Happy Blessed Memorial Day Weekend... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our ShangyFunList: Group Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* Please Consider Giving To ShangralaFamilyFun.com :) The cost of the website has gone up dramatically due to the ever increasingly wonderful pages and photos being added each week to entertain you and our fellow Christian families. If every one would chip in $25 or more, we'd be good for the whole year! So Please - I need your help today! "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a Shangrala Angel, the easiest way to do that is through online giving. It is easy to use, and most of all, it is secure. Please visit the site, scroll down and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL form page comes up. NOTE: Paypal will generate a 'Quantity 1' and 'Price per item' form. Just ignore the price per item and put whatever it is you desire to give in there. With Paypal, you will have your normal receipt for your 'payment' donation in USD (United States Dollars). You can put a memo in there if you'd like. Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY FOR YOUR GIFT! ================ *~* 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! ================ .-"""""""-. .' __ \_ / / \/ \ | \_0/\_0/______ |:. .' oo`\ |:. / \ |' ; | | |:.. . \_______ | |::.|' , \,_____\ / |:::.; ' | . '| ====)_/===;===========;() |::; | | ; ; | | #######:::::: /::::.|-| |_|-|, \ #######:::::: /'-=-'` '-' '--'\ #######:::::: jgs / \ #######:::::: ############# H A P P Y ############# ############# M E M O R I A L D A Y ! ############# ############# ############# *~* MAY YOU ALL HAVE A VERY HAPPY BLESSED SAFE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND! :) * We Especially THANK ALL OUR SWEET VETERANS For Your Service! * >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) President Reagan's Memorial Day Proclamation for May 25, 1981: We all need to be reminded of the true meaning of Memorial Day. I thought you might appreciate reading President Reagan's Memorial Day Proclamation for May 25, 1981. Over one hundred years ago, Memorial Day was established to commemorate those who died in the defense of our national ideals. Our ideals of freedom, justice, and equal rights for all have been challenged many times since then, and thousands of Americans have given their lives in many parts of the world to secure those same ideals and insure for their children a lasting peace. Their sacrifice demands that we, the living, continue to promote the cause of peace and the ideals for which they so valiantly gave of themselves. Today, the United States stands as a beacon of liberty and democratic strength before the community of nations. We are resolved to stand firm against those who would destroy the freedoms we cherish. We are determined to achieve an enduring peace -- a peace with liberty and with honor. This determination, this resolve, is the highest tribute we can pay to the many who have fallen in the service of our Nation. In recognition of those Americans whom we honor today, the Congress, by joint resolution of May 11, 1950 (64 Stat. 158), has requested the President to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace and a period during such day when the people of the United States might unite in prayer. Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 1981, as a day of prayer for permanent peace, and I designate the hour beginning in each locality at 11 o'clock in the morning of that day as a time to unite in prayer. I urge the press, radio, television, and all other information media to cooperate in this observance. I also request the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the appropriate officials of all local units of Government to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff during this Memorial Day on all buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the United States and in all areas under its jurisdiction and control, and I request the people of the United States to display the flag at half-staff from their homes for the customary forenoon period. --- ...Quite humbling. Thank you LouiseAu! 9-11 And US Troops Index! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/911andtroopsindex.html -<>- ,-"-. ,' .----. _________ `. ,' ) (@)__))___) |`-.-'| # \\ `---' ^ hjw >>>> CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR GRADS!! <<<< May God Bless You As You Continue On Your SUCCESS! -<>- >-->2 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) Our first smoking hot new page is from our friend KarenF. It is one that will intrigue you as well as leave you with some oos and awes! Certainly is a fun one you won't want to miss. Be sure to give it a few moments of your time and check it and its festival tour video out here... ___()___ _.-'' ,-'`-. ``-._ ,-' ,' `. `-. ,' ,' `. `. / / \ \ /_ / \ _\ ``-./_..---'''|``---.._\,-'' | | | | | | | , | `..' SSt Umbrella Sky Project http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/umbrellas.html --- ...Wow! What a colorful festival! Thanks KarenF! Our last hot tottie new page is also from our friend MariT. It is a tender story that is sure to delight our animal lovers - especially those who remember crocodile hunter, Steve Irwin and his family - this man and his son may just remind you of them. Be sure to check this out along with its fun videos and virtual tour video here... , ,, , , ,; ; ;; ; ; ; , ; '; ; ;; .-''\ ; ; , ; ;` ; ,; . / /8b \ ; ; `; ; .;' ;,\8 | ; ; ` ;/ / `_ ; ;; ; ; ; |/.' /9) ; ; ` ; ; ; ,/' ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; /_ ; ; ` ; ; `?8P" . ; ; ; ; ; ; ;; | ; .:: ` ;; ; ; ` ; ; `' `--._ ;; ;; ; ; ; ; `-..__..--'' ; ; ;; ; ; ; fL ; ; ; ; ; ; Lion Massages http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lionmassages.html --- ...Just amazing and so very heartwarming! Thanks MariT! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost. -- Arthur Ashe Have a safe Memorial Day weekend. Meantime, today's story will be a reminder of what we are commemorating. Whatever freedoms you enjoy have been bought and paid for by others -- and it didn't come cheap. .---. ___ /_____\ /\.-`( '.' ) / / \_-_/_ \ `-.-"`'V'//-. `.__, |// , \ |Ll //Ll|\ \ |__// | \_\ /---|[]==| / / \__/ | \/\/ /_ | Ll_\| |`^"""^`| | | | | | | | | | | | | L___l___J jgs |_ | _| (___|___) ^^^ ^^^ >WHAT THEY CARRIED by Tim O'Brien They carried P-38 can openers and heat tabs, watches and dog tags, insect repellent, gum, cigarettes, Zippo lighters, salt tablets, compress bandages, ponchos, Kool-Aid, two or three canteens of water, iodine tablets, sterno, LRRP-rations, and C-rations stuffed in socks. They carried standard fatigues, jungle boots, bush hats, flak jackets and steel pots. They carried the M-16 assault rifle. They carried trip flares and Claymore mines, M-60 machine-guns, the M-70 grenade launcher, M-14's, CAR-15's, Stoners, Swedish K's, 66mmLaws, shotguns,. 