Happy Blessed Valentine's Day! ... :) 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. While the ads on the website do help, I don't want to drag the site down with tons of them to pay for it. I need your help! "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 Friend Me / Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND For Google Plus Users: You can find me here... Shangy Bigham https://plus.google.com/106648555948034085752/posts AND Please Share This email with All Your Friends And Family! ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! :) -<>- * NOTE: An easy way to adjust the size of print in email or any page is to hold down the Ctrl tab while moving the scroll button on the mouse. You can also use the keyboard to change the font size in your web browser or emails. Hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the + key for larger text or the - key for smaller text! ================ __, ,___) __, ,_) ,_) ______) (--|__| _, _ _ (--| /_ | _ ,_-|-',_ _', (--| \ _, _| |(_||_)|_)(_| _|/(_||(/_| || || |(//_) _|__/(_|(_| ( | | ,_| ( |_, |_, ( ,_| _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ /` \/ `\ _ _ /` \/ `\ _ _ /` \/ `\ _ _ /` \/ `\ \ / /` \/ `\ \ / /` \/ `\ \ / /` \/ `\ \ / '. .' \ / '. .' \ / '. .' \ / '. .' \/ '. .' \/ '. .' \/ '. .' \/ jgs \/ \/ \/ *~* Happy Blessed Valentine's Day! May your day be filled full of love - love from God, love from family and love from friends! :) >From Me To You... To all my Lady Friends: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/bestfriends.html To all my Gentlemen Friends: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/whatfriends.html (¯`v´¯) `*.¸.*´ ¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•. Huggums!... :) Shangy! -<>- >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This flaming hot new page is from our friends Linda and Geniann. It will give you especially warm and fuzzy, happy feelings with its many endearing photos and renew your faith in love. Be sure to check it out here... ...... ...... .:oOOOOo:. .:oOOOOo:. .:oOO:'':Oo:. .:oO:'':OOo:. .:oO:' ':Oo:oO:' ':Oo:. :oO: ':O:' :Oo: :oO: ' :Oo: ':oO: :Oo:' ':oO: :Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' jgs 'oO:Oo' 'oOo' 'o' Have A Heart http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/heart.html --- ...Awww, so sweet! Thanks Ladies! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: Grow old with me! The best is yet to be. -- Robert Browning .-. .-. .-.| .-./ | | \/ | / \ / /` `\ /`/` jgs `\/` >THE POWER OF LOVE by Joseph Walker By any standard of measurement, David was a powerful man. Tall, handsome and dignified, he cut an imposing figure, even in his declining years. He was widely known and greatly respected by his peers and others in the community. As the head of a large organization, he was surrounded by people who were prepared to respond to his every whim. Because of the prominence of his position and the value of his time, he didn't have to do anything he didn't want to do, or that wasn't a high priority to him. Which is why it seemed a little unusual to those who worked in the small downtown market to see this great man, slowed and bent by the years, shuffling in to shop. "Doesn't he have people to do this sort of thing for him?" a clerk asked the store manager. "Of course he does," the manager whispered. "He has people who have people who have people to do this sort of thing for him." They watched as David moved slowly, deliberately, toward the produce section. "Then what's he doing here?" the clerk asked. "I don't know," the manager said, a little nervously. "But whatever it is, it must be VERY important." David paused at the produce section, looking at the surprisingly expansive display of fresh fruits and vegetables. At last his eyes settled on a big bin of large, shiny red apples. He picked up the apples one by one, examining each closely, twisting and turning it in the sunlight to expose any defect or flaw. Over the course of several minutes he must have inspected two dozen apples or so until at last he settle on one that looked absolutely perfect -- perfectly sized, perfectly shaped, perfectly colored, perfectly ripe. "Perfect!" he said to himself, smiling broadly. He tucked the apple securely in his hand and made his way back up the aisle to the cash register, where the manager stepped in front of the clerk. "There will be no charge for that, sir," the manager said when David presented the apple for purchase. "You may have it, with our compliments." David shook his head. "Thank you, sir," he said kindly. "But I insist. Please allow me to pay for this beautiful apple." Hesitantly, the manager rang up the charge for the apple, and placed it carefully in a brown paper bag. He took David's money, and handed the bag to him. "Thank you," David said, holding the bag as one might hold a package of diamonds. "Emma will love this!" Emma? Of course -- Emma. The love of David's life. His sweetheart of more than 50 years. It was said that in all their time together, they had never once had an argument. And now, a clerk and a manager at a small downtown market understood why. It was a matter of priority. It was a matter of sensitivity. It was a matter of purpose. And clearly, it was a matter of power. The power of love. -- Joseph Walker __________________________________________________ .