It's How You Finish... :) 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 ================ *~* Please Consider Giving To ShangralaFamilyFun.com The cost of the website has gone up dramatically due to the ever increasingly wonderful pages and photos being added each week to entertain you and our fellow Christian families. While the ads on the website do help, I don't want to drag the site down with tons of them to pay for it. I need your help! "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a Shangrala Angel, the easiest way to do that is through online giving. It is easy to use, and most of all, it is secure. Please visit the site, scroll down and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL form page comes up. NOTE: Paypal will generate a 'Quantity 1' and 'Price per item' form. Just ignore the price per item and put whatever it is you desire to give in there. With Paypal, you will have your normal receipt for your 'payment' donation in USD (United States Dollars). You can put a memo in there if you'd like. Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS YOU MOST ABUNDANTLY FOR YOUR GIFT! ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! AND For Facebook Users: Please 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! ================ >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This red hot flaming new page is from our friend Judy. She sent us wonderful news about her beloved certified therapy dog Ricochet. I am thrilled to let you in on it with official behind the scenes photos and info. Be sure to check it out and the heartwarming videos here: | |, |', | ; | , | ', ######| ;##$$**&&<<;;,---....,,,____ | ,,, ""=;, ''''----....,,,, | `''', ";%., |_ _i l ; **;;., | V | , _.-= ##$$**&&;;., |\_/7 || / /'_,.-= *###$$$%%%;;..,,, | |__|/,.-'_,..-= *##$$$%%%;;;;;.....,,,,, /| /#%'',.-' **##$$$;;;;;;.......,,,,,,,,, / | | A /, ****#######$$$$$;;;;;;;.....,,,, / ' `| | / ***********::::::::::........ / =. .' / _,' L,,.-' Groot Bees Movie Star Ricochet! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ricochetdogstar.html --- ...So awesome! Congratulations Judy! Thank You! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: \||/ ,--. | o|o //OO\\ | _| ||c || |(_ | /| `--' `--' azc >BEHIND THEIR BACKS by Beth Fryer Talking behind someone's back is considered rude and mean. People say nasty things! Gossip, even slander. All kinds of criticism from looks to work habits to personality. The other day at lunch I was part of a whole group of colleagues, and we were talking behind our boss's back. She's the new principal of our middle school. It's her first year as our boss, though she was "one of us" for some years. Pretty awkward position! And we had quite a lot to say. We talked about how kind she is to us. She hand writes notes to wish us happy holidays, or to thank us for jobs well done. She checks on us when she knows we're facing difficulties outside of school with our health or with our families. We talked about the good role model she is for the young women in our building. The fair but firm way she treats students and parents. All this as she is replacing another well-respected boss. His shoes were hard to fill, and we talked about the fine job she's doing. I thought about that after lunch was finished and we had gone our separate ways. Sometimes we have the good fortune to be part of another kind of "talking behind their backs." All too often, when we talk NICE behind someone's back, they never know about it! I sent her a quick email to report the conversation. She replied saying how much she appreciated hearing about it, how it made a bright spot in a tough week of testing and a death in her family. I've done the same after such chats about the wonderful custodian we all adore. We often talk about how lucky we are to have her, but she's here after many of us are gone for the day. She was delighted to hear it when I told her that so many teachers are singing her praises. When I overheard conversations about the retirement of our superintendent -- an announcement that was met with sadness -- I thought he should know how we felt. So I made sure he did. I'm guessing a boss must be pleased to hear that his employees are sorry to hear he's leaving and that they respected him and appreciated the job he's done. Cards and emails are great, but maybe it's just extra heartwarming to know that kind words are being said even "behind your back." I like to do the same for my students. Of course I give them my own compliments, but I love to let them know when other adults have noticed their good behavior and attitudes. I want them to know that we aren't spending our lunch and meeting times complaining about them ALL the time! I want them to know that we often express our pleasure in working with this particular group of kids, and I want them to know why! I beam when someone notices how my teenage grandchildren are turning into such fine young people. Then it's absolutely necessary to let THEM know it too! I want them to know that people notice them, and that it matters when what they notice is good and praiseworthy. I've known from the other side how much this can mean. I often lack confidence in my own abilities as a teacher, so it gave me quite a lift when a friend who works with families in the community mentioned that he has heard several times from parents how glad they are to have their kids in my class. It just feels more important somehow to have the words said by people who don't know I'll ever hear them -- when they can be totally honest. Great to hear it. And great to share! Sure, it's pleasant when we can say nice things about other people. It feels good! And I think it's a special compliment for people to know of the times when others are saying nice things even out of ear shot. Watch for your next opportunity to be the reporter! Make sure to tell them about the nice things being said behind their backs! Because how will they know unless we tell them? -- Beth Fryer __________________________________________________ Beth says, "I'm at teacher in Pennsylvania and spend my spare time reading and loving my family -- both 2-legged and 4-legged!" Reminds me of this one: The Blue Ribbon http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/blueribbon.html =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Fran :) The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time. - Jack London Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow." - Mary Anne Radmacher -<>- >Hoping Whenever you're called on to make up your mind. And you're hampered by not having any. The simplest way to solve the dilemma you'll find, Is simply by flipping a penny. No, not so that chance shall decide the affair; As you're passively standing there moping. But as soon as the penny is up in the air, You'll suddenly know what you're hoping. By Piet Hein -<>- .::\)`:`, .:;\/~`\``;) ,.