His Way... :) 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 ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! AND For Facebook Users: Please Friend Me / Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND For Google Plus Users: You can find me here... Shangy Bigham https://plus.google.com/106648555948034085752/posts AND Please Share This email with All Your Friends And Family! ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! :) -<>- * NOTE: An easy way to adjust the size of print in email or any page is to hold down the Ctrl tab while moving the scroll button on the mouse. You can also use the keyboard to change the font size in your web browser or emails. Hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the + key for larger text or the - key for smaller text! ================ >-->2 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) Our first too hot to handle new page comes from our friends Linda and LouiseA. It is a jaw-dropping reminder of just how far we've come so quickly! Enjoy this little piece of nostalgia and be sure to check out the video - If you've never seen one of these in action, it will surprise you! We've gone from a crew of lumberjacks to just a couple needed with this ingenious machine! __ .' `'. / _ | #_/.\==/.\ (, \_/ \\_/ | -' | ,\ = / /| .-'|`-. __.' / | / | `-.__.' .-\ /-. | | { _/ \_ } | | `| | | | | '. | | .' jgs '-.| |.' `"` Amazing Human Progress 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/humanprogress2.html --- ...Such a fun interesting one! Thanks Ladies! This next super smoking hottie is from our friend Melinda. It is most beautiful with wonderful life quotes and lessons for every day life. Give this one plenty of time to load and check it out here... ___________________ | | | | | | | | | | | | |.________|________.| | | | | | /@ | | @|@` | | __\|/__ | __|_______\_____/_____|_ | \_____________________/ |\ \ ||\ \ .__. || \ \ \ = \ . ~ ~ . || |\ \ \ \` ~ ' ~ ~` || ||\ \ \ = \~ ~ ~' -( ____ || || \ \ \ \~ ! . /= / || || \ \ _____ \ = \`:~; /= =/ || || ||\ .\===/ \ \--.=-. /_,_/ || || || \ | | \ = \ ) /"/ || || || \| | \ \ \__/ / @\`@ ~\@/ %| |____________\== \__._/__. ,_______________ @~ \%\|/@*/~@~| \___________\ \ % \|/ %|*/~@~\@| // \\ \ , @~ \%\/|@*/~/@*| .//________\\ \ \ @ \/ @<|/@<*`\@| // \\ \ \ `@*,\^@|/^@/| | .`'// \\. \ \ www @ *| www| |Pru `-._`------------''''.) \. ____________________________```-------'''----'|\__+________ ___________________________________________________________ What I've Learned In Life! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/learnedinlife.html --- ...Aww, I do love these flowers! Such Inspiration! Thanks Melinda! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: .-"''-. _ .' `( \ @/ ') ,--,__,-" / / \ / / _/ __| , |/ / .~ `\ / \ , | / .~ `\ ` / _/ _/ .~ `\ ~~`__/ / ~ `--'/ / / / / /' /jgs >HOT RODS VS. BABIES by Dawn Thompson The Camaro was always my dream car. I had started wanting one when I was 15 years old. I just knew that would be my first car. I wasn't sure then how I would get it, but I knew I had to have one. I started saving for it as soon as I started working part time in high school. By the time I was 19, out of school and working my first full-time job, I had enough money saved to buy my dream car, put gas in it and pay for insurance. I poured over the newspaper everyday until an ad caught my eye. A metallic blue, 1969 Chevy Camaro with white interior and the original owner! I called right away, breathless and nervous that someone else might get to it before me. I was in luck. It was still available and I knew it was meant to be mine. I bought it that same day. I can still remember just like a photograph how it felt to be sitting in the driver's seat of my new car. I can see the layout of the dashboard all lit up and I can still smell and remember the feel of the leather interior. I was so pleased with myself -- I had worked hard, saved my money and realized my dream. What a great feeling! I loved that car! I drove it for a few years, going on many road trips with my friends to the river and back, gliding over the highways with the windows down, having a great time, young and carefree. I was the designated driver more times than I could count to parties and concerts. A few years later, I met my husband and married him. My beloved blue Camaro went with me to my new home. It started having some problems here and there and some engine trouble after a few years, but my husband was a good mechanic and he could fix almost anything. He did regular maintenance and repairs, but he eventually had to put in a new engine. That worked out great for awhile, but more costly problems started to crop up with the car and we decided to sell it and buy another. This time I went for a new model, a 1978 Camaro, a beautiful brown color with golden flecks in the paint. I loved that car too! The long, rounded front end, the sleeker shape of the car, the light colored pinstripes down the sides of the hood. It was a great car and I was proud to drive it. My husband and I had a lot of fun with that car too, driving back and forth to