Happy New Year! ... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* Please Consider Giving To ShangralaFamilyFun.com The cost of the website has gone up dramatically due to the ever increasingly wonderful pages and photos being added each week to entertain you and our fellow Christian families. While the ads on the website do help, I don't want to drag the site down with tons of them to pay for it. I need your help! "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a Shangrala Angel, the easiest way to do that is through online giving. It is easy to use, and most of all, it is secure. Please visit the site, scroll down and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL form page comes up. NOTE: Paypal will generate a 'Quantity 1' and 'Price per item' form. Just ignore the price per item and put whatever it is you desire to give in there. With Paypal, you will have your normal receipt for your 'payment' donation in USD (United States Dollars). You can put a memo in there if you'd like. Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS YOU MOST ABUNDANTLY FOR YOUR GIFT! ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! AND For Facebook Users: Please Friend Me / Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND For Google Plus Users: You can find me here... Shangy Bigham https://plus.google.com/106648555948034085752/posts AND Please Share This email with All Your Friends And Family! ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! :) -<>- * NOTE: An easy way to adjust the size of print in email or any page is to hold down the Ctrl tab while moving the scroll button on the mouse. You can also use the keyboard to change the font size in your web browser or emails. Hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the + key for larger text or the - key for smaller text! ================ __, ,__) __, ,__) __, ,__) (--|__| _ ,_ ,_ (--|\ | _ (--\ | _ _ ,_ _| |(_||_)|_)(_| _| \|(/_(_|_) \|(/_(_|| ( | | ,_| ( (__| >-->HAPPY NEW YEAR! Wishing you plenty of love, joy, peace, happiness, good health, wealth and prosperity to fill your 2019 New Year from our sweet God above through our wonderful Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! ShangralaFamilyFun.com had an awesome year last year due to all our kind Angels and Contributors sharing with us. They enrich our lives! Many heartfelt blessings and thank yous to each of you! .0. / \ ; \_/ ; | | | | | | _______; ;_______ `======='\ /`=======` \ / _ | | _ _( \____|=|____/ )_ ( .---. .---. ) `-' / \ '-' / HUG \ ; ; | .---.|__, jgs : / :--' .--\ \ | `" `"".-' < =""` `"== `""""""` =""` `"""===="""` =""` `""==="""` -<>- >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This flaming hot new page is from our friend Linda. We often think of icebergs as being big, white mounds of ice in the arctic waters, but this shows just how colorful and beautiful they can be. Check this and the stunning video out here: Amazing Striped Icebergs http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/icebergs.html --- ...Quite awesome! Thanks Linda! -<>- *~* We Had A Stupendous Caring And Sharing Month Last Month! >Please Be Sure To Visit And Share These With All Your Friends: World's Crowded Cities! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/crowdedcities.html Doggy Road Trip! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dogcar.html Beautiful Horses! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/beautifulhorses.html Amazing Trivia Facts 5! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/triviafacts5.html Comedy In Nature 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/santaland.html Night Before Jesus Came! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ChristReturn.html Santa Land Up North! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/santaland.html _ ______ / `'. ,-"` '. / /'-.'. ___ .' \ \/ '.\.' ' | .| .'`\ | /`"'--., / \ , _.--'` \/_ | ,----.| _ `_--;` ``` `\-. | | \ | -- C -- _/ \ \ | \ 0 0 / . | | \| ) | '. _.' |.__/ ; \ `'---` / / __ '. .' | (__) /'-._____,-` \ /---'.-""-.\ '. / ||,- \\ ;---`;-._||-= |\ , ."""-. \ ) `|'.___.' \ ___ \'. / '-. \ /`-`-; / \ ,/ `) \ \| \ `` | | \|| / /'.| )_ / || | | \/ .' \ \ .-'/ ` |` |.-' .-~ ~-~-._ |.'` \ ` '-. \___/,__/ ~` _ `~~-., `-.,_\_)`-.,_\) `~-,___ ~___~,,..-~~/ jgs \___/`\____/'._.' *~* THANK YOU And Huggums In Christ To All Our Super Contributors! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: .-.__.-.__.-. ( ) _______ ) ( .-' _____ '-. /| ( |||| ) .' .-'. ':'-. '. | | __ ) |||| |||| ( / .''::: .: '. \ | | / \ ( |||| \__/ ) / / :::::' \ \ | | |(_| ) \__/ || ( | ;. ':' ` ; | \ | \__/ ( || || )| | '.. | | || || ) ## ## ( | ; ' ::::. ; | ## ## ( ## ## ) \ \ ':::: / / ## ## ) j# ## ( \ '. ::: .' / ## ## ( g# ## ) '. '-.___'_.-' .' ## ## ) s# ## ( '-._______.-' ## ## ( __ __ ) '-' '-' '-' >BETTER THAN MONEY OR FAME by Jaye Lewis What in the world was I doing in Miami Florida, poor and alone in a rich and sophisticated place? It was thirty years ago, and I was a finalist in the Pillsbury Bake-Off. I had entered three recipes, and remarkably, I was chosen as a finalist, out of thousands of entries. I remember clearly the voice of the woman on the other end of the phone. "Congratulations! You are a finalist in the Pillsbury Bake-Off." "No. Who is this, really?" I asked, totally dumb-founded. She laughed as I insisted on calling back and verifying. Wow! It was true! I really was a finalist. I was ecstatic. How could this be happening? Pillsbury flew everyone to Miami. Then they whisked us away to the famous Fontainebleau Hilton in Miami Beach. I was stunned just to be there in the fabulous surroundings. The food was incredible, and the settings like nothing I had ever seen. Nothing could top this, I thought, but I was about to learn one of the greatest lessons of my life. The waiters and waitresses were all Cuban, and they spoke not a word of English. I couldn't help but notice anger in their expressions. It was not long before I understood why. They were ignored as though they didn't exist. No one even gave them a smile. I quickly lost my appetite and barely touched my food. I tried, with difficulty, to keep up with the questions of a very nice Vice President of a Pillsbury subsidiary. I was unsuccessful, but it didn't matter, because I was now a witness to the painful struggle of refugees from another land. Were the refugees as overwhelmed as I? Did they feel as out of place, surrounded by wealthy people, who had no idea of what it was like to have nothing? Our situations were different, yet I felt that we