~-----, ;;==`_ ~:;( ,,~{*}\~~--,.`. ;:== 6 6;;) ,(((((({*});~~. .\ ;;C } )' (('`)))~({*}) . \ .\ :;` `--'; >6 6`({*}))) . \~~ | `____/ ( { ))())) . .`, ____._| |_____. `--' (((())) . | / \ \__ _| | \ `-- )))))) . .| | ) \/\/\_{@} | ,-| ((((((( . | | \_ \ \ | / | / | / ))))))) .| | |\ : \ |/ | Y | (/*@@*( ' ` ) . | \ \ \_\/_/ | | / */ \ \'/ /. | \ \ |o | | \. \ |'@'| .| \ \ | ; ,'--,.,.,., \ ~*@*~. . | \ \_________._--`((,:{@}.:))_\ |~@~| . | \ ' | ((,{@}:{@}.))-----' ;/\ (, \._____________`-__((;,{@},:))_________/|{ | . ; | | | `';{@},) /`-----'\ |. | | .__/\__ | `{@};,; / / | \ \ \/ .| | / :; \ | `(@))\ / \. . | | /! | \| ';; ))_/`-'/`_`., \. | | | ! | | ';(( | | ! `_ \ .| | | ! | | )) | | ! |.\_| | |/ ! | | (/ | | ! | . | | ! | | | | ! |~~~~' | ! | | | | ! | >Story Time - A Small Detour Some years ago my fastest route across Florida to get to my parents' home was on Interstate 4 through Orlando, which had heavy and dangerous traffic. Often I saw or heard accidents, and my parents worried about me driving through that area. But I knew the roads, the cheapest place for gas, and exactly where all the rest areas were, so I wasn't all that worried. One night, at my cheap gas stop shortly before I reached Orlando, a stranger with an accent asked me a question. His companion, a woman with an Irish-sounding accent, added details. They had gotten married the previous day in Ireland, then flown through the night to Orlando via New York, and rented a car to drive to their hotel for their honeymoon. But on the way, they misunderstood a direction, missed a turn, and ended up on the Interstate headed out of town. They were 20 miles from town. The groom was Italian and had spent years driving on left side of the road, but now had to drive on the right. I could imagine how difficult it would be simply to drive in a foreign city in a rented car. I knew I couldn't give him directions that he was in any condition to follow. No doubt he was fatigued from a day and a half without sleep, and maybe little enough sleep the previous night. Weddings can do that. Their simplified map showed they had driven past their hotel — and it was only about a mile or so off the freeway and out of my way. As a rule, I avoided leaving the Interstate in Orlando on a weekend night, but I made an exception and led them to their new doorstep. When I said my goodbyes, they tried to push a thick wad of bills to me, but I refused. I said it was a wedding present, and that they could help someone else down the line, if they wanted to. I just couldn't take that money, even though they tried to insist, and my eyes bugged out at the sight of at least one fifty dollar bill and a hundred on top of the wad. Even though my car was ten years old with 120,000 miles on it, it felt *great* to refuse the money. I don't know how much was there, but it wasn't worth the satisfied feeling I had for the rest of the drive to my parents' house. Years later I smile at the warm memory of being able to help someone on their wedding day. I hope they are as happily married as I am now. Sometimes a minor inconvenience for you can mean a major problem solved for someone else. Sometimes enduring a minor inconvenience can mean solving a major problem for someone else. by Eric --- ...Such a wonderful 'Pay It Forward' Story! Thanks Fran! Pay It Forward http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/payitforward.html =========================================================== , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >-->Just A Note - Why Jesus? This news article I am sure was written to embarrass Dr. Jeffress but as a Christian believer, I love the quotes given here from him on the subject of moving the Jerusalem embassy... “The Bible says this land belongs to the Jewish people — period,” he told NBC News in a separate interview in February. "God has pronounced judgment after judgment in the Old Testament to those who would ‘divide the land,’ end quote, and hand it over to non-Jews.” Jeffress isn’t the only conservative evangelical leader to be on hand for Monday's embassy ceremony, which will include around 800 guests. The Rev. John Hagee, the founder of influential evangelical Christians United for Israel and a pastor from San Antonio, was also scheduled to deliver a closing blessing at the ceremony. Romney criticizes Robert Jeffress ahead of Jerusalem embassy opening https://tinyurl.com/y86ewxta What many Christians like to say is that they don't judge people and they don't like taking a stand on salvation. However, like Dr. Jeffress, we should be bold on our Christian stand! Jesus Christ gave His ALL for us! We should do the same and NOT be embarrassed to stand for Him and our God and Father! Jesus taught us... John 14: [6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. That is what we as Christians believe in... No Jesus Christ means No Salvation - no way to the Father who is God Almighty! Col.1: [27] To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: It is NOT Mohammad in you, or some Hindu god(s) in you and you're NOT still waiting for the Messiah savior to come from the Old Testament writings and times or any number of other gods or deities - As we already have Jesus Christ as our one and