Happy National Day Of Prayer Day!... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList Through no fault of my own we suddenly became an adult club in the love and romance directory so you will have to confirm that you are an adult when you go here. I still have no idea how to change this back as it sends me around in a circle when I try! or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! AND For Facebook Users: Please Friend Me / Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! ================ _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ *~* I Pray You All Are Enjoying The National Day Of Prayer Today! >-->Hot Off The "Shangy' Press :) . . . ,-,--. __| //``-, \ \_`\ )\a-a-? \ \ \_`(_=_/_-`__ \__, , \| | _ _,' ___7 ) | (_)(_`__(_,---' | ( _( ) | / /_| |________| __/__/__|__|_________) _________(__,_|)/ (__)|/____\(_______________ mic I'm on a mission now! I need to modernize the Animated Gallery by consolidating categories that have 50 or more animations in them into a single page. I worked hard last night and completed another animation page. This one was to please my son who kept telling me I needed a MICHAEL JACKSON page - now we have one! You can access it here: Animated Gallery K-O http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs_k-o.html We also have a DANCE page to go along with our BETTY BOOP page and DOLL page available off the main Animation Directory here: Animated Gallery A-E http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs.html I'll be doing this with others in the Gallery too. It will make it easier to find what you are looking for and also make it much easier for me to add to it. -<>- *~* We've Had A Super Month Of Caring And Sharing! ()_()()_() / ..)(.. \ __/ ( || ) \_ (_/ * * (_) | | | || | | | \_/| \__/ | | > \ / <__,--,__|/|_> unknown Be Sure to Visit And Share These With Your Friends: Winter Wildlife! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/winter.html Winter Wildlife 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/winter2.html Owls In Camouflage! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/owls.html Invisible Animals! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/invisible.html Cameo Dogs! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/cameodogs.html Dogs And People! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/aboutdogs.html Palm Painting Art! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/palmart.html Sociable Weaver Birds! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/sociableweavers.html Famous People! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/famous.html Eagle Feeding! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/eaglefeeding.html NY At Night! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/newyork.html Porcelain Dolls! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/porcelaindoll.html Thailand's Tigers 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/tiger2.html *~* A BIG HUG AND THANK YOU TO EACH OF OUR CONTRIBUTORS! -<>- >-->From The AFA: _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ >For THURSDAY - MAY 2nd... Here's a guide to the 'National Day of Prayer' events in your area Visit www.NationalDayofPrayer.org to find an event in your area and to learn more about National Day of Prayer. http://nationaldayofprayer.org/events/ =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: ___ / _ \\ ,, /=(_)=\\// \ =(_) (O} \_____\\ .--. /=(_)\\\ .'_\/_'. \____/// '. /\ .' aka JRO ()) "||" || /\ /\ ||//\) (/\\||/ ____________\||/________________________________ >ALWAYS GRATEFUL by Neseret Bemient Imagine for a moment what life would be like if you were living in a country torn with civil war... You're afraid of walking down the street because you may be shot. You're afraid that someone may come in to your home and hurt you or your family or worse yet kidnap and rape your young teenage daughter. You're afraid to stay because you know that the future is so uncertain and bleak. You want a better life for you and your family. You want peace, freedom, liberty, safety, and security. That's why my mother decided to gather my siblings and me and leave our African homeland, Ethiopia. She knew we had no future there in the poverty stricken war zone we called home. The last memory we have of back home is hearing the distant echoes of gunfire while driving out of the town where we lived. As we were driving out, I remember seeing dead bodies lying on the sides of the road and mass graves being dug. I was only 11 years old and that picture has forever been engraved in my mind. The next part of our journey was refugee camp in Kenya. We lived in Thika camp outside of Nairobi for two years. Waiting to find sponsors so we could move to Canada was a long process. However, I never heard mom complain. She was very protective of us and we were number one in her life. Being a single mother of six children and then having to be exiled in a foreign country was no easy task. Nevertheless she took it all in stride and made the best of it. She had faith -- even in the darkest of hours she kept telling us that things will work out for the best. She'd always make sure we had the basic things that we needed. She had started weaving baskets so that she can supplement the food we were getting from camp. To get food, we had to stand in line for about 5 hours per day and what we received was not much. My mother was a trained social worker in Ethiopia and made a decent living. Making this change, for our sakes, was very difficult for her, but she never let us see her fear and disappointments. Yes, my mom was determined to get us to a better place in life. She kept going back to the UN office begging for them to find us sponsors. She