dad, bless his heart and his pacemaker, was 88 at the time. At that point in his life, he had a hard time keeping pace with the flow of conversation even when he could hear it. But when he was having a bad hear day. well, communication was difficult, if not impossible, and that day was a bad hear day. "Hi, Dad," I said when he answered the phone. "How are you doing today?" "Hello? Hello? Who is this?" "It's me, Dad, Joe!" I was speaking louder, just in case. "I can't hear you," he said. "Who is this? Hello?" I cranked up the volume. This was familiar: raising my voice to be heard by Dad, knowing that there's a good chance I still won't be understood. "It's Joe," I bellowed. "Can you hear me?" "Joe? Is that you? You sound like you're far away. Where are you?" "I'm home, Dad," I said. "How are you?" "Mother isn't here right now. She passed away, you know." "Yes, Dad," I said, louder. "She's been gone for a long time now. Sixteen years." "Hello? Who is this? I can't hear you!" "It's Joe, Dad. Do you have your hearing aid on?" "My what?" "Your hearing aid!" I said, pretty much shouting at this point, partly so he could hear me and partly out of frustration. "Do you have it on?" "Maybe." I could hear him fussing with something. Then he asked: "Where are you?" "I'm home, Dad. Can you hear..." "I can't hear you very well. Are you sure you're talking into the right end of the phone?" I wanted to scream, as much from aggravation as from the desire to communicate with my father. Then I thought about what he had just asked me: "Are you sure you're talking into the right end of the phone?" I started to laugh. I must have been laughing pretty loud because Dad started laughing, too. To tell the truth, I don't know if he understood why. But something magical happened in that moment of mutual laughter. For the first time in a long time we were on the same page. We shared a moment of real communication -- thanks, at least in part, to our inability to communicate. Life can be unpredictable that way. Just when we're feeling smug and confident, somebody comes along and asks if we're talking into the wrong end of the phone. Not only do these little nuggets of reality help to keep our feet firmly planted on earth, they can often bring illumination and understanding. A lifetime of insight and inspiration can be found in an instant. Chaos can be calmed by a sudden moment of clarity. And a communication crisis can be turned into a laughing matter, even for a professional. --Joseph Walker -<>- .--. .--. / ' .\ |'. ( .-. \ \ . ` /\. /`. / ) ( `.' .' '--'` (\ \.' .' ) \`. \ _/ _..--' `. \ /`'<_/ : )"'``..`-3 : :. `"'. ) / |-.'' (_.-._ | / ( .'`--..J ' |-'( |_| | : >` '. .'' : | Y | < | : > ' \ `_ : '` \ / :- ' || : / ./: | \ .'J /_ ) : | '% | a:f /.-.`). : I | / ( \ ) : .^) `-' `..-' (`"' / ===' >HUGS By: Joseph J. Mazzella I consider myself one of the richest men who have ever walked the face of the Earth. I know myself to be one of the wealthiest people who have ever lived. This wealth can't be measured in money, diamonds, or gold, however. This richness can't be seen in the home I live in or in the possessions I have. This incredible abundance is far greater and more precious than those things could ever be. This fantastic prosperity and priceless treasure is something that I give and receive freely everyday of my life. The most spectacular thing about this endless wealth too is that the more I give it away the more of it I get back. What is this special richness that fills my life so completely? It is wonderful, joyful, loving hugs. I am so blessed to still get so many loving hugs from my daughter, my sons, and my beautiful wife. These hugs keep my body young, my mind alive, and fill my heart and soul with warmth, love, and joy. They bless me with a happiness and oneness with life that is priceless beyond measure. They help me to feel the sweetness of living, the joy of giving, and the love of God. They shower me in goodness as I receive them and as I share them with the world. I take endless delight in sharing them too. My wife, children, friends, and even family dogs will tell you that. I love to hug and I hug to love. They are one of the best gifts God gives any of us and I am so happy to joyously share them with all those around me. Don't be afraid to share these God-given gifts of love and joy then. Hug your family, hug your friends, hug your animals, hug all those you love, and if you are alone right now then wrap your arms around yourself and give yourself a hug as well. We all deserve to be hugged. We all deserve to be loved. God gave us these arms for a reason. Don't just leave them hanging by your sides. Fill your heart and soul with God's love and joy and then go out and hug the world. -<>- ,--. ,--. ( O ) ( O ) `--' \ `--' \ _ >-. / /| `-.