only savior - AND when you accept Jesus Christ as your salvation from God, that is when it IS Christ In You! Jesus went on to say... , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' John 14: [16] And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; [17] Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. [18] I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. [19] Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. [20] At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. [21] He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. This is why we celebrate Pentecost. The 'Comforter' Jesus speaks of was given to us on that day! That GLORIOUS CHRIST IN YOU gift to all who accept Him! , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Check Out These: How to Become a Christian - How to Get Born Again / How to Get Saved / Romans 10:9 & 10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMzblR8YDQ0 Jesus Christ Our Victory - THE ASCENSION THROUGH PENTECOST: https://tinyurl.com/yb6hlwvd Pentecost studies on Truth or Tradition site: http://truthortradition.com/?s=pentecost How To Speak In Tongues http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Advanced/How_To_Speak_In_Tongues.htm Part 1 of 4 Speaking in Tongues: What it is not (gibberish, babbling, a made up language...), Bible https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEJCpOEuw-g More Abundant Life http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/abundantlife.html =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: _ _( } -= _ << \ `.\__/`/\\ -= '--'\\ ` -= // jgs \) >It's How You Finish It's not where you start; it's how you finish. When looking at the big picture, we all know that how we finish is more important than where we start. Many successful people started out in life with the odds against them, and came through winners. They didn't let their starting situation determine their final outcome. Think about it...this same philosophy can apply to everything we do. When working towards goals, forget that you may have started out at a disadvantage, met hurdles or made mistakes along the way. Move past the past. Don't get discouraged. Don't blame the past. Stop looking back and start looking forward, Then, you will move ahead in leaps and bounds. --- ... _ _( } -= _ << \ `.\__/`/\\ -= '--'\\ ` -= // jgs \) Phil.3: [13] Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, [14] I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. That's our GOAL - working toward being the best we can be for God through Christ Jesus! We want to reach that prize! Like our First Lady Melania says 'Be Best'. Normally I stop there, but I just noticed this next verse... [15] Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. What a joy that little verse is! Think about it. 'as many as be perfect' is speaking of those born again - we have God's spirit of Christ in Us - makes us perfect - spiritually - 'be thus minded' - means put on the mind of Christ to be perfect in our minds as well - 'and if any thing ye be otherwise minded' - means if you are not thinking and doing what God wants you to do through Christ Jesus - 'God shall reveal even this unto you' - means Shall (absolutely) let you know where or in what way you are messing up - not perfectly renewing your mind to the Word of God. See why I am thrilled? There are times that it isn't always clear if we are doing God's Will - that little verse says not to worry because God shall let us know if we aren't walking the walk and talking the talk according to His Will! What a joy! What liberty and freedom we have in Christ! Praise God! God is SO GOOD! -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Who Done It? Crime and criminals are as old as mankind. The Bible, which records the world's first murder in Genesis 4:8, often reads like a police blotter. Test your detective skills and your Bible knowledge by matching these suspects to their crimes. List of suspects Saul, Samson, Aaron, Jezebel, Gomer, Onesimus, Simon, Herod, Rachel, Jacob's sons, Amnon, Zedekiah's men, Judas, Pilate, Lot 1. The Crime: Theft Clues: The victim claimed that his household idols were stolen around the same time that his two daughters, his son-in-law, and his grandchildren left town. When searched, the criminal sat on the stolen evidence to conceal it. 2. The Crime: Unlawful Imprisonment Clues: The perpetrators imprisoned the victim in a cistern where he nearly starved to death. Their motive was to deny him the right to proclaim God's word. 3. The Crime: Attempted Bribery Clues: The suspect, a well-known sorcerer, resorted to bribery in an attempt to gain the power to lay hands on people and have them receive the Holy Spirit. 4. The Crime: Sorcery Clues: The culprit was seen entering the home of a well-known witch after dark. He participated in a seance, conjuring up the dead in order to learn the outcome of an upcoming battle. 5. The Crime: Obstruction of Justice Clues: When confronted with the evidence of wrongdoing (in this case, idolatry), this leader denied responsibility saying, "I threw [the gold] into the fire, and out came this calf!" 6. The Crime: Child Abandonment Clues: The suspect abandoned her husband and children for her lovers. The victim, who questioned whether the children were even his own, later bought his adulterous wife back from slavery. 7. The Crime: Theft Clues: Although the suspect, a slave, stole from his master before running away, a reliable evangelist testified that the culprit was a changed man. The preacher offered to pay back what the suspect had stolen. , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Here's The Answers: 1. Rachel (Gen. 31:17-35). The idols Rachel stole from her father Laban—the ones she thought would bring luck and health—nearly cost her her life. While Laban's false gods could be stolen, Jacob's God was always with him (Gen. 28:15). 2. Zedekiah's men (Jer. 38:1-13). When the prophet Jeremiah warned people to repent and to submit to their Babylonian enemies as agents of God's judgment, the king's officials imprisoned him as a traitor. Jesus mentioned future rewards for faithful people (Matt. 5:10). 