Heroes... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList Through no fault of my own we suddenly became an adult club in the love and romance directory so you will have to confirm that you are an adult when you go here. I still have no idea how to change this back as it sends me around in a circle when I try! or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! ================ "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ . , )). -===- ,(( ))). ,((( ))))). .:::. ,(((((( ))))))))). :. .: ,((((((((' `))))))))))). : - : ,(((((((((((( ))))))))))))))))_:' ':_(((((((((((((((' `)))))))))))).-' \___/ '-._((((((((((( `))))_._.-' __)( )(_ '-._._((((' `))'---)___)))'\_ _/'((((__(---'((' `))))))))))))|' '|((((((((((((' jim `)))))))))/' '\(((((((((' `)))))))| |(((((((' `))))))| |((((((' /' '\ /' '\ /' '\ /' '\ '---..___..---' *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels For 2011 *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a 2011 Shangrala Angel, please visit the site and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL page comes up. Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS ALL OUR ANGELS MOST ABUNDANTLY! ================ >Hot Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This super hot sizzler is from Our Friend Linda. It is one that combines the beauty of nature with the wisdom of ages. My son suggested the music for this inspirational one so, turn the sound up and give it time to load... n__n_ / = =\ / ._Y_) ___________/ "\________________________________ (_/ (_, \ o!O \ ( \_,--""""--. __..-,-`.___,-` )-.______.' <' `-,' `-, )-' > `----._/ ( /"`>.--" "--..___,--" Advice For Living http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/advice.html --- ...Such an awesome one! Thank You Linda! (yes, I know Advice is spelled wrong - it came that way ;) ============================================================== >-->IN The Worldly News: A HERO! >From Fox News: \\ ///// | | (| _ _ |) |` | '| | __ | >>>___/\_^__/\___<<< / ||| \ Mike Hertz Pentagon - POLITICS First Living Soldier Since Vietnam Awarded Military's Highest Honor http://tinyurl.com/43fh53c -<>- ,-.^._ _ .' `-. ,' ; /`-. ,----' `-. _ ,-.,' ` _.' `--' `-' '-' ; : o ; __,-. ,' o Mazar-i-Sharif ;_,-',.__'--. : Herat ,--``` `--' : ; : : ; : ( ; `-. * ,' ; Kabul : .' .-._,' .' `. _.' .__; `._ o ; `. Kandahar : ,---------------------. `. ,..__,---._; | AFGHANISTAN | `-.__ : | Capital: Kabul | `.--.____; Gr | Pop: 12700000 | | Area: 250000 sq.mi. | | (647500 sq.km.)| `---------------------' >From The New Yorker: September 15, 2011 President Obama awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor to former Marine Corporal Dakota Meyer, who is credited with saving the lives of thirty-six American and Afghan comrades during a firefight in Kunar Province in September of 2009. He is the first living Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan or Iraq. Meyer has rejected the idea that he is a hero. Read more http://tinyurl.com/6gnb2p8 --- \\ ///// | | (| _ _ |) |` | '| | __ | >>>___/\_^__/\___<<< / ||| \ Mike Hertz ...Of course, we know he is a hero! I especially liked the prayers and service that Pres.Obama hosted there. Very well done. We are most proud of Marine Corporal Dakota Meyer! May God Bless him for his acts and may God bless those with him that helped him succeed! ============================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: \//// ( oO) ./'-._ .oO( /'-. | | '-.| )Oo. =|'-._ / \// unknown '' >ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE [HEROES!} by Joseph Walker It's the middle of the day. You're walking -- or driving or working or bicycling – along a busy highway that borders a university campus when you come upon a serious traffic accident that has just occurred. A motorcycle is lying on the roadway, in flames. A badly damaged automobile is stopped near the motorcycle, and the fire is beginning to spread to the car. Suddenly you notice that someone – probably the motorcycle driver – is pinned underneath the car. He isn't moving. For all you know, he might already be dead. But you don't know for sure. And the fire is spreading toward him. What are you going to do? For 14 or so passers-by Monday, the answer was immediate and unflinching: they rushed in to help. They tried to get him out from under the car, but he was stuck under there, and the fire was moving ever closer. A few people tried to life the car, but barely moved it. There was a moment of hesitation, and then a larger group -- including several hard hat-wearing construction workers – moved as one to the side of the car, and with all their collective might they lifted the 3,000-pound burning vehicle up onto two wheels while another construction worker pulled the unconscious young motorcycle driver out from under the car. I'm not making this up. You can see it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwKyRYX2UqQ And please notice the flames lapping at the young man's foot as they drag him to safety. Miraculously, the young man survived, with only broken bones, some road rash and a few bruises to show for his brush with death. Oh, and he has one other thing: a thankful heart. A day after his dramatic rescue he was still in the hospital recuperating from his injuries. But he sent his uncle out to thank the people who risked their lives to save his. "He knows that there are angels out there that saved his life," his uncle said. "People came together, risked their lives, to save him." He paused, then added: "Just... thank you... from all of us in the family." In my mind, there were two remarkable things that happened in those few anxious moments from the time the accident occurred until the time the young motorcyclist was dragged to safety. First was the heroic rush of people -- more than one -- to offer assistance despite the very real possibility of harm to themselves. I think of the gallant police officers and fire fighters who rushed IN to the twin towers on 9/11 when everyone else was rushing OUT, the office workers on the upper floors who ran UPSTAIRS to help others instead of following their natural self-protective impulses to rush DOWN. I'm awed and inspired by such compassionate courage. I don't know that I possess it – and quite frankly, it's OK with me if I never find out for sure -- but I'm grateful to live in a world in which so many do. The second remarkable thing that happened that morning was that all of these brave, caring people managed to work together to save a life. It would not have happened if they had not. One or two people couldn't lift that car. Even six or seven -- they tried. It took all of them pushing together to get the car up on two wheels so the injured young man could be moved out of the way. There's a lesson in that for all of us, I think. No matter how strong we are individually, we are infinitely stronger in the face of adversity if we work together. Like the young man's uncle said: "A lot of times things happen these days that shake our faith in humanity. But here we have not one person, not two people, but nearly a dozen people rushing together to a burning scene to lift a thousand-pound car. That is absolutely incredible." -- Joseph Walker > __________________________________________________ Joseph is a Heartwarmer Gem from Utah. Y =============================================================== >-->From Our Friend John-Paul :) I hope you are blessed and encouraged by today*s message. Waves are my home .:~~--__ __--~~:. Wind is my life ,:;'~'-,__~~--..,---..--~~__,-`~`::. ,:;' ''-,_ (. .)_,-`` `::. ,;' \ `\)/ `:. ' `--' ` __._ _.._ _._ -~~ ~~--..__.._-~~~--..