Instances Of Knowledge ... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@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 =========================== >-->In The 'Shangy' News :) , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >BIBLE STUDY EXAMPLES Our friend PAHDUCHEE had a great question others may be wondering: "Would you please put me on your mailing list for in-depth examples in the Bible study? Thank you, and God bless you!!" For them and others wanting to know - Thank You and God Bless You! As a member of the 'Shangy Fun List' that gives you access to all our extra Bible Study teachings. All the other in-depth bible teachings - Over 140! - can be viewed, studied, and printed onn-line from here: _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` Bible Study Menu: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/BibleStudy.html AND of course I highly recommend Bible teachings available from Christian Educational Services from their Truth Or Traditions site here: http://truthortradition.com/ _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` I went to our Bible Study Menu and decided to check out the 1 John teachings. That is one thing cool about God's Word. When you first study it, you get what you need at that time. When you go back and study the same thing again, another thing may shine forth in your understanding and it is like you never studied it before. Years later, that same verse or chapter studied yet again will again shine forth showing you something new and wonderful you didn't get the other times you studied it. I guess it is like one of my little grandson's favorite characters, .-. , .-' ,c'. __rK _)a 7 ; / ~,) (_, ( _; /a( |_. :'\ L/\.'__/ \ ' )nnnK-. S / (_ .- L,-' .dHHHb | S( '\_\\ / dHb'----'dHHHHb \ S \ , ) _,-._ / dHHHb"x.dHHHHHHb \ S |'. '.______/_U/_ '.-z/dHHHp 'dHHHHHb\ | [H | '..___.--'._C__ ) | dHHHHHHb\ _ \ /| |_ | \ L/'--._/_ ; k ' / |//- '-. ---.__ '| / | ( '-. '. | _'-. _/ .."' `., _ , : | \ _\ ,/ , '/ ." ': . : | .-' '', : |/(/\]/ \ /: ' | : /_ '...... .'/ | | | : / .' '--.__, __.'\ / | : ; |/ | '----'L, | / \ : . \ '-.________ / ] |____/ snd L_____'..' _.7' _/ <, > <___.' / \ \____/ Shrek, would say - "It's like Onions. Onions have Layers." So does the Word Of God. The first time through, you peel away the first layer. The second time through you peel away another layer and so on and so on. This is because when we first become Christians, we are what the bible calls 'Babes in Christ' we are like babies and can only take in the milk of the Word. All the rest goes over our head. ,,, _,_ _@_ _(_ _?_ >*< _/. .\_ _/- -\_ _/, ,\_ _/' '\_ _/a a\_ _/. .\_ (.\_o_/.) (.\_-_/.) (,\_e_/') (.\_^_/.) (.\_~_/') (.\_c_/.) (.`,.`'.') (.`,.'.'.) (.`'.,'.') ('.,'.`'.) (.'.,'.`.) (.,'.,'',) ('.`,'`,) ('.`,'',) ('.','.`) ('.,'.',) ('.,'.`.) (',.'`.,) ('.`,'`) ('.','`) (.'.,'.) ('.`.,') ('.','') (.'.'.') jgs `--'"` `--'"` `--'"` `--'"' `--'"' `--'"' I.E. Check this teaching out - Babes in Christ http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/babesinchrist.html As we grow in the Word, we are able to take more of the Word in and comprehend it. Like a baby first can only handle milk. As the baby matures, he or she can have cereals, vegetables, fruits and finally meat. If they are given anything they are not ready for, they will get sick or spew it out. Not retaining or keeping it as they cannot process it yet. That is the way we first are with the Word Of God. I remember when I first went to a bible class, I went for an in-depth 2 week long teaching camp called 'Dealing with the Adversary'. The only bible teachings I had before this were my Sunday church meetings and .:.:.:. / .***. \ | / ,,, \ | | \/6.6\/ | | ( _ ) | / /`"""`\ \ .:.:( (/|\) ):.:. Sunday school meetings as a little girl. ':'/':_A_:'\':' / \ .:.:.:.:.:.:.:. ':':':':':':':':' jgs _|_|_|_ (___|___) I.E. Check this teaching out - Dealing With The Adversary Part 1 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/dealingwiththeadversary1.html AND - Dealing With The Adversary Part 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/dealingwiththeadversary21.html I got in by mistake. They didn't check what classes I had taken before. Had they known that I didn't have any of the fundamental classes, they would not of let me come to this one. They apologized to me at the camp but that even went over my head because I didn't know why they were so sorry. I was happy to be at the camp with my best friend. What I didn't understand was that every time I went in for the actual teachings, it was like I blanked out. Like someone hit me over the head and I woke up after the 1 hour teaching session was over. I had no idea what the teaching was all about. It was over my head. I later just figured the devil was zapping me or something. In reality, I was unable to hear it. I required milk for my spiritual feeding and instead the class was mostly meat and vegetables. I could not retain it. So anyway, when I went back yesterday and was re-reading I John Chapter 2 Part 1 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/1john2-1.html AND I John Chapter 2 Part 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/1john2-2.html It came as No surprise that I again learned something new. I love the Word of God for that. It is SO COOL! Layers! ____ ____ | / + \ || || /+ . \ | |o x.