3. Simon (Acts 8:9-25). Simon had used sorcery and magic to win followers, but they converted to Christianity through Philip's preaching and received the Holy Spirit. Simon tried to buy the apostles' power to serve his own ambition, unaware that salvation, the Spirit's power, and eternal life are gifts of God (Eph. 2:8-9), and not to be bought. 4. Saul (1 Sam. 28:7-19). Witchcraft was punishable by death (Deut. 18:10). King Saul had failed to heed Samuel's advice while he lived, yet tried to summon Samuel's spirit for help after he'd died. In Jesus' parable of the rich man and Lazarus, he explained that if the dead could talk, they still aren't as convincing witnesses as Scripture (Luke 16:31). 5. Aaron (Exodus 32). Impatience often leads to sin. Tired of waiting for his brother Moses' return from Mount Sinai, Aaron yielded to the Israelites' demands. Then Aaron tried to shift the blame away from himself. Paul told believers "to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives … while we wait for the blessed hope" (Titus 2:12-13). 6. Gomer (Hosea 1-3). The prophet Hosea and his adulterous wife Gomer served as object lessons for Israel who had committed spiritual adultery by abandoning God for idols. Like Hosea, who redeemed his wife from slavery, God would also ransom his people in love. 7. Onesimus (Philemon 1). According to Roman law, a slave who stole from his master and ran away could be executed. In his letter to Philemon (Onesimus's Christian owner), Paul pleads for mercy saying that Onesimus had become a believer, too. --- ...Wow! Maybe this is why I so love a good mystery and law and order! , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' See these studies: What does the Bible say about the Death Penalty? https://tinyurl.com/ybyr73lt The Bible and Civil Law http://www.truthortradition.com/articles/the-bible-and-civil-law -<>- ___..__ __..--""" ._ __.' "-..__ '"--..__"; ___ '--...__""; `-..__ '"---..._;" """"----' DrS >Hold On Hold on tightly to what is truly important in life. Hold on to faith; It is the source of believing that all things are possible. It is the fiber and strength of a confident soul. Hold on to hope; It banishes doubt and enables attitudes to be positive and cheerful. Hold on to trust; It is at the core of fruitful relationships that are secure and content. Hold on to love; It is life's greatest gift of all, for it shares, cares, and gives meaning To life. Hold on to family and friends; They are the most important people in your life, and they make the world a Better place. They are your roots, and the beginnings that you grew from; They are the vine that has grown through time to nourish you, help you on Your way, and always remain close by. Hold on to all that you are and all that you have learned, for these things Are what makes you unique. Don't ignore what you feel and what you believe is right and important; Your heart has a way of speaking louder than your mind. Hold on to your dreams; Achieve them diligently and honestly. Never take the easy way or surrender To deceit. Remember others on your way and take time to care for their needs. Enjoy The beauty around you. Have the courage to see things differently and clearly. Make the world a better place one day at a time. And don't let go of the Important things that give meaning to your life. - Author unknown -<>- .---. .---. ,';' `.';' `.. f :Bo. ` d88: `\ /d88P' `\ ; /d888P' `. ',d8&8P' : ;d8&7' | :8: | qx >"The Size of Your Heart" It isn't the size of your house as such that matters so much at all. It's the gentle hand and its loving touch that make it great or small. The friends who come and the hour they who out of your house depart, Will judge it not by the style you show, but rather by the size of your Heart. It isn't the size of your head so much. It isn't the wealth you found That will make you happy. it's how you touch the lives that are all Around. For making money is not hard. To live life well is an art. How people love you, how they regard, is all in the size of your heart. ~Author Unknown~ -<>- __-----__ ..;;;--'~~~`--;;;.. /;-~IN GOD WE TRUST~-.\ // ,;;;;;;;; \\ .// ;;;;; \ \\ || ;;;;( /.| || || ;;;;;;; _\ || || ';; ;;;;= || ||LIBERTY | ''\;;;;;; || \\ ,| '\ '|><| 1995 // \\ | | \ A // `;.,|. | '\.-'/ ~~;;;,._|___.,-;;;~' ''=--' - Daniel C Au - >"A Penny" I found a penny today just laying on the ground, But it's not just a penny, this little coin I've found. Found pennies come from Heaven, that's what my Grandpa told me. He said, "Angels toss them down." Oh, how I loved that story. He said, "When an angel misses you, they toss a penny down, Sometimes just to cheer you up, to make a smile out of your frown." So don't pass by that penny when you're feeling blue. It may be a penny from Heaven that an angel's tossed to you. ~Author Unknown! -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: More Abundant Life http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/abundantlife.html Beautiful Monarch Butterflies http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/monarchbutterflies.html Journey Through Life! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/journey.html I Am Who I Am! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/Iam.html Living Tree Church! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/treechurch.html Never Give up! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/nevergiveup.html Think Positive! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/positive.html Daily With The Troops! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/daily3.html World's Fastest Plane! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/fastestplane.html Fairy Garden Pot Art! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/potart.html Making A Difference! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/makingdifference.htm Walking in Power! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/walkingpower.html Attitude is Everything! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude.html I Believe In You! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ibelieveinyou.html Happy Moments! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/happymoments.html Naval Fleet Art! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/navalart.html Cute Little Ponies! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/littlepony.html Mountain Goats! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mountaingoats.html Pets In Camouflage! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/petshiding.html Super Rare muscle Cars! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/musclecars.html Best Of National Geographic http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bestnatgeo.html God's Paintings! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gpaints.html -<>- >Please Visit/Follow Me On StumbleUpon: https://tinyurl.com/y7mc69fs Some of Shangrala's Best Pages http://www.amazfamily.com/index.html -<>- New Study's "Abortion Deserts" are the Pro-Life Movement's Victories https://tinyurl.com/yarkj4f4 This study, which was conducted primarily by the University of California San Francisco, identified 27 cities as "abortion deserts" with the nearest abortion facility over 100 miles away. "What these abortion promoters call 'abortion deserts,' we call 'Abortion Free Communities,'" said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. "These cities prove that women do not need abortion and can get along just fine without it. In cities where there are no clinics marketing abortions to women, abortions decrease - sometimes dramatically. That should be good news to everyone." Continue reading this encouraging report: https://tinyurl.com/yb5ma4b4 President Trump Hails Local California Lawmakers for Standing Up Against State's ‘Sanctuary’ Laws https://tinyurl.com/y7bmsn8x In Fox News, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich writes that “President Trump’s drug price reduction plan – American Patients First, which he announced last week – is an impressive and thorough effort to fix the underlying dynamics in the pharmaceutical marketplace that have made drugs too expensive for most Americans.” Gingrich explains that “it is a perfect example of how the Trump administration is working to reform our health-care system to save American lives and money.” https://tinyurl.com/y9cs2q7f “From the economy to important victories across the vast Asian continent, America is winning under Trump’s leadership,” Steve Cortes writes in the Washington Examiner. https://tinyurl.com/y79hmse2 President Trump Praises Sacrifices of Law Enforcement Officers Killed on Duty https://tinyurl.com/y7j8wetm WhiteHouseNews: https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600daily/ Latest From AFA: http://tinyurl.com/j7lakqw Latest From RightAlerts: http://rightalerts.com Latest At FoxNews: http://www.foxnews.com/ Latest From MRC News: https://tinyurl.com/ya6uruck Latest From TrueDailyNews: http://truedaily.news/category/news/ Get your free digital Guide to the Constitution from The Heritage Foundation https://tinyurl.com/y974dsrb From Students for Life of America: Help End Abortion - With press reports that U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy may soon retire, it’s never been more important to take a loud-and-clear stand for life before the U.S. Supreme Court. - Please Sign the Moral Outcry Petition to have your name read in the Supreme Court https://tinyurl.com/y95jbrhb The Hunger Site - Free click to give - use the Greater Good banner for more items to 'free click to give to': https://tinyurl.com/y8qwjas8 What does the Bible say about the Trinity? https://tinyurl.com/ya5ca9qr What does the Bible say about Involvement in Politics? https://tinyurl.com/ycnetdau Alert: Important Product Safety Update https://tinyurl.com/ycwju3el -<>- >From Our Friend Geniann :) She sent us an article I researched from here: https://tinyurl.com/ydfuepew And found here... How Obama is scheming to sabotage Trump’s presidency Paul Sperry https://t.co/CWvS4HRpac --- ...Yes. So true! Thanks Geniann! Seems that is all Obama knows how to do well. -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) This Magician is a mischievous old man who likes to have fun with people as he wows them with his illusions. He gets these kind and caring people on the train all worked up that he’s going to fall over and then amazes them when he decides he’s thirsty. I think he’s so good that I’m not even sure he’s really that old. Perhaps that is an illusion as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75X7G-38xBk --- ...TeeHee! Thanks LouiseAu! 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 ========================================================== ___________,_____ | | # |=====| | | (_) |=====| |> _ |_____|=====| | [_] | | | | |_____|=====| | | |_____| | ] |_____| | | |_____|=====| | | ___ |_____| |> |[___]| | | |[___]|=====| |_____|=====|_____| jgs [###########] >This is For Her Story Editor: by the Michigan Father Joyce Schowalter where December. 2011. Michigan. Times are tough, especially in small areas. I drove to a blighted part of the city with boarded-up homes. We were five months behind on electric payments and I'd been calling to delay the shut-off for one more week. Twice they delayed payment. At the zeroth hour I pulled up to the building, preceded by a black woman driving a rusted, crumbling beater that shuddered to a stop. I walked in behind her, cash in hand, and waited in line. My children bounced on chairs nearby. Two women behind bulletproof acrylic windows took money. But only one line moved. Delaying the other was a long conversation from a young white mother with a baby on her hip. She wore pajamas and a sweater, was good-natured and laughing. "Well, so..." she said, "you know how it is. I mean, they just sit there in a pile, right? I don't know where they go. I don't know, I probably lost it." The woman behind the two-inch thick bulletproof Plexiglas nodded, unspeaking. Her nameplate