Happy Memorial Day Weekend! ... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList Through no fault of my own we suddenly became an adult club in the love and romance directory so you will have to confirm that you are an adult when you go here. I still have no idea how to change this back as it sends me around in a circle when I try! or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* 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!! ================ "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ === (`\,;+++;,/`) (- (((^.^))) -) (- ))\-/(( -) (- (() ()) -) \ `/`@`\` / \ / \ / \/ \/ / \ /_/_/_|_\_\_\ ldb *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels For 2011 *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a 2011 Shangrala Angel, please visit the site and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL page comes up. Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS ALL OUR ANGELS MOST ABUNDANTLY! ================ >>>> CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR GRADS!! <<<< ,-"-. ,' .----. _________ `. ,' ) (@)__))___) |`-.-'| # \\ `---' ^ hjw May God Bless You As You Continue On Your SUCCESS! ================ _.(-)._ .' '. / \ |'-...___...-'| \ '=' / `'._____.'` God Speed to All For a / | \ /.--'|'--.\ []/'-.__|__.-'\[] | jgs [] >> Very Safe And Blessed Memomorial Day Weekend! :) ______ ___ _(_____ )__)_ (________ ____) @@@ (________) @@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@ @@@@@@@ ||\._ _./| | || \ `-.______.-' / | | || \ / | | || `-._ _.-' | | || `--' | | || | | /|\\|\|| /|||/\\|/||/|\\\/| |\\||//| VK =============================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost. -- Arthur Ashe Have a safe Memorial Day weekend. Meantime, today's story will be a reminder of what we are commemorating. Whatever freedoms you enjoy have been bought and paid for by others -- and it didn't come cheap. \\ ///// | | (| _ _ |) |` | '| | __ | >>>___/\_^__/\___<<< / ||| \ Mike Hertz >WHAT THEY CARRIED by Tim O'Brien They carried P-38 can openers and heat tabs, watches and dog tags, insect repellent, gum, cigarettes, Zippo lighters, salt tablets, compress bandages, ponchos, Kool-Aid, two or three canteens of water, iodine tablets, sterno, LRRP-rations, and C-rations stuffed in socks. They carried standard fatigues, jungle boots, bush hats, flak jackets and steel pots. They carried the M-16 assault rifle. They carried trip flares and Claymore mines, M-60 machine-guns, the M-70 grenade launcher, M-14's, CAR-15's, Stoners, Swedish K's, 66mmLaws, shotguns,. 45 caliber pistols, silencers, the sound of bullets, rockets, and choppers, and sometimes the sound of silence. They carried C-4plastic explosives, an assortment of hand grenades, PRC-25 radios, knives and machetes. Some carried napalm, CBU's and large bombs. Some risked their lives to rescue others. Some escaped the fear, but dealt with the death and damage. Some made very hard decisions, and some just tried to survive. They carried malaria, dysentery, ringworm's and leaches. They carried the land itself as it hardened on their boots. They carried stationery, pencils, and pictures of their loved ones, real and imagined. They carried love for people in the real world and love for one another. They carried memories for the most part, they carried themselves with poise and a kind of dignity. Now and then, there were times when panic set in when they twitched and made moaning sounds and covered their heads and said "Dear God" and hugged the earth and fired their weapons blindly. They cringed and begged for the noise to stop and went wild and made stupid promises to themselves and God and their parents, hoping not to die. They carried the traditions of the United States military, and memories and images of those who served before them. They carried grief, terror, longing and their reputations. They carried the soldier's greatest fear -- the embarrassment of dishonor. They crawled into tunnels, walked point, and advanced under fire, so as not to die of embarrassment. They were afraid of dying, but too afraid to show it. They carried the emotional baggage of men and women who might die at any moment. They carried the weight of the world and THEY CARRIED EACH OTHER. Remember and honor those who served our country by both defending it and defending our way of life. -- Tim O'Brien --- _________ /' /| / / |_ / / //| /_________/ ////| | _ _ | 8o////| | /'// )_ | 8///| |/ // // ) | 8o///| / // // //,| / 8//| / // // /// | / 8//| / // // ///__|/ 8//| /.(_)// /// | 8///| (_)' `(_)//| | 8////|___________ (_) /_\ (_)'| | 8/////////////// (_) \"/ (_)'|_| 8///////////// (_)._.(_) d' Hb 8oooooooopb' `(_)' d' H`b d' `b`b d' H `b d' `b `b d' `b d' `b ...Paul carried all the normal army gear plus an M-60 machine-gun. He felt blessed that he was strong enough to be the one in his unit to do so. He could mow down trees with it! Before Paul was able to return home from Vietnam in 1972 however, he found out he carried malaria and had to get well from it first. He almost died from that. Later he also found out he carried home agent orange in his blood which still attacks his nervous system to this day. Ask him, he'll tell you - 'No. Freedom is not free'. ================================================================== >-->From DevineHalowings: |\ | | | | | | | | )))))))) | | (((( \ | | \\\ 6 6 | | \C 7 | | \ -) | | .\\. __.) (.__ | | \\\\ _ /' `\ | | \_ '/ / , . \ | | \ \ / /| ' ' |\ \ | | \ \/ / | | \ \ | | \ /' | | `\ \| | `' | | \ | | | . | \| | >-------< | |\ [ ] | | ) [ L ] | \/ [ | ] | | [____|____] | | | / \ | | | () () | | || || | |-._ || || | |_ `. jgs )( )( | | `-. `. / \ / \ | | `.; ooooO Ooooo | | ` |/ >Adrift Tex and I were finally in Hawaii, facing the wild and crashing waves. We headed out to sea with our surfboards, but soon I found myself drifting out further and further from the shore.... One look at Waikiki Beach and I felt like a new man already. Sunshine, sand and tropical sea—a welcome change from the workaday world I'd left behind in Pennsylvania. "Paradise," drawled Tex, my longtime friend from the South. We'd met up in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1962, with our wives for a vacation. My pal and I were already in our swimsuits. "Let's go surfing," said Tex, his eyes daring. "What do you say?" Neither one of us had ever surfed before. "Sure," I said after a