I Could Not Find It... :) 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 ~ . / \__ .. _ \.' '._o \_|_) )) __( __ / / ). \ _( ,/ /.____.' / '' '..-' | \ _ ( )v /-'._ ) //// |// // \\ // // \\ ||\\ --"------"-"--"-- mrf *~* 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! ================ *~* HAPPY BLESSED BIRTHDAY LINDA! ,-----. ,-. ,-. | .---' \ \ / / ,-.__ | `--. ,-"-. ,-.__ \ V / ,-"-. | ,-.) | .--'( ( ) )| ,-.) _ \ / ( ( ) ),-. ,--.| | | | `-.-" | | ( ". / / `-.-" | | | |`-' `-' `-' \ ` / | `-" | `---" `----"-' __ __ | | / /___ ,-. ___ | | ,-----./ / __ `. '._,' \ \__| '---./ ,-. /_'.-` \ ___ __ ___ __ \ __\ ,-. \ `-' / ,'.-. \ / / / / \ \ / /_ \ \| | | |`___/__/ \ `._\ \/ / / / \ \,----./ / '---.\ `._| |__| `.__.'\__\ `-' / hjw \ .--. \_/| ,--._\`._____\ __`--. / `97 \ \.__\ \ | | / /_/ / \__\.__.' |__| `.____.' ,-. ,-. ,-. | | ,-. ,-. ,-----. ,-.,--. | '-. ,----. ,---. | '-. | | ( \ / )| O | | ,-. | | ,-' | O | | \ | ,-',-"""-. | | ) ^ ( | | | | | | | | | /--' | O ) | | ( O ) | | \ / | ,-. | | | | | | | | `--. | / | | \ / `-' `--^--" '-' '-' `-' `-' '-' `----' `---" '-' "-.-" ,-"-.-. ,-. ,--. ,-. / .-. | _| |_ \ \ / / ( ( | | ,--. (_ _) \ V / \ `-" | / 0 ) | | \ / ,-"-. ,-. ,-. ,--"-.--. `---. |( .-" | | _ ) / ( O ) | | | | / __ | ."._,' | \ `-. | | ( "-" / `-.-" | `-" | ( (__) | `.___." `--" `-" `-._," `-._,._\ \ | __ __ `--.--"`' | | / /___ ,-. ___ | | ,-----./ / __ `. '._,' \ \__| '---./ ,-. /_'.-` \ ___ __ ___ __ \ __\ ,-. \ `-' / ,'.-. \ / / / / \ \ / /_ \ \| | | |`___/__/ \ `._\ \/ / / / \ \,----./ / '---.\ `._| |__| `.__.'\__\ `-' / hjw \ .--. \_/| ,--._\`._____\ __`--. / `97 \ \.__\ \ | | / /_/ / \__\.__.' |__| ,--. `.____.' | | ,--""--. ,--""--.-. | |,--. ,--""--. / ,---" / _,-. | | _) / (_) ) ( ( ( (_ ) | | (_ ( (`-.-" \ "---. \ "-" | | |\ ) \ "---. `--..--" `--..--"-' `--" `-" `--..--" o o o o o o o o o o o .......... BuT iT wAs tOo sQuAShY tO e-mAil..... You can wish our friend Linda A HAPPY BIRTHDAY HERE... Lubylu121 @ aol.com (Just put the email together without spaces). ================ >-->Hot Off The 'Shangy' Press :) Our Friend Johanna helped spot an error on a troop page. It is now corrected. She also brought up an interesting question on a picture on the same page. She asked, "Look at the second photo and the patch on the soldier's shoulder. Isn't the American flag incorrect. The stars on the flag should be on the upper left hand corner.??????? --- ...Yes, I thought something was weird about that picture but couldn't put my finger on it. I looked it up and found out Why the Army flag patch is reversed. Both updates are now on this page... \\ ///// | | (| _ _ |) |` | '| | __ | >>>___/\_^__/\___<<< / ||| \ Mike Hertz Daily With The Troops http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/daily.html --- ...Thank You Johanna. I do so much dislike email hoaxes AND I love learning new things! -<>- Our Friend PatDeE sent us an interesting video that I used to update a cool car page we have up. You can check it out and see the video here... . .. __..---/______//-----. (( ) .".--.```| - /.--. =: ( VROOM! )) (.: {} :__L______: {} :__; __--( __- -_= ) *--* *--* jnh Amazing Air Cars! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/aircars.html --- ...aww, an absolute great addition to the page! Thank You PatDeE! -<>- We have a super hot one that comes to us from forwards from two of our friends - Linda And Annie. This is sure to warm the hearts of all of you who love kids and pets. Check it out here... ________________ '------._.------'\ \_______________\ .'| .'| .'_____________.' .| | | | | Scooby _.-. | . | | * (_.-' | | | Snacks | .| | * * | .' |______________|.' LGB Nanny Animals 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/nannyanimals2.html --- ...Such an adorable one! Thank You Ladies! -<>- *~* We Had An OUTSTANDING Month Of Caring And Sharing This Month *~* _ / _ / (o\/--/o) / ,(/. . ) ,/ ,'_/ (Y) ) ,'/ ___,'_(/ \__ ( ,' / \ ,' //\ `-.-./ \ (/ `---.__)/) \ /\ \ \ /\ \__) ) )__\ hjw ( ( ( `97 \ ) ) `--^`--^ Be sure to check these out and share them with all your loved ones! Life Is... http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lifeis.html There's Something About Mona 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/monalisa2.html Price Of Children! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/child.html A Fawn Rescue! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/fawnrescue.html Eagle Rescue! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/eaglerescue.html Dog Warriors! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dogwarriors.html Shifou Mountain Footpath! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/shifou.html *~* Big THANKS And Huggums In Christ To All Our Sweet Contributors! ================ >-->From Our Friend BobK :) \\ ///// | | (| _ _ |) |` | '| | __ | >>>___/\_^__/\___<<< / ||| \ Mike Hertz >Info for U.S. Veterans... Tens-of-thousands of proud U.S. Veterans use this attractive, long lasting, inexpensive way to show how they served. Thought you might be interested! VetSignias Veterans Recognition Metalized Film Window Stickers and Magnetic Vehicle Plaques DESIGNED TO GIVE VETERANS EVERY-DAY VISIBILITY Those who served in the U.S. Military should be recognized on more than just a couple of special holidays. We've been sending VetSignias to proud U.S. veterans since 1993 There are VetSignias for: ARMY - NAVY - MARINES - AIR FORCE - COAST GUARD - MERCHANT MARINE; WWII, KOREA, VIETNAM, PERSIAN GULF, OVERSEAS EXPEDITIONARY CAMPAIGNS, WAR ON TERROR, NON-CONFLICT. You can see all of them at the VetSignia web-site here: http://www.vetsignia.org Vets say; "stand out", "great look - says it all", "strong grip", "good pricing", "fast shipping", "very happy". Everyone who sees one of the bright silver VetSignias will immediately know the bearer did something good for our country. Bob Kline, WWII/U.S. Marines For the VetSignia group 1993-2011 Contact: http://www.vetsignia.org/contact.htm --- ...Great Info! Thanks BobK! ================================================================ >-->From Heartwarmers: .---------. _ |:: [-=-] | | | |_________| |~| |_| ,;;;;, I\ ,__ ,;;;, __, ///\\\\\ I |{ / . . \ } / " \\|| I | ) ( _ ) ( \_= _/// I |{___'-. .-'___}\___ )_\ I ||~/,'~~~~~,\~~|'---(( \ I \ // \\ | \ \ \ I \/ // | | /-/ I (/ (/ | |/||\ I | | | | I | | |____/ I :-----_o_-----: || | I | /~~|===|~~\ | (( | jgs I || |===| || ||_/ /^\ "~ '^^^' "" ((__| >WASTING PRECIOUS TIME by Joseph Sica I recently visited a friend in the hospice unit at one of our local hospitals. As I was talking with Bill, a gentleman walked into the room. Bill began to cry and so did the gentleman. The gentleman leaned over the bed to embrace Bill. After a few moments the gentleman, Ken, said to me, "He's my brother. We haven't spoken in over 25 years." Caught by surprise by his comment, I said, "You're kidding me?" "No," replied Ken. "We had an argument over a piece of property and have been estranged from each other." Bill said, "Ken, you haven't met my children." Then Bill introduced his children to their uncle. I left the hospice unit thinking, there's something wrong when we can't forgive. Life is short and it's difficult to make up for all the time that has been lost. This experience caused me to think the power of forgiveness and the need for it in our lives. Sure, when someone says something or does