Hold Your Head High And More... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our ShangyFunList: Group Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* Please Consider Giving To ShangralaFamilyFun.com The cost of the website has gone up dramatically due to the ever increasingly wonderful pages and photos being added each week to entertain you and our fellow Christian families. If every one would chip in $25 or more, we'd be good for the whole year! So Please - I need your help today! "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a Shangrala Angel, the easiest way to do that is through online giving. It is easy to use, and most of all, it is secure. Please visit the site, scroll down and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL form page comes up. NOTE: Paypal will generate a 'Quantity 1' and 'Price per item' form. Just ignore the price per item and put whatever it is you desire to give in there. With Paypal, you will have your normal receipt for your 'payment' donation in USD (United States Dollars). You can put a memo in there if you'd like. Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY FOR YOUR GIFT! ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! AND For Facebook Users: Please Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all 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 :) This hot tottie is from our friends LouiseAu and PatDeE. It's sure to brighten your day with some light hearted funnies. Give this a few minutes and don't forget the fun video here too... ___ ( ) ~=====~ ^ ^ e e | (A portrait of Stan Laurel, symbol of fun) - \_/ author: adrian Chuckles http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/chuckles.html --- ...HaHaHa! Rib ticklers for sure! Thanks my friends! This next red hot page is from my daughter Tammy. If you are like me, you may have never heard of this big bird, let alone this particular rescued one with an unusual habit of demanding respect from those who visit him. Be sure to check this one out along with its videos here... ,-~. : .o \ `. _/`. `. `. `. `. ` .`. `. ``.`. _._.-. -._`. `.``. _.' .`. `. `. _.' ) \ ' .' _. " .'.-.'._ _.-' " ;' _'-.-' " ; _._.-.-; `.,,_; ,..,,,.:" %-' `._.-' \_/ :;; | | : : | | { } \| || || || mb _ ;; _ "-' ` -" Sushi The Shoebill Stork! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/sushi.html --- ...Wow! Pretty stunning! Thanks Tammy! -<>- *~* We had a SUPER Sharing And Caring Start To The New Year Last Month! _.._ .-' `-. : ; ; ,_ _, ; : \{" "}/ : ,'.'"=..=''.'. ; / \ / \ ; .' ; '.__.' ; '. .-' .' '. '-. .' ; ; '. / / \ \ ; ; ; ; ; `-._ _.-' ; ; ""--. .--"" ; '. _ ; ; _ .' {""..' '._.-. .-._.' '..""} \ ; ; / : : : : : :.__.: : \ /"-..-"\ / fsc '-.__.' '.__.-' >Please Share All These Great Pages With Your Friends and Family: Mary, Did You Know? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mary.html Pit Bull Heroes! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/pitbullheroes.html Then And Now! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thenandnow.html Dogs Find Baby Buried Alive! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/babyburiedalive.html Beautiful Lakes Of The World! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/beautifullakes.html Natural Show-Offs 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/showoffs2.html Paris In Early 1900's! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/parisin1900s.html Nevada's Fly Geyser! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/flygeyser.html _ .--,-"" ""-. ( ) j- __. | | ' -'| |`--._____,+-. .';`--.___.' `. .' / _ | / ,-' _.-'o;__\ ( .' o.-' \)`. `j--..___.' ' / ) (/ _ `-._ `-/`--' ,----. (.' `--. `. `-._.'`._,--->From Heartwarmers: .,aad888PPPPP888baa,. ,ad88P""Y8P' `"""Y88ba, ,ad8P"' ,8P' `"Y8ba, ,ad88P' ,8P' ""Yba, a8P"Y8P d8' `"Y8a a8P' d8' 88,,,aaaaaaddd888888888bbaa,, `Y8a a8P' ,8P 8888PPP"""""""'' ``""YY88daadY8a ,88" d8' 88 ``"Y8888, d88" 88 88 `"Y8b 888P 8I Y8, `88 8888' 8I `8b ,,aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa,, `88 d8'88 8I Y8badd88PP""""""""""YY88888bbaa,,, `8b d8' 88 Y8, `Y8Y"" ``""Y888ba, `8b ,8P 8I "8b `8b `""Y8b, Y8, d8' 8I Y8, `8b "Y8a8b 88 Y8, `8b `8b, `Y88 88 I8b Y8, `8ba,______________ 88 88 `88, `8b, `Y88888888888888888bbaa,. 88 88 I8b `8b, 88" 88""""Y88bba, 88 88 88, "Y8, 88 88 ""888ba, 88 Y8, `Y8, `Y8a ,8P ,8P 88""Y88b, ,8P `8b `8b, "8b, ,d8' ,8P' ,8P "88bd8' 88, "8b, `Y8a. ,d8' ,d8' ,88' `Y88 `8b `Y8, "Y8b, ,d8' ,d8' ,88" d8' Y8, `Y8b "Y888P' ,8P' ,88" ,8P Y8, "8b, ,d8P' ,8P' ,88" ,8P Y8, `Y8b, ,d8P" d8" a88' ,8P Y8a "Y8ba, ,ad8P" ,8P' d8P' a8P "8b, "Y8888P"' ,dP" ,88" ,d8" Y8b,,,,aad88P"" ,a8P" ,d8P' ,d8P "Y888PP""' ,a8P" ,a8P" ,ad8P" "Y8ba, ,ad8P" ,a8P" ,ad8P" "Y88ba, ,,ad8P"' ,adPI' ,ad88P" "Y8888P" ,,adPI" ,aad88P" Normand ""Y88bbbaaaadd88888bad88P"" Veilleux """"""""""""""" >BRAINS AND BRAWN by Roger Dean Kiser It seemed strange that those of us from the orphanage were always the last to be picked when it came to any type of a game at school. Baseball, football and even dodge-ball. It didn't seem to make a difference if we were tall or short, thin or fat or fast or slow. The fact that we came from the orphanage appeared to be all that mattered to those who did the choosing. I am not sure what came over me the day that the teacher picked me to be one of the captains of the dodge-ball team. I was rather shocked as even the teacher treated us as though we were different from the other kids. This time my team was going to win. I knew who was the fastest and I knew who had the best aim. This was the day that I was going to become the winner. As we gathered in a group on the school ground, the teacher flipped a coin to see who would be the first to pick. "Heads!" yelled out Mrs. Cherry, my fourth grade teacher. I smiled as I was the one who had