moment. "How hard can it be?" Tex and I were both close to 50. He was six four and powerfully built. I was barely five ten, in good shape but no athlete. I looked at the waves crashing against the shore. Can I really do it? I wondered. Then I dismissed my doubts. I'd never been the kind of guy to say no to a challenge. "Let's go!" I said. We rented surfboards from a tanned beach attendant. Tex hoisted his like a pro. But the board was heavier than I'd expected, and it towered over my head. As we walked down the beach, Tex said, "We've got the place to ourselves." I waded into the surf, relieved to put my heavy board in the water. Tex and I plopped down on our stomachs, and started paddling ourselves out to sea. I was a strong swimmer, but my arms and shoulders soon ached from the effort. We had to go a long way before we could catch the waves, and I was glad to have the board to get back to shore. It was a far trek for a swimmer, even a good one like me. Lying on the board, I raised my head to look around. No other surfers were in sight. Nothing but God's endless sky and mighty sea. The waves were enormous, roaring around us like white tornadoes. -.--. ) " '-, ',' 2 \_ \q \ . \ _.--' '----.__ / ._ _.__ \__ _.'_.' \_ .-._\_ '-, } (,/ _.---;-( . \ \ ~ ____ ( .___\_\ \/_/ ( '-._ \ \ | '._ ),> _) > '-._ c=' Cooo -._ '-._ '. '-._ `\ snd '-._ '. '-._ \ `~---' "Let's try this one!" Tex yelled as a frothy monster roiled to our rear. We thrashed our arms into the water, aiming our boards for the curve of the wave. Whoa! No luck. The sea was too strong for us. We were both thrown off our boards. Too proud to be defeated, we climbed back on and kept trying. Wave after wave, we got buried in the surf every time. At one point Tex glanced in my direction. "Want to go back?" he yelled. I grinned, shaking my head. I didn't want to give up. I'm man enough to do this! Once more, I pushed my board into an oncoming swell, but I was battered into the sea again. I came up gasping for breath, groping through the water for my board. "Okay, I'm beat!" I shouted, finally willing to admit it to my friend. Tex nodded. It was time to return to shore. I crawled onto my board. Where's Waikiki? We'd gone out so far I could barely see the beach. I spotted Tex, paddling toward shore slowly but surely. I drove my arms into the sea, pushing with all the strength I had left. It wasn't enough. Hard as I tried I was getting nowhere. Soon Tex was no longer in sight, and the beach had completely disappeared from view. I was no match for the backward force of the churning waves. I wasn't moving to shore at all. I was alone, headed toward the open sea. I pressed my face against the board, feeling defeated and foolish. What was I trying to prove out here? God, forgive me. I gripped the board and closed my eyes. "Lord, have mercy," I prayed. "I've never needed you as I need you now." To my astonishment, I heard a voice. "Hey, mister!" I opened my eyes and looked up. Swimming at my side was a brown-skinned young man, muscles rippling in his chest and arms. He was obviously an islander, at home in these waters. "Need some help?" he said. "I sure do," I gulped. Where had he come from? And how could he swim so far out and not be tired, or winded at least? The islander leaned on my board and grasped my arm. "Lie still," he said. "I'll take care of you." Then with a quick burst back into the sea he swam around behind me. I felt his strong hands grip the surfboard, and I was thrust forward. My board sliced through the waves like a rocket. Where does he get such strength? I marveled. I felt another powerful push as the swimmer caught up with me. He propelled me through the water. The shore of Waikiki came into view. Soon I spotted a small fishing boat, and as we got closer, I saw two men aboard, and Tex waving his arms. A few more vigorous thrusts from behind and I reached the boat. My mind swirled like the waves. I climbed onto the boat and collapsed, exhausted. The outboard motor chugged into action, and I began to rally as we were ferried to shore. All I could think of was the brown-skinned man who had suddenly appeared and ultimately saved me. "Out of nowhere," I said. "He must be the strongest swimmer in the islands," said Tex. I wanted to find him and show him my gratitude. The attendant who rented us the boards claimed to know everybody, but had no idea who the mysterious swimmer was. Further inquiries led nowhere. I finally had to accept that there was no way to track him down. Over the years I have wondered if God sent an angel to rescue me. Tex and the fishermen saw him, but given the circumstances, none of us could quite believe it. But it doesn't matter. God gave me a powerful push that day, and I'm a better man for it. ================================================================== >-->From Laugh&Lift: ( . ) ) ( ) . ' . ' . ' . ( , ) (. ) ( ', ) .' ) ( . ) , ( , ) ( . ). , ( . ( ) ( , ') .' ( , ) (_,) . ), ) _) _,') (, ) '. ) ,. (' ) jgs^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >WHERE DOES MY PASSION LAY? (By list member Debbie Preuss, April 7, 2002) Lord, where does my passion lay Do I burn for You each day Does what I do just leave me cold Do I need to break out of this mold Find my freedom in serving You Doing what You'd have me do? Light the fire within my soul Cleanse me, heal me, make me whole Renew the passion deep inside As I closer to You abide Reveal what You would have me be As I spend time on bended knee Burn within me, show the way As I strive Lord, to obey To follow the passion You provide Lord, please come and be my guide Through the valley and mountain peak May it be You that I seek So I may burn for You each day Show me where my passions lay Thank You Lord [Jesus]. Amen. -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Spiritual Vitamins A to Z Anxious? Take Vitamin A. (Romans 8:28 KJV) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. Blue? Take Vitamin B. (Psalms 103:1 KJV) A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Crushed? Take Vitamin C. (1 Pet 5:7 KJV) Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you. Depressed? Take Vitamin D. (James 4:8 KJV) Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Empty? Take Vitamin E. (Psalms 100:4 KJV) Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. Fearful? Take Vitamin F. (Isaiah 41:10 KJV) Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Greedy? Take