| =**= _ =**= | o x| | |____| || _( )_ || |____| | || /_____\ || | ______________//| |/__________________ |_______^________/ | + | /____^_____ _U_ / |___| // _U_ | /_______________________________________// | /|\ |______________________________________|/ /|\ We have many great teachings and teachers in the Word to learn from. Take the time to go back over what you THINK you know from the Word of God and discover a whole new 'something' to excite and bless you! Use our Main Bible Menu here: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/BibleStudy.html Feel Free To Comment on Any of the Teachings And of course *~* PLEASE DO PASS Them On To Your Loved Ones *~* After all, the more we Share the Word Of God, the More will Know God, because, God IS His Word. ==================================================================== >Lauren Listened Story Editor: by Harold Spriggs Clayton Bennett Illinois, USA My life was transformed in 2004, when I was 15 years old on a mission trip with my church youth group. We were in Kansas City, Missouri, building the foundation of a house for Habitat for Humanity. I was very shy then. Halfway through the week and halfway through one day, I was tired. We were working in hot sun, loading rebar from a warehouse into our pickup truck for our worksite. After the truck was loaded, I jumped up into the rear with my friends. At the building site, I was about to leap from the back of the truck when our pastor began to back up. I lost my balance and fell hard on the blacktop. For a moment, I wondered if I'd died. When I got up, a man nearby on his front porch laughed at me. That was hard to hear; my self-esteem fell, too. The rest of the day I worked with my head a little lower than usual and didn't say much. After work, we returned to the church where we were staying for dinner. Then the girls in our group showed us a bag system for leaving encouraging notes to each other. That night I stayed up late in the kitchen, working on notes to my friends. Lauren, whom I'd known for a year, sat next to me and asked how I was doing. I could tell she really cared, and began saying more about my feelings than I expected. I was discouraged about falling earlier that day, and remembered my aunt Marion, who had died a year earlier after falling down her basement stairs. With Lauren keeping me company, I cried. Once I calmed down, Lauren told me some things I'd longed to hear. She said, "Don't worry about tomorrow, for that is in the future. Worry about this minute, what is going on now. It's OK to let your guard down every now and then to open up to me and the rest of our group. You'd feel a lot better if you would. It's not going to be easy to say goodbye to you at the end of this week, but I know our friendship will last. You're a great kid, Harold. You just have to find yourself, and accept yourself the way you are." That Friday night, our last in Kansas City, I took Lauren's advice. I told the group about my Aunt, and how much I missed her. For the first time, I felt better, like everything would be OK. I was really thinking about running away that Friday night. I didn't think anyone wanted me around, so I was going to run. I look back now, and know I would have regretted it all my life, and may have ended up worse off, possibly in jail. Just when I wanted to disappear out of hurt and embarrassment, someone helped me reach out to others. Thank you, Lauren, your lesson has stayed with me ever since. =======HeroicStories======= __________________________________________ | Life's Filling Station - 24/7 On Call |'-._ _______ |__________________________________________| '-.__.-'| '-._ '-._ | '-._______________________________________'-.___.-' | || .##. | || " " " | || " ".# #_________ " " ___ " "| || " " " " " " "| ||" " # /*_______ /| " /__/| " | ||" " " " " " " | || " # | 45,50 l | |" "| ||" " | || " " " ================| ||=====#=|_________|/=====|___|/====| ||============ | || # | | | | || | || .-----| ||-----#--f| | |-------| ||-----| ||----. : |_|/ '##'|_____|/ |_|/ |_|/ : :___________________________________________________.': '----------------------------------------------------' --------------------------------------------------------------------- " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " Jürgen Gröner >-->From Our Friend Tony In Australia :) >He IS risen! I guess all of us in this and other lists find ourselves surrounded by ‘material possessions. We have ‘implements that we want to make our lives easier. Ride on lawn mowers, automatic washing machines and a heap of other so called ‘labour saving devices. All these and yet our chores are still chores! We have two cars, one mostly sits in the driveway for weeks harldy being used and it’s a ‘chore’ once a week to go out and start it up and run it round the block, just to make sure everything is still working. I'm flattened ______________________ ,'_____ _____`. / (_===_) (_===_) \ \ (____________) / `-_ ,------------. _-' `------------------' Wny? Well this past couple of months I didn’t do that then last Monday, I went to put all my stuff in the