--~~ ~~--.___.---...-'~ ~~---...-.__seal__. >IN THE EYE OF THE STORM An old man walks down a Florida beach. The sun sets like an orange ball on the horizon. The waves slap the sand. The smell of saltwater stings the air. The beach is vacant. He carries a bucket in his bony hand. A bucket of shrimp. It*s not for him. It*s not for the fish. It*s for the sea gulls. He walks to an isolated pier cast in gold by the setting sun. He steps out to the end of the pier. The time has come for the weekly ritual. He stands and waits. Soon the sky becomes a mass of dancing dots. The evening silence gives way to the screeching of birds. They fill the sky and then cover the moorings. They are on a pilgrimage to meet the old man. For a half hour or so, the bushy-browed, shoulder-bent gentleman will stand on the pier, surrounded by the birds of the sea, until his bucket is empty. But even after the food is gone, his feathered friends still linger. They linger as if they're attracted to more than just food. They perch on his hat. They walk on the pier. And they all share a moment together. The old man on the pier couldn't go a week without saying "thank you." His name was Eddie Rickenbacker. If you were alive in October 1942, you probably remember the day that he was reported missing at sea. He had been sent on a mission to deliver a message to Gen. Douglas MacArthur. With a handpicked crew in a B-17 known as the "Flying Fortress," he set off across the South Pacific. Somewhere the crew became lost, the fuel ran out, and the plane went down. All eight crew members escaped into the life rafts. They battled the weather, the water, the sharks, and the sun. But most of all, they battled the hunger. After eight days, their rations were gone. They ran out of options. It would take a miracle for them to survive. And a miracle occurred. After an afternoon devotional service, the men said a prayer and tried to rest. As Rickenbacker was dozing with his hat over his eyes, something landed on his head. He would later say that he knew it was a sea gull. He didn*t know how he knew; he just knew. That gull meant food...if he could catch it. And he did. The flesh was eaten. The intestines were used as fish bait. And the crew survived. What was a sea gull doing hundreds of miles away from land? Only God knows. But whatever the reason, Rickenbacker was thankful. As a result, every Friday evening this old captain walked to the pier, his bucket full of shrimp and his heart full of thanks. We'd be wise to do the same. We've much in common with Rickenbacker. We, too, were saved by a Sacrificial Visitor. We, too, were rescued by One who journeyed far from only God knows where. And we, like the captain, have every reason to look into the sky... and worship. Let`s read and meditate on these scriptures: Romans 5:8-10 "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." Galatians 3:13-14 "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Romans 10:9-11 "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. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. - John-Paul --- ...Amen! Thank You John-Paul! Quite a man...Eddie Rickenbacker http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Rickenbacker ================================================================= >-->From Our Friend Johanna :) .-------. |(~\o/~)| _.||\/X\/||._ ,-" || \ / || "-, ,' () ||o X o|| () ', / () ,-|| / \ ||-, () \ : o ,' ||/\X/\|| ', o ; .----------._).-.-.(_.----------. |\/)~~(\/\ ( ) /\/)~~(\/| |(X () X) .-.\ : /.-. (X () X)| |/\)__(/\/( .`:`. )\/\)__(/\| '----------( /|\ )----------' ; o ', |"` | `"| ,' o ; \ () '-| /o\ |-' () / ', () |(~\ /~)| () ,' '-._ ||\/X\/|| _.-' '|| \_/ ||' || X || ||\(/\/|| ||=)O(=|| ||/\/)\|| || X || || / \ || ||/\X/\|| jgs |(_/o\_)| '._____.' >He Did Not Retaliate, by Tom Norvell When the guy cut across two lanes of traffic without any sort of a turn signal, while he was talking on his phone, you wanted to honk your horn and let him know without a doubt that you saw what he did. You are convinced that he looked in his mirror and saw that it was you and intentionally tried to ruin your day. If you get the chance, you will let him have it. "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate." When the young guy in the car pulled up behind you while you were stopped at the light, he had the bass on his stereo so loud that your windows were vibrating. You wanted to stick your head out the window and yell, "What makes you think everyone in this part of town wants to listen to your music?" He probably could not hear you if you did. "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate." When a co-worker publicly humiliated you with an unusually critical comment about a decision you had made, you wanted to fire back at him with an equally ugly comment about how this man made his own share of mistakes, and beside that he has a mustard stain on his tie. "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate." When you were greeted first thing on Monday morning by an email from your supervisor pointing out a typo in the project you had sent her, you wanted to respond with an email of your own highlighting every typo she had ever made in every email she had ever sent you. "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate." When your wife offered an alternative route to your destination, you wanted to remind her that she was in the passenger seat and you were in the driver's seat. "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate." When your idea falls flat as a pancake in the team meeting, you wanted to remind them of your title and your years of experience. "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate." When your neighbor got upset because of something that a visitor in your home had done, you want to ask him, "Well, who died and made you boss of the neighborhood." "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate." When you realized that your playing partner had not counted all his strokes on the last hole, which meant he had a better score, you wanted to remind him that golf is a gentleman's game for men of integrity … like you. "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate." When your wife revealed that she has had an affair, you felt so betrayed that you wanted to tell her to leave the house, and words cannot describe what you would like to do to the man she had the affair with. "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate." When you learned that your business partner has lied to you, cheated you, and put the future of your company in jeopardy, you wanted to take him to court and sue him for everything you can. You wanted to ruin him. "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate." When you discovered that people you loved and respected had been spreading vicious ugly rumors about you and your family, you wanted to go public with what you know about them and set the record straight once and for all. "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate." When the less qualified new employee got the promotion that you had been working for, and hoping for, you wanted to do everything you could to make her life miserable and prove it was a mistake. "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate." When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls (1 Peter 2:23_24 NIV). In this life we will be treated poorly, we will be overlooked, we will be betrayed, we will be lied to, we will be taken advantage of, and many times it will seem that life is unfair and it is our duty to set it right. Many in this world would applaud the action of retaliation and revenge and assure us that we are justified in everything. It happens every day. Some would say, "It is the only way to survive and not get run over." But, Jesus is our example and "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate." --------- (c) 2011 Tom Norvell Leonardo DaVinci wrote: He who does not punish evil commands it to be done. --- ...Well said! Jesus is our example for sure! Thanks Johanna! ============================================================ >-->From CupO'Cheer: ____ _ |---|| _ ||__________|SSt||___________|| /_ _ _ _ _ _ |:._|'_ _ _ _ _ _ _\`. /_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _\:`. /_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _\::`. /:.