@@@@@. .@@@@@. @@@@@@@:.:@@@@@@@ @@@@:':@@@:':@@@@ '@@@: '@' :@@@' '@@@. ' .@@@' '@@@. .@@@' '@@@. .@@@' "@@.@@" jgs "@@@" '@' >VALENTINE BIRTHDAY Why is Valentine's Day special to me? It's very simple. God gave me a miracle on February 14, 1996. Since I was a little girl, I always thought I would get married young and have a large family. Instead, I was almost 28 and it seemed a child was not to be. Fertility treatments didn't work and I gave up after 5 years. However, God hadn't. Much to my surprise, and my doctor's, I became pregnant. My due date was the end of February, but at Christmas time, I started to have some issues. By February 13, I had pre-eclympsia and the doctor said we couldn't wait any long for the baby. Labor was induced, but it took hours before I was put into a hard labor and then things progressed so rapidly I didn't have time to get any pain medication and my son was born at 2:50 in the afternoon. Over the years, he has had some health issues, usually dealing with lung related issues. He is the love and joy of my life. Bright, sweet and talented. He will be 15. He is my friend. He is the best thing I have ever done or will ever do. He is my Funny Valentine. -- Amy Taylor Parker =========================================================== >-->From AndyChaps: ...... ...... .:oOOOOo:. .:oOOOOo:. .:oOO:'':Oo:. .:oO:'':OOo:. .:oO: 'Oo:oO' :Oo:. :oO: 'o' :Oo: :oO: :Oo: ':oO: :Oo:' ':oO: B E :Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' 'oO:Oo' ...... 'oOo' ...... .:oOOOOo:.'o'.:oOOOOo:. .:oOO:'':Oo:. .:oO:'':OOo:. .:oO: 'Oo:oO' :Oo:. :oO: 'o' :Oo: :oO: :Oo: ':oO: :Oo:' ':oO: M Y :Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' 'oO:Oo' ...... 'oOo' ...... .:oOOOOo:.'o'.:oOOOOo:. .:oOO:'':Oo:. .:oO:'':OOo:. .:oO: 'Oo:oO' :Oo:. :oO: 'o' :Oo: :oO: :Oo: ':oO: V A L E N T I N E :Oo:' ':oO: :Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' jgs 'oO:Oo' 'oOo' 'o' >The Three Components of Love How often do you look around and see people in relationships, hanging on by a thread, and then you ask yourself "How can those people be together?" Well, that's a very valid question and I tell you it comes down to three simple components. Actually, following all the excitement after the wedding, I forgot to mention to you that during our wedding speeches, this was what I stood and spoke about. So right now your probably saying, "get on with it!" - right? All right - First you have to understand that 'love' is not a specific entity or emotion unto itself but rather, is built of these three simply components: - Trust - Respect - Consideration And if any one of those components were missing - well, you would no long have the full existence of 'love'. Think about it! Trust: If we were not able to trust our partner or be trusted, then think of all the other emotions that would be held back as a result of this lack of trust. Respect: Show respect for your partner; when you speak with them, when you speak to others and watch how it is reciprocated. Consideration: When consideration for one another is continually put into motion as we make decisions and plan our future, that unity between you becomes even stronger. The analogy that I like to use is of the tripod or three-legged stool. As it stands, it can be very sturdy - unwavering, as love should be. In fact, even if the legs were not all exactly the same length it would not wobble. Trust, Respect, and Consideration would still be there to support the relationship. Now take one of those legs away and how does the stool stand up anymore? I would dread to imagine a future together with any one of those components missing. In fact, how quickly do you think the other components would follow suit? Enjoy those three components of love - get good at each of them. Hey, these are the simplest rules you'll ever get in the game of love! Trust, Respect, and Consideration. Got it?! Good! ** Reprinted with permission from Sonny & Andy of Self-Focus. -<>- .--. .--. : _ \/ _ : _\/ \ 6 6 / \__\ ' / \'--'/ \__/_ /\ /\ \ / \/ \ \ / jgs _\ /_ (__\ /__) >Remember to: * Keep your feet on the narrow path * Keep your Heart tuned to the Voice of God * Keep the Helmet of Salvation upon your head * Keep your arms around the shoulders of friends * Keep your ears filled with the sounds of Worship * Lift up the Mighty Sword, that is the Word of God... ~~~ But Remember Most of ALL, * Keep Your EYES on the SON... AMEN =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: .-. .-. ( \/ ) .-. .-. \ .-. .-. ( \/ ) \ ( \/ ) \ .-. .-. / \ / jgs \ ( \/ .-. .-. / .-. \.-.\ ( \/ )/ ( \/ )\ /\ // \ / \ / \ / \ / \/ \ / \ / \/ \/ This is amazing and indeed it IS the greatest Valentine of all time!!! "For God so loV ed the world, That He gA ve His onL y BegottE n SoN T hat whosoever Believeth I n Him Should N ot perish, But have E verlasting life." - John 3:16 -<>- .-"""-. .