station wagon at 7am to go to work and I had a flat tyre in the station wagon! You can imagine the thoughts going through my mind ! What a way to start the week! hey ! Wait! it gets worse….. I yell at Barb to get dressed and follow me to the tire shop and whilst she gets dressed, I put the spare on…..which is almost flat!... We get out on the road, with Barb following me in the wagon and me driving my old work route. I get to the first roundabout and I touch the brakes to slow down and guess what? Yep you are right…… NO BRAKES! I manage to get round the corner, pulled up and got out to tell Barb what had happened and that I would drive the next 500 metres slow enough so I could stop in the workshop driveway and The Lord is with us and we get there safely! But I can tell you…. it was with fear and trembling! The tire guy tells me I have to wait an hour, meantime go over to the mechanical workshop and I explain to the girl at the counter that I need a bottle of brake fluid as the reservoir in the ute (light truck) is empty and I explain that I want to drive it home and check out what the problem is. Next thing, the girl looks strangely over my shoulder and I hear a voice telling me that if I move the car at all, it will be defected! and I turn around to face this ‘know it all’ and I am looking straight in the eyes of a traffic cop!.... Well, I waited the hour and a half for the tire to be fixed and changed, the spare had also managed to pick up a tack and got to work late and lost my first sale. Great start! The brakes cost me $300 and the tires were $50 to repair and $280 for two new ones. Talk about being behind the 8 ball! Well that was a week back now and I am getting over it… But you know, when I think back to the ‘good old days’ when I had enough money to enjoy life and sit back, have a laugh…. there still wasn’t much to laugh at, and I hardly did ‘sit back’… I had two boats to maintain, two cars to service and large gardens and work equipment. So it was work all week and fix things on the weekend. So….. all that equipment, for both work and play…..can be just another chore, We are sometimes, never satisfied. The reason for that is because ‘things’ are just that…’ things” they have no REAL meaning and cant really satisfy us in a meaningful way. Christians are not exempt from all those feelings of ‘not having enough’ so don’t kid yourself that it isn’t so! We can and do…at times, forget the things that are really important and meaningful. We just celebrated Easter…..now I know that Easter has its pagan origins, but as Christians we remember that it was at that time, that Christ was crucified and that 3 days later He rose again. Those two things effect us or should effect us tremendously, because if they hadn’t happened just the way they did, Life itself for us….would have no meaning and we would then be far more dependent …..on material things. Friends….. we have a GOD! Who lives! We have a GOD Who LIVES IN us! Think back 2000 years and ponder that morning described in Luke 24:1-8 when those women had gone to a tomb to attend to the body of Jesus, a ‘man’ who had been tried and found ‘not guilty’ by the powers that be and crucified according to those who cried out for His death…..but the tomb was empty! The Body was gone… As they looked astonished at the stone that had been rolled away, they see two men dressed in clothes that ‘gleamed’ and the women are told, “ Why do you look for the living amongst the dead! He is RISEN! That’s an important question for us today…… Why do we look for ‘life’ amongst inanimate objects? possessions that really can’t ‘deliver’.. Is our true love and passion being invested in things that have to have wheels on them in order to move? Can they move with out our power? God can….and God does. It’s HIS power that can move us…..It’s HIS power that should be our motivation. It’s HIS love that keeps us going and it’s OUR love for Him, it’s us giving HIM the Glory that pleases Him! Enough so that HE wants to give and give…to us! He is our Jehovah Jira! In Christs resurrection, there is the answer to our greatest need. The need for a ‘new’ life, or a renewed life for some of us. We can be like those women who went to the tomb, they were NOT expecting to find ‘new’ life and had that been the case, then I wouldn’t be here at 5 am writing this on the first day of a working week. Don’t lets ‘hang up our harps” as a dear sister mentioned to me very recently….. let’s LIVE for God! and gain ‘new meaning’ in our lives…… Father, thank you for bringing us through to yet another morning. A new week is in front of us all Lord and we ask that You be with us ,guiding us and keeping us all safe and well as we do the mundane things that keep us going. We thank You Lord for your many blessings and the abundance of Your supply, but we thank You more Dear Jesus, for Your sacrifice, not just for the events we recall at Calvary, but for the many other things that slip by day by day almost un-noticed. Be with all of us we pray as we do whatever it is we have to do, heal those Lord who are ill and unwell, strengthen those who are weak and give hope to the lonely both young and old. Remind us Lord. to set aside time to speak with You, to give You the honor and Glory that belongs to You and You alone…. In Jesus Name…… Amen --- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' ...Now isn't it interesting that God through PAHDUCHEE sent me to our Main Bible Menu on-line and directed me to study 1 John Chapter 2 again AND it coincides exactly with what HeroicStories was about and what Tony is teaching here? For HeroicStories, this part from the teaching comes to mind: \\\\, / \\ '<' ) \- / _)_(_ .'