Jesus Christ Is Lord... :) 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. If every one would chip in $25 or more, we'd be good for the whole year! So Please - I need your help today! "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a Shangrala Angel, the easiest way to do that is through online giving. It is easy to use, and most of all, it is secure. Please visit the site, scroll down and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL form page comes up. NOTE: Paypal will generate a 'Quantity 1' and 'Price per item' form. Just ignore the price per item and put whatever it is you desire to give in there. With Paypal, you will have your normal receipt for your 'payment' donation in USD (United States Dollars). You can put a memo in there if you'd like. Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS YOU MOST ABUNDANTLY FOR YOUR GIFT! ================ >-->2 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This flaming hot new page is from our friends Linda and Geniann. It is one to boggle your mind and is sure to give you vertigo! This awesome artist hypnotizes the world with his psychedelic room sized art works. Be sure to check this fun one out here: .--..--. / .. \.. \ \ \/\ \/ / \/ /\/ / / /\/ /\ / /\ \/) \ \ `'\ `' / `--'`--' seal Kogler Optical Illusions! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/optical4.html --- ...Wow! Such amazing details! Thanks Ladies! This next hot new page is from our friend Geniann. It's one to tickle your funny bone and may even give you a few chuckles as well. Start your week out with this fun humorous one... .--. .--. : (\ ". _......_ ." /) : '. ` ` .' /' _ _ `\ / 0} {0 \ | / \ | | /' `\ | \ | . .==. . | / '._ \.' \__/ './ _.' jgs / ``'._-''-_.'`` \ `--` Only In Montana http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/onlyinmontana.html --- ...TeeHee! I love the historical part of this too! Thanks Geniann! =========================================================== , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >-->Obstacle Or Milestone? Everyone is staying safe at home, thus, making the streets of NYC quiet like never before! I had wrapped up an important conference call. Right after that, I made myself a cup of coffee and peppermint tea for Aaliyah. She was in the balcony, looking outside. Gloom reflected on her face. As I gave her the cup, she shot questions at me, “How long do we have to stay like this, Bob? When will we overcome the COVID-19 pandemic?” Such questions are revolving around everyone’s mind at present! Away from the normal pace of life, we all are indeed going through a very difficult scenario worldwide. “My love, can you see the May Flowers blooming right at that corner?” I asked. “Yes! They are beautiful. Every time I see them, they fill my heart with joy,” she replied. “Look how they are facing towards the sun. They do so even on a cloudy day. Always in search for the ray of hope even amidst darkness. We must do the same during this tough time!” I expressed. Imparting a feeling of freshness, flowers give a positive vision towards life. They symbolize hope, abundance and prosperity. Their pervading fragrance fills up the air with good vibes. Thus, promising a better tomorrow! She sipped her tea. “It’s not easy,” she said. “Of course it’s not! However, it’s during these hard times that we need to marshal our willpower and stay strong. We must reaffirm the belief that nothing can defeat us unless we accept the defeat in our minds,” I replied. “Thanks, Bob. You are right! I must look at the brighter side and keep that hope alive. We will overcome this!” she expressed. Then she went near the flowers, breathed in their fragrance and smiled at me. I smiled too feeling glad that she was better now. When we change our perspective we no longer view hard times as obstacles rather we treat them as milestones. The morbid scenario is not here to stay forever! Stay safe and optimistic. We might not win immediately but we will win definitely! Let me know how you are all spending your days to stay positive! From Bob at 123Greetings.com https://tinyurl.com/yaewlogb =========================================================== >-->From DailyEncounter , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >The Winning Team [edited] "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life."1 "Max Lucado, in his book, In the Grip of Grace, tells of his boyhood days when he and his friends would gather on the street each afternoon to play football. One dad in the neighborhood, a die-hard football buff, would sometimes join them. This dad always played for whichever team was losing that day. Max Lucado writes, 'His appearance in the huddle changed the whole ball game. He was confident, strong, and most of all, he had a plan.' The kids, fired up by his leadership and emboldened by his plan, played with new determination. "Lucado makes the point that Jesus did the same thing for us. He came to join the losing team, and his appearance in the game changed everything. He was a leader