something to cause us harm, it hurts. But we need to move beyond the hurt, to healing, which comes from forgiveness. I like to think of forgiveness as the bold choice we make to clear out of our lives resentment, bitterness, anger, hatred, and revenge. We need to ask ourselves, "Do I want to waste precious time and energy carrying around these nasty feelings?" It's the unfinished business we may have with a spouse, parent, child, brother or sister, or friend which we need to take care of before it's too late. Holding on to the past only weakens the relationship and keeps us from mending it and putting it back together. When we refuse to forgive, the other person owns us. Often forgiveness is not for the other person, it's for us -- to let it go and begin again. Charlie came to see me about a problem he was having. He was angry with his father for dying. He said, "He died just when I was getting to know him as a buddy, a friend. We'd fish, hunt, and golf together. Now it's all gone." I told him, "You have unfinished business with your father. Go and tell him." "He's dead," Charlie said, "How can I?" I said, "Get in your car and go to the cemetery and tell him how angry you are with him." He left me looking confused. Two weeks later, Charlie came and told me, "I feel better. I drove to the cemetery and stood over his grave and dumped my angry. Then I closed my eyes and said to myself what I felt my dad would say. Wow, I never realized how much energy keeping all that anger inside can do to a person." I agreed and applauded Charlie for what he did. Forgiveness brings healing, freedom, and peace back into our lives. It opens our eyes to see what happened. It calls us to break down the walls, stop the silent treatment and put an end to the cold war. One day, the roles of wronged and wrongdoer may be reversed. Use today as an opportunity to open a door that has been closed too long. Forgive. Let it go. Put it behind you and see how much better you will feel. Give it try. It works. -- Joseph Sica > ___________________________________________ Father Joe Sica is a priest from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. His book, Embracing Change, 10 Ways to Grow Spiritually and Emotionally, is now available. You can review and purchase it at this convenient Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1585952486/heartref=nosim You can email Fr. Sica by clicking here: mailto:frjoesica@hotmail.com --- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' ...It is not only a healthy choice to forgive but it is also the Will of God that we forgive others... Eph.4: [32] And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. We are also not to take revenge and try to get somebody back for what they have done to us or our loved ones... Rom. 12: [19] Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. AND we are not to stay mad or angry at somebody for very long... Eph.4: [26] Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: It's OK if you get angry but don't let it turn into a sin by harboring that anger for more than a day. Let it go. All these from God are because God loves us and wants the best for us. 3 John 1: [2] Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. It hurts your health to not forgive others, to seek revenge and to harbor anger inside yourself for very long. ABOVE ALL Things - God wants YOU to be Healthy and Prosperous. ABOVE World Peace, Above WORLD Hunger and Famine, And even ABOVE winning souls for Christ, God Wants YOU - His Little Child (those born again Christians) - His Beloved - to be Healthy And Prosperous. Take care of yourself - don't go against God's Word - forgive others, don't seek revenge, and don't harbor anger inside yourself for very long. Renew your mind to God's Word. Father Knows Best :) ============================================================= >-->From Our Friend Bunni :) >Baby Girl I watched a program on TV that touched my heart and soul as I have seldom been touched. A story of how China treats their unwanted baby girls. Put into orphanages, they sit in rows with little pots beneath their chairs. Day after day, hour after hour. I was inspired to write this in memory of one small baby girl I seen there on one of those chairs. I cry the tears these little ones no longer cry because they know it will do no good. Even when an older child repeatedly head butts this small baby girl, there is no reaction. She has learned no one will come to her rescue. My tears flow. My heart cries. I give you.................. A _,-' `-._ _-'_________`-_ ``---\_ _/---`` (_ - _) \_._/ 8 __H__ 8 \ | / 8 |\ | /| 8 _|_|||_|_8 `-,/ \,-'8. | | `8< | | |-,-| gnv'-'-' >Baby Girl I walked into the living room Set to watch something enjoyable Turned on the TV Sat back Not expecting Something deplorable As my eyes focused on the screen I could not believe what I was seeing Innocent little baby girl Rejected Thrown away Unwanted being There she sat with others all in a row Side by side Yet all alone Her little feet tied to the chair No Mommy or Daddy to call her own Unwanted Unloved Her little face full of misery Forced to sit there Hour after Hour Sad little piece of humanity My mind in shock at this travesty How could this little girl be treated so Little baby girl Not a son At home she could not stay She had to go Her country proclaims Only one child can each family keep Since not a son A favored one All day she sits as on a garbage heap No freedom to run and play As children love to do She no longer even cries Knowing no good will it do She knows her future is that chair This torture to be her fate As the sadness on her little face proclaims "Death, Come for me. Please! Don't make me wait". Hot burning tears run down my face As I yearn to reach out To hold Protect this precious little one From this horror story being told Another story begins on my screen Another problem in this world to air But in my heart I know I'll always carry A memory of a baby girl on a small hard chair Phyllis Smith (Bunni) Copyright 8/19/95 All Rights Reserved --- ...Oh my, such a sad story. Thank You Bunni! It is a shame too that it is true. I looked it up and for a more detailed first hand account, check out this equally sad story: In a Chinese Orphanage The plight of many Chinese orphans is horrific and much publicized, but behind it lie public-policy concerns peculiar to China and rarely acknowledged parallels in the West by Anne F. Thurston (1996) http://www.theatlantic.com/past/docs/issues/96apr/orphan/orphan.htm In contrast this is how our God and Lord Jesus Christ sees little children... Mark 10: [14] But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Little Ones http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/litones.html 1 John 4: [4] Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. Matt.18: [6] But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me (Christens), it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. ================================================================== >-->From Our Birthday Girl - Linda :) ,,,,, \ e e\ C _\/ |\\, )\_) \_ / _/|/_ _// ,'\ ~ /'-,_/ \ / \_/ / / , | \_._,-" ( < _' | \ \ ', -',-~.