Happy Father's Day Weekend! ... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList Through no fault of my own we suddenly became an adult club in the love and romance directory so you will have to confirm that you are an adult when you go here. I still have no idea how to change this back as it sends me around in a circle when I try! or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ()_()()_() / ..)(.. \ __/ ( || ) \_ (_/ * * (_) ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ | | | || | | | \_/| \__/ | | > \ / <__,--,__|/|_> unknown *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels For 2010 *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a 2010 Shangrala Angel, please visit the site and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL page comes up. 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 ALL OUR ANGELS MOST ABUNDANTLY! ================ *~* HAPPY BLESSED FATHER'S DAY To ALL OUR DADS! *~* /:""| .@@@@@, |: 66|_ @@@@@@@@, C _) aa`@@@@@@ \ ._| (_ ?@@@@ ) / =' @@@@" /`\\ \(``` || |Y| //`\ ."~~~~~". || |#| / | || | .:. | I LUV My DADDY! || |#| \ | || A | /6 6\ | / || |#| / | || |~|_|_\ e /_|_ / .@@@@, :| |=: / | |\ |_|)___`"`___(8 ( aa`@@@, ||_|,| | |_| \ |~~~~~~~~~| = `@@@ \)))|| | ((( | \_________/ )_/`@' |~~~`-`~~~| `~\~~~~~~| |/ /_\ \| / || @ | | `\ / ()/___\() | || @ |_________| ( || ||~~~~~|| /~|| "` |_________| | || || || /__W_\ | || | || || || ||| |_||__ __|_|| ||_____|| _||| jgs (____)) (:;:;)) ||-----|| ((___) >-->2 Hot Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This super hot scorcher is from at least 3 of our friends! Jo Ann, Sandi, and Johanna have each sent it to me. I finally decided to wipe my tears and do up a page on it. Check this one out here... , ,_ , .'<_ _> `'-,'(__.-' __< >_.--(.. ) =;` jgs `V-'`'\/`` Tale Of Two Swallows http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/swallows.html --- ...Thank You So Much Ladies! Such A Heartwarming one! I've been reluctant to do it up as a page, but decided to today as it expresses my feelings with this gulf coast oil disaster. I hear people talk about money and jobs and plugging the stupid thing, but what I what to hear more of is that they are doing all they can to get ALL the oil that is being spilled cleaned up. BP says they are recovering around 2,000 barrels of oil a day yet we just learned that as many as 60,000 barrels of oil per day may be being spilled! That's a lot of oil to contaminate the ocean, shores, and marshes. Did you see Mike Hukabee's Show on Oil Spill Solutions? This is what I am talking about... http://tinyurl.com/2ecztva Why can't Obama get off his duff and lift some red tape so the people can clean this mess up and save lives? Not only 'money' but that which money can't buy - the lives of animals, fish, and birds that this affects. God's creatures Including Mankind is at risk here. He needs to get busy so people who care can get busy saving their livelihoods and way of life! -<>- This next hottie comes from our friend Jo Ann. I already think birds are pretty cool so when I saw these guys strutting their stuff, I just had to do up a page to show them off. Check it out here... __ ~%( o`=- \ \ / / __/~~\__ ( / ~~ \ ) | | | | \| |/ ___vv__vv__nmf / `` '' \ |_____________| ~`/%%%%\`~ / %% \ ~@ /``\ @~ / %% %% \ ~@ / \ @~ / %% %% \ ~/@/~ ~\@\~ (\/ \/) `(~ ~)` `(_(@) (@)_)` (_`____`_) !$%$%$! World Of Peacocks http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/peacock.html --- ...Strikingly beautiful! Thanks Jo Ann! ============================================================= >-->From Heartwarmers: | -+- _ _|_ {@} _|=|_ /___\ /(")\ (") .---'-'---. /((~))\/\ _ .-. /___________\ ~~/@\~~\|_|/ ((_)) | A /^\ A | / \ ||| ((_)) '-' | |"| | /~@~@~\ ||| '-' ldb_|___|_|___|_____/_______\|||______ >LADY IN RED by Lisabeth Abt Pieters My dress was pink. Not pure white, not ivory, off-white, eggshell, or alabaster. It was pink -- which was fine with my pale Irish skin, but not my Catholic up-bringing! It was a very light pink raw silk. So light, in fact, that the sales clerk and my mother said "most wouldn't notice it." But I fretted. What would the in-laws think of me prancing down the aisle in a less-than-white dress? When I had narrowed my dress selection down, my dad actually came to the store to see it. This was not a normal father-daughter activity for us. We went to father-daughter dances, he drove me in to high school and I was often a part of golf tournament galleries where I invariably watched him win. But shopping? Now, this was a first! A bridal salon? Not exactly in his repertoire! Nevertheless, he gave the dress his blessing. I walked out relieved and with a strategy. "Just tell everyone the dress is red," he said. "Anything less then red won't be a shock." So, I did. From my fiance to the bridal party, the word was out that my dress was a very tongue-in-cheek red. Any recognition of the pale kiss of pink when they saw it would be unsurprising. Being the calm, multi-tasking, delegating bride that I was, my father was in charge of the song to which we would dance. I completely relinquished control of that detail of the day, showing the ultimate trust in dear old dad. It was one of the few details of the wedding to which I didn't give another thought. The morning of the wedding started at 6am with everyone getting their hair done. The bride has a seating chart to finish, a honeymoon to pack for, and was looking for some shred of sanity. Dad? He was downstairs quietly reading the paper. He remained calm for me when we realized his cummerbund had been taken to the church by accident and got me in the car when we had 25 minutes before the ceremony was to begin at a church 30 minutes away. In the back of the church, he hurriedly put on his cummerbund and we knew the rest would be one big blur. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and held on to my dad for dear life. He thought I was going to pass out. Up until then, I hadn't had a single moment of nervousness. Dad gently got me started and by the end of the aisle, I was completely focused on my husband to be. Dad raised my blusher and stepped back. Vows, pictures, receiving line, congratulations, toasts, dinner, cake-cutting, my first dance with my husband, all joyful, traditional wedding moments. Then the DJ called my dad to the floor. It was time for the father-daughter dance -- that teary moment when strains of "Daddy's Little Girl" or "Sunrise, Sunset" plays to a crowd of sniffles and "awww's" around the dance floor. As I made my way towards my dad, I heard the rock and roll singer Meatloaf's "On a hot summer night, would you offer your throat to the wolf with the red roses? I bet you say that to all the boys..." WHAT HAD I DONE? Trusted my father? I was dancing to Meatloaf on one of the most important days of my life for one of the most sentimental memories. This was hardly a hallmark moment! I stood across from my dad in shock and with a smile. If this is what he wanted to dance to, that was fine with me. It was always easier for him to joke than be serious and emotional. In the split second these thoughts went through my head, the music changed. He had spliced on a second song. It was slow and vaguely familiar. It began, "I've never seen you looking so gorgeous as you did tonight. I've never seen you shine so bright. You were amazing. I've never seen so many people want to be there by your side and when you turned to me and smiled, it took my breath away." The crowd around the dance floor (still recovering from the Meatloaf opener) had their attention focused on the words wondering about the relevance. I realized the connection before they did and fell into his arms, hanging on for the most wonderful dance of my life. I realized I hadn't seen my dad all day since he got me in the car and down the aisle. It was one of the only times in my life I could remember having him all to myself and I cherished every step, twirl and sway. As he spun me around into the chorus, the words, "The lady in red is dancing with me" echoed around the dining room and everyone privy to my dress dilemma started bawling. The song continued, "There's nobody here. It's just you and me. It's where I want to be. I never will forget the way you look tonight." As the end of the song approached, my dad guided me over to the speaker on the dance floor holding me tight and said, "Listen to the end." I faintly heard the whisper of "I love you" as he dipped me, pink dress and all! I'm lucky to have a picture of that moment that I keep very close to my heart and look at every day. Dad may have always been the hard working, voice of logic in my life, but he understood how important that sentimental dance was. The song has moved on to Muzak and plays in department stores, elevators and on easy-listening music stations. It brings me to tears to this day. Driving in the car, if I am going to a meeting or event, I find I have to turn the station to keep my mascara from running! If I'm driving home or feeling particularly nostalgic, I relish every note and word, relive every step and listen to the very end. I love you too, Dad. -- Lisabeth Abt Pieters ______________________________________ \\ ///// | | (| _ _ |) |` | '| | __ | >>>___/\_^__/\___<<< / ||| \ Mike Hertz >THE MOST ELUSIVE QUARRY EVER by Shelley Madden My stepfather served a 21-year tenure as an Army Staff Sergeant. After retirement, he would often camp alone on the weekends in our local National forest. He continued to rise before dawn to start his day, as he had done while actively serving. He would hunt and fish during the day, followed by reading and relaxation under the starry sky, his faithful dog at his side. During one of his many excursions, an unknown thief entered his tent late one moonless night. Without waking him, the prowler quietly removed his most valued possession. My stepfather was left behind undisturbed, wrapped in his sleeping blanket, oblivious to the horror which would await him early in the morning. Always on schedule, he woke before daylight. Fumbling around in his tent for the flashlight, he rose and neatly dressed in his usual military camouflage. Ah, he was now the hunter extraordinaire. It was time to start a fire and make coffee, read for a bit, and at first light perhaps do some serious target practice. He began packing his supplies for the day's outing, soon noticing something was missing. They were gone! In a panic, he fumbled around the floor of the tent, searching through his clothing and gear. Boxers, socks and camping supplies were thrown into the air, only to hit the top of the tent and rain down upon him. He quickly unzipped his sleeping bag, searching inside. Nothing! It was empty. How could this happen? How could