Happy International Women'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 ================ >-->OoooWEeeee!! oo 8 "} > @ < .8 .-._/| .'_'`')`_.' \| ) / (>'/ |_,_ | (,| .' ,'\| `._/ ) \| '`- -- ''-- --- VK/ejm I'm doing a 'Happy Angel' dance! Why? Because Shangrala has been blessed with another donation from our long time Shangrala Angel, Cloie from NH! May God Bless her richly! She is a loyal supporter contributing to help Keep Shangrala Alive! We sure do thank God for her and all our past most sweet and wonderful angels! If you'd like to help too and be counted as a Shangrala Angel, please visit the site and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL 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. EVERY LITTLE BIT WILL HELP! 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! ================ >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This too hot to handle new page is from our friends Linda and PatDeE. Here is a collection of some awesome heartwarming, and vividly in your face stunning wildlife photography. Be sure to check this one out here... _..._ \_.._ `'-.,--, '-._'-. `\a\\ '. `_.' (| `7 || / .' | /_.-' ,J / \ || / ; _.. || | | /`\.-. .' _ `\ `\ \ | \_/__/ / /e)-,\ '. \ /.-` .'\ / | ,_ | /\ `;_.-'_.-'`\_/ / '-(-.)/ \_;(((_.-; .'--. \ ` .(((_,;`'. \ / `\ | _.--'`__.' `\ '-;\ /` | /.-' .--' '._.'\\ .' ; /__.-'` | \ | .'`-'_ /_.'))) \_\,_/ / -'_.'---;`'-))) (__.'/ /` .'` (_.'/ /` /` _|.' /` jgs.-` __.'| .-'|| | \_`/ ` Up Close And Personal 6 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/personal6.html --- ...It amazes me how they got such great close up shots! Thanks my friends! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: _..--""-. .-""--.._ _.-' \ __...----...__ / '-._ .' .:::...,' ',...:::. '. ( .'``'''::; ;::'''``'. ) \ '-) (-' / \ / \ / \ .'.-. .-.'. / \ | \0| |0/ | / | \ | .-==-. | / | \ `/`; ;`\` / '.._ (_ | .-==-. | _) _..' `"`"-`/ `/' '\` \`-"`"` / /`; .==. ;`\ \ .---./_/ \ .==. / \ \ / '. `-.__) | `" | =(`-. '==. ; jgs \ '. `-. / \_:_) `"--.....-' >MANAGING YOUR ELEPHANT by William Santoro Being a physician, I run to help me get through each day. Running lets the pains seep out and the joys of life sink in. I also enjoy acting. Some of my actor friends tell me they use performing the way I use running. But I am a runner who acts, not an actor who runs. Recently I landed my dream role. I was George Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life. To me running is reality and acting is fantasy. I get to be someone else while on stage. In reality, I wear running shoes and I have a pierced ear. I have not worn anything but running shoes for 20 years and I have worn an earring for about 25 years. Well, George Bailey doesn't wear running shoes nor does he have a pierced ear. When my daughter saw me and remarked, "I can't believe my Dad is not wearing running shoes." I reminded her that while on stage I'm not her Dad. On stage I live in this fantasy world and reality has no place in it, until the two worlds collide. I was juggling work and performing, reality and fantasy, and thinking I was doing well. One afternoon I saw a 19 year-old student in my office. She was young, pretty and full of angst about college. I treated her while thinking of my own 19 year-old daughter in college. Two days later, I received a call from the hospital -- the student was brought in by ambulance at 3am. She died at 9 that morning. I received the horrible news at 1pm, six hours before going on stage. (Her death was not related to her office visit. However, like every physician, I kept going over in my head the scene of her visit, trying to come up with scenarios, which may have changed the course of events.) Although I put my grief as far back into my mind as possible, it remained one thought behind the words I spoke on stage. I know I missed some lines, although I could not tell you which ones. I know my teammates caught me, if I knew who I would thank them. Honestly, the entire show was just a blur. I got through the performance and then fell apart alone in the dressing room. I wanted to run, but couldn't. When I run, I run for myself. I let the run do what I need it to do for me. If I run slowly or fast, if while I run I laugh or cry, or stop or walk, only I am affected. I needed something or someone, but didn't know what or who. Bob, who played my brother in the show, asked if anyone wanted to get a bite to eat after the performance. My first inclination was to say no, but I ultimately decided it was be a good idea. Seven of us went to eat. The conversation at the table was lighthearted. People talked about the show and about other shows. I felt like I was observing, like a person sitting in a theater watching a play. I often like to observe people, however, I was observing myself as much as I was observing the others. Somewhere, someone suggested we pass around a placemat and each draw an elephant on it. None of us were artists. Some of our elephants were skinny, some looked more like dogs. My elephant was especially painful. Watching this unfold I couldn't help but think of the elephant in the room I was trying to avoid. I wondered how many other elephants were in the room. Sitting there watching each person draw their own elephant I made the connection between life and the play, reality and fantasy. We all come with baggage, each with our own unique elephant. The play is about how one shy, introverted, unassuming man can affect so many other people. And there in that restaurant I saw how each of us, some introverted and shy others extroverted and funny, can help another person heal and manage his or her own elephant. And I realized that strangers are simply friends we have not yet met. -- William Santoro __________________________________________________ William says, "I am a physician specializing in two fields, Family Medicine and Addiction Medicine. I enjoy long distance running, photography and writing." =========================================================== >-->Story Time From Our Friend Fran :) _ _ ( `-.