-' _/ ) | |// | ' ' ) | | | | ._., - |.,_ // _\-' )___|__|_ '-._ b'ger /____\__\ >Beautiful poem.... Crabby Old man When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in North Platte, Nebraska, it was believed that he had nothing left of any value. Later, when the nurses were going through his meager possessions, they found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital. One nurse took her copy to Missouri. The old man's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas edition of the News Magazine of the St. Louis Association for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on his simple, but eloquent, poem. And this little old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this 'anonymous' poem winging across the Internet. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >Crabby Old Man What do you see nurses? . . What do you see? What are you thinking . . . . When you're looking at me? A crabby old man, . . Not very wise, Uncertain of habit . . . . . With faraway eyes? Who dribbles his food . . . . . . And makes no reply When you say in a loud voice . . 'I do wish you'd try!' Who seems not to notice . . . The things that you do. And forever is losing .. . . . . . . A sock or shoe? Who, resisting or not . . . . . . . . . Lets you do as you will, With bathing and feeding . . . . . . The long day to fill? Is that what you're thinking? . . . Is that what you see? Then open your eyes, nurse . . . . You're not looking at me. I'll tell you who I am, . . .. . . As I sit here so still, As I do at your bidding, . . . . As I eat at your will I'm a small child of Ten . . . . With a father and mother, Brothers and sisters . . . . . . . Who love one another A young boy of Sixteen . . With wings on his feet Dreaming that soon now . . . . A lover he'll meet. A groom soon at Twenty. . . .. . .My heart gives a leap. Remembering the vows . .. . . . That I promised to keep. At Twenty-Five, now . . . . .. . . I have young of my own. Who need me to guide . . . And a secure happy home. A man of Thirty . . . . . . My young now grown fast, Bound to each other . . . . . . With ties that should last. At Forty, my young sons . . Have grown and are gone, But my woman's beside me . . . . To see I don't mourn. At Fifty, once more, ... Babies play 'round my knee, Again, we know children . . . . My loved one and me ... Dark days are upon me . . My wife is now dead. I look at the future . . . . . . .. . .. . I shudder with dread. For my young are all rearing . .. . . . . Young of their own. And I think of the years . . And the love that I've known. I'm now an old man . . . . . And nature is cruel. Tis jest to make old age. . . . . Look like a fool. The body, it crumbles . . . . . . . . . . Grace and vigor depart. There is now a stone . . . . . . Where I once had a heart. But inside this old carcass . . A young guy still dwells, And now and again . .. . . . My battered heart swells I remember the joys . . . . . . . . . . I remember the pain. And I'm loving and living . . . . . . . Life over again. I think of the years . All too few . . . . . Gone too fast. And accept the stark fact . . . . . That nothing can last. So open your eyes, people . . . . Open and see... Not a crabby old man . . Look closer . . See . . . . ME!! Remember this poem when you next meet an older person who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within. We will all, one day, be there, too! --- ...A wonderful classic. Thank You Linda! , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' 1 John.3: [2] Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. That's our future hope - our Anchor - Our Lord! Our Valuable Anchor http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html -<>- _.-------------. .-'' .;'| ;==============;+' | | | | | (} (} {) (} | | | | | | .==========. | | | | _ .'"+_/)| | | | |( \( (`( | | | | | \- `. -)| | | | | ( ( _ )| | | | | `--' `' | | ; | `----------' | .' | |.' `--------------' ko1 >RECIPE FOR HAPPINESS I have a little recipe that isn't hard to make, But you must always start as soon as you awake. Take a great big mixing bowl and fill it with a smile Mix half a cup of sunshine with good deeds to last a while. Add a pinch of work and play, A pinch of thoughtfulness and care. But don't bake it in the oven, Just spread it around everywhere." Serve often Note: I hope this recipe will travel well over long distances!! --- ...It Made it just fine here Birthday Girl! Thanks Linda! -<>- A quadwheel ___________________________ /\ \ /''\ \ /''''\____________________ \ /'''''/////////////////////\ \ /'''''////\ \////////////''\ \ /'''''////''\ \//////////''''\ \ /'''''////\'''\ \ /'''/\'''''\ \ /'''''//////\'''\ \ /'''///\'''''\ \ /'.---.////// \'''\ /'''//// \'''''\ \ _ _ _ _ _ _ /'/ _ \\//// \___\_/'''//// \'''''\ \ '-_-_-_-_-. \ /'/ / \ \\// /\ \''//// \ \'''''\ \ \\`---------\ \\------\____ \////___\---\'''''\ \--. \`---------/ //------|______________|---\'''''\______\--` `=======_/ //=======//////\ \////====/'''''////////==' \'''\____// \ \//////''\ \// /'''''//////// \'''| ||| \ /'''/\'''\ \ /'''''////////| \''| ||| \ /'''///\'''\ \ /'''''////////|| \'| ||| /'''//// \'''\ \/'''''////////||| \| |||\ /'''//// \'''\ /'''''//////// ||| | |||'\ /'''////_____\___\/'''''////////| ||| | |||''\ \''//// \''''//////// | ||| | |||'''\ \//// \''//////// | ||| | |||''''\___________________\//////// | ||| | |||''''//////////////////////////// | ||| | |||\''//////////////////////////// | ||| LGB/Laury | ||| \//////////////////////////// | ||| ____| |||_ ____| |||_ `. '.||| `. `. '.||| `. `.________`. `.________`. >TRUISMS 1] Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out when in trouble; it is a "steering wheel" that directs us in the right path throughout life. 2] Do you know why a car's WINDSHIELD is so large & the rear view mirror is so small? Because our PAST is not as important as our FUTURE. So, look ahead and move on. 3] Friendship is like a BOOK. It takes few seconds to burn, but it takes years to write. 4] All things in life are temporary. If going well enjoy it, they will not last forever. If going wrong don’t worry, they can't last long either. 5] Old friends are like Gold! New friends are Diamonds! If you get a Diamond, don't forget the Gold! Because to hold a Diamond, you always need a base of Gold! 6] Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, GOD smiles from above and says, "Relax, sweetheart, it's just a bend, not the end!" 7] When GOD solves your problems, you have faith in HIS abilities; when GOD doesn't solve your problems HE has faith in your abilities. 8] A blind person asked St. Anthony: "Can there be anything worse than losing eye sight?" He replied: "Yes, losing your vision." 9] When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them; and sometimes, when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for you. 10] WORRYING does not take away tomorrow's TROUBLES; it takes away today’s PEACE. If you really enjoy this, PLEASE pass to others. It may brighten someone's day.. God bless you! --- ...Aww, Good Mind Renewers! Thanks Birthday Girl! Jas.1: [5] If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. =============================================================== >-->From LaughAndLift: /())) //( oo (/|| _ \__ /||||/ '._-' / \ |\ / \ \ \_____ | \ \.___ /==, | ='.___/=. | ) '.______ | (______( | || snd |_|| _/ | |_\ '---'--' Frame anything your child brings home on his first day of school. The Lift .-. __/ ( , '-.____\ u=='/ \ /_/ \ .-'' | ( ____/_____ _>_/.