45 caliber pistols, silencers, the sound of bullets, rockets, and choppers, and sometimes the sound of silence. They carried C-4 plastic explosives, an assortment of hand grenades, PRC-25 radios, knives and machetes. Some carried napalm, CBU's and large bombs. Some risked their lives to rescue others. Some escaped the fear, but dealt with the death and damage. Some made very hard decisions, and some just tried to survive. They carried malaria, dysentery, ringworm's and leaches. They carried the land itself as it hardened on their boots. They carried stationery, pencils, and pictures of their loved ones, real and imagined. They carried love for people in the real world and love for one another. They carried memories for the most part, they carried themselves with poise and a kind of dignity. Now and then, there were times when panic set in when they twitched and made moaning sounds and covered their heads and said "Dear God" and hugged the earth and fired their weapons blindly. They cringed and begged for the noise to stop and went wild and made stupid promises to themselves and God and their parents, hoping not to die. They carried the traditions of the United States military, and memories and images of those who served before them. They carried grief, terror, longing and their reputations. They carried the soldier's greatest fear -- the embarrassment of dishonor. They crawled into tunnels, walked point, and advanced under fire, so as not to die of embarrassment. They were afraid of dying, but too afraid to show it. They carried the emotional baggage of men and women who might die at any moment. They carried the weight of the world and THEY CARRIED EACH OTHER. Remember and honor those who served our country by both defending it and defending our way of life. -- Tim O'Brien --- _________ /' /| / / |_ / / //| /_________/ ////| | _ _ | 8o////| | /'// )_ | 8///| |/ // // ) | 8o///| / // // //,| / 8//| / // // /// | / 8//| / // // ///__|/ 8//| /.(_)// /// | 8///| (_)' `(_)//| | 8////|___________ (_) /_\ (_)'| | 8/////////////// (_) \"/ (_)'|_| 8///////////// (_)._.(_) d' Hb 8oooooooopb' `(_)' d' H`b d' `b`b d' H `b d' `b `b d' `b d' `b ...Paul carried all the normal army gear plus an M-60 machine-gun. He felt blessed that he was strong enough to be the one in his unit to do so. He could mow down trees with it! Before Paul was able to return home from Vietnam in 1972 however, he found out he carried malaria and had to get well from it first. He almost died from that. Later he also found out he carried home agent orange in his blood which still attacks his nervous system to this day. Ask him, he'll tell you - 'No. Freedom is not free'. -<>- .---. ___ /_____\ /\.-`( '.' ) / / \_-_/_ \ `-.-"`'V'//-. `.__, |// , \ |Ll //Ll|\ \ |__// | \_\ /---|[]==| / / \__/ | \/\/ /_ | Ll_\| |`^"""^`| | | | | | | | | | | | | L___l___J jgs |_ | _| (___|___) ^^^ ^^^ >A HOME THAT SOLDIERS BUILT by Shelley Madden The colors of the American flag ripple above as the winds toss and snap it, demanding my attention. I gaze at it in awe as it waves proudly against the cobalt sky. Mesmerizing colors melt and swirl together until they are one. They quickly reform with the next breeze. My mind journeys back in time as I watch it. Red might be the blood lost in battle so we could have our freedom. Blue could be the blue-eyed soldier standing on the battlefield ready to give his life for ours. White may be the color of angels who ultimately guide our nation's heroes to the next and final frontier. A frontier where there are no battles. Highways and bi-ways moan and groan under the weight of thousands of motorists as they journey home in a never ending rhythm of gleaming steel and metal. Malls full of shoppers haggling over goods and rushing to sales. The farmer plowing a field in endless rows, praying for rain. The roar of the buses and trains and planes. Tiny windows glittering amber light within the towering skyscrapers overlooking it all. Our land. Our freedom. Our country. Home after home I passed, as I commuted to my destination. Maybe someone in that endless row lost a father or brother or son or even a daughter. A life given so I could have mine. A century of lives given so we could have futures. Thousands of soldiers who now lie forgotten in cemeteries washed away by time. Granite markers long gone, their names crumbled away by the winds and the sun and the rains. The once dotted hillside no longer carries the scars of their fight for ours. It has become smooth again, only rolling fields of meadow grass dotted with the occasional wildflower, rippling in the silent winds. The same winds that whip the flag above me. I gaze at the flag as people hustle by. They rush back and forth, reminding me of a million ants in an ant farm. One day a year set aside to remember them. One day. A day off work which has become a day for many to lie in the sun at the beach, or indulge in an enormous meal of BBQ and beers with family and friends, laughing the day away. Day after day they fought for us, year after year. Battle after battle was won, so we'd have a home to come home to, and food on the table. So we could have malls and trains and buses and planes. So we could indulge in the frivolities of existence. I shed a tear to the beat of drums in the distance, as the majestic flag is lowered. It is carefully folded by two misty-eyed soldiers while dozens of watery eyes watch in hushed melancholy. They slowly march to the grieving widow, and solemnly present it to her in unison. Her dark glasses hide her misery. Another life forever changed. Another life given so we could have ours. The sun is setting on my meager home when I return. Golden hues gently light the familiar weathered wood and sagging sills. But today, somehow, it looks different. It looks better. It is a home that the soldiers built. Maybe not by hand, but definitely by spirit. A home within a city, within a state, within a great country. A country the eagle proudly soars over -- an icon of the sacrifices made for our land, for our homes, for our freedom, for our very existence. I will make it a pact to remember the soldiers, and thank them for what they have given us, every day. -- Shelley Madden __________________________________________________ Shelley is an author who resides in Wise County, Texas with her son, Dustin, along with her ponies, poultry, dogs and cats. She enjoys writing, fishing, shooting her pink guns, and falling off her horse, Diamond. She writes a weekly column for an Entertainment magazine, and is a frequent contributor to Heartwarmers and Petwarmers. Her short stories have also been published in newsprint and on numerous websites and e-zines across the nation. She aspires one day to learn how to change the light bulb in her gun cabinet. --- |\ |\ |\ |\ || .---. || .---. || .---. || .---. ||/_____\ ||/_____\ ||/_____\ ||/_____\ ||( '.' ) ||( '.' ) ||( '.' ) ||( '.' ) || \_-_/_ || \_-_/_ || \_-_/_ || \_-_/_ :-"`'V'//-. :-"`'V'//-. :-"`'V'//-. :-"`'V'//-. / , |// , `\ / , |// , `\ / , |// , `\ / , |// , `\ / /|Ll //Ll|| | / /|Ll //Ll|| | / /|Ll //Ll|| | / /|Ll //Ll|| | /_/||__// || | /_/||__// || | /_/||__// || | /_/||__// || | \ \/---|[]==|| | \ \/---|[]==|| | \ \/---|[]==|| | \ \/---|[]==|| | \/\__/ | \| | \/\__/ | \| | \/\__/ | \| | \/\__/ | \| | /\|_ | Ll_\ | /|/_ | Ll_\ | /|/_ | Ll_\ | /|/_ | Ll_\ | `--|`^"""^`||_| `--|`^"""^`||_| `--|`^"""^`||_| `--|`^"""^`||_| | | ||/ | | ||/ | | ||/ | | ||/ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | L___l___J L___l___J L___l___J L___l___J |_ | _| |_ | _| |_ | _| |_ | _| jgs (___|___) (___|___) (___|___) (___|___) ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ...America - land of the free - Freedom is NOT free. America was founded on Soldiers fighting for freedom! "It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For that reason alone people of other faiths have been afforded freedom of worship here." ~ Patrick Henry 1776 ============;===========;() # # # #:::::: # # # #:::::: # # # #:::::: # # # #:::::: # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # jgs # # # # # # # >Have we Forgotten? 