picked heads. I am not sure what came over me at that moment. Winning the game did not seem to be so important to me now. I looked around the large group of boys and my eyes stopped at Jeffrey. He was slow and he weighed a whopping 98 pounds. "JEFFREY," I yelled out, as I pointed at him. He looked up in total shock as he began to move his massive body toward me. "You picked me?" he asked. I reached over and I patted him on the back. My next pick was Leonard. He was a small boy who wore black, thick rimmed glasses and he never combed his hair. He was the quiet type and he was not liked by very many of the popular kids. He was without a doubt the brain of the class. The remainder of my picks were kids that I knew from the orphanage. Or, kids who were always the last to be picked. Kids that never got to play because of the teams being uneven. "He picked a bunch of losers. We're gonna win without even trying," said the captain of the other team. "We're gonna lose," said Jeffrey, as our team huddled in a tight circle. "Of course were gonna lose," I told them. "Then why did you pick me?" asked Jeffrey. "And why did you pick me? I can't see without my glasses," said Leonard. As the game started, I made sure that Jeffrey stood behind those of us who were faster. That way he could get out of the way of the ball before it reached him. I made sure that my team did not stay in the center of the circle. We moved around the circle, rather than across the circle. That seemed to give us a big advantage. The ball was thrown five or six times before Robert was hit. Another five or six times before the ball hit Wayne. One at a time my team members were hit and fell out. They hit us with the ball as hard as they could, slamming the ball against our backs when we could not get out of the way. Their team was laughing and mocking at us the entire time. Soon, it was down to just Jeffrey and me. "I can't believe it is just you and me," said Jeffrey, panting as hard as he could. "Just stay behind me," I told him. "Get that fat Jeffrey kid," yelled out one of their team members. They threw the ball ten or more times without hitting either one of us. The harder they threw, the more they missed and the madder they seemed to get. "OK, that's enough. You're getting too rough," yelled out Mrs. Cherry. I will never forget the look on Jeffrey's face when the game ended. He could hardly believe that he had made it that far. When Jeffrey and I went to the bathroom to wash up he had tears in his eyes. "You made me feel good by picking me first," he told me, as he stood there crying over the sink. I learned a very good lesson that day. We were just a bunch of kids who were not popular at all. Earlier that morning, Mrs. Cherry had talked to us about "brains" and "brawn". She told us that if we were to succeed in life that we had to learn to use all of our skills, and that we had to work together as a team. I just wanted to see if the teacher knew what she was talking about. -- Roger Dean Kiser ___________________________________________ Roger is a Heartwarmer Gem. If you haven't obtained a copy of his new CD that contains many of his most popular stories, what are you waiting for? It's a professoinal produced CD that you and your family will cherish forever. Visit Roger's website and order it there. Go to: http://www.rogerdeankiser.com/ =========================================================== >-->From SermondFodder: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >BRINGING EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE Most of the struggles that we face in life are really inner ones. The outward battles are normally a result of deep inner conflicts that have been built over a lifetime. If we are to truly experience victory over habits and wrong patterns of actions, then we must learn to undergo a transformation of our inner thoughts and feelings. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth 2 Cor. 10:5 NIV, "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ"ŠŠŠ Paul was speaking of the spiritual battle that every Christian faces. He understood that the greatest conflicts of life are spiritual ones, and that the battleground is always the mind of the believer. Every thought must be brought 'bound in chains' to Christ, The Word. Before a person comes to know Christ in a deeply personal way, the Bible says that he is a captive or slave to sin. In other words, our entire outlook and view of life is built upon attitudes and thought patterns that are contrary to God's plan for us. We build those patterns of thoughts over months and years. When we come to know Christ, that doesn't mean that we no longer have to deal with wrong thought patterns. It simply means that we are no longer slaves to those patterns. But we must learn to "take every thought to make it obedient to Christ." God has given you weapons of spiritual warfare to overcome Satan's stronghold on your life. Begin today to bring every thought captive unto the obedience of Christ because you can do it if you want to. -- Dr. Norman Campbell -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >The Season of Darkness - December 21, 2003 Romans 13:12: "The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness And put on the armor of light." Despite the way that it feels in these cold winter months, when we start to think the sun is just some fictional object that we only read and dream about, I have been reminded that darkness is only for a season. It was in the funniest of ways. If you have ever been on an international flight, a lot of them have a in flight broadcast of where your plane is over the earth, and where we are in relation to the sun and how close we are to the darkness. What baffled me, is that when you looked where the computer said was dark, it was a relatively