-------- \/// // snd // >Human Files (By Ron Hutchcraft) [Minor editing] Our daughter called the other day and told us that we had to hear what our 3-year-old grandson had just said to her - totally unprompted, out of the blue. He got on the phone and simply said, "Ronald." Karen and I cracked up. That's exactly what Karen says to me when I'm doing something weird - which, of course, is very, very rare. It's her lighthearted way of trying to correct this crazy guy she's married to. But our grandson had even mastered the tone of what she says - "Ronald." All this time he's been listening, recording - and now reproducing. Like we should be surprised? I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Human Files." Now, all the time our kids were growing up, we had this tapestry hanging up in our room - it said, "Children learn what they live." I guess. Our recent amusing experience with our grandson was only a reminder of the truth of that. Except the results of children learning what they live often are anything but amusing. Whether you realize it or not, your child, your grandchild - any child you're around very much - is listening ... recording ... and soooner or later reproducing what they have experienced or witnessed with you. And if that weren't sobering enough, we have what Jesus says in our word for today from the Word of God to make us think seriously about how we're marking the children we influence. In Matthew 18:6, Jesus says, "If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea." Wow. Jesus says, "Whatever you do, don't mess up a child." So, it is obviously very important to step back and consider what we are putting on the video and audio tapes in our kids' minds. The angry words. The names we call them or other people. The children are picking up how we talk about other people ... they're absorbing all that church gossip they hear and forming feelings about the people and work of God. They're learning how to handle stress, and conflict, and disappointment - by watching you. They're learning to rrespect or disrespect your spouse by the way you respect or disrespect your spouse. I wonder what our children are learning from us about money - about how important it is ... about giving it generously to Jesus ... about how to handle those times when the money isn't there. Are they learning faith in a God who's a wonderful provider or fear and complaining? And what are our children learning from what they know we watch or listen to? Are they taught that certain things are wrong - and then see you watching those things portrayed or laughed about on TV? They are learning, not so much by what you say, but by what you live. Think about what you're writing in the wet cement of that child's heart. It may be that you need to go to a child and actually apologize for some of what they have seen and heard - to let them know it isn't right and you're trying to change. And concentrate on giving them the kinds of experiences you want them to copy - praying together, calmly talking through things, listening before talking, putting the other person first, treating people with respect. The children in our lives are human files - storing what they experience and ultimately reproducing it. They learn what they live - and then later they live what they learned. Jesus said, "Do not mess up the children, or you'll have Me to answer to." Be sure they're learning what you want them to live - what He wants them to live. [Copyright (c) 2002, Ron Hutchcraft. Permission to distribute this material via email, or individual copies, is automatically granted on the condition it will be used for non-commercial purposes, and will not be sold. To reproduce "A Word With You" transcripts in any other format, including Internet websites, written permission is needed from Ron Hutchcraft.] 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 --- ...Goes back to how to raise a child --- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Prov.22: [6] Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Not only is it important for us to teach the children in our lives about the things the world expects them to know so they can live respectfully in this world and not be looked down on by the other kids and adults, but we need to teach them the things that will help them COPE in this world and LIVE in the next. That can only come from the Bible, God's Word. They are never too young. =============================================================== >-->From Our Friend Annie :) \_/ \\ --(_)-- < "_) / \ .--.-.--. / / V /#/ ______________/(/ )\ _,--,/ .-/#/\ "\"-._.oo ' / \)/_\\ "-.___. ./____________________\ \__ | ( ) |__| |__| | ,-,\_|_|__|_____________|__,-, | |________________________| | L L________________________J J '._.'._.'._.'T T________________________P P_.'._.'._.' \ \______________________/ / 'sjw'._.'._.'._\ \____________________/ /'._.'._.'._.' ","-.______________.-"," "-._""--------""_.-" ""--------"" Dream as if you'll live forever Live as if you'll die tomorrow! --- ...Awesome! Thanks Annie! =============================================================== >-->From Our Friend Tony In Australia :) _.----------------------------._ _.-' '- . '-._ .' _| . . - . ._ '. _.' ' .' '. _| | / _| _| '' '' |_ ' . '. | . -- . '' '' . -- . | .' .' '. -|| || .' '. '. | ' '' '' || .-. ||_ '' '' | '. '' '' || | | || '' '' | | -|| ||- '____|!|____' -|| ||- | | || || |____-+-____| || || '. .' -|| ||_ || |!| || || || _| |_.-|| || || | | || _|| ||-._| _.-' |_|| || || | | || || ||_| '-._ _| |_ |:;;.,::;,.';|--|:;;.| |,.';|--|:;;.,::;,.';| |_ :;;.,::;,.'; :;;.| |,.'; :;;.,::;,.'; _| -' |_ | | |_. _ _| __|_|__ |_ _ |________________________/_______\___________________|______ ,:.,:.,:.,:.,:.,:.,:.,:.,:.,:.,:.,:.,:.,:.,:.,:.,:.,:.,:.,:. -LGB--------------------------------------------------------- >The Annointing Part 2-3 Most if the ladies here are aware of skin moisturisers…..and just as I mentioned earlier, oil can be a lubricant….well, people, ladies in particular, use oils, lubricants on their skin, to prevent drying out and cracking…revitalising the skin….Well, I believe that many Christians today are ‘dry and cracked’ in the spirit and need that ‘revitalising! We need to go to the Lord and let Him re- anoint us in the spirit! Amen?? We need to let that lubricant do its work, so that when the harsh times are upon us we are not brittle, sensitive and easily hurt,…. with a re-anointing we become more supple and its much easier to get rid of things we don’t need or want in our spirits…. If we pray and receive the anointing, our characters become more easily recognized, seen clearly for all its true beauty and colors….Christians today are so often thought of as “dull” and ‘grey” in spirit, lacking color and vitality….Well! let me tell you! They couldn’t be further from the truth!!! Its Alive!! Its well!! and it’s a kickin! In Gods Kingdom, anointing has taken on a sacred, holy meaning….but you say people have been anointing for a great many years! And you are right! So they have! For many and varied purposes….!I can remember as a kid in school, we got anointed! (for nits!!! Head lice) but to us little kids, we were told back then, we were being “anointed!” Either way, the nits disappeared! But without a fresh, renewed anointing, those nits would come back again…..yuck! disgusting…..but never the less a fact…..! In the old days, people anointed themselves for celebrations, especially in ancient Egypt, we