In Remembrance... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! AND For Facebook Users: Please Friend Me / Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND For Google Plus Users: You can find me here... Shangy Bigham https://plus.google.com/106648555948034085752/posts AND Please Share This email with All Your Friends And Family! ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! :) -<>- * NOTE: An easy way to adjust the size of print in email or any page is to hold down the Ctrl tab while moving the scroll button on the mouse. You can also use the keyboard to change the font size in your web browser or emails. Hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the + key for larger text or the - key for smaller text! ================ W __ __ [ ] |::||::| E ._. |::||::| ._. |\ |:| ._. |::||::| |/| \ \\|/ |:|_|/| |::||::|_ |/| |-( )- |:|"|/|_|::||::|\|_|/| _ | V L |:|"|/|||::||::|\|||/||:| \ ` ___ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | \/ / ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ *~* In Remembrance of 9-11: Prayer: May America always stand watchful and alert, never forgetting and thus keeping us and our children and our children's children safer. May our prayers and our diligence keep God close and at hand to watch over and protect us and our country for all time. May God bless the hearts and lives of all of us and especially those who have been hurt by this horrible tragedy through Christ Jesus our victorious Lord and savior, Amen. *~* Shangrala's 9-11 And Troop Pages: Animated 9-11 images http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs.html Angel Wing Decoys http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/angel.html Bleed American http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/bleed.html Chevy: American Pride http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/chevypride.html Dog Warriors http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dogwarriors.html Freedom Isn't Free http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/freedom.html Friendly Fire http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/friendly.html From Russia With Love http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/teardrop.html HERO! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/hero.html Hero's Truck http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/herotruck.html K9 9/11 Heroes http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/k9-11.html Lest We Forget http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lestweforget.html Lest We Forget #2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lestweforget2.html Liberty Air Show http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/liberty.html Proud Of Our Troops http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/troops.html Proud Of Our Troops 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/troops2.html Proud Of Our Troops 3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/troops3.html Proud Of Our Troops 4 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/troops4.html Proud Of Our Troops 5 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/troops5.html Proud Of Our Troops 6 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/troops6.html Ray's Freedom Rock! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/freedomrock.html Ray's Freedom Rock 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/freedomrock2.html Rolling Memorial 9-11 http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/trucking.html Semper Fidelis http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/semperfi.html USS New York LPD-21 Tribute http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ussny.html War Pics: Daily http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/daily.html War Pics: Daily 2 http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/daily2.html War Pics: Daily 3 http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/daily3.html War Pics: Sleepy? http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/sleep.html War Pics: Humor 1 http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/humor.html War Pics: Humor 2 http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/humor2.html War Pics: Humor 3 http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/humor3.html War Pics: Humor 4 http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/humor4.html Where Was God? http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/where.html Why My Son? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/why.html -<>- >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This hot new page is from our friends Geniann and Linda. This one is sure to give you lots of smiles. Check it out and find out if you've seen any photos like these in the last 7 years... ( (_) ### (#c _\|/_ #\ wWWWw \ \-. (/. .\) /\ /`\/\ /\ |\/ \_) (_| `\.' ; ; ;`\ `\; ; . ;/\ `\; ; ;| \ ; .' ' ; / |_.' ; | /) ( ''._;'` | ' . ; |.-' .:) | | ( .' : | |,- .:: | | ,-' .;| jgs_/___,_.:_\_ [I_I_I_I_I_I_] | __________ | | || | | || | _| ||_|__|_|| |_ /=--------------=\ / \ | | Proud Of Our Troops 7! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/troops7.html --- ...This was so heartwarming! Thank You Ladies! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: We're coming up to the painful anniversary of September 11 -- a day that will be marked in history as a turning point. Today, our correspondent, Joe Walker, shares his insightful views about how the tragedy was perceived elsewhere in the world. ^ ,' \ L""/ ` | J | J L | | . , | |.`v_L.' // ,>-(-\'_ \`' \ - /-. / /`""| ),' `- ( ,-' \ ) ,' ,' h / / / `)--.. \/ / \ <) < , L<' F/ _/ ,' L ,-' \ | ___L / ( F J ___,' L | ,' | F ,' | (_,--..