Happy Valentine's Day! ... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ /` \/ `\ _ _ /` \/ `\ _ _ /` \/ `\ _ _ /` \/ `\ \ / /` \/ `\ \ / /` \/ `\ \ / /` \/ `\ \ / '. .' \ / '. .' \ / '. .' \ / '. .' \/ '. .' \/ '. .' \/ '. .' \/ _ _ \/ \/ \/ _ _ /` \/ `\ /` \/ `\ \ / \ / '. .' YEAH!! WE GOT A 2009 SHANGRALA ANGEL!! '. .' \/ \/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ /` \/ `\ _ _ /` \/ `\ _ _ /` \/ `\ _ _ /` \/ `\ \ / /` \/ `\ \ / /` \/ `\ \ / /` \/ `\ \ / '. .' \ / '. .' \ / '. .' \ / '. .' \/ '. .' \/ '. .' \/ '. .' \/ jgs \/ \/ \/ Our Friend Bill Lysak from Canada is our first 2009 Angel! He is also a Shangrala Two-Time Angel. ..8888888.. ..8888888.. .8:::::::::::8. .8:::::::::::8. .8:::::::::::::::8:::::::::::::::8. .8:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::8. 8:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::8 8::::::::::/` \/ `\:::::::::::::::::8 8::::::::::\ /` \/ `\:::::::::::8 '8:::::::::::. .\ /::::::::::8' '8:::::::::::\/:::. .:::::::::::8' '8::::::::::::::::\/:::::::::::8' '8:::::::::::::::::::::::::8' '8:::::::::::::::::::::8' '8:::::::::::::::::8' '8:::::::::::8' jgs '8:::::8' '8' This Is His 2nd Donation To Shangrala! God Bless You REAL GOOD and Thank You Bunches Bill! I started out the web site as a dedication to God and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It was also to prove to myself that after my sickness, I could still do at least some of the programming work I had once been able to do. It took years just for my concentration levels to return so I could spend the hours needed to get the work done. I had difficulty learning the HTML language but I was determined that I was going to do it! I wanted to return to as close of my own normal as possible. Now, almost 11 years later, the web site is growing. But, it takes all of us pitching together to make ShangralaFamilyFun.com what it is - hopefully a fun sharing, caring, family site for all to enjoy! With forwards from many of you, I get the material to work with to make the fun pages and share the fun items in our news letters that blesses all of us. With financial help from many of you, like Bill here, Paul and I are able to keep the site open 24/7 instead of having it close down during high traffic times! A site shut down is no good to any one and surely is not a good witness for God or our Lord! ShangralaFamilyFun.com is a group effort. Yours and mine. For all of you who have helped in the past, words cannot express our gratitude. You're part of God's Best And Paul and I truly Thank You! .-""""--. _ _ / ) ( \/ ) / --"` \ / _ _ / _`:____ \/ ( \/ ) | .-' `\ \ / \ / .----'./ \/ \ : ,-' ~(.).)\ _ _ \_| \ ._) | ( \/ ) _ _ / | \.__, / \ / ( \/ ) _.--' )`///-,-' _ _ \/ \ / / / _| (_\\ ( \/ ) \/ | (____/____) \ / \ ___/ | _ \/ `---( ` ) `-, .' (__.'._/'._/ |`| | __/ / / // | `--. || /_____) jgs `=---` A bell is no bell 'til you ring it, A song is no song 'til you sing it, And love in your heart Wasn't put there to stay - Love isn't love 'Til you give it away. -- Oscar Hammerstein, Sound of Music -<>- >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a 2009 Shangrala Angel, please visit the site and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL page comes up. Any amount is appreciated - even just 5 dollars! 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! GOD'S MOST ABUNDANT BLESSINGS TO YOU! ================ GOT A Cool Forward? Easy Yummy Recipe? Miracle Story? Sweet poem? Funny clean Joke? A Godly Inspiration? SHARE IT - We like it, We Love It, We Can't Get enough! Send it to me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net I'll Share It and Gladly Give YOU Credit For It! :) ================ >-->In The 'Shangy' News :) >Hot Off The 'Shangy' Press... This one is smokin! It comes from a forward from our friend John-Paul. I first thought it was a hoax but learned that it was true! Totally awesome! Check it out for yourself here: Mountain Biking - When Helmets Make No Sense http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mountainbiking.html Also be sure to check out John-Paul's site here: http://www.geocities.com/jpw1936/index.html --- ...Super John-Paul! Thank You! -<>- (\/) \/ (\/) .-. .-. \/ ((`-)(-`)) \\ // (\/) Love Is In The Air \\ // \/ .="""=._))((_.="""=. / ., .' '. ,. \ /__(,_.-' '-._,)__\ ` /| |\ ` /_|__ __|_\ | `)) ((` | | | jgs -"== =="- >-->HAPPY HAPPY BLESSED VALENTINE'S DAY!!! We are getting close to Valentine's Day! The Day we let those we Love know they are dear to us. So be sure to tell your love how you feel! I cannot help but think of God when Valentine's Day comes around. Probably because the bible says God Is love. He who is love and created love and is all about love surely is someone we should think about on love day - Valentine's Day! I suppose that is why it is one of my favorite holidays! It was so much fun in school. If you remember and your school was like mine. I loved the cards and making cards and coloring cards! Then those cotton balls and decorations for the heart for Mom! Way cool. But what was really cool was getting all the cards from all the classmates! That was the best thing! But then I grew up and my love gave me a card. As time went on it became my love and my own children. Love going around. We have love pages on the web site too for you to share! __ _ / /| |\\ \/_/ \_\| / __ \/_/__\ .-=='/~\ ____,__/__,_____,______)/ /{~}}} -,------,----,-----,---,\'-' {{~}} jgs '-==.