Happy Groundhog 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 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 ================ *~* 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!! ================ >-->In The 'Shangy' News :) Today is Groundhog Day! I pray you all enjoyed it! As usual on Groundhog Day, it was a nice, bright and sunny day. Perfect to scare the little burger as he caught glimpse of his shadow sending him back to hide in his little hole and thus giving us 6 more weeks of winter. o \ o `. o o o o \ ` -. .-.-. .---. .-.,-.,-. ..-. / )| | `'____\' o _____\|| ` `' | |-._--.| |----.| | o |o ||-.| ||,-. || | o o | ||_|| |/ oo\ || | | || || C ._)o || | o o| || ||o|\`-/ || | ,. o | ||_|| ,'\,\ || | _\('') | ||o||/\ \ .: o|| | (; .) | || |( \_\||___|| | _,.(|___)-. | o||_|||`-`,\)----' | o o | | ||..|.| o _ |-. _.-. `.-.|._|_.-:|__|_|-.-' `-'.__ o o '--`-` o - SSt He's pretty good at doing this to us actually. ;) -<>- >Hot Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This hot tottie comes from three of our friends Sharon, Linda and EdLaF. It is sure to tickle your funny bone! Check it out here... .---. |[X]| _.==._.""""".___n__ d __ ___.-''-. _____b |[__] /."""".\ _ | | // /""\ \\_) | | \\ \__/ // | |pentax\`.__.'/ | \=======`-..-'======/ `-----------------' hjw Kodak Moments! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kmoments.html --- ...What a fun one! Thanks Sharon, Linda And EdLaF! -<>- *~* This Last Month Has Been A Tremendous Month Of Caring And Sharing! Be Sure To Check Out And Pass On All Our New Pages... Monkey Shines! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/monkeyshines.html New Year Advice! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/newyear.html Real Fantasy Trees 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/trees2.html Extraordinary Photos! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/extraordinary.html Unusual Photos! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/unusual.html How True It Is! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/nyear.html Beautiful Bridges 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bridges2.html Albino Hummingbird! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ahummingbird.html Paper Art! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/paperart.html Journey Through Life! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/journey.html _ *"_"* __ /`_`\ __ .' '. | / \ | .' '. , / ')\^_^/(' \ , \`--' . (_.> <._) . '--`/ '.__.' '._/ \_/ \_.' '.__.' / , _ , \ \ \_/|\_/ / \ //^\\ / \/` `\/ | | | | | | | | .. ..:::.| | ..::::. .. ..::::..::::... .::::::::| |:::::::::::::::. ::::::::::::::::::.:::::::::::| |:::::::::::::::::. ':::::::::::::::::::::::::::::| |::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::| |::::::::::::::::::' '':::' '::::::::::::::::\_.__./:::::::::::::::'' '':::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::' jgs '::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::'' '':::::'' '''::::::'' *~* SPECIAL THANKS AND GOD'S BLESSINGS TO ALL OUR CONTRIBUTORS! You greatly enrich us with your thoughtfulness! ===================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: reICareI reICareIC ICareICareICar ICareICareICare reICareICareICareI reICareICareICareIC CareICareICareICareICa reICareICareICareICareI ICarICareICareICareICareI ICareICareICareICareICareI ICarICareICareICareICareICare CareICareICareICareICareICare ICareICareICareICareICareICareI CareICareICareICareICareICareICa ICaICareICareICareICareICareICareI ICareICareICareICareICareICareICar eICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICar ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICar ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareIc eICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICa ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareI reICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICare ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICa reICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareIc ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICare reICareICareICareIICareICareICareICareIca ICareICareICareICareICareICareICarICa reICareICareICareICareICarICare areICareICareICareICareICa ICareICareICareICare areICareICareICa eICareICareI -Grim CareICar reIC eI >HEY! by Lynelle Dawson I remember hearing them throughout my childhood. "Hey," my step-dad would say out of the blue. "Hey what?" my mom would automatically reply. I had noticed nothing more was generally said, but then I was young and didn't pay too much attention to the "old fogies." Years passed by uneventfully, I was now in my twenties and still I would hear their apparently meaningless conversation. "Hey." "Hey what?" For over 25 years I heard this exchange, never knowing what it meant. Quite truthfully, I never knew it was supposed to be anything other than a greeting of some odd sort. I didn't hear it frequently, only occasionally, therefore I didn't really spend a lot of time dwelling on the custom either. Around the ripe old age of 35, which was quite a bit older than one of the "old fogies" of my childhood, and barely a decade younger than the other, I learned what the expressions were meant to convey. Saying, "Hey," meant, "I love you." Replying, "Hey what?" meant, "I love you too." For 27 years now, this has been their secret way of expressing the depth of their love for one another without anyone being the wiser. Hey! -- Lynelle Dawson ___________________________________________ Lynelle and her daughter, Kallie, live in Oklahoma with their menagerie of pets. "After over 25 years of hearing my parents say these words, my mom let me in on the secret. Boy, was I ever shocked’ and pleased. I was able to return the shock favor last year by throwing a surprise 25th anniversary party for them too!" Today, February 6, happens to their 26th anniversary! Lynelle is a Heartwarmer Gem, HeartTouchers featured author and published writer. To read more of her writing, go to: http://www.tomorrows-leaders.com and click on "My Writing". ================================================================ >-->From SermondFodder: _ /b_,dM\__,_ _/MMMMMMMMMMMm, _YMMMMMMMMMMMM( `MMMMMM/ / \ _ , MMM| __ / __/ ( |_| YMM/_/# \__/# \ | |_)arry (. \__/ \__/ ___ ) _, | '_|_) _____/\ _ / | otter \ `._____,' `..