-"""-. / `..' \ | | | | \ / \ / `\ /' jgs `\ /' `\ /' `\/' >THE HOUSE THAT LOVE BUILT? This house was built with pride, with love and guidance from above. This house was built by my Daddy's hands and they were filled with love! It would tell how Momma saved her tips from the restaurant and paid cash for the lot it sits on? This house has been a home and a home away from home, for, four generations? If this house could talk, oh the stories it would tell! It would tell of the many years of family dedication It would tell of, the glad times, the Sad times and all the in between times? It would tell about the laughter and the tears It would tell of, times of sickness, times of health, times of much joy and happiness. It would tell of, births, first days of school, graduations, first jobs, New careers, weddings, grand hellos and sad goodbyes. It would tell of the day my brother left for Korea, to serve in the U.S. Air Force? It would tell of my parent's 56 golden years of marriage It would tell about the days my parents and my brother passed away It would tell about how carefully this house has been cared for over the years. It would tell about the day I was born and came home here from the hospital It would tell about the day of my wedding and the birth of my son and The day he took his first steps? It would tell about my son's wedding and the births of my two grandchildren It would tell about the day I retired after 22 years and then earned my Teaching Credential? It would tell about the births of my parent's five grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren? It would tell about the beautiful rose garden and flowers, and the fresh fruits and vegetables that Daddy tended and grew?his yard and garden were his recreation after a long day's work. It would tell how Momma canned those fresh fruits and vegetables, preserves, jellies and jams, enough to last all winter long? It would tell about the great times shared with our beloved grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends?! It would tell about the many beloved family pets that called this house their home. It would tell of all the dear friends and neighbors that touched our lives over the past 57 years? It would tell of times of family and friends shared together, these precious memories that will never fade away?! It would now tell you that it's time for me to close the door here, in 2004, to begin a new Chapter along life's journey! And in closing it would say, "Take good care of me, I will shelter you and fill your hearts with warmth and love. Yes, if these walls could talk! - Barbara J. Ervin-Weymouth Copyright, July 28, 2004, ®All Rights Reserved -<>- ..8888888.. ..8888888.. .8:::::::::::8. .8:::::::::::8. .8:::::::::::::::8:::::::::::::::8. .8:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::8. 8:::::: ::::' ':::' ':::: : :::::8 8:::::: ::: ' ::: : :::::8 8:::::: ::: ::: : :::::8 '8::::: ::::. .:::: : ::::8' '8:::: ::::::. .:::::: : :::8' '8::: ::::::::.::::::::. .::8' '8:::::::::::::::::::::::::8' '8:::::::::::::::::::::8' '8:::::::::::::::::8' '8:::::::::::8' jgs '8:::::8' '8' >"God's Table Requires Table Manners" (edited) You undoubtedly felt awkward the first time you had to learn which fork to use. But with that knowledge you can enter any dining experience with confidence. The same is true when you dine at God's table. At first it seems difficult. But learning the right manners makes it possible for you to be in any situation and please the Father. Table manners at God's table: You have to do your own chewing. Too many Christians expect God to take out a spoon and dish up the blessing for them. He is supposed to place it in our mouths, work our jaws to chew it up, and help us swallow it. We want God to do everything. The fact is that you have responsibility in God's sovereign world. Accept the seating. God has a place for you - in Him - that far outweighs anything the pleasures of this life have to offer. The fleshly, carnal attitudes of your world will be a constant source of contention in this life. But God calls you to sit in His kingdom, not in the world. Satan will try to convince you to take a lesser seat, that those serving God have more time, money, or talent than you. He wants you to measure flesh against flesh. Don't listen to him. Sit in the seat of inheritance that God has waiting for you. Finish the meal. John 3:16 tells us, God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son. Some believe that because God's Son has already come and died for the sins of the world, they don't have to do anything else. However, it's important to finish the phrase regarding man's responsibility: whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. You must come to Jesus in order to receive the forgiveness that He purchased for you. Read the menu. You must spend time reading what God has prepared. Read your Bible, meditate on the Word. It will give you strength and illumination according to God's plan for your life. It will keep you on course and remind you of your responsibilities in order to fulfill the plan of God. Count the fruit. If you are not willing to bear fruit for Him, then He is not obligated to answer your requests, even if you ask things in His name. Jesus declares, Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away (John 6:37). The Holy Spirit inspires us to go to Jesus and do what He asks of us. His sovereignty makes the first move toward us, but because He gave us free will, we must move toward Him as well. -<>- ..8888888.. ..8888888.. .8:::::::::::8. .8:::::::::::8. .8:::''''''''':::8:::''''''''':::8. .8::: .::::::. ::::: .::::::. :::8. 