Vitamin G. (Luke 6:38 KJV) Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. Hesitant? Take Vitamin H. (Isaiah 52:7 KJV) How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! Insecure? Take Vitamin I. (Phil 4:13 KJV) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Jittery? Take Vitamin J. (Hebrews 13:8 KJV) Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Know nothing? Take Vitamin K. (Psalms 100:3 KJV) Know ye that the LORD He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Lonely? Take Vitamin L. (Mat 28:20 KJV) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.Amen. Mortgaged? Take Vitamin M. (2 Corinthian 12:9 KJV) And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Nervous? Take Vitamin N. (Hebrews 13:5 KJV) Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Overwhelmed? Take Vitamin O. (Romans 12:21 KJV) Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Perplexed or puzzled? Take Vitamin P. (John 14:27 KJV) Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Quitting? Take Vitamin Q. (1 Corinthian 16:13 KJV) Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Restless? Take Vitamin R. (Psalms 37:7 KJV) Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Scared? Take Vitamin S. (1 Sam 22:23 KJV) Abide thou with Me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with Me thou shalt be in safeguard. Tired? Take Vitamin T. (Isaiah 40:31 KJV) But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Uncertain? Take Vitamin U. (Isa 43:10 KJV) Ye are My witnesses, saith the LORD, and My servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He: before Me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me. Vain? Take Vitamin V. (Acts 5:16 KJV) There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. Wondering what to do? Take Vitamin W. (Micah 6:8 KJV) He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? eXhausted? Take Vitamin X. (1 Tim 4:7 KJV) But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. Yearning for hope? Take Vitamin Y. (Psalms 23:4 KJV) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Zapped? Take Vitamin Z. (Titus 2:14 KJV) Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. -------- In all seasons, in all times, the Word of God is Your Answer! :) Make reading the Word of God a priority in your life! 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 ================================================================== ___..__ __..--""" ._ __.' "-..__ '"--..__"; ___ '--...__""; `-..__ '"---..._;" """"----' DrS >Smiles and Extended Hands Story Editor: by Tim Miller Joyce Schowalter Texas, USA It was a tumultuous time. In 1986 I was an American living in Cairo, Egypt. America had just bombed Gaddafi's tent compound in Libya, and Gaddafi had issued a death threat to all Americans in the region. Internal strife in Egypt was building, too, from changes initiated by Hosni Mubarak after Anwar Sadat's assassination. Next, the Egyptian military police rioted and burned down the Holiday Inn complex by the Giza Pyramids. In spite of the unrest, I still felt safe walking the Egyptian streets. But after the bombing and riots, it seemed more and more folks stared or frowned at me. Maybe they assumed I was an American who thought I was somehow "better off" than they were. Probably my self-conscious expression didn't help. At dusk one evening, I headed along a dimly lit sidewalk towards a local grocery. Cairo sidewalks were always lined with Egyptian men -- socializing, sharing cigarettes, and talking of the day's events. This night, it seemed as if their mood and conversational tone changed just as I approached. I felt negatively judged. Worried, I avoided eye contact and looked away as I quickened my pace towards the grocery. Then, wham! I slammed face-first into the sidewalk. I was so busy *not* looking I missed a step. I was immediately surrounded by several men. Being used to city streets in America, I must admit my first thought was they were going to take my wallet. Then I realized they were just lifting me up to set me back up on my feet. They brushed me off, straightened my clothes and asked if I was hurt. I said I was fine, smiled at everyone and shook their hands to thank them for their help. I suddenly realized these men were all smiling back. In fact, as I turned to see other men, women, and children along the sidewalk, they too smiled and asked if I was OK. I smiled, nodded, thanked everyone for the help and concern, and headed on. But now, something was different. Everywhere I went, every Egyptian was smiling. In fact, I couldn't find stares or frowns anywhere. For the first time, I felt not a foreigner in a foreign land, but rather a friend among friends. I suddenly felt at home, though over 8,000 miles from my family. That night the Egyptians showed me what humanity really is. In spite of regional political and economic upheaval, they refused to judge me because I was an American. ___..__ __..--""" ._ __.' "-..__ '"--..__"; ___ '--...__""; `-..__ '"---..._;" """"----' DrS Their reaching out to me with helping hands and smiles made me realize that maybe they were "better off" than I was. That night, I learned that a smile is an important gesture in our universal language, a simple act of kindness that transcends cultural and language barriers. . __..,,... .,,,,,. '''' ,' ` . ,' ,. .. ` . `.,' .. ` __..,. . .. . ` . . `. .` ` , `. `. `._|,.. . `. `..' ` -'`'' Today I'm so very thankful for that brief moment in time. A moment where a simple smile enabled an Arab and an American to understand each other, and where I came away a changed man. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From SermondFodder: .-. _.--"""".o/ .-.-._ __' ."""; { _J ,__ `. ; o\.-.`._.'J; ; / `- / ; `--i`". `" .'; `._ __.' | \ `""" \ `; : `."-. ; ____/ / `-.` `-.-' `"-..' ___ `;__.-'" `. .-{_ `--._ /.-" `-. / ""T ""---...' _.-"" """-. `. ; / __.-"". `. `, _.. \ / __.-"" '. \ `.,__ .'L' } `---"`-.__ __." .-. j `. : `. .' ,' / """" / \ : `. | F' \ ; ; `-._,L_,-""-. `-, ; ` ; / `. 7 `-._ `.__/_ \/ \ _; \ _.' `-. / `---" `.___,, ;"" \ .' _/ ; `" .-" _,-' { ""; ;-.____.'