52 of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were deeply committed Christians and the other four believed strongly in the Bible being the divine truth, the Word Of God. Was George Washington a Christian? Consider these words from his personal prayer book: "Oh, eternal and everlasting God, direct my thoughts, words and work. Wash away my sins in the immaculate blood of the lamb and purge my heart by the Holy Spirit. Daily, frame me more and more in the likeness of thy son, Jesus Christ, that living in thy fear, and dying in thy favor, I may in thy appointed time obtain the resurrection of the justified unto eternal life. Bless, O Lord, the whole race of mankind and let the world be filled with the knowledge of thy son, Jesus Christ." In 1782, the United States Congress voted this resolution: "The congress of the United States recommends and approves the Holy Bible for use in all schools." America has lasted all these years as a great free democracy because it was founded by people who sought God first before doing anything. Psalms 33:11,12 "The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD: and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance." Praise God for our founders and Praise God for our soldiers who are our keepers of freedom! God bless them and their families greatly! =========================================================== >-->From Daily Encounter: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Creative Questioning "But the people of Berea were more open minded than those in Thessalonica, and gladly listened to the message. They searched the Scriptures day by day to check up on Paul and Silas' statements to see if they were really so."1 Albert Einstein, who discovered the theory of relativity, asked, "What would a light wave look like to someone keeping pace with it?" Bill Bowerman, inventor of Nike shoes, questioned, "What happens if I pour rubber into my waffle iron?" Fred Smith, founder of Federal Express, reasoned, "Why can't there be reliable overnight mail service?" Godfrey Hounsfield, inventor of the CAT scanner, asked, "Why can't we see in three dimensions what is inside a human body without cutting it open?" And Masaru Ibuka, honorary chairman of the Sony Corporation who came up with the idea for the Sony Walkman, queried, "Why don't we remove the recording function and speaker and put headphones in the recorder?" Asking the right questions is one of the fundamental keys for opening the mind to new ideas, some of which have made profound changes for mankind. However, whenever people come up with new ideas, they need courage to overcome the criticisms of negative people who seem to feel that their calling in life is to discourage creative thinkers and productive change. For instance, shoe makers called Nike's idea for waffle shoes stupid. Godfrey Hounsfield's CAT scan idea was seen as "impractical." Masaru Ibuka was asked if he was crazy when he proposed the idea for the Sony walkman and Fred Smith wrote a paper at Yale suggesting the idea for Federal Express--and got a "C" grade! We, too, like the Christians in Berea, need to question doctrines we are taught to make sure they are biblical and not just outmoded traditions of man that can "kill" the church, and be constantly open to and actively seeking better ways of doing things for improving the quality of life for ourselves and others. And, most of all, we need to be open to what God is doing, or wanting to do, in our own life, in our church, in our community, and in our nation--and get in on his plans. Suggested prayer: "Dear God, help me not to accept everything I hear, but to test it to see if it is true. And help me to be open to change where change is needed and where I need to change, and help me to be a change agent for you. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus Christ's name, amen." 1. Acts 17:11 (TLB)(NLT). --- ...This reminds me of these pages... World's Worst Predictions http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/dream.html Discoveries By Accident http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/discoveries.html Brilliant Women Inventors http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/womeninventors.html Believe In Your Dreams http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/dream.html <:))))>< , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >The Power of God’s Word “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"1 On Oct. 7, 1857, C. H. Spurgeon preached to his largest audience ever, some 23, 654 assembled in the mammoth Crystal Palace for a national day of fasting and prayer. A few days before the event Spurgeon had gone to the huge hall to test the acoustics. Stepping into the pulpit, he lifted his voice like a silver trumpet and proclaimed: "Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" Then Spurgeon repeated the one verse again: "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" Satisfied with the acoustics, he left and went his way. Unknown to him, there were two men working in the rafters of that large auditorium, neither one Christians. One of the men was pricked in his conscience by the verse Spurgeon quoted and became a believer later that day! Such is the penetrating power of God's eternal word! It’s no wonder that Paul is so insistent on our "preaching the Word." In 2 Timothy 4:2 he gives us the charge to “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." KJV In this case, preaching the word doesn’t only apply to preachers, but also to every follower of Christ. We are to study God’s word and apply it to our lives, so that we can be ready to share it with others whenever we have the opportunity. This doesn’t mean we have to be constantly “preaching at people" with our words, but it does mean that we should be living out the Word of God wherever we go. We never know who will be listening (or watching) or when it is God’s time for them to find salvation, but our job is to be faithful, consistently share, and trust that God’s word is powerful to do what it needs to do in our lives and in the lives of others. Suggested prayer: Dear God, thank you for your Word and its power. Thank you also for your holy spirit who lives within me. I ask that you help me be a doer of your word, so that I can consistently share your Word with others, not only with my words but with my life in general. I pray that you would use me to reach the people who need to hear your Word today. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus Christ’s name, amen. 1 2 Tim.3:16 (KJV) 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV). When copying or forwarding include the following: "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2016 ACTS International. --- ...This reminds me of this verse... , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Isa.55: [11] So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` See These Fine Teachings... Study the Word Index http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Study/Study.htm =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: I wrote this for one lady. I told her it was hers, I would respect her wishes if I should send it to others. She sent me the word.. yes send it.. I think some if they think will know of the lady I wrote about here. She is a very fine lady, who lost her true love in World War Two. ,-=-. [[_ @~] ((a a)) ` = ' _.-) (-._ /( ("+") )\ / \ \./ / \ (=<( \/8\/ )>=) \ \- 8| -/ / \/_> 8|<_\/ ;-.__;,-; | | | | | | | | '-.