just would not give up. I remember the day when we were sitting in the UN office and looking at a tall Canadian woman who was going to tell us our fate. She said, "We have found sponsors for you to go to Canada." I can still hear those wonderful words in my head like it happened yesterday! At the time it meant everything in the world. We were coming to a land of freedom, where there is plenty of clean water and peace. Today, I am a mother of a 4 year old, and I can only imagine the horror my own mother went through. I put myself in her place and realize how lucky I am to be living in North America -- a place where we all feel safe and have plenty of food and necessities -- things that are easily taken for granted. On this Mother's Day, I give thanks for my hero, my mother. She made so many sacrifices in her life so we could have a better life. She taught me to have faith and be persistent. Never complain. Always be grateful for the good things you have. Even when we were in a refugee camp and had absolutely nothing my mom used to say, "Look we are still alive and we're healthy." She always saw the glass half full. My mom was an amazing woman and we were lucky to have her. -- Neseret Bemient ___________________________________________ Neseret has one of the most remarkable and inspirational stories we've ever seen. When she arrived in Canada, at age 13, she couldn't speak English. Today, she is 27 and despite all the obstacles, has become a renowned small business expert in both the United States and Canada. Her speciality is consulting other women who want to make an extra income. Oh, and in the meantime, she's also become a registered nurse as well. Her mother, Felekech, lives close by. You can email Neseret at: mailto:neseret@hotmail.com or you can learn more about her fascinating life by visiting her website here: http://www.neseret.com ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Geniann :) _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ >A Prater For You Be Still The instructions are to pick four people that You want God to bless. I pick you. Please pass this to at least four people you want to pray for. 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 always pray for one another. The prayer: Dear Father, Thank You for each and every day You have blessed us here on earth. Thank You for Your tender mercies. Thank You for giving us friends and family to share these Internet joys with. I ask You to bless my friends, relatives and those I care deeply for who are reading this right now. Where there is joy, give them continued joy, Where there is pain, give them your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence. Where there is need, fulfill their needs. Bless their homes, families, finances, their goings and their comings with your love and protection. Guide them in whatsoever they endeavor to accomplish according to your sweet Will be done... In Jesus Christ's name I thank you. Amen. (If you choose to send this to more than four people, you are truly blessed to have such friends.) --- ...aww a wonderful one! Thanks Geniann! =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseA :) _____ / \/_ //\__(\_\ |\ ^ ^ | .//_O \O_ \ \_ (_) / \ \_/ / __/\ /\__ / \ \ / / \ / \/\/\/ \ / | . | \ / | . | \ JRO >An Eternal Perspective By Steve Troxel The path of a "successful" Christian walk is one of daily commitment to Christ and submission to the leading of His Spirit. Jesus said, "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me" (Luke 9:23). Paul understood this commitment when he said, "I die every day" (1 Corinthians 15:31). Our old nature died when our heart was transformed by the Spirit of God; yet, there remains an on-going death which occurs as we continue our walk and battle temptations from a world which seeks to pull us away from Christ. Our daily commitment, denial, and "self-death" can become a painful burden if we focus on our present circumstances. Anytime our walk is characterized by self-pity, and our trials become viewed as the heavy cross we must bear for Jesus, we have missed the true joy and peace - the true success - that God desires for our life. 1 Corinthians 15:19 "If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men." If our hope in Christ is only for today's protection and blessings, then we have grossly underestimated the power of the gospel. This limited view of a Christian life will always fall short of our expectations. Through faith in Jesus, we have been given eternal life! This means the life we now live must be viewed on an eternal time scale. When we place our faith in the sacrifice of Jesus for the forgiveness of sin, our life begins anew. But this means far more than a fresh start. In an instant, EVERYTHING has changed. The burdens that were once so heavy must now be weighed against the magnificent glory of Heaven. And our "never-ending" trials must now be timed on the clock of eternity. The world screams at us to focus on the here and now - on immediate gratification from what we can see and feel. It tells us life is short so fill it with sensual pleasures and tangible possessions. God's Word agrees that our earthly life is short; "A mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14). But it also teaches that our spiritual life continues forever! "What is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:18). We have been given new eyes! Let's begin to view our life in the context of eternity and gain the greater hope and power this view can provide today. Let's carry our cross with greater joy, live with more peace and contentment, and experience new victories in life's many battles. Let's find true success as we evaluate all areas of our life from an eternal perspective. --- ...Quite true! Thanks LouiseA! See Also... Walking In Power http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/walkingpower.html ========================================================= >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: ,"=-. / _),`'". ( /a( ), ) ) C = = ?