who inspired hope, confidence, courage, and love in his disciples. And he had a plan, a plan so outrageous and amazing that no one, not even his disciples, truly understood it at first. But they trusted him as their leader, and so they followed. And now all of Jesus' followers can be sure that we are going to win this game in the end." On January 8, 1956, five young men, Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Ed McCully, Pete Fleming, and Roger Younderian died in the prime of life as they were seeking to take the gospel to the Woarani [Auca: meaning “savage"] Indians of Ecuador. They were all slain by the very tribe to whom they were seeking to bring the saving message of Jesus Christ. And even though they all lost their lives, the words of Jim Elliot, are as real today as they were the day he said them: "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." This is because all who are on Jesus' team will ultimately and eternally win, for Jesus Christ is still and always will be King of kings and Lord of lords, His Father being the Creator of the universe, the Great Creator who gave His only begotten son for our salvation. _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ Suggested prayer, "Thank You God for Your great salvation and that, no matter what my circumstances are today, knowing that I am a child of Yours and on Your team, in the end I will win forever. Gratefully, in Jesus Christ's name, amen." 1. 1 John 5:11-14 (NIV). -<>- _--_ ( A's) /___7 .~~\ /~~. /""_ V \ om /____/ / .mmmC="_ _/ -----===(((((}{).MMM "" | `"---" ..mMMM"" | \ ( )" \ /\ | / / \ \ /" / \ \ \__/" \__/ '94 the wolfe / / | | .^V^. .^V^. +-+ +-+ >In the Stands or on the Field? “So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect [mature] in their relationship to Christ. That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me."1 Joseph Stowell, former president of the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, said, “I love going to Chicago’s Wrigley Field for a baseball game--sitting in the stands, downing a great hot dog, and cheering the Cubs on to victory! “Unfortunately, Christianity has become a lot like professional sports. As a friend of mine has observed, there are nine guys on the baseball field doing all the work and thousands in the stands just watching. And as you probably know, that’s not God’s game plan for His people. He wants us to climb out of the stands, get out on the field, and join the team. “If you are wondering what good you can do on the field, wonder no more. What about your financial resources? Jesus can take your ’silver and gold’ and use it to accomplish great things for His glory. “But more than just getting out your checkbook, you have gifts you can contribute. God has given each of us gifts that can help advance His kingdom. Whether it’s teaching, encouraging, serving, showing hospitality, or extending mercy, the productive use of each gift can yield great dividends. Let’s follow the example of Paul who tirelessly served on God’s field for the joy of being used by Him."2 I still remember well one of my grade school teachers who constantly emphasized the importance of being an active participant in life--not just a watcher. Great teaching. As Joe Stowell said, “Believe me, it’s far more rewarding to be on the field than to sit in the stands." _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank You that You use ordinary people to accomplish Your work on earth. I am available. Please use me to be a part of Your plans and what You are doing in the world today. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus Christ’s name, amen." 1. Colossians 1:28-29 (NLT). 2. Cited on KneEmail. kneemail-subscribe@welovegod.org When copying or forwarding include the following: "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2016 ACTS International. --- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' ...My Two Cents... I'm rather reluctant to share this but as usual, God is pulling at me to do so, so of course I will. I've been rather bothered by a response I got from a person I had become friends with online. Sometimes we know people as mere acquaintances without actually knowing them personally. With social media, this is the case more often then not - At least for me it is. He was telling me that when it boiled down to trusting someone to have his best interest in mind and helping him, he'd go with a homeless vet over a politician or even a Christian. Well, I had just got done studying a teaching about God's dwelling place and while I knew Christians had God in Christ in them, I wasn't really understanding the part about us being God's temple. So I was restudying up on it. Given that, for me, I would easily choose a Christian since they are part of my spiritual family and until they prove otherwise, I would trust family over all others. Especially my spiritual family! Here is the part that really bothered me and I didn't know about him before. He said as a pastor, he had found that the so called Christians he had dealt with had stabbed him in the back many times and he would simply not put any trust in them to stand with him over a vet. I was floored. A pastor is like a shepherd in charge of a flock. He is entrusted to care for them. _,._ __.' _) <_,)'.