small area of the display. This means that even when it is dark, there is a lot more places where there is light cast by the sun. This was a simple reminder to me that even though it is dark at times and we seem to be in the dark a lot, there is light. Sometimes it is at the end of the tunnel, sometimes it is burning behind the bushel, but the point is that light is a light given by God. Our job is to find the light which is Jesus Christ, and give it fuel. The fuel is our souls. Let it consume your soul so everything you do radiates Jesus. There is an e-mail going around and around that has a picture of two smiling gorillas and it says a short poem about smiles and how they are contagious and how a smile can make it around the world. I say, if a smile is that contagious, how much more contagious is the love of Christ? == Contributed by Carl Holmes (love4orphans@411.com) Comments/Feedback are welcome. --- ...I used that gorilla image on this page: (Sound On) Top Reasons To Smile http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/smile.html Of course, that is the darling little Shirley Temple singing! :) -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >ARE YOU DISCOURAGED? REMEMBER, THE GAME'S NOT OVER UNTIL IT'S OVER Anyone going through a difficult time needs to remember that the end has not yet come, and that our Heavenly Father may have all manner of wonderful things in store just around the bend in the road. USA TODAY once reported a story which demonstrates this fact very well. Milwaukee Hamilton High School had a 22-15 lead against Milwaukee Marshall with just a few seconds left in a football game one Friday night in September of 1983. It appeared to be a sure victory. With only four seconds remaining, Hamilton, which was on its 40-yard line, snapped the ball to Jose Alba. Alba ran back toward his end zone to run out the clock, then tossed the ball into the air as time expired, thinking the game was over, and the victory belonged to him and his teammates. But, remember-in football, the play is not finished until the ball is downed while in the possession of a player. So when the ball came down, one of Marshall's players, Floyd Heard, picked it up on the five and ran it in for a touchdown. Then with time expired, Marshall attempted the two-point conversion- and made it. They won the game 23-22. There are many times in our lives when we're on the losing side of the scoreboard, and time is running out. If Floyd Heard had believed what the circumstances told him, he would have walked to the sideline, accepting defeat. Yet that is what we do so many times in our lives. The game--nor life--is over until it's over. Be encouraged! Don't give up! Stay the course! --Rocky Henriques (The Timothy Report, Swan Lake Communications, Swanlake@jam.rr.com) -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >The Choice is Yours My friend Kenny is a used car dealer. He's also a committed Christian. He has a sign out front that says, "Heaven Or Hell, the choice is yours." A lot of Kenny's customers are curious about the sign. Kenny says it sparks a lot of conversations that allow him to share his faith with others. I thought of Kenny's sign awhile back when I watched a re-run of an episode of the popular Seinfeld show. In the episode, Elaine borrows boyfriend David Puddy's car. She's surprised to find all of the radio preset buttons tuned to Christian stations. She expresses her surprise to Jerry and George and wonders if Puddy really is a Christian. She even steals the "Jesus Fish" from the back of his car to show them as evidence of her suspicions. Always trying to find a solution that includes good humor, George and Jerry advise her to tune the radio buttons to different settings before taking the car back to see what happens. Sure enough, a few weeks later she borrows Puddy's car again and all of the settings are back on Christian stations. When she shares this with George and Jerry, she wonders aloud, "Perhaps Puddy has more depth than I thought." Later she confronts Puddy and, realizing her own lack of a relationship with God, starts asking about his faith. Eventually, she poses the question, "Puddy, aren't you at all concerned about my lack of faith." Without pausing he replies, "No." When she asks why, he calmly replies, "Because I'm not the one who's going to go to hell." We are all free agents. We are responsible for our own decision when it comes to Christ. While it was played for dramatic effect by the Seinfeld scriptwriters, there is a great deal of truth in Puddy's stance. Each of us, as individuals, is called to make a decision about the one we call Christ. No one else can make that decision for you. When you die and you are asked why you should be allowed to enter heaven, it won't be what your friend says that matters. It's what you say. Can you claim that it is because Christ died for you and you have accepted his resurrection on faith? As my friend Kenny would say, "Heaven or Hell, the Choice is yours." --- ...My Two Cents... I like to advertise abd share my web site on FB. I often check out my friends there to see how they are doing. I follow a few leaders there as well. I was browsing it the other day and was stopped in my tracks - totally stunned. Why? Well, I shared it on my page there... Others speak of this at a drop of a hat - to the point of it being boring - - - - but I have to stop and take particular notice when a man (renowned person) of God thinks it is important to bring this up to his followers... Franklin Graham “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:25-28) My friends often talk about Jesus's Return. It is something folks just like to bring up when things around the world seem to be extra nasty. Often it is brought up mostly by the older folks. Maybe more wishful thinking on their part. BUT with Franklin Graham bringing it up - well, I stop, drop what I am doing and take notice. After all, people of God like him, have their spiritual ears well attuned and open to God to be His voice to us. What God wants us to know and be paying sharp attention to. =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: __ .