__.' Krogg >Yet, He Smiled I drove to the park on the edge of town, walked over and sat by an old man who had a cane propped up next to him. His appearance was sickly, he had a raspy cough, his glasses were thick and he trembled with old age....yet he smiled. I introduced myself to him and asked him why he was smiling so. He said he was smiling at the children, free to play in the park, located in a free country. Some of the children where from a church, where they were allowed to worship God. He pointed to the flag at the center of the park and mentioned the flag is still there like a blanket protecting all. Then he mentioned he had a part in building this great land and in protecting it against the evil ones who would take away what most of us take for granted. He mentioned he had outlived a lot of his comrades in arms and many of his friends and that he was tired. He got up and handed me his cane and said, "It is your turn now to carry on." With that he walked ever so slow towards the woods. I thought about what he had said, what my responsibilities were, to be informed, to support our troops, to vote. I noticed he left a small box where he sat. I opened it and inside was a bronze star. I got up and started towards the woods. When I got to the edge, it was foggy. I saw a dim outline of him and I shouted, "Sir, you left your medals behind." A wispy willowy voice responded, "No son, my medals are playing on the swings, my medals is flying over! City Hall. Bye son." The image faded and vanished! I ran towards the spot but had to stop as I realized there was no place for him to go, yet he was gone. I looked at the medals and the certificate. I knew him, but he had died this morning. I took the medals and smiled. I understood. I walked back to the bench grabbed the cane and watched the children play. In memory of William Rotramel who passed on this day, Oct 28th, 2004. Semper Fi. B.J. Cassady Guthrie, Okla -<>- __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >Church, It Is Time To Wake Up!!! Why in the world are you so passive? With politics, school, government and such you're not active. The world is crying out to you from everywhere. Tell me are you listening, do you even care? Do you think you're already in Heaven and you're not around? HEY, come back to earth cause the world is going down. It was sad when they wanted same s%x marital rights: It was sadder when you wouldn't sign the petitions against it or put up a fight. You hide in your four corners behind your church walls. If you want your light to shine you've got to come out and stand tall. Separation between church and state is not how it should be. It is in God we put our trust I will not let them fool me. On this Godly foundation is how we were formed So don't be afraid to blow your trumpets and sound your horns. It is vital to vote so that you too may have a voice But if you're a deadbeat you don't have a choice. Do you think that our God will not hold us accountable for this? Think again because this is not true it is only your wish. When you stand before the Lord and he ask what was your contribution It has been man's job to set things in order every since the creation. What you need is balance both natural and spiritual. Don't get hung up on things that are one sided and make it a ritual. "Get up and get involved," says God, don't keep me in this box tied up with rope. If I am not allowed to move thru you then the world has no hope. You could be President, Supreme Court Judge, Governor or Mayor. Just think, with me in office there would be none other that could compare. IT IS IN YOU, I PUT IT THERE WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? I'll be there to lead you and guide you: I myself will open the door. Don't fear anything that man can say or do to you It is me they are up against: they just don't have a clue. Before the foundation of the earth you were predestined to win. Don't abort your destiny and purpose because of omission and sin. My people are living below my plans and they can't with others share. The mentality you have is not of prospering it is that of welfare. I told you the earth belongs to me and the fullness there of: Don't settle for crumbs when I have prepared for you a complete feast and I did it with my love. March 28, 2001 Karen A. Hogan -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Fear: Feeling Kind Of Buggy http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/fearfeelingkindofbuggy.html Romantic Castles! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/castles.html WORMS! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/worms.html Tech Horror Stories! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/tech.html Beautiful Wales! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wales.html Corner Of Paradise! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/corner.html Extraordinary Photos! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/extraordinary.html Fun With Seniors! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/seniorfun.html Kangaroos And Wallabies! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kangaroos.html Kennel Club Dog Contest! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kennelclubdog.html Lion And Tiger Sheep Herders! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lionandtiger.html God's Night Lights! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/night.html Maxine On Jesus! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/maxineonjesus.html FALL/HALLOWEEN INDEX! https://tinyurl.com/y4xyz2w8 -<>- What Does the Bible Say About Playing Video Games? https://tinyurl.com/y6t7fgsg For King & Country // God Only Knows Lyric Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhS83a5Ky84 Casting Crowns - Great Are You Lord (Live) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaP8fKAR2Og MercyMe - Even If (Official Lyric Video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6fA35Ved-Y Casting Crowns - Only Jesus (Official Lyric Video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXIBP2BdYR8 -<>- >In The News: Westwing News:Adam Schiff’s Drive to Impeach Trump Based on Opinions, Deception and Illusions – Not Facts https://www.whitehouse.gov/westwingreads/ WhiteHouseNews:NEW TODAY: Overdose deaths plummet in states hit hard by drug crisis 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: 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 :) Watch this rare, heart-pounding footage to retrace the Apollo 17 mission - the last time man landed on the moon. https://youtu.be/xMDdaNLc8DU This cool video features work from Johannes Stötter, a fine art body painter who is exceptional with his art. https://youtu.be/9L8psxXghmc --- ...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 CupOfCheer: _|_ | / \ //_\\ //(_)\\ |/^\| ,%%%% // \\ ,@@@@@@@, ,%%%%/%%% // \\ ,@@@\@@@@/@@, @@@%%%\%%//%%%// === \\ @@\@@@/@@@@@ @@@@%%%%\%%%%%// =-=-= \\@@@@\@@@@@@;%#####, @@@@%%%\%%/%%// === \\@@@@@@/@@@%%%######, @@@@@%%%%/%%//| |\\@\\//@@%%%%%%#/#### '@@@@@%%\\/%~ | | ~ @|| %\\//%%%#####; @@\\//@|| | __ __ | || %%||%%'###### '@|| || | | | | | || ||##\//#### || || | | -|- | | || ||'#||###' || || |_|__|__|_| || || || || ||_/` ======= `\__||_._|| || jgs__||_/` ======= `\_||___ >SEEDS & WATER I heard a story this week that I found interesting, let me share it with you today. The story was about a missionary who was being flown over Africa on his way to a mission trip. In the area he was flying through there were miles and miles of sand and barren land as far as the eyes could see. He and the pilot were talking about how sandy and barren it was, suddenly he saw an area that was very small and perfectly square, but this area was different, it was overflowing with a lush and wonderful garden. The missionary asked the pilot what it was. The pilot explained that it was an area where the locals had attempted to drill down looking for water; they had indeed found a hidden river far beneath the sand. They left the hole open to see what would happen. Much to their surprise things began to grow. The missionary asked if they had planted seeds. The pilot responded that they had not planted seeds; the seeds that were far beneath the ground, which had been there for years and years, simply came up once they were watered. It reminded me of the day that God told me He never forgets a seed. Once a seed is sown, it has a marvelous capability to produce a harvest, it only needs the correct conditions, conditions that are conducive to growth, in this area of Africa the only thing lacking was someone taking the time to dig down and find water. The Bible says that whatever a man sows, so shall he reap. Once sown, reaping is a promise. However, I know from experience in the natural if you sow seeds in the ground and refuse to water them, they will die and produce nothing. I also know if you sow seeds in the ground and tend to them, watering them and keeping the weeds out, they will grow and produce the promised harvest. Seeds need water. Many of you have a lot of seed in the ground over the years, financial seeds that you have sown and sown. I want you to take a look at your seeds today and see if they are getting the proper amount of water. It is important that we water the seeds we sow and we do that with the word of God. It will help you seeds to grow if you will speak the word of God over your seed and declare that they are producing the promised harvest. The Bible says whatever you sow for the gospels sake you will receive 100 fold in this life. That means every dime you have sown into this ministry, for the gospels sake, you have a promised harvest of 100 fold return in this life. Water the seeds you have sown into this ministry and other ministries by speaking that promise over your seed. God never forgets a seed. God does not lie. If He said it He will bring it to pass - however at times He needs our cooperation. Water your seed today. This month I am speaking to every seed you have sown, praying over it, declaring God's word over it...watering it. I am going to continue to water it until you have a lush, bountiful harvest, just like the missionary saw in Africa. Every seed you have planted will come up with the right conditions and I believe God is saying 'water your seed.' Therefore, we are going to water your seed. Friends, nothing is ever lost in God. Those seeds you sowed years ago are still viable. They are still able to produce f ruit and we are going to speak to them and water them until they produce fruit. Will you join us? It is time for the Body of Christ to enjoy the good life Jesus died to give them and part of that is financial, if you have sown...YOU SHALL REAP. It is your time to reap! Kim Potter as seen in A New Thing Ministries -<>- ___ /_\_\ |;-^-'| ; ._ d - j :. ,<%@. |-_-| / \ {_ _,l ___/\_ _/\_ \,< ___ <~L~>\. /___\_\'/_/_`-.