were very much alike. I didn't know what to say to the people around me, and neither did they. I didn't understand the chatter, almost as much as they. All of a sudden, I decided to do something about their situation. I wanted desperately to make them feel visible, important, and welcome in their new country. From somewhere deep inside of me, I began pulling out rusty expressions from my four years of high school Spanish. I could only remember a few phrases in their language, yet with that first phrase, "Gracias," I beheld a remarkable transformation. Warm, brown faces took on a shocked and delighted glow. "De nada!" my delighted waiter replied. "It was nothing," he said, in halting English. So it began, my bad Spanish communicating with another's bad English. I was enchanted by the happiness I saw in their faces. Did they feel more welcome in their new home? I hoped so. After breakfast we were led into a converted ballroom. A hundred stoves and refrigerators were packed inside. We had just a few hours to complete our recipes, twice. One entry for pictures and one for the judges, who were kept in seclusion. I was one of the first contestants finished. Exhausted, I went up to my room to rest, greeting many smiling Cubans along the way. That evening we were treated to a huge award ceremony dinner. No one ate much, and as they began to name the winners, there was sporadic applause from their family and friends. If I were a winner, I thought sadly, there would be no one to applaud for me. I was amazed when I heard my name called out. As I stood, the room erupted in thunderous applause. What in the world?! I turned to look, and I saw dozens of smiling Cubans, waving and cheering for me. Stunned, and blind with tears, I reached out for my prize. Bob Barker handed me my check and said, "You must have a lot of friends." "I do now," I smiled, choking back tears. In that brief moment, I understood that my "prize" was neither money nor my fifteen minutes of fame. My true reward, I told my children later, was in learning that one small kindness can bring unexpected return. -- Jaye Lewis __________________________________________________ Jaye is a Heartwarmer Gem and contributing author to Chicken Soup for the Soul. She has also contributed to Guide Posts books, God Allows U-Turns, and many other anthologies, newspapers, and magazines. To read more about Jaye, visit her website at http://www.entertainingangels.org or visit her blogs which can be accessed through her website. Jaye is happily married and has two wonderful daughters, along with a menagerie of pets which includes her little Dachshund, HappyDog, the dog of her life. =========================================================== , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >-->NEW BEGINNINGS - Russ Lawson, Messages From The Heart (edited) One of the problems with the end of the old year and the beginning of a new one is that I stop and contemplate the old year's happenings. I tend to review the months and think of all of the things that I mishandled, left undone and should have thought more about before jumping into. I don't think I am that much different than most folks. I think we all do a certain amount of looking back. There is nothing wrong with that, it gives us a chance to take note of things we need to do differently or areas in which we need to grow. With the start of a new year God has given us a chance for new beginnings. In one of our favorite stories, Anne of Avonlea the character at one point says, "Everyday is brand new, with no mistakes." I believe there is a lot of truth to that saying! Reflection and contemplation also gives you a chance to remember some of the things you did well. I have to admit that I am on a crusade to encourage people to get to know God better. I firmly believe that the only way to get to know him better is to listen to him speak, in other words, read your bible. As I look back at the past year, one of the things for which I am thankful, is that I once again read through the bible. My wife and I encourage each other to read God's word daily. I don't know how may years we have been reading through the bible each year, but I know we have read through it more than 20 times. Some might read that sentence and think, "I would get bored doing that." Do you know what is amazing? It is that every time we read through the bible, we learn new things! Every time you read it you are at a different place in your life, you have dealt with different struggles, you have grown in different ways and you have come to a different level of spirituality. Often we will do our bible reading and comment to one another about some new insight we have just come upon. So, if you want to set some goals or perhaps a New Year's Resolution, let me suggest that you choose reading your bible every day, read it completely through this coming year. There are many daily reading plans available online or at your local Christian book store. Quite possibly your minister or church secretary will have one available to you. My wife and I use "The Daily Bible, in Chronological order," printed by Harvest House, but there are a large variety of Daily Bible's available, just look around for them. Whatever it takes, whatever you need to use to help you in reading your bible, use it! 2019 is about new beginnings, why don't you challenge yourself to join with our family in letting God speak to you through his word! A changed world begins with you changing and you can only change when you let God change you. As David wrote in Psalm 1:1-3, "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers." May our God bless you and keep you in the coming year of new beginnings! =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ >A New Year's Prayer ~ May God make your year a happy one! Not by shielding you from all sorrows and pain, But by strengthening you to bear it, as it comes; Not by making your path easy, But by making you sturdy to travel any path; Not by taking hardships from you, But by taking fear from your heart; Not by granting you unbroken sunshine, But by keeping your face bright, even in the shadows; Not by making your life always pleasant, But by showing you when people and their causes need you most, and by making you anxious to be there to help. -<>- ,(()). ,;;;;. __ ________ _____ ___ ((_ _));'_`'_( _| __ __ __ _| _| _| __ __ () \ /)\ ) / (_|__ _|-_| _(_|(_|(_|__ _|-- ((\ O(() \ O / _____(_|(_|_____________(_|_ SSt >New Year As we launch out into a new year, possibilities surround us and Although we don't have a map or