they just disappear into thin air? He was a grizzled and cantankerous veteran. Trained to sleep with one eye open, always on guard . He soon realized this was no act of simple forgetfulness. His military career had taught him organization skills which he adhered to strictly. It was time to broaden the search. Without hesitation, he burst outside into the dense woods. He would hunt the thief down! Crawling at dawn on the forest floor, he was a well-oiled hunting machine. Years of training had fine-tuned him into a fearless predator. With honed precision and animal stealth, he crept amongst the leaves searching under brush and thicket. Fallen tree limbs arced behind him into the air, as he scattered leaves into the winds, exposing only bare earth. He was a soldier on a mission, decades of stalking his prey came rushing back to him with vengeance. He would not give up the search! Nearly two hours later, by the grace of God, the mystery was solved. A glimmer of white beneath the leaves caught his eye, beaming up at him. He had found his missing possession, his pride and joy, semi-covered in the mossy earth. He carefully picked up his dentures, gently shaking off the dirt and debris. As his little dog stood nearby watching, he soon realized who the culprit was. The rascal! During the night, she had crept into the tent, helping herself to his most needed item. She had carried them out one at a time deep into the woods, playing with his teeth until her master awoke. He looked around for other campers, discreetly rinsed them off in the nearby river, and popped them back into his mouth. With newly regained composure, he stood up straight and proud like the soldier he was, turned on his heel and marched back to camp. It was time to start breakfast -- now that he could finally eat. His little dog followed humbly behind, oblivious to his humiliation. In my mind's eye, I can see my stepfather's hunting trophies lining the shelves in his den. Yellowed pictures of long ago expeditions decorate the walls. He sits at his desk, oiling his gun, or browsing through an outdoor magazine. Just above him, carefully mounted upon a wooden plaque, rest his dentures. The most elusive quarry ever. -- Shelley Madden __________________________________________________ ,@@@@@@@@@, @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@'_ _'@@@@@ @@@| o o |@@@ '@| (_) |@' \ ___ / |\_`~`_/| ____/: `"` :\____ /`}}}}}\ /{{{{{`\ / {{{{{ \ / }}}}} \ / }}}}} \.-./ {{{{{ \ | {{{{{ / | \ }}}}} | jgs | }}}}} \/|\/ {{{{{ | | /{{{{{ '-' }}}}}\ | CUT YOUR HAIR! A young man got his driver's license and asked his dad if he could borrow the car. His father replied, "Sure, but first you have to get good grades in school, keep your room clean, cut the grass and cut your hair too. We'll talk about it in a couple of months." Two months passed and the young man walked into the house with his report card. "Dad, I got great marks on my report card. I've kept my room neat, and the yard looks perfect. Can I use the car now?" Dad replied, "That's all true, but you didn't cut your hair." The kid said, "True. But even Jesus had long hair." Dad said, "You're right. And He walked everywhere he went." ====================================================================== >-->From Our Friend Irene :) .---. (_---_) (_/6 6\_) ( v ) `\ /' .-'': ;``-. / \,Y./ \ / (:)___ \ : .-'XXX`-.`\_; `.__.-XXX-.__.'\_ / / XXX \ \ `\_ / XXX \ `\ / XXX \ _`\___ jgs / \ (`--"""-') / \ (=-=-=-=-) `--...___ ___...--' (________} >Maxine should run for president. She was right on with this one! Everyone concentrates on the problems we're having in this country lately: illegal immigration, hurricane recovery, alligators attacking people in Florida .... Not me. I concentrate on solutions for the problems. It's a win-win situation. + Dig a moat the length of the Mexican border. + Send the dirt to New Orleans to raise the level of the levies. + Put the Florida alligators in the moat along the Mexican border. Any other problems you would like for me to solve today? Yes? Think about these: 1 Cows 2. The Constitution 3. The Ten Commandments C O W S Is it just me, or does anyone else find it amazing that during the mad cow epidemic our government could track a single cow, born in Canada almost three years ago, right to the stall where she slept in the state of Washington? And, they tracked her calves to their stalls. But they are unable to locate 11 million illegal aliens wandering around our country. Maybe we should give each of them a cow. T H E C O N S T I T U T I O N They keep talking about drafting a Constitution for Iraq .... Why don't we just give them ours? It was written by a lot of really smart guys, it has worked for over 200 years, and we're not using it anymore. T H E 1 0 C O M M A N D M E N T S The real reason that we can't have the Ten Commandments posted in a courthouse is this: You cannot post 'Thou Shalt Not Steal,' 'Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery,' and 'Thou Shall Not Lie' in a building full of lawyers, judges and politicians...It creates a hostile work environment. You gotta love her!!!!!!!!!!!!!! --- ...TeeHee! Yeppers! Thanks Irene! ======================================================================= ,~~;,~~.~~, (`'` ` ` `, ~~``` ` ` ; |@ , @ | , '; ' ( ' ` ; `._o__/^;' '; ;..' ';.