( `___\ \ - |` /___ \ \|/|po /||_/-___L":--;" L _ \ \ |o|LY| |(n==\^\^''--`-,-_ [-><-]=3 || ^;| |`\ _')>\ /<__/\ |< !c)|o ; |;| "| _' \ \/ /po | |- | | ; ' |,-. |.V \/ |LY | |\__, _L |o : | / \ \||\ |o^ ^| | _|/| / _\__ : / 7 '<|`. | | | / |L/ < /\: | Y \ | \|' | | | |/ /_ | | | | \| A|. | | /| |/|PO| | || | | |V| | | || |<|LY| | || | |,| | |_ | / | | ^^ | | | | | |____| |" | | | | | | | | |#^' |4 \ | | | | | | |,| | |%_| | | |m | A \ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | / | / | | \ || | | | | | | / /| |__| || | | l | | |> / / | | \___/|_A_| | | | | / / | | | | || |m1a >MISSING TIME TOGETHER John 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. (NIV) Thoughts I don't know about you, but I hate being left behind from a good hunting or fishing trip. I left my son today at my sister's so that he could continue on his quest of the elusive white tail. We've hunted the last few days together. But, my work schedule dictates that I have to be back to work tomorrow. His schedule is more flexible than mine. The fact that he is out hunting tonight without me leaves my mind wandering and thinking about the woods. Although I want him to be successful, I really don't want to miss him getting a buck. This next Spring, he is also going on a fishing trip up into Canada that I won't be able to go on. I have already thought several times about next Spring and how I know that the week he is going to be gone with me still here is going to just kill me. I love fishing in Canada, and I love all the good times we have together while we're there. There's a longing that I have to be on these trips. I obviously love being in the outdoors. I love even more spending time with my kids outside making memories for a lifetime. I hate missing these moments! (Dave M) Action Point From a spiritual standpoint, there are many folks who know the gospel and have heard it a thousand times, but have made no decision to follow Christ. Maybe that's you today . . . Can I tell you that my longing to be with my son on these trips will not even hold a candle to what your longing will be if you don't make a decision to follow Christ before your time is up. Imagine never making a decision to follow Christ when all of your family members have. What a shame it would be to not be able to spend all of eternity with them in Heaven. We all have to make a choice about Christ. Don't assume you have time to make this decision. Your eternal life depends on the decision you make - don't put it off!!! If you have made a decision to follow Christ, step up to the plate today and share your faith with someone God has laid on your heart. Be a true friend and share God's story of salvation with them!!! Sportsmen's Tip of the Day The Lord has worked mightily through His amazing creation. Romans 1:20 talks of how everyone will know God through the nature He has created. Start the hunting adventure and the love of creation with your children early. Give attention, instruction, and time with your children as they learn to carry and master a BB gun as their first in the wild. as seen in Sportsmen's Daily Devotion -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >PURSUE JESUS! (By Anne Graham Lotz) [Edited] We need to pursue Jesus according to His Word, not following the sensationalism of our day. Earlier this year, people everywhere were caught up in discussion about the end of the world. That discussion was triggered by a group of people who were convinced that Jesus would return on May 21, 2011. They paid a lot of money to get the word out and, while I admire their zeal, they were dead wrong. When the disciples asked Jesus when the world would end, He emphatically said no one could know the exact day and hour, not even Himself. Only the Father knows that information (Matthew 24:36). BUT Jesus gave His disciples SIGNS so they could know the generation. Through His Word, you and I also can know whether we're living at the end of human history as we know it. As you match the signs He gave with our present generation, do you think this could be the last one? We can't predict [exactly] when Jesus will return. But He is coming! We don't know the day or the hour. But one day, either at Christ's return or your death, you will stand face to face with Him. If you live your life expecting to see Jesus in the next five minutes and you don't, what have you lost? Nothing! What have you gained? Everything! So wake up! Give God your full attention! Refocus on His Son, Jesus Christ, as your Hope for the future! Ask God to reignite such an expectancy of seeing Jesus that you live the rest of your life with NO regrets! "Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure" (1 John 3:2-3, NKJV). [Scripture quotation is taken by permission from The Holy Bible, New King James Version, copyright ©1979, 1980, 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers, Nashville, Tenn. From Anne Graham Lotz: "Decision" magazine, September 2011, ©2011 Anne Graham