\}/ If You haven't already, be sure to check these out: Dedicated To MY GENTLEMEN FRIENDS in our group: Best Friends http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/bestfriends.html Dedicated To MY LADY FRIENDS in our group: What Friends Are For http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/whatfriends.html What Is Love 1? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wlove1.html What Is Love 2? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wlove2.html What Is Love 3? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wlove3.html Love Thoughts! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/love.html Love Test! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lovetest.html Dreamy Ladies! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dreamy.html The Love Of God http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/loveofgod.html Palms Of God http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/palmsofgod.html *~* May God Bless You As You Share These With Those You Love ============================================================= >-->From Heartwarmer: .--. .--. : _ \/ _ : _\/ \ 6 6 / \__\ ' / \'--'/ \__/_ /\ /\ \ / \/ \ \ / jgs _\ /_ (__\ /__) >VALENTINE'S DAY AMBUSH by Kathleene S. Baker Valentine's Day always brings to mind the year I was ambushed! I was a senior in high school. It had been a so-so day with me being between boyfriends. Still, I knew mother would make the day special. I always received a sweet card and a small gift of some sort from my parents, but the highlight would be a special dinner and a homemade, mouth-watering layer cake baked in heart-shaped pans. To this day I have those pans that turned out scrumptious treats of love on Valentine's Day. * * * * "I'm really getting worried. You know your dad is never late for dinner!" mom's voice was anxious. She paced back and forth to the window, glanced at the clock, and tried to keep dinner warm without burning anything. Being a self-absorbed teenager, I continued my phone conversation until I heard the door open and mother scolding, "Where have you been? I've been worried sick!" I rounded the corner to see dad's arms full of flowers and a box of chocolates. He smiled at Mom. "Happy Valentine's Day, honey!" Mom all but jumped into his arms along with his tokens of love. He juggled gifts so they would not fall to the floor while trying graciously to accept Mom's embrace and kiss. Mother's new bouquet took center stage on the table and we sat down for dinner. Next to my plate I spied a small package that had not been there when I set the table! "What's this?" I squealed. "Just open it!" dad's mischievous blue eyes sparkled. "Is it from you?" "Just open it," he insisted. I ripped into it and found a brand new bottle of Ambush cologne! "Dad, did you buy this? Did you buy it all by yourself? "Well, kind of. It took some help from the clerk and I began to wonder if I'd ever get home for dinner." A Valentine gift from my dad... the first one ever from just dad! I was stunned and gave him a huge hug. "Oh, thank you, dad! But, how did you even know what kind to buy?" "I've seen your bottles around here a million times and knew I could remember the name if I thought about western movies -- ya know, they're always ambushing each other. Everything was fine until the clerk asked me what kind I wanted. I told her Apache." "Apache!" I giggled. "Oh, no! Apache?" Dad grumbled and informed me it wasn't that funny at all. The clerk insisted there was no such cologne, while he swore there was. They went round and round until he decided maybe he had forgotten the name, but made it clear he would recognize the smell since his daughter seemingly bathed in it. That's when the aggravated, cranky clerk began a "misting marathon." "I sneezed, snorted, and nearly got sick! Then suddenly she hit on the right one. I'd know that scent anywhere!" Never once have I asked dad what possessed him to buy me a gift that year. Realizing my days under his roof were soon drawing to a close has always been my suspicion. Yes, Valentine's Day of my senior year out-shined all others by leaps and bounds. Roses, teddy bears, and cupids abound each February creating what will one day be fond remembrances. As for me, warm memories of my Valentine's Day Ambush are revisited! They reside in a special niche of my heart. -- Kathleene S. Baker ______________________________________________ Kathleene and husband, Jerry, reside in Plano, Texas. They share their home with Hank, a terribly spoiled schnauzer. A freelancer, she has contributed to newspapers, anthologies, magazines, online ezines, and writes a weekly column entitled "Heart of Texas." She is Editor for Starfish, a daily inspiration ezine. Kathy's website: http://www.txyellowrose.com ------------------------ Dear Heartwarmers: Christmas is past and New Year's Resolutions are behind us. February, is the month for sweethearts. Here's a story repeated to me by my 96 year old cousin just before his death. It is an unusual story of how my grandparents became wed. My grandmother was born 1874 in the Cumberland Mountains of Kentucky. She had typhoid fever when she was nine years old. It was so severe she lost all of her hair. Her mother's careful nursing pulled her through. Grievously, when she awakened from the fever, her mother had taken sick with the disease and was dying. She was nine years old at the time. Being the oldest girl with three sisters younger than her, it was expected that she make the