` ; . ' * _ ;.;)_____ . _- \____/ ) )_____ )’ _- __-- \_____/ |-_ -_:-._- __-- ___ |______| --_/:::\_-- _-- / , \---=|:::::|=---------- | , \ __-\:::/-__ -__ / ; | _- | -_sd--__ --- | , |_- . | . -_ --__ / ; | ‘ | ‘ -_ | , ; | ‘ | ‘ - / ; | |__'___^^_______^^ ~~ ^^ >Words of Encouragement Story Editor: by Joseph Hili Joyce Schowalter Gozo, Malta I live in the island nation of Malta. When I was young and attending the secondary school in the late 50's, I had to study by the light of a kerosene lamp. Since there was no electric service in our area, we had no electricity at home. When finally the electricity passed our house, in 1961, I called a local electrician to come and install electricity in our house. He promised to come, but he never did it. I was so frustrated that I went to a hardware store, bought all the material necessary to wire two rooms, and from my knowledge I installed them myself. Then I applied to get the electrical meter. The day the meter installer came, I was so frightened that he might tell me to take everything away because it was not a good installation. His helper, who was always with him just to carry his tools, looked at me and said, "Bravo, bravo, good work. You will pass the exam". These words were so encouraging for me that I decided to continue installing electricity in all of our house. Then my neighbors asked me to install electricity for them also. I made many mistakes, but from them I learned a lot. In the meantime, I began to take evening classes in electricity, to get the relevant certificates to be licensed. Eventually, I got them. Then, instead of continuing to study for a common clerk typist, which I had planned to do before, I became a professional electrician. I took big contracts until I retired. In about 1997, I was returning home from an urgent electrical repair request from a farmer who had given me two big melons to take home. I once again saw the gentleman who had told me "bravo" 45 years ago. He was standing with his son waiting on a bus-stage. I stopped to give them a lift, which he accepted. I offered him a melon and told him that it was as a reward for what he had said to me 45 years ago. I told him he had changed my entire route of life. He answered that he didn't remember anything about that encounter, but he was very happy to hear it, and thanked me heartily. I told him that it was I who had to thank him. I always remember him and mention this story frequently, for he changed my life completely. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: ,--. _/ <`-' ,-.' \--\_ ((`-.__\ ) \`' @ (_ ( (_) ,'`-._(`-._/ ,-' )&&) )) ,-' /&&&%-' ,' __ ,- {&&&&/ / ,' \| |\&&'\ ( | |' \ `--. (%--'\ ,--.\ `-.`-._))) `---'`-/__)))`-._))) hjw >"Love In The Home" If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in its place, but have not love, I am a housekeeper - not a homemaker. If I have time for waxing, polishing, and decorative achievements, but have not love, my children learn cleanliness - not godliness. Love leaves the dust in search of a child's laugh. Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window. Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk. Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys. Love is present through the trials. Love reprimands, reproves, and is responsive. Love crawls with the baby, walks with the toddler, runs with the child, then stands aside to let the youth walk into adulthood. Love is the key that opens salvation's message to a child's heart. Before I became a mother I took glory in my house of perfection. Now I glory in God's perfection of my child. As a mother, there is much I must teach my child, but the greatest of all is love. --Author Unknown --- ...Reminds me of these... .-"''-. _ .' `( \ @/ ') ,--,__,-" / / \ / / _/ __| , |/ / .~ `\ / \ , | / .~ `\ ` / _/ _/ .~ `\ ~~`__/ / ~ `--'/ / / / / /' /jgs Little Ones http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/litones.html Cost Of A Child http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/costofchild.html Rules For Raising Children http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/rulesforchildren.html -<>- ,-`"-=') =/////// ,== _,_(((((-`6\ ==.| /,,...\\\C _| .--. ((((\\\\\` _, /;_| )9 )))))./ `. / } _\,_ ,-'))) \ / /=-. ,-./ \/ '))) . /\_/ / \ (,-.%\ / /-' ') \/\ / ( \ (/ \ ' /( ' `-/ \( \ ,- / ( `-' \ . / / \ \ &_) /\ \ | ( /--.- \ \----,------=;% | _/ _); `. ` `-. .`\ ) +++/ \ ,," %&-. ; \\| `-` `-=.;_,.__.__\_,/ )_/___+_/_________\,"(_//_(__)______:-._) gpyy >Remember A man may go to heaven...... Without health, without wealth; Without fame, without a great name; Without learning, without earnings; Without culture, without beauty; Without friends and without ten thousand other things----- But he can NEVER go to Heaven without Christ --- ...See these... Our Valuable Anchor http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html Christ's Life http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/jesuslife.html -<>- __ /\/'-, ,--''''' /" ____,'. ) \___ '"""""------'"""`-----' pb >Buddy by Roy Borges Roy Borges learned that sometimes it takes a stranger to mend a family. My brother who lived in another state, I came to visit me I one summer day. We had not talked to each other in years—ever since Mom died. We disagreed about who should get the house, the dog, and almost everything. Ultimately, we had to get an arbitrator to divide Mom's property. Mom's dog was taken