said "Ella". The young patron continued," I mean, I GUESS the payment plan is good. But that's... how much again??" "Fifty dollars," the woman behind the Plexiglas prompted. The young mother said, "Yeah... fifty. Dollars, I mean. And if we miss that today then what? Fifty?" Ella confirmed, "Yes, fifty. The payment plan we arranged." "Boy, how could it be so much?" A long pause. "So what happens if we don't have the...?" Ella: "Fifty dollars. Well, that's when the account needs to be discontinued." The woman with the baby on her hip looked at the floor during the whole conversation. Talking in a low voice, but in a silent room of people waiting. She talked as though every second she talked was another second the power stayed on. As though somehow in this circular conversation the situation would resolve itself. Momentarily irritated one woman was taking so much time, I then felt some shame. I'd just wait calmly. Clearly the young woman with the baby was just buying time. Seconds. Moments. Avoiding the inevitable: her power would be shut off in the morning. Slowly the line crawled. My children became more animated and impatient. The woman with the baby kept talking. Then the woman in front of me went up to the counter -- the woman who drove the rusted beater. She handed the teller a check. "This is for her," and pointed at the young mother with the baby. The woman who wrote the check left. She bee-lined to her beater and drove off. The two tellers looked at one another confused. One said to the young mother, "Well, I guess, Merry Christmas." The woman with the baby looked at the floor, "I don't think she pointed at me. I don't know her." "She paid your electric bill," said a teller. "Next!" And the people in line who'd been staring blankly burst out in a joyous murmur. --- _,..._,m, |, ,/' '""; | |, / ". ,'mmmMMMMmm. \ -|-_" _/-"^^^^^"""%#%mm, ; | _ o ,m,_,' "###) ;, (###% \#/ ;##mm. ^#/ __ ___ ; (######) ; //.\\ //.\\ ; \####/ _; (#\"// \\"/#) ; ,/ @##\ \##/ = `"=" ,;mm/ `\##>.____,...,____,<####@ ""' m1a ...Reminds me of back in the 70's when my husband and I fell on hard times. Not much via assistance in those days. We had two small babies and no money for the electric. Health and Human services didn't care. We lost our power. Sad state when you have little ones to care for and no jobs available and no money or assistance programs. No power meant we'd roast to death in our small trailer during the heat of the summer, but I was more concerned about loosing what little refrigerator food we had at the time. Fortunately our parents were able to help us. When we finally got on food stamps, (a huge embarrassment in those days), they audited us coming to our home. I'll never forget it - they asked us tons of questions as if we were thieves and trying to steal and defraud money from the government. They even checked the little teddy bear bank our preschool son had gotten from his birth to make sure only pennies were in it. I was astonished and embarrassed at having to open it and show the auditor what was in it. Thank God times have changed and thank God Trump is bringing jobs back to America - I know first hand how hard it is for families to survive when NO JOBS are available! =======HeroicStories======= >-->From CupO'Cheer: : '. _ .' -= (~) =- .' # '. /""""" | (')') C _) \ _| \__/ <___Y> / \ :\\ / | :|\ |___| :|/\ | | :|\ \ \ \ :| \ \_ \ \==L| \\\ ///` || | || | || | || | || | || | || [___]] jgs (____)) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >CAREFUL THOUGHT TO OUR WAYS The motivational speakers of our day want us to set great goals for our life: "Where do you want to be in two, five, or ten years? What type of lifestyle do you want when you retire?" We are encour- aged to set goals slightly beyond our reach, and then instructed how to create a plan to accomplish these goals. The implication is that a more focused effort will yield superior results and lead to greater "success." But before we can ask where we want to be in the next few years, we must first ask a longer term question: "Where will I be in one hundred years?" No other goal is worth pursuing until we have a solid answer to this most basic (but all-important) question. What difference does it make which college we attend, which job we take, or what our home looks like if we have failed to address the issue of where we will spend eternity!? Proverbs 14:8 "The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception." We must be wise with the days we are given and no longer be deceived by the values of the world's system. There's nothing inherently wrong with goals and plans; but far too often, they lead to a self-determined lifestyle and away from the true Director of ALL plans; "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps" (Proverbs 16:9). Our planning must be as a direct response to God's leading; and once in place, our plans must remain in complete submission to His will; "I know, O Lord, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps" (Jeremiah 10:23). When our goal is to be in the center of His will, the specifics of where we will be and what we will be doing are really none of our business. This last sentence is worth reading again!! Every moment of our life is a precious gift from God. Even though the average life span continues to increase, our time is extremely short. An average life lasts about 45,000,000 minutes (much less in many countries). This may seem like a lot, but by this time tomorrow 1440 minutes will be forever gone; "You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14). We must not waste our limited time by chasing after things which vanish; "Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity" (Ephesians 5:15-16). We must evaluate ALL our decisions and goals based on the overriding desire to glorify God in all we do, to rejoice in His many blessings, and to long for the time when we can worship before His throne for all eternity. Any other set of values must fade to nothing in comparison. Every day we are handed a block of time and given the freedom of how it will be spent. This is a wonderful opportunity, but the clock continues to tick! Let's honor our Heavenly Father with our goals and plans and give careful thought to our ways. Steve Troxel God's Daily Word Ministries -<>- >THE MATINEE A few years ago Monica was a volunteer usher at a local community theater. It was a matinee performance and there were quite a few children in the audience. After intermission, it took a while for the curtain to rise after everyone was seated and the auditorium had gone dark. Suddenly, into the expectant silence, a child's voice piped up with: "We're ready!" Roaring laughter ushered in the second act. as seen in da Mouse Tracks -<>- ___ .