/ ( )) (_ o-< ) ( `-' \; ( \_ ( | \ ) )| \_/} \ \ \(_;/-|_) )/) `._,--/ / / `!__!! ( (_o)) ---`-._, )--- ------( / |---- | ( | :__/|\_; \ |/ )(\_ /_)--` gpyy \_! >Before I was a Mom Before I was a Mom I made and ate hot meals. I had unstained clothing. I had quiet conversations on the phone. Before I was a Mom I slept as late as I wanted. And never worried about how late I got into bed. I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday. Before I was Mom I cleaned my house each day. I never tripped over toys or forgot words to lullabies. Before I was a Mom I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations. Before I was a Mom I had never been puked on, pooped on, spit on, peed on, or pinched by tiny fingers. Before I was a Mom I had complete control of my mind, my thoughts, my body and all my feelings. I slept all night. Before I was a Mom I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep. Before I was a Mom I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom. Before I was a Mom I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a Mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important. Before I was a Mom I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was OK. I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much... before I was a Mom. --Author Unknown And remember that behind every successful mother... Is a basket full of Pride and Joy and dirty laundry. -<>- _ /' `\ k___y th j /`Y'\ .,--,. \___/ ... ,' __ ', _ ||| j /' `\ t f | t j f | | j t_| T j \ / t Y| | ', `--' ,' || U '~--~' LJ kth >Breakfast at McDonald's This is a good story and is true, please read it all the way through until the end! I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree. The last class I had to take was Sociology. The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with. Her last project of the term was called, "Smile." The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions. I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway. So, I thought this would be a piece of cake, literally. Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning. It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son. We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did. I did not move an inch... an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved. As I turned around I smelled a horrible "dirty body" smell, and there standing behind me were two! poor homeless men. As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was "smiling". His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for acceptance. He said, "Good day" as he counted the few coins he had been clutching. The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation. I held my tears as I stood there with them. The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted. He said, "Coffee is all Miss" because that was all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm). Then I really felt it - the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes. That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action. I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray. I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting s pot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman's cold hand. He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, "Thank you." I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, "I did not do this for you. God is here working through me to give you hope." I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, "That is why God gave you to me, Honey, to give me hope." We held hands for a moment and at that time, we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give. We are not church goers, but we are believers. That day showed me the pure Light of God's sweet love. I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand. I turned in "my project" and the instructor read it. Then she looked up at me and said, "Can I share this?" I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class. She began to read and that is when I knew that we as human beings and being part of God share this need to heal people and to be healed. In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald's ,my husband, son, instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student. I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn: UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE. -<>- __ /\ ) OO\ ) _ l C ) ..; (\O ( ) (O b-^ (_\(___) ___/__/--^\_____/ \_VJ__ >Love Lessons From a Mother's Heart By Lorraine V. Murray I remember my first clumsy efforts at cutting hearts from red paper to create a valentine for the person I loved most in the world, my mom. No matter how crooked the edges, she always praised my efforts as if they were priceless pieces of artwork. Although my mom died over 20 years ago, each Valentine's Day I recall all the lessons about love that she taught me. When I was an infant, my mother revealed her soul of tenderness, as I perched in the bathroom sink and she ran a soapy washcloth over my tiny body, all the while telling me stories and singing to me. In elementary school, she told me it was all right to be different, and I really needed to hear those words because I didn't fit in anywhere. I was a fat, awkward little girl and always the last chosen for teams. While other girls boasted of boyfriends who slipped them valentines, my mailbox was conspicuously empty. In high school, when all my friends were