-"a\ /' ( \ _.-----..,-' (`"--^ // | (| `; , | \ ;.----/ ,/ ) // / | |\ \ jgs \ \\`\ | |/ / \ \\ \ | |\/ `" `" `"` This is how Jesus feels about it: Mark 6: [34] And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. Jesus saw the people as sheep without anyone caring about them. Here's how those called to take care of God's children are to be: John 10: [1] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. [2] But he that entereth in by the door (called by God) is the shepherd of the sheep. [3] To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. [4] And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. [5] And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. [6] This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. [7] Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. [8] All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. [9] I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. [10] The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. [11] I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. [12] But he that is an hireling (just in it for money), and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not (not from or of God), seeth the wolf (devil) coming, and leaveth the sheep (God's children), and fleeth (goes against God): and the wolf catcheth (snares or deceives) them and scattereth the sheep (leaves, forsakes or weakens their faith in God). [13] The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. [14] I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. [15] As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. [16] And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. [17] Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. [18] No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. A good Shepherd takes care of his sheep. They know and trust him and know his voice and come to him when he calls them. Can you imagine Jesus saying he prefers and trusts someone else over any of His own flock - God's children? Like Jesus says, he'd lay down his life for them because he cares for them. That is why we are told this. Rom.14: [12] So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. To God, we are His chosen children and very precious. _|_ | _|_ //_/\ __| ||____ ////////////\ /////////////\\ |^^^^^^^^^^||+| | # # # |||| .... ....". ||||||||||||||||| unknown Eph.4: [11] And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; Some - pastors - what for? Eph.4: [12] For the perfecting of the saints (God's children), for the work of the ministry, for the edifying(building up) of the body of Christ: God knows we are not perfect - we as Christians have God's spirit of God in Christ in us, but we still have the old man mind of worldly things. It takes renewing of our mind to God's word to get rid of the old man - our old ways. That's why God gave us some pastors and teachers; The pastors are to gather us together into the fold and comfort and build us up while the teachers are to instruct us on how to renew our mind with God's word. So when I see on the news where a minister or pastor or leader etc. of a Christian church goes against God's trust in him by sinning and causing shame to himself and possibly to God and his people, I know there will be much he must pay for when he is being held accountable to God for his actions through Christ Jesus. I pray for his 'flock' and those watching the news that may be turned away from God and Jesus Christ because of what he did or didn't do. He was given responsibility to watch over God's church and he failed. He will be be held accountable for that. For all the bible teachers, Preachers, Ministers, Pastors, Reverends, ETC out there, you have grave responsibility to God for Him trusting you with His most precious ones! Luke.16 [2] And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; 1 Cor.4 [1] Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. [2] Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. Acts.20:28 "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' 1 Pet.5:2 "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;" Check Out This Teaching For more: A Renewed Mind Lesson: OVERSEER by emb http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/overseer.html =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >"The Common Denominator" A few years ago I went to California for a vacation and visited Rodeo Drive, an exclusive shopping district in Los Angeles. While wandering up and down the street and looking into the store windows, this cotton mill boy saw more wealth behind panes of glass than I ever saw in a Sears-Roebuck catalog. For the first time in my life, I saw doormen turning shoppers away trying to enter the stores solely by their appraisal of how wealthy they appeared to be. I