all know that the dead were anointed with perfumes prior to burial but even before a wedding, or a birthday, people were anointed with sweet smelling fragrances and preservatives of different kinds to make the ‘trip’ into the everlasting more pleasant….but for whom?? Hahah….certainly not for those dying and strangely enough, not for some “left behind “( excuse the pun)..in 2 Sam 14:2 we can find there that those in mourning, refrained from anointing themselves…..However, in the Kingdom of God….anointing has taken on a far more powerful and sacred meaning…………… >PART 2 God…. Gave Moses, a special recipe for an oil, a holy oil to be used in anointing…this oil was to be prepared by the Levites..in a special way, using the special recipe…absolutely no one else was allowed to prepare this oil….and it was never to be used by anyone who had not been’set apart’ to God…and it was only ever to be used for whatever GOD ONLY….commanded…. Well, in churches today, we try to make our own brand of’anointing oil”…by “creating” an atmosphere of anointing! Using music for instance of a certain nature…or certain methods of preaching and evengelising…but the true anointing of the Holy Spirit is UNIQUE!! And its source is in Heaven! And The Holy Spirit anointing is the only one that can release the power of God in a Church gathering! Halleluyah! There are times Brothers and Sisters, when ‘noise’ has nothing to do with it….there are times when we can hear a pin drop! And we KNOW we are in the presence of the Holy Spirit….! And yet, if as humans, we try to ‘create’ that silence of our own volition! It’s a DEAD silence…..far be it then, from the silence ……inspired by the Holy Ghost! And so what I am saying is that “some”, but not all, try to create their own oil, there own anointing, their own ‘atmosphere’ their own mood….and it’s a dead silence…….! Amen? A dead silence…….. But when the ‘anointing of the Holy Spirit falls,……… it’s a living silence!!!! Its something that try as we may, we can NEVER duplicate….!and people will just sneak a look around totally unaware of God and that is not the Holy Spirit anointing that meeting….. You see, our ‘flesh’ in its willingness is anxious to ‘mimic’ the Holy Spirit and what it does! We think as song leaders, or as worship leaders, “ well it worked for him or her last week! It will work again this week, but not so…..not so !…we do not control the Holy Spirit! He ! yes HE ! controls us…..if we call on Him… Living a Christian life with the Holy Spirit as our leader, will never be uneventful, will NEVER be boring and unfulfilling..It is an ongoing adventure! And the Empowering of the Holy Spirit, enables us to carry out the entire will of God in our own lives as well as bring it to the lives of others!!! We have to listen to the prompts! The messages sent personally to us! The same messages God sent to Moses and Abraham, Joshua and Isaac are there to be heard in our own Spiritual ears! “here are the instructions my child, follow them” This then… is the anointing…..in the days of Moses and Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, as God anointed them with the “oils”, the Holy Spirit came upon them, to renew their hopes, to build their strengths and faith. As David was anointed by Samuel, The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, so he could deliver the King from evil spirits…..and David found strength, he found wisdom and courage, so much so….. that he could slay lions and bears and eventually… a giant…….you see David, waited,! And he tarried,! And he prayed and he worshipped…….oh! Halleluyah Jesus…… David had ‘bad’ times too…..oh yes he did!!…..but for you and for me, if we refuse to be involved in anything,that can cause the anointing to be lifted, if we refuse to listen to the chiding of Satan! The Holy Spirit will have a permanent dwelling place in our hearts, and if at any time we feel challenged… we need to return to the altar, ……we need to get down on our knees…..and we need to pray… and we pray……. Lord, give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning…….. Bro Tony……. --- ...Being zealous for the Lord is what we want to be! Thanks Tony! ================================================================ >-->From Archived InspiredBuffalo: reICareI reICareIC ICareICareICar ICareICareICare reICareICareICareI reICareICareICareIC CareICareICareICareICa reICareICareICareICareI ICarICareICareICareICareI ICareICareICareICareICareI ICarICareICareICareICareICare CareICareICareICareICareICare ICareICareICareICareICareICareI CareICareICareICareICareICareICa ICaICareICareICareICareICareICareI ICareICareICareICareICareICareICar eICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICar ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICar ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareIc eICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICa ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareI reICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICare ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICa reICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareIc ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICare reICareICareICareIICareICareICareICareIca ICareICareICareICareICareICareICarICa reICareICareICareICareICarICare areICareICareICareICareICa ICareICareICareICare areICareICareICa eICareICareI -Grim CareICar reIC eI >A Letter to Linda (Not OUR linda :) Dear Linda, These words I write are to you tonight. I love you so much. These words I know I should say, I should say all night and all day. I don't always show it but I do want you to know it. I love you Linda with all my heart. I love you now even more than from the start. I love you for yourself and because of all you have done for me without any ones help. To show my love and appreciation I will try to list them one by one while I express my love for each and everyone. At the top of the list, you are the best.. I thank the Lord above because you I know the Lord has blessed. You are one of His Children He has Chosen to love. What a privilege it is to marry into The Lord's great and wondrous family. I love you because you are a mother being blessed by The Lord being put to the test. You come out on top with the best. I love you because of your cooking. Being blessed by The Lord with the gift of cooking I can eat like Royalty. I feel like I have just moved from a hobo camp to live with The Lord under His Guiding Light and Lamp. I love you because of your housekeeping. You clean like a pro, you clean so well. Anyone would think that you had been paid to keep our house with such a clean smell. You my love have made our house a home that has been filled with The Lord's best. The presence of His Love is enough for us and plenty left over to share with all the rest. The Love on earth is just a step away from Heaven. It is my desire my love while we are here and with your help to spread our Lord's Word keeping it off the shelf. There are so many others that need our Lord's Help. With All My Love, Bob Written in November 1966 My desire in publishing this letter is to encourage you to use the talent that God has given you in showing you love to your husband, wife, children or others. -<>- %*-----------------% %=========== %----------------% %============ %--@***@-*----*% %@**-@-----*** %** *@ @*--% %@* @** -- @ @-%@ @ *** --*@ * @mmnnv --*@ @mmnnv ---*@ @mmnnvv vvnnmm @mmnnvvv vvvnnmm @mmnnvvvv vvvvnnmm @mmnnnvvvv vvvvvnnmm @mm.'