spinning elaborate fantasies about the senior prom, I was heartbroken because I didn't have a date. I remember standing on the front steps with my mom, a big Miami moon smiling down at us, as I confessed my certainty that no man would ever love me. And I remember the way she took me in her arms and assured me that sweethearts would come in time. She taught me that you stick by the people you love, no matter what. My dad had a gambling problem, and the money he earned as a cabdriver had a way of slipping through his fingers at the racetrack. In the days before gambling was recognized as an addiction, my mom simply did what had to be done. She got a job to keep the family financial ship afloat, but she never pointed an accusing finger at my dad. I learned from my mom that people you love sometimes are so vexing that you have to take dramatic measures to get them to toe the line. When my sister and I were toddlers, we sometimes were so rambunctious that my mom would quietly pack a small suitcase, climb into Annabelle, our old black Chrysler, and drive around the block a few times, leaving my dad to contend with the chaos. We always knew she would return, but the gesture shook us back into obedience. My mom taught me that love is deeper than blood. She cherished her best friend, whom we called Aunt Madeline, with the same fervor she bestowed on her two sisters. That lesson rings in my heart today, when my best friend's little children, who call me Aunt Lorraine, reach for my hand as we cross the street. She also taught me that love transcends time. I remember walking into the kitchen one morning and seeing her weeping as she was making a batch of cookies from her mother's recipe. When she told me the tears were for her mom, I was at first baffled. Her mother had died 25 years earlier, and it took me a while to understand that the bond between mother and child is eternal, and whether a child is 10 or 50, memories of mom always tug at the heart. One memory is engraved on my soul forever. I see myself pulling out of the driveway of her Fort Lauderdale home, heading back to college, and there she is, standing in the driveway in one of those flowery cotton shifts and waving, until my car disappears from her view. More than anything, though, my mom taught me about compassion. When she was in the final stages of cancer, I rushed home from college to see her at the hospital. When she noticed that I was coughing and sneezing, she pressed her lips to my forehead in a way that was infinitely familiar and declared weakly that I had a fever. I wanted to stay with her in the hospital, but she insisted that my dad take me home so I could get a good night's sleep. For the rest of my life I will remember that on the night she died, my mother's deepest concern was for me. I still miss her, especially on Valentine's Day, but I believe she's in heaven, and I believe it's a blissful place where she can peek into my life now and again and nudge me gently in the right direction. And this Valentine's Day, I will give my mom the most precious thing I have, the same gift -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >DO SOME GOOD By: Joseph J. Mazzella For many years now Church work camps full of volunteers both young and old have been helping the poor and elderly people of this area. During the Spring and Summer school breaks they always arrive full of eager high school and college students under the supervision of older carpenters and builders. They work long hours fixing leaky roofs, building porches and wheel chair ramps, and repairing the homes of those who need it. Their only payment is the happy smiles and grateful hearts of those they help. Several times in the past I have helped or been helped by these wonderful people. I will always remember one man in particular that had an infectious enthusiasm as he worked. He was both a Church Pastor and a Master Carpenter. He seemed to inspire all the kids working under him with his cheerful spirit. Everyday when I asked him how he was doing he would reply, "I'm doing good!" At the end of the week as his group was preparing to leave I looked at all the homes they had fixed and lives they had touched and had to agree. He was "Doing Good!" So many of us want to be doing good in our lives. But do we want to be "Doing Good" in our lives? A nice house, a successful career, and a lot of money might be nice to have, but they don't compare with fixing another's home, helping those in need, and having treasures in Heaven. The material things we have here are temporary but the good we do goes on for all eternity. God loves us all so much and God put us here on Earth for a reason. I don't think it is to be doing good in the eyes of the world either. I think rather that it is to do some good in the eyes of Heaven. There is no limit to the good we can do, the love we can share, and the joy we can spread in this life. We need only to begin to live as God meant for us to live with compassionate hearts, caring souls, and helpful hands. Do some good today then. You can change the world. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment When You Pray http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/pray.html Akiane Child Prodigy! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/prodigy.html Our Valuable Anchor http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html Amazing Street-Legal Airplane! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/transition.html Mouse Vs Leopard! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mouse.html Chalk Art 5! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/chalkart5.html Awesome Bikes! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/awesomebikes.html Beautiful Flowers! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bflowers.html Celebrities Then And Now http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/celebrities.html Ford's First RV! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/firstrv.html Extreme Camping! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/camp.html Classic Chevy Collection! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/chevy.html -<>- >From Our Friend CarlK :) A Chinese Ming Vase is up for auction. Wow, you are going to have to see the video for yourself. The auctioneer is exuberant. The pace is fast. This is how an auction should be run. Please note the excitement on the auctioneer's face after the final bid! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3e0yZCLjwfU --- ...Oh My Goodness! What A start! Thank You CarlK! -<>- >From Our Friend JoeL :) Obama cleanses Day of Prayer of Christianity http://www.wnd.com/2013/05/obama-cleanses-day-of-prayer-of-christianity/ --- ...Thanks JoeL! Visit Melissa's Online Store You can get anything you want (except for Melissa ) at the online store http://pdhomes.net/mall/babylissa/mySTORES/ISELL4.html ========================================================== >-->From CupO'Cheer: QUOTES No man is greater than his prayer life. The pastor who is not praying is playing; the people who are not praying are straying. We have many organizers, but few agonizers; many players and payers, few prayers; many singers, few clingers; lots of pastors, few wrestlers; many fears, few tears; much fashion, little passion; many interferers, few intercessors; many writers, but few fighters. Failing here, we fail everywhere. -- Leonard Ravenhill In the morning hours of a new day we take a moment to give thought to what this day may mean for us. What is a day in a person's life? Isn't it the most precious treasure that can be given to us? If we were denied this day in which to live, you know full well, all of our possessions would mean nothing, our fondest hopes and plans would be of no avail. First and foremost, therefore, is the gift of a new day, one more day of life. Therefore, let us begin the day properly. Let us thank God for this wonderful gift. Let us resolve not to waste one hour of it. Let us resolve to share happiness with those who are closest to us- our family; our neighbors; our associates. This is the greater meaning of the verse we read in the Holy Bible: "So teach us to number our days that we may get us a heart of wisdom." -- Morris Goldstein "We (Christians) are always in the presence of God.. There is never a non-sacred moment! His presence never diminishes. Our awareness of His presence may falter, but the reality of His presence never changes." --Max Lucado _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ A PRAYER WE SHOULD ALL PRAY Father, I have a problem. It's weighing heavy on me. It's all I can think about, night and day. Before I bring it to you in prayer. I suppose I should pray for those who are less fortunate than me. Those in this world who have hardly enough food for this day, and for those who don't have a roof over their heads at night. I also pray for families who have lost loved ones in sudden death, for parents whose children have leukemia, for the many people who are dying of brain tumors, for the hundreds of thousands who are laid waste with other terrible cancers, for people whose bodies have been suddenly shattered in car wrecks, for those who are lying in the hospital with agonizing burns over their bodies, whose faces have been burned beyond recognition. I pray for people with emphysema, whose eyes fill with terror as they struggle for every breath merely to live, for those who are tormented beyond words by irrational fears, for the elderly who are wracked with the pains of aging. I pray for people who are watching their loved ones fade before their eyes through the grief of Alzheimer's disease, for the many thousands who are suffering the agony of AIDS, for those who are in such despair they are thinking of suicide, for people who are tormented by the demons of alcoholism and drug addiction. I pray for children who have been abandoned by their parents, for those who are sexually abused, for wives held in quiet despair, beaten and abused by cruel and drunken husbands, for people whose minds have been destroyed by mental disorders, for those who have lost everything in floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, fires and earthquakes. I pray for the blind, who never see the faces of the ones they love, or the beauty of a sunrise, for those whose bodies are horribly deformed by painful arthritis, for the many whose lives will be taken from them today by murderers, for those wasting away on their death beds. Most of all, I cry out for the millions who don't know the forgiveness that is in Jesus Christ... for those who in a moment of time will be swept into eternity without experiencing the saving power of Jesus by the cold hand of death. Oh God, I pray for them. Strange.... I can't seem to remember what my problem was. In Jesus Christ's name I pray. Amen! -- Author Unknown as seen in The Daily Encourager -<>- _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ >GOING IT ALONE Matthew 14:23 After He had dismissed them, He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray. Later that night, He was there alone. (NIV) Thoughts This is one passage where I can really relate to Jesus. From time to time I go to the mountains alone. It may be for an afternoon quail hunt, perhaps to try to call in a coyote, or sometimes to get away for a couple of days to clear my head and recharge my batteries-- physically, emotionally, and spiritually. On those trips, I usually sleep a lot, hike some, and spend lots of time