do not know how I got in, but I went into Gucci's store, but wished I had not. About the cheapest thing I saw was a man's handkerchiefs priced at $150.00 EACH! That visit opened my eyes, but the experience kept my eyes opened. I wonder why too many of us are enthralled with celebrities. Do we, vicariously, flock around them because of the way they are dressed, their wealth, or who they know? Do we look to them for great dissertations of wisdom, or their contributions to society? I think not. I think those who find a self-fulfilling prophesy in the well-to- do find fulfillment through a projection of their lives through them and for their wealth. They dream their dreams through a fantasy of their power, money, and the common denominator of what they have and what they wish they had. To the "have nots," the "haves" live in a world of the "golden rule," or "those that got the gold make the rules." When the "haves" and the "have nots" come to the final days and breaths of our lives, what will be the common denominator of us all? It will not be how much gold we have, how much we spend on clothes, or what car we drive! The greatest common denominator of all times is salvation through Jesus Christ. To those who look to gold for power, when they take that last breath before drifting off into eternity, He will look at them saying, "Depart from Me, for I never knew you." If wealth of power or the power of wealth is your common denominator, I suggest you turn your life over Jesus Christ, the One owns the cattle on a thousand hills and all the gold in those hills. His Father teaches us in the Scriptures that if we confess Jesus as Lord and believe in our hearts God raised Him from the dead, we will saved. For the with the mouth confession is made and with the heart man believeth unto righteousness." --Lawrence Brotherton -<>- ,"=-. / _),`'". ( /a( ), ) ) C = = ?/ ( )) (_ o-< ) ( `-' \; ( \_ ( | \ ) )| \_/} \ \ \(_;/-|_) )/) `._,--/ / / `!__!! ( (_o)) ---`-._, )--- ------( / |---- | ( | :__/|\_; \ |/ )(\_ /_)--` gpyy \_! >LIFE Life isn't about keeping score. It's not about how many friends you have. Or how accepted you are. Not about if you have plans this weekend or if you are alone. It isn't about who you're dating, who you used to date, or how many people you've dated, or if you haven't been with anyone at all. It isn't about who you have kissed. It's not about s&x. It isn't about who your family is or how much money they have, or what kind of car you drive, or where you are sent to school. It's not about how beautiful or ugly you are, or what clothes you wear, what shoes you have on, or what kind of music you listen to. It's not about if your hair is blonde, red, black, or brown. Or if your skin is too light or too dark. Not about what grades you get, how smart you are, how smart everybody else thinks you are, or how smart standardized tests say you are. It's not about what clubs you're in or how good you are at "your" sport. It's not about representing your whole being on a piece of paper and seeing you will "accept the written you." But, life is about who you love and who you hurt. It's about who you make happy or unhappy purposefully. It's about keeping or betraying trust. It's about friendship, used as a sanctity or a weapon. It's about what you say and mean, maybe hurtful, maybe heartening. About starting rumors and contributing to petty gossip. It's about what judgments you pass and why. And who your judgments are spread to. It's about who you've ignored with full control and intention. It's about jealousy, fear, ignorance, and revenge. It's about carrying inner hate and love, letting it grow, and spreading it. But most of all, it's about using your life to touch or poison other people's hearts in such a way that could have never occurred alone. Only you choose the way those hearts are affected, and those choices are what life's all about. From – Hart Dowd -<>- _ ///-._ ////////-._ /////////////-. ////////////////`. //////////////// .'`. //////////////// . '.'`. '|`'//////////// . .'.::|` : `'/////// . '.':| | . . `'// ' _|- ::| |. .-._ . | . | .':: | |:|:| | ' ' '.::| | |:|:| :. . .'.':| | . |:|:| . | .._.::: : `':| | ' ////-:| |. . | '/////////-._ | . . : .//////////////-._ : : ///////////////////-._ |. |////////////////////////-._ | . . :`'//////////////////////////-._ | . _.-\\\\``'//////////////////////////-._ | /\\\\\\\\..``'//////////////////////////". : . . /. \\\\\\\\\. .``'///////////////////// .'`. : / _ \\\\\\\\\. ``'//////////////// . .'`. | . / (@) \\\\\\\\\. . . ``'/////////// . '.'::|. {`)._ '| _` .\\\\\\\-`:|#| . . ``'////// '. .'.:| `-{_/`| ||::. \\'`.:|:.|#| |#| . ``'/ ' .##:'::: `-| ||||| |`.'::|::|#| |#| |#| . . '| . .|##|'.:| pils | ||||| : .'::|:.'#| |#| |#| |#| | |##|'::| | ||||| .| .'.:|::.'' '#| |#| |#| . : ' |##|'.:| {`\:|||| : .'::|:_.:. . '#| |#| | .|##|'::: `-{_/'|_ |_.-'/}_/'-._ '#| :. |##:'.:| `'{._('}_)-' `-}_}(-._ . . | ' '` .'::| `-' `-.} /-._ . : .'.'_:-'\ `-}_}(-._ | . _.-')_(-' `-/_)`-.:.