__.-' ) `-. .-' \ / || || //\\ // \\ || || ||____|| ||====|| \\ // \\// jgs || || || || || || || || [] >The Greater Gift Came Later My husband was seriously injured at work in August 2002. He was unable work for about six months. Much of his income is from overtime and his disability pay did not equal even 25 percent of the income we count on. We have five children and this was a massive loss of income for our family. It became necessary for me to work a second full-time job. Most days I went to my teaching job at 7:00 a.m., went to my second job as a cashier at a local retail store at 4:00 p.m., and dragged myself home around midnight, knowing I had to do the same thing the next day. I still had to do lesson planning and somehow squeeze in family time. I worked seven days a week, and was rarely home. My youngest child, seven years old at the time, missed me so much that he started carrying a picture of me to school in his pocket. Until then, I'd been very active in my church. But I became too busy for most of my church life and missed many meetings. Word spread about our situation, and I received many calls with words of encouragement and emotional support from fellow church members. On New Year's Eve I was working at the store. When I took a break, I saw my husband walking toward me with an odd look on his face. I asked what was wrong. He handed me an envelope, saying "I found this in our mailbox." The envelope was fully addressed but there was no stamp or return address. Inside was a note: "from our family to yours, we share with you our good fortune and pray for your family's health and financial well being in the coming year." Then my husband handed me another sheet of paper, folded in half. I unfolded the paper to see 10 crisp, brand-new 100-dollar bills. To say the least, I was shocked, and also very humbled. Who cared so much about us they would give us a thousand dollars? Our families live 1,300 miles away so I knew it wasn't a relative. But who? For a while I wondered who gave us that amazing gift. My curiosity almost became an obsession. Then one day I realized we're not supposed to know. The giver — or givers — purposely didn't tell us. It was a true act of selfless giving with no chance of public acknowledgment. That note is now laminated and framed. I try to repeat that anonymous act of kindness and caring as often as possible, even if on a smaller scale. Although I cannot afford to give someone that much money, I've often given someone in need $20, $50, or $100. We received the cash gift when we needed money badly, but the greater gift came later. We saw the true meaning of selfless giving, and have made a point of doing the same ever since. by Donna Miller --- ...A wonderful story! Thanks Fran! =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: .----. ______. | | _ _ _ _o' \ `----' o `-- -' o .---. o o `---' o o .--. o o `--' o __ _ o .--. - - -' ` -o_ / `--' `----' .--. `--' >"Begin Little By Little" By Zelig Pliskin Printed with Permission of Shaar Press Some people feel overwhelmed by the concept of consistently doing acts of kindness. "It seems so difficult to keep thinking about others. I have a lot to do for myself and I can’t always think of others." The solution is to begin little by little. You might not have the time and resources to do all that you would really like to do. Be kind with the time and resources you do have. Every small kind act leads to other and greater kind acts. Every act of kindness makes you a kinder person. Maimonedes tells us how to develop a generous personality. Do many small acts of generosity. Instead of giving a single hundred dollar bill to only one person, change the hundred dollar bill into one hundred singles. Then give them away one by one. These one hundred kind acts are building your character trait of generosity. Just as a building goes up brick by brick, so too you are building yourself act by act. Each of us find certain things easier to do than others. What small act of kindness is easiest for you? Keep doing these acts as regularly as possible. "One good deed leads to another," say the Sages The founder of a major charitable organization with numerous branches began with a few items from his home. He had several vaporizers that he lent out to his neighbors. This grew and grew until the lending of medical equipment free of charge evolved into a national institution of note. Even if a small act of kindness doesn’t lead to major acts of kindness, a small kind act in itself has immense eternal value. Being overwhelmed by thinking too big may prevent you from beginning your journey. Think in terms of one step at a time and you can never tell how far you will eventually go. -<>- __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >THE BLOOD One night in a church service a young woman felt the tug of God at her heart. She responded to God's call and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. (Rom.10:9 