---. __ / ` .-.7,--. / `. .-''. -, , \ '--.- -; | ) / ,` / \ ,_) / '-. / ( ( | / .' ) \ '. `--,/ .---' ,-.| `--. / '-, -' .' .==,=; `-,.;--' / ,' _;--;| /_...=' || jgs || .==,=. ||/ '.\ ,||`'=...__\ || || ||, || || || >A Forever Kind of Love By Christy M. Martin One of our favorite patients had been in and out of our small, rural hospital several times, and all of us on med-surg had grown quite attached to her and her husband. In spite of terminal cancer and resulting pain, she never failed to give us a smile or a hug. Whenever her husband came to visit, she glowed. He was a nice man, very polite and as friendly as his wife. I had grown quite attached to them and was always glad to care for her. I admired their expression of love. Daily, he brought her fresh flowers and a smile, then sat by her bed as they held hands and talked quietly. When the pain was too much and she cried or became confused, he hugged her gently in his arms and whispered until she rested. He spent every available moment at her bedside, giving her small sips of water and stroking her brow. Every night, before he left for home, he closed the door so they could spend time alone together. When he was gone, we'd find her sleeping peacefully with a smile on her lips. On this night, however, things were different. As soon as I entered report, the day nurses informed us she had steadily taken a turn for the worse and wouldn't make it through the night. Although I was sad, I knew that this was for the best. At least my friend wouldn't be in pain any longer. I left report and checked on her first. When I entered the room, she aroused and smiled weakly, but her breathing was labored and I could tell it wouldn't be long. Her husband sat beside her, smiling, too, and said, "My Love is finally going to get her reward." Tears came to my eyes, so I asked if they needed anything and left quickly. I offered care and comfort throughout the evening, and at about midnight she passed away with her husband still holding her hand. I consoled him and with tears running down his cheeks he said, "May I please be alone with her for awhile?" I hugged him and closed the door behind me. I stood outside the room, blotting my tears and missing my friend and her smile. And I could feel the pain of her husband in my own heart. Suddenly from the room came the most beautiful male voice I have ever heard singing. It was almost haunting the way it floated through the halls. All of the other nurses stepped out into the hallways to listen as he sang "Beautiful Brown Eyes" at the top of his lungs. When the tune faded, the door opened and he called to me. He looked me in the eyes then hugged me saying, "I sang that song to her every night from the first day we met. Normally I close the door and keep my voice down so as not to disturb the other patients. But I had to make sure she heard me tonight as she was on her way to heaven. She had to know that she will always be my forever love. Please apologize to anyone I bothered. I just don't know how I will make it without her, but I will continue to sing to her every night. Do you think she will hear me?" I nodded my head "yes," unable to stop my tears. He hugged me again, kissed my cheek, and thanked me for being their nurse and friend. He thanked the other nurses, then turned and walked down the hall, his back hunched, whistling the song softly as he went. As I watched him leave I prayed that I, too, would someday know that kind of forever love -<>- _ /_) (8_))}- . \_) '. .--. . , .-.-,_, : '. .' )`-.>'` ( '---'`; / `\ | . | | | _.' \ / / .' `=(\ /.=` ' `-;`.-' '._ `)| , ` ' ' ' ' ' || .-'| ,_|| \_,/ , \|| .' |\|\ , ||/ ,_\` |/| |Y_, '-.'-._\||/ >_.-`Y| ` ,_|| \|| || jgs || |/ >Never Leave Behind Regrets - Author Unknown Too often we don't realize what we have until it is gone; Too often we wait too late to say "I'm sorry - I was wrong." Sometimes it seems we hurt the ones we hold dearest to our hearts; And we allow foolish things to tear our lives apart. Far too many times we let unimportant things into our minds; And then it's usually too late to see what made us blind. So be sure that you let people know how much they mean to you; Take that time to say the words before your time is through. Be sure that you appreciate everything you've got' And be thankful for the Little Things in Life that mean a lot. Growing old is a privilege denied to many... Never leave behind regrets -<>- .-""-._ / ___/ \ _&_ _.--""|/ `\| // \\ .' ( ^/ ^ )'. / / \ \ / | _ | \ // / \ \\ | _\____/ | /_/_/_\_\_\ | .' \____/-._ | .-"-. | / `; /# \ | / / _|_.---\ | | |.-.; :--.-(_/.____/.-""\___/"-. / \ / ~~/ /\ \{"=.______.="} /--. ; /___/_~~/ ; .--\"=...__...="} / \-/ `\______|/ \-.______..-; | /`| | \ | |||| || | /_ | |_______/ | |||| || | \_/| |-------' |--'||'--._|| | | | | || |> |______| |____________|._ || _..