Lotz.] To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ========================================================== , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Belief in One Race Story Editor: by Sheldon Campbell Joyce Schowalter California, USA It was 1958 in Deep Creek, Virginia. I was 6 years old, and my father was, like most fathers are to their sons, a superhero to me. It never occurred to me that he had a reason to fear anything, because he never showed any fear. My sister came running into the house, hollering that a bunch of men with guns were outside. My dad took a look outside and his face darkened a bit. He stuffed his revolver in his back pocket and, as he went out the door, told us to go to the kitchen and stay there. My mom and my sister looked scared, and kept pulling me back as I tried to get to the window to watch. Although I never got a very good look, I remember seeing a lot of men, with rifles, shotguns and torches, some of them wearing white robes with hoods. There was a lot of shouting and a fair amount of cussing. Since my dad was a sailor, I recognized some of that. Finally I heard my dad tell them that if they didn't get off his property right then, and never come back, he'd guarantee that at least six of them would never see their families again. This had started when my father intervened when a group of young bullies were roughing up a much younger black kid from down the road. These men were telling my dad that he was forgetting his place, and he'd better remember the way things were. My dad was white, raised in Meridian, Mississippi, during the depression, and he knew very well "how things were". But he had also shared foxholes in Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, and Korea, with other soldiers, who were scared just like him, missing their families like him, and sick of killing like him. Some of them were white like him, and some of them were black, brown or yellow. But they all bled red just like him. And they all got cold, hungry, sick and sad -- just like him. My father never took his gun out of his pocket that day. But apparently, the men believed him because they left, grumbling and waving their guns. And they never came back. I wasn't old enough to know how dangerous the situation was that day. My father always taught me that all you really had to do was what yousen knew was right -- and then things would pretty much take care of themselves. He proved it that day, and on many other occasions. Dad was raised in a bigoted culture, by bigots, and taught how to act like a bigot. Everything about Mississippi in the Depression years screamed of racism. He was taught to believe in only one race. I guess all those foxhole buddies of his helped confirm that, because to the day he died, he only believed in one race: the Human Race. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From LaughAndLift: Beware of the tranquilizers of the devil. , , /(.-""-.)\ |\ \/ \/ /| | \ / =. .= \ / | \( \ o\/o / )/ \_, '-/ \-' ,_/ / \__/ \ \ \__/\__/ / ___\ \|--|/ /___ /` \ / `\ jgs / '----' \ >Spooks, Skeletons, and Saints (By Micca Monda Campbell) [Edited] "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15 (KJV) Many Christians don't know what to do with Halloween. They wonder if they should ignore it; protest against it; go along with it, or find alternative ways to participate without offending their faith. We often reason, nothing good can come from evil so why take part in this holiday? Yet, Joseph tells us in the bible that what is meant for evil God can use for good. In that case, Halloween can be an opportunity for us to do good! Some of you may be wondering if I've been living on a far away planet unaware of what Halloween is. No, I'm very much aware of its meaning and tradition. Before Christ, Halloween was part of the Celtic Feast of Samhain. This Druid priest celebration commemorated the beginning of winter. The Festivals consisted of animal sacrifices to the dead and bonfires in recognition of departed souls. Those who participated in the festival believed that goblins, demons, witches and elves were sent from the world beyond to harass the living. For self-protection, the Druid's would dress up like ghouls and goblins and involve themselves in demonic activities. They believed participating in this way kept them from being attacked by real witches and demons. The early church responded by moving All Saint's' Day from spring to fall and renamed it Hallows' Eve. In doing so, Christians used the pagan festival as a catalyst in which to proclaim Christ's death and resurrection. Halloween, for the early church, became a time to evangelize. They took something evil and used it for good. We would do well to follow their example. Halloween is full of trickery and illusions about mystical powers and the living dead. Christians today can use these illusions in comparison to the truth that Jesus overcame the grave by the power of God and is the true Resurrection and Life. Better yet, those who are in Christ will also conquer the grave and live forever in the presence of God. What good news to share on a dark day! There are many