___(__ ``-. \ gnv ) >Resumania "Resumania" is a term coined by Mr. Robert Half, founder of RHI Consulting's parent company, to describe the unintentional bloopers that often appear on job candidates' resumes, job applications and cover letters. Here are some examples: "I perform my job with effortless efficiency, effectiveness, efficacy, and expertise." (And an eye on the "e" section of the dictionary, evidently.) "Insufficient writing skills, thought processes have slowed down some. If I am not one of the best, I will look for another opportunity." (No problem ...) "Seek challenges that test my mind and body, since the two are usually inseparable." (Glad to hear it.) "My compensation should be at least equal to my age." (And bonuses "tied to" his shoe size?) "I am very detail-oreinted." (With the possible exception of spelling) "I can play well with others." (We'll be sure to tell your mommy.) "Married, eight children. Prefer frequent travel." (A new twist on work-family balance.) "Objection: To utilize my skills in sales." (Have you considered law school?) "My salary requirement is $34 per year." (They say money isn't everything.) "Served as assistant sore manager." (Ouch.) "Previous experience: Self-employed - a fiasco." (Definitely to the point.) "I vow to fulfill the goals of the company as long as I live." (And they say loyalty is hard to come by.) "Reason for leaving last job: Pushed aside so the vice president's girlfriend could steal my job." (We're glad you're not bitter.) ================================ This post is brought your way by Sermon Fodder and Joke A Day Ministries. To subscribe drop a note to Sermon_Fodder-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or to ajokeaday7-subscribe@topica.com. Please leave this attached if you forward this to friends. ========================================= ** A church member waiting to be asked to serve in his own church is just like the member of a family waiting to be invited to pull weeds in front of the house where he lives. ** ========================================== _..._ ,s$$$s. .$$$$$$$s$$ss$$$$, $$$sss$$$$s$$$$$$$ $$ss$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ '$$$s$$$$$$$$$$$$' '$$$$$$$$$$$$$$' S$$$$$$$$$$$' '$$$$$$$$$' '$$$$$' '$$$' ; ; ; ', ; ,' ; ', ', ; ' Steven Maddison >The Valentine's Day Balloon By Mike Collins This Valentine's Day my wife and I will celebrate eleven years of a rock-steady relationship. It was on that particular day eleven years ago that I asked her to "go steady" with me. Later that year (November) we were married. We will be celebrating eleven wonderful years of a faithful relationship, and we also celebrate the releasing of our eleventh balloon. Let me explain; eleven years ago we had been dating only a few weeks when Valentine's Day was approaching. I bought flowers and a beautiful card for her; she bought a rose and a huge helium-filled balloon for me. We both drove to Kroger's and met in the parking lot. I'll never forget being totally mesmerized by her infectious smile as I watched her get out of her car. She walked over to me and handed me the rose and balloon, except I thought the balloon string was tied to the rose, and she thought that I had a hold of the string and the rose. We both stood and watched helplessly as the balloon flew slowly out of sight. Jewell began to cry; she thought that it was a disaster to lose the balloon like that. It was at that moment that I asked her to "go steady" with me and to be mine and only mine; fortunately for me she said yes. Every Valentine's Day since, we have bought a balloon and made our way to a public area to release it into the sky. With this tradition we have been able to turn tragedy into something memorable: what was originally thought of as a blunder now is celebrated as a special moment. We have been very dedicated to our balloon-releasing ceremonies. We have released balloons from different states, and at times have been so busy that we were forced to make a special effort in order to even continue the tradition. In 1999, balloon number seven was released in the middle of a hectic week of packing as we were moving from one city to another. Balloon number six was the very first to be released outside of the state of West Virginia, and on February 13th 1996, my wife's father passed away after only one week in the hospital; the next day we tearfully released balloon number four. We have been through quite a bit in the short time we have spent together. After all this time I now realize that I love her more today than I did eleven years ago. I love my wife more than I love myself; as a matter of fact, I would gladly lay down my life for her if necessary. However, the interesting thing to note is she is not number one on my priority list, and thankfully nor am I on hers. God comes first in our lives, then and only then, our respective spouse. C. S. Lewis was quoted once as saying, "When I have learnt to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now. In