`. fsc `. \ '. : \ : : / `':/ ` >Things You Would Never Know Without the Movie Industry Large, loft-style apartments in New York City are easily affordable by just about anybody, whether they are employed or not. At least one of each pair of identical twins is born evil. Should you decide to defuse a bomb, don't worry which wire to cut. You will always choose the right one. Laptop computers are powerful enough to override or corrupt the communications/computer system of any invading alien society. It does not matter if you are heavily outnumbered in a martial arts fight. Your enemies will wait patiently to attack you one by one by dancing around in a threatening manner until you have knocked out their predecessors. No matter how many times you fire it, a six-shooter never has to be reloaded. This same rule applies to any gun being used by a bad guy in any police mystery movie. No matter how long or how many miles a cowboy hero rides his horse at breakneck speed, the horse will never tire or slow down. This rule can be applied to bad guys if they are pursuing a train or stagecoach for the purpose of a hold-up. When you turn out the lights to go to bed, everything in your bedroom will still be clearly visible, just slightly bluish. If you are blonde and pretty, it is possible to become a world expert on nuclear fission at the age of 22. _, _ .' `. ___.>"''-..-. `-. ; .--""" .-._@; ; !_.--..._ .' / .[_@'`'. ; / : .' ; :_.._ `. : ; ;[ _T-" `.'-. `-. \ .-: ; `.`-=_,88p. _.}.-" `-.__.-' \ /L._ Y",P$T888; "" .-'_.-' / ;$$$$$$]8P; \ / / / "Y$$P" ^" fsc ;\_ `.\_._ ]__\ \___; Rather than wasting bullets, megalomaniacs prefer to kill their arch-enemies using complicated machinery involving fuses, pulley systems, deadly gasses, lasers, and man-eating sharks, which will allow their captives at least 20 minutes to escape. During all police investigations, it will be necessary to visit a strip club at least once. Nobody knows why. All beds have special L-shaped cover sheets that reach up to the armpit level on a woman but only to waist level on the man lying beside her. If the hero in any movie happens to be a jet fighter pilot, he can ride his motorcycle onto the flightline of any American military where a fully armed fighter will be fully fueled and ready for his use on a moment's notice. You're very likely to survive any battle in any war UNLESS you make the mistake of showing someone a picture of your sweetheart back home. .-. , .-' ,c'. __rK _)a 7 ; / ~,) (_, ( _; /a( |_. :'\ L/\.'__/ \ ' )nnnK-. S / (_ .- L,-' .dHHHb | S( '\_\\ / dHb'----'dHHHHb \ S \ , ) _,-._ / dHHHb"x.dHHHHHHb \ S |'. '.______/_U/_ '.-z/dHHHp 'dHHHHHb\ | [H | '..___.--'._C__ ) | dHHHHHHb\ _ \ /| |_ | \ L/'--._/_ ; k ' / |//- '-. ---.__ '| / | ( '-. '. | _'-. _/ .."' `., _ , : | \ _\ ,/ , '/ ." ': . : | .-' '', : |/(/\]/ \ /: ' | : /_ '...... .'/ | | | : / .' '--.__, __.'\ / | : ; |/ | '----'L, | / \ : . \ '-.________ / ] |____/ snd L_____'..' _.7' _/ <, > <___.' / \ \____/ A man will show no pain while taking the most ferocious beating but will wince when a woman tries to clean his wounds. If staying in a haunted house, women should investigate any strange noises in their most revealing underwear. No matter where you stop in front of any major skyscraper in any major city, there is always a meter-free parking place near the main entrance. All bombs are fitted with electronic timing devices with large red readouts so you know exactly when they're going to go off. Even if you go into a Catholic Church at 2:00 a.m., there is always a priest ready and waiting to hear your confession on a moment's notice. A detective can only solve a case once he has been suspended from duty. When they are alone, all foreign military officers prefer to speak to each other in English rather than their native language. http://www.biblebell.org/humor/humor0108.html =========================================== W A T E R, W A T E R E V E R Y W H E R E ! ! ~~~. ~~ ^ .^ ~~ ~~~ , ~ ^ . , . ~~~~ . . . ~ ~ ~~. . ^. ~ ___ ---.. ~~ ^ ~~~ ^ ^ // ____ ___ $^$ ~~~^^^. .~~^^. . ~ _ || // ~~ ~~~ ^ \.% \:/ ____ ^ ^ ^ ^ ~~~,\\/\_ ___.~~~.% ~~~. ^~ %`\ /xXx\ /`_ .\~~'^``~~~~~% . ~~'~'~ / \ _/ \// %.~ \'[xXxXx]`/ \| | / \ | [xXxXxXx] . . \|/\$| ~~/ :! ' | [XxXxXxX] ' /|\ /$| ~~\ ;! . /.[XxXxX]`\ . ' \ \_/ \_ / /`| \XxX/ |.\ , \/___\/|\ _/\\___ ) } . ' |/ V \| __/\__ ||\/\\ . \ . . / \\_ \\___ } ) '| ' | ' . ' , /_ v _\ ' ' . | . | \/ . ' " , . ' >Great Flood of 2011 Some of you who follow the national news may have seen a story or two about a record or near-record flood along the lower Ohio River Valley and on downstream along the Mississippi River. In the counties of Western Kentucky where I work it has become known as the Great Flood of 2011. It is the greatest flood since 1937, and in a few selected locations floodwaters when higher than they did in 1937. In my job with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, I found myself in the middle of the fray as they would say in Tolu. Our engineers were challenged on all fronts when we were first hit by a week of flash flooding, followed by two weeks of rivers overflowing their banks to levels not seen in 74 years. Here at my house we had 20 inches of rain in 12 days. I have some friends who claim they had up to 27 inches of rain on the same timeline. I was pretty stressed when I realized that for about two weeks it was going to be really tough to travel anywhere in the region by automibile. I told our enginees to quit fighting the floodwaters, it was time to simply get to high ground and get out of the way. We had about 200 miles of highway underwater in my 23 county area along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers and their tributaries. It caused lots of transportation issues. As an example, I live 22 miles from Sturgis, KY. At the peak of the flooding I had to drive there for an emergency management meeting. By the time I drove far enough inland to cross the Tradewater River and wound around through back roads, my 22 mile trip had turned into a 132 mile ordeal. That was pretty typical of what our regular commuters were up against. Early-on, we urged anyone who felt they needed to get to work to find a place to stay with friends or relatives, or take a sleeping bag or cot to stay at or close to their workplace. With so many highways covered with water, I am so thankful that we didn't lose anyone to drowning. We did have more than a dozen cars reported lost when motorists drove off into floodwaters only to have their vehicle float away. You can see some photos on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kytcdistrict1. You do not have to be a Facebook member to vist this page. Add in