___,;' ) ) / ' |( ) ( \_ /_|^--' gpyy \_! >Memorial Day, Somewhere Bill Walker wildbill6807@yahoo.com I have wrote about this day a time or two. One was the Old Veteran, well I think there is another Old Veteran we should think about. Did you ever think about the woman standing on the curb, with tears running like a spring over flowing? Did you ever talk to her? You see she too is a Veteran. She is the one that received the sad news so long ago. "Your husband is missing in action and believed dead." She is a Veteran as sure as anything. A Veteran of a sad day so long ago. A day which is in graved in her mind. A day which will live forever, no matter what. She too stands tall for a minute when Old Glory pasted by in front of her. She does this in honor and memories of her departed love. The tears may be flowing like a water fall, but she remembers and thinks what could have been. I know of one such LADY, there may not be a day that goes by but what she don't have a few minutes to think and remember the last kiss, the last wave, the last few words. It may have been only yesterday, last week, last month. It may have been 50 or more years ago. But today, she stands just a mite bit taller, when Old Glory pasted by. She remembers what it is all about. She knows only too well what it is about. Her husband gave all. She will never forget. Some people can do lots of things on Memorial Day. She now sets and remembers, and thinks what could have been. Yes she too is a Veteran. A Veteran of the day when she got the telegram. "WE ARE SORRY TO............." The rest is just a memory of so long ago. There is many songs with the word. Somewhere.. Yes I can think of many that fits well in her case. Most are a sad song. Hers is a sad song. Somewhere My Love, gave all for freedom. -<>- _ (_) <___> | |______ | |* * * ) | | * * (_________ | |* * * |* *|####) | | * * *| * | (________________ | |* * * |* *|####|##############| | | * * *| * | | | | |* * * |* *|####|##############| | |~~~~~~| * | | | | |######|* *|####|##############| | | |~~~' | | | |######|########|##############| | | | | | | |######|########|##############| | |~~~~~~| | | | | |########|##############| | | '~~~~~~~~| | | | |##########JGS#| | | '~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | | | | | | >REMEMBER ME! I am your flag. Remember me? They still use me to start ballgames. They still use me to sign-off television stations. They still use me to drape caskets of American martyrs. I am your flag. Remember me? My endurance under fire inspired Francis Scott Key to scribe a new nation's anthem to an old British tune. I am your flag. Remember me? I was tearfully surrendered at Bataan and Corregidor. I share an ocean grave with brave sailors on the U.S.S. Arizona. I was raised to emotional heights at Iwo Jima. I am your flag. Remember me? Children pledge me their allegiance in school rooms. Immigrants still view me as the answer to their prayers; their dreams of freedom. I am home to the expatriate. I am your flag. Remember me? Patriots still rally by my colors. Rascals still hide behind my glory. Parades still start with me ... though they're fewer in number -- and not so well attended. I am your flag. Remember me? Betsy Ross tailored me from a dream. And in his Viet Cong cell, an Air Force Colonel named Dramesi stitched me in secret -- from parts of a white blanket, pieces of a blue jacket and strips from red underwear. I am your flag. Remember me? I fly proudly -- full time -- under God... from Pike's Peak and atop memorials in Massachusetts and Virginia. And from the U.S. Capitol -- and from the moon. I am your flag. Remember me? I am a fixture in our nation's embassies. And a concept in the hearts of freedom-loving people throughout the world. I am your flag. Remember me? I still create awesome shivers. I still inspire artists. And Olympic athletes. And great acts of heroism. I am your flag. Remember me? I am the picture of America. And I deserve to be remembered. I am your flag. Remember me! Today. Tomorrow. And forever. -- Ron Gold -<>- , _/ \_ _,--. < , > .-'.' /(/.\ .' .' .""". `/ ` / / / \ /) ; ; ,_.;._ _;-'}/ | | '. )( /' | | /'-._/\_.-' ; ; \_.' \ , \ \ / | _.'/ '. `'-\ /.-/.;,\ '-._ `"""""`_.|`"""`| jgs `"("\/")` |# | \(_/ `-...-' >Risk Author Unknown To laugh is to risk appearing the fool. To weep is to risk appearing sentimental. To reach out for another is to risk involvement. To place our ideas, our dreams, before a crowd is to risk their loss. To love is to risk not being loved in return. To live is to risk dying. To hope is to risk despair. To try is to risk failure. Risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing. The person who risks nothing does nothing, has nothing, is nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love . . . live. Chained by his certitude, he is a slave; he has forfeited freedom. What a privilege for us to be able to walk by faith in God Himself, armed with all the promises of His Word. I suppose we all desire the security of the solid tree trunk, but the fruit is out on the limb. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. The timid soul asks, "What do I stand to lose if I do it?" The fruit-bearing Christians asks, "What do I stand to lose if I don't do it?" Real life is lived on the cutting edge. -<>- | \ \ | |/ / | |\ `' ' / | ;'aorta \ / , pulmonary | ; _, | / / , arteries superior | | ( `-.;_,-' '-' , vena cava | `, `-._ _,-'_ |,-`. `.) ,<_,-'_, pulmonary ,' `. / ,' `;-' _, veins ; `./ /`, \-' | right / | ;\ |\ | atrium ;_,._|_, `, ' \ | \ \ ` `, ` __ ` \ left ;, \ ,' ` \, ventricle \_( ;, ;; | \ `;, ;; inferior | |`. `;;, ;' vena cava | | `-. ;;;;,;' FL | | |`-.._ ,;;;;;' | | | | ``';;;' aorta >"They Call Me a 'Heart Surgeon'" Written by Dr. D P Shetty in India Dear Children: I have been planning to write this letter for a long time I just waited for you to grow up to understand it. When God sent you to this world, it was probably the best thing that had happened to your parents. They were on top of the world but that very day, this happiness was short-lived. That day, you started turning blue. The doctors had found a hole in your heart. The dreams of your parents were shattered. They could not understand why they were being punished in this way. They had no choice but to accept the reality, and decide to give you the best possible care. But they could not afford the cost of the operation and they could not wait, because you were turning blue every time you cried. I guess this is the price you paid for being born in a third-world country at ten days old, you had a price tag on your life. If your parents paid the price, they could have you if not, you would be taken away. Your mummy and daddy went through self-pity, denial, mutual accusation and anger towards a society which was indifferent towards their problem. Your daddy was upset to think that your price tag was less than his boss would spend on a Saturday night out. Your daddy was desperate when he heard about me. The first thing he said when he met me was ‘I heard you love children’. Well, I do I have four. My job is to give hope to those who have heart diseases, and give them a chance of a fresh new life. I am a technician who can cut and stitch up hearts they call me a heart surgeon. When I met you, you were ten days old, cuddled in a warm blanket next to your mother’s heart. Except for a bit of rapid breathing and blue nails on your finger, you looked like an angel. You won’t remember, but I asked you ‘do you want to be my friend?’ This is the question I ask all children I wanted to be your friend, and I worked hard to win your friendship. I clearly remember your mother’s face when she handed you over to the operation theatre nurse she kissed you and looked at me with an expression that said she was handing over her most precious possession to me, with total confidence that I would take care of you. It took me six hours of intense concentration to work on you, and many sleepless nights before you started smiling again. It was a big day when you were discharged from the hospital you were blissfully unaware of it, but tears of joy rolled down your parents’ cheeks, and I had to turn the other way because a cardiac surgeon is not supposed to cry. Through the corner of my eye I saw your face one more time and knew I had found one more friend. Your friendship and love is the only fee I expect for treating you. I have performed 4,000 operations on children like you. Most are from poor families, but I treat them all for free I think that this is the best way I can repay God, who has given me everything I need. You must be wondering what inspired me to do this. My life was spent in fear of losing my parents, who were ill in our life, God was a distant image of a doctor who could save lives. I remember one day building a toy out of matchboxes and listening to a relative telling my mother of a surgeon who saved children’s lives and offered his services free. I heard my mother bless that surgeon and saying that the world is still a wonderful place because of people like him. That was when I found the purpose of my life. I trained at Guy’s Hospital in London, and my colleagues there called me an ‘operating machine’ because I loved doing heart surgery so much. In 1989 we started a heart hospital in Calcutta it was to become one of the best heart hospitals in India. One day my mother spent almost the entire day in her prayer room, because it was the anniversary of my father’s death. My sister, who was watching TV, screamed and my mother hurried out to see her son, on the screen, with a nine-day-old baby the youngest baby in India to undergo successful open-heart surgery. It was the beginning of such surgery on little children in India. A few years later, when Mother Theresa suffered a heart attack, I was put in charge of her heart care. One day, she was convalescing and saw me examining a blue baby. She turned to me and said: ‘Now I know why you are here when God made these children, He was probably pre-occupied, and sent you to fix it.’ One day, young child, you will become an important member of society, with responsibilities and commitments. All I ask is can you spare a few moments of your precious time for someone who needs it? And without expecting anything back in return? Do you know the power of helping others without expecting anything in return? Children, we are all created by God and He is in control of this world but He is not supposed to be seen here. So He runs this world using people like you and me. And when you do your work without expecting anything in return, just for the joy of bringing happiness to others, that’s when you’ll realize that it is not your hands which are doing the job it is the hands of God that are working through you. Dr. D.P. Shetty --- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' ...If you haven't received Jesus Christ as your savior, Don't Miss Out: How to Become a Christian - How to Get Born Again / How to Get Saved / Romans 10:9 & 10 No matter what efforts people make to live longer on earth, they will inevitably die. However, God does not want anyone to die forever and offers the free gift of everlasting life. This teaching explains how anyone can accept this free gift and why accepting it works to produce life that lasts forever. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMzblR8YDQ0 -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment :) American Heroes Abroad! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/americanheroes.html Journey Through Life http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/journey.html Our Valuable ANCHOR!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html Thoughts into Action 3! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/action3.html Home Security! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/security.html Lion Cub Rescue! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lionrescue.html Amazing Grace! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/amazinggrace.html Who Is WE? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/whoiswe.html Eagle VS Swan!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/eagleswan.html Real Eagle Story!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/eagle.html Extreme US Spas!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/topspas.html Liberty Air Show!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/liberty.html Humor In Religion 2!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/hreligion2.html Top Reasons To Smile!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/smile.html God's Water Paintings!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/water.html Rules For US Civilians!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/rules.html Proud Of Our Troops 3!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/troops3.html -<>- Patriot-Owned Platform Offering Solution For Those Hit Hard Financially During The Pandemic! The recent pandemic hurt a lot of people, and a brand new online survey platform called Survault has come to the rescue with the goal of helping American patriots who have lost their jobs or businesses, or who are simply looking for a second income source to earn a substantial amount of money while completing easy anonymous surveys from home. The Survault platform is incredibly simple: You earn points by filling out quick and easy anonymous surveys online. >JOIN Survault Free! Earning money with Survault is simple! Either earn points taking surveys or invite friends. Visit Here to learn more: https://join.survault.com/emb -<>- From TruthOrTradition: Fake Life https://tinyurl.com/y79uh23v Reading the Bible Critically — Part 1 https://tinyurl.com/ybu2n5dk Rescued by the God of Armies https://tinyurl.com/sfe58nxj Casting Crowns - Thrive (Official Lyric Video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ71RWJhS_M Take Heart, Your Suffering Is Not Meaningless / Has the Next Generation Abandoned Christ? / Say What? Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Claims Planned Parenthood Actually Saves Lives / He Escaped His Communist Country – Then Canadian Authorities Arrested Him for Preaching / A Sober Warning for Parents – Our Current Culture Is Gunning for the Souls of Our Children AND More: https://www.christianlifedaily.com/ An Abused Mother Secretly Pleads For Help In The Most Unlikely Of Places /Ridiculous – Public School Hosts Virtual 'Police Brutality' Meeting And Segregates Parents By Race / A New Bill Protects Students And Teachers Against 'Transgender' Madness / Scientists Play God With Monkey Cells AND More https://mommyunderground.com/ -<>- >In The News: VA News: VA Cemeteries open this weekend, Free rides to vaccine clinics, Veteran Discounts https://tinyurl.com/wxh7tujd Ingraham Angle - 5/26/21 https://www.bitchute.com/video/oO7TPmg3XgS5/ Hannity - 5/26/21 https://www.bitchute.com/video/NbFZo8TmGnvR/ Tucker - 5/26/21 https://www.bitchute.com/video/mmABld2H3DPl/ CA Dem Gov Newsom Ordered To Pay $1.35 Million For COVID-19 Discrimination Against Churches / Pennsylvania County Appoints Top Prosecutor for Dominion Voting Machine’s / Error That Failed to Show GOP Ballots / Senate Chamber Goes Nuts After Rand Paul's Amendment to Ban Funding China Research Passes / New University Study Shows Mask Mandates Did Not Make Any Difference in States AND More" https://republicandaily.net/ Inflation Poised to Hit 50% in Argentina / Trans Activists Livid Over 60 Minutes Story Exposing Transition Regret / Google Takes Over Hospital Algorithm to Guide Doctor Decisions / Facebook Announces it Will No Longer Remove Posts that Claim COVID is Man-Made / Biden's ATF Nominee Can't Define 'Assault Weapon' During Confirmation Hearing / San Jose Shooting Leaves 9 Dead, Including Suspect, Bombs Also Found at Site / Communist Chinese State-Run Media Paid $1.6 Million to Advertise in American News Outlets / Plant Based Meat Stock Prices Crash When Investors Find Out Consumers Don’t Like It AND More: https://reliablenewsnow.com/ Dr. Anthony Fauci’s Latest Lie Really Has Americans Scratching Their Heads / Joe Biden Plans To Use Private Eyes To Spy On U.S. Military... /Communist Chinese Military Scientists Planned This Deadly Attack Against the U.S. AND More: https://deepstatejournal.com/ Democrats Beginning The Big Push To Pack The Court / Trump Went LIVE And Made A BIG Announcement About 2024 AND More: http://2020conservative.com/ Latest From Independent Minute: https://independentminute.com/ Latest From TPN News: https://threepercenternation.com/ Latest From AFA: http://tinyurl.com/j7lakqw Students For Life https://tinyurl.com/yd5nxmu6 Latest From OperationRescue: http://www.operationrescue.org/ Latest Product Alert: Recall Alert: Popcorn, Beans, Bicycles 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 :) Rain maker and magician Jeff McBride fools Penn and Teller. https://youtu.be/lDp7lM2O7jE --- ...Sweet! Thanks LouiseAu! Revisiting... >Also From Our Good Friend LouiseAu :) Human flight artist Uli Emanuele performed this electrifying stunt in the Italian Alps. Human flight artist Uli Emanuele has brought to life another one of his sensational dreams, to fly through a ring of fire. With the help of some friends they cart the heavy metal contraption high into the Italian Alps. With a little improvisation the support crew get everything ready just as the wind slows allowing Uli to soar through the flaming circle. Music: "Sandstorm" by Darude. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLWLashCXHE I used to think hackers were these super geniuses who crack amazingly complex codes to break into other people's personal information. Turns out, most hackers are more like your average con-man, only smarter. They trick you, they trick your carrier company, and they hack their way into your mobile phone and to your most private information. Don't believe me? Look at how the professionals do it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjYhmX_OUQQ John Wayne reads the poem Why Are You Marching Son? in this tribute video to all the men and women who have served in the armed forces and especially those that have made the ultimate sacrifice. The poem was written by John Mitchum (Robert's brother) and is one of the poems on John Wayne's only album originally released in 1973 America, Why I Love Her. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m701kfdjtaU --- ...Very well done! Profound! Thank You 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 CypO'Cheer: ============;===========;() # # # #:::::: # # # #:::::: # # # #:::::: # # # #:::::: # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # jgs # # # # # # # BLESSED IS THE NATION WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. (Psalms 33:12 (NIV)) Contrary to what the media, the courts and our elitist universities say, this country was founded upon a firm belief in God. It is true that the early explorers were looking to get rich, but the people who did settle here came so that they could worship as they were lead, instead of how the government or the church told them to. I am sure that all throughout our history, many people who were not believers came to this country, however, they all had a solid core of values that they shared. I find it interesting that many people are trying to interpret our founding documents based upon modern meanings of words, and in that interpretation, they lose the true meaning of what was written. We don't have to look very far into our past to see how this can happen. There was a time not too long ago when the word "gay" meant happy. Go back and read some of the written word from that time period with today's meaning of the word and see what you can misunderstand. I seriously doubt that our daily use of the English language has not altered the meaning of many words and phrases since our nation was founded. I could quote several of the founding fathers. A great majority give credit and praise to God for His sovereign authority and guidance. Many of our historic monuments bear inscriptions, and many of the founding fathers formed the American Bible Society immediately after creating the Declaration of Independence. It is said that 52 of the 55 signers of the Declaration of Independence were orthodox, deeply committed Christians. Many people claim that they could not have been Christians because they never use the word "God." There are references to the Almighty, and other such names. How many times have you heard believers refer to God in this manner? Have you ever called God by one of these names? I want you to consider something for a moment. Let's take a long trip back in time to when the Dead Sea Scrolls were written. Now fast forward to when they first started to interpret them. The scholars may know the language, but do they know the dialect and meanings? Now, take another journey in time with me. Think of when you were a teenager. What was the "cool" saying? Does it mean the same thing today? People will always twist words to fit into their understanding. Some will even omit things that are contrary to what they want to believe. The following is a quote from John Marshall. "The American population is entirely Christian, and with us Christianity and Religion are identified. It would be strange indeed, if with such a people, our institutions did not presuppose Christianity, and did not often refer to it, and exhibit relations with it." - John Marshall, in a letter to Jasper Adams, May 9, 1833, JSAC, p. 139. Marshall was Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1801-1835. Can you imagine a Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme court saying this today? I honestly believe that this is our problem. We, as a nation, need to repent. ...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble them- selves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)) Copyright 1998 - 2012 Dennis J. Smock Daily Living Ministries, Inc. http://www.dailylivingministries.org -<>- ////\\\,,\///,,,,\,/oO. ---- -- ------- - -oO*' -------- ------ ' ------- -- - ---- -- ' --- - ----- ---- -' - - ----- - -- - * \\\\\,,,\\,//////,\,,\\\/,,ejm/AMC >RIVER LIFE Enjoying a cup of coffee in the early morning quiet at the condo, I was watching the activity of the river below. Due to a long drought, the water was way down. Rocks and boulders seldom seen were in full view. A small white piece of paper, or plastic, caught my eye. It was going ‘round and ‘round in a tiny area almost entirely closed off by small boulders. The whole time I watched, it never left the spot, just continued to spin around. That night it rained cats and dogs. Next morning the river was noticeably higher. It sang a bit louder and ran a little faster. The white paper was no longer swirling in a circle. It was, instead, wedged up against a rock close to the river’s edge. It was safe there, hugging the rock, just out of reach of the now rapidly moving water. It was safe, but it was stuck. Sometimes I feel safe, as when things are status quo, yet stuck. Stuck in the river of life, not going anywhere. Unlike the paper, however, I have a choice. A long time ago God made a choice that would bring people back to Him. Through Jesus we have a choice: accept His life sacrifice for us, get out of our own little whirlpool worlds and move upstream with Him, or stay stuck in our own world while we cling to some safe imagined rock in the river. Daily it is a goal for me to choose this river life with the Lord and keep moving with the current. If momentarily, or temporarily, I get caught in a holding pattern, I can choose to move out and onward with Him. River life, the very best thing going. Inspirational messages by Sally I. Kennedy as seen in Irish Thursdays -<>- ,-=-. / ) ( c/=( `-( _/ _/ (_ / `-- ) < , ) )> / \/ \ (/\ / ,' ) \ \ -=` / / | \ \-` / | '\| <_./ \ / | / , \ <,_./ | / | /_ | | ``--.