-;| | [___] | `||() || |______ |\/|____________|jgs|| () (__) \__/ (__) () >What Forgiveness Will Buy -By Ralph Marson Think of the time and energy a little forgiveness could buy you. Being frustrated, annoyed or angry uses up your precious time, energy, thoughts and actions. Certainly there are situations worth getting angry about, but do you truly wish to give over even a little bit of yourself to the petty little things which really don't matter? When someone does something to annoy you, consider how much of your valuable time you could save by forgiving that person, in your own mind, right then. When you forgive before you've even shown any anger, the matter will die and you can quickly move on. Expect the best from those around you, and you'll very likely get it. Yet when someone falls short of your expectations, don't aggravate the problem by letting it sap your time and energy. Look for a way to quickly forgive and forget. The more little things you can forgive, the more big things you can accomplish. -- Ralph Marston -<>- ____ /\ __\_ / \/ \___\ \ /___/ /\_/ \ \ / \____\ ___/\ _ / / / \/ \ /_\/____/ \ / \___\ / \_/\ / / / \/___/ \ _ / / \/_| /___/ / \___\ \ /\_/___/ \/___/ [n4biS] >EVERYTHING I NEEDED TO KNOW ABOUT LIFE I LEARNED FROM A JIGSAW PUZZLE 1. Don't force a fit--if something is meant to be, it will come together naturally. 2. When things aren't going so well, take a break. Everything will look different when you return. 3. Be sure to look at the big picture. Getting hung up on the little pieces only leads to frustration. 4. Perseverance pays off. Every important puzzle went together bit by bit, piece by piece. 5. When one spot stops working, move to another. But be sure to come back later (see #4). 6. The creator of the puzzle gave you the picture as a guidebook. Refer to the Creator's guidebook often. 7. Variety is the spice of life. It's the different colors and patterns that make the puzzle interesting. 8. Working together with friends and family makes any task fun. 9. Establish the border first. Boundaries give a sense of security and order. 10. Don't be afraid to try different combinations. Some matches are surprising. 11. Take time often to celebrate your successes (even little ones). 12. Anything worth doing takes time and effort. A great puzzle can't be rushed. 13. When you finally reach the last piece, don't be sad. Rejoice in the masterpiece you've made and enjoy a well-deserved rest. Copyright 2001 Jacquie Sewell (jsewell416@hotmail.com). Permission is granted to send this to others, but not for commercial purposes. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment :) Keep ON Smiling!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/smiling.html God Is Like!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/godislike.html I Believe!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/believe.html Let's Dance!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dance.html Jesus Clinic!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/clinic.html Miracle Baby!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/smellofrain.html Dreamy Ladies!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dreamy.html Love Thoughts!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bambi.html Jesus Laughing Art!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/Jesusart.html Why God Gave Us Pets!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gpets.html Believe In Your Dreams!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/dream.html Proud Of Our Troops 5!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/troops5.html Bible: Stretching For The Lord!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/stretching.html Bible: God's Royal And Holy Priests!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/royalpriests.html Valentine Index! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/valentineindex.html -<>- God is our Sufficiency http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Promises/God_is_our_Sufficiency.htm How to Start a Relationship With God tinyurl.com/1756rotu Righteous in Anger – Of Decaf and Delight tinyurl.com/y9xhxl8m Bible Teachings On Health Issues https://www.truthortradition.com/?s=health God;s Fountain Of Youth http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/Gods_Fountain_Of_Youth.htm You Won’t Believe Why the Government Raided the Homes of These Homeschooling Families / New Age Healer Flirted With Satanic Darkness But God Brought Her Into His Healing Light / Non-Binary Gender Activist Repents, Finds Peace in God’s Design for His Gender AND More: https://christianlifedaily.com/ -<>- >In The News: VA News: 1M Vaccines Given, Give Blood & Get a $5 Amazon gift card, $500 ShopVCS Giveaway tinyurl.com/4tsxkhxz Dan Bongino Reveals REAL Story Behind Firing Of Parler CEO: The Story You’re Hearing Is Not Correct, Don’t Believe The Hype AND More: https://thescoop.us/ Russia Set to Reap Large Reward for Biden’s Climate Agenda / Border Patrol Arrests Iranians for Illegally Entering US at Mexican Border / AOC Lied About Being in the Capitol “Fearing for Her Life” / Parler CEO John Matze Terminated by the Board / Dr. Fauci Continues to Warn Against Super Bowl Parties / Americans Are Buying Guns at ‘Blistering Pace’ According to FBI AND More: https://reliablenewsnow.com Joe Biden’s Biggest Problem Ignored Admits Washington Post ‘Fact Checker’ / WHO Says Not to Rely on COVID Test Results / It Turns Out the Justice System IS Rigged And You Could Be The Next Target / Big Tech Shuts Down Major Christian Organization AND More: https://deepstatejournal.com TSA Prepping To FINE People For Not Wearing Masks At The Airport / MSNBC Sickeningly Urged DRONE Strike On Donald Trump / Liberals Trying To Keep Trump From Living At A Place HE OWNS AND More: http://2020conservative.com BREAKING: The Impeachment Is DEAD IN THE WATER And MORE: https://threepercenternation.com Latest From AFA: http://tinyurl.com/j7lakqw Students For Life https://tinyurl.com/yd5nxmu6 Latest From OperationRescue: http://www.operationrescue.org/ Latest Product Alert: Beef Recalled, E. Coli Contamination http://www.emergencyemail.org/products/?fmt=text Latest Health Alert: http://www.emergencyemail.org/health/?fmt=text Click to Give Free https://tinyurl.com/y2abb8d2 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 ========================================================== [-;-/=_ `-; \=_ ___ ) ,"-...