compass, God's word and His Holy Spirit will constantly guide us as we allow. They will steer us around pitfalls and fill our needs. Many are the ways of looking at the dawning on a new year. It marks another milestone. It gives a chance of beginning again. It presents a new, unspoiled page on which to write something which will not shame us in time to come. An artist was asked, "What is your best picture?" The artist answered, "My next." We have a new year before us and we should forget the yesterdays and face the tomorrows. The new year is a time for fresh beginnings, so let us make this our best year yet! Instead of making new resolutions and setting long term goals with planned destinations, we need to ask God for His leading, listen for His leadings, follow God's leadings and then await and listen for the next step. A verse written on a New Year's card follows: (author unknown) "To leave the old with a burst of song, To recall the right and forgive the wrong. To add your gift to the world's good cheer, Is to have and to give a Happy New Year." The Roman god, Janus, was known as "the deity of good beginnings." It is from this Roman god that the name January derives. The temple of Janus in Rome was built in an east-west line. Since the day begins in the east, the young continence of a two-faced statue faced east. The older continence of Janus faced west. Perhaps we should emulate Janus and look forward and backward. Enumerate and appreciate all the blessings we have been through thus far and look ahead in the new year when we make plans, select goals, and ask God to help and guide in the future months. Have a vision for the future. Remember Proverbs 29:18 states that where there is no vision, the people perish. Last year had its share of ups and downs, but as it is in the past, vow to do more living in the New Year. Every day of it offers new opportunities. Walk into the New Year strong, full of hope and spirit. Leave each person you encounter shinning better for having met you. We need to make wise decisions in the New Year. "A man walked into a gift Shop which sold religious items and saw a cap with the initials WWJD on it. The man asked what the initials stood for and was told the initials stood for 'What Would Jesus Do?' and that the initials were meant to inspire people not to make rash decisions, but rather to imagine what Jesus would do in the same situation. The man thought for a moment and then replied, 'Well, I don't think Jesus would pay $17.95 for one of these caps' A great poet was once asked to give the secret of a happy and successful life. His reply was, "Grow some new wood every year." That was what the Master meant when He talked about purging the vine that it might bring forth more and better fruit. The fruit grows on the new wood of life. At the beginning of a new year, we are like those who move from an old house. They leave some things behind, for they are not worth taking. What better time than now to bury all imagined ills, all petty grudges and all unkindness. How much better to take only lovely things into the new house of the new year. The story is told of a little boy who fell into an abandoned well. The mother knelt at the top, horrified. Finding out that he had escaped injury, she called words of encouragement to him. He replied calmly, "Mother, don't worry about me. I'm all right. I'm not alone down here. I was talking to God when I fell in and He fell in too!" Truly God goes with us everywhere, but we are aware of Him only if we are constantly talking with Him. When we keep Him beside us, as the little boy did, God will "fall in" to comfort and keep us when we need Him. Let's have Him beside us as we enter the New Year. -<>- |..| ? ? c >| ? \'/ /><\ unknown >What If... What if God decided to stop leading us tomorrow because we didn't follow Him today? What if God couldn't take the time to bless us today because we couldn't take the time to thank Him yesterday? What if we never saw another flower bloom because we grumbled when God sent the Rain? What if God didn't walk with us today because we failed to recognize it as His day? What if, God took away the Bible tomorrow because we would not read it today? What if, God took away His message because we failed to listen to the messenger? What if, God didn't send His only begotten Son because He wanted us to be prepared to pay the price for sin? What if, the door of the church was closed because we did not open the door of our heart? What if, God stopped loving and caring for us because we failed to love and care for Him and others? What if, God would not hear us today because we would not listen to Him yesterday? What if, God answered our prayers the way we answer His call to service? What if, God met our needs the way we give Him our lives? What if, we failed to send on this message? MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS -<>- ____ ____ [____] [____] | | | | | | | | jgs '____' '____' >God's Boxes I have in my hands two boxes, Which God gave me to hold. He said, "Put all your sorrows in the black box, And all your joys in the gold." I heeded His words, and in the two boxes, Both my joys and sorrows I stored, But though the gold became heavier each day, The black was as light as before. With curiosity, I opened the black, I wanted to find out why, And I saw, in the base of the box, a hole, Which my sorrows had fallen out by. I showed the hole to God, and mused, "I wonder where my sorrows could be!" He smiled a gentle smile and said, "My child, they're all here with me." I asked God, why He gave me the boxes, Why the gold and the black with the hole? "My child, the gold is for you to count your blessings, The black is for you to let go." We should consider all of our friends a blessing. Send this to a friend today just to let them know you are thinking of them and that they are a joy in your life. A ball is a circle, no beginning, no end. It keeps us together like our Circle of Friends. But the treasure inside for you to see, Is the treasure of friendship you've granted to me. Today I pass the friendship ball to you. Pass it on to someone who is a friend to you... -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Just Thinking http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thinking.html Worms! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/worms.html Look Who's Talking #3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/talking3.html Mini Baby Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/baby.html Fairy Tale Homes! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/fairytale.html Feeding The Eagles! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/eaglefeeding.html Bobcat On A Cactus! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bobcatoncactus.html Fire Rainbow Cloud! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/firerainbow.html Real Fantasy Trees 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/trees2.html Funny Animal Facts! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/zoo2.html Spain's Wood Festival! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/woodfestival.html Arrows Across America! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/arrows.html Origami Dollar Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dollarart.html Beautiful Bridges http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bridges.html LCS 2 USS Independence http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lcs2.html Scroll Down Once There For The New Year's Links: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/christmasindex.html -<>- Some of Shangrala's Best Pages http://www.amazafamily.com/index.html -<>- Eyes on the Horizon https://tinyurl.com/yar5qsan Lost Generation! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42E2fAWM6rA Just for fun - Daily Caller's Twelve Days of Christmas "On the first day of Christmas my country gave to me... a President who works for free!" Enjoy the MAGA version of Twelve Days of Christmas and together we can Make Christmas Great Again! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpUzD2GNr6Q President Trump Reveals Why He Let Mattis Go https://1600daily.com/2019/01/02/president-trump-reveals-let-mattis-go/ Top 4 Trump Wins in 2018 https://1600daily.com/2018/12/31/top-4-trump-wins-2018/ Lou Dobbs 1/2/19 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueKX_pGJCxQ WhiteHouseNews: https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600daily/ Latest From AFA: http://tinyurl.com/j7lakqw Students For Life https://tinyurl.com/yd5nxmu6 Latest From OperationRescue: http://www.operationrescue.org/ Today's Best Conservative Humor! https://theusawire.com/2018/03/8092-todays-best-conservative-humor/ RECALLS: Eye Drops, Butter, Blood Pressure Medication http://www.emergencyemail.org/products/?fmt=text Health Alert: CDC Issues Alert for Polio-like Illness https://tinyurl.com/yapm4ely -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) Many famous actors and actresses are featured in this video singing God Bless America including Ann Margaret, Lucille Ball, Jack Benny, George Burns, Johnny Cash, Roy Clark, Bing Crosby, Phyllis Diller, Lorne Greene, Bob Hope, Forrest Lewis, Dean Martin, William Shatner, Tom Smothers, and many more. What a classic video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OTGw03rTGs Auld Lang Syne performed live by Sissel as the soundtrack for a Happy New Year video greeting card. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rtajxo8d7js --- ...Sweet! Thanks LouiseAu! Happy New Year - 'What A Wonderful World' - video Meryl Streep, Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, Olivia Newton-John and Cher sing 'What A Wonderful World' as an anthem of hope for our beautiful planet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHRGYLutYAY&feature=youtu.be --- ...Nice! Thanks LouiseAu! >My Two Cents... I used to really like Cher - too bad I learned what sort of mind she has. She doesn't bother to look at the facts but instead swallows the left's lies hook, line and sinker. I can't much get past Cher's hate for our President. She should just do what she is good at - sing and resist remarking on her dark bias hatred of all things Trump. https://tinyurl.com/y7k8osph Maybe Cher and the rest of her friends here should open their eyes and see all the good Trump is doing - he has been keeping his campaign promises - which in itself is amazing! They bash Trump at every chance they get doing their elaborate ceremonies using their rich and famous platform reciting the left's lies about him and then get offended if he defends himself (and those of us who support and voted for him) by Tweeting something back. Like he is the bully when he simply responded to their lies and character assination. Some say as President he should be meek and not respond like Bush and others have done, but all that did was make them feel they had won and are right about what they said. After all, innocent people will scream the loudest at being accused of a lie while the guilty will hang their heads in shame. I am glad President Trump stands up for himself and in so doing for us who voted for him. The left kept saying how stupid Pres. Bush was and kept making jokes about him. He just took it, but it made those of us who voted for him look like we were the stupid ones for electing such a dummy to be President. They offended the majority of the US. At least now when the left does that, they don't get away with it! Touche' - they feel the burn. They are not in their little elite protected bubble. President Trump calls them out and gives it right back to them. In so doing, he keeps his promse to us that he will be our voice and we will not be forgotten any more! We don't have the clout to defend ourselves against them but our President sure does! Bless his heart! I thank God for President Trump. He's been doing a great job for our country and for all our citizens regardless or race, religion, or gender. I am proud that I voted for him and strongly support him because he stands up for America and for God! I just wish the so called elite with all their money and talent would do as the scarecrow and either get a brain or use the one God gave them! I am tired of their nonsense and non logical views... Such as them wanting Open Borders. They say the wall is immoral - Stupid. It's just a wall. The Vatican is not worried about being called immoral - 'Shaped like a trapezoid, the Vatican is enclosed within walls (completed between 1540 and 1640) which join on the piazza. The maximum length of the tiny state is 1,045 meters, from the opening of the Bernini colonnade to the heliport; its maximum width is 850 meters, from the auditorium where papal audiences are held to the entrance of the museums. The perimeter of the entire state is 3,420 meters.' http://www.visit-vaticancity.com/rome/vatican-city-a-miniature-state/ Some argue this when Trump mentions the Vatican's wall: “It isn’t all surrounded by walls, and it’s not like you need a separate visa or a passport to enter,” he said. “You wouldn’t know, almost, when you even entered Vatican City. There