ways to share the good news of the gospel. My church has a Harvest Party on October 31 every year. The children play games and collect candy while the adults enjoy hayrides and wiener roasts. The most significant part about our party is the gospel room. This is where a drama is presented sharing about the good news of Jesus Christ and His saving power. One way for you to share Jesus with others is to invite an un-churched family to your church's festival. Another way to participate if you're a stay-at-home kind of person is not to turn off the lights and hide as some of us tend to do. Instead, be a shinning light on a dark night. Tie scripture or gospel tracks to some candy and hand it out at your front door with Christ-like love and joy. If you have the gift of hospitality, then have a Harvest party at your house. Invite friends, family, and neighbors to sit around a camp fire or your living room floor and swap Holy Spirit stories rather than ghost stories. Halloween is not a time for avoidance. It's a time to communicate with your children, family, and friends that, "yes," evil, death and the grave are real, but through Christ, we are more than conquerors over it all. What better time to share this good news with others then when our minds are on such things? It's an opportunity to take something meant for evil and use it for good. "Dear Lord, Give me your perspective on Halloween. Help me to be a shining light on this dark night by sharing about your saving power with my children, family and friends, in Jesus Name, Amen." Power Verses: 1 Corinthians 9:19 "Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible." (NIV) Mathew 5:13, "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men." (NIV) 1 Corinthians 2:14, "The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." (NIV) ----- (\ \'\ \'\ __________ / '| ()_________) \ '/ \ ~~~~~~~~ \ \ \ ~~~~~~ \ ==). \__________\ (__) ()__________) unknown Follow up note from Chris: I really don't like Halloween. I hate seeing all the witches, spiders, devil costumes, and the general theme of death and fear! Is it just me or has anyone else noticed in the last few years that a lot more people are decorating for halloween, much like they do for Christmas. People have whole houses decked out with halloween lights, spider webs/spiders, goblins, witches, skeletons, etc. I've noticed a shift in our culture where more and more people seem to love to glorify this stuff more blatantly than before...even supposedly "Christian houses". Or maybe that's just in my local area, I don't know. Many people see it as just harmless fun - and that decorating with witches and skeletons is a part of that. I used to think that too. But I am convinced there is MUCH more behind the scenes with all that supposedly "harmless" stuff than we might realize. I certainly loved Halloween as a kid - you know back in the days when you actually could go trick-or-treating door-to-door. I'm not sure what changed there either, but it seemed to happen sometime in the 90's where less and less people started doing that. Again, maybe that's just my local area. I LOVED getting the candy, dressing up as fun things, etc. I never saw it too much as evil and so to me it WAS mostly just harmless fun. But as a Christian adult, as I've grown closer to Jesus, the more I've become acutely aware of "the other side" to this "holiday". In this culture where things are getting very black-and-white and the grey is disappearing, where we're either on the side of righteousness or wickedness, I recognize that halloween is on the side of wickedness. Fear is not of God and Halloween is all about fear! At the same time, like the author of this lift, I also am not content to just let the devil have his day. I do NOT believe that the best approach is to go hide in the darkness with all the lights off! I do believe that our children and family should be taught the clear distinctions of right and wrong and that we should not celebrate halloween as the halloween holiday that the world celebrates. We are to be light to a dying world, not stoop down to their dark level! And in this very serious world in which we live, in which all people are being forced to choose what side of the fence we will be on, I see it as imperative that our children see the clear distinctives in us! However, that doesn't mean, as the author of the above piece mentioned, that we as called-out believers in Jesus can't have some fun ourselves rejoicing in fellowship with one another, praying together, having some candy, even dressing as fun things, etc. But the best thing would be to use halloween as a great excuse to shine even brighter to a dark world. So, yes, I'm all for people handing out gospel tracts, etc. I know some people don't feel that's appropriate - for various reasons - and I do understand them and see the "other side". This is a conscience issue and is between you and Jesus. But to my way of thinking at least handing out tracts is doing SOMETHING on behalf of righteousness (and thus Jesus) on what otherwise would just be all about wickedness. I see the value in that. But like I said, I understand why some might have reservations on that as well. The point is, we don't need to just let the devil have his day. There are a myriad of things we can do to spread the love of Jesus. On a dark day, all the more important for us to shine even brighter. Let's do it! :) :) 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 --- /\ ,'.' ',' _.,._ _,.