--./===--__ __|/ / ]` /;--> >...-\ <\_ `- <<, 7/-.\, sk `- /( `- , _________________`.,:/'____.,;'/_______.;______ ____ ,- \( ,- _______~ _ ,- <<` J\-'/` ____ \:--> >'''-/ Mirror Image Story Editor: By Mark Brennaman C.O. Fines Kentucky, USA In early 2000, I was a victim of a senseless, unprovoked act of violence that left several scars on my neck. I survived and the assailant is in prison, yet I will never really be the same. To shave is to see one of the scars. Until recently, to see the scar was to trigger a visual memory of the violent act. I'd "see" the assailant's rage-filled face behind me. My first solution was to stop shaving and trust my hair was properly combed. I just didn't want to see the scar which brought back the memory of an ugly event that nearly claimed my life. The dilemma worsened with each passing day. Instead of feeling better with time for surviving, I began to remember the terrible event more often and more vividly. It seemed as though I experienced the attack day after day. I finally sought help. My doctor's first question to me was, "Do you have a good relationship with your father?" I replied, "Yes, we have a great relationship." The doctor then asked if my father had taught me how to shave. Before I could answer that question, a memory I had forgotten for many, many years popped in my head, and I immediately smiled! "Doctor," I replied, "this is so cool. I remember standing at my dad's side as a little boy, infatuated with the process of shaving. It got to the point that when he shaved in the mornings, I was always there watching him, asking endless questions. "My dad bought me a little plastic toy razor, and it even had a knob on the bottom of the handle that opened the top, just like his real razor. The blade was a piece of cardboard that looked like a razor blade. After that, I got to smear shave cream all over my face and shave with my dad." My doctor then suggested that I think of this pleasant memory every time I shaved to displace the memory of the attack. Everyone in my family remembers my little plastic razor after all these years. It has been so much fun reaching back to my boyhood, a time when I trusted everyone and yearned for the future. The remembrance has replaced my violent memory. I not only get to feel the love my dad showed me then when I shave today, I get to remember what it's like to be innocent once again. Precious memories are made in an instant and last forever. I am so thankful my dad had the patience back then to let me "shave" so I can shave today without visualizing an ugly event. The memory alone has strengthened an already strong relationship. What made me very happy then is making me happier today. Thank you, Dad! =======HeroicStories======= , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >-->God's Choices Are Right Choices But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be. 1 Corinthians 12:18 Have you ever wanted to be someone else? Have you wanted to handle a basketball like Michael Jordan or hit a baseball like Mark McGwire? Do you feel like you got the short end of the stick when it comes to gifts and talents? If so, cheer up. God has good news for you. The Corinthian congregation was made up of very diverse people. In addition, God gave each of the Christians special gifts - spiritual gifts. These gifts were to be used to help others in the church develop to full maturity in Christ. Instead, the Corinthians argued over which spiritual gift was the greatest. God gave each member exactly what He wanted them to have, (all of them!) but they failed to use the gift while they dreamed about being someone else. Sometimes that happens in the church today. We forget that what God gives us to do is the most important task we can do. If we do someone else's job in church and neglect our own, we fail twice. Has God gifted you in a certain way? The only way you can be happy is to allow God to get out of you what He had put in you. He has tailor made a gift for you. It's His choice for you, and God's choices are always right choices. Don't fail twice by salivating after someone else's gift; savor your own. Prayer: Help me, Father, to recognize that You have given me talents to use for others. Don't let me be jealous of others. Instead, let me be zealous in serving You with my gift. In Jesus Christ's name, Amen Faith Walk Devotional; by Tony Beckett; 8/28/2003 ========================================================== _______________________________________________________ | | / | | /---, | | -----# ==| | | | :) # ==| | | -----'----# | |______________________________________________________| |)___() '# |______====____ \___________________________________| [_/,-,\"--"------ //,-, ,-,\\\ |/ //,-, ,-, ,-,\\ __# ( 0 )|===******||( 0 )( 0 )||- o '( 0 )( 0 )( 0 )|| ----'-'--------------'-'--'-'-----------------------'-'--'-'--'-'--------- unknown >-->Goodyear North American Highway Hero Award Past Winners The Goodyear Highway Hero Award was established in 1983 to honor truck drivers who put themselves in harm’s way to help others. >2017 - Frank Vieira Frank Vieira was driving when he heard a loud crash and saw that a car had slammed into the back of a roll-off truck. The car's driver had been pierced through the neck by a broken steering wheel upon impact and was bleeding profusely. Vieira administered first aid to the still-conscious driver while notifying emergency services. The roll-off truck's driver then walked over to investigate and fainted at the sight of the motorist's injury. Vieira pulled him out of harm's way. >2016 - David Webb David Webb was driving through Washington State when he spotted a dump truck in the next lane swerve. Pulling up to the truck, Webb noticed that its driver was slumped over the steering wheel. Webb parked his own truck, ran