'That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.') The young woman had a very rough past, involving alcohol, drugs, and prostitution. But, the change in her was evident. As time went on she became a faithful member of the church. She eventually became involved in the ministry, teaching young children. It was not very long until this faithful young woman had caught the eye and heart of the pastor's son The relationship grew and they began to make wedding plans. This is when the problems began. You see, about one half of the church did not think that a woman with a past such as hers was suitable for a pastor's son. The church began to argue and fight about the matter. So they decided to have a meeting. As the people made their arguments and tensions increased, the meeting was getting completely out of hand. The young woman became very upset about all the things being brought up about her past. As she began to cry the pastor's son stood to speak. He could not bear the pain it was causing his wife to be. He began to speak and his statement was this: "My fiancee's past is not what is on trial here. What you are questioning is the ability of the blood of Jesus to wash away sin. Today you have put the blood of Jesus on trial. So, does it wash away sin or not?" The whole church began to weep as they realized that they had been slandering the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Too often, even as Christians, we bring up the past and use it as a weapon against our brothers and sisters. Forgiveness is a very foundation part of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. If the blood of Jesus does not cleanse the other person completely then it cannot cleanse us completely. If that is the case, then we are all in a lot of trouble. What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus! End of case!!!! "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." - Psalm 55:23 This prayer is powerful and prayer is one of the best gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of rewards, let's continue to pray for one another. Here is the prayer: "Father, I ask you to bless my friends, relatives and email buddies reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of your love and power. God, I ask you to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them your peace and mercy. Where there is self doubt, release a renewed confidence through your grace. In Jesus Christ's precious name. Amen" -<>- __ __ ,-' `' \ _---``-- / _ _ ; __ `. / / `' \; /`----- ) / .-/ ,( ), \-. ; | \( \ / )/; | - _5 `7 -; / ( ___-' `-____ | ( ___`-_ \ ____| \ / `,/ \ _(\__ / \ \ ; \ .' /' `i. / | | \ _-'( _\__-/ `- | | ` ,` `_ | BP >I Am Learning, Lord My life has taken many falls And tumbles 'long the way. The many trials have left me In a sure state of dismay. For with each trial, I tried alone To tend, and soothe, and mend, Instead of giving them to God - And on Him just depend ... But, I am learning, Lord. It seems I was determined To carry all the load. I longed for smoother pathways. Yet, I walked a rocky road. Little did I understand, God waited patiently To pave a new beginning With a better life for me. But, I am learning, Lord. It took a real disaster To bring me to my knees; To finally call upon the Lord And say, "God help me, please." He came with no delaying, With strong arms that could hold - The weight of all my burdens; He gladly took the load. And, I am learning, Lord. What a needless cross I carried, All because I could not see - What a friend I have in Jesus, And the love He has for me. Peace I find when troubles hover, Though' the outcome is unknown. For if yet the road is rocky, I won't walk it all alone. For, I am learning, Lord. ~ D. Sue Horton ~ Copyright © 1995 --- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' ...My Two Cents On This... I've been doing these inspirations to our group over 20 years now. I often shared stories and poems like the one above about letting go and letting God. I thought I was heeding my own advice, however I recently realized I thought I was, but I was not. I am often a strong self-reliant woman to a fault. I like to take control of my life, my work, and aspects of my family. It is good to take charge when needed but it can cause you trouble when things don't go as you have planned or expect them to go. This has led me into working to renew my mind not to get upset during these times. I'm still working on it! I thought I was giving my power of control over things to God through Jesus Christ when I would pray and lift things to God that were really way over my capability to handle. My burdens and crosses I would give to God to handle. But in my controlling way, I would not trust God to actually take care of them because the very next day, I'd be fretting over them again and in so doing, I'd lift them to God again to handle. You could ask me during this time if I trusted God and I'd be the first to tell you that I did - just as the bible teaches... , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Prov.3: [5] Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. [6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. But what I was doing was giving my burden to God and then not letting Him take care of it. I wasn't actually TRUSTING God. I wasn't LETTING Go and LETTING God. Instead of forgetting it, I kept trying to fix my problem myself when I felt it wasn't being done as fast as I'd like it to be done. I kept thinking I wasn't doing something I needed to do to get the job done. I was blaming me not God. He is the perfect one, so the reason something wasn't being answered was because of me. I'd fret over what I needed to do or what I needed to say or what was wrong with me and on and on and on. Ever do this? Well, it finally occurred to me that the problem WAS me. I was in essence taking my burden back from God once I gave it to Him. I'd snatch it back by trying to figure out how I was supposed to fix it. Or how I was supposed to pray for it or how I was supposed to give it to God. 