__ mt-2|_ ,' `"`--.._\ ,' / \ / (_ (diddled by b'ger} >PEACEMAKERS To tell you the truth, I don't know a lot about Nazmia. In fact, I'm not even sure if Nazmia is a "she" or a "he." Our e-mail conversations haven't really had anything to do with gender. Mostly, they've had to do with being a parent in a world in which that task is becoming more and more complicated. Somehow, in the midst of those conversations, I've had the impression that Nazmia is a woman, so that's how I'll refer to her here (and if you're reading this and that isn't the case, my friend, please consider it a compliment!). Nazmia lives in the Middle East. In many ways, our lives are vastly different. But through the first two or three years of our intermittent correspondence, I was more impressed with our similarities than our differences. Being a parent is tough these days, regardless of ideology, geography or definitions of the word "football." Lately, however, I've been thinking more about those differences. It started about a year ago. On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, I wrote an anguished column as I watched horrifying events unfold on the television set next to my desk. The words were impulsive and honest, coming directly from my gut and my heart without pausing to linger long in my mind. But they were also uninformed and naive. Which Nazmia, to her credit, pointed out. "I understand your rage," she wrote. "This was a horrible thing, beyond reason or comprehension. I mourn with you the tragic loss of life. "But do you understand how it makes us feel when you and your countrymen express such outrage for one act of senseless violence, while we must live with it day after day? Few of us here have not been touched by it. Almost all of us have lost a friend or a family member. It is part of our daily life and routine. "And so, as we look at this horror you are now experiencing, we can't help but wonder why you seem so surprised that such a thing would happen," she continued. "In much of the rest of the world, terrorism is a fact of life. You have been fortunate to not wake up each day wondering if this day would be the last for you or one of your children. The fear and uncertainty you are now feeling is what many of us in the rest of the world have been feeling for years." She was right, of course. Although American society is relatively violent -- particularly with regards to violent crime -- we haven't known the unpredictable trauma of terrorism in our streets. Today we are more attuned to it -- and more frightened by it -- even when it takes place many miles away. At least, we should be. I've only heard from Nazmia a couple of times since then. But I've been following with horror a series of terrorist attacks and counter-attacks in her part of the world. I fear for her safety, and for the safety of her family. I mourn the loss of innocent life. I hurt for families torn asunder by explosions of hatred and mistrust. And I wonder why it has to be so. We live in a world filled with remarkable possibilities, including technological tools that can break through centuries-old barriers of fear by providing limitless opportunities for understanding through information and communication. This should be an age of enlightenment and an era of peace, but it can't be as long as we allow ourselves to be blinded by anger, intolerance and vengeance. We have to be peacemakers and use technology to reach out to people across the street and around the world in love and acceptance and friendship. Even if we don't know a lot about them. -- Joseph Walker ___________________________________________ Joseph Walker, from Utah, is a Heartwarmer Gem, and a nationally syndicated newspaper columnist. If his column doesn't appear in your local newspaper, have your editor contact Joe at the email address above. Your neighbors will thank you. You can also get his book here: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1573453005/heart/ref=nosim --- ...My two cents... , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' I don't give up hope that we can make peace with all nations, but I have my concerns that while trying to be the Peacemakers we in turn let our guard down and become instead the preyed on. 1 Pet.5 [8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Evil is part of our world. Why? Because this world is run by it. 2 Cor.4: [3] But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: [4] In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. Satan blinds people from knowing the truth. He holds them down so his evil can reign supreme. He mixes truth with his lies so people are left confused and not sure what to believe in his world of chaos. 1 Cor.14 [33] For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. Jas.3 [16] For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. Satan knows that once people hold onto the truth, that God through Christ Jesus can defeat his agenda of spreading hate, mistrust, human suffering, misery and evil. We as a country must always have our guard up. There are no guarantees that our nation will not be overturned with evil like so many are today. Where good people can't live a godly life without fear of being preyed upon. Look what happened with Hitler. See the past and learn for the future. My history teacher told me that the reason he loved history so much was because he could see that history always repeats itself. If you want to know our future, study our past history. Scary when you think of it, but very telling. Time and time again man repeats his same mistakes. Now we see a huge problem with inaction by Godly nations concerning those in Syria - the consequences are the mass migrations we are experiencing now... From Breitbart.com 'On television, we are