___________________________________\:::`-._ _.-'_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _`::::::`-.._ _.-' _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ `:::::::::`-._ ,'_:._________________________________________________`:_.::::-';` `.'/ || |:::::`.'/::::::::`.'/::::::::`.'/::::::|.`.'/.| :| || || |::::::||::::::::::||::::::::::||:::::::|..||..| || || || | __ || :: ___ || :: __ || :: |..||;|| || || || | |::| || :: |:::| || :: |::| || :: |.|||:||_____||__ || || | |::| || :: |:::| || :: |::| || :: |.|||:||_|_|_||,( ||_.|| | |::| || :: |:::| || :: |::| || :: |.'||..| _||,| .-'::_.:'.:-.--.-::--.-:.--:-::--.--.--.-::--.--.-:.-::,'.--.'_|| | );||_|__||_|__|_||__|_||::|_||__|__|__|_||__|__|_|;-'|__|_(,' || '- |||| || |. . . ||. . . . . ||. . . . . ||. . . .|::||;''|| ||:' ||||.; _|._._._||._._._._._||._._._._._||._._._.|:'||,, ||,, ''''' ''- ''- ''- ''' ''' >MY FRONT PORCH VIEW In the early morning hours, I gather up my Bible and head out to my porch, Where I am anything but idle. I see God's mercies And hear the sounds, Of His glory and beauty All around! I look up and there I see a Rabbit running wild and free. He pauses here and dashes there, I see God's Wonders Everywhere! Worship begins to fill my heart, I read His Word and my day does start. I ponder as the trees I see, dancing in the wind So blissfull and free! My spirit is alive and Praise begins, Father your Creation brings a Hallowed Amen! I look up And see the sky, all colors of blue, White clouds floating by. My spirit soars As I read His Word, I know beyond a doubt, My prayers are being heard. My front porch has become a Sanctuary, Where I meet my God And there we tarry. Surrounded by the Glory of the Living King, My Spirit rejoices, and Inside Praises ring. Each day I meet My God out there, On my Front Porch Where He makes we aware! And Through His eyes I suddenly see, That Nature was meant To restore You and Me! Lord you have created This World for us, Let us not miss the blessings And in You, put our trust. Wildlife, trees, Flowers in bloom, You have arranged all this So doubt has no room! It thrills my soul, When a deer strolls by, Those deep dark eyes, All their needs, You supply! I thank you for my front porch view, Where I sit and ponder And share my thoughts with You! @ Mary Ann Trott July 21, 2011 -<>- .---. /` ___|`\ |_/ \| ( -/- ) \_ - _/ .-'|_|'-. / \ / O \ / _____!_____ \ /.-------------.\ \| ,;, |/ | ;;; | | ;;;;;;;;; | | `';;;'` | | ;;; | | ;;; | | ::: | | ';' | | | _| _ __ __ _|_ jgs_/ _ __ ___ __ _\_ _/ __ ___ _ ___ __ _ \_ >COMFORTING Isaiah 40:1 "Comfort ye, comfort ye My people, says your God." This was the prophets's mission. The world is full of comfortless hearts and before you are sufficiently equipped to comfort them, you must be trained. And your training is costly in the extreme; in order to comfort others, you must pass through the same afflictions as are wringing countless hearts of tears. Thus, your own life becomes the hospital ward where you are taught the Divine art of comforting. You are wounded that in the binding up of your wounds by the Great Physician, you may learn how to render first aid to the wounded in your world. You wonder why you are passing through some sorrow ~~ just wait ~~ and you will find others who are afflicted as you were. You will tell them how you suffered and how our Great God wrapped you in His healing love. In that moment when shadows cast despair across the soul of another, you will say aha! This is why I was afflicted, this is why God disciplined me ~~ to equip me with a life of compassion. God does not comfort us to make us comfortable ~~ He comforts us to make us comforters. They tell me love must bleed and friendship weep, Before in my deepest need ~~I touch that deep. ~~ Streams in the Desert --- _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` ...In the New Testament there is only one place that we are taught to 'comfort one another'... It is here in 1 Thes.4:18 "Wherefore comfort one another with these words." The apostle Paul is talking about our sorrow when we loose a loved one... [13] But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. Those that are asleep - meaning dead - that we have less sorrow than others that have died without Jesus Christ as their Lord - their hope... [15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. We who are alive when Jesus Christ Returns shall not stop the dead from being raised... [16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: The dead in Christ - those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and have died - shall rise first at the Resurrection... [17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Then ALL of us Shall be caught up together with ALL the dead in Christ IN THE Clouds and MEET The LORD in The AIR - And so shall we ever be with the Lord... This is not a recurring event for every one that dies - in other words, Christ doesn't descend from heaven every time a person on earth dies to raise that person from the dead and escort them to heaven just so they can meet all the others who have died and gone to heaven before them - NO. People who are dead are asleep on earth waiting for The Return - this is ALL Together - A ONE TIME EVENT - The Gathering Together - The Resurrection - When Christ RETURNS AS LORD OF LORDS... [18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words. We are going to be with ALL our loved ones again when Christ Returns - and we shall be with them forever - OF Course that is only for the ones who have confessed Jesus Christ as Their Lord and Savior. We will see and be with our dearly departed once Christ Returns for ALL OF US! -<>- .========. .========. // I .'..' \ // VI.'.,".\ || II .'..'| || VII..'..| || III .'."| || VIII,'.'| || IV ,','.| || IX.'".'.| || V '..'.'| || X .'..',| jgs .\_________/ .