--. .--.-" "-' .- | / .-,` .' \ ` \ '. ! \ | ! .--. | \ '--' /.____ /`-. \__,'.' `\ __/ \`-.____.-' `\ / | `---`'-'._/-` \----' _ |,-'` / | _.-' `\ .' / |--'` / | / /\ ` | | | .\/ \ .--. __ \ | '-' '._ / `\ / jgs `\ ' |------'` \ | | \ / '._ _.' `` >WHAT A TEDDY BEAR CAN DO FOR A TROUBLED FRIGHTENED HEART by: Cynthia Groopman Several months ago, I suffered from a traumatic attack by an irate client, which frightened and caused me anxiety. At night I would wake up with nightmares of being killed or injured seriously by that person. I would scream and my heart would race and pound so rapidly. I had nothing to embrace or hug since I am alone and at 61 years of age, do not own soft cuddly bears or stuffed animals. I am undergoing counseling by my clergy person and that is pastoral counseling now every other week. He suggested I get a teddy bear and hug it and even have it with me when I go to sleep for a comforter. I laughed and thought it was silly and childish for my age group to have a toy. He said veterans he visited at veterans hospitals and homes suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome utilized these comforting bears to help them with their fright. I have a close relationship with God and I would pray every night for a big soft cuddly bear. Chanukah arrived and my friend, who is 64 and very loving and kind to me, brought me a package at the senior center where she attends my groups and classes. It was wrapped so beautifully it was sad to unwrap it, but I felt something inside that made me smile and in my mind's ear heard it say, I love you. What could it be, I asked? You should find out by opening up the package, my friend laughed. I was so excited like a child on Christmas morning and hurriedly tore off the wrapping paper. When I finally unwrapped the gift, I felt a big cuddly soft bear with a big sweet nose. It was pink and the nose was black and the bear stretched out its warm arms to me in a loving embrace. I again heard it say I love you although it did not talk but in my heart there was a closeness, and feeling of overwhelming mirth I have not felt for a long time. The bear was a conversation topic at happy times group that Monday. When I arrived home, I put it on my head board to watch over me at night. Every night I would hug the bear and she would hug me back and her name on the tag was Sweetie. Sweetie and I would hug and I would give her extra big hugs when I felt sad or felt something was wrong. The nightmares began to cease since Sweetie the bear of joy arrived in my life. Teddy bears are not only for little children but for all who are children at heart. I feel comforted and warm and welcome now and life is happier and full of love due to a dear sweet friend who cared enough to give me a gift of love. The fuzzy bear evokes a warm fuzzy feeling in my heart and soul. There are good people in this world who reach out with love and kindness to make a 61 year old totally blind person see the smiles of a bear whose pinkness is like the flourishing flower of springtime. as seen at Inspiration Plus --- ...Aww, such a sweet story - reminds me of my experience: I was going through a pretty traumatic time during the early 90's. I had to keep repeating God's Word 'There is no fear in Love' to keep my sanity and hold down my wanting to curl up in a fetal position in the corner of my dark closet with the door closed. My children were in their early teens and I was trying to keep it together for their sake. One day my son brought me 6 small stuffed animals he said he won by playing a claw machine in a nearby convenience store. I almost cried when he gave them to me. I knew they were from God! Nobody wins THAT many toys from those claw machines. They did help. I still have those little worn out from many close hugs toys. -<>- _ " _ _ " _ (_\|/_) (_\|/_) _ " _ _ " _ (/|\) (/|\) (_\|/_) " _ (_\|/_) (/|\)_\|/_) (/|\) ejm97 (/|\) >BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLIES Beautiful butterflies flying so free All over my flower garden I see So many wings fluttering in the air Their beauty is beyond compare. As beautiful butterflies flutter by They never fail to catch my eye With wings of pink and blue Some are black and yellow, too. Beautiful butterflies soar high in the air Over mountain tops and desert sand They can make their home anywhere God cares for them wherever they land. When the weather begins to turn cold Flying south the beautiful butterflies go God will protect them there until spring Returning them to my garden once again. Verse © 2005 Glenna M. Baugh -<>- ,-. ,-. __ ( )) \ )\ ,"::". ) ( ,-. \ \|::::::( )/%%/ \ \::::::/) (/%%/ `__\:::,-"-. )%/ ,####`'/88888\-' |#### #|\88888/ \######/)`.8,' `####'(.