the tragedy of hundreds of people having their homes invaded by floodwaters and you can understand why I haven't posted much to Sermon Fodder this month. Some families lost all their possessions. Some had so much water in their homes that they'll have to tear down and start over. Beth and I were fortunate that our family and most of our close friends escaped the onslaught. The folks that lost almost everything need your prayers. I'm planning to help a local farm family we know re-plant their crops once the waters fully recede. As for our flooded highways, we have several that are suppoded to reopen in the next two days. The floodwaters have moved on downstream where there will be even more victims. Please be in prayer for the many folks who have been displaced by the flooding. Like the flood of 1937, the Great Flood of 2011 is one we won't soon forget. Best, Keith The Sermon Fodder Guy To subscribe send an e-mail to: Sermon_Fodder-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or go to http://www.sermonfodder.com =============================================================== >-->From Our Friend Linda :) , ,'| ( ; ,\ _..-'';,'._,',' ,-' ,-. //,-,:\'. _ ,' _ `-'// >',',-.\ / \ ,' (_) //,',' `-' : /`-'\ /,-. //',' _ | : _ : : `-' _//,' (_) | |\/ \/| : (//') _ ; || || `._.,-. `-' _ (_) / || || ,','/;. (_) ,' || || `-' // \ _.' ||SSt|| // `-..-'' SSt `' >Take my Son..... A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.. When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son. About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands.. He said, 'Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly... He often talked about you, andyour love for art.' The young man held out this package. 'I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.' The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture.. 'Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift.' The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected. The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection. On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. 'We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?' There was silence...Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, 'We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.' But the auctioneer persisted. 'Will somebody bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?' Another voice angrily 'We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Gogh's, the Rembrandts. Get on with the Real bids!' But still the auctioneer continued. 'The son! The son! Who'll take the son?' Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. 'I'll give $10 for the painting...' Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. 'We have $10, who will bid $20?' 'Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters.' The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections. The auctioneer pounded the gavel.. 'Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!' A man sitting on the second row shouted, 'Now let's get on with the collection!' The auctioneer laid down his gavel. 'I'm sorry, the auction is over.' 'What about the paintings?' 'I am sorry.. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will.. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!' God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on the cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is: 'The son, the son, who'll take the son?' Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything. FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, WHO SO EVER BELIEVETH On HIM, SHALL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. THAT'S LOVE! God Bless. --- ...A sweet classic! Thanks Linda! ================================================================ >-->From CupO'Cheer: __ ",'. ",\ / Y , _,'--.\ \_-( ;--(/\ ) \'. )6,6 /) \ \_ \ _, |_ ', '--/'---'- /_/'-._ '-'-L._ -|/ /-._ / | |-~'--._'-._/(, ,_/> / ''--~ /\<_ _/ // "-'-'\ ,~-. ._ ) / \_/ '\ / / \ | / /` _\ | ( ,/ _.-' __.' / / [((---' / / ) ) / / \/ K=/ snd / _> )_/ >SOME VERY WISE WORDS OF WISDOM: Do not contradict people, even if you are sure you are right. Do not be inquisitive about the affairs of even your most intimate friend. Do not underrate anything because you do not possess it. Do not believe all the evil you hear. Do not repeat gossip, even if it does interest a crowd. Do not jeer at anybody’s religious belief. Learn to hide your aches and pains under a pleasant smile; few care whether you have earache, headache, or rheumatism. Learn to attend to your own business–a very important point. Do not try to be anything else but a gentleman or lady; and that means one who has consideration for the whole world, and all races.” -<>- Nana (from Peter Pan) |\ || \ | | | /.,, / ( / \ ( \ \ \_\__ .' '--._ ,__,-., / _";__( ,__._7 / ) \_ Y,=; \d ( _.' ~/ 6, '-, \___ ; ( _,-. Y) (C(/\. ) /I-._\(_'-' \_\_,-,_ /,,/ '-7) \ |"\_ \ ` \ _\ \_ \___ (` \_ '.<,_))) snd `-\,))) >JEFF FOXWORTHY ON SCHOOL EMPLOYEES YOU might be a school employee if you believe the playground should be equipped with a Ritalin salt lick. YOU might be a school employee if you want to slap the next person who says, 'Must be nice to work 8 to 3:30 and have summers off. YOU might be a school employee if it is difficult to name your own child because there's no name you can come up with that doesn't bring high blood pressure as it is uttered. YOU might be a school employee if you can tell it's a full moon or if it's going to rain, snow, hail....anything!!! without ever looking outside. YOU might be a school employee if you believe, 'shallow gene pool' should have its own box on a report card. YOU might be a school employee if when out in public, you feel the urge to snap your fingers at children you do not know and correct their behavior. YOU might be a school employee if you have no social life between August and June. YOU might be a school employee if you think people should have a government permit before being allowed to reproduce. YOU might be a school employee if you wonder how some parents MANAGED to reproduce. YOU might be a school employee if you laugh uncontrollably when people refer to the staff room as the 'lounge.' YOU might be a school employee if you encourage an obnoxious parent to check into charter schools or home schooling and are willing to donate the U-HAUL boxes should they decided to move. YOU might be a school employee if you think caffeine should be available in intravenous form. YOU might be a school employee if you can't imagine how the ACLU could think that covering your students chair with Velcro and then requiring uniforms made out of the corresponding Velcro could ever be misunderstood by the public. YOU might be a school employee if meeting a child's parent instantly answers this question, 'Why is this kid like this?' YOU might be a school employee if you would choose a mammogram over a parent conference. YOU might be a school employee if you think someone should invent antibacterial pencils and crayons...and desks and chairs for that matter! YOU might be a school employee if you know how many minutes, and seconds, are left in the school year! -<>- ,'-', :-----: (''' , - , ''') \ ' . , ` / \ ' ^ ? / \ ` - ,' `j_ _,' ,- -`\ \ /f ,- \_\/_/'- , `, , , /\ \ | / \ ', , f : :`, , <...