biscuits and gravy and fry the eggs for breakfast after Grandpa Elisha had built the fire in the wood burning stove. She made the cornpone, cooked the beans, and fried the pork and potatoes for the two afternoon meals of the day. Life was hard in those mountains. The cow had to be milked twice a day, every bite of food they ate must be raised on the poor mountain soil where "new grounds" were grubbed with hoe and mattock on the "flats" in coves of the mountains. Their clothing was made on looms after the wool was sheared from the sheep and spun on a spinning wheel. Flax was grown and soaked in stagnant water to separate the fibers for linen thread. Together they were woven into the "linseywoolsey" material the original settlers wore who settled there with Daniel Boone. Life did not come easily for dear Martha. Long hours and years of labor passed and her younger sisters married and moved away before she had a proposal. This is the way it happened, my cousin told me, straight from the mouth of Uncle Hiram (my grandfather): "Sis, my first wife, had just died. I had a family and a house to take care of and I looked around. Marthy was the best worker and so I paid her a visit. Marthy, sez I, Sis died two weeks ago and I can't help that. I've two young'uns to raise and a house that needs keeping. I know it's sudden, but I need a wife and I'm giving you first chance. I'll give you two weeks to think it over." So Grandma Martha married Hiram Isaac who was a logging entrepreneur. They gave life to three little girls -- Rhoda Dell, Mattie, and Rosa Belle, before he was killed in an accident with his sawmill. Rhoda Dell died her first summer. Mattie never had children, but Rosa Belle, my mother, bore five children, of which I am the oldest at seventy-two years and an Ohio retired schoolteacher. -- Martha Meek ================================================================== .-. .-. .-.| .-./ | | \/ | / \ / /` `\ /`/` jgs `\/` >-->Love In The News... >Koala love story wins hearts after deadly fires http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE51A5RJ20090211 >Aussies find symbols of hope in two koalas One was rescued after accepting water from fireman; both now recovering http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29123220/ --- ...Sweet! Reminds me of the Smokey Bear story! My grandma was a Park Ranger. She gave all us kids a Smokey Bear stuffed animal. Rangers had them as a promotion. I slept with him every night in the crook of my arm - Hugging and holding him so tightly that over time his head tilted! Now perhaps they will have little Koala bears named after these! ============================================================= ...... ...... .:oOOOOo:. .:oOOOOo:. .:oOO:'':Oo:. .:oO:'':OOo:. .:oO: 'Oo:oO' :Oo:. :oO: 'o' :Oo: :oO: :Oo: ':oO: V A L E N T I N E :Oo:' ':oO: :Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' jgs 'oO:Oo' 'oOo' 'o' >-->From Our Friend Viv :) THE BUZZARD: If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top. THE BAT: The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkable nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash. THE BUMBLEBEE: A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself. PEOPLE: In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee. We struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing that all we have to do is look up! That's the answer, the escape route and the solution to any problem! Just look up. Sorrow looks back, Worry looks around, But faith looks up! .-"""-. .-"""-. / `..' \ _ | ___ _ _ _ _ | .-' / | | ( \/ )| | | ///// < <======\ | \ / | | /====<<<<< '-._\ \ _|_ \/ \_/ / \\\\\ `\ /' jgs `\ /' `\ /' `\/' Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly and trust in our Creator who loves us. --- ...Good One! Thank You Viv! =========================================================== >-->From InspiredBuffalo: >Story... ,;;;;;;\ ,;;;;;;, ,;;;@@@@@/ /;;@@@@@;;;, ,;;;@@,;;;\ \,@,;;;,@@;;;, ;;;@@;;;' '\ \;' ';;;@@;;; ;;;@@;;; / / ;;;@@;;; ;;;@@';;, \ \ ,;;'@@;;; ';;;@@';;,\ \;;'@@;;;' ';;;@@';/ /'@@;;;' jgs ';;;@/ /@@;;;' ';/ /;@;;' \;' This is a true story. Told by me with much love, and gratefulness. I wouldn't be alive today had it not been for this man and the fact that when God spoke to him he obeyed with out any question. For almost three years I've been that calm reassuring voice on the other end of the phone. Telling people of all walks of life and faith that their world hadn't ended and that they were just having a hard time. I was always the one that said, "Suicide is a final decision that we can never take back. However on that cold and seemingly empty Monday morning just a little over a week ago, I was ready to take my own life, and had I not felt the obligation to call this friend and supervisor of mine I would have most likely gone through with it. Now, as I sit here typing up this story to you I am thankful beyond words for the fact that he and God stepped in and stopped me. Below is the story that has forever shaped my life, and has started me off in a new and most wondrous direction. I hope to never see that darkness again, but if I do, I'll always know that I've a friend to turn to, and if he is not available then God most surely is. .-"""-. .-"""-. / `..' \ _ | I | .