after the dump truck, hopped onto its running board, opened its door, reached in and applied its brakes, bringing it to a stop. He then pulled the unconscious driver out of the truck and performed CPR on him. >2015 - Julian Kaczor Julian Kaczor was driving through Jacksonville, Fla., when a car drove past him at a high rate of speed, crashed into a construction barrier and began to emit smoke. Kaczor ran to the car as it became engulfed in flames. As the fire intensified, he forced the car's driver side door open, pulled the injured motorist out of the vehicle and dragged him to safety. >2014 - Clinton Blackburn Clinton Blackburn was driving when he saw a sheriff's cruiser abruptly stop. Inside the car, a prisoner who was being transported was strangling a sheriff's county jailer from behind. Blackburn ran to the car and began struggling with the prisoner, who then pulled the jailer's gun from its holster. Blackburn grabbed the gun, turned it around and pointed it toward the prisoner. Working together, Blackburn and the jailer subdued the prisoner. >2013 - Ivan Vasovic Ivan Vasovic saw a double tanker truck hit the concrete divider of a freeway overpass, slam into a guard rail and catch fire, with its tractor and first tanker hanging in mid-air. The truck's driver fell to the ground, breaking an arm and leg. Ivan poured water on himself, ran to the driver and pulled him to safety moments before the flame-engulfed truck crashed to the ground. >2012 - Jason Harte Jason Harte was driving down an interstate when he witnessed a speeding pickup truck slam into a minivan, pushing it to the highway median. Harte approached the van and found a man and woman holding a baby. He also noticed that three other children were trapped in the van. He rescued the family from the van, and then drew upon his paramedic experience to help rescue crews tend to the victims' injuries until ambulances could take them away. For More Visit Here - Highway Heroes https://www.goodyeartrucktires.com/newsroom/highway-heroes/ ========================================================== >-->From AndyChaps: ... {@} * {@} {@} * {@} * {@} : * {@} * {@} * .; {@} * {@} * {@} * {@} * ; * ; {@} * ; * : ;\ \ \ \| / / /; \\ \ Y/ / / `_\ |/ _' / \\Y// \ ( ,-}={-, ) \_//((\_/ //))(\ (/ )) (( valkyrie \) >Seed of Love My day began on a decidedly sour note when I saw my six-year-old wrestling with a branch of my azalea bush. By the time I got outside, he'd broken it. "Can I take this to school today?" he asked. With a wave of my hand, I sent him on. I turned my back so he wouldn't see the tears gathering in my eyes. I loved that azalea bush. I touched the broken limb to silently say, "I'm sorry." I wished I could have said that to my husband when he left earlier, but I'd been angry. The washing machine had leaked on my brand-new linoleum. "Why hadn't he just taken the time to fix it the night before instead of playing checkers with Jonathan?" I wondered. I was still mopping up the mess on the floor when Jonathan followed me into the kitchen. "What's for breakfast, Mom?" I opened the refrigerator. "No cereal," I said, watching the sides of his mouth drop. "How about toast and jelly?" I smeared the toast with jelly and set it in front of him. Why was I so angry? I tossed my husband's dishes into the sudsy water. It was days like that that made me want to quit. I just wanted to drive my car up to the mountains, hide myself in a crevice, and never come down. Somehow I managed to lug the wet clothes to the Laundromat. I spent most of the day washing and drying clothes and thinking how love had disappeared from my life. Staring at the graffiti on the walls, I felt as wrung-out as the clothes left in the washers. As I finished hanging up the last of my husband's shirts, I looked at the clock on the wall. 2:30. I was late. Jonathan's class let out at 2:15. I dumped my clothes in the backseat and hurriedly drove to the school. I was out of breath by the time I knocked on the teacher's door. I peered in through the glass. With one finger, she motioned for me to wait. She said something to Jonathan and handed him and the other children crayons and a sheet of paper. "What now?" I thought as she rustled through the door and took me aside. "I want to talk to you about Jonathan," she said. I prepared myself for the worst. Nothing would have surprised me. I'd had a fight with my husband and we weren't speaking, my son had broken a limb off my favorite tree, and now this. "Did you know Jonathan brought flowers to school today?" she asked. I nodded, trying to keep the hurt in my eyes from showing. I glanced at my son busily coloring a picture. His wavy hair was too long and flopped just beneath is brow. He pushed it away with the back of his hand. His eyes burst with blue as he admired his handiwork. "Let me tell you about yesterday," the teacher insisted. "See that little girl?" I watched the rosy-cheeked child laugh and point to a colorful picture taped to the wall. I nodded. "Well, yesterday she was almost hysterical. Her mother and father are going through a nasty divorce. Tish said she didn't want to live; she wished she could die. I watched the child bury her face in her hands and say loud enough for the class to hear, 'Nobody loves me.' I did all I could to console her, but it only seemed to make things worse." "I thought you wanted to talk to me about Jonathan," I said. "I do," she said, touching the sleeve of my blouse. "This morning your son came straight to Tish. I watched him hand her the flowers and whisper, 'I love you, Tish.'" I felt my heart swell with pride for what my son had done. I smiled at the teacher. "Thank you," I said, reaching for Jonathan's hand. "You've made my day." Later that evening, I began pulling weeds from around my lopsided azalea bush. As I let my mind wander back to the love Jonathan showed the little girl, I was reminded of a verse from the Bible, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and charity, but the greatest of these is charity." (I Corinthians 13:13). My son knew how to show love, but all the day I had only showed anger. I dropped my head and whispered, "Forgive me, Lord." I heard the familiar squeak of my husband's truck brakes as he pulled into the drive. I snapped a small limb bristling with hot pink azaleas off the bush. I felt the seed of love begin to bloom again in me. My husband's eyes widened in surprise as I handed him the flowers. "I love you," I whispered. ....Nanette Thorsen-Snipes ========================================================== >-->WITandWISDOM: __|__ |___| |\ |o__| |___| | \ |___| |___| |o \ _|___| |___| |__o\ /...