watching the beginnings of a mass migration from the Middle East and North Africa to Europe. If you google “Middle East Population and North African Population” you get the 2014 CIA population estimates nation by nation. The Middle East has a population over 600 million and North Africa has a population of 198 million for a total over 800 million. There are over 4 million in refugee camps now in several nations. http://tinyurl.com/pmadqhx Russia confirms aid flights to Syria also carrying military equipment. http://tinyurl.com/nhz9n8f Iraqis fleeing war, poverty join tide of migrants to Europe despite dangers http://tinyurl.com/ob4x5od This is serious and had we as Godly nations done more to fight evil, then perhaps it would have prevented these horrible human sufferings. We have to be in the game. I liken it to football. If a team simply has a strong defense, they will never be the final winners. They have to have both a strong offense and a strong defense to win the victory over all their opponents. I like watching teams with a good strong offense. They are the ones scoring the touchdowns and causing much cheers and vitality to the game. But if their defense stinks, then just as many if not more touchdowns will be scored against them and they will be defeated. Likewise if a team stops their opponent from scoring but can't move the ball to score once they have it, then they will be defeated. Obama is only in defense and he has only a fair one at that. He doesn't want boots on the ground and has allowed our enemies to see his play book by telling this to them over and over again. He is like a team without a good quarterback. Just running with the ball when he gets it, but nothing spectacular offensively to win the final game. Thus we see ISIS with the great moves forward and their side taking the bows. It is irritating because I know our men and woman have what it takes to defeat them, it is just that we have a bad coach in charge of our team. The trouble is, this is life - it isn't just a game. People are suffering terribly from this. As Christians, we need to ask God to do as much as He can to be there for these people and to always protect the free world from such evilness. Remember, Satan is the god of this world. For our God - the God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ - to intervene, He must be asked. This gives Him the permission to intervene on our behalf. God has to abide by His own rules. That means people have their own freedom of choice to choose Him or not. His hands are tied to help when He has not been asked to. Our God is a fair and just God. Deut.32: [4] He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. Job.4 [17] Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker? Acts.22 [14] And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. Rev.15 [3] And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Jesus Christ teaches us... John.16 [24] Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. God won't go against His Word. It's the rule book all must abide by. Even Satan has to abide by it. That's why he knows it so well and uses it against those who are not so familiar with it. Easy to confuse those who are ignorant. 2 Tim.2 [15] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Matt.4 [4] But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 2 Pet.1 [21] For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. If we want to live, we need to know God's Word and act on it. Here is an excellent story of how God can intervene even in the midst of pure evil... Ethiopian girl reportedly guarded by lions ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — A 12-year-old girl who was abducted and beaten by men trying to force her into a marriage was found being guarded by three lions who apparently had chased off her captors, a policeman said Tuesday. “They stood guard until we found her and then they just left her like a gift and went back into the forest,” Wondimu said. http://tinyurl.com/ozp8cqx Some will say it was the lions' nature to help a child whose cries sounded like their own cubs' cries. But that doesn't explain why they simply left her when the other men came for her. If they felt she was like a cub, they would have fought tooth and nail to keep her safe with them. This was divine intervention. God uses who and or what is available to achieve His Will. =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Fran :) __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >There Is Always Hope Tomorrow will begin my second week without work. I already forget what day of the week it is. Monday means nothing. There's no focal point to my days. Like a clock, my work week sets my time. It's like I'm locked in a dark room. I can't see the sunrise to start my day. I don't see it set in the evening to warn the day will end. There's no start or end of a work week. The alarm clock doesn't blare and tell me, "Get up! It's time for work!" I smiled on Friday's when I turn the alarm off for the weekend. It's off all the time now. In the morning, I wake and lie there with my thoughts. Why get up? There's no reason to. There's nothing but empty days in front of me. I search for work every day. I guess this is my new job: professional job seeker. It keeps me busy, but the pay is horrible. I want to hide from it all. I miss the banter with my fantastic co-workers and worry about my future and theirs. Many of them have become great friends: friends for life. They are a better reward for my service than the pay I received. The banter we shared brought much laughter. They were the glue that held the team together to accomplish great things. Looking back on that time, I realize I was depressed. I had no purpose. Without a purpose, what are we? Without focus, we have no target to aim at. Our minds wander. We amble through a dark forest without a compass. We're lost. Without steady pay, we worry about providing for our families. Bills still need to be paid. Unemployment insurance doesn't provide enough to cover it all. It adds stress to make the depression worse. We spiral downward. I lost interest in writing. I became a master of solitaire. There were glimmers of hope: a phone call from a recruiter, looking for someone with my experience. We'd talk. They'd submit my name for a position. I'd never hear from them again. After eight months, I was called back to work. The downward spiral reversed. I climbed back up. There was always hope. I maintained that hope. - Michael T. Smith -<>- . .. __..