-' / | | ///// < <======\ L O V E /====<<<<< '-._\ \ / \\\\\ `\ G O D /' jgs `\ /' `\ /' `\/' A VERY HAPPY ENDING As I sit here a little over a week after a scary moment for me I think about how close I came to making a fatal mistake and how sad it would have made some of my closest friends and family had I been successful. I attribute my not making this mistake to the holy Spirit and a good friend who knew to listen to the small still voice that some times shows itself completely out of no place. Rewind to a little over a week ago to a dark moment in my life, and here's the story. On Monday morning I woke after only an hour's sleep to find that I felt much like some one who has just stepped off the edge of the world. I felt as if there was no light at the end of a long tunnel and that the only way I would find that light would be to end my life. However, something deep with in me did not really want this to be so. I felt as if I at least should say good-bye to a special person who had made himself a big part of my life with out even asking to do so. Some years back I had started on a journey that would teach me much, but that would also bring to me a certain amount of pain. Now as I lie there on my bed, unable to stop crying and unable to see any thing but sadness in my life I felt that pull to call my special friend. My fingers trembled as I dialed the phone, and my heart sank as I heard the voice mail answer instead of a volunteer's voice. I felt I must at least leave a message and after I'd done so, I suddenly became scared that he'd not hear it and that he might never know how I felt. The guilt from how badly I'd treated this friend over these last few weeks ate at me, and finally I tried the number again. This time a caring voice answered, and I asked her to please make certain that he heard the message I'd left. Something in my voice made her ask if I were okay, and I honestly told her that I did not feel well. She must've called him rite away because just a few moments later my phone rang and it was him on the other end of the phone. As he and I talked, it did not take him long to realize that I was in serious trouble, and after a few direct questions and some hard persuasion he was able to talk me in to going to the hospital with him. As I got ready to leave I figured he'd just dump me off on some one else and be on his way, just as so many before him had done. I couldn't shake the empty feeling I had, nor could I feel any thing but the sad numb feeling that had been plaguing me for days. Now at the emergency room he was telling me he'd not just leave me to face this horror alone. I did not understand how some one whom I'd treated so badly just a few days before could possibly be so caring. I did not understand the fact that he had forgiven me, and that although I'd hurt him badly he was still willing to stay with me, and to see to it I got the help I so badly needed. As the day progressed, I felt many different emotions. I felt fear, and deep sadness. I felt anger, and deep regret for the way I'd behaved, but most of all I still felt that same admiration for this strong man who had such great faith in God and followed his teachings to the letter. At first I thought that maybe he'd just forgiven me because that is what God instructs us to do, but as the day wore on, and as I sat in the middle of the bed there in the exam room crying and feeling very frightened and as he patted my leg or hand to reassure me that it would be alright, I began to realize that he'd forgiven me because he did for sure care about me and what happened to me. It dawned on me that he could've very easily just sent the police to my home, and turned me over to them and gone on with his day, but he hadn't chosen to do that. After six long hours in the emergency room, the hospital staff decided that I would be admitted to a psychiatric hospital there in the area, and it was only then that my friend told me that he would have to go now. I was again very afraid, but before he left me, he put his arms around me and hugged me tightly, repeating over and over to me that I would be alright, and that I would not stay over the edge forever. The love and care that he showed to me that long horrible day stayed with me all through out my hospitalization and now I'm back home, and feeling much better. All because some one was willing to give me just one more chance, and all because God had spoken to him as he listened to that message I'd left, and had told him to not wait but to call me back rite then. Had he let his human side win that day, I do not think I'd be here, but he chose to let the Spirit lead him, and because of that I'm here to tell the tail. Thanks to you God, and thanks to you Lynn for caring enough to be firm and for making me do what I couldn't do alone. I am going to be okay now, and I will rise above this and I will go forward and be successful. I am going to take your advice seriously. You've told me, "Don't Let A Set Back Hold Me Back.". And I'm not going to. I have a new story to add to my testimony and now God can truly work in my life. He couldn't before because I stood in his way, but that has passed, and although I still have some bad days, I know in my heart that there are people in my corner, and that one of them is you. May God give to you a most wondrous blessing and may he remember the most loving act that you performed that snowy cold, and very empty day for me. With Love, and Friendship, To Lynn Sorrell, From, Patty/Tazz! For almost three years I worked as a volunteer, and a Vista (Volunteers In Service To America) For a very wonderful organization called: 2-1-1/Contact Concern. They are