-{ \{-' `-{_'_)-'' ^ >I WON'T EVER I saw him in the church building for the first time on Wednesday. He was in his mid-70's, with thinning silver gray hair and a neat brown suit. Many times in the past I had invited him to come. Several other Christian friends had talked about the Lord and had tried to share the good news with him. He was a well-respected, honest man with many characteristics a Christian should have, but he had never put on Christ, nor entered the doors of the church. "Have you ever been to a church service in your life?" I had asked him a few years ago. We had just finished a pleasant day visiting and talking. He hesitated. Then with a bitter smile he told me of his childhood experience some fifty years ago. He was one of many children a large impoverished family. His parents had struggled to provide food, with little left for housing and clothing. When he was about ten, some neighbors invited him to worship with them. The Sunday School class had been exciting! He had never heard such songs and stories before! He had never heard anyone read the Bible! After class was over, the teacher took him aside and said ,"Son, please don't come again dressed as you are now. We want to look our best when we come into God's house." He stood in his ragged, un-patched overalls. Then looking at his dirty bare feet, he answered softly, "No, ma'am, I won't ever." "And I never did," he said, abruptly ending our conversation. There must have been other factors to have hardened him so, but this experience formed a significant part of the bitterness in his heart. I'm sure the Sunday School teacher meant well. But did she really understand the love of Christ? Had she studied and accepted the teachings found in the second chapter of James? What if she had put her arm around the dirty, ragged little boy and said "Son. I am glad you are here, and I hope you will come every chance you get to hear more about Jesus." I reflected on the awesome responsibility a teacher or pastor or a parent has to welcome little ones in His name. How far reaching her influence was! I prayed that I might be ever open to tenderness of a child's heart, and that I might never fail to see beyond the appearance and behavior of a child to the eternal possibilities within. Yes I saw him in the church house the first time on Wednesday. As I looked at that immaculately dressed old gentleman lying in his casket, I thought of the little boy of long age. I could almost hear him say, "No, Ma'am, I won't ever." And I wept. -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >THE LAST SUPPER The story of the painting, The Last Supper, is extremely interesting and instructive. The Last Supper was painted by Leonardo Da Vinci, a noted Italian artist; and the time engaged for its completion was seven years. The figures representing the twelve Apostles and Christ himself were painted from living persons. The life-model for the painting of the figure of Jesus was chosen first. When it was decided that Da Vinci would paint this great picture, hundreds and hundreds of young men were carefully viewed in an endeavor to find a face and personality exhibiting innocence and beauty, free from the scars and signs of dissipation caused by sin. Finally, after weeks of laborious searching, a young man nineteen years of age was selected as a model for the portrayal of Christ. For six months, Da Vinci worked on the production of this leading character of his famous painting. During the next six years, Da Vinci continued his labors on this sublime work of art. One by one fitting persons were chosen to represent each of the eleven Apostles; space being left for the painting of the figure representing Judas Iscariot as the final task of this masterpiece. This was the Apostle, you remember, who betrayed his Lord for thirty pieces of silver, worth in our present day, currency of $16.96. For weeks, Da Vinci searched for a man with a hard callous face, with a countenance marked by scars of avarice, deceit, hypocrisy, and crime; a face that would delineate a character who would betray his best friend.. After many discouraging experiences in searching for the type of person required to represent Judas, word came to Da Vinci that a man whose appearance fully met his requirements had been found in a dungeon in Rome, sentenced to die for a life of crime and murder. Da Vinci made the trip to Rome at once, and this man was brought out from his imprisonment in the dungeon and led out into the light of the sun. There Da Vinci saw before him a dark, swarthy man; his long, shaggy and unkempt hair sprawled over his face, which betrayed a character of viciousness and complete ruin. At last, the famous painter had found the person he wanted to represent the character of Judas in his painting. By special permission from the king, this prisoner was carried to Milan where the picture was being painted; and for months he sat before Da Vinci at appointed hours each day as the gifted artist diligently continued his task of transmitting to his painting this base character in the picture