the local mountains for ski weekends in winter and lazy summer weekends by the lake. A few years later, after we'd been married for about 5 years we decided the time had come for new cars for both of us. We had been doing pretty well at our respective jobs and we felt we had earned our first brand new cars. Of course I wanted another Camaro! Camaros were becoming more and more sleek and racy looking and I was thrilled to be buying another one. It didn't take long for me to find what I wanted -- a brand spanking new sports car, a glossy white with black interior. It was the most gorgeous car I had ever seen. I drove it off the lot that day and I never felt so special. I would look at my reflection driving by in my white sports car and I was on Cloud Nine. I washed and vacuumed that car every weekend myself and polished and oiled the black interior till it shone. Another love affair with another car! A few years later, another love affair was about to begin. I found out I was pregnant for the first time in 1988. My husband and I couldn't have been happier. At this point I had had my sports car for 2 years. The months went by and I got bigger and bigger and the space between my steering wheel and my growing belly got smaller. It got harder for me to lean into the car and put things in the backseat of my two door Camaro. But I knew as soon as I had the baby my belly would go down and I wouldn't have that issue anymore. We were going to fit the baby into our lives just fine! Eventually my due date was only a few weeks away. I was uncomfortable yet very excited and I couldn't wait to see my baby. I got up late one night when I was feeling especially restless and hot and couldn't sleep. I happened to pass by the kitchen window. I stopped and stood looking out at my sporty car and suddenly a feeling of sheer panic came over me -- that car in the driveway was not going to work with my new baby! How would we get the car seat into it? How was I going to fit all of the baby's things in the car? Stroller, playpen, diaper bags? How had I not thought of this before? It became clear as I stood looking out the window. I knew right then and there that the dream car was going to go. I had a new dream. My baby was coming and I knew I needed to replace my beloved car with a vehicle that would accommodate baby and all of baby's things. For the first time, I had the realization that we were going to fit into the baby's life, rather than us fitting him into ours. The baby was going to change our lives in a good way. I made my first really grown up decision that night standing there in the moonlight. I had to get another, roomier car for our new family. My focus was shifting from my youthful wants and desires. Our family was growing and so was I -- I was growing up. -- Dawn Thompson __________________________________________________ Dawn is from California and the mother of 3 boys. She loves to read about other people's lives and stories. She says, "I submitted the first story I ever wrote to Heartwarmers a few years ago, and was published, so hopefully here is another." =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Karen :) _________________________ (, ______________________ ) | | || | | @@@@ || @@@@ | | @@@@@@@ || @@@@@@@ | | @@ - - || - @@@@ | | @ c/ || '_ @@@ | | _@| |_ || __\@ \@ | | ( \ )/_\ /_ || _\\ (/ ) @\_/) | | \ \|) / \) || |(__/ / /| | | |\_/ ( -/ || \___/ ----/_| | | / \ || ,: '( | | : _/| || |: \ | | : | || |: ) | | : | || |: | | |_______'____,_|_______|| |_____,_| .---('________________________)--. | / ( |____ __________ _| | /\ ) |___| -o- | |__| -o- | ( \| / |___| -o- | |__| -o- | | /'=. b'ger|________| |__|______| '=>/ \ / \ /|/ ,___/| >Attitude There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, And noticed she had only three hairs on her head. 'Well,' she said, 'I think I'll braid my hair today.' So she did and she had a wonderful day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror And saw that she had only two hairs on her head. 'H-M-M,' she said, 'I think I'll part my hair down the middle today.' So she did and she had a grand day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed That she had only one hair on her head. 'Well,' she said, 'today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail.' So she did, and she had a fun, fun day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and Noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head. 'Hooray!' she exclaimed. 'I don't have to fix my hair today!' Attitude is everything. Be kinder than necessary, For everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. Live simply, Love generously, Care deeply, Speak kindly, and Pray continually. Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain. It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived. Life is too short to wake up with regrets. Love the people who treat you right and pray for the ones who don't. --- ...Absolutely! Thanks Karen! Smile and the whole world smiles with you! =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Jacinto :) ,ae, ,88888e ,a888b.9888888i 888888888888888 88888888888888Y '8888888888888' "S888888888" unknown "7888888Y "e88j "Y >Thoughts When you truly care for someone, their mistakes never change our feelings because it's the mind that gets angry but the heart still cares.. I might not be where I want to be, but thank God I'm not where I used to be. I'm ok, and I'm on my way! The best part of the morning is knowing that someone is waiting for you to wake up. Friends are meant for that ....... Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently. ~ Henry Ford "Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." ~ Harriet Tubman * Partnership & families Is More Than... Partnership & Families is more than standing side by side, Exchanging looks full of love, full of pride. It’s more than the ceremony, which lasts just a while, It’s a promise that’s shared, it’s an intimate smile. It’s a personal bond that you know will not end, The knowledge that someone you love will defend. It’s a vow of commitment, special and true, It’s a hope and a dream of love endless for you. --- ...Good thoughts! Thanks Jass! =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseA :) .--._..--. ___ ( _'-_ -_.' _.-' `-._| - :- | _.-' `--...__| .-' '--..___ / `._ \ `. `._ | `. `._ / '. `._ :__________....-----' `..`---' |-_ _- |___...----..._ |_....--' `.`. _...--' `.`. _..-' _.'.' .-' _.'.' | _.'.' | __....------'-' | __...------''' _| '--''' |- - _ | >No Shortcuts (By Steve Troxel) One day, when we stand with our Heavenly Father, we will see the awesome purpose in the path we have traveled. If we continue to trust and follow His leading, we will see how each twist and turn in His path was designed to navigate us through the jungle and keep us moving toward a closer relationship: "As for God, His way is perfect; the Word of the Lord is flawless" (Psalm 18:30). His way is perfect and without flaw; but, by God's sovereign will, we are given the freedom to choose whether to follow. Many times we see what appears to be a shorter route, and we leave His path. These perceived shortcuts are filled with weeds that entangle us and slow our walk with Christ to a pathetic crawl; "But the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful" (Matthew 13:22). All our time spent away from God's path clearly hinders our relationship and diminishes our ability to produce anything of lasting value for the Lord. Psalm 1:1-3 "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His Law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither." To remain on God's path and continue to bear good and lasting fruit, we must be wise regarding the counsel we seek. Many people willingly give advice on following a "successful" path and yet ridicule any path directed by God. This counsel must be avoided since the very definition of success is in error! A truly successful path IS the path directed by God!! Staying free of the weeds requires an active pursuit of God; "on His Law he meditates day and night." If we do not consume ourselves with the ways of God, we will, by default, become consumed by the ways of the world. Jesus made a similar statement to His disciples: "I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit" (John 15:5). Remaining in the vine is a process of clinging to Christ and loving Him with ALL our heart. Our life then becomes defined and consumed by the life of the vine. As we allow God's Word to flow through our life - as we become planted by the stream of His water - we develop deep roots. These roots become a solid anchor which will not be pulled up during the storm nor dragged along by the swift currents of temptation. God's path is perfect and His burden is light; but remaining on His path and staying free of weeds requires commitment, perseverance, discipline...and a strong reminder that there are NO shortcuts! --- ...Ah yes, it is so true! Thanks LouiseA! We often want to do things our way and God always lets us but it isn't long before we realize like the old song says: There's no two ways about it, When you labor for the Lord; His way is the only way, none other can you afford; There's a right road, and a wrong road, Which way you heading toward? There's no two ways about it, When you labor for the Lord. =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: _____ / \/_ //\__(\_\ |\ ^ ^ | .//_O \O_ \ \_ (_) / \ \_/ / __/\ /\__ / \ \ / / \ / \/\/\/ \ / | . | \ / | . | \ JRO >Can't Help But Be Happy Some people never need help. One man caught his foot in railroad tracks. He tried to pull it out, but his efforts only seemed to make matters worse. e heard a noise and turned around to see a train coming. In a panic he prayed, "Dear God, please get my foot out of these tracks and I'll stop my heavy drinking and smoking!" Nothing happened. He was still stuck, and the train showed no sign of slowing. So he prayed again, "Oh, Lord, please get my foot out and I'll stop drinking and smoking and carousing and cussing!" Still nothing. He tugged and pulled as the train bore down. In sheer desperation, he pled for help a final time. "Lord, please, if you get my foot out of the tracks, I'll do anything! I'll ... I'll ... I'll become a minister! Suddenly his foot shot out of the tracks and he got up and dusted himself off as the train whizzed by. Then he looked toward Heaven and said, "Never, mind, Lord, I got it out myself." Some people seemingly never need help from anyone. They rarely call on friends or even family to lend a hand. They seldom, if ever, confide in a good listener. They seem to believe they should be completely self sufficient; that needing assistance is an unwelcome weakness. But others find great value in occasionally asking for assistance, and in offering it, too. Needing help, even once in a while, reminds them that they were not meant to journey this life alone. It is a group outing, not a private experience. Those who find help when they need it are fortunate. But those who give help generously are the most fortunate of all. Few experiences can produce a sense of joy and satisfaction like that of truly easing the burden of another human being, with no thought of return. Fact is... when we help someone else, we can hardly help but be happy. At those magical times we may wonder who really helped whom! ~ Steve Goodier ~ -<>- __-----__ ..;;;--'~~~`--;;;.. /;-~IN GOD WE TRUST~-.\ // ,;;;;;;;; \\ .// ;;;;; \ \\ || ;;;;( /.| || || ;;;;;;; _\ || || ';; ;;;;= || ||LIBERTY | ''\;;;;;; || \\ ,| '\ '|><| 1995 // \\ | | \ A // `;.,|. | '\.-'/ ~~;;;,._|___.,-;;;~' ''=--' - Daniel C Au - >I'm Quite Rich Bill Walker missourisage@yahoo.com I'm quite rich, I have nothing. I am just like Warren Buffet. You know he is quite rich, has nothing. You ever stop and think about what anyone has? To have something means you can say it is yours, but really what do you have that is yours? You may have a million dollars, You may have many millions of dollars. Sure nice isn't the thought. Some day your going to be just like the one that has nothing, dead. You may be planted in the ground in the best suit of clothes money can buy, in the most highest priced pine box money can buy. Your still dead, and not one thing can you take on the trip. The Glory Train has no baggage car. I had a fellow some years ago, liked his diamond rings he had to wear, He said his wish was to be planted with the rings. Those was his, and he wanted to wear them forever. Those and other things he owned was of great value, that is to him. He forgot one thing. He is dead, he owns nothing. There is no baggage car on the Glory train, or that freight train going to the other place. He may have been planted with all the gold in the world. Gold is not making the trip. Just a trip to the planting ground out east edge of town. You or I may have many things, but do we really have anything? We only have the use of any thing, and that is for a very short time All things you will lose in a given amount of time. Your health may be taken, same as your money. Your great mind which at one time was a store house of much schooling. You may have been a great President even. Today you don't know if the sun came up or not, your mind got up and left. Leaving a body that is there, but that is it. You own nothing. The Bible is very clear on this. You came into this world, with really nothing, so therefore your traveling out same way, nothing. There is no way you was born with diamond rings on your fingers or toes. I don't care if your mother was the most rich woman that ever lived. She too will die some time or other, and she also will make the trip, carrying no baggage. Remember the Glory Train has no baggage car. The freight train going to the other place has no freight cars for baggage either. All the box cars is stuffed with ones that prayed to their dollar bills. Matthew 16;26... For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? All through history we find grave robbers. These people made a living digging in grave yards looking for the gold and other things put on a body. After all the dead has no need of such. One of the most beloved little dogs, in history, his master was the town Constable. part of the patrol was Greyfriars of Edinburgh, Scotland. Little Bobby guarded his masters grave day and night for 14 years. Today Bobby and his master, John Gray is together once again in a Mansion on the hill. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: LEGO Church!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/legochurch.html Enter At Your Own Risk!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/risky.html Autumn Around The World!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/autumn.html What Your GPS Won't Show You!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gps.html Bob Hope's Home!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bobhopehome.html Dick Clark's House!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dclark.html Upside Down House!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/downhouse.html Houses For Hermits!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/house.html Blast From The Past!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/blastfrompast.html Bolivia's Road Of Death!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bolivia.html Australian Fire Tornado!