'I' was at the center - controlling it instead of letting God control it. Worrying and fretting is just negative belief. So I was believing that it wouldn't get taken care of. So, guess what? It wasn't. See how defeating this is? I've read this before maybe a 100 or more times... , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' 1 Pet.5: [7] Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Think about it. This is not saying 'give' all your care - No. If I've learned anything over the years, it is that God's Word is very precise. When we want to understand what God is telling us, we have to not interject our own ideas into what the bible says, but take it literally and analysis what it is saying. The word 'casting' is used instead of 'giving' - Why? God uses certain words for very precise reasons. The word cast means to - throw (something) forcefully in a specified direction. When it comes to our cares, God says we are to throw them forcefully away from us and upon Him. That means they are no longer our cares, but they become His cares. If you have a heavy bag on your shoulders, and you use your strength and throw it as far away from you as you can, you are casting it away. You no longer have that bag. You can walk freely without it and breath a sigh of relief that it isn't your burden to carry any more! That is what we are to do when we pray to God for help with something. It is no longer our problem. It becomes God's Problem! We are free to live our life without frets or worries or cares because we threw them to God and He now shoulders them! Visualize casting your problems to God to catch and carry for you. That frees you to share the glorious Gospel of His Word and preach Jesus Christ without worry or fear or care or any burden. It is on God to take care of it now. You THREW it away! It is no longer YOUR burden to carry. Once you cast it to God in the name of Jesus Christ, you TRUST God to take care of it. If there IS something you need to do - You better believe it that God will give you the wisdom to KNOW what that is! Why? Because, Your problem, is Now God's Problem and He Will Absolutely Take Care of it as long as you don't snatch it back from Him! It is now on God, not on you. So if you do what God says to do 'cast your cares upon Him', who is accountable to get the problem taken care of? Not YOU! It is management's problem now. See how beautiful and awesome our Heavenly Father is? He says He'll take care of it. Why? Why will He take care of YOUR problems? Because He Cares For You! He has a super duper love for you - greater than any other! What Freedom in Christ we have! How much greater and lighter our walk in life is without that heavy burden! You don't have to fret that YOU are doing something wrong. It is in God's hands to take care of. You just continue doing your work for God and living your life for Christ and TRUST God to take care of it. Simple. Made me jump for joy when I fully understood this. I am praising God for how awesome He is and so comforting and how great and how glorious and how perfect, sweet and caring He is to us His children! God loves us so much, He'll carry all our burdens for us if we cast them to Him and Trust Him to take care of them. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Eleanor Roosevelt Quotes http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/eleanorquotes.html I Believe...!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/believe.html That's God!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thatsgod.html Kid Lessons!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kidlessons.html Love Speaks!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lovespeaks.html Thank You God!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thankgod.html Sweet Humanity!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/sweethumanity.html Short Life Stories!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lifestories.html My Precious Child!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mychild.html Life Is...Continued!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lifeis2.html More Abundant Life!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/abundantlife.html Making A Difference!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/makingdifference.html Important Life Truths!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lifetruths.html Akiane - Child Prodigy!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/prodigy.html Beautiful Cactus Blooms!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/cactusblooms.html Random Acts Of Kindness!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/actsofkindness.html Brilliant Women Inventors!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/womeninventors.html Beautiful Birds And Words!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/birdsandwords.html Woman - Darkest Before Dawn!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/womandbd.html Woman Cops Around The World!