sitting and looking at a special part of God's creation, a part that He made just for me, for that moment. There's always a couple of books handy--Chuck Swindoll and Philip Yancey have gone on a lot of trips with me that they don't know about!!! There's always a copy of God's word, the Bible. These trips are great times to read His word, pray, and listen. Especially listen!!! It's amazing what God will say in a little time, if you give Him a chance and your full attention. (Cliff S) Action Point Get away alone daily, even if it's just to shut the door to your office or sit in your car alone for a few minutes. Read a few Bible verses and share your thoughts with God through prayer. God wants to hear from you, and He wants to speak to you. Sportsmen's Tip of the Day When hunting or fishing, always be sure to tell someone where you are going and when you'll return. If you can, camp where your cell phone works and check in with someone daily. as seen in Sportsmen's Daily Devotional -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >CROSSES CARRIED, BURDENS BORNE Isn’t it mind-boggling to know that part of Jesus’ cruel punishment was to lug that heavy, splintery cross with him through the streets and up the hill to his crucifixion? It’s bad enough to die on a cross, much less carry it with us and THEN be spiked to it. It seems that as often as not, instead of instant deliverance from some struggles we encounter, we have to “carry” them a while. There are some things I’ve lugged along for years, longing to be free from; and yet, when I pray for an instant lifting, I get the same response from God as did the Apostle Paul concerning his “thorn in the flesh.” Our Father says to me, “My grace is sufficient.” I’m still trying to grasp the mindset of delighting in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties, though…but the Word declares that when we are weak, we are strong! (2 Cor. 12:9-10) God is not going to allow those weak areas of my life to utterly rob me of my right standing with Him, but He does require that I persevere. He says to me, “You can trust me not to let you go under. I will never let go of you, Daughter.” It inspires me to keep moving forward without quitting. It also makes this gal far less judgmental toward others whose splinter-in-the-eye looks so much smaller to me than my beam. There will always be endless speculation among believers and non, about whether this one or that one made it to Heaven in spite of a certain problem which plagued that person in his or her life. While I know that God’s grace is not a license to just live a defeated, backslidden, shameful lifestyle, I don’t spend a lot of time concerning myself with who did or did not complete the course or keep the faith. I’m satisfied to know that God is a good keeper...period. If He has said to someone, instead of an instant deliverance from difficulty, “My grace is sufficient,” then who am I to come along and add a disclaimer? Jesus carried His cross faithfully, to a dreadful place of execution, but when He gave His life, the cross was left behind right there. He has never again had to go back and redo it. And because death (and relief from pain) wasn’t instantaneous for Him, He has a compassion for you in YOUR struggle. He knows your agony. He cares. Take comfort today if you’re still stinging from the open wounds that your cross has left on your hands and your back. There will come a day, somewhere down the road, when God will bring it all to an end. It may be tomorrow, and you may the live out the remainder of your life without that weakness. The cross, however, may instead be something that you carry with you to the place of your death…but God will be there. When at last you are delivered, the cross will be but a reference point on the timeline of your life. At one point when Jesus--parched, weak, trembling, suffering Jesus—could continue the pace no longer, He stumbled under the weight of the cross. Simon was pulled from the crowd to help Him bear the weight of it the rest of the way. If and when you come to places where the weight of your problem grinds you into the ground, God will always have a Simon strategically situated on your road, to pick up your cross and help you carry it. God will whisper your name into the ear of an intercessor. God will not leave you to die on the ground with the work unfinished. And don’t speculate on the finish..in your own life or in the life of someone else. If it should "end" in a way that looks less than triumphant, whether it be cancer, or addiction, or some other malady that plagues the believer right up until his or her dying breath, God’s grace and His resurrection power are the source of the REAL victory. Our job is just to keep on keepin’ on. A better eternity awaits! -- Lisa Crum Today’s Scripture: “In that day the LORD will end the bondage of his people. He will break the yoke of slavery and lift it from their shoulders.” (Isaiah 10:27 NLT) Received from: Streaming Faith Daily Devotional --- ...See Also... Never Give Up! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/nevergiveup.html To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. =============================================================== .-. ## ) * _.-+*'`*+-._ ,## _ _ #. ;### ((.;;.)) ##: .=._.; ,-*:;;:*-. *##:._.