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/firetornado.html Rainbow Eucalyptus Tree!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/rainbowtree.html Artistic Coffee Mugs!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/coffeemugs.html Fall And Halloween Index Page!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/halloweenindex.html -<>- >From Our Friend Linda :) She sent us ones we have here... About Dogs And People http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/aboutdogs.html Friends: Lion, Tiger and Bear = OH MY! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/liontigerbear.html Colorful Birds 3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/birds3.html Buildings In Camouflage! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/buildingshiding.html Mug Shots!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mugshots.html Elvis - Unchained Melody http://tinyurl.com/m7h5pug --- ...Beautiful! Thanks Linda! Just think - when Christ Returns and we are gathered together, he'll be entertaining us again in Heaven! Ah what a great and glorious reunion we shall all have them! -<>- >From our friend Melody :) 8 Vegetables That Are Healthier Than Kale http://www.care2.com/greenliving/8-vegetables-that-are-healthier-than-kale.html Lord Of the Dance - Cry of the Celts [Michael Flatley] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQmBHHvmrD4 The Make A Difference Movie - The Teddy Stallard Story http://makeadifferencemovie.com/index.php Be Happy! - An Animated Ecard From Humor Haus! http://www.humorhaus.com/hh692.htm --- ...Love it! Thanks Melody! Visit Melissa's Online Store You can get anything you want (except for Melissa ) at the online store http://pdhomes.net/mall/babylissa/mySTORES/ISELL4.html ========================================================== ,%;, ,%%, ______________)(______________ / (__) \ /________________________________\ [________________________________] \ \ / / \ \ / / \ \/ / \ \/ / _\/ /________________\ \/_ [_/o/__________________\o\_] / /\ \ / /\ \ lc/ \_\ /_/ \_\ >A Debt to the Future Story Editor: by Harriet Kay Joyce Schowalter Massachusetts, USA In 1967, my husband and I were starting our life after college, and we were pretty poor. Russell had an entry-level job that didn't pay much, we had college loans, and had made some stupid choices with credit cards, so we had lots of debt to deal with. Our son was born that summer, and I had to stop working and stay at home with him, which only compounded the financial squeeze. We were living in an apartment in Evanston, Illinois, a moderately affluent suburb north of Chicago. We got involved socially with a large group of couples of various ages, some from our church and some connected with my husband's job at Northwestern University. They all had children, we shared many common values, and they gave us helpful hints about raising our son. This active group of people went many places and did many things together. We enjoyed being with them. Even though we often couldn't afford to go with the group, they always made us feel welcome when we came. Toward the end of that first summer they planned a picnic, and invited us. I asked what I could contribute. "Oh, bring some potato chips," my friend said. I figured there wouldn't be much food -- just hot dogs, chips, and lemonade -- and was relieved that I didn't have to spend more than a few dollars on the event. I bought two large bags of the least expensive brand of potato chips I could find. However, when we got to the state park, I found a veritable feast laid out. Heaps of chicken and watermelon, big bowls filled with homemade salads of all kinds. Even homemade ice cream and cake. There we were with our two bags of potato chips. I felt mortified and thought about leaving. I told a close friend that I was terribly embarrassed to have brought so little. "Oh nonsense," she said. "In a few years it'll be your turn to bring the chicken." Today Russell and I are starting to think about retirement and our son is grown. The century has turned and it's the year 2000. Yet I still remember that picnic and how our friends made us feel included and valued for who we were -- not what we had. Their generosity stuck with me all these years, and it's shaped both my feelings about others and my behavior in helping them. We couldn't possibly pay back all the people who brought chicken for us when we were unable to afford it. We're scattered all across the country, and we've lost touch with them. But that's not the point. The chicken we enjoyed 32 years ago is a debt my husband and I owe -- and will always owe -- to the future. It's not an obligation to be paid back but rather a promise to pay forward. We still have lots of younger friends who have trouble making ends meet. Nowadays, we bring the chicken. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Laugh And Lift: "Without Ruth's partnership and encouragement over the years, my own work would have been impossible. We were called by God as a team." - Billy Graham Muhammad Ali, speaking of his visit with Billy Graham in 1979 said: "When I arrived at the airport, Mr. Graham himself was waiting for me. I expected to be chauffeured in a Rolls Royce or at least a Mercedes, but we got in his Oldsmobile and he drove it himself. I couldn't believe he came to the airport driving his own car. When we approached his home I thought he would live on a thousand-acre farm and we drove up to this house made of logs. No mansion with crystal chandeliers and gold carpets, it was the kind of house a man of God would live in. I look up to him." "In this day of publicity and media exposure, people have a tendency to feel that you are larger than life. Many people put me on a pedestal where I do not belong. I am not the holy, righteous prophet of God that many people think I am. I share with Wesley the feeling of my own inadequacy and sinfulness constantly. I am often amazed that God can use me at all." - Billy Graham | | | _ | | <_> | | | | | `-._ | |`-._| | | _________________________________|____ `-._ `-._ | `-._ `-._ | kat `-._ `-._ >Somebody Important (By Alan Smith) The story is told of a famous football coach who was on vacation with his family in Maine. When they walked into a movie theater and sat down, the handful of people there applauded. He thought to himself, "I can't believe it. People recognize me all the way up here." Then a man came over to him and said, "Thanks for coming. They won't start the movie for less than ten people." Ouch! That'll deflate an ego in a hurry. That's the trouble with thinking you're somebody important -- not everyone is as convinced of that as you are! I heard about one man who was hesitant to go on vacation. When someone at work told him, "Don't worry. We can get by without you here for a while.", his response was, "I know, I know. I just don't want anybody else to find that out!" Humility. One of the most difficult-to-find traits in our society. And one of the most important traits in the eyes of God. How often we try to raise our esteem in the eyes of men when we ought to be showing our willingness to lower ourselves. "When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; and he who invited you and him come and say to you, 'Give place to this man,' and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher.' Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 14:8-11) Look for an opportunity today to take a "lower seat." -<>- ___ ,-"" `. ,' _ e )`-._ / ,' `-._<.===-' / / / ; _ / ; (`._ _.-"" ""--..__,' | <_ `-"" \ <`- : (__ <__. ; `-. '-.__. _.' / \ `-.__,-' _,' `._ , /__,-' ""._\__,'< <____ | | `----.`. | | \ `. ; |___ \-`` \ --< `.`.< hjw `-' >Lessons that Geese Provide For Life: (Author Unknown) - As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an 'uplift' for the birds following it. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds 71% more flying range than if each bird flew alone. The Lesson: People who share both common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier when they travel on the thrust of one another. - Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone, and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the 'lifting power' of the bird immediately in front. The Lesson: Stay with those who are heading in the right direction. - When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies at the point position. The Lesson: Take turns with the hard tasks and share leadership with each other! - The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. The Lesson: Be an encourager to those in front! - When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow him down to help and protect him. They stay with him until he is either able to fly or dies. Then they launch out on their own, with another formation or to catch up with the flock. The Lesson: Support and stand by one another! -<>- >The True Manifestation of Love (Matt Donnelly, for the ChristianityToday.com staff) "...correct, rebuke and encourage -- with great patience and careful instruction." 2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV) If it was up to Kylie, my five-year-old, the black Labrador retriever in our house would be so stuffed full of chocolate and bagels that she would either float in a parade or make the veterinarian a very rich man. But, much to the chagrin of both Kylie and our dog, my wife and I intervene. We know that, if given the chance, Honey (our dog) would eat twelve not-so-square meals each day. And we can't let that happen. The other day, as Kylie attempted to sneak yet another a piece of "people food" to the dog, I was forced to remind her yet again why we eat "people food" -- and Honey doesn't. I told her that it all comes down to love. For the dog, that is. "Love?" you ask. Yes, that's exactly it. When we love someone -- or, in Honey's case, something -- we don't regularly give them what they want. We give them what they need. We seek what's best for them. Sounds simple, doesn't it? But maybe it's not as simple as you might think. Just consider the hordes of spoiled, unruly children who seem never to have been taught how to act around adults. Or consider the hordes