is a white line painted on the ground in St. Peter’s Square, but that kind of thing is not obvious everywhere.” But these visitors felt otherwise... Walking Around the Walls of the Vatican City by Karen Warren "It's a familiar dilemma: you want to see some of the world's most famous artworks but so do hundreds of other people. Do you wait patiently to go through security so that you can get into another queue before you finally get to join the jostling crowds inside? Or do you walk away and do something different? We chose the latter when faced with the endless queues for the Sistine Chapel while visiting Rome, and opted for an unusual – and quiet – walk outside the walls of the Vatican City instead." https://tinyurl.com/y9pygnj4 In any case our border agents say they have had people from as many as 150 different countries trying to cross our border. We need to be able to know who they are and why they want to come here. We need to have a barrier so we can stop them from just freely crossing our Southern border whenever they want to. We recently had an 8 month pregnant woman jump our current fence so she could deliver her baby here in the US. I think that the Democrats saying our current border protection is sufficient and wanting only to continue what we did last year is laughable. It obviously isn't very secure! Even late term pregnant women can scale the barriers we have now? What a joke! Like I said, I would appreciate if these Democrats and the left would at least do what the scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz did! Seek to get a brain or realize they already have one and USE IT! They want to Get rid of ICE - that's Stupid: In FY2018, ERO removed 256,086 illegal aliens, reflecting an increase of 13% over FY2017. The majority of removals (57%) were convicted criminals. Additionally, 5,914 of the removed illegal aliens were classified as either known or suspected gang members or terrorists, which is a 9% increase over FY2017. https://tinyurl.com/y89wq5zv Who wants them coming in to their neighborhood? The elite have their guard protection, gated communities and secure homes. But the rest of us don't have such luxury. For us there is only the police, ICE and our own protection if we choose to arm ourselves. Trump’s list: 289 accomplishments in just 20 months, ‘relentless’ promise-keeping - Washington Examiner https://tinyurl.com/y8ssyd67 White House - Trump Administration Accomplishments https://www.whitehouse.gov/trump-administration-accomplishments/ A list of President Trump's Accomplishments in less than 2 years (Nov 5, 2018) https://tinyurl.com/y9rbhwhg -<>- Revisiting... >From Our Friend PatDeE :) Memories https://www.youtube.com/embed/HzSaoN2LdfU --- ...HaHa! Thanks PatDeE! Ode to Jöy: IKEA Flashmob https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86ukcgSnME0&feature=youtu.be --- ...Love these! Gives goosebumps! Thanks PatDeE! WARNING!! Expose of blatant disregard for hygiene practices in the hotel industry https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObnO8vy7Q_k --- ...Oh My GOODNESS! Thanks PatDeE! This is why I don't like staying at hotels/motels etc... See Which Hotels Were Caught Not Changing Bedsheets for New Guests https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdbRx-Oz9mg 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 Our Friend LouiseAu :) ^ _...._ ^ .' '. _...._ ^ / \' '. |X / \ -. \ |X | ^ .-. |'.-. .' \ / \;/ `/\` '. .' / \ ( `/\` / \ \ ^ `) ^ / \ ) ( ^ /'-...-'\ ( \ /-.__ __.-\ ) jgs '._ ` _.' ^ / `"""""` >I AM THE NEW YEAR By Pastor Barry Black Deuteronomy 11:12b "...the eyes of the Lord thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year." I will help you to say goodbye to the previous year filled with "yesterdays" and comprised of Disappointments and surprises Losses and gains Failures and Successes Defeats and victories A year which may be remembered by recalling... Fleeting moments Delightful memories and good times The sobering reality of missed opportunity The insight gained from daily living The unexpected surprise of reconnecting with old friends. The joy of sins forgiven Golden words fitly spoken (Proverbs 25:11) And the fruit of obedience and pleasing the Lord Yes, the old year is a time in which we can recall with gratitude... Blessings, protection, and rewards from the Providential hand of God Grace that was sufficient for our every need Mercy received when justice would have just as easily been fitting for us. And realizing that even bad things that happened could have been worse... much worse. May your past productively transition to the future as you experience... The warm daylight of lessons hard learned, and the fading sunset of the pain that was long endured while living through them. The priceless value found in genuine friends, and the sober understanding of the shackles of superficial people who merely use us. The glorious journey of... The unmatched wealth in reading and studying the Bible The unparalleled stability of Christian fellowship And the unrivaled enjoyment of serving the Lord. And as you experience the wise departure from... The comfortable enticement of procrastination The deceptive decoy of excuses The childish pleasure of pettiness And the dull applause of mediocrity. I AM THE NEW YEAR. I am... The challenge of new goals The desire for spiritual growth The continual burden for lost souls The anticipation of answered prayer And the eager expectation of Christ's soon return for His Bride, the Church. I am the New Year, I may only be lived one moment at at time. I am replete with the unknown and rife with... Opportunities to trust Unexpected moments of blessing and delight Satisfaction for spiritual truth and hunger Motivations to give of your time and effort to people and projects And the joy and privilege of serving the Lord in new and exciting ways. YES, I AM THE NEW YEAR! --- ...Thought provoking. Thank You LouiseAu! ========================================================== ,-'-. _., . ( '("'-' '). ( ' (( |. )\/( ) '( )) | () |" | | ') ( . ,-. ,-.. __.) /) / ' / / /) / / PjP >Some Little Action I Can Take Story Editor: by Marie Clark Joyce Schowalter Pennsylvania, USA Rain began to pour down in buckets as my husband and I left a lovely Philadelphia restaurant and headed back to our car. Purse in one hand, dinner leftovers in the other, we raced toward the parking lot. My husband Mark popped the trunk and I threw leftovers and purse in, and then jumped in the car. As we pulled out of the parking lot onto the one-way street, we both noticed a couple