to the local pound When I found out, I tried to get him back, but someone had already adopted him. That was the last straw. My brother and I stopped speaking to each other. When I turned 50, I decided to break the silence and invited my brother to come celebrate my birthday with me and soak up some sunshine. I wanted to mend the relationship and become a family again. After all, he was the only brother I had, and I couldn't let a dog that I'd never seen come between us. I held the door open for him he brought in his suitcases. His furry brown dog came right in behind him. I took the bags upstairs to the spare bedroom. When I came back to the front room I found my brother playing with the dog. The dog jumped up and down on my favorite chair, wagging his tail and barking excitedly. They looked like they were having fun. Then the dog came running over to me. I bent down and shook his paw. I had heard my brother call the dog "Buddy," so I said, "Thank you, Buddy." The dog, wagging his tail, went back to my brother for a handshake. During dinner, the conversation was tense. Buddy sat in the corner, watching us eat and licking his chops every time I took a bite. He looked hungry. I felt sorry for him and held a piece of meat in my hand under the table. He snarfed it in two bites. After we finished eating, my brother went upstairs to unpack. I called Buddy into the kitchen and gave him the leftovers. Maybe I can get to my brother through his dog, I thought. Meanwhile, Buddy made himself at home. I didn't say anything when he sat on the sofa, and I even took him out when he scratched on the front door. We took Buddy along to the beach the next day. He turned out to be the hit of that party. When I threw a soda can I found in the sand into the ocean, Buddy dove in after it like a lifeguard on a rescue mission. He bolted over the waves, as if propelled on jet skis, determined to get the can. A crowd gathered around to watch his performance. It was a sight to behold. When he reached the can, he grabbed it in his mouth and made a quick U-turn back to shore. However, he dropped the can in front of my brother instead of me. After shaking the water off, he sat and barked until my brother picked up the can and threw it back into the ocean. Off he went again, to the crowd's accolades. When he brought it back, he dropped it in front of me. This rotation continued until he finally got tired and lay down beside us, as my brother and I talked. The ice had been broken. Before we knew it, we were talking like old times. We had a lot of catching up to do. Buddy sat there, watching and listening. I didn't see the dog again after my brother left. When he arrived back home, he called to thank me. "And thank Buddy for me too," he said. "What do you mean?" I asked. "Didn't you take him with you?" "Why would I take your dog with me?" "He's not my dog. I thought he was your dog. Didn't you call him 'Buddy'?" "I call all dogs 'Buddy' when I don't know their names," he said. I shook my head in disbelief. That dog was a stray! It didn't belong to either of us! But I thanked God for "Buddy," who turned out to be the catalyst that made us a family once again. -<>- o .d8|8o. T""T""T ] (|) [ [_|_] )j( |d[ o------o |d[ |d[ -q88b. |d[ /` @ |d[ <_/\_ (3du--,-+--/. \ (d)------( \_ \ Ld8 L / / Id] P`./ Id] |\_)| Ld8 || _| Ld8 || /| Ld8 || | `"' ,-t|-.| Ojosh!ro >Around The Corner Around the corner I have a friend, In this great city that has no end, Yet the days go by and weeks rush on, And before I know it, a year is gone. And I never see my old friends face, For life is a swift and terrible race, He knows I like him just as well, As in the days when I rang his bell. And he rang mine but we were younger then, and now we are busy, tired men. Tired of playing a foolish game, Tired of trying to make a name. "Tomorrow" I say! "I will call on Jim Just to show that I'm thinking of him." But tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes, And distance between us grows and grows. Around the corner, yet miles away, "Here's a telegram sir," "Jim died today." And that's what we get and deserve in the end. Around the corner, a vanished friend. Remember to always say what you mean. If you love someone, tell them. Don't be afraid to express yourself. Reach out and tell someone what they mean to you. Because when you decide that it is the right time it might be too late. Seize the day. Never have regrets. And most importantly, stay close to your friends and family, for they have helped make you the person that you are today. -<>- >The sign reads: : ;; / | / | .' : .-' ' _.-' / .-*" / _ .-' .' _.-*?' .' .' .-" .' __ .' , .-' .-+. .' _.-*".' / \ .-' _.--**""**-. .-' _.y-:-" .' : `+. .*""*. `. :-. -. \ .' ; .--*""*--. / __ ` _.--. \ |$| -.` -.;/ _.-+. : .' :*" "*..*" y`-' $| ;*" _( \ / +----/ / .'.-'---+ .-._.+' `. -'_.--. :- "_( `*-: | \/\/\/ | /) ` .'___ ' "_( ; `._| WE | \ )` .'.' `./_" ( : \| Would Rather | (`._..--**" : .- ; `"' \ | Do Business | `----**"T"" " `+. | `. | With 1000 ARAB | ' .' : _.-*"*- | TERRORISTS | / / ' .-*" _ | Then With A | __..-'\ / bug "+,'___..--| Single JEW! |--**"" `-.