-+`'+-._ .|. _.+'` `.' \ (___) ,' \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ _.-~`'~-._ _\_.-+'`'`+-._\ ag `,' `---` ...My Thoughts... I've always said - Attitude is Everything: I have never considered Halloween to be the devil's day. It is and always has been a day of fun dressing up for children and adults as well. A rare time that children are actually allowed to have candy that is given to them by people they don't know to show them how much others care about them. It's just a fun, caring and sharing time for children! If I worry about the old connotations of its origins then I'd be not wanting to celebrate Christmas because it's origins came from the mix of a pagan holiday with something to appease the Christians. "Pagan, or non-Christian, traditions show up in this beloved winter holiday, a consequence of early church leaders melding Jesus' nativity celebration with pre-existing midwinter festivals. Since then, Christmas traditions have warped over time, arriving at their current state a little more than a century ago." Pagan Roots? 5 Surprising Facts About Christmas https://tinyurl.com/ycbtk2vz So, should I worry about what others think? , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' 1 Cor.10: [23] All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. 'Not Expedient' here means... Not unless it makes a nonbeliever turn away from God because of your actions or your actions don't edify others. So if I turn someone away from God by passing out candy to my sweet little neighbor kids and I know it, then I should not do it. But mostly, I think it edifies not only the children, but the parents as well. No harm as long as I don't partake in any dark ceremonies like devil sacrifice or anything evil. If God didn't like scary things, he wouldn't let us develope the microscope that allows us to see His creation up close and personal ...Like this... MICROSCOPIC! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/micro.html MICROSCOPIC 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/micro2.html Not to mention: Macro Spiders! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/spiders.html Also See these teachings... What does the Bible say about Holidays like Halloween, Christmas, Easter? https://tinyurl.com/y2odmv2n A Renewed Mind Lesson: HAUNTING by emb http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/haunting.html The Sleep Metaphor http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/sleepmetaphor.html ========================================================== __ ( /_ `. ( //((-.\ (// 6/ __ ____,----/ +,-' ==_)__________)|/ 7 ,' | / / |___,'| [__[]:] /] |(\=,. \ / \()' | |\ | || \ \) | | -------./\ |_____ / ,|_\ __) /_`.|__`._)' \,' ___/ __,------' ,' ,' ,' ,-' ,-' >-->The Journey of the Soul Your heart is filled with pain, Your mind cluttered with confusion. Pieces of your life fall around you Like raindrops in a storm. The path you chose so long ago Led you straight to hurts door. Now your weary feet struggle To find the road back home, Searching for the places That love and beauty hide. Temptations lie in wait all around, Pulling at your every step, Waiting for you to slide back From the chosen, sought for, path. Emptiness surrounds you, Confusing your perceptions. It is difficult to carry on. I will do my best to fill your heart with joy, To clear the cobwebs of confusion, Help you find your purpose. I am good at catching pieces And I can chase away a storm. Let me walk your path beside you, I have walked this road before. You can lean on me when the weariness comes. My shoulders are very strong. I can not fight your battles, Or chase away demons of the soul, But I can lend you my strength Until you find your own. I will help you find the courage To face each day anew. I can not shorten the journey you must make, The road is just as long as before. But I can fill the emptiness And help you reach your center, The place where love and beauty hide. Take my hand, be my friend, Let me walk with you awhile. *** Angi Eads *** (¯`v´¯) `*.¸.*´ ¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•. Huggums!... :) Shangy! >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->ShangyFunList AD RATES: $20 will get your a message (of up to 40 words) out to all self-subscribed readers and $5 more will give you the same message also put up for all web site readers. Email me to secure dates. Ad Request ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->This is for all you who love food and DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe ********************************************************************** >TO SUBSCRIBE:Visit Here This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR For the Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com **********************************************************************