*mnvvv .--nnmm @mmnnm. '*mv %**++vvvnnmm @mmnnvvnm*. ++++vvnnmm m @ *mnvvvvnm* ++vvnnmm mm @mm mnvvvvvvv vvnnmm mnnm @mmnm *mnvvvvv nnmm mnvvnm* *@mnnvnm mnvvvv nmm mnvvvnnmm*@mnnvvvnm *cjr* m mnvvvvvnnmmmnnvvvvvnm *mmv mnvvvvvvvnnmnnvvvvvvvnm *v mnvvvvvvvvvnnvvvvvvvvvvnm CJRandall >I COULD NOT FIND IT By : Joseph J. Mazzella I just couldn’t find it. I looked everywhere. I read through my Bible again and again. I looked in all the inspirational books I own. I checked out the other sacred texts as well. I walked through the woods looking for it. I even closed my eyes in meditation and prayer and looked for it deep within my own heart and soul. I could not find it anywhere. There was not a word, not a hint, and not even a feeling of it. Nowhere could I find a single drop of evidence that God is hate. I know that a lot of people out there must think that God is hate. The protestors that hold up the signs about how God hates us at the funerals of miners and soldiers must think so. The people who say that earthquakes, tsunamis, and hurricanes are sent by God to punish us must think so. The terrorists who have killed thousands of innocent men, women, and children in their so called "holy war" must think so. As much as I tried, however, I couldn’t find one single thing that supported their view. I did find thousands of references to God’s love in book after book. I found God’s love in nature, in others, and in my own heart and soul. Every word I read, hint I found, and feeling I felt all said the same thing: "God is love." Maybe all of those who think that God is hate just aren’t ready to know a God whose unconditional love is everywhere and in everyone. Maybe that is why they shut that love out. They want a God who loves little and hates much just like they do. I just couldn’t find that God anywhere I looked. I don’t think I would ever want to either. I want the God who loves me and wants me to love as well. I want the God who fills every willing heart with His love and joy. I want the God who has been, is now, and always will be LOVE. --- ...AMEN! -<>- >Links Oh No! http://www.buffalosjokes.com/011155.htm Alarm http://www.buffalosjokes.com/011156.htm Cool Parrot http://www.buffalosjokes.com/011157.htm Animal Thieves http://www.buffalosjokes.com/011158.htm Weird Animals http://www.buffalosjokes.com/011159.htm THE SPIRIT OF THE AMERICAN SOLDIER http://jbreck.com/whokeptthefaith.html God Bless Our Troops! http://www.jbreck.com/VietNam.html Names On The Wall http://www.jbreck.com/namesonthewall04.html More Than A Name On A Wall http://www.jbreck.com/lastfullmeasure.html Daily With The Troops 2 http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/daily2.html Financial Stewardship http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/financialstewardship.html Attitude Is Everything 3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude3.html Holy Alphabet http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/holyalpha.html Moon Photography Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/moonart.html Amazing Dog Houses http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/doghouses.html Kid Lessons http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kidlessons.html Baby Thoughts http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/babythoughts.html Paranting No-No's 3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/parenting3.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 CupO'Cheer: .:::. .:::. .d$$$$$$$b. .d$$$$$$$b. .d$P*' '*7$b. .d$P*' '*7$b. .:$:' ':$$V$$: ':$:. :$$' ':$:' '$$: :$$ ' $$: ':$. .$:' :$: :$: '$b d$' :$: :$: '$: :$' '$: :$' '$:. .:$' '$:. .:$' '%:. .:%' '*. .*' ' . ' dem >WANTED: DISCIPLES By Greg Laurie "Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.' " — Matthew 16:24 The great English preacher John Wesley once said, "Give me a hundred men who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I do not care if they be clergymen or laymen. Such men alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven on earth." I don't know if Wesley ever found such men. But I know that Jesus did. Jesus called these men to be His disciples. In the Book of Acts, they were described as "these who have turned the world upside down" (Acts 17:6). When that statement was initially given, it was not meant as a compliment. In fact, it was more of a criticism. But in a sense, that statement was a supreme compliment, because it acknowledged the impact these men were making. If there was ever a time in history when a world needed to be turned upside down or, should I say, right side up, the time is now. But if it is going to happen, then it will need to be through committed believers like the ones John Wesley was looking for: people who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God. No fair-weather followers need apply. God is looking for disciples. So what does it mean to be a disciple? It simply means that you take your plans, your goals, and your aspirations and place them at the feet of Jesus. It simply means saying, "Not my will, but Yours be done." -<>- .--._..--. ___ ( _'-_ -_.' _.-' `-._| - :- | _.-' `--...__| .-' '--..___ / `._ \ `. `._ | `. `._ / '. `._ :__________....-----' `..`---' |-_ _- |___...----..._ |_....--' `.`. _...--' `.`. _..-' _.'.' .-' _.'.' | _.'.' | __....------'-' | __...------''' _| '--''' |- - _ | _.-''''''''''''''''''-._ _.' |\ .' _.' | `._ |:.' `._ _.' | `..__ | | `---.._.--. _| | | _ - | `-.._|_.' .--...__ | - _| .'_ `--.....__ | .'_ `--..__ .'_ `. .'_ `-. `--..____ _`. ```--...____ _..--' ;;;:::. (\| - _ ```---.._.' .. ;::| - _ |/) ;;;:::. (o) ;;::., |_ - - |;;;: (\'/) ::;; (o) | -_ -_L ``::;;;. .;;' (\ '/) | -_ _ G (o) ..;; ''' ;:;;.,|(o) _-B(\'/) ;;;;::: ;::(\'/);;:|;:; ;' >FOUR PLACES AT ONCE There is a proper time and procedure for every delight. Ecclesiastes 8:6 If you were to point your car southwest of Cortez, Colorado, drive exactly 38 miles along Highway 160 and then hang a right on Four Corners Monument Road, in about a half mile you'd run into the only spot in America where you can be in four states at the same time: the intersection of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. It's out in the middle of an empty desert, surrounded by dust, rocks and boulders. But that doesn't stop upwards of 2,000 people a day from visiting Four Corners and waiting in line just for the thrill of having their picture taken standing in four states at once. Truly the American way, huh—trying to be four places at one time! Truth be told, it's a picture of the way many of us elect to live our lives. We are constantly pulled in several different directions. Our pressure-filled, rush-rush, hurried lifestyle has a way of leaving us winded, dazed and addicted to the next item on our activity list. It leaves us little time for serious spiritual reflection. Little time for anything more than snap judgments. Little time to share our dreams with each other as a couple. Little sense of where we've been and where we're going. What's more, I fear that by crowding out any room for meaningful communication, original thought or spiritual insight in our family schedules, we're fueling in our children a raw addiction to activity, constant motion, continuous noise and endless sensory stimulation. I urge you to stop and check the speed limit on this road you're on. Imagine a life that allows for real living . . . the kind you'll never find at Four Corners. DISCUSS What cutbacks and other restrictions could you impose on yourselves that would make your lives dramatically more manageable three to six months from now? Start by finding one thing you'll say no to. PRAY Ask God to give you both the tenacity and the wisdom to build some margin into your lives and family. as seen in Moments Together For Couples -<>- ^^ ^^ .. .. [] [] .:[]:_ ^^ ,:[]:. .: :[]: :-. ,-: :[]: :. .: : :[]: : :`._ ,.': : :[]: : :. .: : : :[]: : : : :-._ _,-: : : : :[]: : : :. _..: : : : :[]: : : : : : :-._________.