__.' "" +----------------+ This sign was prominently displayed in the window of a business in Philadelphia. Most would be outraged at the thought of such an inflammatory statement... One would think that anti-hate groups from all across the country would be marching on this business and that the National Guard might have to be called to keep the angry crowds back... But, perhaps in these stressful times one might be tempted to let the proprietors simply make their statement. We are a society who hold Freedom of Speech as perhaps our greatest liberty and after all it is just a sign... You may be asking what business would dare post such a sign? ........Goldberg's Funeral Home! -<>- \\ ///// | | (| _ _ |) |` | '| | __ | >>>___/\_^__/\___<<< / ||| \ Mike Hertz >Hero Bill Walker wildbill6807@yahoo.com Today I talked to a hero, a man who was in the Korean War. He opened a drawer on his desk at his little shop. He showed me his Bronze Star. Told me how he had it. Put me to thinking a bit. What he told me made me think of others who had the Silver Star, and that one called Medal of Honor. . In some cases did no more then what he did to be holder of the Bronze Star. You see he laid his life on the line.. Seen a plane on the end of a run way in trouble. it was being attacked by snipers in the hills. The plane was at a stand still, crippled. This man got into a Jeep and took down the run way. He got the man out of the burning aircraft, even being wounded his self, and to safety. I said wounded, You see he took a bullet in one leg, still got the man out of the burning aircraft. I asked about the Purple Heart? He said for some reason he never got that. I thought all it took was a wound due to some action on part of an foe to get that, guess I was wrong. Max said he once in a while looks at his one medal, and thinks back. Yes I would too, he went beyond the call of duty. Seen a fellow soldier in trouble, never gave thought to his own hide, went to try to save him. He could have been killed his self in trying. A true American Hero. I have seen these holders of medals with them, the medals and ribbons on display that is. Not Max, he has his in a drawer of a desk in his shop. Don't say much about it, once in a while maybe takes it out and looks at it and remembers that day so long ago. I was told a long time ago, a real hero don't say much. I think this fits Max real well. I have known him for years, never knew this. Yes today I talked to a real American Hero. Max is the name. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment Pine http://www.buffalosjokes.com/010309.htm plane crash http://www.buffalosjokes.com/010310.htm Redneck Women http://www.buffalosjokes.com/010311.htm Riding http://www.buffalosjokes.com/010312.htm McRonalds http://www.buffaloschips.com/2wds.htm My First Rescue http://www.buffaloschips.com/yh.htm Never Underestimate An Old Girl http://www.buffaloschips.com/67t.htm Bucky And The Beagle http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/visitor.html Three Old Men http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/oldmen.html Most Valuable http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/valuable.html Hero! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/hero.html Last Day! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/lastday.html Visit our site at http://www.inspiredbuffalo.com If you are looking to join any of our other fine e-zines visit www.buffaloschips.com ============================================================ >-->From Laugh&Lift: _|_ | _|_ //_/\ __| ||____ ////////////\ /////////////\\ |^^^^^^^^^^||+| | # # # |||| .... ....". ||||||||||||||||| unknown >Sam & Jose (Author Unknown) There once was a man whose name was Sam. Sam was a good man he never lied, would never tell a dirty joke, curse someone, or steal. Sam went to church every week, paid his tithe, and helped out in the church. Sam was saved. Sam was very busy earning a living, golfing, bowling, TV and such. He didn't tell many about Jesus because he felt that was the "preachers job." He didn't give much, only to the church because it was his duty. He hardly ever read God's Word because after all the preacher spoke about it in the services in church. He didn't worry about the needy around him because that is what our government is for. He did pray, and he knew the "Lord's Prayer" well. Sam was driving to work when he had an accident and died. Sam found himself standing in heaven when an angel came to him and introduced him to a man who would show him heaven. They started walking together and the man introduced himself as Jose. Jose began to talk as they walked along and told Sam of the times he had his neighbors over to his house for dinner, shared Jesus with them, and ten families were saved. Jose continued about how he would tell people at work about the wonderful things God had done for him, how God loved him and helped him live a righteous life . . . and many more were added to heaven. He told Sam about helping needy people with clothing, food, and how several found Jesus. Sam said "you must have studied the Bible a lot, maybe went to college, and God called you to minister to others." Jose stopped walking, turned and looked at Sam and said "No, I was rather poor myself, I could never afford college, there were no churches where I lived and I had only the book of John from the Bible. If we were ever caught even speaking about Jesus it would be prison." Jose said, "Enough of me. I want to hear about all the wonderful things you did for Jesus in your land of freedom." Makes you stop doesn't it.... SUBSCRIBE INFO Want to receive