struggling along in the rain. The woman was short and slightly built. She was pushing the man, who was in a wheelchair. Although the night was cold and wet, neither was dressed warmly. This was an area in Old City, where the sidewalks have been around since the revolution and show it in each bump and crack. We could see the effort it took to propel the chair down the walk. We drove slowly by them, each of us wishing we could help them. But what could we do? Our car is small -- we could never have fit both them and the chair into the back. It was silent in the car as we headed for the bridge. Suddenly, my husband made a quick left, and then another. I understood he was heading back, looking for the couple, but I didn't know why. We didn't see them immediately. They must have cut through one of the numerous local alleyways. We made another pass around the block and then, giving up, headed back for the bridge. Just as I was saying, "They must live nearby. I'm sure they're OK," we saw them in the headlights. Mark pulled the car slightly ahead of the couple, who stood looking at him a little fearfully. He went back to the trunk and opened it. "He's giving them the leftovers," I thought. But no. He reached into the trunk and came out with my big, brand-new golf umbrella. He'd noticed it when we opened the trunk earlier. He approached the couple in the pouring rain and opened the umbrella. He handed it to the man and smiled at him, without saying a word. Then he jumped back in the car and we drove away. I had a lump in my throat the size of a grapefruit when I looked back at the two strangers under the huge umbrella. I'll never forget the looks on their faces. And I'll never forget the smile on my husband's face as we headed home. Mark has never told a soul about this. That's just the kind of guy he is. But that event stays with me now, and I find myself looking for opportunities to help others out, even when it seems certain that I am not in the position to help. I am always surprised by how often something will occur to me -- some little action I can take that makes a difference to someone else. You never know what you might have forgotten in your own trunk! =======HeroicStories======= >-->From LaughAndLift: Happy New Year friends! I pray that 2019 will be a joyous, hope-filled year for you. Regardless of what may come this year, may we all hold ever tighter to our loving Savior as we also grow ever more aware of His arms holding us. May we seek to redeem the time that we've been given and make each day count in fulfilling all He would have us do. I speak blessings to each of you in Jesus' name. With love in Christ, Chris "We must face today as children of tomorrow. We must meet the uncertainties of this world with the certainty of the world to come." - A. W. Tozer ________________ '------._.------'\ \_______________\ .'| .'| .'_____________.' .| | | | | Scooby _.-. | . | | * (_.-' | | | Snacks | .| | * * | .' |______________|.' LGB >Beyond Our Barriers (By Patti Martinez) [Edited] It has come upon me to write this "devotion," if you will, after my experience this morning with our two Siberian Husky dogs. Our first Husky, Charlie, given to us when she was two years old (yes, Charlie is a female), is an uninhibited dog of pleasure. She frolics, runs, plays and loves with her whole heart. You can tell that, as a pup, she was raised by a generous, loving household. Our second Husky, Cash, given to us at age four a year later, wasn't born or raised under such fortunate circumstances. You see, he was bred to be a show dog. His demeanor was always standoffish and aloof. His posture was the picture of perfection: legs straight, head held high, ears forward, ready to be judged. It wasn't until his breeder found that he had inherited cataracts that she decided to give him away since he couldn't be shown or bred due to his defective genes. Any Husky owner will tell you that Huskies are born to run . . . and run they do. In fact, all the literature recommends that you NEVER let them off the leash as you won't see them again - they run until they drop and don't have a lick of traffic sense. Well, when we got Charlie and read all the 411 about how they run, we started a weekly treat for her. We would take her to the park where it was fenced-in except for one ingress/egress and let her do just that - run. Run to her heart's content until she came up to us begging to go home again. What a thing of beauty to watch she was. Her head down, her ears back to avoid wind resistance, her curled tail straightened out flat, flying across the ground, barely seeming to touch down. She was truly made and engineered by God to run and take joy in it. Now Cash was a different story. When we first introduced Cash to the weekly running treat, it was comical to watch. Here's Charlie running, flat out, and then comes Cash, Mr. Prim-and-Proper, prancing (at his full speed) if you will, with his head STILL held high, his ears STILL pointed forward, his tail STILL curled and trying to keep up with Charlie. It really was funny to watch. Cash was definitely NOT bred for running but for show (he was kind of a "sissy" dog the way he ran). Well I'll admit that this early Saturday duty falls to my husband as I rather enjoy my one day to sleep in and so I haven't taken the Huskies to the park in some time. But because my husband was away this weekend, the task fell to me. Since we first got him, Cash has let down his guard and become one of the family (even our cats will tolerate him now). I didn't realize, though, that our acceptance and love for this furry beast would transform him so much. I had expected to take these dogs to the park, revel at Charlie's free spirit and laugh at Cash's goofy run. No . . . Both Huskies were now running with their heads fully down, their ears back, tails out straight and as fast as they possibly could. They flew over the ground together, running a race - a thing of beauty and joy; a gift from God. Here's what I saw: I saw an animal, restrained by his environment and self-imposed barriers (there were no wires holding his ears forward or his head straight or his tail curled), who, because of love and acceptance by our family, was able to let down his guard and step beyond those barriers and (to coin an Army phrase) be all that he could be - to take a joy in his life that he probably never even thought was possible and to run as God created him to run. In watching this Husky out there in the park, I realized that because of God's love and Christ's sacrifice, I am also no longer restrained by my worldly