8::: ::::::::::. ' .:::::::::: :::8 8::: ::::::::::::.:::::::::::: :::8 8::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::8 '8::: ::::::::::::::::::::::: :::8' '8::: ::::::::::::::::::::: :::8' '8::: ':::::::::::::::::' :::8' '8:::. ':::::::::::::' .:::8' '8:::: ':::::::::' ::::8' '8::::. ':::' .::::8' '8:::: ' ::::8' jgs '8:::::8' '8' >"DON'T EVER STOP DREAMING YOUR DREAMS" Don't ever be reluctant to show your feelings when you're happy, give in to it. When you're not, live with it. Don't ever be afraid to try to make things better you might be surprised at the results. Don't ever take the weight of the world on your shoulders. Don't ever feel threatened by the future, take life one day at a time. Don't ever feel guilty about the past what's done is done. Learn from any mistakes you might have made. Don't ever feel that you are alone there is always somebody there for you to reach out to. Don't ever forget that you can achieve so many of the things you can imagine. ... It's not as hard as it seems. Don't ever stop loving don't ever stop believing, don't ever stop dreaming your dreams. - Christine -<>- _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ >Prayer for Protection The Light of God surrounds me; The Love of God enfolds me; The Power of God protects me; The Presence of God watches over me; Wherever I am, God is, And all is well. - James Dillet Freeman -<>- . , )). -===- ,(( ))). ,((( ))))). .:::. ,(((((( ))))))))). :. .: ,((((((((' `))))))))))). : - : ,(((((((((((( ))))))))))))))))_:' ':_(((((((((((((((' `)))))))))))).-' \___/ '-._((((((((((( `))))_._.-' __)( )(_ '-._._((((' `))'---)___)))'\_ _/'((((__(---'((' `))))))))))))|' '|((((((((((((' jim `)))))))))/' '\(((((((((' `)))))))| |(((((((' `))))))| |((((((' /' '\ /' '\ /' '\ /' '\ '---..___..---' >Angel in My Path As far back as I can remember I was a lonely child. Although I was the youngest of four children, being the "baby of the family" did not give me any special privileges or extra attention. In fact, just the opposite occurred. To my mother's way of thinking, I was too little to help around the house. Her time and energy was focused upon housekeeping, not upon her youngest daughter, while my father ignored me most of the time - his job and hobbies coming first. Then there were my siblings. My oldest sister was seven years my senior, next came our brother, but of course he wasn't going to play with a girl! Then there was my other sister, who was only two years older than I, but somehow we were not close during those young years. One day, when I was five years old, I ventured a couple of blocks up the street, where most of the neighborhood children congregated to play. Few cars traveled our streets back then, so we could use the streets for our playground most of the time. That day was a turning point in my life. I met my first angel. Oh, I did not know at the time what God was doing, but looking back now I can see his divine hand at work. She had soft, golden-colored hair that hugged her cherubic countenance, and green eyes filled with love and acceptance as she smiled at me. She was beautiful, and as if that wasn't enough, she had a new bike without training wheels, and she was willing to share it with me! The new bike was wonderful, but my young heart was more elated to have a friend, someone who actually liked me, someone who accepted me, someone who thought I was special! I hugged this new wonder to my heart in secret, afraid to tell my family about her. Surely if they knew, they would take her and her new bike away. I was sure they would not think that I deserved such a special friend in my life. It wasn't long before my angel invited me to her house to play. There she had other toys and was willing to share them with me! I knew I would have to ask my mother's permission, for I knew that my angel and I could not play in the street forever. Screwing up my courage, I asked my mother for permission and to my elation, she said yes! I ran from the house to tell my friend, a relieved smile stretching across my face from ear to ear. Soon she invited me to church, so almost every Sunday morning I would ride with her and her mother. My little angel was the first person in my life to tell me about God's love for me. Through the years we had loads of fun, our active imaginations never letting us down. We would play dress up, parading up and down the street in her mother's old clothes and high-heel shoes, or pretend we were Captain Video and his Video Rangers! Each day was a new wonder, as we developed and grew into the young teenagers we soon became. God has put other angels in my path through