a Christian inspirational item AND great clean humor in an email to you each day of the week? It's easy and FREE! Read all about Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com --- ...See This one... Walking In Power http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/walkingpower.html ======================================================================== >-->From CupO'Cheer: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >LONELINESS: EVERYBODY'S ACQUAINTANCE, NOBODY'S FRIEND By Rick Ezell "Do your best to come to me quickly . . . Do your best to get here before winter" (2 Tim. 4:9, 21 NIV). Have you ever been lonely? I have. You can have a million close friends and still be lonely. You can be surrounded by people and yet feel miles apart. Several psychiatrists have estimated that between 70 and 90 percent of Americans are chronically lonely. Billy Graham says that more people suffer from loneliness than any other problem. Paul Tournier says that it is the most devastating problem of this age. John Corry in the New York Times wrote, "Loneliness seems to have become the great American disease." Loneliness knows no barriers. It affects the wealthy and the poor, the popular and the unpopular, the beautiful and the normal looking, married and singles, the introverted and the extroverted, the famous and the not so famous. Everybody experiences loneliness at one time or another. Even the great apostle Paul had deep and intense feelings of loneliness. Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy, his son in the faith. Timothy, a leader in the church at Ephesus for a time, was in his early forties, which was considered young for such leadership. Paul offers counsel and encouragement in these very personal letters. This letter was probably the last letter he ever wrote. Paul, in the Mamertinum Prison in Rome, knows that soon he would be executed. In a sense, this book is Paul's last will and testament. Paul writes his friend and fellow worker in the faith, "Do your best to come to me quickly . . . Do your best to get here before winter" (2 Tim. 4:9, 21 NIV). He wants Timothy to be by his side. Urgency is in his voice. It's as if he is saying: "Hurry up and get here. If you are going to come, come now. Don't delay. I won't be alive much longer. Come before winter." During the winter the weather made travel by sea difficult and sometimes impossible. If Timothy delayed at all, he would not come to Rome until spring. And if he waited that long, Paul would very likely already be dead. Also, he requests for Mark, "Get Mark and bring him with you" (2 Tim. 4:11 NIV). Notice, Paul did not say bring everyone. He only wanted and needed a certain few intimate friends. It was not quantity he was after; it was quality. If you are wearing a face of loneliness make an effort to spend quality time with a few people. The task at hand is not in meeting more people; it is in deepening the relationships we presently have. Many suffer from loneliness because they have lost the sense of community. Numerous sociologists have observed that most Americans do not have a feeling of meaningful belonging or involvement in any sort of community. We often hear this expressed in the need for "home." People will say "I want to go home." "I miss home." But what is home? Home is not a place but people. It is those people who care for you, love you, and accept you. These people may be related to you but, then again, they may not. By the way, one would think that church fits that bill. But unfortunately church is one of the loneliest places on earth. Church is filled with friendly strangers. People who are nice and cordial and welcoming, but there is nothing deep. It is all superficial. When you are lonely you need people who will go deep with you. Find those people. When I moved 600 miles to attend seminary, I did not know a soul. The city was large. The people seemed distant and unfriendly. I left behind all my support systems. I was miserable. I was lonely and depressed. I heard a man remark, "We can make a heaven or hell where we are, but it's up to us." God seemed to impress on me that my past support systems-school friends, church friends, family relationships-did not happen over night. They took years to develop. New ones would not happen immediately either. The key was involvement and commitment to those relationships. I decided to make heaven out of my new location. I joined the church I had been attending. I got involved in a Sunday School class. I volunteered to serve. I joined a health club for two reasons: physically to stay in shape and socially to meet new people. Then along with two other guys at seminary we went to lunch one day a week at a different restaurant. In time the feelings of loneliness dissipated. I was having fun. It worked for me. Maybe it will work for you. You have to make an effort, but prioritize your relationships. Copyright by Rick Ezell, 2009. as seen at One Minute Uplift --- ...Reminds me of these... Attitude Is Everything! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude.html Top Reasons To Smile http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/smile.html -<>- .0. / \ ; \_/ ; | | | | | | _______; ;_______ `======='\ /`=======` \ / _ | | _ _( \____|=|____/ )_ ( .---. .---. ) `-' / \ '-' / HUG \ ; ; | .---.|__, jgs : / :--' .--\ \ | `" `"".