environments or self-imposed barriers. I was never made just for show, or to be pretty, or for breeding. But with the help of the Holy Spirit, I can let down my guard, step beyond the worldly barriers and I can now be all and everything that God has made me to be. I can run the race with God as the goal! -<>- "If you want to feel helpless and depressed, try assuming God's responsibility for Him. It is not our responsibility to change the world. It is our responsibility to trust and obey, and to become the people God has called us to be." - Neil T. Anderson __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >Beyond Yesterday (By Ron Hutchcraft) The plane bound for Newark Airport was full. Now all those passengers are waiting for their suitcase to arrive on the baggage carousel along with passengers from a couple of other flights. And to think people pay to go to the zoo! There are times when that crowd of people gets pretty big and we're all crammed together in an area that can get pretty wall- to-wall. Recently the claustrophobia got worse than ever, they have put up a wall that reduces the already limited space. You could get pretty steamed about it if you didn't realize that wall was there to cover up some construction that's in progress. See, they are improving and enlarging that whole area! Now how do they make us feel good about this crunch in the meantime? They put up a sign on that construction wall and it seemed to do the job. I didn't forget it and it said this, "Thanks for your patience. We are getting rid of yesterday so we can get ready for tomorrow." That's God's construction strategy, too, for improving and enlarging your life. Our word for today from the Word of God, Philippians 3:13-14. Paul says, "One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Or, I am getting rid of yesterday so I can get ready for tomorrow. Well, are you hanging on to yesterday. Those construction people at the airport have to make a choice. Shall we hang onto what's been in the past or leave that behind and build something for the future? You can't have both. They can't have the future if they keep hanging onto the past, and neither can you. It may be that you are writing the verse this way, "Dwelling on what is behind," "remembering what is behind." You won't let go of the past: the hurts, the slights, the pain, the problems, the miss understandings, the grudge, and the resentments. You keep reliving and replaying them and consequently you have pretty much identified your place in life, I'm a victim. And you may very well have been a victim. But you will be tomorrow a victim, only if you insist on carrying your yesterday into your tomorrow. You've got Jesus now. Your identity is "child of God," not victim. Your tomorrows need to be focused on pursuing what Jesus can make you, not what your past has made you. Maybe the yesterdays you won't forget are your failures. You've got to leave them behind, too. You cannot change the past, and the Devil would love to have you focused on what can't be changed. Then you're a slave for life. Jesus wants you to focus on what can be changed, the future. That has yet to be written. You can determine right now, no matter what the past has been that the rest of your days will be the best of your days and that your past will not infect your future. You draw a line today. The choice is clear, just like that construction company; you have to choose between yesterday or tomorrow. Dwelling on your yesterdays will cost you what your tomorrows could have been. Releasing your yesterdays, deliberately moving past them, makes room for what God wants to build in your future. Jesus is in the construction business with you, getting rid of yesterday so He can get ready for tomorrow. [Permission to distribute this material via email, or individual copies, is automatically granted on the condition it will be used for non- commercial purposes, and will not be sold. To reproduce "A Word With You" transcripts in any other format, including Internet websites, written permission is needed.] 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 ========================================================== >-->From SermondFodder: ______________________________________________________________________ |: : : : : : : : : : : : : :|____|____|____|: : : : : : : : : : : : : :| | : : : : : : : : : : : : : |__|____|____|_| : : : : : : : : : : : : : | |: : : : : : : : : : : : : :|____|____|____|: : : : : : : : : : : : : :| | : : : : : :_: : : : : : : |__|____|____|_| : : : : : : :_: : : : : : | |: : : : : :/_\: : : : : : :|____|____|____|: : : : : : :/_\: : : : : :| | : : : : : :|: : : : : : :/___|____|____|__\: : : : : : :|: : : : : : | |: : : : : :[=]: : : : : :/_|____|____|____|_\: : : : : :[=]: : : : : :| | : : : : : :!: : : : : :/_____|____|____|____\: : : : : :!: : : : : : | |=========.-----.=======/___|____|____|____|___\=======.-----.=========| | | | /_|___| ) ( |___|_\ | | | | .;. | * | |___|_| o )( ) ) o |_|___| | * | .;. | | _;(;);_ | | |_|___| | ( ) )( | |___|_| | | _;(;);_ | |__|;;;|__()_____()____|___|_|/!\@@@@@@/!\|_|___|____()_____()__|;;;|__| | ; | ||_____|| /____________________________\ ||_____|| | ; | || || |____________________________| || || `====================================================` `======================================================` `========================================================` >DON'T CLING TO THE FIREWOOD by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson They're just a young couple, I can tell. These mouseholders who have taken up residence in the woodpile are just starting out in life. They've built a nest under the pile of oak firewood I am loading into the back of our station wagon. We had our first frost a few days ago, and had spent several days winterizing our house. So had this mouse couple. At the bottom of the woodpile their nest would be dry and warm in all but the wettest of storms, ready for the young ones that would surely be coming soon. I think of my wife and I in our first apartment 32 years ago. So excited, so optimistic. These are tiny mice, equipped with miniature jumping legs, their little bodies only 2-1/2 inches long -- if you don't count the tail. I must seem like a huge giant as I deconstruct their carefully built lives, one log at a time. I feel sorry for them. Such cute little creatures, so hopeful for the future, yet so filled with terror at what is happening to them. "What's going on, dear?" the mouse bride cries. "I don't know," her husband answers. "Nothing like this has ever happened