so far as I learn to love my earthly dearest at the expense of God and instead of God, I shall be moving towards the state in which I shall not love my earthly dearest at all. When first things are put first, second things are not suppressed but increased." Because God is prioritized at the number-one slot in my life, I am able to love my wife even more so than had I prioritized her first. Helium balloons rise because of displacement. Helium is lighter than air, and because it displaces air, it causes it to rise. Also, air is lighter than water, and because it displaces water, it causes it to rise. In the same sense, the more we displace earthly things which keep us grounded or tied down, the closer we can get to God. In other words, the more sin we displace or keep out of our lives, the higher the spiritual levels we are able to attain in God. When we are able to do this, it is as if we are actually sending a Valentine balloon to God. John 3:16 says, 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.' Remember, when it comes to God's love, you can rest assured knowing there are no strings attached. Visit www.mikecollins.biz to read previous articles from this column. Or sign up for Mike's weekly e-column via email by sending an email message to: mikecollins-subscribe@myinjesus.com =================================================== >-->From Archives AndyChaps: Dear Friends and Subscribers to "The Funnies." I send this news article to you in it's entirety. I think this is a great educational article for all of us. Please, don't take this lightly, but thoughtfully and reverently thinking of what has gone into the price of "Freedom" for all. God Bless you and God Bless the United States of America Dave "Andy" Anderson =============================================== ============;===========;() # # # #:::::: # # # #:::::: # # # #:::::: # # # #:::::: # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # jgs # # # # # # # Thursday, January 23, 2003 9:14 AM Subject: FW: MUST READ...article from London Daily Mirror ** Article from London's Daily Mirror ** Surprise! Surprise! When one of the world's most liberal left wing newspapers writes a great article like this, there is hope for everyone. A thoughtfully written piece in one of the most left wing newspapers in the UK. Just a word of background for those of you who aren't familiar with the UK's Daily Mirror. This is one of the most notorious Left wing, anti-American dailies in the UK. Hard to believe that the Daily Mirror actually published it, but it did. Begin article: ONE year ago, the world witnessed a unique kind of broadcasting -- the mass murder of thousands, live on television. As a lesson in the pitiless cruelty of the human race, September 11 was up there with Pol Pot's Mountain of skulls in Cambodia, or the skeletal bodies stacked like garbage in the Nazi concentration camps. An unspeakable act so cruel, so calculated and so utterly merciless that surely the world could agree on one thing -- nobody deserves this fate. Surely there could be consensus: the victims were truly innocent, the perpetrators truly evil. But to the world's eternal shame, 9/11 is increasingly seen as America's comeuppance [deserved reprimand or punishment]. Incredibly, anti-Americanism has increased over the last year. There has always been a simmering resentment to the USA in this country -- too loud, too rich, too full of themselves and so much happier than Europeans - but it has become an epidemic. And it seems incredible to me. More than that, it turns my stomach. America is this country's greatest friend and our staunchest ally. We are bonded to the US by culture, language and blood. A little over half a century ago, around half a million Americans died for our freedoms, as well as their own. Have we forgotten so soon? And exactly a year ago, thousands of ordinary men, women and children -- not just Americans, but from dozens of countries -- were butchered by a small group of religious fanatics. Are we so quick to betray them? What touched the heart about those who died in the twin towers and on the planes was that we recognized them. Young fathers and mothers, somebody's son and somebody's daughter, husbands and wives. And children. Some unborn. And these people brought it on themselves? And their nation is to blame for their meticulously planned slaughter? These days you don't have to be some dust-encrusted nut job in Kabul or Karachi or Finsbury Park to see America as the Great Satan. The anti-American alliance is made up of self-loathing liberals who blame the Americans for every ill in the Third World, and conservatives suffering from power-envy, bitter that the world's only superpower can do what it likes without having to ask permission. The truth is that America has behaved with enormous restraint since September 11. Remember, remember! Remember the gut-wrenching tapes of weeping men phoning their wives to say, "I love you," before they were burned alive. Remember those people leaping o their deaths from the top of burning skyscrapers. Remember the hundreds of firemen buried alive. Remember the smiling face of that beautiful little girl who was on one of the planes with her mum. Remember, remember -- and realize that America has never retaliated for 9/11 in anything like the way it could have. So, a few al-Qaeda tourists got locked up without a trial in Camp X-ray? Pass the Kleenex. So, some Afghan wedding receptions were shot up after they merrily fired their semiautomatics in a sky full of American planes? A shame, but maybe next time they should stick to confetti. AMERICA could have turned a large chunk of the world into a parking