__.-='! | / \ ! '`'"' ("" '`'`"' `) \_'"'`"" "``''"''`" "'"`''' (_ \_ '"`=-'`" `" " '"" `-'`" '"'`' '`'"' '""`'" >THE SAVING GRACE IN AN ASHTRAY God places people in our path for us to be a blessing. Growing up in New York in a single parent household, my mother would always get on me about giving things away. I can remember as far back at the age of seven, I gave a little girl my shoes off my feet because I saw a need. My mother would always say that I would never have anything, but that way of thinking never was in my mindset. I know that in accordance to God's will, when He instructs us to give, we must be obedient because in all actuality, it all belongs to Him. I believe if every person heeded God's voice when He instructs them to bless someone, we would be in a better position as a country and as a people. My son and I were in Powder Springs driving home down Hwy 278 when we saw this young woman walking, looking as though she was exhausted. I made a U-turn and came back around and asked her could we give her a ride. She took the offer immediately. As I am driving I hear God's voice say to give her the money that I had in my ashtray. I don't smoke so I would keep change or throw the dollars I have in the ashtray. The only thing was that I knew that I had $300 in the astray. I didn't hesitate, nor was I upset about His request, I just heeded. As I dropped her off to her destination I could see that it was an environment of drugs, s%xual perversions and God knows what. As she was thanking me for the ride, I took the money out of the ashtray and balled it up in my hand and placed it in her hand. She didn't know what I was giving her and I asked her not to think nothing of it and told her that God loves her and that He is with her every step of the way. I gave her my business card and told her if she ever needed to get to church call me and I would take her. She got out and we drove off. Long story short, she called me about three weeks later excited about her new apartment. She went on to say how it had to be God because she was in a situation with five young children where she and her kids were living with her uncle who was violating her physically but she had nowhere to turn. The money that God instructed me to give her along with the money that she saved two weeks prior gave her exactly what she needed to make her transition. People need to know that everything is not always about monetary gain but about being obedient and sensitive to the voice of God and to give when He instructs us to give. ~A MountainWings Original by Vivian Toney, Memphis, TN~ -<>- _ .'` '`. .-", @ `, `. '-=; ; `. \ : `-. / '; `. / .' `. | ( `. `-.._ \ \` ` `. \ `-.._ `. ;`-.._ `-`._.-. `-._ `-._ `..' `-.```. `-._ `-.._.' `--..__..-`--' `-.,' `._)`/ / / /--( -./,--'`-, ,^--( hjw/gs ,--' `-, >THE SPARROW, HER NEST, HIS ALTAR Susanne Scheppmann Key verse: Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young--a place near your altar, O Lord Almighty, my King and my God. Psalm 84:3, (NIV) Devotion: The fledgling sparrow stretched wide its dark petite beak. The mother hovered and then drove deep into the opening to nourish the young bird. Satisfied, it settled back into the mossy bed, content to rest in its mother’s concerned care. Nine days later the same complacent fledgling became an adolescent. It teetered on the nest’s edge with wings flapping. The young bird’s emerging independence longed to soar beyond the boundaries of safety. Suddenly, the youngster fell from the nest onto the branch below. Hurriedly it scooted back to safety, only to begin the stunt all over again. The fledgling mirrored my own longing to fly from a safe haven, our home. I struggled against my own longings to live a life away from the daily grind of laundry, diapers, and dishes. My “nest” felt confining; the blue wild called to me of freedom. Surely, God intended more for my life than this. I pondered my education and talents. I recalled the old Dr. Seuss book, Oh, the Places You Will Go! given to me at my college graduation. Oh, the places I did plan to go! My goals in life pranced before me: a career, money, a nice home, motherhood, and children. I leaned my head against the cool windowpane as hot tears streamed down my cheek. I questioned myself. Did I want to be like the adolescent bird struggling to fly into unknown danger? Or did I want a safe home with God’s hand reaching down to take care of my needs? Mentally, I knelt at the altar of the Living God. I prayed for strength, I felt so weak against my desires for a different life. Suddenly, Proverbs 27:8 came to mind, A person who strays from home is like a bird that strays from its nest (NLT). Out of my memory jumped another verse, “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. (NIV) Suddenly, I knew what I wanted and needed. I desired to be myself in my own safe home with my little “chicks.” I realized my life goals were in process of fulfillment. I mothered two darling little ones. My French Country style home suited my personality. Perhaps a career lingered in the future. Contentment flooded my heart as I stopped flapping my wings of independence. I glanced at the sparrows again. Tiptoeing into my children’s room, I smiled down at them. I asked, “Do you need anything, my dear little chickadees?” My prayer for today: O Lord Almighty, my King, and my God, I declare you as Lord of my life. Help me to build my home next to the altar of The Cross. I give you my desires and dreams. Mold them into your will for my life, which brings true contentment. Help to be the wife and mother you intend for my life, through Christ. Amen. Application steps: Make a list of the desires of your heart. Also, list the blessings in your life. Kneel before Father God and read them aloud. Ask him to help you to learn how to “delight in the Lord.” Then place your desires on the altar of The Cross - through Christ. Again, read aloud your blessings and thank the Lord Almighty for each one individually, in Jesus' Name. Reflection points: What triggers discontentment in my life? (Books? Magazines? Television?) In what ways have some of my life’s hopes and dreams been fulfilled? Do I daily journal God’s blessings in my life? Am I thankful for God’s provision in my life? If I am tired of my life circumstances or am I perhaps just physically tired? Do I need a long afternoon nap? Power verses: Psalm 16:6, Your boundary lines mark out pleasant places for me. Indeed, my inheritance is something beautiful. (God’s Word) 1 Tim. 6:6, But godliness with contentment is great gain. (NIV) Job 36:11, If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment. (NIV) Psalm 37:4, Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. (NIV) Proverbs 31:10-12, A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. (NIV) as seen in Growthtrac To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ========================================================== .