before." He's wrong, of course. Change happens -- constantly. But, thankfully, it's not too often that our entire lives are altered forever by external events. A few weeks after my bride and I had moved into our first apartment, I received a draft notice: "Greetings from the President of the United States." Yes, greetings to you, too, Mr. President. Our carefully constructed lives suddenly took a sharp turn. You've had some of those turns, too. The death of someone very close to you. Divorce. Loss of a job. Failure of a business. An illness or injury. Suddenly, life is not the same and never will be again. Everything's different. And we try to cope -- sometimes in healthy ways, sometimes in self-destructive ways. I keep loading the firewood into the back of the wagon. I'm about to stack it higher yet when I see one of the tiny mice clinging to a piece of firewood in the back of the car. Another few seconds and he would have been crushed. I pick him up by his long tail, set him on the ground, and go back to get more logs. When I return he is still at the same place on the ground where I put him -- stunned by these events, barely able to get out of harm's way. We're so mouse-like sometimes. Life goes on. The props change, sometimes all too often. We're so tempted to cling to the props as they are being dragged off the set. And sometimes we're hurt because of our inability to let go, so attached to the accouterments of the past that it's impossible for us to welcome the future. Change requires courage, great helpings of it. My mind goes to Joshua in the Bible. For nearly forty years he has been an understudy to the great leader Moses. Now Moses is dead and leadership is thrust fully upon Joshua. Ahead is the Jordan River running at flood stage, and beyond that the fortified cities of Canaan -- the "Promised Land" that seems so elusive. Talk about change? Joshua has change swirling all around him. And God speaks to him a word: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9). Our mouse couple looks up as their world is trembling. One by one the logs that comprise their shelter are disappearing, and soon only open sky is above. What do you do? Do you cling to the firewood and risked being crushed by it? Or do you cling to God's promise to you? God has promised to be with you wherever you go. He has promised never to leave you or forsake you. What he asks of you is faith to overcome your terror. Courage to meet your discouragement. And confidence to draw on his strength. Change is a constant. No part of our lives will endure unchanged for more than a few years, a few decades at most. But the LORD our God is unchangeable. He is forever. You can put down your roots into him, knowing that in this way you will never be utterly uprooted again. , . (_ ) _ )_ _(_ ( ) ( ) apx "-oo-" "o^o" =\/= =.= I think of Mr. and Mrs. Mouse. My heart goes out to them. I've been where they are, and so have you. And I hope that, even as I am writing these words, they are dragging their nest into another shelter in the woods to keep them dry and warm this winter. I hope that Mr. Mouse has finally got over his shock and got with the program. Older now, and wiser they are. And if I could offer just one word of advice for them and for you -- and for me -- it would be this: Don't cling to the firewood. -<>- __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >The Top Ten Reasons YOU Should Tell Someone About Jesus TODAY 10. Another crown to lay at the feet of Jesus if they get saved. 9. You may not get another chance. 8. Someone told YOU about Jesus. 7. Everybody loves Good News. 6. You don't want to be lying when you sing "I love to tell the story." 5. It's the best way to show you care. 4. Hell is a real place. 3. Heaven is too. 2. Jesus told you to do it. 1. You love Him. "...repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And YE are witnesses of these things." - Luke 24:47-48 Rom.10: [9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. ========================================================== . / \ _\ /_ . . (,'v`.) . . \) ( ) ,' `. ( ) (/ \`. / `-' `-' \ ,'/ : ' _______ ' : | _,-' ,-. `-._ | |,' ( )__`-'__( ) `.| (|,-,'-._ _.-`.-.|) >-->MY CHILD, I AM YOUR FORGIVING KING (By Debbie Preuss, November 5, 2001) My child, I love you, no matter what you bring To the feet of Me, your forgiving King Bring it to Me, then lay it down Trade now your rags, for heaven's crown Nothing shocks Me, I see it all I know each time My child falls I wait for you, to come to Me So I can heal you eternally Each time is new, I don't keep score My forgiveness over you I pour Over My child, washing you clean Come My child, and on Me lean Bring your sins, your cares, your woe Bring them to Me, for I know The weight is too heavy for you alone Believe My love, is to you shown Forgiveness will lift your heavy weight Come now child, don't be late My forgiveness extends while you live So to Me, please your burdens give I know your sin, your secret shame Child, please call out to My name For I am your forgiving King No matter what to Me you bring Come to Me, collect your crown Bring your burdens, lay them down I love you child, for eternity Won't you now, just come to Me? -<>- __ (`/\ `=\/\ __...--~~~~~-._ _.-~~~~~--...__ `=\/\ \ / \\ `=\/ V \\ //_\___--~~~~~~-._ | _.-~~~~~~--...__\\ // ) (..----~~~~._\ | /_.~~~~----.....__\\ ===( INK )==========\\|//==================== __ejm\___/________dwb`---`__________________________ >The New Year (by Hyacinth Kwatashin) [Edited by Chris] 2019 - the New year lies ahead - Like an empty book, unwritten story - Lord I pray my days be spirit-led With testimonies of Your Love and Glory. May I be sensitive to Your calling Obedient to Your Word and voice May I walk Your path without falling Less "feeling" and more by "choice". Guard me against all offenses That would hinder my walk with You To be sincere and avoid pretenses Keeping my eternal reward in view. May I be slow to judge others But quick to lend a helping hand When stress and trials do bother On Your promises help me stand. In sickness may I claim Your healing In stress or sorrow - Your joy and peace Despite circumstances, faith revealing With strongholds, may I find Your release. When the year ends and I reflect On the year right from the start May I be able to rejoice in victory May my life - my story - gladden Your heart. >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->This is for all you who love food and DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? 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