---/______//-----. (( ) .".--.```| - /.--. =: ( VROOM! )) (.: {} :__L______: {} :__; __--( __- -_= ) *--* *--* jnh >Wheels, Tires, and Wisdom In the late 1970s, when I was about 18 years old, I had some extra money and wanted to buy some new tires and wheels that would really stand out. The fashion at the time was wide tires with raised, white- letter sidewalls. I desperately wanted those! But my car was a very small imported economy car with only 12-inch diameter wheels. The smallest size custom wheel available was 13 inches, but I was sure I could fit 13-inch wheels and tires on my car. At a local tire shop, I explained to the salesman what I was looking for. Rather than tell me why I shouldn't try to do what I intended, he showed me a set of chrome rims that he had — and I loved them! Then he brought out a set of tires that were exactly what I was looking for. I'm sure he knew they wouldn't fit my car, but went through the motions anyway just to please me. He even had the tires mounted and balanced on the new wheels and installed them on my car. They looked fantastic! But as soon as I began driving through the parking lot, my heart sank; the tires were so big, they rubbed the insides of my fenders if I turned even slightly. I parked and went back in the store. I told the salesman that I thought I knew where to get another set of wheels with a different "offset" that might give these tires enough clearance. But my old tires had already been thrown away and I couldn't drive on the new ones. To my astonishment, he offered me HIS CAR to drive to another store to buy someone else's wheels! Accepting his generous offer, I went shopping. The other rims were nearly identical to the ones that didn't fit, so I returned. All the while, my car was on his hydraulic lift, taking up space. Only when I told him that the other wheels wouldn't work did he try to change my mind. He showed me tires that were smaller, better and cheaper. No, they didn't have raised white letters but they would fit and would perform better. I reluctantly agreed, so he dismounted the big tires and mounted and balanced the smaller set. They fit with no rubbing. When he drew up the bill, the tires and wheels were already discounted. Then he deducted another $10 for "wasting my time"! I couldn't believe it! I have never had such service, before or since. I immediately recommended that shop to all my friends. More importantly, he showed me that giving a high level of customer service made more impact than just offering a low price. He treated an 18-year-old kid like an adult, even trusting me with his personal car. I've tried to employ his formula ever since. by Pat O'Neal --- ...Two good stories and lessons! Thanks Fran! =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: W __ __ [ ] |::||::| 3 ._. |::||::| ._. /| |:| ._. |::||::| |/| \|// / |:|_|/| |::||::|_ |/| -( )-| |:|"|/|_|::||::|\|_|/| _ J V | |:|"|/|||::||::|\|||/||:| ___ ' / ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ \ \/ | ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ >Rebirth Of A Nation by Paul Wilson The towers have fallen All around the world we hear voices calling For our loved ones lost today We share our tears with the world as we pray Why did this have to be Why did these terrorists take our love ones from you and me Our lives forever changed, our world will never be the same With tears streaming down our face, again we call their name This tragedy has changed us forever Now we must join forces to become stronger than ever The loved ones we lost this day were not in vain Their lives sacrificed to bring us all together again The time for healing is now We must help each other and stand together somehow A stronger nation was reborn today from this tragedy A nation standing together for all the world to see -<>- W [ ] E, U\ \ \\|/ |-( )- | V | L `. ___ | \/ / dsi >The Day I Saw My Lady Cry by Michael Mack She stood there with her torch held high To watch planes falling from the sky As silver bullets ripped apart The center of her loving heart With disregard for sanity In senseless act of lunacy She saw her children fall and die The day I saw my lady cry. I LIFT MY LAMP … so reads her plaque Just miles from terrorist attack Her open doors now violated By pure evil orchestrated Hounds of Hell have been released And Good must rise to kill the Beast. I saw her head droop, shaking "Why?" The day I saw my lady cry. Her tears will bring on bitter rain Unleashing winds of hurricane To circle globe in whirlwind force Uncover evil at its source Then seek exacting recompense >From those who prey on innocents. They'll not forget, as time goes by, The day they made my lady cry. -<>- >I Pray They See This Too! by Rwood I'm sure you watched As it all crumbled In deafening rumble Glorified in the slow Motion of your strike But I also hope you saw Rising in the fog Of the disbelieving tragedy People Helping People No beliefs or boundaries Holding back the hands Emerging from a shattered