-: : : : : : :[]: : : : :-._ _:_:_:_:_:_:[]:_:_:_:_:_:_:_:_:_:_:_:_:_:_:_:_:_:_:_:[]:_:_:_:_:_:_ !!!!!!!!!!!![]!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!![]!!!!!!!!!!!!! ^^^^^^^^^^^^[]^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^[]^^^^^^^^^^^^^ [] [] [] [] [] [] ~~^-~^_~^~/ \~^-~^~_~^-~_^~-^~_^~~-^~_~^~-~_~-^~_^/ \~^-~_~^-~~- ~ _~~- ~^-^~-^~~- ^~_^-^~~_ -~^_ -~_-~~^- _~~_~-^_ ~^-^~~-_^-~ ~^ ~ ^- _~~_- ~~ _ ~ ^~ - ~~^ _ - ^~- ~ _ ~~^ - ~_ - ~^_~ ~- ^_ ~^ - ^~ _ - ~^~ _ _~^~- _ ~~^ - _ ~ - _ ~~^ - jgs ~^ -_ ~^^ -_ ~ _ - _ ~^~- _~ -_ ~- _ ~^ _ - ~ ^- ~^~ - _ ^ - ~~~ _ - _ ~-^ ~ __- ~_ - ~ ~^_- ~ ~- ^~ - ~^ - ~ ^~ - ~~ ^~ - ~ >ONE MORE RIVER TO CROSS I have crossed so many rivers As I’ve roamed upon this earth I have seen a world of wonders I have known a baby’s birth. I have scaled a mighty mountain Walked in valleys down below Stood in meadows filled with clover Saw canyons filled with snow. I have known the bliss of springtime Smelled the roses on the vine Seen the golden leaves of autumn Tasted grapes upon the vine. Felt the glowing warmth of sunshine I have walked within the light I have known the chill of winter And a flock of bird in flight. I have traveled to some countries Took me far away from home I have lost so many loved ones So much sorrow, I have known. I have used the gift of wisdom Many lessons, I did learn I have read the Holy Bible For its truth, my mind does yearn. I have stood within still waters I have swam a troubled sea I have faced a raging current As I felt its pull on me. I have known some years of splendor In the many years gone by But now, I’m old and feeble And I’m not afraid to die. I have lived a life of challenge I’ve been tempted, turned and tossed But a Lighthouse beckons to me I have one more bridge to cross. ©2005 Marilyn Ferguson -<>- ____________ .F............T. | .----------. | | |',' ',' , | | _......_ .''''''''''. | `----------' | _+' `+_ .' '. _|.-. _...._ .-.|_ _/.-. _...._ .-.\_ _|.-. _...._ .-.|_ (_)`-' __[]__ `-'(_) (_)`-' __{}__ `-'(_) (_)`-' __/\__ `-'(_) (....__|LESTER|__....) (....__|LESTER|__....) (....__|LESTER|__....) | | ~~~~~~ | | | | ~~~~~~ | | | | ~~~~~~ | | `-' `-' `-' `-' `-' `-' >SANDPAPER PEOPLE ON WHEELS Mary Southerland Today’s Truth You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:43-44, TNIV). Friend To Friend I am certainly not proud of the fact that I tend to have little or no patience with road hogs and seem to find ample opportunities for expressing my less-than-favorable opinion of the way they drive. I am working on my attitude and learning some lessons along the way. We once lived in a small but rapidly growing town just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina. Because the town has outgrown its winding country roads, traffic from the city into our community was a daily nightmare. At one particular spot, a double lane narrows to a single lane. The change is clearly marked by several strategically placed signs and most people – the nice velvet people – pull into the single left lane long before the road narrows, knowing the right lane will soon merge with the left lane. The sandpaper people, on the other hand, spot the merging lane signs and consider them an open invitation to speed ahead, worming their way into the long line of waiting cars. I consider it my personal responsibility to educate these road hogs in “The Ins and Outs of Traffic Courtesy According to Mary,” by refusing to let them barge in front of me and secure a spot in “my” line. I never make eye contact with these sandpaper drivers, thus denying their existence while inching along as close as possible to the car in front of me, determined to hold my ground. One day, however, I met my match. I saw him coming but stood firm in my resolve to enforce my “don’t let ‘em in no matter what” rule. When he tried to pull in front of me, I ignored him. He honked. I feigned deafness. Finally, in one last-ditch effort to merge before his lane ended, the man rolled down his window and yelled, “Look!” I couldn’t help myself. He was holding up a napkin that read “Pleeeeeeeease!” I burst out laughing and motioned for him to pull in front of me. He applauded and danced a seated jig in celebration of his hard-earned place in line. Life is like that – sandpaper people trying to capture our attention, ignoring the signs, breaking the relationship rules while barging into our lives. It takes a sense of humor to navigate the tumultuous waters of difficult relationships without capsizing. The secret of joy-filled relationships is to count on God’s strength instead of our own. Joy comes from a continual reliance upon Him to hammer down the mountains in our difficult relationships, making the path straight and pointing us in the right direction. In Philippians 4:11-12, the Apostle Paul says, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” This passage can also be applied to having healthy relationships and could easily read, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every relationship by depending upon the power of God’s love at work. I can love anyone through Him who gives me strength.” As we learn to laugh more and cultivate our God-given sense of humor, patience and the ability to deal with the difficult relationships in life will flourish. Let’s Pray Father, I want to thank You for loving me even when I am so unlovable. Please teach me how to deal with difficult people in a way that pleases and honors You. I want others to see Your unconditional love at work in my relationships. Help me choose to forgive those who have hurt me and look for ways to find joy in the midst of it all. In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen. Now It’s Your Turn Write down the name of a sandpaper person in your life and list five reasons you consider that person to be abrasive. Pray for that sandpaper person. Thank God for bringing that abrasive person into your life. What do you believe God wants to accomplish through this difficult relationship? Are you willing to trust Him enough to praise Him for that person? as seen in Girlfriends in God To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ======================================================= >-->From Kidwarmers: >THE FUNNY THINGS KIDS SAY _ ,-' `-. / `-. ( ,-'" ,"`-. \ ,/ / `. __>---< /_ \___,.-'""",. \ \ V `-.__,./ ),"`\ /_ \ `-._) \ / \ #/ \"_/ ,/ ,J \/ \.`` ^ _,'/ / (" \`--""" / / `-. \ ___ / / `. `-.,>' / `. / `. ( )_| |_| .--' `--. "--.--" /|||\ ||||| / ||| \ | ||| | _,---' ||| `---._ (_,--- ||| ---._) (,-' /|||\ '-.) ""'`.)|||(.'`"" ||| ||| |T| ___|T|___ ,--' _J T L_ `--. ,-'L--"' | `"--J`-. / __,--' `--.