representing the traitor and betrayer of our savior. As he finished his last stroke, he turned to the guards and said, "I have finished. You may take the prisoner away." As the guards were leading their prisoner away, he suddenly broke loose from their control and rushed up to Da Vinci, crying as he did so, "O, Da Vinci, look at me! Do you not know who I am?" Da Vinci, with the trained eyes of a great character student, carefully scrutinized the man upon whose face he had constantly gazed for six months and replied, "No, I have never seen you in my life until you were brought before me out of the dungeon in Rome." Then, lifting his eyes toward heaven, the prisoner said, "Oh, God, have I fallen so low?" Then turning his face to the painter he cried, "Leonardo Da Vinci! Look at me again for I am the same man you painted just seven years ago as the figure of Christ." This is the true story of the painting of The Last Supper that teaches so strongly the lesson of the effects of right or wrong thinking on the life of an individual. Here was a young man whose character was so pure, unspoiled by the sins of the world that he presented a countenance of innocence and beauty fit to be used for the painting of a representation of Christ. But within seven years, following the thoughts of sin and a life of crime, he was changed into a perfect picture of the most traitorous character ever known in the history of the world. Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and wonder why the world's getting worse and worse. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how everyone wants to go to heaven provided they do not have to believe, think, say, or do anything the Bible says. Funny how someone can say "I believe in God" but still follow Satan (who also "believes" in God). Funny how you can send a thousand 'jokes' through E-Mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.. Funny how the lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but the public discussion of Jesus is suppressed in the school and workplace. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment :) Akiane Child Prodigy!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/prodigy.html Harvest Moonbow!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/moonbow.html God's Night Lights!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/night.html Aww Animals 14!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animals14.html Angel Wing Decoys!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/angel.html Jesus Laughing Art!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/Jesusart.html Salvation Mountain!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/salvation.html Best Pillows!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/pillows.html Angel Falls!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/angelfalls.html Christ's Life!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/jesuslife.html Old Barns, Old People, Old Friends!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/barns.html When Sandman Attacks 2!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/sandman2.html Maxine On Jesus!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/maxineonjesus.html God's Water Paintings!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/water.html Christianity And The Renewed Mind!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/christianity.html Who Is Jesus Christ? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/whoisjesus.html -<>- God’s Dwelling Place http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/God's_Dwelling_Place.htm The Renewed Mind http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/THE_RENEWED_MIND.htm The Basics Full Index http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/Basics.htm Bible: Enjoy the Journey https://tinyurl.com/y7sk6rjl Bible: What’s in a Word? – Prayer https://tinyurl.com/yatjz677 Bible: What Trail shall I blaze? https://tinyurl.com/yasqxrra Bible: What’s in a Word? – Wealth https://tinyurl.com/ya483lxz The D Word https://tinyurl.com/y7a4zgy8 What A Beautiful Name - Hillsong Worship https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQWFzMvCfLE for KING & COUNTRY - God Only Knows https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5cPQg3oq-o Casting Crowns - Only Jesus (Official Music Video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eQd3K2Fxp4 -<>- >In The News: CDC Coronavirus https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html New VA Home Loan Resources, Free Virtual Service Remembrance Plaque, Increased Urgent Care Access https://tinyurl.com/ycm5jkms Lara Trump: Biden will take advantage of this crisis https://tinyurl.com/ybm4cvxg GOP senators press for Flynn ‘unmasking’ documents as publication remains in limbo https://tinyurl.com/y7hj8c7q 7-Year Old Boy Uses His Savings To Make COVID-19 Care Packages For Those In Need https://tinyurl.com/y89hhzah Westwing News: ‘The Biggest Political Scandal of Our Time’ https://www.whitehouse.gov/westwingreads/ WhiteHouseNews: What a safe reopening looks like https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600daily/ Latest From AFA: http://tinyurl.com/j7lakqw Students For Life https://tinyurl.com/yd5nxmu6 Latest From OperationRescue: http://www.operationrescue.org/ Latest Product Alert: Pork, Pizza, Herbs http://www.emergencyemail.org/products/?fmt=text Latest Health Alert: http://www.emergencyemail.org/health/?fmt=text Click to Give Free https://tinyurl.com/y2abb8d2 -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) Really cute and adorable animals of all kinds - owls, bears, dogs, cats, porcupines, rabbits, lemurs, turtles, chipmunks, koalas, ferrets and many more. https://youtu.be/w0BNVGE7Tvs This video from Edgar's Mission Farm Sanctuary in Australia just might be The Happiest Video Ever! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIF3BYBXZWA --- ...aww, sweet! 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 ========================================================== _ , (_\______/________ \-|-|/|-|-|-|-|/ \==/-|-|-|-|-/ \/|-|-|-|,-' \--|-''' \_j________ (_) (_) hjw >Waiting For Someone Special Story Editor: by David McLaughlan Joyce Schowalter Ayrshire, U.K We all like to get the shortest queue in the supermarket. After all, nobody likes waiting. The checkout I headed for had one old man beside it. He had a basket with two items in it. Great! I should be through in seconds. I heard the checkout operator ask the old man how his wife was. I gathered she had been, or still was, in hospital. "Ohhhh," there was a tremor in his voice and a little shake to his shoulders. "It's worse than they thought." More, quiet conversation followed, then I heard him say, "And now I can’t find the talc she asked for. It's her favorite kind." Now there was no doubt -- this smartly dressed, older gent was shaking with sobs. I doubted if he had ever shopped much before. He looked of the generation that concentrated on providing the money so wives could do such things. And now, here he was, in this huge barn of a supermarket, on a mission to buy, of all things, talcum powder. And not just any talcum powder, but her special kind. I had an awful image of a loving husband charged with doing one last kindness for his sweetheart, and not being able to, letting her down at the very end! The checkout operator looked around, then scurried out from behind her till. She apologized to me, took the old fellow by the arm and walked him through the toiletries section. I could have gone to another checkout, but it had become important to me to know what happened next. Well, she found that special talc, cashed up his purchases and sent him off with a prayer for his wife. Then she turned to me. "Oh, I am so sorry for keeping you waiting. If they knew I had done that I would get fired. They tell us never to leave the till unattended, but... I'm so sorry." I insisted I didn't mind, adding, "It was an honor." She looked puzzled, but pleased. I really was honored simply to be a part of this, even if my part was only to stand and wait. On the way out I asked for her supervisor. I told the supervisor how impressed I had been with the woman and that she deserved a commendation or a pay rise. I saw her recently while checking out, and she was still smiling. Her job description should have prevented her from helping but she stepped beyond that. In doing so she took a desperate situation and turned it into one more act of love between two weary travelers making their way to the end of this life. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From LaughAndLift: The modern attitude is, "Father, forgive us for we know not what we are doing - and please don't tell us!" - Erwin W. Lutzer , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >What's Your Obsession? (By Rob Chaffart) [Edited] While camping at Robert H. Treman State Park last October, I noticed that one of our fellow campers was continually going way out of his way to make others feel welcome. Not only did he want to be helpful to new campers, but he was also quite proficient in doing so! His reception made anyone feel extra special. There was one interesting fact about this thoughtful camper, however: unless he was away from the camp, his music was always on. It didn't matter what time of day or night, there was a constant drone coming from his trailer. I didn't think much about it until a family with younger kids approached him after ten at night and asked him to turn down the volume of his music. And being the thoughtful person he was, he complied. For about five minutes! Then he turned it back up, even louder than before! "Strange," I thought, "this doesn't seem to fit with the profile of this friendly camper!" The next morning that poor family needed toothpicks to hold their eyes open, and we weren't overly surprised when a state park trooper stopped by this particular camper's site the next evening and requested that he turn his music off completely! We made an interesting observation the following morning. It was our