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/womancops.html -<>- >Please Visit/Follow Me On StumbleUpon: https://tinyurl.com/yd38pcyp Some of Shangrala's Best Pages http://www.amazfamily.com/index.html -<>- >A must see On Immigration: Back in time to 2003 I have a plan... https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/richard-lamm-on-multiculturalism/ An audio recording of Lamm’s speech from 18 October 2003 is now available online: I Have a Plan to Destroy America by Former Governor Richard Lamm, Democrat https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=9&v=rsuA22V_zpw Governor Lamm walked back to his seat. It dawned on everyone at the conference that our nation and the future of this great democracy is deeply in trouble and worsening fast. If we don't get this immigration monster stopped within three years, it will rage like a California wildfire and destroy everything in its path especially The American Dream. -<>- Elvis Presley Glory Glory Hallelujah https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2G8O6ngVN0 Elvis - How Great Thou Art https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlfcvUtUoOM Elvis - Why Me Lord (Live in Memphis 1974) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SV6ICc7YXAA Elvis - Elvis Presley - You gave me a mountain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoH367Dg4YY Elvis Presley - Jaw dropping Performance on stage in Vegas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CTPuKLNVlg 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 ========================================================== _ /`_> / / |/ ____| __ | \.-`` ) |---``\ _.' .-`'---``_.' (__...--`` gnv >Hats Off, Miss Rupp Story Editor: by Crystal M. Anderson Joyce Schowalter Iowa, USA It was 1952 and I was a sophomore in high school. An algebra class was dealing me fits and it wasn't sinking into my dull brain. The language of algebraic terms threw me for a loop. My teacher was Miss Rupp and my fear of her was second to none other I had faced before. Miss Rupp of the stern face and forbidding nature left me quaking in my white buck shoes. I hoped that she would not call on me for any answer. I knew I would not know the answer and her eagle eyes told me that she knew I wouldn't know the answer. Luck ran out one day and she called my name, told me to come to the blackboard and work the problem she would give me. I stood in front of that blackboard, my nose just a few inches away from it, and stared at the problem. My hand with the chalk in it didn't move. Why bother? I didn't know how to work the blasted problem. Finally Miss Rupp took the chalk and did this and that and came up with the answer. "Miss Stogdill, you can return to your seat," she told me. "Yes, Miss Rupp," I said, with my head down, as I slunk back to my seat. It seemed forever before our class was over and once it was, I headed for the door, ready for the great escape. I almost made it, but then I heard Miss Rupp say, "Miss Stogdill, I would like to see you at my desk." Inside I was saying, "But I don't want to see you," but I turned and made my way to stand before her. "Miss Stogdill, you are having far too much trouble with Algebra. You definitely need some help. If you can come in after school, I will help you until you understand the concept of Algebra, she said." What a relief, help! I agreed to come in and I did so. She spent time with me each night I could come in until I understood what she was trying to teach me. I ended up my time in her class with a B average and I owe it all to a woman who was more than an average teacher. She was an extraordinary teacher, one who went the whole way with her students. I was not the only one who benefited from this woman's teaching. It was years before I fully understood how much Miss Rupp cared for us, her stern and forbidding nature covered up a big heart, filled with love for those she taught. Indeed when she walked in to watch a school sports game, she was cheered more often than not. She was respected and she had earned it. She is long gone from this world we live in, but whenever I think of her, I say to myself, "Hats off, Miss Rupp, you deserve it." =======HeroicStories======= >-->From CupO'Cheer: `>.___ o-.--.-o ___,<' / `. / ,, \ .' \ { `.; ,__, ;.' } `._ }`.__.'{ _.' `,=."' `".=,' .' /`-.____.-'_ `, \_.';`-.______.-':`._/ `+-.______.-'' `-.____.-' / || \ ; ;; ; `-./ \.-' fsc >RECOVERING WORKER BEES By Kay Gross I am a recovering “worker bee.” If you saw my schedule for the last two weeks, however, you might question the “recovering” part! The truth is, if I see something that needs to be done, I am likely to do it whether it is my responsibility or not. That is not necessarily bad. I do get a lot accomplished. Until I read its definition, I was comfortable with my “worker bee” tendencies. A worker bee is a sterile bee specialized to collect food and maintain the hive. My heart was pierced. My call is to be a servant; but it is not to be a sterile servant. Jesus came to give us abundant life, a life that is fruitful and fulfilling. Wayne Cordeiro wrote in Leading on Empty: Refilling Your Tank and Renewing Your Passion: We won’t be held accountable for how much we have done, but for how much we have done of what God asked us to do. How can I, as a pastor’s wife and staff pastor, retain the balance necessary to accomplish what God has called me to do? Keep the main thing the main thing. More important than any of the things I do is who I am becoming in Christ. Daily time