\___/'. /.-.___.-.\ [_________] | | ( | , | (\/) ) _\)_ | -|- | <_@__> _(/_ || | | | (/\)(\/) || || | | (\/) <_@_> || || | | <_@_>'(/\) || || | | (/\|/|-. || || .---------. _|_|_ || ||_,-'---------'-,__ |WWWWW| ___jgs|_|____________________|_\_____/__ 'I John 5: 3 -- For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous [oppressive]. Remember, when we walk with the love of God according to His Word, we should be having fun -- we should be enjoying life. There should be no sweat, stress or strain. How can we worry about anything when God Almighty is our Heavenly Father and is taking care of all our needs? Worry is a trick put upon us by Satan who controls this present evil world which is getting worse every day. Don't fall for his tricks and his lies -- substitute those negative life-destroying thoughts with God's thoughts from God's Word. To know God's Word is to know Him and the only way to know Him is to study His word. Studying God's Word is enjoyable -- ask God to teach you how to study. I am enjoying putting this teaching together. I am preparing it willingly with the love of God in the renewed mind in manifestation. This is how God originally intended man to live -- by keeping God first. Keeping anything else first [idolatry] leads only to self-destruction and misery.' AND The whole study goes well with what Tony is saying. This verse in particular came to my mind: 1 John 2: 16 "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." Amazing! Our friend AirForce1989Fighter pretty much had the same thing happen to him. Concerning the Extra Group email 'Life's Highway' - He writes: "Can life get any weirder? It was just weird. I'd just written a poem, called "Next Exit", sort of a life highway thing and then I came over to my email and saw the title of this. I don't know, it was weird, but in a very cool way. God Bless! - Mel Thank you Mel and Tony! I certainly have noticed that with this list, God sure does make a lot of coincidences come about for me! I ask Him to help me with my putting together of the items I want to share and Viola - Cool things just sort of happen! Isn'tt God Good? ====================================================================== >-->From SermondFodder: >Marinara Sauce I have a new recipe for a marinara sauce which requires a particular brand of prepackaged sauce for the base ingredient. I prepared this new recipe several times in my home in Atlanta, and all went well. Then, I needed to purchase more of my special starter sauce. No problem, I thought, I'll just buy more! I scouted the isles of every grocery and specialty store in my part of town, to no avail. All of a sudden my wonderful new recipe had lost its base, and the sauce would not taste the same. I finally gave up my pursuit of the much-needed product, considering it time wasted. This week we are in the Keys- in Marathon , the middle key (or the heart of the keys, as the locals say!). My husband went to Marathon deli yesterday to pick up a few items, and guess what he came home with? Yes, my special sauce was sitting on the shelf-just waiting to be bought!! I can tell you I was surely surprised when he walked in with the sauce, and we will pack a lot of it in the car to take home. What amazes me is that I looked and looked for this item in such a large city, but couldn't find it. Wouldn't you think a necessary item (in my opinion!) such as this would be right at the tip of my fingers, waiting to be plucked off the shelf? But, no, we find it in some little town, almost at the end of the U.S.A., and then it practically jumped off the shelf and into my husbands hand! A basic ingredient in my life is reading God's Word – the Bible. If I have a problem which can be solved by turning to scripture, I open my Bible to look for answers. I want my answer, and I want it now!! I may use my concordance, bible reference books and other assorted aids to help me find what I am seeking, but sometimes I draw a blank. Even when I search in great detail, I have no luck. Then, when I least expect it, God will send the answer to me. It will be right in front of my nose, just like the marinara sauce was!! It may be revealed in a most unexpected location, time ,or manner of delivery, but there is no mistaking it is from the Father. I should continue trying to discover God's answers for my questions, but if my searching is to no avail, I need to sit back and wait for Him to show me the answer. He showed me the main ingredient to my sauce in a most unexpected place, and He will reveal His answers as I need them. I can rest in that assurance. His timing is definitely better than mine! Marion Smith noles65@aol.com To Subscribe send an e-mail to: Sermon_Fodder-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ===================================================================== >-->A