\_________/ >10 SIGNS YOUR CHRISTIANITY IS TOO COMFORTABLE by Brian Dodd "Glamping" is a form of luxury camping started by wealthy British people who frequently took African safaris. Instead of roughing it in the wilderness, these aristocrats vacationed with the best of accommodations such as soft beds, fluffy pillows, and all the modern conveniences such as televisions. This form of relaxation has made its way to the United States. In 2010, KOA Kampgrounds increased 26% in luxury lodge rentals. Glamping Hub's Ruben Martinez says, "After a week of camping, you're not thinking, 'I look homeless right now.' You're thinking about how comfortable you are." I fear the mindset of glamorous camping permeates our entire society, including local churches. I fear we have become a nation of comfortable Christians. I know I personally have. "I'm OK. You're OK." is not a healthy approach to life and is a sign of a self- leadership issue. Much of what I am about to say is going to be a public confession of some personal sins. How do you know you have become a Comfortable Christian? Here are 10 signs your Christianity has become too comfortable: You are not attending church with a high level of expectancy. You no longer seem to be concerned about the spiritual condition of neighbors, family members, or your co-workers. You haven't had a spiritual conversation with a non-Christian in a long time. The Bible seems like a history book. It's lifeless to you. Your happiness on Sunday mornings is more important than what it takes to reach the unchurched. As long as you get your parking spot, your seat, and hear the music you like, everything's fine. The plight of the poor doesn't concern you. Pictures of overseas suffering do not move you to action. You do not give your financial resources sacrificially. Your prayers don't seem to be making it past the ceiling. It doesn't even dawn on you that God could do something incredibly radical in your life at any moment today. It's not even on your radar. Many items on that list have described me at various times in my life. Like British aristocrats on an African safari, I was lulled into a mindset of comfort over experiencing everything that was laid out right there in front of me. I had become too comfortable. Can you relate? What can we do to get uncomfortable in our Christianity? as seen in firstIMPRESSIONS -<>- ,,,,, ////""\ . (((/ m m -|- __ )))c = ) | (__) ////-./~` . [] (((( `.`\ :: [] )))`\ \)).-;.' .------, [] (() `._.-'` _( )[] )/ `. | .'`^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^))\`.----'`[] jgs ( \' { ~ - ~~ _ ~ - ~~ - ~ - (( | | [] .-.--\ \ { )) | | [] |_;_._`\ |{ ((__|_|-----[] | ; ``` ;{ )) [] | /``-.____/ `~~~[]~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~'-' [] `' (__) (__) >THROUGH JESUS HIS SON God waits for me with Arms open wide as His Son tells me in Him to confide. God waits for me each and every day to see if I'll take time to kneel down and pray. God waits for me to do what is right each and every day and each and every night. God waits for me through Jesus His Son as He watch's daily to see what's begun. God waits for me as He waits there for you to do the very right thing of which you should do. ©By Bill Pearce Aug 12, 2006 -<>- ,%%%%%%%%, %%/\%%%%/\%% _,._ %%%\C "" J/%%%, __.' _) %%%/ o o \%%%% .% <_,)'.-"a\ %%%| _ %%%% .%%` /' ( \'%%(__Y__)%%%%' %%` _.-----..,-' (`"--^ '%%%\-/`%%%%; \\ // | '%%%%%%%' \ )) (| `; , | | '. // \ ;.----/ ,/ | | / \ // ) // / | |\ \ | | ( \// jgs \ \\`\ | |/ / __| | _\ / \ \\ \ | |\/ (((((((___________) `" `" `"` >A LICK AND A PROMISE With the passing of time, many old phrases become obsolete or even disappear. This is unfortunate because some of them are very appropriate and humorous. Here is a list of some of those memorable old phrases: 1. A Bone to Pick (someone who wants to discuss a disagreement) 2. An Axe to Grind (Someone who has a hidden motive. This phrase is said to have originated from Benjamin Franklin who told a story about a devious man who asked how a grinding wheel worked. He ended up walking away with his axe sharpened free of charge) --- ...I thought it meant this more so:Have an axe to grind. Meaning Have a dispute or grudge to take up with someone or, to have an ulterior motive/ to have private ends to serve. 3. One bad apple spoils the whole barrel (one corrupt person can cause all the others to go bad if you don't remove the bad one) 4. At sea (lost or not understanding something) 5. Bad Egg (Someone who was not a good person) 6. Barking at a knot (meaning that your efforts were as useless as a dog barking at a knot.) 7. Barking up the wrong tree (talking about something that was completely the wrong issue with the wrong person) 8. Bee in your bonnet (To have an idea that won't let loose) 9. Been through the mill (had a rough time of it) 10. Between hay and grass (Not a child or an adult) 11. Blinky (Between sweet and sour as in milk) 12. Calaboose (a jail) 13. Catawampus (Something that sits crooked such as a piece of furniture sitting at an angle) 14. Dicker (To barter or trade) 15. Feather in Your Cap (to accomplish a goal. This came from years ago in wartime when warriors might receive a feather they would put in their cap for defeating an enemy) 16. Hold your horses (Be patient!) 17. Hoosegow (a jail) 18. I reckon (I suppose) 19. Jawing/Jawboning (Talking or arguing) 20. Kit and caboodle (The whole thing) 21. Madder than an wet hen (really angry) 22. Needs taken down a notch or two (like notches in a belt usually a young person who thinks too highly of himself and needs a lesson) 23. No Spring Chicken (Not young anymore) 24. Persnickety (overly particular or snobbish) 25. Pert-near (short for pretty near) 26. Pretty is as pretty does (your actions are more important than your looks) 27. Red up (clean the house) 28. Scalawag (a rascal or unprincipled person) 29. Scarce as hen's teeth (something difficult to obtain) 30. Skedaddle (Get out of here quickly) 31. Sparking (courting) 32. Straight >From the Horse's Mouth (privileged information from the one concerned) 33. Stringing around, gallivanting around, or piddling (Not doing anything of value) 34. Sunday go to meetin' dress (The best dress you had) 35. We wash up real fine (is another goodie) 36. Tie the Knot (to get married) 37. Too many irons in the fire (to be involved in too many things) 38. Tuckered out (tired and all worn out) 39. Under the weather (not feeling well this term came from going below deck on ships due to sea sickness thus you go below or under the weather) 40. Wearing your 'best bib and tucker' (Being all dressed up) 41. You ain't the only duck in the pond (It's not all about you) 42. Lickity split (pronto and others) Well, if you hold your horses, I reckon I'll get this whole kit and caboodle done and sent off to you. Please don't be too persnickety and get a bee in your bonnet because I've been pretty tuckered out and at sea lately because I'm no spring chicken. I haven't been just stringin' around and I know I'm not the only duck in the pond, but I do have too many irons in the fire. I might just be barking at a knot, but I have tried to give this article more than just A LICK & A PROMISE! --- ...Reminds me of this... Word Origins http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/origins.html To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. =================================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: _.-/`) // / / ) .=// / / / ) //`/ / / / / // / ` / || / \\ / )) .' jgs // / / >The Price of Conviction Fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Independence. Their conviction resulted in untold sufferings for themselves and their families. Of the 56 men, five were captured by the British and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the Revolutionary Army. Another had two sons captured. Nine fought and died from wounds or hardships of the war. Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships sunk by the British navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts and died in poverty. At the battle of Yorktown, the British General Cornwallis had taken over Thomas Nelson’s home for his headquarters. Nelson quietly ordered General George Washington to open fire on the Nelson home. The home was destroyed and Nelson died bankrupt. John Hart was driven from his wife’s bedside as she was dying. Their thirteen children fled for their lives. His fields and mill were destroyed. For over a year, he lived in forest and caves, returning home only to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later, he died from exhaustion. Contributed by: Kenneth L. Dodge -<>- _....._ .' `'-. / (- J-E-S-U-S ->< '._ _,.