outgoing neighbor who woke up as if he had a hangover. But he wasn't up more than a minute before his music was blaring once again, and soon he was back to being himself. Thinking back on this event, it makes me realize that we all tend to be addicted to silly things. For that guy, it was his music. Though it was clear that he wanted to please everyone, and though he went out of his way to be a helping hand in the campground, his music caused him to be received coldly. It isn't always music, however. For some it's chocolate. One of my former colleagues used to refer to this sweet treat as her "secret pet sin"! Interesting way to referring to such a delicacy! And there are also many other possibilities. How many of us can't live without TV, for example? We stumble over each other trying to purchase the latest, biggest, widest screens, and the box is always on. For others, it is video games, coffee, eating, getting a tan ... Even church activities can become an obsession! Now I agree that these look pretty minor compared to the "big leagues" like drugs, s&x and crime. But no matter what the object of our obsession, isn't an addiction an addiction? I mean, it doesn't matter what kind of a package it comes in; if it isn't necessary to sustain life but you can't live without it, it's an addiction! And all addictions wrench the control of your life out of the hands of God! May our eyes be opened and may we: "escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will." (2 Tim 2:26 NIV) Only if Jesus becomes our sole obsession will we enjoy real living, one where secondary obsessions seem frivolous and unnecessary! "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10 NIV) -<>- Excuses are the cradle that Satan rocks men off to sleep in. , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Bill Goes to Church (Author Unknown) There was a man named Bill who had never gone to church in his life. No matter how much he was encouraged or coaxed, he couldn't be persuaded to go to church, even on Easter or Christmas. He would say, "When it freezes in June, then I will go to church." One year there was an unusually cold spring, and it remained cold all the way into the month of June! One day, in early June, the temperature dipped to freezing for several nights. Everyone remembered Bill's statement and wondered if this cold spell would finally get him to come to the church. Well, yes! It certainly did! On that Sunday, Bill made his first appearance in the church building - while the organ played softly, and six men carried him in. Yes, he made it, but instead of sitting in a pew, he was lying in a casket. Just as an infant requires food, fresh air, exercise, and the help of others in the physical realm, we need Bible study, praying, service and witnessing, and fellowship in a good church, from the spiritual realm. A follower of Christ who neglects any of these four cannot expect to grow in his spiritual life. So, I hope you're not being like ol' Bill. Go to church and enjoy the view from the pew! - "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another." Hebrews 10:25 -<>- If faith in Christ is worth having, it's worth sharing. _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ >No King Left Standing (By Sheila Gosney) We live in an age which is shocking at best where Christian VALUES are threatened each day. One could be arrested for having the COURAGE to speak Truth or publicly pray! Never before in the history of time has RIGHT and wrong been blurred into a mess. People laugh at the concept of sin against God while they wonder WHY the world's at un-rest! But while society marches on toward spiritual destruction with their hearts and heads in the sand, The RANSOMED of the Lord CARRY PEACE in their hearts for what is righteous that they understand! While the world is polluted...our FAITH is not diluted for it grows STRONGER toward what is TRUE! And the Kingdom of God sets the tone and the rhythm for our lives and ALL we must do! While the world ignores Jesus and the VALUE of His Word He's our reason and His TRUTH is our LIGHT! For we get our VALUES from the Ancient of Days from what is good and fair in His sight! TRUE believers and FOLLOWERS of the Lord Jesus Christ LOVE the King that their eyes will behold! And on that GREAT and GLORIOUS day the Lamb of God will stand to JUDGE earth as it was FORETOLD! The scoffers...the doubters...the haters of God will be forced to their knees at the Sight! And no king is left standing but the GREAT Prince of Glory full of radiance, POWER, and might! , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the Cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the Name which is above every Name, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in Heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." - Philippians 2:5-11 NKJV SUBSCRIBE INFO Want to receive a Christian inspirational item AND great clean humor in an email to you each day of the week? It's easy and FREE! 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