--------------. |~ ~| |H____________H| |.------------.| ||::.. __ || |'--------'--''| | '. ______ .' | | _ |======| _ | |(_)|======|(_)| |___|======|___| [______________] |##| |##| jrei '""' '"" >Without Saying a Word Story Editor: by Valerie Halder Clayton Bennett Michigan, USA Since my early teens my parents have been avid RVers, touring the country in their motor home. After I grew up and left home, they spent even more time on the road, sometimes traveling for months at a time. My father, who has a flawless driving record, was the driver, and my mother was his co-pilot and navigator. I never worried about them because they're two of the healthiest people I know, and take excellent care of their vehicle. I never thought about what could happen due to the negligence of other people -- or what would happen if they suddenly needed help. In late October 1988, my parents were heading home after touring the southern United States. My father was in the left lane, where the ride was smoother. He noticed an oncoming car across the median that was swerving and speeding up. Suddenly, the car crossed the median, launched into the air, and struck my parents' motor home in the side. The motor home tipped onto the passenger side and skidded down the highway, directly toward an overpass. Luckily, the motor home stopped before reaching the overpass, but the two passenger side doors were against the ground and the only other door was crushed on impact. My parents had been wearing seat belts, so they were badly bruised but alive. My mother's hand was smashed up because her window was down when they crashed, but the injury wasn't life-threatening. My parents heard people stop their cars and run toward them. My dad couldn't get the driver's door open, so they decided to wait for help to get out. Then they heard people holler that the motor home was on fire! They had on board a full load of propane for cooking and heating. My father tried to kick the windshield out; it wouldn't budge. My parents and the onlookers were growing frantic. Suddenly my parents heard people cheer and yell, "The fire is out and help is on the way!" Someone tore out the overhead sleeping compartment window and helped my parents escape. When outside and breathing fresh air again, they asked what had happened. A semi-truck driver had stopped to help. The driver jumped down, got a fire extinguisher from his rig, and fearlessly went about putting out the blaze that could have exploded at any second. When the flames were out, he simply climbed back in his truck and drove away. No one thought to get the license number or even notice what company the truck was from. This selfless trucker without a doubt allowed my parents to survive that accident. We never got to thank him for his actions, but we'll always be grateful. If you know this man please thank him for us. If you don't, please thank another trucker for us: for being out there, being prepared, and being willing to come to the aid of motorists in need, no matter what the circumstances. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From LaughAndLift: I remember Chuck Colson, who was involved with Watergate in the Nixon Administration, talking about how hard it was for even the most powerful people in the world to keep Watergate from getting out, and then seeing all of the chaos, backbiting, lying, etc. when it did - how people would do anything to save their own hide. He further stated that this is one of the reasons why he came to a place where he was willing to believe that Jesus Christ was who the Bible says He was. Because while one or two people could make up a lie, and even if one could argue that all of Jesus' disciples/apostles & followers that saw him AFTER he was resurrected just made up some story (i.e. it was a "conspiracy") - human nature would have dictated that they wouldn't have gone to their death for that lie. And yet, a great many did indeed go to their deaths for their faith - these are historical facts. Who would willingly die for a lie if they knew it was a lie? Peter, one of Jesus' disciples, and also one who died for his faith in Jesus Christ, said in 2 Peter 1:16: "For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty." _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` >Memorial to the 12 Apostles (By Mark Batterson) Very few people can name the twelve Apostles and even fewer know anything about them. Hope this changes that. On this Memorial Day weekend when we remember those who sacrificed their lives for the freedoms we enjoy, it seems appropriate to share how each of the twelve apostles died. James the brother of John was killed with a sword during a persecution initiated by King Herod in AD 44. Andrew was hung on an olive tree around 70 AD. Doubting Thomas was thrust through with pine spears, tortured with red-hot plates, and burned alive around 70 AD. Philip went to Phrygia where he was tortured and crucified in AD 54. Matthew was beheaded sometime after 60 AD. Bartholomew was flayed after he refused to recant. After the removal of his skin, he was crucified in 70 AD. James the lesser was taken to the top of the Temple where a crowd gathered. When he refused to recant, he was thrown down. He survived the fall so a mob beat him to death with clubs in 63 AD. Simon the Zealot was crucified by the governor of Syria in AD 74. Judas Thaddeus ministered in Mesopotamia where he was beaten to death with sticks in AD 72. Matthias, who replaced Judas Iscariot, went to Ethiopia and was stoned to death while hanging on a cross in AD 70. According to Eusebius, the third century historian, Peter thought himself unworthy to die in the manner in which Jesus was crucified so he requested that he be crucified upside-down. And last but not least, John the beloved is the only disciple who died a natural death, but that doesn't mean he was exempt from persecution. He was exiled to the Island of Patmos and according to legend, thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil. I'm not sure what that does to you. In fact, I'm not sure what that does to me. But I know this: I'm grateful for the estimated 70 million martyrs who have died because of their faith in Jesus Christ! And I'm grateful for the freedoms I enjoy as an American. May we never take them for granted. (Sources: Primary source is Eusebius' Church History. You can also try Michael Patton, What Happened to the Twelve Apostles? I also love Foxes Book of Martyrs and Josephus for historical research.) 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 ========================================================== , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >-->HEAVEN AWAITS US So many people see never a day as a great blessing of God given way. So many only find in their view things of depression with nothing brand new. Heaven awaits us if we will just find Jesus Christ surely inside of our mind. Let lose of sorrows and see all the joy that can be moments your heart can deploy. Lose all the thinking of negative thought. Heaven awaits us which Jesus has bought. ©By Bill Pearce _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` Rom.10: [9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->ShangyFunList AD RATES: $25 will get your a message (of up to 40 words) out to all web site list readers. Email me to secure dates. Ad Request ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->This is for all you who love food and DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe **********************************************************************