Classic From Our Friend Fig :) I'll bet this was a surprise to NBC. >NBC POLL Do you believe that the word God should stay in American culture? NBC this morning had a poll on this question. They had the highest Number of responses that they have ever had for one of their polls, and the Percentage was the same as this: 86% to keep the words, IN God We Trust and God in the Pledge 14% against That is a pretty 'commanding' public response. I was asked to send this on if I agreed or delete if I didn't . Now it is your turn .. .. It is said that 86% of Americans believe the word God should stay Therefore, I have a very hard time understanding why there is such a mess about having 'In God We Trust' on our money and having God in the Pledge of Allegiance. Why is the world catering to this 14%? AMEN! If you agree, pass this on , if not, simply delete In God We Trust |`-._/\_.-`| | || | |___o()o___| |__((<>))__| \ o\/o / \ || / \ || / jgs '.||.' HE IS OUR SHIELD --- ...Thanks Fig! Yeppers - In GOD We Trust - Now And Always! =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend John-Paul :) >An old Prayer from the 4th Century AD. Foundet and put together by Pastor Joh.W.Matutis. St. Patrick (Ireland) is supposed to have spoken these words everyday. _ xxxx _ /_;-.__ / _\ _.-;_\ `-._`'`_/'`.-' `\ /` | / /-.( \_._\ \ \`; > |/ / // |// jgs \(\ `` He said daily.... I am risen with Christ. Through Him I live Today. I am bound to Him…. * there where He is – there I am too. * that which He is – that I am too * that which He does – that I do too * that which He says – that I say too * that which is subject to Him – is also subject to me * that which is obedient to Him – is also obedient to me I live by the power of His resurrection... * I live from His fullness * I live from all His blessings * I live from His righteousness That which served Him – that serves me too * that which followed Him – that follows me too * that which loved Him – that loves me too * that which hated Him – that hates me too * that which took Him in – that takes me in too * that which He needed, that I need too * that which He did not need – that I do not need too * that which comforted Him – that comforts me too * through that which He went – I go too * the road He walked – that road I walk too * that which held Him – holds me too * that which helped Him – helps me too * that which protected Him – protects me too * that which led Him – leads me too * that which gave Him strength – gives me strength too * that which saved Him – saves me too * that which kept Him from sin – keeps me from sin too * that which kept Him healthy – keeps me healthy too * that which stood by His side – stands by my side too * that which He did not fear – I do not fear too * that, through which He drove out demons –through that I drive them out too * that which made Him strong – makes me strong too * that which was over Him – is over me too * that which made Him boundless – makes me boundless too * that which helped Him accomplish His mission – helps me accomplish mine too * that which held Him above, always – holds me above, always too Jesus Christ… * He is before me, and behind me * He is under me, and over me * He is with me, and in me * He is on my right and on my left * He is with me, when I wake up in the morning * He is with me, when the day is hard and difficult * He is with me, when things don’t work out * He thinks for me * He speaks to me * He sees me I live to day by the power of the heavens by the power of the Holy Spirit... St. Patrick encouraged his people to pray this prayer constantly. It can not harm us either, to identify ourselves with Jesus Christ. In this Spirit, I wish you a HAPPY DAY. Pastor Joh.W.Matutis www.nnk-berlin.de E-Mail: matutis@t-online.de To the person of St. Patrick _____________ ( ) | | ( ) %%%%%%% |____-----____| ( ) %%%% %%%% | \___/ | ( ) %%%% %%%% _______________________ ( ) %%% %% %%% \\ // ( ) %% %% (o)(o) %% \\__~~~_______~~~__// ( ) %% ____ %% / \ %% |\ |(0) (0)| /| ( ) % / __ \ %% / \ .. ) % |\ \| (. .) |/ /| ___ %% / / \ \ %% /\__/ %% \ ||| , ||| / [ ] % ( \ \ \/%% / % |||| \_______/=============| | %% \ \__ \/ %% __ %% ||||| --- ||||| \_/ % \ \/ /%% /__\ % ||||| ||||| ||||| %% \__ ' /\ %%// \> %% ||||||||||||||||| %% \ /\ \_%% %% ||||||||||||| %%% \_/ \__/%% %%% ||||||||| %%%% %%%% ||||| %%%% %%%% %%%%%%% St. Patrick was a missionary in Ireland. He was born in Wales. Plundering Irish carried him off at 16 years of age, and finally brought him (405 AD) as a slave to Ireland, where he found comfort in Christianity. Despite his difficult life as a shepherd, he learnt to love the rugged land. After about 6 years, an angel supposedly told himto escape. He dared the escape, and spent the reupon 12 years in a convent in Auxerre (France), where he became a priest and took the name Patrick. His goal was to return to Ireland, in order to reach out to the heathen there. One night, he heard voices calling him back to Ireland, voices which he recognized asthose of Irish people, begging him to return. It is told that he freed the island of all snakes. With that is meant, the casting out of all heathen, nature religious beliefs. For example, in those days, when a druid was dedicated, he was tattooed with a snake He founded convents, schools and churches in Ireland, and carried out his missionary work 30 full years, until his death. He died in Country Down, where he supposedly spent 40 days without food and water. --- ...Interesting John-Paul. Thank You for the history lesson, _..._ .