with the Lord through His Word, listening carefully for His direction each step of the day, not assuming that because something needs to be done it is mine to do, is difficult for worker bees. Yet, Jesus in His love calls us beyond the busyness to a deep abiding relationship with himself. When life becomes too much, I am reminded to refocus on my relationship with Christ. Hebrews 2:1 reminds us: “For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.” Be intentional in your choices. Good intentions are not enough. We all want our lives to be of value in the Kingdom, but commitment is more than saying we are committed. It is intentionally investing our time, energy and resources in the right things so we will reap the return that we desire. It involves saying no to things that may need to be done but are not what God is asking us to do. Jeremiah 15:19b (NASB) says, “…if you extract the precious from the worthless, you will become My spokesman.” I must be intentional in extracting the truly important from the urgent, and in discerning God’s voice from all others that clamor for my attention. Be realistic in your assessments I am only one person and, in spite of what I seem to think when I try to do everything, I have limited strength. In addition, I will not live forever and, someday, I will stand before God and give an account of how I used the time and resources that He gave me. To complicate matters further, as the seasons of life change, I must reassess and allow God to give me new priorities. The vision may not change, but the circumstances do, and I must allow God to give me wisdom at each stage of life. Ephesians 5:15-17 instructs us: “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (NASB). Knowing the will of God takes effort. It does not always come in a vision like Paul had on the road to Damascus. Often it takes thought; it takes prayer; it takes obedience to what God has already revealed. Solomon in Ecclesiastes challenges us to “ponder” or to “consider”—to think about our lives. For this recovering worker bee, it is a continuing battle but, in the end, may we all hear our Master say, “Well done!” Dr. Kay Gross has served as Associate Pastor of Radiant Life Church in Dublin for 28 years, along with her husband David, who serves as senior pastor. She served for 7 years as Ohio District Women’s Director and is a frequent speaker, both preaching and conducting leadership training and retreats. as seen in National Women's Department -<>- __i |---| |[_]| |:::| |:::| `\ \ \_=_\ jsm >A FRIEND ON THE LINE written own by: Jennings Michael Burch Even before I finished dialing, I somehow knew I'd made a mistake. The phone rang once, twice - then someone picked it up. "You got the wrong number!" a husky male voice snapped before the line went dead. Mystified, I dialed again. "I said you got the wrong number!" came the voice. Once more the phone clicked in my ear. How could he possibly know I had a wrong number? At that time, I worked for the New York City Police Department. A cop is trained to be curious - and concerned. So I dialed a third time. "Hey, c'mon," the man said. "Is this you again?" "Yeah, it's me," I answered. "I was wondering how you knew I had the wrong number before I even said anything." "You figure it out!" The phone slammed down. I sat there awhile, the receiver hanging loosely in my fingers. I called the man back. "Did you figure it out yet?" he asked. "The only thing I can think of is...nobody ever calls you." "You got it!" The phone went dead for the fourth time. Chuckling, I dialed the man back. "What do you want now?" he asked. "I thought I'd call...just to say hello." "Hello? Why?" "Well, if nobody ever calls you, I thought maybe I should." "Okay. Hello. Who is this?" At last I had gotten through. Now he was curious. I told him who I was and asked who he was. "My name's Adolf Meth. I'm 88 years old, and I haven't had this many wrong numbers in one day in 20 years!" We both laughed. We talked for 10 minutes. Adolf had no family, no friends Everyone he had been close to had died. Then we discovered we had something in common: he'd worked for the New York City Police Department for nearly 40 years. Telling me about his days there as an elevator operator, he seemed interesting, even friendly. I asked if I could call him again. "Why would you wanta do that?" he asked, surprised. "Well, maybe we could be phone friends. You know, like pen pals." He hesitated. "I wouldn't mind...having a friend again." His voice sounded a little tentative. I called Adolf the following afternoon and several days after that. Easy to talk with, he related his memories of World Wars I and II, the Hindenburg disaster and other historic events. He was fascinating. I gave him my home and office numbers so he could call me. He did - almost every day. I was not just being kind to a lonely old man. Talking with Adolf was important to me, because I, too, had a big gap in my life. Raised in orphanages and foster homes, I never had a father. Gradually, Adolf took on a kind of fatherly importance to me. I talked about my job and college courses, which I attended at night. Adolf warmed to the role of counselor. While discussing a disagreement I'd had with a supervisor, I told my new friend, "I think I ought to have it out with him." "What's the rush?" Adolf cautioned. "Let things cool down. When you get as old as I am, you find out that time takes care of a lot. If things get worse, then you can talk to him." There was a long silence. "You