lot. That it didn't is a sign of strength. American voices are already being raised against attacking Iraq - that's what a democracy is for. How many in the Islamic world will have a minute's silence for the slaughtered innocents of 9/11? How many Islamic leaders will have the guts to say that the mass murder of 9/11 was an abomination? When the news of 9/11 broke on the West Bank, those freedom-loving Palestinians were dancing in the street. America watched all of that -- and didn't push the button. We should thank the stars that America is the most powerful nation in the world. I still find it incredible that 9/11 did not provoke all-out war. Not a "war on terrorism." A real war. The fundamentalist dudes are talking about "opening the gates of hell" if America attacks Iraq. Well, America could have opened the gates of hell like you wouldn't believe. The US is the most militarily powerful nation that ever strode the face of the earth. The campaign in Afghanistan may have been less than perfect and the planned war on Iraq may be misconceived. But don't blame America for not bringing peace and light to these wretched countries. How many democracies are there in the Middle East, or in the Muslim world? You can count them on the fingers of one hand -- assuming you haven't had any chopped off for minor shoplifting. I love America, yet America is hated. I guess that makes me Bush's poodle. But I would rather be a dog in New York City than a Prince in Riyadh. Above all, America is hated because it is what every country wants to be -- rich, free, strong, open, optimistic. Not ground down by the past, or religion, or some caste system. America is the best friend this country ever had and we should start remembering that. Or do you really think the USA is the root of all evil? Tell it to the loved ones of the men and women who leaped to their death from the burning towers. Tell it to the nursing mothers whose husbands died on one of the hijacked planes, or were ripped apart in a collapsing skyscraper. And tell it to the hundreds of young widows whose husbands worked for the New York Fire Department. To our shame, George Bush gets a worse press than Saddam Hussein. Once we were told that Saddam gassed the Kurds, tortured his own people and set up rape-camps in Kuwait. Now we are told he likes Quality Street. Save me the orange center, oh mighty one! Remember, remember, September 11. One of the greatest atrocities in human history was committed against America. No, do more than remember. Never, never forget! ======================================================== >-->From Jerry's Christian Jottings: ,,, _,_ _@_ _(_ _?_ _/. .\_ _/- -\_ _/, ,\_ _/' '\_ _/a a\_ (.\_o_/.) (.\_-_/.) (,\_e_/') (.\_^_/.) (.\_~_/') (.`,.`'.') (.`,.'.'.) (.`'.,'.') ('.,'.`'.) (.'.,'.`.) ('.`,'`,) ('.`,'',) ('.','.`) ('.,'.',) ('.,'.`.) ('.`,'`) ('.','`) (.'.,'.) ('.`.,') ('.','') jgs `--'"` `--'"` `--'"` `--'"' `--'"' From conception to birth in the womb visualized… Today’s offering is going to be very unique in our mailings. I am simply going to give you a link to a secular video artist’s presentation of the growth of the human body. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fKyljukBE70 I have no idea of the man’s religious beliefs or his stand on abortion. He presents an incredible animation based on cat scans etc. No gross stuff, only the beauty of God’s creative work inside the womb. Watch this video and ask yourself whether that is a baby in the womb. --- ...at 12 weeks - 3 months - that's definitely a human being! ============================================================= >-->From CupO'Cheer: || || _.-.|| /'_. || (/? &\|| < (//) (_// \) .((-~~~')\ /~ . \ ( | | ) |~-/' |~|' | ) | ) | .' __.'.' | :`~~~ )) (w) _/' | ~i~ | | | | ( | ( | | | Ts97 | |-.' )~-.'_) / /'' `-' >YOU'RE GOING TO KILL YOURSELF? So you want to kill yourself? Because no one cares about you. Your family hates you. Right? No. Your parents walking in your room in the morning to only find a dead body. They’ll try their hardest to not think negative, and to just think that you’re fooling around. Then they’ll start shaking you. Why aren’t you breathing? They’ll be broken. Tears. Many tears. More tears than you ever shed. Was it them? Were they the reason you did this? More tears. Pain. Every day. Every night. Every single second of every day. Guilt. More guilt. What about your best friends? They’re not going to care. Right? No. What’s the first thing that will go through their mind when your principal comes in and tells the class that you’re not alive. While your best friend sits there in tears. That girl that you’d smile at but never talk to? She’s now crying. The boy who used to kick you under the table just to annoy you? He’ll be shocked. He’ll be devastated. He’ll blame himself. What about your teacher? Thoughts crossing her mind. She’ll question if you did it because she didn’t make school comfortable enough for you. Pain. Devastation. All in one. Who organizes your funeral? Who has to go through your stuff? Clothes? Notes? Those few older girls who used to give you daggers at school? They’ll feel regret. They’ll blame themselves. See, if you killed yourself today, you’ll never know what might of happened tomorrow. You’ll never know because you’re dead. Plain dead. Not breathing. Not alive. Just dead. Your family hates themselves for it. Your best friend then falls into depression. Tears. Tears. More tears than a river. All because you killed yourself because you thought no one would care. Right? You are loved. By many. Someone right now is thinking of you. And right now, I’m thinking about anyone who has thought or is considering suicide. You