the years, but none more needed. We are grown now, with children of our own. After our marriages, we were not fortunate enough to live in the same area, but that does not matter. Our bond cannot be broken, no matter what. God put us together when I most needed an angel and a friend, for you see, at times, God reaches out to us with loving arms. the loving arms of human contact. - Judy Spikes Copyright 2003 -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: My Precious Child http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mychild.html Life Is... http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lifeis.html Let's Dance http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dance.html More Abundant Life http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/abundantlife.html Miracle Baby http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/smellofrain.html Sgt.Stubby War Dog Hero http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/stubbywardog.html Thankful For You http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thankful.html Top Reasons To Smile http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/smile.html Until We Write Again http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/write.html That's God http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thatsgod.html Animal Family Portraits http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animalfamilies.html Why We Love Dogs http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/whydog.html Wild Kisses And Snuggles http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wildkisses2.html Why God Gave Us Pets http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gpets.html Shangrala's VALENTINE'S Index!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/valentineindex.html -<>- What does the Bible say about Love? https://tinyurl.com/y3cffrk5 Open the Eyes of My Heart (Duffley) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjYeUN2zWqI Billy Graham 2018 - The Speech That Broke The Internet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkul2HPSDVc Draw me close to you Michael W. Smith https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_tdG9yM93A Take My Hand, Precious Lord - Jim Reeves https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eKr9Omg__s God's Love letter for you...(worth watching) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpSE3eZTCNo -<>- >In The News: SEAN HANNITY FOX NEWS 2/12/19 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcRpF27IfrU FULL MAGA RALLY: President Donald Trump in El Paso, Texas (FNN) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmSxi2adybQ Not one more person should suffer under socialism https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600daily/ Wilbur Ross, Ivanka Trump Introduce Workforce Advisory Board https://www.whitehouse.gov/westwingreads/ No more paying for the rich world’s medicine Alex Azar: “How Team Trump is bringing drug prices down” https://tinyurl.com/y4etsq6m Democrat Fiasco Is Good News For The American Economy https://tinyurl.com/yyc29s58 Former Obama Officials Turn On Each Other https://1600daily.com/2019/02/12/former-obama-officials-turn/ If she lies about something so simple, what else will she lie about? How can we trust anything she says? Kamala Harris Caught in Hilarious LIE https://tinyurl.com/y33zwgoy Hillary/FBI Correspondence Uncovered https://tinyurl.com/y3j2um2 Sheriffs Warn ICE Could Be Forced To Release 8,300 Criminal Aliens https://tinyurl.com/y5x8hrqe President Trump launched the American AI Initiative. “Ultimately, we will win the race for AI(artificial intelligence), and we will do it without compromising our American values,” Kratsios writes. https://tinyurl.com/yy2dqpty SENATE INTEL CHAIRMAN: ‘WE DON’T HAVE ANYTHING THAT WOULD SUGGEST THERE WAS COLLUSION’ https://tinyurl.com/y4958el4 GREEN NEW DEAL’ LOOKS TO TACKLE THE SCOURGE OF ‘FARTING COWS’ https://tinyurl.com/y6ah3c7a --- ...Thoughts on the Green New Deal... Everyone talks about no steak or beef with the Green New Deal, but they'll simply tax it so it's very expensive to buy - thus achieving their goal of reducing cows here. No one is talking about milk, cheese and dairy products either - gotta have cows for that too! They'll make those food items too expensive too. They are nuts! 'New estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau put China in the lead with 1.34 billion residents, followed by India with 1.19 billion. The United States is a distant third with 311.1 million people.' https://tinyurl.com/y3myth4l The liberals aren't talking about the other elephants in the room: The Financial Times has collated Nasa satellite data showing concentrations of nitrogen dioxide — a common air pollutant — over China from January 2005 to May 2018. A time-lapse of the data reveals the extent of the pollution crisis in China, and how pollution spikes in winter, when coal is required for heating. But it also reveals a troubling resurgence in pollution levels. https://ig.ft.com/china-pollution/ Even if we got our pollution down to net zero - and ended our quality of life as we now know it today - to accommodate the aspirations of the liberals in their 'Green New Deal' over the next ten years, China would make what we do futile here in the US with their way over double our pollution: Pollution Index: China = 81.89 US = 34.29 Pollution Exp Scale: China = 148.82 US = 56.99 https://tinyurl.com/y4745z4n India is almost as bad and would nix our efforts as well: Pollution Index: India = 75.35 US = 34.29 Pollution Exp Scale: India = 132.25 US = 56.99 https://tinyurl.com/y5srrsyd Just another manipulation by the Democrat left to control our lives and take our money for their own power gain. Just like Obama's Carbon Tax that never went through.... 