a help line that provides not only information and referrals for basic needs, but they are also a listening ear should you become despondent and ready to give up. To find a center in your area you may look on: www.2-1-1 contact concern.org or you can see the United Way web site at: www.United Way.org Or just pick up any land phone line and dial 2-1-1 and you should get a center as close to you as it is possible for them. If that fails, call your United Way agency in your area. Either way never be afraid to phone. --- ,;;;;;;, ,;;;;;;, ,;;;@@@@@;;;@@@@@;;;, ,;;;@@,;;;,@,;;;,@@;;;, ;;;@@;;;' ';' ';;;@@;;; ;;;@@;;; ;;;@@;;; ;;;@@';;, ,;;'@@;;; ';;;@@';;,;;'@@;;;' ';;;@@';'@@;;;' jgs ';;;@@@;;;' ';;@;;' ( ';' (#) ) (#) ( (#) ) (#) ...Unfortunately, suicide is on the rise in the military. It is a very sad thing because as you may or may not know, it is of the devil. Another one of his tricks he uses to get rid of us people. Always remember that the devil does not like people. As much as God loves people, the devil hates them. It is in Satan's favor if people are dead. If you want to know if it is God's will for you to die - think about who loves you and who hates you. The one who loves you wants you alive! In death you can not fight the devil. You are no good to anyone. You are merely sleeping waiting for the Resurrection when Christ shall return as Lord of Lord's and King of Kings and you, along with all the other dead people, shall be risen. Whoop-t-do. What kind of good shall you do God while you are asleep? What kind of good shall you do for anyone including yourself by giving up? It is an evil trick of the devil to make people commit suicide, ending their life here on earth. A waste of a perfectly good resource of God's is when a good person dies. Check out here for more teachings ... http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&new_topic=47 For those of you on your own road back to your 'normal', please do not get discouraged if you are not like the man who 'stood up and walked'. God is the divine creator of our bodies and knows the healing process that our bodies need to take. Sometimes it may be a quick healing as with the miracles in the bible, other times it may be you getting better every day by the grace of God. Maybe over a span of years. It took me 4 years to get better to where I could watch TV again and 5 years before I was able to get back on the computer for short times. Now look at me! By the good love and grace of God I am back as a programmer. Doing the best I can for God and for my beloved savior Jesus Christ! -<>- ,;;;, ,;;;, ;;;;;;;,;;;;;;; .:::. .::::;;;;;;;;;;; :::::::.:::::::;;;;;;;;;' :::::::::::::::;;;;;;;' ':::::::::::::';;;;;' ':::::::::' ';' ':::::' ':' >A SHINING MOMENT By: Joseph J. Mazzella I was never a starter for my high school football team. No matter how much I trained and how hard I practiced I was always on the second string. A few of us backups even jokingly called ourselves the bench boys and gave each other nicknames. Mine was "Splinter." During one of the last games of the year, though, there came a point when I finally made it onto the field with the starters. It was my big chance and I was determined to prove myself. It wasn’t long either before a fumble miraculously bounced its way into my hands. I saw the end zone and turned to run down the field for a touchdown. It was my shining moment and it felt so good. It lasted for about one second. That is when the shoulder pads of three opposing players crashed into my knees, stomach, and back all at once. It was Splinter’s first and last hurrah before heading back to the bench. Since that time I have had a lot of shining moments in my life although most of them probably didn’t look that bright in the eyes of the world. I have come to see, however, that Heaven looks at life from a different viewpoint. Heaven sees life through God’s eyes and God’s eyes are always the eyes of love. When I open a door for someone, share a smile with a stranger, and laugh with my children then I know that I am glowing bright. When I stop to help another, pass on a kind word, and do a loving act then I know that I am shining in Heaven’s sight. I have come to learn too that it is these shining moments that make up our lives here. When we finally meet God face to face we aren’t going to be asked how many touchdowns we scored but rather how many lives we touched. May all of your moments here shine with joy. May you glow with Heaven’s goodness and light every single day. And may your entire life be a touchdown of love in God’s eyes. ,@@@@@, ,@@@@@, ,@@,;;;,@,;;;,@@, @@;;;' ';' ';;;@@ @@;;; ;;;@@ Ditto! From Me To U! '@@';;, ,;;'@@' '@@';;,;;'@@' '@@';'@@' jgs '@@@' '@' -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment New Energy Drink http://www.buffaloschips.com/hfhgtf.htm New Guy In Prison http://www.buffaloschips.com/jhtgtr.htm New Robot http://www.buffaloschips.com/uijhgyugu.htm New Saw http://www.buffaloschips.com/jhytfr.htm Nice One http://www.buffaloschips.com/uiy.htm Night Before Christmas http://www.buffaloschips.com/uyt.htm Movie 1 http://www.buffaloschips.com/acccd.htm Posedis http://www.buffaloschips.com/71002.htm Wake Up http://www.buffaloschips.com/71003.htm Wal-Mart Baby http://www.buffaloschips.com/71004.htm WatDoeJeNou http://www.buffaloschips.com/71005.htm Waterbed http://www.buffaloschips.com/71006.htm Subscribe send a blank email to: the-inspired-buffalo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com =================================================================== >-->From CupOfCheer: _ _ ( \/ ) .