\ , : ,- ' \,,,,\ ; : j ' \ \ :/^^^^' \ \ ; ''': \ -, -`.../ ' - -,`,--` \_._'-- '---: Storm >FROM BAD TO WORSE Have you ever have one of those days when, no matter how hard you try, things just seem to go from bad to worse? The story is told of two cowboys who were working cattle one day. One of them discovered he was in trouble when a wild bull, with his head down and nostrils flaring, came charging toward him. The cowboy saw a deep hole in the ground and quickly jumped in it. As soon as the bull passed over him, he jumped out of the hole. The bull, madder than ever, came charging back again, and the cowboy jumped back down into the hole. When the bull passed, the cowboy jumped out of the hole again. He did this several times. Finally, the other cowboy, who was watching it all from a distance yelled out, "Why don't you just stay in the hole?" The cowboy yelled back, "I would, but there's a bear in the hole!" Maybe some of you feel like every day is like that! If ever there was someone who must have felt that way, it was the apostle Paul, though. Listen to him describing his life as a Christian: "From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness..." (2 Cor. 11:24-27) Sounds a man who ought to be miserable, doesn't it? I mean, how much can one man take? How much worse can it possibly get? It convicts me to read through that list as I think of the minor problems in my life that I allow to create a dark cloud over my life. If I had to deal with the problems on Paul's list on a daily basis, then I'd really have reason to moan and whine, "Why, me Lord? Why does life have to be so hard?" The funny thing is, though, that wasn't Paul's reaction at all. He didn't list all those problems to garner sympathy. In fact, he finishes out this section by writing: "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake....." (2 Cor. 12:10). Taking pleasure in distresses? When is the last time you took pleasure in locking your keys in your car? When is the last time you took pleasure in running your cell phone through the washing machine (don't laugh! I actually did that this week)? When is the last time you took pleasure in hearing the news that you're getting laid off, the biopsy came back positive, or there was a terrible auto accident? The "pleasure" in such things is not the ability to laugh and joke. The "pleasure" is found in the last half of 2 Cor 12:10, "...For when I am weak, then I am strong." Everything that happens to me in life is a reminder that I am not in control, but I am a child of the One who is. It is a reminder that I don't have the power to fix everything that breaks in life, but I serve the one who does have that power. It is reminder that I sometimes don't know how I'm going to have the strength to cope, but I rest in the arms of the One who has promised to be there with me no matter what. And it is during those moments when life throws its worst at me that I feel closest to God. "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor. 12:10) Whatever trials you are facing this day, may you find your strength in God. Have a great day! Alan Smith Helen Street Church of Christ Fayetteville, North Carolina as seen in Thought For the Day --- ...Attitude is most important! , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Check out this teaching... For The Joy That Was Set Before Him http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/joy.html And These... Stretching For The Lord http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/stretching.html Walking In Power http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/walkingpower.html Attitude Is Everything #5 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude5.html To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ============================================================== >-->From Our Friend Jo Ann :) _._ _.-*""*-._ _._ .' `*. .*' `. . .@*" ; : "*@. . ` ' .' `. ` ' /`..-' `-..'\ . . .*" "*. ' '\`*-._ _.-*'/` ` : ` \ :`*----*'; / ' ; . \ `-.__.-' / . `. `. .' .' [bug] `. `. .' .' `-. `*--*' .-' `*-.__.-*' >FROGS Once upon a time there was a bunch of tiny frogs....Who arranged a running competition. The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower. A big crowd had gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer on the contestants.... The race began.... Honestly: No one in crowd really believed that the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower. You heard statements such as: "Oh, WAY too difficult!!" "They will NEVER make it to the top." Or: "Not a chance that they will succeed. The tower is too high!" The tiny frogs began collapsing. One by one. _ _ __ ___.--'_`. .'_`--.___ __ ( _`.'. - 'o` ) ( 'o` - .`.'_ ) _\.'_' _.-' `-._ `_`./_ ( \`. ) //\` '/\\ ( .'/ ) \_`-'`---'\\__, ,__//`---'`-'_/ \` `-\ /-' '/ ` ' VK Except for those, who in a fresh tempo, were climbing higher and higher.... The crowd continued to yell, "It is too difficult!!! No one will make it!" More tiny frogs got tired and gave up.... But ONE continued higher and higher and higher... _ (/_ /| ,o(_/)_/ | /` ___/ < /` _ | __ / / _` \/ \ \ Y / ))\ / \ | / /\ \ \_| /` \| | _,___/ \\_ \ / |\ \ \ | / | \ \ | |/ /|\ / / / | | \ s-v This one wouldn't give up! At the end everyone else had given up climbing the tower. Except for the one tiny frog who, after a big effort, was the only one who reached the top! THEN all of the other tiny frogs naturally wanted to know how this one frog managed to do it? A contestant asked the tiny frog how he had found the strength to succeed and reach the goal? It turned out.... / \ _(I)(I)_ ( _ .. _ ) `.