land Holding each other up Tears remaining colorless Blood remaining red Bonds being made in the dust In trust of fellow man As we scream in harmony Of the pain Being all the same Except for you Be it known We have called all Captains of Life We will continue to pray And feel our way in Navigation By a much higher power Than yours that must slay it Your death sentence has made us stronger You have colored yourself a failure I pray you see it coming And have no where to hide. -<>- . ... ....... .....:::..... ....:::::::::::::.... ....:::::::::::::::::.... ..:::::::::::: = ::::::::::.... ..:::::::::: === ::::::::::.... ..:::::::::::: ====== ::::::::::.... ..:::::::::: =========== ::::::::... ..:::::::::: ================ ::::::::.. ..:::::::::: ======= . ========= ::::::::... ..:::::::::: ======== |\ ======== :::::::::... ..:::::::::: ======== |#\ ======== :::::::::... .:::::::::: ======== /%#| ======= :::::::::.. .:::::::::: ======= /#%#| ======= :::::::::.. .:::::::::: ====== |#%#/ ======== :::::::::.. ..::::::::: ====== \%/ ======== :::::::::.. ..::::::::: ====== % ======= ::::::::::.. ..::::::::: ===___%____=== ::::::::::.. ..:::::::::: | .::. | ::::::::::... .:::::::::: | .::. | ::::::::::.. ..:::::::: | .::. | ::::::::... .:::::::: | .::. | ::::::::.. ...:::: | .::. | ::::.... ..:::: | .::. | ::::... .... | .::. | .... .. | .::. | .. loam >Candle Of Hope by Mysteria As destruction's dust settled on today's horrific tragedy, It blanketed not only one nation, But all of humanity in a black, dusty, mourning shroud. Hearts break worldwide over losses, But fill with a new found love of family. Sad that it takes a catastrophe to make us Value the treasures we already have. Life, and our love of family Become our most valued treasures. Please join us as we light a candle in the window. We will stand as one family, united and strong, Illuminating our wish for peace and healing for all. A light of hope from our hearts for a safe world. Our little candle burning brightly, Added to millions, will hopefully send healing energy to today's victims, and a message That we stand united as one in hopes of peace. God Bless You All In America And Keep You Safe -<>- >Dark Clouds by Charisma When dark clouds covered sight and daylight turns into night within the tears of many souls emotions flow without control Helpless arms reached to sky voices contain heart-wrenched cry prayers and thoughts are sent above united in prayers to our Lord of Love to be with us in these days of sorrow however we can face tomorrow guide us through these darkest rays light our path in these terrible days. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Here's Your Frog! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/frog.html Pets Being Pets http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/petsbeingpets.html Take The Sword! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/sword.html Who Is He? http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/who.htm Self Talk! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/selftalk.html Which Parts Are Written To You? http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/whichparts.html Lets Dance! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dance.html Notes To God! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/cnotes.html Greetings! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/greetings.html Amazing Bike Car! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bikecar.html Thinkers And Their Desks http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/desks.html Sweets For The Sweet! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/sugar.html Thailand's Tigers http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/tiger.html That's God!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thatsgod.html Back In Time!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/backintime.html On Growing Old... http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/growingold.html -<>- >From Our Friend Linda :) She sent us one we have here.. Hybrid Big Cats http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/hybridbigcats.html Filipino Band Sings Beatles Songs Superb https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThQkhjxFUSM --- ..Sweet links! Thanks Linda! -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseA :) Spanish magician Younke performs his amazing disappearing tricks at the French TV show 'The world's greatest Cabaret' hosted by Patrick Sebastien. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wuuTUg27zMo Pandas are one of nature's most amazing creations. Watch as little pandas Mei Lun and Mei Huan, the first panda twins to ever survive birth in the US, flower through their first 100 days of living and go from pink and tiny to black, white and beautiful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c30i79-FA3M&feature=player_embedded --- ...awww, thank you LouiseA! -<>- >From Our Friend Melody :) Encouraging Scripture http://www.sunflowerministries.org/Encouraging-Scripture WWYD, Family With Autistic Child Harassed By Strangers http://tinyurl.com/okfwf9u Park My Car - ParkingGames.com http://www.parkinggames.com/play/park-my-car.html Cat plays dead to avoid going for a walk - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sy1MDHZ27M&feature=youtu.be Adorable Puppy Can’t Get Down The Stairs http://tinyurl.com/pkmg78f --- ...Too cute! Thanks Melody! Visit Melissa's Online Store You can get anything you want (except for Melissa ) at the online store http://pdhomes.net/mall/babylissa/mySTORES/ISELL4.html ========================================================== >-->From LaughAndLift: "I am convinced the greatest act of love we can ever perform for people is to tell them about God's love for them in Christ." - Billy Graham The Lift .