---. \ / .-"-. / 6_6 \/ / 4 4 \ \_ (__\ \_ v _/ // \\ // \\ (( )) (( )) =======""===""========""===""======= jgs ||| ||| | | >YES, IN THE WORKPLACE The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it (Gen. 2:15). Imagine for a moment that Jesus has just completed his three years of training with the disciples. He has been crucified and is now commissioning the twelve to go into the world and disciple the nations. Now imagine him also making this statement to them. "Dear brothers, it is now time for you to share what you have learned from me. However, as you share with others be sure that you keep what I taught you separate from your work life. The principles I have shared with you only apply in situations outside your work life. Do not make them fit into this context. The miracles you saw in me can only be done in certain situations outside work life. Keep this in mind when thinking about praying for the sick or the lost. These truths will not work in the marketplace." Sound preposterous? It may, but this is the mindset of many in our world today. The spiritual does not mix with the everyday world of the workplace. "What happens on Monday has no relationship to what takes place on Sunday," they say. These are the thoughts expressed so much in our day and time, although they are not expressed in such direct terms. Let's think more about this idea. When Jesus came to earth, how did He come? He came as a carpenter. He was a man given to work with his hands and to provide an honest service to his fellow man. He did not come as a priest, although He was both a King and a Priest (Rev. 1:6 KJV). When it came time to recruit those for whom the Church would be founded, He chose twelve men from the workplace - a fisherman, a tax collector, a doctor, and so on. They all came from the workplace. None of his disciples were priests from the synagogue, a natural place to recruit from if you were going to start a religious movement. Jesus called them all from the marketplace of life. Was this any accident that Jesus called men and women from the marketplace to play such a vital role in His mission? I think not. Today, embrace your work life as a holy calling. as seen in Today God Is First http://www.crosswalkmail.com/xbwkzbza_tklhulvx.html -<>- .-. .-. ( \/ ) .-. .-. \ .-. .-. ( \/ ) \ ( \/ ) \ .-. .-. / \ / jgs \ ( \/ .-. .-. / .-. \.-.\ ( \/ )/ ( \/ )\ /\ // \ / \ / \ / \ / \/ \ / \ / \/ \/ >KNOWING IS GOD REAL Have you ever had one of those moments where you questioned whether God is real or not? It seems that lots of folks do in our world. You can do an Internet search and literally find thousands of articles that address both sides of the thought. So, if you have ever had one of those moments you are not alone. You can search and find many deep and complicated answers to the question, but I'm basically a pretty simple guy and like the simple answers. Here is a simple little story that helps explain what I believe: It seems that there was a little boy flying his kite on the top of a hill one day. His kite was so high that the clouds sometimes hid it from view. A man walking nearby noticed the boy holding the string for the kite, with no kite in view. He asked, "How do you know that your kite is still there?" To which the boy answered, "Because I can still feel the pull on the string." Is there any of us who does not, from time to time feel that upwards pull? When you look around at God's creation or perhaps sit quietly and listen to the sounds of nature. When you see how God paints a sunrise or sunset and you feel a little thrill in your heart at the beauty; those things say to our hearts, "God is real". The apostle Paul wrote: "But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who push the truth away from themselves. For the truth about God is known to them instinctively. God has put this knowledge in their hearts. From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God". (Romans 1:18-2, NLT) I believe that people have to be persuaded that there is no God; that they don't come to that conclusion by themselves. After all Paul says that we were created with the knowledge that God is real in our hearts. Someone described this as "a God shaped void within the heart and soul of man," a hole that can only be filled by placing God there. What about you, is there something missing in your life? Could it be a longing that can only be satisfied by remembering and acknowledging what God build into your soul from the beginning. The fact that you will never be complete, never be whole until you welcome The God of the Universe into your heart. Do you feel the pull? Russ Lawson Messages from the Heart is sent several times each week written by Russ Lawson. To subscribe send a blank email to: join-messages-from-the-heart@xc.org -<>- ...... ...... .:oOOOOo:. .:oOOOOo:. .:oOO:'':Oo:. .:oO:'':OOo:. .:oO:' ':Oo:oO:' ':Oo:. :oO: ':O:' :Oo: :oO: ' :Oo: ':oO: :Oo:' ':oO: 3:16 :Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' jgs 'oO:Oo' 'oOo' 'o' >THE OLD 3:16 We're on a one-track Christian train It's numbered 3:16 JESUS IS THE ENGINEER And He runs one "mean machine!" He takes it up and down the hills And around the sharpest curves He regulates the speed JUST RIGHT It NEVER even swerves! He takes this train through valleys deep As prudently He steers We're BLESSED He's at the throttle, folks