=, >##; *-')_@@_(`-* ;###< ---------------`****------(o `` o)-----*****'-------------e:l `-""-' >The Highest Standards in Action Story Editor: by Leih Merigian Joyce Schowalter Virginia, USA I have some long standing health issues that result in daily battles with chronic pain and fatigue. My doctor has placed me on a very restricted diet that consists only of above-ground vegetables, high quality protein, and raw, unpasteurized dairy products. I may not consume root vegetables, legumes, fruit or grains. Needless to say, this is a very difficult and boring way to eat. And, it is not all that easy to find "high quality" protein that is grass-fed and raised without unnecessary antibiotics, growth hormones, and the like. What my diet boils down to is that I spend an inordinate amount of time just finding and procuring the various foods I need to fulfill my doctor's dietary prescriptions. Given my health issues, there are many days when all this effort just seems like way too much work. The weekend of May 20, 2006 someone responded to my needs in a way that reinforced my belief in the basic goodness of people. I had come across an advertisement for a local farm that raises heritage livestock and artisan meats, named "Gryffon's Aerie". As it turns out, they are located only nine miles from me, near Charlottesville, Virginia. I can't begin to tell you how excited I was to discover this wonderful farm so close to my own home. I actually began to dream about the meats I'd be able to obtain there. When I arrived, I discovered that the "farm store" was actually a freezer on the porch of the farmhouse. Fine by me. The farmer came out to meet me as I drove up. We introduced ourselves and went up on the porch to check out all the great stuff in their freezer. I began to pick out package after package of meat I planned to buy, giddy in my excitement. What good fortune to have discovered this farm! As we started to complete the transaction, I suddenly wondered if they took credit cards, and asked, "Do you guys take credit cards?" He turned to me and said, "I'm sorry, we don't, but we're working on that." There I was, holding many packages of frozen beef, realizing that I'd have to put it all back and return later. I told him I'd have to come back another day, since I hadn't thought to bring my checkbook. This wonderful farmer then made my day by saying, "That's OK, just send us a check when you get home." Apparently, I'm not the only one who still believes that people are good. You'd better believe I gratefully sent that check the same day, as soon as I got home! EDITOR'S NOTE: The author refers you to: http://www.gryffonsaerie.com =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Kidwarmers: ___ _.-' ```'--.._ .' `-._ / `. / `. / `. : ( \ | ( \_ ) `. | \__/ '. / ) ; | (___: \ _/__/ ; : | _ ; .' |__) : : |` \ | / / / \ |_ ;| /`\ / / \ ; ) :| ;_ ; / / \_ .-''-. | ) :/ / .- ` .--.' / : _.----._ ` < : -'........'- `. `. `''''` ; `'-.__ ,' ``--. :'-------' jgs : : .' '. >THE FUNNY THINGS KIDS SAY Ben, 3, had an adorable new baby sister. He called his Grandma Jo to tell her about Emily. Ben said Emily had red hair and was really cute but he didn't know why his Daddy Bryan said she was "a door bell! " -- Jo of Plymouth, Minnesota Here is another one from Jo. Family relationships can be confusing in this day and age. When Bryan was 6, his father and step-mother had a baby. They were talking about families in school that week so Bryan told the class he had a mom, brother, dad, step-mom, and beaming with pride, he announced he had a brand new "ex-step-half-sister!" While visiting a local amusement park Claire, 4, was so excited and wanted to go on every ride. She pointed to the roller coaster and exclaimed, "I want to go the roller toaster!" -- Alison Hummel (mother of Claire) of Danville, Pennsylvania .-. | \ __ ( `\ / | \ \ / | | | `\ / / | |\ \ /` / / | | \ \ ./' / / | | \ \ / _/| | | | \ \ /' _/ | | | | \ \ /' / / ) | ( \ \ / / / / ( \ \ \ / / / / \ \ ) ) / / / / \ \ | | / / / / \ \ | | / / / / \ \ | | / / / / \ \ | | ( / / /' \ \| | | / /' /' \ \ /`. |`. \/' /' \ `-;-;-; /' `\ < > .-"-. .-\ / .' ,__ ` \ | | \ /\ | |__ \ |_ \ _.------.._| o\ | |o`|\_ ,-`. `. | | | |''`'-._._ _.-'. `:_|.__|/`'.-- - ;_ ` ' ' ``--.```--.. \/`..--''' ; `-. .-``. -.,-..__._.._._.__. ;`-. ' `. `; | | | .' ` `. `-.| | | _' `.._ . `--''`_.-' ``--._`-...-'" jgs ;: ; Kenzie, 2, thinks of her father as a hero. One day he picked her up from daycare and as he was getting her out of the carseat she saw that he had several scratches on his hand and arm. (He had been in the woods hunting over the weekend. ) Kenzie was rubbing it and said, "Daddy has a boo-boo?" and he said "Yeah, Daddy has a boo-boo." She then looked at him so seriously with much caring and love and asked, "Did a tiger bite you?" -- Patsy Campbell (grandmother of Kenzie) of Portland, Tennessee Alice's daughter had to have a hysterectomy so her sister took care of little Shawn for the weekend. Shawn's aunt was explaining to him about the surgery, and to be anatomically correct, she told him that his mother was having her uterus out. Melissa explained to him that the uterus is where babies grow. Later, at a restaurant, Shawn told the waitress that his mother had surgery. She said she hoped she was better. Then in a voice heard around the world, he said, "Yep, she had her baby maker cut out!" -- Alice Riley of Nashville, Tennessee Many years ago when Lynda's daughter, Kristen, was young, there were a lot of commercials on radio and television for a CD by Zmfir, who played the pan flute. There were many jokes about this commercial. One day, Kristen got Lynda aside and said that she really wanted the Zamfir CD. She liked the music. Lynda pretended mock horror and told her they would have to buy that incognito. Kristen said very seriously, "No Mom, we can get it right here in Wesleyville." -- Lynda S. Kelley of Erie, Pennsylvania Debbi's third grade class was writing stories. They were given four cards. Each group had a character, a prop, a location, and a problem, and they had to come up with a story using what was on their cards. Antynisha picked a card that read "GRUNGE: a rock musician." When Debbi told her that was someone who played rock music, she asked, "You mean, there are people who play music just for rocks?" -- Debbi Armstrong of Orlando, Florida / , /\ \|/ /\ |\\_;=._//| \." "./ //^\ /^\\ .'