__ \ Ralf Stauder \_,--' `--._/ Linda was shopping for new school clothes with Jonathan, 6. They were looking at some T-shirts folded on a table in a department store; Linda was looking for matching shirts sized Small and Large so that her two youngest boys could match when she noticed Jonathan sniffing some of the shirts on the table. When she asked him what he was doing, he replied, "It says SMELL!" He thought the "Small" T-shirts were scratch and sniff T-shirts (Or maybe he was just trying to sniff out a good buy!) -- Linda Maxwell (mother of four) of Birmingham, Alabama Timmie enjoyed his first day of school. When his grandma asked him how his first day went he replied, "Fine -- and I even get to go back tomorrow!" -- Cheryl of Ohio Marlene has a licensed child care center in her home. Recently they put some Monarch caterpillars in jars and fed them. The they anxiously awaited their transformation into butterflies. They watched them go through all the stages. Then one day a beautiful Monarch butterfly emerged. Marlene gathered all the children outside for the "going away party." Just as the butterfly cleared the top of the tree, Jesse, 2, waved and said, "Bye beauti-fwy!" -- Marlene of Altamont, Kansas . . /:\ . '"-"""-"' ( . . ) .o0 a PEZ head ! \ (_) / \_v_/ /\-----/\ \|-----|/CJ | | | _ | | |_) | | | | | | | | | _ | | |_ | | |_ | | | | | | __ | | / | | /_ | | | | | Pru|_____| '-------' Lynda went to a conference in New Hampshire. Her grandsons, Joshua, 9, and Timmy, 8, kept asking her to bring them a hampster when she got back. When she returned they asked her in a matter-of-fact way how many hampsters she had seen in "New Hampster!" -- Lynda Redus of San Antonio, Texas Michaela, 10, was listening to TV about who was running for governor. She asked her grandmother, "Grandma, were we Republicans before we were Christians?" -- Pat Bush (friend of Michaela's grandmother) of Colorado Springs, Colorado Makenna, 3. was helping come up with names for her soccer team. One child suggested "wildcats". Makenna said, "My cat, Simon, was a wildcat until we got him fixed!" -- Angela Clark (mother of Makenna) of Batesville, Arkansas ,-. .'\ _ ,' \ .' (_) J '-._ /\ .' (,_) / _ / ,'# )_ _\_ (_) / '_Y' /_.,' \ ( _') \ | _ / ,'\/ . | '. __) \ |'.Y / # ) --' / _.-' __) .' _._\,' ,'__,' / _\ / \ .' ,'-_ / _.-' _\ / \.' ' (_ _.-' _.-' \/ \ _.-' _.-' '-. ./ -' .-' '-.-'/ | \o _.-'####/ | \o_.-' \#####/ |_.-#\ \###/ ######\ \/' Ralf Stauder # #####`-. Nicki's family was blessed with a small litter of kittens. While Jayden, 3, and Nicki were talking about the kittens Nicki commented, "The kittens sure are tiny, aren't they?" Jayden corrected his mother by stating "No, they're little!" -- Nicki Veenstra of Reasnor, Iowa Patty was driving around to yard sales when she saw some 5-year-olds selling juice. They begged her to stop and buy some. She didn't have any change with her, except a dime, so one of the children said, "You can have half a cup, but we need the cup back!" -- Patty Brinker of Independence, Kentucky Brothers Nicholas, 4, and Patrick, 9, were vacationing at a beach house. When Nicholas asked their father if he could go in the rough surf, his father said, "No, Nicholas, not until you are bigger." So Nicholas said, "Then I'll do it standing on Patrick's shoulders!" -- Nancy Mone (godmother of Nicholas) off New York _.---,_ .' `'. \ __..-'\ }-"` \ /__,,..---.._| \ | |---..__ | / ``"-./ .'---...__ | .' ``"-./ ,--./...,,,__ / '--.'__ __```.-. /._ / ` ` ' `=/.-.|-._) | .-. .-. "\\ / || O| | O| ""=='_\ .-' '-'o '-' ""=\` `''--/- ""=-,\--._ .---|- ( ""=-. \` \ /`)"=."=|'-. '. _.-' ' "=|\| (`----` '="=|/ `-. "=/` '. =/ \ =| .-. |` "=| ( ~._ | "==| _.-~`\ \ ~. |'"="| _.-~ ) ; ~-.|.-._|_.-~ / / _-( /-.__ ( '._..--~~`/`/-'\-._ `~~- ; jgs /"=| |" =\~-...___.-~ /=" / | "==\ / = (_ \ "==\ ;="= `\_) =="\ Maddie, 6, was telling her grandparents about the baby shower she had attended. In an effort to learn where the shower had been held, her grandfather asked, "Did you go in the car?" Maddie replied, "No, in the Jeep." Her grandfather said, "Well, let's not split hairs." Maddie paused for a second and then asked, "PawPaw, why would you split rabbits?" -- Dennis Smith (grandfather of Maddie) of Oak Ridge, North Carolina Brent, 3, came with his mother to visit Viola one afternoon. Viola always has things for the children to play with, including a large box of blocks and toys. Brent tried to pick up the box of blocks, but it was too heavy. He studied the box and then removed a tiny, toy plastic horse, probably weighing about 1 ounce. Then he picked up the box and carried it away, with a satisfied look on his face. Kelli, 7, and Clint, 3, walked out of the restaurant ahead of their parents. While waiting in the lobby, Kelli spotted a 3-foot-high well with a sign in front of it saying that the Lions Club would like donations for the blind. After reading the sign, Kelli used all her strength to pick up Clint so that he could look over into the well. Their parents came into the lobby and told her to put Clint down. Kelli turned toward her mother, wondering what she had done wrong. "Well, Mother, the sign said 'Help a child see,'" Kelli explained. -- Lottie Royal (grandmother of Kelli annd Clint) of Wray, Georgia o o | | . . ._._. _ .===. |` |` ..'\ /`.. |H| .--. .:' `:. //\-...-/|\ |- o -| |H|`. /||||\ || || ._.'//////,'|||`._. '`./|\.'` |\\||:. .'||||||`. `:. .:' ||||||||||||[ ]|||| /_T_\ |:`:.--'||||||||||`--..`=:='... jv When Cheryl's kids were little, they planned a trip to Cedar Point Amusement Park in Ohio. The two girls were discussing the various rides with their younger brother; one of the rides they talked about was "Shoot the Rapids." After getting to the park and walking around a bit, Cheryl's son asked when they were going to get a gun. Cheryl couldn't imagine what he was talking about and asked what he meant. "To shoot the rabbits," he replied. -- Cheryl Allen of Fowlerville, Michigan Jenna, 6, and Jessa, 4, were flower girls in a cousin's wedding. Joey, 2, was the ring bearer. Everything went well, better than anticipated. Immediately after the ceremony, Jessa's dad congratulated all the children. He lifted Jessa into the air, swung her around, and shouted, "WELL DONE, Brown family!" Jessa replied, "No, Daddy. We're white!" -- Marian Hatton (Jessa's Mamaw) of Midddletown, Ohio After a parade, Nanny took all the grandchildren to the Hot Dog Shoppe. Andre, 4, was talking away at the group, but no one paid attention to him. After they finished their lunch, Nanny took the kids to the van and put Andre in his carseat. She was mortified to see him with one shoe missing, and she said, "Andre, where is your shoe?" He looked at her and yelled, "I've been telling you, Nanny, my who fell off my put!" ("My shoe fell off my foot!"). After that, Nanny vowed to pay more attention to Andre's patter. -- Amy Parker (mother of the who-less boy) of Butler, Pennsylvania ========================================================== ,----------. ( Quotes! ) `----------' O o ,-. .:\ '`-. |:| __ b `;-( ,' | ( \|||_ ,-----(.-''--``-------. /_______`'______________\ / SSt\ "Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid, one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory."- Douglas MacArthur "The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have." - Vince Lombardi >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 ************************************************************************