-' < =""` `"== `""""""` =""` `"""===="""` =""` `""==="""` >WHAT DID YOU DO TODAY? Is anybody happier because you passed this way? Does anyone remember that you spoke today? The day is almost over, and its toiling time is through: Is there anyone to utter now a kindly word of you? Can you say tonight in parting with the day that’s slipping fast, That you helped a single person of the many that you passed? Is a single heart rejoicing over what you did or said? Does the one whose hopes were fading now with courage look ahead? Did you waste the day or use it? Was it well or sorely spent? Did you leave a trail of kindness, or a scar of discontent? As you close your eyes in slumber, do you think that you can say: You have earned one more tomorrow by what you did today? --Author Unknown (The Timothy Report, www.timothyreport.com) --- ...Reminds me of this... Our Gifts And Callings http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/giftscallings.html -<>- .o. | | _ , .', L.-'` `\ || __\___,|__--,__`_|__ | % `=` | | ___%_______________| | ` | | -------------------| |____________________| |~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| jgs | ---------------| , \| | _______________| / / \. \,\\|, . . /, / |///, / >SEEING GOD IN YOUR SITUATION I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened. - Ephesians 1:18 NIV When you are in a crisis it's easy to lose perspective. It happened to Jesus' disciples on the Emmaus Road. Discouraged about His death, they were "going over all these things that had happened. In the middle of their... questions, Jesus came up and walked along with them. But they were not able to recognize who He was" (Luke 24:15- 16 TM). When you take your eyes off Jesus you begin to feel helpless about things. Dr. Michael Youssef says, "Facing a major crisis... I tend to be the kind of person whose vision becomes blurred... my perceptions are shot... my contemplations one-sided... and I often shut out the very people who can deliver me... just like these two disciples... Their vision was blurred about the very person who was walking with them and talking to them. The One whose death they were mourning was alive... but they didn't realize it because their focus was on the wrong thing." But everything changed the minute they recognized Him. "Within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There... the two... told... how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized Him as He was breaking the bread" (Luke 24:33- 35 NLT). Notice the words "within the hour". In an instant they went from fear to courage, from pain to joy, and from despair to hope. And that's the story of Easter. No matter how bad things may appear to be, when you set your eyes on Jesus He will fill you with hope. So Paul writes: "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened... that you may know the hope to which He has called you" (Eph 1:18 NIV). SoulFood Bible Readings: Lev 8-10, Matt 28:11-20, Ps 50:1-15, Pr 10:3 as seen in The Word For Today If you've been encouraged by The Word for Today, then your friends will be too. http://www.rhema.co.nz/index.php#email -<>- To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ============================================================== >-->THE WONDER OF GOD I am filled with wonder when I behold A tiny, little bird in its nest. My heart sings out in rapturous praise To God who knows and loves me best. _.----._ ,'.::.--..:._ /::/_,-;._.:._.;,-=_(.-' __ `._ ,;' _..-(((('' .,-'' `-._ _,'<.-'' _..``'.'`-'`. ` _.-((((_..--'' \ \ `.`. -' _.``' \ ` SSt Like the tiny, little bird, I am sheltered in God's care; He who knows when a sparrow falls Watches over me everywhere. I am filled with wonder when I behold A glimmering, star-studded sky. I am reminded of Him who calls the stars by name, Who loves me and keeps me as the "apple of His eye." ' * . * ' * * * '* * * * * * Like the stars in the heavens, I am one in a multitude; Yet, He knows every hair on my head! For such love, I am filled with gratitude. I am filled with wonder when I behold Blue sparkling waters and shimmering white sands. He who "comprehended the dust of the earth In a measure," holds even me in the hollow of His hand. %%%% %%%%-( _%%%%%_/ \ ' / _%%%%%%%% - (_) - _%%%%%%%/ \% / , \ %%%%%%%%%\\ \_ %%%%%% \ \\ ) /\_/ /(___. \ '----' ( / ) ---....____/ (_____ __ _ ___ ___ __ _ _ _____ _ _ ___ / )---...___ =-= = -_= -=_= _-=_-_ -=- =-_ ,' ( ```--.._= -_= -_= _-=- -_= _=- ,-' ) ``--._=-_ =-=_-= _-= _ '-._ '-..___( ``-._=_-=_- =_-= ``---....__) `-._-=_-_=- )|)| `-._=-_ gnv '-'-.\_ `-. I am filled with wonder when I think that He who "measured the waters in the hollow of His hands, Meted out heaven with a span," never forgets me For I'm "graven upon the palms of His hands!" Written By: Wanda Sherman © 2001 >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Chrristian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->Pass this on as it should be of interestt to all who served. The study was carried out in Austrialia on their Vietnam Veterans. ABC Nat. Radio Health Report Autralian Vietnam Vets: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/HealthReportVV.mp3 VV ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->This is for all you who love food and DAARE 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 ************************************************************************