know," he said softly, "I'm talking to you just the way I'd talk to a boy of my own. I always wanted a family - and children. You're too young to know how that feels." No, I wasn't. I'd always wanted a family - and a father. But I didn't say anything; afraid I wouldn't be able to hold back the hurt I'd felt for so long. One evening Adolf mentioned his 89th birthday was coming up. After buying a piece of fiberboard, I designed a 2' x 5' greeting card with a cake and 89 candles on it. I asked all the cops in my office and even the police commissioner to sign it. I gathered nearly a hundred signatures. Adolf would get a kick out of this, I knew. We'd been talking on the phone for four months now, and I thought this would be a good time to meet face to face. So I decided to deliver the card by hand. I didn't tell Adolf I was coming; I just drove to his address one morning and parked the car up the street from his apartment house. A postman was sorting mail in the hallway when I entered the building. He nodded as I checked the mailboxes for Adolf's name. There it was. Apartment 1 H, some 20 feet from where I stood. My heart pounded with excitement. Would we have the same chemistry in person that we had on the phone? I felt the first stab of doubt. Maybe he would reject me the way my father rejected me when he went out of my life. I tapped on Adolf's door. When there was no answer, I knocked harder. The postman looked up from his sorting. "No one’s there," he said. "Yeah," I said, feeling a little foolish. "If he answers his door the way he answers his phone, this may take all day." "You a relative or something?" "No. Just a friend." "I'm really sorry," he said quietly, "but Mr. Meth died day before yesterday." Died? Adolf? For a moment, I couldn't answer. I stood there in shock and disbelief. Then, pulling myself together, I thanked the postman and stepped into the late-morning sun. I walked toward the car, misty-eyed. Then, rounding a corner, I saw a church, and a line from the Old Testament leaped to mind: A friend loveth at all times. And especially in death, I realized. This brought a moment of recognition. Often it takes some sudden and sad turn of events to awaken us to the beauty of a special presence in our lives. Now, for the first time, I sensed how very close Adolf and I had become. It had been easy, and I knew this would make it even easier the next time, with my next close friend. Slowly, I felt warmth surging through me. I heard Adolf's growly voice shouting, "Wrong number!" Then I heard him asking why I wanted to call again. "Because you mattered, Adolf," I said aloud to no one. "Because I was your friend." I placed the unopened birthday card on the back seat of my car and got behind the wheel. Before starting the engine, I looked over my shoulder. "Adolf," I whispered, "I didn't get the wrong number at all. I got you." as seen in Inspiration Plus To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ========================================================== >-->From Laugh&Lift: "One of the ways that our faith expresses itself is by our ability to be still, to be present, and not to panic or lose perspective. God still does his best work in the most difficult of circumstances." - Tim Hansel >The Lift , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Today's lift is a short inspirational video based on Ecclesiastes 3 - just click the link below to see it. It's been a blessing to me and I pray it is one to you as well. If it has any trouble playing or if you want it for future enjoyment, you can download a higher quality version directly to your computer by clicking the slightly hard to see "Download HQ MP4 Video" link at the top of the video window. You can watch it here: http://laughandlift.com/members/audiovideo/ecc3video.html -<>- "But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus - the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God." - Acts 20:24 What is the work that Jesus has assigned for YOU? We know from Matthew 28:19-20 and elsewhere that Jesus has given us all the same general work He gave to Paul - that of telling others the Good News. Yet, we also know that He gives different people specific gifts; a specific work; a specific goal as a part of this fulfillment. What has Jesus asked you to do for His name? Has he asked you to preach? Then preach. Has he asked you to teach? Then teach. Has he asked you to travel somewhere to tell others about Him as a missionary? Then do it. Has he asked you to encourage? Encourage. Has God asked you to prophesy? Prophesy. To heal? Then let God heal through you. Has he given you a heart for youth? A heart for the elderly? A heart for a specific people? A heart for all people? A love of music? Whatever God asks you to do, He will empower you to do, for His glory. What is it that Jesus has asked YOU to do? This is your life's purpose. It may be as general as Paul's...or it may be more specific under the same umbrella...Whatever it is, do it in His name and unto Him for His glory alone. As Paul, we should all say: "my life is worth NOTHING to me, UNLESS I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus" (emphasis added). The Lift , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >A Meaningful Life (By Greg Laurie) "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:16 How should I live my life on this earth? What purpose does God have in mind for me, now that I have received His Son Jesus Christ into my heart? These are questions every believer should