---. .---. ,';' `.';' `.. f :Bo. ` d88: `\ /d88P' `\ ; /d888P' `. ',d8&8P' : ;d8&7' | :8: | qx >Life (Author Unknown) "I may never see tomorrow, there is no written guarantee, and the things that happened yesterday, belong to history I cannot predict the future, I cannot change the past, I have just the precious present moments, I must treat it as my last." "I must use this moment wisely, for it soon will pass away, and be lost forever, as a part of yesterday I must exercise compassion, help the fallen to their feet, Be a friend unto the friendless, look for needs that I can meet. "The unkind things I do today may never be undone, and the friendships that I fail to win may nevermore be won, I may not have another chance on bended knees to pray, and I thank God, with a humble heart for giving me this day." ---- "Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." - Ephesians 5:15-20 (NIV) SUBSCRIBE INFO Want to receive a Christian inspirational item AND great clean humor in an email to you each day of the week? It's easy and FREE! Read all about Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Linda :) /:""| .@@@@@, |: 66|_ @@@@@@@@, C _) aa`@@@@@@ \ ._| (_ ?@@@@ ) / =' @@@@" /`\\ \(``` || |Y| //`\ ."~~~~~". || |#| / | || | .:. | || |#| \ | || A | /6 6\ | || |#| / | || |~|_|_\ e /_|_ .@@@@, :| |=: / | |\ |_|)___`"`___(8 aa`@@@, ||_|,| | |_| \ |~~~~~~~~~| = `@@@ \)))|| | ((( | \_________/ )_/`@' |~~~`-`~~~| `~\~~~~~~| |/ /_\ \| / || @ | | `\ / ()/___\() | || @ |_________| ( || ||~~~~~|| /~|| "` |_________| | || || || /__W_\ | || | || || || ||| |_||__ __|_|| ||_____|| _||| jgs (____)) (:;:;)) ||-----|| ((___) I wish the old paths were before us instead of behind us >THE OLD PATHS I liked the old paths, when Moms were at home. Dads were at work. Brothers went into the army. And sisters got married BEFORE having children! Crime did not pay; Hard work did; And people knew the difference. Moms could cook; Dads would work; Children would behave. Husbands were loving; Wives were supportive; And children were polite. Women wore the jewelry; And Men wore the pants. Women looked like ladies; Men looked like gentlemen; And children looked decent. People loved the truth, And hated a lie. They came to church to get IN, Not to get OUT! Hymns sounded Godly; Sermons sounded helpful; Rejoicing sounded normal; And crying sounded sincere. Cursing was wicked; Drugs were for illness. The flag was honored; America was beautiful; And God was welcome! We read the Bible in public; Prayed in school; And preached from house to house. I still like the old paths the best!!!!!!!! --- ..Wow, sounds pretty good! Thanks Linda! Unfortunately, I didn't experience much of these way back when in my memory growing up. ========================================================== ,-----. W/,-. ,-.\W ()>a a<() (.--(_)--.) ,'/.-'\_/`-.\`. ,' / `-' \ `. / \ / \ / `. ,' \ / / `-._.-' \ \ ,-`-._/| |=|o |\_.-< <,--.) |_____| |o____| )_ \ `-)| |// _ \\| )/ || |' | `| || | | | || ( )|( ) || | | | || | | | || |_.--.|.--._| || /'""| |""`\ [] `===' `===' hjw >-->The Wisdom of Hesitation Story Editor: by Jim Shaver Joyce Schowalter West Virginia, USA On a cross-country journey in the summer of 2009, I stopped at a rural New Mexico freeway rest area. I noticed an elderly gentleman with a small dog climb into his pickup truck and leave. Moments later an elderly woman approached the parking space with a confused expression. I asked if she was looking for the man in the white pickup. She confirmed and I explained I'd watched him drive onto the highway. It was her husband; she asked to use my cell phone. When she dialed his number his phone rang in her purse; she was unable to call him. For nearly an hour, I and several truck drivers patiently waited with her. Quite a crowd gathered. At times, she appeared angry and frustrated, other times more confused and worried. Finally, a truck driver and wife escorted her to their rig for coffee, while he used his CB to notify other drivers to be on the lookout. Then I saw the white truck pull back into the same parking spot. A frantic elderly man jumped out. I let him know where his wife was. I let his wife know her husband had returned. They both hurriedly approached each other from across the lot until only a few steps apart. Suddenly, they both stopped and just looked at each other. The standoff lasted several seconds, neither uttering a word. Then the man began to weep. He ran to her arms and sobbed uncontrollably. After several attempts of his unintelligible attempts at speech, she gently took her husband's cheeks into her hands, forcing him to look into her eyes. Over and over she said, "It's OK." I looked around through my blurring eyes to see numerous tears flowing in the nearby crowd. After a few moments of tears and hugging, he regained enough composure to explain he'd realized his error within seconds of merging onto the highway. However, there was no safe place to turn around on the divided highway until the next exit, 12 miles away. Needing to backtrack again, he'd driven 48 miles to return. The wife is the real hero in this story. When the couple both first saw each other, she had every right to unleash her anger for being forgotten. She had every right to chastise, and belittle until her heart was content. Most people would have vented anger on first seeing the perpetrator. But at that moment, even though she had every "right" to lash out, she hesitated. By delaying her tirade, she transformed a situation of anger and bitterness into one of unforgettable mercy and kindness. Even though only observers, those of us who witnessed this event were graced by her demonstration of forgiveness and genuine love. To this day, whenever I feel slighted and ready to lash out, I think of this experience and hesitate. Just because I have every right to be angry, doesn't necessarily mean it's the best choice. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Our Friend Jacinto :) ,ae, ,88888e ,a888b.9888888i 888888888888888 88888888888888Y '8888888888888' "S888888888" unknown "7888888Y "e88j "Y >Thoughts As a friend I do wish you the best of life's blessings And freedom from sickness and pain. May your prayers and oblations, as blooms of carnations, Flourish in sunshine and rain. May the blessings of heaven be showered upon you With favor from God. May you harvest with pleasure the fruits of your labor To share with whoever you can. May the dew in the morning refresh and delight you, And your days be filled with great peace. May your nights without number be filled with sweet slumber; Your dreams filled with hope ne'er cease. May your mate and your children bequeathed and beloved Be cherished as jewels set in gold. May your joy blend with laughter, both now and hereafter, As the days of your life unfold. --- ...aww, thanks Jass! ======================================================= >-->From AndyChaps: ( ,&&&. ) .,.&& ( ( \=__/ ) ,'-'. ( ( ,, _.__|/ /| ) /\ -((------((_|___/ | ( // | (`' (( `'--| _ -.;_/ \\--._ \\ \-._/. (_;-// | \ \-'.\ <_,\_\`--'| ( `.__ _ ___,') <_,-'__,' jrei `'(_ )_)(_)_)' 9-7-01 Friday ** Plumb Line ** "Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?" Matthew 6:30 Years ago when my wife and I camped we had a 32ft. travel trailer and pulled it with a Chevy Suburban. I can recall being intimidated by pulling such a large rig and even more than that backing it into a narrow camp sight. In order to back it into place properly, I had to learn to rely on the large mirrors on the truck rather than backing by direct vision. I had little faith in my ability to use the mirrors and kept looking out the side and rear windows to get my bearings without any result. Finally at some point, I began to have more faith in the mirrors and used them exclusively rather than rely on direct sight. I have also had to rely on God much the same way as the tendencies still remain that I want direct vision of the situation myself and want to handle whatever problem arises; After all God has given sight and intellect to deal with any situation, right? Wrong!!! The last 7-8 years of my life has been one that increasingly depends on God's direction and providence. Now rather than wanting to deal with that problem directly, I have to use Christ as I used the mirror to back the trailer. I have to use my faith in Christ and His relationship to the Father in order to deal with the issues of life. It is clearly remarkable how God opens and closes doors as we pass through a lifetime and as years ago when I ignored those closed doors and tried to pry them open myself, I have begun to wait on God and trust in His ways and not my own. The results are remarkable. Posted From "The Plumb Line." -<>- oo |" | ---' A worm >LOSING THE DEAD PART I am discovering that many people want, above all else, to live life fully. But sometimes the past prohibits our living and enjoying life to the utmost in the present. A schoolteacher entered his room a few minutes early and noticed a mealworm laboriously crawling along the floor. It had somehow been injured. The back part of the worm was dead and dried up, but still attached to the front, living part by just a thin thread. As the teacher studied the strange sight of a poor worm pulling its dead half across the floor, a little girl ran in and noticed it there. Picking it up, she said, "Oh, Oscar, when are you going to lose that dead part so you can really live?" What a marvelous question for all of us! When are we going to lose that dead part so we can really live? When are we going to let go of past pain so we can live fully? When are we going to drop the baggage of needless guilt so we can experience life? When are we going to let go of that past resentment so we can know peace? Have you been dragging something that is dead and gone around with you? Are you ready to "lose that dead part so you can really live"? From RICHES OF THE HEART by Steve Goodier ========================================================== >-->From Kidwarmers: >THE FUNNY THINGS KIDS SAY ____ .-" _ "-. / _ \ /`| | `\ |\ /\o/ \_o/ |;\ __ _ .-"""-. \;;\ \ `-'/ ;-._.-' , |;;;\ '--. |_ \ \ _.--'| |;;;;| | '. \ \ `-._/ /===;/..-"-. \ '. /`._ __ ___/___(( _ \ \ Y ``-\_/==;===='"`/``---' \ \ \\ \ /` \___/ |\ \ /` | | \ ; / / | | jgs / \ | | .' \_/ | Marialuisa was in grade two. Before leaving for school in her little town in northern Italy, she looked out the window at the chickens in the courtyard and exclaimed, "Beate voi galline che non andate a scuola!" (O blessed are you chickens who don't have to go to school!) -- Adua Zampese (older sister of Marialuisa) of Toronto Last week's column ("Hurricane Fantasia") was dedicated to the people who are recovering from hurricanes. Debbie tells about her daughter Kellie and her family who lives in Jacksonville, Fla. As a result of the hurricanes they were without power for quite a while. Debbie was talking on the phone to little Alexis. "It's dark, Gammy," Alexis said. "My lights are broke!" -- Debbie in Tuscaloose, Alabama Neil found his son Jonah, 4, asleep on the couch one morning last week. When Jonah called Neil at work later in the day, Neil asked Jonah why he had left his bed. Jonah said, "I had a really scary dream. Want me to tell you about it? Well, there was this big hairy monster... No, wait a minute. It was Mommy!" -- Neil Grepke of Kendallville, Indiana .-""`````""-. /`'--" _----'`\ ;-. |_) _ ; _.|__\ | \ |_) |`\.---. .' `-._ | \ | / | / `'-.