\_____|___|____\_/ \ o * o * * o o / ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ unknown >Believing = Receiving - Never Give Up!! ... I Shall Return: When the great explorer Shackleton was on his quest for the South Pole, he was at one time driven back, and was compelled to leave some of his men on Elephant Island, though he promised that he would return for them. But when he endeavored to get back, he found a sea of ice between him and the island. What should he do? He had promised, and he must keep his word. He tried to reach them, but failed. He tried again and again, but without success. Beyond the ice were his trusting companions, who had every confidence in him. They had only a few supplies with them. At that time of the year it seemed folly to hope for any favorable change in the weather, and he was told that there was absolutely no hope of getting his little boat, the "Yalcho," through the great ice barrier to Elephant Island. He could not be inactive. He must reach his men; so at the risk of losing his boat and the lives of his crew, he pushed in nearer to the island; and unexpectedly there came an opening in the ice. He hurried in, rescued his men, and in an hour was back again with all on board. Had they been delayed only a few minutes, their frail vessel would have been destroyed by the crashing of the ice as it closed in. When they were sure they were beyond danger and the nervous tension was over, Shackleton said to one of the rescued companions, "Well, you were packed and ready, weren't you?" "Yes," came back the reply, "we never lost hope. We believed you would come for us, even though circumstances were unfavorable. You had promised, and we expected you; so each morning we rolled up our sleeping bags and packed all our equipment, that we might be ready." And now they were all safe and homeward bound, happy that they had been prepared daily. Before Jesus departed from this world, He left a definite promise in John 14:1-4. The Lord is not slack concerning His promises either. By Charles L. Paddock Source: Signs of the Times, Copyright (c) June 14, 1932, Pacific Press, http://www.pacificpress.com/signs ========================================================== _____ / \/_ //\__(\_\ |\ ^ ^ | .//_O \O_ \ \_ (_) / \ \_/ / __/\ /\__ / \ \ / / \ / \/\/\/ \ / | . | \ / | . | \ JRO >-->Hold Your Head High... Standing for what you believe in regardless of the odds against you, and the pressure that tears at your resistance ...is Courage. Keeping a smile on your face when inside you feel like dying, for the sake of supporting others ...is Strength. Stopping at nothing and doing what's in your heart that you know is right ...is Determination. Doing more than is expected, to make another's life a little more bearable, without uttering a single complaint ...is Compassion. Helping a friend in need, no matter the time or effort, to the best of your ability ...is Loyalty. Holding your head high And being the best you know you can be when life seems to fall apart at your feet, Facing each difficulty with the confidence that time will bring you better tomorrows, And never giving up... ...is Confidence. Hold your head high and make your life better every day! -<>- ,--. ,--. ( O ) ( O ) `--' \ `--' \ _ >-. / /| `-.__.' Krogg >Keep Smiling - Author Unknown If at times you feel you want to cry And life seems such a trial Above the clouds there's a bright blue sky So make your tears a smile. As you travel on lifes way With its many ups and downs Remember its quite true to say One smile is worth a dozen frowns. Among the worlds expensive things A smile is very cheap And when you give a smile away, You get one back to keep. Happiness comes at times to all But sadness comes unbidden And sometimes a few tears must fall Among the laughter hidden. So when friends have sadness on their face And troubles round them piled The world will seem a better place And all because you smiled. -<>- ..::''''::.. .:::. .;'' ``;. .... ::::: :: :: :: :: ,;' .;: () ..: `:::' :: :: :: :: ::. ..:,:;.,:;. . :: .::::. `:' :: .:' :: :: `:. :: '''::, :: :: :: `:: :: ;: .:: : :: : : :: ,:'; ::; :: :: :: :: :: ::,::''. . :: `:. .:' :: `:,,,,;;' ,;; ,;;, ;;, ,;;, ,;;, `:,,,,:' :;: `;..``::::''..;' ``::,,,,::'' "With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan - to do all which may achieve and cherish a just, and a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations."--Abraham Lincoln in his Second Inaugural Address, March 4, 1865 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. --Psalm 19:1 >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->ShangyFunList AD RATES: $25 will get your a message (of up to 40 words) out to all web site list readers. Email me to secure dates. Ad Request ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->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? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe **********************************************************************