`--'.' ) ( ,-./ \,-. ( _( || || )_ ) __\ \\||--||'/ /__ hjw `-._//||\/||\\_.-' `--'`--' That the winner was DEAF!!!! The wisdom of this story is: Never listen to other people's tendencies to be Negative or pessimistic.... Because they take your most wonderful dreams and wishes away from you -- the ones you have in your heart! Always think of the power words have. Because everything you hear and read will affect your actions! Therefore: o o o o |\/ \^/ \/| |,-------.| ,-.(|) (|),-. \_*._ ' '_.* _/ /`-.`--' .-'\ ,--./ `---' \,--. \ |( ) ( )| / hjw \ | || || | / `97 \ | /|\ /|\ | / / \-._ _,-/ \ //| \\ `---' // |\\ /,-.,-.\ /,-.,-.\ o o o o o o ALWAYS be.... POSITIVE! And above all: Be DEAF when people tell YOU that you cannot fulfill your dreams! Always think: God and I can do this through Christ Jesus my Lord! --- ...Awesome! The power of Positive Believing! Thanks Jo Ann! ==================================================================== >-->From Archived InspiredBuffalo: _________________________ || || || || || ||, , ,|| || || (||/|/(\||/ || || ||| _'_`||| || || || o o || || || (|| - `||) || || || = || || ScS || ||\___/|| || ||___||) , (||___|| /||---||-\_/-||---||\ / ||--_||_____||_--|| \ (_(||)-| S123-45 |-(||)_) |"""""""""""""""""""""""""""| | "Honest, ossifer, I don't | |'member whips, chains, and | | leather womens....*burp*" | """"""""""""""""""""""""""" Sher^ 2/14/98 >LESSONS FROM PRISON These are some of the frivolous lawsuits filed by convicted prisoners across the United States (which are subsidized by taxpayers). ~ An inmate, calling himself a sports fanatic, complained that, as a result of cruel and unusual punishment, he was forced to miss the NFL playoffs -- especially the "classic " between Miami and San Diego, San Diego and Pittsburgh, and Dallas and San Francisco. (Arkansas) ~ An inmate complained because his meal allegedly was in poor condition. He claims his sandwich was soggy and his cookie was broken. (Brittaker v. Rowland) ~ An inmate who murdered five people sued after lightning knocked out the prison's TV satellite dish and he had to watch network programs, which he said contained violence, profanity, and other objectionable material. (Jackson v. Barton) ~ An inmate sued to be given Reeboks, Adidas, Pony, or Avia hightops rather than the inferior brand sneakers issued by the prison. (Brown v. Singletary) ~ An inmate sued for not receiving his scheduled parole hearing, though he was out on escape when the hearing was to be held. (Young v. Murphy) ~ An inmate sued because he was required to eat off of a paper plate. (Procup v. Strickland, et al) ~ An inmate sued because he didn’t like his mail being stamped in a way that indicated it was being sent from a state prison (California) ~ An inmate who was a murderer sued for $25,000, claiming a "defective" haircut resulted in lost sleep, headaches, and chest pains. (New York) We get quite a different picture of a prisoner in the New Testament by the name of Paul. While he wasn't afraid to demand his rights (Acts 22:25; 25:11), neither was Paul one to whine and complain and mope while in prison (and he hadn't even committed a crime!). Listen to this positive statement which came from Paul's pen as he sat in chains: "Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly..... And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice." (Philippians 1:12-14, 18b). This passage is an encouragement to me in those times when it seems that life is treating me unfairly. If Paul could maintain such a positive spirit and joy in the midst of such difficulty, surely I can do the same. There is much to be thankful for! “Father, help me to truly understand that what matters most in l ife is not being comfortable, being stress-free, or even being treated fairly. What matters most is that I am living in a way that brings you the glory and draws others around me closer to you. Please help me to do that. In Jesus Christ’s name, amen.” Alan Smith Helen Street Church of Christ Fayetteville, North Carolina -<>- _ /) mo / ) |/)\) /\_ \__|= ( ) __)(__ _____/ \\_____ | _ ___ _ || | | \ | | \ || | | | | | | || | |_/ | |_/ || | | \ | | || | | \ | | || | | \. _|_. | . || | || | name goes here || | || * | * ** * ** |** ** \))ejm97/.,(//,,..,,\||(,,.,\\,.((// >FILLED UP WITH LOVE Welsh poet David Whyte made the intriguing observation, "I don't want to have written on my tombstone, when finally people struggle through the weeds, pull back the moss, and read the inscription there, 'He made his car payments.'" Whyte, like most of us, wants his life to matter. Even in some small way, most people want to make a difference and, at least to some degree, they want to be happy. But it doesn't just happen. I am inspired by the story of Rose Nelson, told in Arnold and Barry Fox's book Making Miracles (Emmaus, PA: The Good Spirits Press, 1989). One can usually find a cheery smile on the face of the wheelchair-bound woman. Which is remarkable, given what happened. You see, Rose was brutally beaten by two drunk teenage boys who left her unable to walk. She was forced to sell her home after medical bills devoured her modest savings. If anyone has reason to be resentful, it is Rose Nelson. But she will smile and say that she never even thinks of being bitter as long as her brain is working and she can think of love. "How can you be so loving after what happened to you?" she was asked. "Oh, my," she considered. "I could have dried up after the boys beat me. I was afraid I would. That's why I decided to be full of love and to give my love to everyone. The more I love everyone else, the better I feel. And the better I feel, the more I love the world. Love cured my fear." Rose worked at love and happiness. It had to become a high priority if she was not to be consumed by her horrific experience. Yet anyone who wants peace or happiness or joy can learn from Rose. We must do more than just make the car payments. We must love and love and love some more. Rose learned to fill her mind with as much love as it would hold, and then gave it away at every opportunity. Dr. Karl Menninger said this about love: "We do not fall in love, we grow in love and love grows in us." Let enough grow in you to fill you up and you'll be satisfied forever. ~ By Steve Goodier -<>- . , |`. ,'| \_`-._ _,-'_/ ./ \-._`-._ _,-'_,-/ \, \._/._ `._>`-.