are beautiful. No matter if you’re black, white, homosexual, tall, short, overweight or anorexic. You are beautiful. You want to kill yourself? Think about it first. There’s no coming back. And I promise, if you do it, you are not only hurting yourself, you are hurting many. You are creating more tears than you led yourself to. You are making everyone miserable and making them all feel guilt and pain. Never will they feel whole like they used to when they had you. You are beautiful. And you are never ever alone. Author unknown as seen at IHateQuotes.net --- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' ...Suicide is of the devil. Think about it. God is all about life - Jesus said it himself... John 10:10 'The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.' God through Jesus Christs wants you to have life and have it more abundantly - live the good life. Who is it that wants you dead? The devil. Check out these teachings for more insight: The Nature Of The Enemy Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URnECVEE44w Our Valuable Anchor http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html The Sleep Metaphor http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/sleepmetaphor.html You Are The ONLY You God Has! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/onlyyougodhas.html -<>- >HE HAS CHOSEN ME , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Isaiah 41:8 – 10 “But as for you, Israel my servant, Jacob my chosen one, descended from Abraham my friend, I have called you back from the ends of the earth, saying, ‘You are my servant.’ For I have chosen you and will not throw you away. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” I’ve been in a bit of a funk for a while. I hadn’t noticed because it came on so gradually and because I’m basically a cheerful person, so the discouragement wasn’t easy to spot beneath the usual bounce in my step. But one night not too long ago, when I hit my knees my prayers wouldn’t come. I knelt by my bed for what felt like a long time, empty of words and wondering what had happened. All I could do was cry out to the Lord to give me back my joy and to lift up my head. It wasn’t a turning away from God that had made me feel distant from Him. It wasn’t any kind of willful sin. It was more of a slow drift toward more and more distractions that left less and less time for sleep and made me too tired to devote much of myself to prayer. I had wandered to the ends of the earth, and the Lord gave me that time of emptiness to let me feel how far I had moved from the center of His will. The good news—always—is that He has chosen me and will not throw me away. And in the days since I cried out to Him, He has strengthened me and is lifting me back up again. In what ways have you wandered from the Lord? What sins have taken hold of you? What entertainments do you allow to keep you from your time with Him? What emptiness of heart are you facing? Take heart, because the God of all comfort is with you, and He will hold you up with His victorious right hand. Brenda McGill as seen in Tuesday's Bread --- ...Check out... , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Choose His Children http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/choosehischildren.html -<>- /\/\ / / / _/,/ / _/` (/"/////, ( '```--.___ /' _), ,- '-. /, / \ (\ \, \_()/ \) )' =_ )) | | | .// _/) ( ( \_ // / \ >_,\ (/)= / | | | \ #\| / |=| |=|\ ( ( (=> ( >( >),) | | |=| \ ( ( / / / / ) |/ \ /_( /_( , || )/.,_ ). /\\_(\,/, //- / /_(_( / ,\. b'ger .- '-'-'-,)\/.')) >BE STILL… Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, she turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat her to get her back on the road. Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between two vineyards, with walls on both sides. When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam's foot against it. So he beat her again. Then the angel of the LORD moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat her with his staff. __...----.. .-' `-. / .---.._ \ | | \ \ | `. | | | | _____ ` ' | | / _.-` `. \ | .'| //'''.' \ `---'_(`.||.`.`.' _.`.'''-. \ _(`'. `.`.`'.-' \\ \ \ (' .' `-._.- / \\ \ | ('./ `-._ .-| \\ || ('.\ | | 0') ('0 __.--. \`----'/ _.--('..| `-- .' .-. `. `--..' _..--..._ _.-' ('.:| . / ` 0 ` \ .' .-' `..' | / .^. | / .' \ ' . `._ .'| `. \`...____.----._.' .'.'| . \ | |_||_||__| // \ | _.-'| |_ `. \ || | | /\ \_| _ _ | || | /. . ' `.`.| || || || / ' ' | . | `.`---'/ .' `. | .' .'`. \ .' / `...' .' \ \ .'.' `---\ '.-' | )/\ / /)/ .| \ `. `.\ \ )/ \( / \ | \ | `. `-. )/ ) | | __ \ \.-` \ | /| ) .-. //' `-| \ _ / / _| | `-'.-.\ || `. )_.--' ) \ '-. / '| ''.__.-`\ | / `-\ '._|--' \ `. \ _\ / `---. LGB /.--` \ \ .''''\ `._..._| `-.' .-. | '_.'-./.' Then the LORD opened the donkey's mouth, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?" Balaam answered the donkey, "You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now." The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?" "No," he said. Tell me about it..... ...hiiii haaaaaan... \ /\/\ / / / _/,/ / _/` (/"/////, ( '```--.___ /' _), ,- '-. /, / \ (\ \, \_()/ \) )' =_ )) | | | .// _/) ( ( \_ // / \ >_,\ (/)= / | | | \ #\| / |=| |=|\ ( ( (=> ( >( >),) | | |=| \ ( ( / / / / ) |/ \ /_( /_( , || )/.,_ ). /\\_(\,/, //- / /_(_( / ,\. b'ger .- '-'-'-,)\/.')) Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown. (Numbers 22:21-31 (NIV)) Have you ever encountered something that just seemed to go completely different than expected, even when you have done it many times before? Were you able to come up with a logical explanation for the change in the results? Perhaps the change in the results were similar to those that Balaam had. He was so blinded to the fact that his donkey had never done anything like this before, yet he still blamed the donkey. He did not stop to even contemplate the reason for the change. He did not stop to think that perhaps there was a reason that his trusted donkey had done what she had done. He did not even consider that there is more to this life than meets the eye. He did not consider that God was intervening in his life! Are we blinded to this just as Balaam was? Think about that for a moment. Does God still speak to His people? Does God still seek out relationships with those who seek Him? Does God work in our lives to guide us, to lead us and to mature us into what He created us to be? Why should we be any different from Balaam? Why should we limit God's intervention to the pages of the Bible? The Bible is the story of what He has done. We are the story of what He is doing. The next time that something seems too odd and out of the normal realm of things, stop and reflect upon what is going on. God may be using the unexpected to reach out to you. He may be calling you to something and that moment in time is the decisive point where you must listen and respond or miss out on His blessings. Everyone marvels at the story of Balaam and the talking donkey, but how many people overlook the reason that the donkey spoke? It took something completely out of the ordinary to get Balaam's attention. What does God have to do to get your attention? Copyright 1998 - 2012 Dennis J. Smock Daily Living Ministries, Inc. -<>- To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ======================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: >Criticism Catherine Marshall "??NO Criticism??" \ \ ? ? ((()) ? ))o o(( ))\o/(( ? / ~v~ \ ? //(_ _)\\ \\\ /// ? (/ \) /_____\ | | | | | | |_|_| jro (_) (_) In her book, "A Closer Walk", Catherine Marshall writes: "One morning last week He gave me an assignment - for one day I was to go on a 'fast' from criticism. I was not to criticize anybody about anything. For the first half of the day, I simply felt a void, almost as if I had been wiped out as a person. This was especially true at lunch... I listened to the others and kept silent... In our talkative family no one seemed to notice. Bemused, I noticed that my comments were not missed. The federal government, the judicial system, and the institutional church could apparently get along fine without my penetrating observations. But still I didn't see what this fast on criticism was accomplishing until mid-afternoon. That afternoon, a specific, positive vision for this life was dropped into my mind with God's unmistakable hallmark on it - joy! Ideas began to flow in a way I had not experienced in years. Now it was apparent what the Lord wanted me to see. My critical nature had not corrected a single one of the multitudinous things I found fault with. What it had done was to stifle my own creativity. Criticism is a poison that infiltrates friendships, relationships in our businesses, and even our own families. Like a wrecking ball to a condemned building, our criticism destroys the spirit of those who are scrutinized. It has been said, "A statue has never been set up in honor of a critic." The apostle Paul recognized that criticism stings. He faced it throughout his ministry. Maybe it was after hearing criticism of others that he wrote: "Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling-block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way."(Romans 14:13 [kjv) Why don't you join me in a 'fast' from criticizing others and let's see what our Father teaches us!" -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Ready to Give a Defense "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." Alan Smith tells the story about a carpenter who was giving evidence about an accident he had witnessed. The judge asked him how far away he was from the accident. The carpenter replied, "Twenty-seven feet, six-and-one-half inches." "How can you be so sure of that distance?" asked the judge. "Well, I knew some idiot would ask me. So I measured it!" replied the carpenter. Oops ... not a good way to answer a judge! As Christians we need to be prepared to give a reasonable answer to everyone who asks about our Christian faith--and to do this in a spirit of "gentleness and respect." Remember too, that our life speaks much louder than any words we ever say. Furthermore, people who know we are Christians will be constantly reading and hearing the messages our life broadcasts. May we, like the early Christians, be known by our love for one another and for our gentle spirit and respectful, courteous manner. Suggested prayer: "Dear God, help me always to be prepared to give an answer to all who ask about my Christian faith--and help me always to answer in a gentle and respectful manner. And help me to so live that my life will always be communicating your love to every life I touch. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen." 1. 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV). -<>- %%%% %%%%-( _%%%%%_/ \ ' / _%%%%%%%% - (_) - _%%%%%%%/ \% / , \ %%%%%%%%%\\ \_ %%%%%% \ \\ ) /\_/ /(___. \ '----' ( / ) ---....____/ (_____ __ _ ___ ___ __ _ _ _____ _ _ ___ / )---...___ =-= = -_= -=_= _-=_-_ -=- =-_ ,' ( ```--.._= -_= -_= _-=- -_= _=- ,-' ) ``--._=-_ =-=_-= _-= _ '-._ '-..___( ``-._=_-=_- =_-= ``---....__) `-._-=_-_=- )|)| `-._=-_ gnv '-'-.