of spoiled, unruly adults who don't know how to act around children. It seems that we all need to re-learn the true nature of love. Yes, God wants us to love others; in fact, he insists upon it. But let's never forget that loving someone doesn't mean catering to their every whim or not correcting them when they're going to hurt themselves or someone else. Love can never be reduced to license or sappy sentimentality -- truth and justice are its bread and butter. Understanding the true nature of love may mean making changes in the way we relate to our kids, our parents, and our friends. But the change is for the better. When we model a righteous (not self-righteous) love, we will be teaching the world a badly needed lesson about the love of the Lord. And we will stop contributing to self-destructive behaviors. I just wish my daughter was old enough to read this week's column. It would save us both a lot of trouble. 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 --- ...Check out this teaching for a better understanding of the 'love your neighbor' directive from the Bible... This is a great teaching on Love - Agape and the others http://www.truthortradition.com/articles/four-kinds-of-love ========================================================== >-->From Kidwarmers: _______________________________ . , < QUIZ TIME: THE DRAGON LABYRINTH > .(\/), ,-=-. ,-=-. ,-=-. ,-=-. ,-=-. (\/|/) ,-="' '"=-="' '"=-="' '"=-:"' '"=-="' '"=-="/ }/) : ,-=-. ,-=-. ,-=-. : -=-. ,-=-. ,/`~- : : '"=-="' '"=-=": ' : '"=-="' '": : : :,-=-. ,-=-. : ,. ; ,-=-, ,-=- : :,-=- : ' '"=-="' '"= : : '"=-'"' : .="' : : : ,-=- ,-=:. ; : ,-=-: : ,-=-. : :,-=. : : :-="' : '"=-=" : =-="' : : '": : : : :,-=-. : : ,-='. ,-=-: : ,-=- : : : : : '": : : : : '"=-="' : ;="' : : : : -. : : : : :,-=-. , : ,-=-. : . : : : '"' : : : '"=-="' : ,="' '"' : : : :,-=-. : : : , -. ,-=-: : ,-=-. : : : : '": : '-=": '"=-="' : : : '"=-="' : : :,-=- : :,-=-. :,-=-. ,-=-: : : . : : : : ' '"=-="' '"=-="' '"=: : '"=-=": ; : : -. : ,-=-. ,=-. ,-=-. : :-=-. ;,-=: : : '"'-="' '"=-= : '"=-="' : '"=-="' : : :,-=-. ,-=-. ;=-. ,-=-. : ,-=-. : : '"=-="' '"=-: '"=-="' '"=:="' '"=-="' : : ,-=-. ,-=-. : ,-=-. ,-=-. : ,-=-. : '-="' '"=-="' : :"' :"=-="' : '"=-=": : ,-=-., ,- ; : . : ,-=-. ; ,-=-. : : =-="' ._/)"=-="' : : : : ="' '"='="' '"=-="' ; ii// )/) ,-=-.; : : : ,-=-. ,-=-. ,-=: ,^=-9 ,//) )=-="' : : '"=-="' '"=-="' '"=-="' : ""_,),,/ " , . : ,'=-. ,-=-. ,-=-. : =-""" )))\))=-="': '"=-'"' '"=-="' '"=-="' '"=-="' : gpyy ,-=-. ;-=-. ,-=-. ,-=-. ,-=-. ,-=' =-="' '"=-="' '"=-="' '"=-="' '"=-="' '"=-="' >THE FUNNIEST THINGS KIDS SAY __ , ," e`--o (( ( | __,' \\~----------------' \_;/ hjw ( / /) ._______________. ) (( ( (( ( ``-' ``-' Paige, 7, was playing beautician and her grandma, Patsy, was her "customer." When she was done, she was proud of her work. Grandma had five ponytails scattered over her head and about six barrettes. Paige told her grandma that she looked much younger with her hair that way. "You almost look like a kid again," Paige said. Then Paige looked really closely at her grandmother and said, "Now, if we can just do something about those wrinkles... I know what. We'll just slap a little make up on them and no one will ever know!" -- Patsy Campbell of Portland, Tennessee Caleb, 3, had a mosquito bite on his forehead. He wanted to call his aunt to talk to her. When he got on the phone he said, "I have a pimple on my forehead. And it's mine. My very first pimple!" He was so excited! -- Amanda Gehringer (Caleb's mom) of Sterling Hts., Michigan Several years ago Michelle's oldest daughter Katie, then 5, came down with chicken pox. A week later her younger daughter Nicole, 4, got the spots. A week after that Kyle, 1, got the spots. They hated the itching and pink spots, but they loved the treat of having their favorite cereal, Cocoa Pops, while they were sick. One day a wee after everyone was healed, their father was sitting on the floor with his shirt off, watching TV. Nicole walked over to look more closely at his many brown moles and "age spots." Then she declared that Daddy had "Co-co Pox" and she asked if they itched! -- Michelle Monte of Oshkosh, Wisconsin ."";._ _.---._ _.-"". /_.'_ '-' /`-` \_ \ .' / `\ \ /` \ '. .' / ; _ _ '-; \ ;'. _.' ; /\ / \ \ \ ; '._;._ .-'.--. | / | \0|0/ \ | '-. / /` \ | / .' \ | .---. \ | | | / /--' .-"""-. \ \/ \ | \ \ / / / ( , , ) /\ \ | / \ '----' .' | '-(_)-' | | '. / / `'----'` | '. | `'----'` jgs \ `/ '. , .' `-.____.' '.____.-' \ / '-' Nina noticed her 3-year-old son Miggy Boy was about to fall asleep. She told him to go to the bathroom before going to sleep. He said firmly, "No, Mama!" But his mother knew if he didn't pee, he might wet the bed. She told him to try again. Really frustrated, he stood up, removed his underwear and said, "Look, Mama, it's not working!" -- Nina Pascual (mother of Miggy Boy) of Singapore Emilie, 8, and Megan, 3, were telling their grandmother about their new dog. Their grandmother asked their mother if Rudy was "fixed" yet and their mother said the dog was not. Megan piped up, "He's still broken, right, Mom?" -- Sheila Thompson (grandmother of Emilie and Megan) of Cobble Hill, BC, Canada Here is another one from Sheila. Emilie and Megan were splashing in the pool under the apple tree. Sheila pointed out to them the young apples. Emilie wanted to know when they would be ready to eat. Sheila said, "Not for a while. They are still baby apples." Megan thought for a moment and then asked, "Well, when will they be mother apples?" _.