__;-' / | .''-.,__ __'._ _,.' | /` ,'/ _`\``( /`_`\ \ \/ ; / \(o)/ '-.o)/'.\ | \ \ ;' ',_ `\ \| \ '. '-' \_/ /.__// '._'-. `;'-.___.' _.-' ;'. '. \ -./ .'`; /` `-.`. `-'/` `\ .-.-.-;-. `--` .-;-.-.-. "jgs"/ / / /"\ \""""""""""""""""/ /"\ \ \ \""""" \|\|\| |/ \| |/|/|/ Melva's 7-year-old granddaughter was in a school without her big sister for the first time. She is in the second grade and her sister had moved on to middle school. The school is only two blocks away and she assured her mother that she could walk by herself. However, her mother was concerned because there are no sidewalks. Finally, her mother agreed -- but said she would stand at the corner and watch her. After getting two houses from home, the 7-year-old turned around and started walking backwards. "See, I can even walk backwards!" she told her mother. Her mother quickly replied, "How will you see the cars?" The 7-year-old replied, "Oh, I forgot about that!" -- Melva Brown of Oxford, Ohio Donald was in first grade and just learning to read. He asked his mother if he could go to meet his father who would be coming home from work. He wanted to show him his new overalls. Minutes later Donald returned home without his father. His mother asked him why he was back so soon, alone. He said, "I saw a sign and it said STOP!" -- Sr. Lita Camozzi (sister of Donald) of Toronto It's the start of a new school year in Beth's 6th grade class and her students are sharing "Me Bags" to introduce themselves to their new classmates and to Beth. One boy brought a country/western CD and said that he likes that kind of music. They talked about the song titles, and that led to some discussion about the fact that many country songs have a drinking theme. Beth jokingly commented, "And we complain about rap!" Another boy blurted out, "Yeah! Country's just like rap, except with a banjo!" -- Beth Fryer of Lebanon, Pennsylvania _..._ .'.'|'. '. .' /.'| \ '. /-.|_.-|-._|_.-\ || || ||_, \|/ .-""-. || .' '. ||__./ ,,, ,,, \_ '---. (.)(.) .\ | |\\ | '--' | ||_ | ;=|\. \ //__\\ jgs '-.____.-'|||||| `====' While making deviled eggs for Labor Day, Melissa got out the paprika. Her 5-year-old daughter Daysha asked what it was. Melissa said it was paprika and Daysha said, "Just like Carlos." Melissa asked her what she meant and Daysha said, "Carlos is Paprikan just like the stuff you are using!" (Their friend Carlos is Puerto Rican!) -- Melissa Buchanan of Youngstown, Ohio MacKenzie, 4, was describing her new baby sister Rosie (a preemie). "Poppy, Rosie has a mall head," said MacKenzie, who can't pronounce "small." Poppy responded, "Of course she does, she gets that gene from her Nanny and Mommy." -- Amy (aunt of Kenzie) of Butler, Pennsylvania After her daughter passed away, Nancy had her two young grandsons, ages 2 and 4, living with her. "I wish I had written down more of what they did and said, but that was a very difficult time for all of us," Nancy recalls. She remembers attempting to teach Gary, 3, to whisper. One evening after reminding him to "talk softly, please whisper," he declared in his typical three-year-old no-nonsense tone, "I like to talk loud!" "Why?" Nancy asked. Gary answered matter-of-factly, "It makes you listen to me!" -- Nancy Johnson of Laverne, Oklahoma __ .' '. : : | _ _ | .-.|(o)(o)|.-. _._ _._ ( ( | .--. | ) ) .',_ '. .' _,'. '-/ ( ) \-' / /' `\ \ __ / /' `\ \ / '--' \ / / \.' './ \ \ \ `"===="` / `-` : _ _ : `-` `\ /' |(o)(o)| `\ /' | | /`-.-`\_ / \ _..:;\._/V\_./:;.._ / .--. \ .'/;:;:;\ /^\ /:;:;:\'. | ( ) | / /;:;:;:;\| |/:;:;:;:\ \ _\ '--' /__ jgs / /;:;:;:;:;\_/:;:;:;:;:\ \ .' '-.__.-' `-. When Gary, 6, repeatedly failed to pay attention, Nancy asked, "Was your mind somewhere else?" He looked surprised and replied, "No, my mind's right close to mine ears." Pnina, 17 months, was playing on the bed (with supervision, of course!) with one of their pet hamsters. She put the sheet over the hamster, and said, "Geebeegoo! Geebeegoo!" (Peek-a-boo!) -- Brandel D. Falk (Pnina's mother) of Jerusalem, Israel Note: You are welcomed to use, copy and share these stories, but please reference http://www.funnykids.com as the source. ========================================================== == <^\()/^> \/::\/ jgs /::\ `''` >-->I REFUSE! I refuse to be discouraged, To be sad, or to cry; I refuse to be downhearted, and here's the reason why: I have a God who's mighty, Who's sovereign and supreme; I have a God who loves me, and by grace I'm on His team. He is all-wise and powerful. Jesus is His Son's name; Though everything is changeable, My God remains the same. My God knows all that's happening; Beginning to the end; His presence is my comfort; He is my dearest Friend. When sickness comes to weaken me, To bring my head down low, I call upon my mighty God; Into His arms I go. When circumstances threaten to rob me of my peace; He draws me close unto His breast, Where all my strivings cease. When my heart melts within me, and weakness takes control; He gathers me into His arms, He soothes my heart and soul. My Lord Jesus is with me. My life is in His hand. The Son of my God is my hope. It's in His strength I stand. I refuse to be defeated. My eyes are on my God; He has promised to be with me, As through this life I trod. I'm looking past all my circumstances, To Heaven's throne above; My prayers have reached the heart of God I'm resting in His love. I give God thanks in everything. My eyes are on Jesus face; The battle's His, the victory mine; He'll help me win the race. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! --Author unknown. >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->This is for all you who love food and DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? 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