\_ `-. >GOD'S WILL FOR US Just to be tender, just to be true; Just to be glad the whole day through; Just to be merciful, just to be mild; Just to be trustful as a child; Just to be gentle and kind and sweet; Just to be helpful with willing feet; Just to be cheery when things go wrong; Just to drive sadness away with a song; Whether the hour is dark or bright; Just to be loyal to God and right; Just to believe that God knows best; Just in His promise ever to rest; Just to let love be our daily key; This is God's will, for you and me. ~Author Unknown~ -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment Melva/Jimmy's Down Home Cooking http://silverandgoldandthee.net/Chef/C_A.html Marlene/Clinging To a Saving Hand/Gospel Music http://www.wtv-zone.com/summerhoosier3/html2/ClingingToASavingHand.html Southbreeze w/If I Made A Wish http://www.reflectionsofsouthbreeze.com/Pages/ifimakeawish.htm Would You Care? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/care.html Blink Of An Eye http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/eye.html Kid Lessons http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kidlessons.html Hey Jude http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgrrQwLdME8&feature=player_embedded Happy Hour in Africa http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erPdVtCHEe4 What Is Love? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wlove1.html --- ...From Our Friend JdRogers :) Sent us a great video that goes with our page here.. True Duck Tale http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/duck.html However, I cannot update the page as it cannot be added to the page. Here is the cute video: man saves baby ducks http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAqWC3Cpny8&feature=related --- ...Such a heartwarming story! Thanks JdRogers! ================================================================= _ /' `\ k___y th j /`Y'\ .,--,. \___/ ... ,' __ ', _ ||| j /' `\ t f | t j f | | j t_| T j \ / t Y| | ', `--' ,' || U '~--~' LJ kth >More than a Mere Coupon Story Editor: by Marilda Mel White Joyce Schowalter California, USA There was nothing in the house to eat and I was hungry. I was also downright grouchy because I had to go to the store before I could have breakfast. I don't much like starting a day like that. Adding to my frustration, by the time I got to the market I couldn't remember anything else I needed. I wandered around and finally picked up a 40-pound bag of dog food and a few other things and headed for the checkout. There were only three checkers working and every one of them had a long line, further fueling my bad mood. Then I really picked the wrong line. The people in front of me had two carts full, and as the checker started ringing them up, they worried out loud that they might not have enough money for everything. They started sorting things into "must have" and "maybe" piles and checking the sub-total after every beep. I understood their situation (I've been there too), but they were going to take forever and I just wanted to get home to eat my donuts. Then it hit me -- I'd forgotten to pick up the donuts for my breakfast! I left to get the things that had brought me to the store in the first place, and back at the check stand a few moments later, crankier than ever, I picked a different line. The woman ahead of me there looked at my cart and said, "I think I have a coupon for that." "What?" I said, rather stupidly. I was so sure that every minute of the day was going to be rotten that I didn't realize yet that my fortune was turning. "The dog food," she said, going through an envelope. "I'm sure I have a coupon for that." She found it and handed it to me. I noticed then that she had the same brand of dog food in her cart, so I suggested she might want to save the coupon for herself. "Oh no," she said, "I have plenty of these. You're welcome to it." I took it and thanked her profusely. The woman probably thought I was overdoing it with my many thanks for a $3.00 coupon, but then again, I wasn't just thanking her for a mere coupon. I was thanking her for reminding me that sometimes when I least expect it (and least deserve it), some small, kind act by a stranger can hit me smack dab between the eyes and turn my whole day around. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Kidwarmers: /| , ,/// /| // // ,/// // // // // // // || || || || // // || || // // || || // // || || || || \\,\|,|\_// \\)\)\\|/ )-."" .-( //^\` `/^\\ // | | \\ ,/_| 0| _ | 0|_\, /` `"=.v.="` `\ /` _."{_,_}"._ `\ jgs `/` ` \ ||| / ` `\` `",_ \\=^~^=// _,"` "=,\'-=-'/,=" '---' >FUNNY THINGS KIDS SAY Blair, 5, was watching TV when the station had technical difficulties. Blair asked her mother what the words on the TV said. Her mother read aloud, "Please Stand By." Blair got up, stood by the TV and asked, "Is it working now?" -- Yvonne Hardebeck (mother of Blair) of West Lafayette, Indiana While preparing dinner, Anita overheard her daughter Angie, 9, and her son Tony, 5, in an argument which escalated into chasing each other around the house. With his sister hot on his heels, Tony said, "Isn't it true, Mom... that when I was borned I had the utility cord wrapped around my neck?" -- Anita Marie Allen of Susanville, California Emily, 3, had the flu and it was quite a battle to help her get over it. She had a fever for about three days. One day when she was better, her father asked her to please go in the other room and pick up the toys that she had taken out. She is learning the art of excuses and she used a few of the standard ones such as "I'm too tired" and "I don't feel good." Then her father put her on his lap to talk to her about how they love to watch her play, but she needed to learn that picking up her toys is as important as playing with them. Without the slightest consideration for what her father had said, she replied, "I can't pick up my toys, Daddy... because, my fever is broken!" -- Mark Brayton (father of Emily) of Kendallville, Indiana ! ! ! ! ." ! ! ! / ." ! ! / ." ! / ." / ." o / ." / ." / ." / ." . '. / ." ' ' / ." / grh ." 