--"""--._ .' '-. `. __/__ (-. `\ \ /o `o \ \ \ \ _\__.__/ )) | | ; .--;" | | \ ( `) | | \ _|`---' .' _, _| | `\ '`_\ \ '_,.-';_.-`\| \ \_ .' '--'---;` / / |\ |_..--' \ \'-'.' .--'.__/ __.-; `"` (___...---''` \ _/_ \ /jgs\ \___/ When her granddaughter Holly was 5 and getting ready to move to Florida, Cindy told her she would take her out for a Grandma- granddaughter day. Cindy told Holly she could pick any place she wanted to eat. Holly chose Panera's, which is known for its homemade breads, soups and sandwiches. Cindy had never been there. When it was time to order, Holly said she wanted French onion soup. Knowing that lots of little kids don't care for onions, Cindy asked her, "Are you sure you want that? It has onions in it." Her indignant reply was to put her hands on her hips and say, "Why GRANDMA! Of COURSE it has onions in it! Why do you think they call it French onion soup!?" She then turned to the server and said, "And I'll take mine in the bread basket, please." -- Cindy Bevington of Angola, Indiana Sarah, 2, and Devin, 3, were playing. Sarah said to Devin, "Let's play school. I'll be the teacher." Devin said, "No, I am the teacher." Heidi, Sarah's mother said, "Why don't we have two teachers?" Sarah said, "Oh, that's a great idea." Then she turned to Devin and said, "I am both teachers!" -- Heidi Murphy (mother of Sarah, aunt of Devin) of Austin, Texas Lynn was preparing to have her son Justin's 6th birthday party last weekend. During the prior week, they were discussing who Justin wanted to invite. They just moved this past May, but there was one little girl (Kennedy) from his old school who he was very close to that he wanted to invite, and who he had referred to as his "girlfriend" all through kindergarten last year. There was also a girl in first grade at his new school (Zoe), that he wanted to invite. Lynn's fiancee' teased Justin, saying that the two girls were going to be jealous and would fight over him. Justin strongly denied this, saying, "No, Mr. Rob, I'm not fight-bait!" -- Lynn Bowie of Gonzales, Louisiana ____ ,-'-, `---._ _______(0} `, , ` , ) V ; ` , ` ( ,'~~~~~~`, `.____,- ' (, ` , ) :`,-'""`. "; `-------._); , ` `, \;: )``: ) ) ; ` ,, : `` : '; ( (`;: ; ` ;:\ ;;;, (: )``;:;;)`'`'`--. _____ ____ _,-';;` :` )`;)`)`' : "~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~`--',.;;;' `--;~~~~~ ` , ", """, " " "` ",, \ ;`` ( ; , ` ; `; ; (; ; ; ` ,` ` : (; / ; ; ` ; ; : ;(_; ; : ; ; `; ;` ; ; ,,,""";} `; : `; `; ` : ` `,,;,'''' );;`); ; ;' :; ; : ``'`' (;` :( ; , ; |, `;; ,`` `)`; `(; ` `; ; ;; ``: `).:` \;, `. ,-' ;`;;:;` ;;'`;; `) ) ~~~,-`;`;," ~~~~~ ,-' ; Targon """""" `""""" Recently Bonnie approached a neighbor child, Melissa, who is 3. Bonnie announced how big Melissa had grown. Melissa replied, "Yes, I know. But my feet have grown, too!" -- Bonnie King-Moran of Homestead, Florida Waverly, 8, saw a sign saying that Pier One Imports was coming soon at that location. Her mother Dart said, "I like Pier One Imports; we'll have fun looking around in there some times." Waverly replied, "Pear One? That's all they sell, imported pears?" -- Dart of San Diego, California Note: You are welcomed to use, copy and share these stories, but please reference http://www.funnykids.com as the source. ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Bunni :) + (|) _____.___.|_|. | / \ |===| | / \ | o | |__/__v__\|, ,| | | | | | || || |/| . . . |','| ||| A A A | , | ||| M M M | | wtx --------------------- ~ Pillar of the Church ~ Religious, pious lady, Filled with pride inside, Pillar of the church, Virtue personified. Admired from a distance, Smart at what she does, Dramatically reads scripture, Enjoys her applause. Very good at praying, Knows many holy words, Holds her palms together, Face tilted heavenward. Dresses well for church, Neighbors so impressed, Often makes them feel put down, In their simple dress. With the passing of the plate, Drops few coins in, If church in search of volunteers, Rarely joins in. As a member of a group, When things don't go her way, Packs her toys, like a child, And goes elsewhere to play. In unguarded moments, Envy clouds her eyes, With tiny glints of dislike, And telltale signs of lies. Bows head at the altar, Raises voice in song, Epitome of sanctity, Who says right or wrong? Hypocrisy ... sincerity? God will so resolve, Pray for her ... for you ... for me, Pray we're all absolved. ~ Virginia [Ginny] Ellis ~ Copyright @ 2000 --- ...Wow. Thought provoking. We all know the kind. Thanks Bunni! >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->This is for all you who love food and DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? 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