``",/ |0| |0| \,"``'. / , `'\.---./'` , \ /` /`\,."( )".,/`\ `\ /` ( '.'-.-'.' ) `\ /"` "._ : _." `"\ `/.'`"=.,_``=``_,.="`'.\` jgs ) ( Cali, 3, was helping her mom pick clothes up off the couch. It was a hot day outside and Cali got a long-sleeved sweater from the couch. She told her mom she could not put this sweater on because she might want to go back outside and she would have a hot stroke! -- Cathy of Dillard, Georgia When Nick was about 3 they were driving and came across the unpleasant odor of a skunk that had been hit by a car. From his carseat in the back he blurted, "Whew, I hear a snunk!" Obviously he meant to say he smelled a skunk but for the last 16 years any time anyone in the family smells that odor they "hears a snunk!" -- Christine Searle (mother of Nick) of Ohio Bridget turned 13 this April. Last year on her birthday they were in Florida at Disneyworld. Her mom told her there was no way to top that party and they would have to go back to square one and celebrate like they did when she was younger. Her reply: "Sorry, a Happy Meal just won't cut it anymore." -- Nancy (Bridget's mom) of Negaunee, Michigan _ ,="` `""=, o / ,=="""'=; , __ ~ / ,--'/=,) o \`\\"._ _, | .='/ <9(9.=" / _ |||;._//) / (J ^\ \ o_/@ @ /// |=( .' .' \ '='/ '-. ( (`__, ,`\| / / \`-;_ \ '.\_/ |\_.' ~ / | /` _ \ ) `""``` | , ; /`\/ `\ \ /.-._///_ |/ ' \_,\__/\ \.-'.'----'` \| '. \ \ /`-, ~ `\ _.-'\ (`-` .' `-.-' _.-')__./,--' .--'`,-'`'""` ` \ /`"`-` | ~ | / ~ | .-'__ .' \ ;'"` `""----'` \ \ '. `\ jgs ) `-. ~ / `-._ | , `-, ~ \ .' `''----` `.( ` Christy babysits for JoAnn, 2. One day they were talking about families, and Christy asked JoAnn what her name was. She said, "My name is DoAnn." Then, Christy asked her what her Mommy's name was. She said, "It's Balerie" (Valerie). When Christy asked her what her Daddy's name was, she said, "McDonald! Daddy is McDonald! I like fries!" (Her daddy's name is Donald.) -- Christy of Lynchburg, Virginia On the first day of kindergarten Matthew was so excited to start school in California. His grandparents were vacationing with Matthew's family and were fortunate enough to be able to go with Matthew and his mom (Alicia) to school on the first morning. They took lots of pictures. The grandparents also went with Alicia to pick Matthew up after school. Earla asked Matthew how his first day at school went and he replied, "It was okay, but I'm not going back. "Earla had to break the news to him that from now on he would be going to school until he was 18 years old as it was the law. He just looked at Earla and said, "Oh no." -- Earla Hollon (grandmother) of Pasadena, Texas Here is the letter, exactly as she wrote it, that Christie's daughter left for the Tooth Fairy. "Dear Tooth Fairy, I'm so glad I lost this tooth! I spent a month trying to pull it out. OH! By the way. When do you think I'll get my molars? You can look in my mouth if you want to. Can you talk to my dentist about all the money he's costing my mom? Thank you. Well I better stop talking so you can grab my tooth and go to the other kids. Love, Peyton" -- Christie Lewis of Twin Falls, Idaho _.._ .--'` .-,) .' / , / / /\ ; ; | `.__..__ | | | `''-\ ; \ ` \ '. `. '--.,__ __..-'-. '. ``` `. '. `. `\ _.._ \ `\ _.' '-._ .__ | `\ .'/ .-' `\ | \ .' : .-. | / \ _ / \ /_ | /_..-`"-. ; / '. | . ) .-')_/` \.'` \ | ; \ /_.' .'_.' .-. .-./ .--._/ ; | _ '-'` ` / /o )(o ( ( __ / ; ( ' /// _) |'. `'` `'-; \ ` _ //// ,__ / `, _) '. ' ( `--.__.\ '. `"` / .-' '. ' .-) /-.__.'`-. ( . / \ ' __.' / / \ '---' | `-.'-=\.' / _._\ \ / '===/ /`'._.' _\_ \-.__.-' jgs `| /`-...--''' | \__/`-._ __.-'` `"""""` A friend of Jordan, 7, broke Jordan's bike and so his parents purchased him a new one. When Jordan's father gave him his new bike he said, "You know the three rules about your new bike, right?" Jordan quickly replied, "I know. I know. Nobody rides my bike. Nobody rides my bike. Nobody rides my bike! " -- Jordan is the son of Alicia and Patrick Snow of Kendallville, Indiana Here is another one from Patrick. He, Brian, 8, and Jordan, 7, went shoe shopping. Jordan found some Sketcher shoes. They were $30. Brian told Jordan he couldn't have them. "It's not about the name, it's about the price! And you can't have them!" Brian told his younger brother. One day, out of the blue, 4-year-old Jacob declared that he was all done with school. Confused by the sudden change in attitude, his mother asked him why. His response: "The fridge is full." (After that comment his mother took down some of his artwork so there would be room for more!) -- Julie Nusbaum of Hamilton, Indiana ========================================================== _.-/`) // / / ) .=// / / / ) //`/ / / / / // / ` / || / \\ / )) .' jgs // / / >-->REMIND ME GOD Dear God, When I am lonely And perhaps I feel despair Let not my aching heart forget That You hear every prayer. Remind me that no matter what I do or fail to do, There still is hope as long As I just trust in You. Let not my eyes be blinded by Some folly I commit. But help me to regret my wrong And to make up for it. Remind me I should put my fears Upon a hidden shelf, And never in the future should I Feel sorry for myself. Give me the restful sleep I need Before another dawn, And bless me in the morning with The courage to go on. -- author unknown >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 Chriistian 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 DARRE 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 ************************************************************************