__ __,-'<_,' _,\_,/ /_ \_.`-._\_-._ `--__ __--' _,-_/_,-',_/ _\ /._`\_./ _`_./`.-._ `-. ,-' _,-,'\,_'_ \,_/'_,\ \._`/ _/ _`_./ _/`\_ `. ,' _/'\_ \,_'_ \_ \'_,/ /._`/ _/ _`_./` _/ `\_ `\_ _/' _/' \_ '\,_'_ \_ \'_,\ \._`/ _/ _`_./` __/ >. `-.,-' ,< \__ '\,_'_ \_ \'_,/ /_`/._/._`_./` __.`.-\_.-`'-._/-,',__ '\,_'_,\_,\'_\ `\._`_./`\._/_/' _ `\_\_,/'\,_'_,/' /_\ \./ __/(__ / `--' \ / _ _ \ \'| |`/ \|____|/ \/ -] \/ / | \ | | | | | \ / | \ \__,-`\___/ (_) |__) mic >GUARDIAN ANGELS By: Joseph J. Mazzella I believe in guardian angels. Since I was a boy I have felt watched over, loved, and protected by my unseen friends and I am so thankful to God for them. I have had far too many near misses with hurt and harm over the years for it to be mere luck. I guess my guardian angels are keeping me around for a reason and I will do my best not to make their work too hard in the future. I also believe in guardian angels because I have seen one in action over the years. My oldest son graduates from high school this Spring. Through all of his years in school he has struggled with Autism. It has made it difficult for him to learn, to relate to others, and to function in this world. Thankfully, though, he has had a guardian angel with him every step of the way. His aide has been there with him through all the difficulties, through all the triumphs, through all the pains, and through all the joys. She was there when he first started to speak in sentences. She was there when he first started to read. She was there when he first started to make friends and play with the other children. She helped him through every frustration he faced and comforted him through every bit of sadness he had to endure. She helped him to become the happy and loving soul that he is today. She loved him, cared for him, guided him, encouraged him, and watched over him. She has been his aide, his friend, his second mother, and his guardian angel. Words can never express all the good that she has done for him. All I can say to her is "Thank you so much for being such an angel in my son's life." There are many guardian angels in our lives. Some are unseen, but some walk with us and help us everyday. Take the time then to thank God for all the guardian angels in this world. Take the time as well to thank all the guardian angels that touch your own life. But most of all take the time to be a loving, joyous guardian angel yourself to every hurting heart that needs you. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment Finalized MTG Minutes http://www.buffaloschips.com/ghjkikl.htm First Day At The Rifle Range http://www.buffaloschips.com/ghjkillo.htm First IT Consultant http://www.buffaloschips.com/gdfde.htm Fishing Boat http://www.buffaloschips.com/gdrese.htm Fitness http://www.buffaloschips.com/gdss.htm Gun Control Witness http://www.buffaloschips.com/gbvcvf.htm Gunslinger http://www.buffaloschips.com/gdsdfe.htm Half Time Show http://www.buffaloschips.com/gvbfdf.htm Hammer Guy http://www.buffaloschips.com/gcfdff.htm Happy Penguin http://www.buffaloschips.com/gdreree.htm Our Gifts And Callings http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/giftscallings.html A KAIROS Moment http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/kairosmoment.html Rose Petals http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/rose.html Why My Son? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/why.html Hero! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/hero.html Freedom Isn't Free http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/freedom.html Military WWII Posters http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/militarywwii.html Proud Of Our Troops 4 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/troops4.html Daily With Our Troops 2 http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/daily2.html Sleeping With Our Troops http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/sleep.html Humor With Our Troops 3 http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/humor3.html Ray's Freedom Rock http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/freedomrock.html WWI Human Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/humanart.html Thank You Lord! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thanks.html Visit our site at http://www.inspiredbuffalo.com If you are looking to join any of our other fine e-zines visit www.buffalosjokes.com ============================================================= >-->A Prayer for our military: |\ |\ |\ |\ || .---. || .---. || .---. || .---. ||/_____\ ||/_____\ ||/_____\ ||/_____\ ||( '.' ) ||( '.' ) ||( '.' ) ||( '.' ) || \_-_/_ || \_-_/_ || \_-_/_ || \_-_/_ :-"`'V'//-. :-"`'V'//-. :-"`'V'//-. :-"`'V'//-. / , |// , `\ / , |// , `\ / , |// , `\ / , |// , `\ / /|Ll //Ll|| | / /|Ll //Ll|| | / /|Ll //Ll|| | / /|Ll //Ll|| | /_/||__// || | /_/||__// || | /_/||__// || | /_/||__// || | \ \/---|[]==|| | \ \/---|[]==|| | \ \/---|[]==|| | \ \/---|[]==|| | \/\__/ | \| | \/\__/ | \| | \/\__/ | \| | \/\__/ | \| | /\|_ | Ll_\ | /|/_ | Ll_\ | /|/_ | Ll_\ | /|/_ | Ll_\ | `--|`^"""^`||_| `--|`^"""^`||_| `--|`^"""^`||_| `--|`^"""^`||_| | | ||/ | | ||/ | | ||/ | | ||/ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | L___l___J L___l___J L___l___J L___l___J |_ | _| |_ | _| |_ | _| |_ | _| jgs (___|___) (___|___) (___|___) (___|___) ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ Please send this on after a short prayer. Pray for our soldiers. Let us pray... "Dear God, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. In the name of Jesus Christ I thank you, Amen." Prayer Request: When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our troops around the world. There is nothing attached. Just send this to all in your address book. Do not let it stop with you. Of all the gifts you could give a Marine, Soldier, Sailor, Airman, National Guard, Merchant Marine & others deployed in harm's way, prayer is the very best one. >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? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe ************************************************************************ >TO SUBSCRIBE: Visit Here This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR For the Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ************************************************************************