'A carbon tax is a tax levied on the carbon content of fuels. It is a form of carbon pricing. Carbon taxes offer a potentially cost-effective means of reducing greenhouse gas ...... However, even with the carbon tax, Norway's per capita emissions rose by 15 percent' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_tax I think if we continue to do the sensible things to safeguard our planet here in the United Sates that all will bode well for us. :) -<>- >From Our Friend Fran :) Koala Joey's most adorable home video of all time - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/embed/cU8v4vZbFPc --- ...aww, how sweet! Thanks Fran! -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) If you are a cat lover and are looking for some good reasons to make your cat your Valentine then here they are. Furball Fables shares with us a Valentines Day video that anyone who loves cats will truly appreciate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_tVP1eZZvE You can never have too much love in the world so Kristin and Danny Adams share with us Love Songs Of The Decades in this entertaining video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJpA_sQEwkM --- ...Quite right! Awesome! 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 Our Friend Fran :) I'VE LEARNED... that love, not time, is what heals wounds. - Unknown Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains un awakened. - Anatole France If you judge people, you have no time to love them. - Mother Teresa Love your neighbor as yourself. Leviticus 19:18 "To the soul, there is hardly anything more healing than friendship." - Thomas Moore -<>- _ *"_"* __ /`_`\ __ .' '. | / \ | .' '. , / ')\^_^/(' \ , \`--' . (_.> <._) . '--`/ '.__.' '._/ \_/ \_.' '.__.' / , _ , \ \ \_/|\_/ / \ //^\\ / \/` `\/ | | | | | | | | .. ..:::.| | ..::::. .. ..::::..::::... .::::::::| |:::::::::::::::. ::::::::::::::::::.:::::::::::| |:::::::::::::::::. ':::::::::::::::::::::::::::::| |::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::| |::::::::::::::::::' '':::' '::::::::::::::::\_.__./:::::::::::::::'' '':::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::' jgs '::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::'' '':::::'' '''::::::'' >As I grow in age, I value older women most of all. Here are just a few reasons why. An older woman will never wake you in the middle of the night to ask, "What are you thinking?" She doesn't care what you think. An older woman knows herself well enough to be assured in who she is, what she is, what she wants and from whom. Few women past the age of 50 gives a dang what you might think about her. Older women are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won't hesitate to shoot you if they think they can get away with it. Most older women cook well. They care about cleanliness and are generous with praise, often undeserved. An older woman has the self-assurance to introduce you to her women friends. A younger woman with a man will often ignore even her best friend because she doesn't trust the guy with other women. Older women couldn't care less. Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess yoursins to an older woman. They always know. An older woman looks good wearing bright red lipstick. This is not true of younger women or drag queens. Once you get past a wrinkle or two, an older woman is far more attractive than her younger counterpart. Her libido's stronger, her fear of pregnancy gone. Her experience of lovemaking is honed and reciprocal and she's lived long enough to know how to please a man in ways her daughter could never dream of. Older women are forthright and honest. They'll tell you right off you are a jerk if you are acting like one. Yes, we praise older women for a multitude of reasons. Here's to all the "young at heart" women! Value and love them all! - Karen --- ...So true! Thanks Fran! ========================================================== ,@@@@@, ,@@@@@, ,@@,;;;,@,;;;,@@, @@;;;' ';' ';;;@@ @@;;; ;;;@@ '@@';;, ,;;'@@' '@@';;,;;'@@' '@@';'@@' jgs '@@@' '@' >Love Never Fails Story Editor: by Bethann Joyce Schowalter England, United Kingdom Frank was a soldier, and all the time he was in Burma as a POW, he dreamed of getting out and having a life. He suffered terribly, and was left scarred physically and emotionally. When he came home, his fiancee's parents worried his scars meant he was too damaged to make a good husband. They