~ `~. / } \ _.'`~~/ {_,} -( ,'-,___.' .-. / |_ /| __| |__ / ` |_/ [__ __] / \ / | | / '--;_ | | _\ `\ | | / |`-.___. / | | ^^^jgs^^^`--`------'`--`^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ I like the Christian thoughts the best! ====================================================================== >-->From InspiredBuffalo: _....._ .' `'-. / (- J-E-S-U-S ->< '._ _,.-' \ jgs ````` >WHEN CHRIST COMES By Max Lucado You are in your car driving home. Thoughts wander to the game you want to see or meal you want to eat, when suddenly a sound unlike any you've ever heard fills the air. The sound is high above you. A trumpet? A choir? ______ '-._ ```"""---.._ ,-----.:___ `\ ,;;;, '-.._ ```"""--.._ |,%%%%%% _ , '. `\;;;; -\ _ _.'/\ .' `-.__ \ ,;;;;" .__{=====/_)==:_ || ,===/ ```";,,,,,,,;;;;;'`-./.____,'/ / '.\/ '---/ ';;;;;;;;' `--.._.' / ,===/ '-. `\/ '---/ ,'`. | ; __.-' \ ,' jgs \______,,.....------'''`` `---` A choir of trumpets? You don't know, but you want to know. So you pull over, get out of your car, and look up. As you do, you see you aren't the only curious one. The roadside has become a parking lot. Car doors are open, and people are staring at the sky. Shoppers are racing out of the grocery store. The Little League baseball game across the street has come to a halt. Players and parents are searching the clouds. And what they see, and what you see, has never before been seen. As if the sky were a curtain, the drapes of the atmosphere part. A brilliant light spills onto the earth. There are no shadows. None. From whence came the light begins to tumble a river of color spiking crystals of every hue ever seen and a million more never seen. .-"""-. , (_ _ \ /| ____ _ )= `) ) ,"";, |(| ()___>===(()====( ( (//``;\\ (| ||~\__ `) ( ) ;|| || `==\--`.-; ;|| \\ / |`-._, ;\\ , `---;` / `._`\\ ,/| >~~~~`._ `"` |(| / ' `""---.....___ (| | '. ' _ . ``\ \ '-. '- . _ / \ '. - ._`\ '. '. '-.. _/ jgs '._ - ._ _/ `-..__ .-'` `"'""` Riding on the flow is an endless fleet of Angels. They pass through the curtains one myriad at a time, until they occupy every square inch of the sky. North. South. East. West. Thousands of silvery wings rise and fall in unison, and over the sound of the trumpets, you can hear the cherubim and seraphim chanting, _..---.._ .' .-'''-. '. / .' _..._'. \ __ : : /`;' ) : : _,="`\ ,--''` ``'.; : |; ,-; : ; __..==""==.,_| `-, `; .\; / ^\ _,.="// '-,_.--._ '.(;_.'__/`_.-'`\ ,.--''`` _..=. `'--.// `` \ `--, '` `- |_\ '-. | Holy, Holy, Holy. `-._ _.;--`-..___,.-'` `'-...-_:',;`==,| \ _.--',=" / /"=;="=, _.' ,=".-'` .' /| ,=" _.--' .-' "=, : .' | ", `;._ .--'.' .-' .' . ; ,;;\_ . '._.'--'` -' / ,;;;._ '-._ .''.__.' `\_ .' '._ / '._ .(` jgs '._ ';./ `;` The final flank of angels is followed by twenty-four silver-bearded elders and a multitude of souls who join the angels in worship. Presently the movement stops and the trumpets are silent, leaving only the triumphant triplet: Holy, Holy, Holy. Between each word is a pause. With each word, a profound reverence. You hear your voice join in the chorus. You don't know why you say the words, but you know you must. Suddenly, the heavens are quiet. All is quiet. The angels turn, you turn, the entire world turns and there He is. Jesus Christ Through waves of light you see the silhouetted figure of Christ the King. (__ ,_) \_,-/ /__ )__, )/ _\_ / /d \ \ \__ / _.' / ( ' (,-,) | |_ |_, ,-.___|_ /_, / He is atop a great stallion, ) .__ ) \ \ \\`-..- \(`. \( \_\ `._ \`-,'`. `-. `' `-.__ \ `,' |-,._) ! ,') `-. ( ,-' ( ,-.) \ \ \ _/ \_ \_ |\_ \`-'._ ) ( ,'( / )/ __,','__/( gnv /__(^ 7..1" and the stallion is atop a billowing cloud. He opens his mouth, and you are surrounded by his Declaration: I am the Alpha and the Omega. The angels bow their heads. The elders remove their crowns. And before you is a Figure so consuming that you know. Instantly you know: Nothing else matters. Forget stock markets and school reports. Sales meetings and football games. Nothing is newsworthy.. All that mattered, matters no more.... for Christ has come. . . _ === _ / \(_)/ \ | / \ | | \\ // | \_/ \_/ .--" / \ `"-. ( ( '.___.' ,') (__,-. )--' jgs '.____)--' ANGELS EXIST, but sometimes, since they don't all have wings we call them FRIENDS, SUCH AS YOU. --- ...YES! Thank God - Christ Has Risen - HE SHALL RETURN! -<>- >"Signs of Inner Peace" A tendency to think and act deliberately, rather than from fears based on past experiences. An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment. A loss of interest in judging others. A loss of interest in judging self. A loss of interest in conflict. A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others. A loss of ability to worry. Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation. Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature. Frequent attacks of smiling through the heart. Increasing susceptibility to kindness offered, and the uncontrollable urge to reciprocate. An increasing tendency to allow things to unfold, rather than resisting and manipulating. -<>- >EXPECTING NOTHING IN RETURN By: Joseph J. Mazzella joecool@wirefire.com One of the best lessons that I have ever learned is to never look down on someone younger or smaller than you. They may just be your best teachers in this life. I know that I have learned more about living from babies, small children, puppies, and kittens than I would have believed possible. They have taught me so much about laughter, playing, fun, simple joy, and unconditional love. They have shown me again and again how to truly live and reminded me countless times of how to choose and share love expecting nothing in return. .-"''-. _ .' `( \ @/ ') ,--,__,-" / / \ / / _/ __| , |/ / .~ `\ / \ , | / .~ `\ ` / _/ _/ .~ `\ ~~`__/ / ~ `--'/ / / / / /' /jgs When a baby smiles at you, a little child gives you a hug, a dog comes up to be petted, or a cat curls up on your lap they are offering you their love freely and joyfully. They are not waiting for something in return. If only all of us could learn or relearn to love the way that they do then what a paradise we could create in this world. Just think of love flowing from every heart and soul in this world expecting nothing in return. Just think of people saying, "I love you", sharing a smile, and offering a hug unconditionally. Just think of all of us giving each other joy with a puppy's heart and a child's soul. Just think of everyone of us loving each other the way that God meant for us to. Leo Buscaglia once said, "Take whatever people give you. If you appreciate it, hug it, kiss it, and take it in joy, but don't expect it." It is only when we give love expecting nothing in return that we truly know what love is. It is only when we give love expecting nothing in return that we learn what it means to give and to live. It is only when we give love expecting nothing in return that we fully feel the love that God has for us. May we always love then freely, joyously, and unconditionally. May we always follow the wisdom of our youngest and smallest teachers and give love to the world expecting nothing in return. -<>- >The Little Square .---. (_---_) (_/6 6\_) ( v ) `\ /' .-'': ;``-. / \,Y./ \ / (:)___ \ : .-'XXX`-.`\_; `.__.-XXX-.__.'\_ / / XXX \ \ `\_ / XXX \ `\ / XXX \ _`\___ jgs / \ (`--"""-') / \ (=-=-=-=-) `--...___ ___...--' (________) The quilting frame was lowered, after dinner every night, she gathered needle and thread, her fingers would take flight. I had never seen it empty, always one waiting to be done, to me it seemed like work, to Grandma it was fun. If I sat down beside her, a story she would loving tell, about a certain piece, sometimes a tear would well. There was one piece of material, she put in every quilt she made, but she never told it's story, it's pattern was beginning to fade. One day I ask her about it, she sat very quietly for a while, then she put her arms around me, her lips wearing a trembling smile. She told me the story, of an uncle I never knew, who died as a baby, there was nothing she could do. The fabric was from the gown, he had worn that last night, cradled in her loving arms, till his soul took flight. By using the gown's fabric, it helped keep him near, as I listened to this story, I shed a lonely tear. She told me "Don't to be sad, because he is with you too, he has always been a part, in a lot of things you do". "I have made you many quilts, one before you were born, you carried it around, till it was ragged and torn." "Remember the tents you made, when you were so very small, over the back of straight chairs, you used that quilt as I recall." "A piece of his baby gown is in the quilt covering you. while you are asleep at night, his spirit comes shining through." Thinking back to my younger years, I remembered every quilt, seeing that every one of them, around gown squares were built. My quilts had been camping, they went to the beach I took them to the drive-in, one was always within my reach. Now that I have grown older, I put them on display, and proudly tell the story, of the Uncle who was called away. Pamela Gayle Smith 8/28/2004 -<>- >Links For Your Enjoyment: Window Washer http://www.buffalosjokes.com/032912.htm Small Guy http://www.buffalosjokes.com/032913.htm Smile http://www.buffalosjokes.com/032914.htm Sneaky Water http://www.buffalosjokes.com/032915.htm Subscribe send a blank email to: the-inspired-buffalo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ============================================================== >-->From Wit&Wisdom: . . | , \ ' / ` ,-. ' --- ( ) --- \ / _|=|_ |_____| kat >When an Idea's Time Has Come Just as Albert has his Theory of Relativity, I have my own Theory of Universal Knowledge, which states, "There is a time for every idea, and when that time comes, the idea springs into the minds of several people simultaneously." It is the first person to take action who gets all the applause; the rest just sit back and cry, "He stole my idea!" Though the world is overflowing with good ideas, people with the courage to act are rare. Swann and Sawyer are brilliant inventors working on opposite sides of the Atlantic. Each of them has