And is Chief Engineer! When this train climbs mountain peaks That nearly touch the sky He blows its whistle loud and clear NO NEED TO QUESTION WHY! This Christian train spans prairies too And when smoothly gliding 'cross We settle back--enJOY the view KNOWING JESUS IS THE BOSS! Sometimes stormy clouds appear And fog is all about us BUT Jesus keeps us RIGHT ON TRACK NO REASON TO REROUTE US! The 3:16 a local folks It stops in every town ANYONE can hop on board This train is HEAVEN BOUND! Passengers can leave the train Whenever they so choose BUT WHY GET OFF THE 3:16 There's just TOO MUCH TO LOSE! So keep your ticket in your hand Wave to the Engineer He'll get you to THE PROMISED LAND His destination clear!!! By Virginia Ellis (c) 1999 To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com ============================================================ ..8888888.. ..8888888.. .8:::::::::::8. .8:::::::::::8. .8:::::::::::::::8:::::::::::::::8. .8:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::8. 8:::::: ::::' ':::' ':::: : :::::8 8:::::: ::: ' ::: : :::::8 8:::::: ::: ::: : :::::8 '8::::: ::::. .:::: : ::::8' '8:::: ::::::. .:::::: : :::8' '8::: ::::::::.::::::::. .::8' '8:::::::::::::::::::::::::8' '8:::::::::::::::::::::8' '8:::::::::::::::::8' '8:::::::::::8' jgs '8:::::8' '8' >The New Year's Gift Story Editor: by Jerri Barrett Joyce Schowalter California, USA On New Year's Eve many years ago, I was driving back to graduate school in Rochester, New York. In Binghamton, New York, halfway between my parents' house and school, smoke suddenly came out of my car engine. My car was an old Ford Mustang that had seen better days. I got off the highway and made it to a small gas station near the exit. The attendant found that my engine was completely without oil. I bought enough oil to refill the engine, but we saw it leaking out again rapidly. He sold me a few extra cans and gave me directions to a good garage he knew of. At the garage, I told the owner what had happened. He came out, looked the car over and checked the oil; it was half empty already. He said I'd have to wait; other customers were ahead of me and they were supposed to close at 1:00 p.m. for New Year's Eve. It was nearly 11 a.m. and I was in a strange town with no place to go, so I sat on some plastic crates and waited. Eventually the owner came over to tell me my oil pressure gauge had snapped off. He'd have to get a new part from the auto parts store, which was closed, but he'd make some calls. I found out later the store owner was his friend, and had not only reopened the store but delivered the part himself. The whole time, I was figuring out how much cash was in my pocket, how much was in my bank account, would they take a check and what I could possibly leave for collateral if they wouldn't. For three hours people came and went. One worker bought me a coke, and the mailman gave me half his sandwich when he stopped for lunch at the garage. I was too afraid of being unable to pay the bill to buy anything for myself. Finally my car was off the lift and the owner called me over. "That will be seven forty," he said. I nearly fainted. "Seven hundred and forty dollars?" I squeaked. "No, seven dollars and forty cents," he said. "I have to charge you for the part." I was amazed and immediately filled with gratitude. I wanted to protest, but I needed what little money I did have for groceries and utilities until my next student loan arrived. With thanks and hugs for everyone in the garage, I gave them the tin of homemade Christmas cookies my mother had given me that morning. Their kindness has stayed with me for more than 20 years. All those men, from the garage owner to the mailman, knew they'd never see me again since I wasn't local. They could have ripped me off on price, or charged the repair's true value -- over $200. Instead of taking advantage of my misfortune, they gave me the best New Year's gift ever -- true kindness and charity. ========HeroicStories======== >--->From SermondFodder: ..8888888.. ..8888888.. .8:::::::::::8. .8:::::::::::8. .8:::''''''''':::8:::''''''''':::8. .8::: .::::::. ::::: .::::::. :::8. 8::: ::::::::::. ' .:::::::::: :::8 8::: ::::::::::::.:::::::::::: :::8 8::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::8 '8::: ::::::::::::::::::::::: :::8' '8::: ::::::::::::::::::::: :::8' '8::: ':::::::::::::::::' :::8' '8:::. ':::::::::::::' .:::8' '8:::: ':::::::::' ::::8' '8::::. ':::' .::::8' '8:::: ' ::::8' jgs '8:::::8' '8' >CHRISTIAN ONE-LINERS: Don't let your worries get the best of you. Remember, Moses started out as a basket case. Some people are kind, polite and sweet-spirited ~ until you try to sit in their pew. Many people want to serve God, but only as advisors. It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one. The good Lord didn't create anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close. When you get to your wit's end, you'll find that God lives there. People are funny. They want the front of the bus, the middle of the road and the back of the church. Opportunity may knock once, but temptation leans on the bell. Quit griping about your church; if it was perfect, you couldn't belong. The phrase that is guaranteed to wake up an audience: "And in conclusion." If a church wants a better pastor, it only needs to pray for the one it has. God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead, so why should you? To make a long story short, don't tell it. Some minds are like concrete; thoroughly mixed up and permanently set. Peace starts with a smile. I don't know why some people change churches. What difference does it make which one you stay home from? A lot of church members who are singing "Standing on the Promises" are just sitting on the premises. We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges. Outside of traffic, there is nothing that holds this country back as much as committees. Be ye fishers of men. You catch them ~ He'll clean them. Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous. Don't put a question mark where God puts a period. Don't wait for six strong men to take you to church. Forbidden fruits create many jams. God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called. God grades on the cross, not the curve. God loves everyone, but probably prefers the "fruits of the Spirit" to the "religious nuts". God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage. He who angers you, controls you. If God is your co-pilot ~ swap seats! Prayer: Don't give God instructions ~ just report for duty! The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us. The Will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not protect you. We don't change the message, the message changes us. You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to discourage him. The best mathematical equation I have ever seen: 1 cross + 3 nails = 4given -<>- ..8888888.. ..8888888.. .8:::::::::::8. .8:::::::::::8. .8:::::::::::::::8:::::::::::::::8. .8:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::8. 8:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::8 8::::::::::/` \/ `\:::::::::::::::::8 8::::::::::\ /` \/ `\:::::::::::8 '8:::::::::::. .\ /::::::::::8' '8:::::::::::\/:::. .:::::::::::8' '8::::::::::::::::\/:::::::::::8' '8:::::::::::::::::::::::::8' '8:::::::::::::::::::::8' '8:::::::::::::::::8' two hearts '8:::::::::::8' beat as one... jgs '8:::::8' '8' >STAND THEREFORE Preachers seldom face as large an audience as confronted Dudley A. Tyng on a March day in 1858. More than five thousand men were gathered in Jaynes' Hall in Philadelphia to hear the beloved rector. At the time the city was being stirred by a great revival. There was a singular charm and appeal about this speaker. He seemed to find just the right words to satisfy the soul hunger of his listeners. He was so moving and convincing in his plea that he drew thousands to those gatherings. But three weeks later he was dead. The city was shocked when it read of the accident that had claimed him as its victim. Mr. Tyng had gone to his home at Brookfield, near Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Unfortunately Mr. Tyng suffered a fatal accident on his farm. Shortly before he passed away, he was briefly conscious. Those by the bedside heard him whisper, "Tell them to stand up for Jesus." Undoubtedly it was the message he wanted carried to his friends in the minister's union who were conducting the city-wide revival. There was one acquaintance in particular to whom these words came as a challenge. George Duffield, pastor of the Fifth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, had been the late rector's intimate associate and close fellow worker. To him it hardly seemed possible that one so beautiful in spirit and so dedicated to the Master's cause could have passed so abruptly from the scene. He began thinking that Mr. Tyng's final words should be translated into some enduring form of memorial. The following Sunday, when the time came for the sermon in his own church, Mr. Duffield preached from the text in Ephesians 6:14: "Stand therefore." At the close he read a poem he had written, "Stand Up! Stand Up for Jesus!" Probably he never dreamed that he had written a great hymn. A copy of the lines was given to his Sunday school superintendent, who in turn had them printed on a special leaflet so that they could be sung by all the children. It could not stop there. The words seemed to fire men's souls throughout the land. When George Duffield made a trip to the battlefront in Virginia a few years later, he was deeply stirred as he heard thousands of army men sing "Stand Up! Stand Up for Jesus!" By Vincent Edwards --- ... midi - Stand Up For Jesus http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/s/t/standufj.htm Fun YouTube - Stand Up For Jesus http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOe_rJa1Pks .-"""-. .-"""-. / `..' \ | | | H A P P Y | \ VALENTINE'S / __\ D A Y ! / _ / |`\ /' | \ \/_/ `\ /' \_\| / __ `\ /' \/_/__\ `\/' .--='/~\ ____,__/__,_____,______)/ /{~}}} -,-----,--\--,-----,---,\'-' {{~}} jgs __/\_ '--=.\}/ /_/ |\\ \/ *~* HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!! ---> Visit my CyberHome - ALWAYS OPEN HOUSE :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/index.html Shangrala ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->Bigham's Computer Rescue - PC Sales & Serrvice You can trust us to provide you with quality computer sales and repair. We've been servicing the Van Wert area since 1981 and can help you with all your computer needs. Please phone us at 419-238-5806 ************************************************************************ -->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: This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR Send a BLANK email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ************************************************************************