forbade him to marry "Bette". Frank and Bette obeyed, as was done then. Neither married. Frank worked hard, cared for his parents, an aunt, then a disabled nephew. Bette was the same, the maiden aunt always helping others. She too helped people avoid public-funded care, helping people spend their last days in homely comfort. She and Frank spoke often, but visited infrequently due to distance. As Bette's health failed, she was moved to a beautiful, privately-funded nursing home. She loved her beautiful sunny room, the gardens and duckpond. She was waited on compassionately, as she'd cared for many others. Frank, however, was in a dingy, dark rented flat, with no central heat or bathtub. Yet Frank never seemed to mind. We nurses brought Frank "extras", worried he'd forego warm socks or dinner. We loved his gentle ways, humour, and the little gifts he made for us. He was patient as we bandaged his legs wounds -- painful ulcers still weeping from his torture scars. One day Frank asked a nurse to take him to see Bette. She drove Frank on her own time. She watched Frank hold Bette's hand, obviously comforting her. Oblivious to Bette's dementia, Frank spoke heartfelt words. Before he left, he kissed Bette, and she said, "Frank?" The nurse ran out, sobbing. After that, if necessary, we paid ourselves for a taxi to get Frank to Bette. Once I asked him how she afforded such a nice nursing home. Putting finger to lips, he showed me sheaths of legal documents, insurance, investments, pensions. He said "I pay. Please: If something happens to me, make sure Bette never wants." I was dumbstruck. Frank lived in poverty to ensure Bette's exceptional care. Over time we convinced Frank to eat better and get a mobility scooter so he could visit Bette himself. Asked if he was happier he said, "I was afraid if I took anything, there wouldn't be enough for Bette. I couldn't bear to see her go without..." Then the call from the nursing home, "Please get Frank". Beautiful Bette had passed away in her sleep. Frank said his goodbyes. Returning to his home, I found Frank happy. "She's free", he said. "No more pain. Someday, I'll join her -- free, too." Bette's 18 years of care cost Frank one million dollars. He then trust-funded the nursing home for free care in Bette's name -- endowing two beds for the forseeable future. The day I left to move to another place, Frank took my hand to share a secret. "We married in 1951, but didn't want to hurt her folks. Did I fail her?" I told Frank he was my hero. He'd lived in poverty with enough to live like a king -- for Bette's sake. =======HeroicStories======= .-""""-. .-""""-. ./ \/ \. | _ _ | \ \. _(9><6)_ ,/ / `\ \==_) (_==/ /' `\ -'= ='- /' `\ /' jgs `\ /' `\ /' `\/' >-->THE SPARROW AT STARBUCKS The song that silenced the cappuccino machine by John Thomas Oaks It was chilly in Manhattan but warm inside the Starbucks shop on 51st Street and Broadway, just a skip up from Times Square. Early November weather in New York City holds only the slightest hint of the bitter chill of late December and January, but it's enough to send the masses crowding indoors to vie for available space and warmth. For a musician, it's the most lucrative Starbucks location in the world, I'm told, and consequently, the tips can be substantial if you play your tunes right. Apparently, we were striking all the right chords that night, because our basket was almost overflowing. It was a fun, low-pressure gig-I was playing keyboard and singing backup for my friend who also added rhythm with an arsenal of percussion instruments. We mostly did pop songs from the '40s to the '90s with a few original tunes thrown in. During our emotional rendition of the classic, "If You Don't Know Me by Now," I noticed a lady sitting in one of the lounge chairs across from me. She was swaying to the beat and singing along. After the tune was over, she approached me. "I apologize for singing along on that song. Did it bother you?" she asked. "No," I replied. "We love it when the audience joins in. Would you like to sing up front on the next selection?" To my delight, she accepted my invitation. "You choose," I said. "What are you in the mood to sing?" "Well. ... do you know any hymns?" hymns? This woman didn't know who she was dealing with. I cut my teeth on hymns. Before I was even born, I was going to church. I gave our guest singer a knowing look. "Name one." "Oh, I don't know. There are so many good ones. You pick one." "Okay," I replied. "How about 'His Eye is on the Sparrow'?" My new friend was silent, her eyes averted. Then she fixed her eyes on mine again and said, "Yeah. Let's do that one." She slowly nodded her head, put down her purse, straightened her jacket and faced the center of the shop. With my two-bar setup, she began to sing. "Why should I be discouraged? Why should the shadows come?" The audience of coffee drinkers was transfixed. Even the gurgling noises of the cappuccino machine ceased as the employees stopped what they were doing to listen. The song rose to its conclusion. "I sing because I'm happy; I sing because I'm free. For His eye is on the sparrow And I know