-'7\ `7`-().,'/) /)/`y( ( ( ( )\ ` ' ` ` hjw >BE THE SURPRISE by Ron Rose PREPARATION After the presentation, he walked up to me, waited his turn to talk and then, with a determined look he stated, "I don't like surprises. I try to plan them out of my business and out of my life." Then he turned and walked away. Since that moment, four years ago, I have experienced hundreds of surprises, but then I haven't made it a life's mission to plan surprises out of my life. In fact, I relish the opportunity to plan them into my life. There is surprise in every interruption, every frustration, every failure, and every crisis. So how does a person go about planning them out of life, anyway? And, if you could, you would miss God. Surprises are celebrations of God's invisible presence, of HIS fingerprints. They glorify HIS planning and HIS delight. I am confident that our reactions to surprise give him joy, just as parents find joy in surprising their children. From this side of eternity, the perception is that some surprises are exciting, riveting, and inspiring, while others are horrifying, devastating, and frightening. But, whether we like it our not, each surprise is a faith challenge--a look-for-God moment. Remember the deceitful and dishonorable Bible character named Jacob? He cheated to get his father's blessing--to inherit the family control and the money. He had little interest in the family God, but surprise was coming. While on his way to find a wife, he camped for the night expecting to enjoy a restful night's sleep. After finding a rock to use as a pillow, he fell asleep and dreamed about an unusual stairway, one that reached from the earth up to heaven (like one of those escalators at airports). And he saw strange beings going up and down the stairway. At the top of the stairway stood his father's God, who spoke, “I am the Lord, the God of your grandfather Abraham, and the God of your father, Isaac. The ground you are lying on belongs to you. I am giving it to you and your descendants. Your descendants will be as numerous as the dust of the earth! They will spread out in all directions—-to the West and the East, to the North and the South. And all the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants. What’s more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you.” Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!” But he was also afraid and said, “What an awesome place this is! It is none other than the house of God, the very gateway to heaven!” Genesis 28 NLT Now it was Jacob's God who spoke! Faith was born! And, it was a surprise. INSPIRATION Years ago Chuck Swindoll told an unforgettable tale of a fathe with a flare for surprises. It seemed this family from Montgomery, Alabama, had planned an exciting summer vacation, driving to California and camping up and down California's coastal Highway 1. The boys had been talking about the trip for months; but now there would have to be a slight change of plans. Dad announced that some unexpected problems had come up at work, and he would have to stay home (actually he planned the whole thing). But, he wanted them to go on without him. He would be with them in spirit. He knew where they would be at any given time; he even knew within an hour the exact time when they would cross the Great Divide. The boys couldn’t believe it; Dad was going to miss the best trip ever. They weren’t sure Mom knew how to pitch the tent. Reluctantly they packed all the camping equipment into the Yukon and headed off on their great adventure, minus Dad. Once they were out of sight Dad went to work. He spent the day taking care of details at work and at the house, and then he put his "surprise" plan into action. He flew to the Denver airport near where his family would be the next day. Once there, a friend picked him up and drove him to an area on the interstate 70 where his family would pass. He sat just off the road on his sleeping bag and waited to see the familiar Yukon. The youngest boy had called “shotgun” that morning early and was sitting in the front seat, passenger side, when he spotted a man that looked like his dad hitchhiking on the freeway. “Mom, that guy looks like Dad!” he announced. “Can’t be,” his brother mumbled, Dad's at home working and stuff.” Just as they were about to pass the hitchhiker the oldest boy looked up, recognized his Dad and cried out, “It is Dad, IT IS DAD! Mom, are we going to stop and pick him up?” Mom hit the brakes, and Dad came running—-surprise complete and an unforgettable vacation launched. MOTIVATION Ask family and friends about times when they have been surprised. Then, invest some time looking for stories that tell about people who experienced faith surprises—-times when God directed the unexpected. But, before you leave the house, ask God to put a surprise or two in your path. Expecting the unexpected is humbling and transforming. In the middle of your surprises you will find the ultimate surprise--the fingerprints of God. -<>- To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Linda :) . ... ....... .....:::..... ....:::::::::::::.... ....:::::::::::::::::.... ..:::::::::::: = ::::::::::.... ..:::::::::: === ::::::::::.... ..:::::::::::: ====== ::::::::::.... ..:::::::::: =========== ::::::::... ..:::::::::: ================ ::::::::.. ..:::::::::: ======= . ========= ::::::::... ..:::::::::: ======== |\ ======== :::::::::... ..:::::::::: ======== |#\ ======== :::::::::... .:::::::::: ======== /%#| ======= :::::::::.. .:::::::::: ======= /#%#| ======= :::::::::.. .:::::::::: ====== |#%#/ ======== :::::::::.. ..::::::::: ====== \%/ ======== :::::::::.. ..::::::::: ====== % ======= ::::::::::.. ..::::::::: ===___%____=== ::::::::::.. ..:::::::::: | .::. | ::::::::::... .:::::::::: | .::. | ::::::::::.. ..:::::::: | .::. | ::::::::... .:::::::: | .::. | ::::::::.. ...:::: | .::. | ::::.... ..:::: | .::. | ::::... .... | .::. | .... .. | .::. | .. loam Stay away from Anger - It hurts only you! If you are right then there is no need to get angry, and if you are wrong then you don't have any right to get angry. Patience with family is Love, Patience with others is Respect, Patience with self is Confidence and Patience with GOD is Faith. Never Think Hard about the PAST, It brings Tears... Don't think more about the FUTURE, It brings Fear... Live this Moment with a Smile, It brings Cheer. Every test in our life makes us bitter or better, Every problem comes to make us or break us, The choice is ours whether we become victims or victorious. Happiness keeps You Sweet, Trials keep You Strong, Sorrows keep You Human, Failures keeps You Humble, Success keeps You Glowing, But Only God keeps You Going! --- ...Love This! 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