plans to produce electric light by running a current through a filament in a vacuum. But it is Thomas Edison who first announces the discovery and receives all the fame and fortune. It doesn't matter that both Swann and Sawyer are further advanced in their experiments, or that it will be more than a year before Edison publicly produces electric light. Edison has the courage to claim he can do it. Sawyer and Swann do not. Instances of universal knowledge are becoming increasingly commonplace due to the rapid growth of our population and the influence of mass communication. With millions and millions of people receiving identical information and stimuli, should it come as any surprise that many of us have the same ideas at about the same time? Evidence of genius is becoming commonplace and talent seems to be running rampant in our world. I'll wager that you, yourself, have enough talent to be world famous for something! The important question is this: Are you willing to take action, or will your talent remain unrefined, like gold that stays in the ground? Are we, in fact, created in the image of God? And if so, does this mean that each of us is a walking miniature of Him who spoke worlds into existence and flung the stars from His fingertips? Did He, in fact, prepare you to do great things, then give you the choice as to whether you would do them? Is there a chance that your circumstances and experiences have uniquely and wonderfully prepared you for such a time as this? Do you have the courage to act? Today's Daily Wisdom is adapted with permission from the best-selling book "The Wizard of Ads" by Roy Williams. Williams offers a humorous and creative look at business, life and advertising. To order his book go to www.WizardAcademy.com. ===================================================================== >-->From AndyChaps: --The 6 most important words: "I admit II made a mistake." --The 5 most important words: "You did aa good job." --The 4 most important words: "What is yyour opinion?" --The 3 most important words: "If you pllease." --The 2 most important words: "Thank youu." --The most important word: "We." Start including more of these words in your speech every day and you may see a difference in yourself and others. -<>- (_v_) _|_ | | |-----+-----| ,%%%. | 1ST | % 1 % | PRIZE | `%%%' '---------' ( ( \ / ) ) '. .' ( ( | | )' ) .' '. (/ \/ apc _|___|_ [#######] apc >To Have A Winning Day If you want to have a "winning" day, there are "Twenty-One More Things" you have to do . . . ** You have to listen more than you talk. ** You have to give more than you get. ** You have to smile more than you frown. ** You have to think "we" more than you think "me." ** You have to agree more than you disagree. ** You have to compliment more than you criticize. ** You have to laugh more than you cry. ** You have to clean up more than you mess up. ** You have to be positive more than you're negative. ** You have to be fascinated more than you're frustrated. ** You have to "walk the talk" more than you "talk the talk." ** You have to be accepting more than rejecting. ** You have to see the cup "half-full" more than you see it "half-empty." ** You have to help more than you hinder. ** You have to believe in yourself more than you doubt yourself. ** You have to work more than you whine. ** You have to do more than you don't. You have to act more than you react. ** You have to save more than you squander. ** You have to care more than you ever have. ** You have to love more than you ever have. ============================================================ >-->UNLIMITED SUPPLY ., '''''''''''''''''' ,. .' .oooooo$$$$$ooooooo. '. :: ,$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$, ', |; '$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$' ''''''''''. |; ''''''$$$$$''''''' ,:''''':, | |; '| |' || | | |; '| |' || | | |; '| |' || | | |; '| LIFE'S |' || | | |; '| |' ':.....:' | |; '| CUP |' ,,,,,,,,,' |; '| |' ; |;. | | .' '||,,, ,,,;'DELUXE ''';;;;,,,,,,,,,,,;;;;''' ''''''''''' When you look to material means For the source of your material happiness You'll be looking again and again. But when you look to the Father Who has unlimited supply Of all the means to make you happy He can and will fulfill your every need. He has a storehouse Filled with abundance Abundance for everyone Throughout eternity. Accept it, for it is yours. It is God's great pleasure To give you the keys To His unlimited wealth. Fran Neukirch 15 Oct, 1996 ---> Visit my CyberHome - ALWAYS OPEN HOOUSE :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/index.html Shangrala ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->Bigham's Computer Rescue - PC Sales && Service You can trust us to provide you with quality computer sales and repair. We've been servicing the Van Wert area since 1981 and can help you with all your computer needs. Please phone us at 419-238-5806 ************************************************************************ -->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: This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR Send a BLANK email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ************************************************************************