He watches me." Holy moment When the last note was sung, the applause crescendoed to a deafening roar that would have rivaled a sold-out crowd at Carnegie Hall. Embarrassed, the woman tried to shout over the din, "Oh, y'all go back to your coffee! I didn't come in here to do a concert! I just came in here to get somethin' to drink, just like you!" But the ovation continued. I embraced my new friend. "You, my dear, have made my whole year! That was beautiful!" "Well, it's funny that you picked that particular hymn," she said. "Why is that?" "Well . ..." she hesitated again, "that was my daughter's favorite song." "Really!" I exclaimed. "Yes," she said, and then grabbed my hands. By this time, the applause had subsided and it was business as usual. "She was 16. She died of a brain tumor last week." I said the first thing that found its way through my stunned silence. "Are you going to be okay?" She smiled through tear-filled eyes and squeezed my hands. "I'm gonna be okay. I've just got to keep trusting the Lord and singing his songs, and everything's gonna be just fine." She picked up her bag, gave me her card, and then she was gone. Was it just a coincidence that we happened to be singing in that particular coffee shop on that particular November night? Coincidence that this wonderful lady just happened to walk into that particular shop? Coincidence that of all the hymns to choose from, I just happened to pick the very hymn that was the favorite of her daughter, who had died just the week before? I refuse to believe it. God has been arranging encounters in human history since the beginning of time, and it's no stretch for me to imagine that he could reach into a coffee shop in midtown Manhattan and turn an ordinary gig into a revival. It was a great reminder that if we keep trusting him and singing his songs, everything's gonna be okay --- ...His Eye Is On The Sparrow - Sandi Patty https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbgPn1RPCDc ========================================================== ...:::::::... ...:::::::... .:::::::::::::::::. .::::::::::::::::::. .::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::. .:::::::::::::::::::'.-=.-~, ':::::::::::::::::::. .:::::::::::::::::::' /{,_;--'},'::::::::::::::::::::. .:::::::::::::::::::: | .=~`|//| :::::::::::::::::::::. .::::::::::::::::::::: | / ; \ | :::' __, '::::::::::::. .:::::::::::::::::::::' || | | | :' .' \/\ ::::::::::::. .:::::::::::::::::::::: |\| | | |\ / \ /_| :::::::::::::. ::::::::::::::::::::::. \ | | /|'/ / | \ /_ | :::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::' ,_ '::: `\ \/|/ / /`.: \ /__/ ::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::: /\/`'. ':. `\ `./.'/\ : /.--' .:::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::: |_\ / \ ::. '. ,/|\/| // '''''::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::: | _\ / | .:: | | \ \/// .""'-. ::::::::::::: :::::::::::::: \__\ / .: .'/| | `)`/__//_/_/_\ :::::::::::: ':::::::::::::: '--.\ : /\/_| |} /.---. \ \ \ / :::::::::::' '::::::::::::'' \\ |\/_/| | //` . `'...-' :::::::::::' :::::::::: .-""'. \\\/ /{| |// .:::::....:::::::::::::: '::::::: /_\_\_\\__\`(` | '/ :::::::::::::::::::::::' ':::::: \ / / / .---.\ | | :::::::::::::::::::::::' '::::::. '-..,'` .:.`\\ | |} ::::::::::::::::::::::' '::::::......:jgs:: \\| | ::::::::::::::::::::' ':::::::::::::::::: \` | ::::::::::::::::::' ':::::::::::::::: | | ::::::::::::::::' ':::::::::::::: {| | ::::::::::::::' ':::::::::::: | | ::::::::::::' ':::::::::: | | ::::::::::' ':::::::: | |} ::::::::' ':::::: | | ::::::' ':::::. |/ ::::::' ':::.....:::::' ':::::::::' ':::::' ':' >The Love of God - Mercy Me (With Lyrics) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWnvmKoLWUU The love of God is greater far Than tongue or pen can ever tell It goes beyond the highest star And reaches to the lowest hell The guilty pair, bowed down with care God gave His Son to win His erring child He reconciled And pardoned from his sin Could we with ink the ocean fill And were the skies of parchment made Were every stalk on earth a quill And every man a scribe by trade To write the love of God above Would drain the ocean dry Nor could the scroll contain the whole Though stretched from sky to sky Hallelujah [3x] O love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong! It shall forevermore endure The saints' and angels' song .o##o. .o##o. ######o.o###### ############### .o88o. .o88o##########' 888888o.o888888########' 888888888888888######' '8888888888888'#####&o. .o&&o. '88888888888' '#&&&&&o.o&&&&&& '8888888' &&&&&&&&&&&&&&& '88888' '&&&&&&&&&&&&&' '8' '&&&&&&&&&&&' H A P P Y '&&&&&&&' v a l e n t i n e'&&&&&' D A Y '&' >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->This is for all you who love food and DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe ************************************************************************ >TO SUBSCRIBE:Visit Here This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR For the Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ************************************************************************