0 | / |/ /| / | Anna went to a bowling birthday party. At dinner the topic of conversation turned to the last time everyone had gone bowling. They praised Anna for how well she'd done at the party. Kelly, 6, never one to be outdone, proudly said, "Well, the last time I went bowling, I even got a bowl-in-one!" -- Debbi Armstrong (mother of Anna and Kelly) of Orlando, Florida Liz bought a flavor of ice cream called "Moosetracks." Later her son, Travis, 5, asked, "Mom, can I have some of that Mousetraps Ice cream?" -- Liz Serich of Westland, Michigan === (`\,;+++;,/`) (- (((^.^))) -) (- ))\-/(( -) (- (() ()) -) \ `/`@`\` / \ / \ / \/ \/ / \ /_/_/_|_\_\_\ ldb Kaylee, 4, was visiting when she told her grandmother, "I looked up into the sky and saw the pretty clouds, and you know what, Mammer, God left a little hole in the clouds so that the angels could go in and out." -- Pat Martin (grandmother of Kaylee) of Chandler, Texas Lita was the official babysitter for her neighbors who had four beautiful children. She doted on the youngsters and couldn't wait to get home from school to take them for a walk. One day one of the youngest asked, "Why isn't our name in the Our Father like yours?" Puzzled, Lita said, "My name isn't in the Our Father." "Oh, yes it is," the children agreed. Lita insisted that it wasn't. "Oh yes!" they said, "Lita's not into temptation!" -- Lita Camozzi of Toronto, Canada When Cherrie's son was young they had to limit how much he drank at night before going to bed. One night he asked for something to drink and Cherrie told him it was too late. He held his throat and said, "I have to have a drink. I'm dusty dry!" -- Cherrie of Jacksonville, Florida __ /\ ) OO\ ) _ l C ) ..; (\O ( ) (O b-^ (_\(___) ___/__/--^\_____/ \_VJ__ While their mother was running errands with the kids, Maceal, 14, became a little bossy to her brother Alex, 9. Finally, exasperated, Alex said, "Maceal, you don't have to be so bossy!" Their mother jokingly told Alex that she was practicing for when she would be a Mommy someday, to which Alex exclaimed, "Well, I'm not gonna be her victim!" -- Kimberly (mother of Maceal and Alex) of Omaha, Nebraska Jay and his wife recently adopted a puppy from their local animal shelter. Their grand-daughter asked Jay to tell her about their "sleep dog" that she had seen pictures of. She could tell by Jay's puzzled look that she needed to explain more. So she said, "You know, the big dogs that have hair over their eyes and they can't see so they sleep a lot." She was referring to their old English sheep dog, Muffer. -- Jay Miller of Slatterville, Utah __ / l .' : __.....__..._ ____ / / \ _.-" "-. "" "-. (`-: .---: .--.' _....J. "-. """y \,.' \ __..--"" `+""--. `. : .'/ .-"""-. _. `. "-. `._.._ ; _.'.' .-j `. \ "-. "-._`. : / .-" : \ `-. `- "-. \ ; /.' ; :; ." \ `, :_:/ ::\ ;: ( / .-" .') ; ;-" ; "-. / ; .^. .' .' / .-" / .- : `. '. : .- / __.-j.'.' .-" /.---' / / `,\. .' "":' /-" .' \__.' : : ,\"" ; .' .' .-"" _J ; ; `. /.' _/ \.-" / "-: /"--.b-..-' .' ; / / ""-..' .--'.-'/ , : :`. : / : bug `-i" ,',_: _ \ : \ '._ :__; .'.-"; ; ; j `.l \ \ "-._ `" :_/ :_/ `.;\ "-._ :_"-._ "-. `. l "-. ) `. ""^--""^-. : \ "; \ : `._ ; / \ `._ ""---. / / _ `.--.__.' : : / ; :". \ ; ; : : ; `. `. / ; : ; : `. `. / /: ; : ; "-' :_.' ; ; ; : / / :_l `-' Jacob, 3, got a new bed and Spiderman sheets. His grandmother (Gee Gee) recently moved to another nursing home and she told Jacob that she was going to get a new bed. Jacob asked, "Is Gee Gee going to have Spiderman sheets?" -- Stacy Roberson (mother of Jacob) of Mt. Vernon, Illinois ============================================================== _|_ | / \ //_\\ //(_)\\ |/^\| ,%%%% // \\ ,@@@@@@@, ,%%%%/%%% // \\ ,@@@\@@@@/@@, @@@%%%\%%//%%%// === \\ @@\@@@/@@@@@ @@@@%%%%\%%%%%// =-=-= \\@@@@\@@@@@@;%#####, @@@@%%%\%%/%%// === \\@@@@@@/@@@%%%######, @@@@@%%%%/%%//| |\\@\\//@@%%%%%%#/#### '@@@@@%%\\/%~ | | ~ @|| %\\//%%%#####; @@\\//@|| | __ __ | || %%||%%'###### '@|| || | | | | | || ||##\//#### || || | | -|- | | || ||'#||###' || || |_|__|__|_| || || || || ||_/` ======= `\__||_._|| || jgs__||_/` ======= `\_||___ >-->ONE SOUL AT A TIME (By Rev. Eric McGrath) [Edited] Believers have a mission, And it's very clear to see, That we don't have to look that far, Or travel over land and sea. There's a mission field outside our door, Just waiting to hear from you and me. We're called to take our land back, One soul at a time. Some people think that government, It's their responsibility. Or else it belongs to the school, To set our morality. But the Lord has another plan, And it involves you and me. We're called to take our land back, One soul at a time. Only Jesus can provide the hope, That this land needs so bad. At one time there were lots of folks, Deep faith in God they had. But times sure are different now, They call for all of us to stand. We're called to take our land back, One soul at a time. One soul at a time, Is the plan that Jesus gave. He called us when He left our world, Gave us victory o'er the grave. It wasn't neon lights and glitter, But the good old gospel saves. We're to take our land back, One soul at a time. >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->BECOMING A CHRISTIAN HOW TO BE A CHRISTIAN! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->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 andd 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? 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