-' \ jgs ````` >"Our Greatest Wealth" We are born with two eyes in front because we must not always look Behind, but see what lies ahead beyond ourselves. We are born to have two ears; one left, one right; so we can hear both Sides, collect both the compliments and criticisms, to see which are right. We are born with a brain concealed in a skull. Then no matter how poor We are, we are still rich, for no one can steal what our brain contains, Packing in more jewels and rings than you can think. We are born with two eyes, two ears, but one mouth for the mouth is a Sharp weapon. It can hurt, flirt, and kill. Remember our motto; talk Less, listen and see more. We are born with only one heart; deep in our ribs it reminds us to Appreciate and give love from deep within. ~Author Unknown~ -<>- _ xxxx _ /_;-.__ / _\ _.-;_\ `-._`'`_/'`.-' `\ /` | / /-.( \_._\ \ \`; > |/ / // |// jgs \(\ `` >Clean Blood The day is over, you are driving home. You tune in your radio. You hear a little blurb about a little village in India where some villagers have died suddenly, strangely, of a flu that has never been seen before. It's not influenza, but three or four fellows are dead, and it's kind of interesting. They're sending some doctors over there to investigate it. You don't think much about it, but on Sunday, coming home from church, you hear another radio spot. Only they say it's not three villagers, it's 30,000 villagers in the back hills of this particular area of India, and it's on TV that night. CNN runs a little blurb; people are heading there from the disease center in Atlanta because this disease strain has never been seen before. By Monday morning when you get up, it's the lead story. For it's not just India; it's Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and before you know it, you're hearing this story everywhere and they have coined it now as the "Mystery Flu". The President has made some comment that he and everyone are praying and hoping that all will go well over there. But everyone is wondering, "How are we going to contain it?" That's when the President of France makes an announcement that shocks Europe. He is closing their borders. No flights from India, Pakistan, or any of the countries where this thing has been seen. That night you are watching a little bit of CNN before going to bed. Your jaw hits your chest when a weeping woman is translated from a French news program into English: "There's a man lying in a hospital in Paris dying of the mystery flu. "It has come to Europe." Panic strikes. As best they can tell, once you get it, you have it for a week and you don't know it. Then you have four days of unbelievable symptoms. Then you die. Britain closes it's borders, but it's too late. South Hampton, Liverpool, North Hampton, and it's Tuesday morning when the President of the United States makes the following announcement: "Due to a national security risk, all flights to and from Europe and Asia have been canceled. If your loved ones are overseas, I'm sorry. They cannot come back until we find a cure for this thing." Within four days our nation has been plunged into an unbelievable fear. People are selling little masks for your face. People are talking about, "What if it comes to this country", and preachers on Tuesday are saying, "It's the scourge of God." It's Wednesday night and you are at a church prayer meeting when somebody runs in from the parking lot and says, "Turn on a radio!! Turn on a radio!!" While the church listens to a little transistor radio with a microphone stuck up to it, the announcement is made, "Two women are lying in a Long Island hospital from the mystery flu." Within hours it seems, this thing just sweeps across the country. People are working around the clock trying to find an antidote. Nothing is working. California, Oregon, Arizona, Florida, Massachusetts. It's as though it's just sweeping is from the borders. Then, all of a sudden, the news comes out. The code has been broken. A cure can be found. A vaccine can be made. It's going to take the blood of somebody who hasn't been infected, and so, sure enough, all through the Midwest, through all those channels of emergency broadcasting, everyone is asked to do one simple thing: "Go to your downtown hospital and have your blood type taken. That's all we ask of you. When you hear the sirens go off in your neighborhood, please make your way quickly, quietly, and safely to the hospitals." Sure enough, when you and your family get down there late on that Friday night, there is a long line, and they've got nurses and doctors coming out and pricking fingers and taking blood and putting labels on it. Your wife and your kids are out there, and they take your blood type and they say, "Wait here in the parking lot and it we call your name, you can be dismissed and go home." You stand around scared with your neighbors, wondering what in the world is going on, and that this could be the end of the world. Suddenly a young man comes running out of the hospital screaming. He's yelling a name and waving a clipboard. What? He yells it again! And your son tugs on your jacket and says, "Daddy, that's me." Before you know it, they have grabbed your boy. "Wait a minute, hold it!" And they say, "It's okay, his blood is clean. His blood is pure. We want to make sure he doesn't have the disease. We think he has got the right type. Your son could save the world." Five agonizing minutes later, out come the doctors and nurses, crying and hugging one another, and some are even laughing. It's the first time you have seen anybody laugh in a week. An old doctor walks up to you and says, "Thank you, sir. Your son's blood type is perfect. It's clean, It's pure, and we can make the vaccine." As the word begins to spread all across that parking lot of folks, people are screaming and praying and laughing and crying. But then the gray-haired doctor pulls you and your wife aside and says, "May we see you for a moment? We didn't realize that the donor would be a minor and we need.....we need you to sign a consent form." You begin to sign and then you see that the number of pints of blood to be taken is empty. "H-h-h-how many pints?" And that is when the old doctor's smile fades and he says, "We had no idea it would be a little child. We weren't prepared. We need it all, sir." "But...but..." "You don't understand. We are talking about the world here. Please sign." "But can't you give him a transfusion?" "If we had clean blood we would. Can you sign? Would you sign?" In shock you talk to your son and ask him if he'd be willing to give his life so that the world could live. His braveness goes to the core of your being. He says yes but is sad like you are sad. In numb silence you sign. For the good of all, you sign. Then they say, "Would you like to have a moment with him before he is too weak?" Can you walk back? You ask yourself. Can you walk back to that room where he lays on a table saying, "Daddy? Mommy? Why does it hurt so?" Can you take his hands and say, "Son, your mommy and I love you, and we would never ever let anything happen to you that didn't just have to be. Do you understand that?" And when that old doctor comes back in and says, "I'm sorry, it is time. People all over the world are dying." Can you leave? Can you walk out while your son is saying, "Dad? Mom? Dad??" And then next week, when they have the ceremony to honor your son, and some folks sleep through it, and some folks don't even come because they go to the lake, and some folks come with a pretentious smile and just pretend to care. Would you want to jump up and say, "MY SON DIED! DON'T YOU CARE?" Is that what God is saying? "MY SON DIED. DON'T YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I CARE?" -<>- \\ ///// | | (| _ _ |) |` | '| | __ | >>>___/\_^__/\___<<< / ||| \ Mike Hertz >WIFE'S REQUEST I was sitting alone in one of those loud, casual steak houses that you find all over the country. You know the type--a bucket of peanuts on every table, shells littering the floor, and a bunch of perky college kids racing around with long neck beers and sizzling platters. Taking a sip of my iced tea, I studied the crowd over the rim of my glass. My gaze lingered on a group enjoying their meal. They wore no uniform to identify their branch of service, but they were definitely 'military:' clean shaven, cropped haircut, and that 'squared away' look that comes with pride. Smiling sadly, I glanced across my table to the empty seat where my husband usually sat. It had only been a few months since we sat in this very booth, talking about his upcoming deployment to the Middle East That was when he made me promise to get a sitter for the kids, come back to this restaurant once a month and treat myself to a nice steak.. In turn he would treasure the thought of me being here, thinking about him until he returned home. I fingered the little flag pin I constantly wear and wondered where he was at this very moment. Was he safe and warm? Was his cold any better? Were my letters getting through to him? As I pondered these thoughts, high pitched female voices from the next booth broke into my thoughts. 'I don't know what Bush is thinking about. Invading Iraq. You'd think that man would learn from his old man's mistakes. Good Grief. What an idiot! I can't believe he is even in office. You do know, he stole the election.' I cut into my steak and tried to ignore them as they began an endless tirade running down our president. I thought about the last night I spent with my husband, as he prepared to deploy. He had just returned from getting his smallpox and anthrax shots. The image of him standing in our kitchen packing his gas mask still gives me chills. Once again the women's voices invaded my thoughts. 'It's all about oil, you know. Our soldiers will go in and rape and steal all the oil they can in the name of 'freedom'. Hmmm! I wonder how many innocent people they'll kill without giving it a thought. It's pure greed, you know.' My chest tightened as I stared at my wedding ring. I could still see how handsome my husband looked in his 'mess dress' the day he slipped it on my finger I wondered what he was wearing now. Probably his desert uniform, affectionately dubbed 'coffee stains' with a heavy bulletproof vest over it. 'You know, we should just leave Iraq alone. I don't think they are hiding any weapons. In fact, I bet it's all a big act just to increase the president's popularity. That's all it is, padding the military budget at the expense of our social security and education. And, you know what else? We're just asking for another 9-11. I can't say when it happens again that we didn't deserve it.' Their words brought to mind the war protesters I had watched gathering outside our base. Did no one even appreciate the sacrifice of brave men and women, who leave their homes and family to ensure our freedom? Do they even know what 'freedom' is? I glanced at the table where the young men were sitting, and saw their courageous faces change. They had stopped eating and looked at each other dejectedly, listening to the women talking. 'Well, I, for one, think it's just deplorable to invade Iraq, and I am certainly sick of our tax dollars going to train professional baby-killers we call a military.' Professional baby-killers. I thought about what a wonderful father my husband is, and of how long it would be before he would see our children again. That's it! Indignation rose up inside me. Normally reserved, pride in my husband gave me a brassy boldness I never realized I had. Tonight one voice will answer on behalf of our military, and let her pride in our troops be known. Sliding out of my booth, I walked around to the adjoining booth and placed my hands flat on their table. Lowering myself to eye level with them, smiling I said, "I couldn't help overhearing your conversation. You see, I'm sitting here trying to enjoy my dinner alone. And, do you know why? Because my husband, whom I love with all my heart, is halfway around the world defending your right to say rotten things about him." "Yes, you have the right to your opinion, and what you think is none of my business. However, what you say in public is something else, and I will not sit by and listen to you ridicule MY country, MY president, MY husband, and all the other fine American men and women who put their lives on the line, just so you can have the 'freedom' to complain. Freedom is an expensive commodity, ladies. Don't let your actions cheapen it." I must have been louder than I meant to be, because the manager came over to inquire if everything was all right. 'Yes, thank you,' I replied. Then, turning back to the women, I said, 'Enjoy the rest of your meal.' As I returned to my booth applause broke out. I was embarrassed for making a scene, and went back to my half eaten steak. The women picked up their check and scurried away. After finishing my meal, and while waiting for my check, the manager returned with a huge apple cobbler ala mode. "Compliments of those soldiers," he said. He also smiled and said the ladies tried to pay for my dinner, but that another couple had beaten them to it. When I asked who, the manager said they had already left, but that the gentleman was a veteran, and wanted to take care of the wife of "one of our boys." With a lump in my throat, I gratefully turned to the soldiers and thanked them for the cobbler. Grinning from ear to ear, they came over and surrounded the booth. "We just wanted to thank you, ma'am. You know we can't get into confrontations with civilians, so we appreciate what you did." As I drove home, for the first time since my husband's deployment, I didn't feel quite so alone. My heart was filled with the warmth of the other diners who stopped by my table, to relate how they, too, were proud of my husband, and would keep him in their prayers. I knew their flags would fly a little higher the next day. Perhaps they would look for more tangible ways to show their pride in our country, and the military that protect her. And maybe, just maybe, the two women who were railing against our country would pause for a minute to appreciate all the freedom America offers, and the price it pays to maintain its freedom. As for me, I have learned that one voice CAN make a difference. Maybe the next time protesters gather outside the gates of the base where I live, I will proudly stand on the opposite side with a sign of my own. It will simply say, 'Thank You!' To those who fought for our nation, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know. Please pray for God's protection of our troops and HIS wisdom for their commanders. Pass this on to as many as you think will respond. 'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.' When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our ground, air and navy personnel in every area of the Middle East. --- ...AMEN! -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment Cheerleading Accidents http://www.buffalosjokes.com/062724.htm Chienobéissant http://www.buffalosjokes.com/062725.htm Chocolate http://www.buffalosjokes.com/062726.htm Bush http://www.buffalosjokes.com/062727.htm Coast Guard http://www.buffalosjokes.com/062728.htm Lean On Me http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/leanonme.html Thoughts Into Action http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/action.html Freaky Art Vans: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/artvan.html Akiane Child Prodigy http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/prodigy.html There Has To Be http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/therehastobe.html Who Is This Jesus? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/jesus.html Friends http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/friends.htm Unique Designer Shoes http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/shoes.html Willis (Sears) Tower http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/willist.html Visit our site at http://www.inspiredbuffalo.com If you are looking to join any of our other fine e-zines visit www.buffalosjokes.com ============================================================== >-->From Our Friend Tony In Australia :) _..._ .~ `~. / } \ _.'`~~/ {_,} -( ,'-,___.' .-. / |_ /| __| |__ / ` |_/ [__ __] / \ / | | / '--;_ | | _\ `\ | | / |`-.___. / | | ^^^jgs^^^`--`------'`--`^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >The Anointing part 6 Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. The anointing on Jesus was to teach and to preach, it was also to heal and restore life in some cases, but not all of us are called to do these things, there are all kinds on different anointings..and so I want to talk in this lesson about the different ways, different people are anointed… Moses was ‘anointed to lead and to govern his people…as a governor of the people, God empowered him to ‘delegate’ and as he did so in obedience to God, the anointing God had given Moses was spread amongst the chosen elders and through the anointing then, the were able to ‘judge’,’administer’, guide and make decisions concerning the welfare of the people in their charge… Balaam was given a special anointing….to prophesy, he could prophesy not only blessings on people but also curses!..(Num 24:2) Elijah had an anointing…to work miracles…..and Elisha his servant recognized this and asked not only for the anointing to be upon him, but he asked for a double portion! There are no limitations to the anointing which God provides Amen! For that…. So without going back through the entire Bible, we can see easily that people and many of them! Were and still are, being anointed in many special ways….. There are also those in the Bible who tried to do things that needed an anointing and weren’t given one, they attempted to do things and failed miserably..let's not be one of them!…..if God calls us to do something for His purpose, he will give us the means to do whatever He tasks us with, this includes the anointing…. It was prophesied in the Old Testament, that the anointing on the Coming Lord would be many and varied, he would have wisdom, understanding and He would be able to give counsel…and this anointing would also give Him a relationship with God…..Isa 11:2 says….And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD… If we find favor in Our Lord, if we continue our walk with Him in His grace, we WILL find anointing in our lives…in our work for example, in our family lives, The Holy Spirit can anoint us to lead and govern and guide our children in the ways of the Lord! _.-/`) // / / ) .=// / / / ) //`/ / / / / // / ` / || / \\ / )) .' jgs // / / Pray for that anointing…. There is wisdom through anointing, there are visions and dreams for a great future! Pray for them…! I know there are those in here starting out new lives, new ventures, new family situations, they need to be prayed for and they need to pray for themselves! Pray for the anointing! That their endeavors be blessed in every way and be anointed for success… We may not all be anointed into preaching, but we can all be anointed into being effective witnesses! Take a look at Mary! What an anointing there! Called to be the Mother of God! Hallelujah! What an opportunity to be an effective witness for Gods purpose! Some anointings are truly great and powerful, but ALL are blessed when we are chosen to be anointed in some purpose by God! Be it just to be a parent! JUST! A PARENT? What a tremendous responsibility! And yes! We need an anointing…..to be a good parent…we are called to be teachers, doctors, husbands and wives! How much more effective will we be if we are anointed to be these things!!! There IS! An anointing for each and everyone of us…Hallelujah! The “anointing” for any purpose…..is supernatural! Don’t underestimate it….. Samson was given strength beyond our understanding.. The “Anointing!” Moses was given a responsibility to ‘raise’ a new nation in freedom… The “Anointing!.. Mary was chosen to do something so so so special! To succor and raise a child so special, the Son of God! The “Anointing!” Samson had a condition put on his anointing, he was never to cut his hair……sometimes, when we feel we are anointed, we have the ‘power” to do any and all things, we can do anything! We feel we can do, can live anyway we choose to! And God will still be with us…..well Samson found out he was wrong….we all know the mistakes Samson made..! he played with “worldly” things, and he lost the ‘secret’ to his anointing and he found instead, Satan in his life..how sad for him……Satan took his eyesight and bound him tight…but ! BUT GOD!! Gave him back his secret! His hair again grew!! His strength returned through his anointing to kill more Philistines at his own death! Than he killed in his lifetime!!! One of the things that I think people joining the Ministry or for that matter, anyone, any person who believes in God and has a special anointing… have a fear of..is losing that anointing…and it can be done! Oh yes it can be done…. We cannot cause our Spirit to be grieved….whatever we do under an anointing, is done with Gods Spirit and with His blessing, the moment we do anything outside of God, or His blessing, whatever we do we do in heartlessness, there will be no fulfillment.. Eph 4:30,,,,, And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Saints of God!, don’t let us , in any way, grieve or quench the Holy Spirit! Amen???? _.-/`) // / / ) .=// / / / ) //`/ / / / / // / ` / || / \\ / )) .' jgs // / / Oh Heavenly Father! We thank You Lord for the gifts of our anointings Lord! We thank You Dear Sweet Jesus for teaching us how to use them! And we thank You Dear Father, for the opportunity to have them doubled! As did Elisha, merely by asking, and deserving Lord…..Anoint us here Father at Christian Joy, to bear Your torch in every way! Bringing light where there is darkness and Love where there is despair….Father, we ask You have Your will and Your way in our lives….Oh Precious Jesus! How we Love You and praise Your Name!!! Amen and Amen….. Bro Tony --- ...Praise God for His blessings! Thank You Tony! ============================================================ >-->From Laugh&Lift: , .--'|} _ , / /}} -====;o`\/ } .=\.--'`\} \-'\-'----. //` '---./` \ |-..-'` || /| /\/\ \\| | `--` |\_\\/ \__/\\ \\ jgs \| >FIELDS READY FOR THE HARVEST (Author Unknown) [Edited] We had a visiting brother speaking in our assembly today. One of the passages that he touched on was John 4:35, "...Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest." This speaker commented that we hear a lot about a perishing earth these days, and very little about a perishing world. How true! People everywhere are talking about the danger that the earth is in from the threats of climate change, pollution, global warming, etc. But how little we, as Christians, hear about the danger that the world full of souls is in from the threat of perishing in their sins. Could it be that we are more interested in the fate of the earth than we are in the destiny of the world? It was this matter of a lost and dying world that was the Lord's concern in John 4. He spoke of the world as being full of vast fields of people awaiting the gospel message, but who would reap this great harvest? The speaker noted how the entire city of Nineveh was saved from judgment and brought to repentance through the words of one very reluctant witness, Jonah. And, if God can do this with a reluctant witness, what could he do with me, as a willing witness fully devoted to him? We are constantly investing in our homes, our cars, our pensions, etc; but how much are we investing in eternity? I suppose most people's first question is: How does one invest in eternity? The speaker noted 3 ways that we can invest in eternity: Invest in unbelievers. The harvest is certainly ready. Invest in your local church. The church is Christ's body. Invest in your marriage and in your family. The family is God's design for society. He values it and we should value it as well and invest time into both our families and marriages. Where are you investing your life today? 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 KidWarmers: THE FUNNY THINGS KIDS SAY _, _.=~`/ .-~ / ( / /,.---.\_ .-. , .-"` '-, | \_,'; / .-="` `"=. | : ; / .-. .-\ `,: :.' / / | / \ |: : / |-, | |-,| `, '.,' \O|_/ \O|| \: \ / \, .---....-') '._______,/ `/_.-~' .' \-----'/ jgs /_.-~'_.-'_`-._ `\_/ / /__,.-' `. `~"---`--'` `._,-'~-,) When Carmen was 3 she asked how babies were made. Because she was so young (and to try to keep things simple) her mother Kristen told her that Daddy "planted a seed" in Mommy's tummy and that seed grew into a baby." About a year later as they were driving down the road, Carmen asked her mother if she had seen the seed before Daddy put it in her tummy. Slightly embarrassed, Kristen said, "No, I didn't." Carmen replied, "Too bad, because I really wanted to know what color it was ... I'm pretty sure my seed was all the colors of the rainbow!" -- Kristen Johnson of Kendallville, Indiiana On a particularly good day of play with her grandmother, Bobbie's granddaughter told her mother, "Mommy, I wish everyone in the world was Gramma and I was me!" -- Bobbie Miller ("Gramma") of Honeoye Lake, New York _.-, __.' | ., ,'_ _ | :` ; |'_` '_`|' : ,' |(o) (o)| ; ; `| A |' ; ; _..| `-' |..'.' .'.--. .--' .'.' | | | : | | : | | | `.`. ; : `' Y . Y | | | | | | ; | : / | \ jgs ; | : /_____|_____\ Danyelle stepped out of the shower and said, "Smell my soft hair. I used air conditioning." -- Sally Morris (grandmother of Denyelle) of Wellington, Florida Marsha's neighbor recently babysat for her 3-year-old granddaughter while her parents took a short vacation. Because she hadn't seen her grandmother for a while, the 3-year-old tested her. Her responses to her grandmother's requests were, "No, I won't eat my dinner. No I won't get dressed! No, I won't do that!" Grandma had enough of that and informed her who was boss and said she WOULD mind and do what Grandma asked. The little girl stood with hands on hips and said, "Well, then I'm just going to have to call 911!" -- Marsha of Longmont, Colorado .=~~~~~~~=. {:.. } \::._:._.:. / `~| O |~` .'`~~~~~~~`'. / o o \ : )(_)( ; \ '.___.' / `.,__`=' _,.' jgs /__\V/__\ /\\ / / \ \/`\/ In October Karen had knee replacement surgery. She had a long recovery and her grandchildren came to visit. Josh, 5, saw her foot on the footstool and noticed how her incision was stapled. While playing he would return periodically to study Karen's knee. Finally, he got down on a couch beside her. He put his chin in his hands as if he were a great thinker. Then he announced his solution to Karen's health problem: "Grandma, you got metal in your leg!" he said. -- Karen Wilcox of Angola, Indiana Karen still laughs when she remembers something her son, who was 3 at the time, said. "I'm hungry. Mom, I need to eat. I'm stying of darvation!" ("I'm stying of darvation" became an oft-repeated phrase over the years!) _____ _.-'" "'-._ ,-".-. .-."-. ,' .-. .-. `, / / _\ / _\ \ .-. | | ( | | ( | | .-. .-----\ \ | '---' '---' | / /-----. :---- |--| ', ,' |--| ----: :---- '-`|--| ^"-.,_______,.-;^ |--|`-' ----: '---....' | _ `-' | '....---' | [ '-"-.-"-. | \ | .-. .-. | / `. | | | | | | ,' `._ [___]|__]|__] _,' `--.._____..--' / / \ \ jgs / / \ \ .---'"=="\ /"=="'---. ( | | ) '--------' '--------' Nolan, 3, likes to say his bedtime prayers as "God bless, Mommy. God bless Daddy," and on and on through the rest of his family and friends. Recently he asked to say grace at the table before dinner. His mother had prepared a casserole, green beans and carrots. Nolan bowed his head and started, "God bless my green beans. God bless my carrots. And God bless... this stuff!" -- Jan Bloodworth (friend of Nolan's dad) of Owens Cross Roads, Alabama Rose's sister's twin granddaughters were recently being corrected by their mother on a matter involving choosing something the other one wanted. It left one girl pouting -- so she tried to settle the matter by asking her mother, "Well, which one of us was born first?" -- Rose of southeastern Michigan ____ .--' `'-. / \ | | | | \ .-"""-. | / `'-. | /' \ | | _,-'"-._) |____/ .-'` ()_/' /|===/ / ()_,.-"__"-. /` `~~/ / '` \/ | | '` ./' / | ./'\ '-' .' \ ./'._ `-._ .'| jgs `--' `".,_`""""`/\/ `"-.,/ Debbi is teaching fourth grade. Last week she was doing a lesson on perception. The students had to look at pictures and write down what they saw in the picture, and then they shared their impressions. In one picture many of the children saw a man with his arm around a woman. But one girl saw the man and woman on a bus, another saw them in a car. Sebastian saw them at the movies. When it was Kevin's turn to share he said he saw a man with a mop. Sebastian piped up, "But why would he take a mop to the movies?" -- Debbi Armstrong of Orlando, Florida When Nancy's grandson Jacob was 4, he was sitting in the lobby of his doctor's office. Another little boy was there along with his grandmother and mother. When the little boy started to be rambunctious, his grandmother pulled him onto her lap and said, "Listen here, you are not going to act like that in public." Jacob never missed a beat. He looked up from playing and said, "I got a Nana just like that at home!" -- Nancy Pressley ("Nana") of Knoxville,, Tennessee =============================================================== | \ | / _\_|_/_ .'` `'. / __ __ \ ; / _\ / _\ ; | |(_/ |(_/ | | \_, \_, | ; .-"""-. ; \ / \ / _ __ __ .-`| |`-. __ __ _ / \/ \/ \ / \ / \ / \/ \/ \ =jgs=-=\_/\__/\__/=-===-=-'._ _.'-:=-=-==\__/\__/\_/=:=-== : : : ``` : : : : : : : : : =-==:==-:--===:==:==-===:==:=---=:=-:-===-=:==:--==-:==:--== : : : : : : : : : : : : =:==:==---:=-=:==-=:-===:==-=:--=:==--:==-=:==--:==-:==--:== : : : : : : : : : : : : : : -:-===:==-:--===:==:==-===:==:=---=:=-:-===-=:==:--==-:==:-- : : : : : : : : : : : : -=-===:==---==-=:==-==-===:==-==--=:==---==-=:==---==-:==--- "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." - Anne Frank >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->BECOMING A CHRISTIAN HOW TO BE A CHRISTIAN! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->This is for all you who love food andd DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do :) Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe ************************************************************************ >TO SUBSCRIBE: Visit Here This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR For the Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ************************************************************************