ask, because if you have no goals or purpose, you can waste your life. As I have often said, if you aim at nothing, you are bound to hit it. Many people simply want to prolong their lives, rather than try to find their purpose in life. Certainly medical science is helping us live longer lives. We can add years to our lives, but we cannot add life to our years. Should our primary goal be to prolong our lives, or should it be to live life to its fullest? Jim Elliot was fresh out of college when he felt the call of God to go to the mission field. Tragically, Jim and four other young missionaries lost their lives in the jungles of Ecuador in an attempt to reach others with the gospel. It might seem like a terrible waste of life for such a young man with so much promise. But after his death, this entry was found in one of his journals: "I seek not a long life, but a full one, like you, Lord Jesus." That is a good goal: To live a full life, a life with meaning and purpose. We don't know how long we will live - that is up to God. But life is not merely a matter of years. It is a matter of how we live. It is not the years that count, but what you do with those years. What kind of life are you living right now? -<>- __,,,__ ,-""-,-" "-,-""-, /,-' , .-'-.7.-'-. , '-,\ \( / _ _ \ )/ '-, { (0) (0) } ,-' / > .---. < \ |/ .-' \___/ '-. \| {, / ,_ _, \ ,} \ {, \ / ,} / ',\. '---' ./,' _.-""""""-._ _.-""""""-._ .' `._.` '. _/_ _ \ .'` `\ | | \ / | | | ; | / |_| | \ ;'---' _ ___ _ _ ___ ; '. ; | | / \| || || _| _ ; `-\ | |_ | | || |/ /| _| .' `, `\ |___|\___/ \__/ |___| | \ \ _ _ \ | jgs `\ | | | /` _/ ,-""-. .'`\ | | | /`-,-'` .-""-, / `\.' `\ \___/ /` './` \ ; .--. \ '\ /' / .--. ; | ( \ |, '\ /' | / ) | \ ; } ;\ /; ` { ; / `;\ \ _.-' \ / `-._ / /;` \ \__.' _.-' Y `-._ '.__// '.___,.-' `-.,___.' >God Loves Me - Here's Proof (By Roy Irwin) During one of our first dates my wife and I were getting to know one another better by sharing stories about ourselves, our faith, and how we came to know Jesus and His love. It was during one of these conversations that my wife remarked with great certainty, "I know that God loves me. I've got a dollar to prove it!" Having piqued my curiosity, she continued to share about one of the darkest, loneliest times of her life. It was at the end of a long, exhausting week where each day at work had been difficult. She was tired, depressed and felt alone. Now driving back to an empty home at night in the rain she remembered that she had to pick something up at the store. It was just too much to bear. Standing in the checkout line she was overcome with emotion. She kept her head turned to hide her moist eyes. As the tears welled up inside of her she cried out this silent prayer, "God, forgive me for my lack of faith. I know that your word says that you love me, but right now I don't feel it. I really need to know that you love me." It was at just that moment that the Cashier handed my wife her change - a single dollar bill. As she took the dollar, she noticed it had writing on it. A closer look revealed these handwritten words: "I LOVE YOU!" As I've shared this story over the years I'm often asked if I think that it was just a coincidence that the dollar had this message on it. I don't think so. We have this promise from the Bible in Philippians 4:19 "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (NIV) After reading this verse many people tend to think of God just meeting their financial needs. But for my wife, her need at that particular moment was just to know that God loved her and that He was still with her. God met her need through a timely, personal message delivered at just the right moment. 2000 years ago God delivered another personal message to mankind when He sent His only Son Jesus Christ to earth - demonstrating His love for us all and meeting the biggest need that we have - the need to have our sins forgiven. Today we still have the framed dollar bill. Though the writing has faded over the years, it has been a constant reminder that God does indeed love us, that He keeps His promises, and that He meets us where we are, especially in our time of need. It echoes with a promise from Jesus found in Matthew 28:20 "...And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (NIV) How about you? Do YOU know that God loves you? It's true! "For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him should not be lost, but should have eternal life." John 3:16 (Phillips Translation) "Dear Lord God, thank you for your promise found in Jeremiah 31:3: "...I have loved you with an everlasting love." (NIV) We believe it and know that You love us. Help us to receive that love. Amen." (Copyright 1999 Argyle Giraffe Productions. This may not be resold or used for the enhancement of any product sold without the written permission of Argyle Giraffe Productions.) 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 ========================================================== _ / } /'.\ _/ ) (`- ( ,) |/ /| ' ` Elb >-->"A Woman" This is written in the Hebrew Talmud, the book where all of the sayings and preaching of Rabbis are conserved over time. It says: "Be very careful if you make a woman cry, because God counts her tears. The woman came out of a man's rib. Not from his feet to be walked on. Not from his head to be superior, but from the side to be equal. Under the arm to be protected and next to the heart to be loved." >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? 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