Just Say Baaa... :) 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 ~ , ----. - - ` ,__.,' \ .' *` / | | / **\ . / ****. | mm | ****| \ | ****| ` ._______ \ ****/ \ /`---' \___( /~~~~\ / \ / | \ | | \ , ~~ . |, ~~ . | |\ ( |||| ) ( |||| )(,,,)` ( |||||| )-( |||||| ) | ^ ( |||||| ) ( |||||| ) |'/ ( |||||| )-( |||||| )___,'- ( |||| ) ( |||| ) ` ~~ ' ` ~~ ' *~* 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 Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND Please Share This email with All Your Friends And Family! ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! ================ _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ *~* Our Hearts and Prayers go out to all those Affected by Shootings. May God bless them and comfort them through Christ Jesus Our Lord. “You had God watching. I want you to know we’re with you all the way,” the President said. President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump traveled to Dayton, Ohio, and El Paso, Texas, where they met with survivors, families, medical workers, and first responders affected by this weekend’s horrific acts of mass violence. The President pledged to push Congress on finding bipartisan solutions to address mass violence. “We’re going to be meeting with members of Congress. I’ve already got meetings scheduled. And I have had plenty of talks over the last two days,” he said. Specific measures the President has mentioned include stronger background checks, early warning detection, and “red flag” protection orders. “I’ll be convincing some people to do things that they don’t want to do, and that means people in Congress,” President Trump said. https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600daily/ Thank you to all first respondents, law enforcement officials, medical personnel and those who lined up and donated blood. -<>- >-->2 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press This red hot new page is from our friend Geniann. Take a little time and enjoy some relaxing eye candy with this one. Some of God's best reflective beauty. Check it out here.. _------Q--\ /~ ) <_____________/ / _ ))))))))) [] / ((((((((( |~~~| (____/' )))))))))) | | ))))))))))))))))) |\ | | (((((((((((((((((( / | | | /~~\----------/| // \ | _/ | |<===| ===] ||// \ \____ //' //| | \__/~~~~~~~~~~|^ _--~~~ ~~~-// // | | | / () () // ) // | | | | () _-//-~ // | | ((((((((| () (_// // | | | : | ~~---_ // | | | | \ () () ) // | | | | ~--__ __-~ // |___| | | |~//~~~~~ // // \\ / / |// // // \\ (___(___________|- // [==] [==] unknown God's Water Paintings 3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/water3.html --- ....Aww, so stunningly beautiful! Thank you Geniann! This next flaming hot new page is from our friends Linda and LouiseAu! People and their achievements never cease to amaze me and these elders are definitely awe inspiring! Take a couple minutes on this and give yourself plenty of smiles for your day... ,-===-. ,-. /=,(o).=\ \ /==|o_0|==\ \(===\ - /===) \`=.=|J|=,=',-. X `=' `=' X |\ / \ / \ | \ / /|\`x'/|\ \`--' ( `""`-'_`-'""' ) `--T""\ ""T--' ] \ [ Ojo98 [""-o\""] Inspiring Seniors 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/inspiringseniors2.html --- ....Lovely! Thank You Ladies! The first one is almost my attitude since from when I was young - 'Hey! if they can do it, I can too!' =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: Remember, that there is nothing stable in human affairs. Therefore, avoid undue elation in prosperity, or undue depression in adversity. -- Socrates (469 BC - 399 BC) . | . \ | / `. \ ' / .' `. .-*""*-. .' "*-._ /.*" "*.\ _.-*" : ; ____ """"': .. ; _.-*" \ `.__.' / "*-._ .' `-.__.-' `. bug .' / . \ `. / | \ ' | ` >MOVING UPWARD I got to poking through some of the old things I'd saved and came across a wonderful little article from an issue of "Guideposts Magazine." It's by Arthur Gordon and is titled "The Rewards of Caring." He tells the story of how once, as a small boy, he was witness to a near-tragedy. At the beach, a woman stepped off a sandbar into deep, swift water and panicked. At least 20 adults in bathing suits watched, apparently paralyzed, until suddenly a young man ran up, plunged in fully clothed, and brought the woman out. As Arthur Gordon described the episode later to his parents, his admiration for the young man was matched by the contempt he felt for those who failed to act. She was drowning, and they didn't even seem to care. His father looked at him thoughtfully and said, "The world often seems divided between those who care and those who don't care enough. But don't judge too harshly. It takes courage to care greatly." It does take courage to care, to open your heart and react with sympathy or compassion or indignation or enthusiasm when it is easier, and sometimes safer, not to get involved. But people who take the risk, who deliberately discard the armor of indifference, make a tremendous discovery -- the more things you care about, and the more intensely you care, the more alive you become. Caring or not caring can spell the difference between success and failure in a job, in a marriage -- in every human relationship. As Emerson said, "Nothing great was every achieved without enthusiasm." And what is enthusiasm but passionate caring? A famous jeweler once sold a magnificent ruby after one of his salespeople had failed to interest the customer. Asked how he did it, the jeweler said, "My clerk is an excellent man, an expert on precious stones. There's just one difference between us -- he knows jewels, but I "love" them. I care what happens to them, who wears them. The customers sense this. It makes them want to buy -- and they do." In such cases, of course, caring ultimately brings tangible reward, but the great philosophers and religious leaders have always taught this paradox: The most rewarding form of caring is caring without hope of reward. Fortunately for mankind, the world is full of people who go quietly through life performing, as Wordsworth put it, "little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love." The volunteer worker at the hospital, the unpaid canvasser for the community chest, the neighbor who offers to take care of your children while you settle a new house -- such people have no ulterior motive and expect no recompense. They act because they care, and their actions, multiplied my millions, supply the force that keeps the human race moving upward from barbarism along the path of growth. There are people who say that if you care too much, you can get hurt. That's right -- you win some, and you lose some. But the alternative is a pretty bleak and uninteresting existence. -- Wendyl K. Leslie ___________________________________________ Recently nominated for the 53rd edition of The Marquis' Who's Who in America, Wendyl is invites you to visit his website and subscribe to his weekly journal at: http://www.servetolead.net He is also the author of Serve to Lead, which can be reviewed at this convenient website: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1588514595/heart/ref=nosim =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Geniann :) __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >The Cross You Bear: We complain about the cross we bear but don't realize it is preparing us for the dip in the road that God can see and we can't. Whatever your cross, whatever your pain, there will always be sunshine, after the rain.... Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall; But God's always ready, to answer your call..... He knows every heartache, sees every tear, a word from His lips, can calm every fear... Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night, But suddenly vanish, dawn's early light... The Savior is waiting, somewhere above, to give you His grace, and send you His love. God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage. You question God -'why me?'... always look at the bigger picture. A day without the Lord- Is a day wasted. God is going to shift things around for you today and let things work in your favor. Please pass this on to those you care about. --- ...Sweet! Thanks Geniann! Reminds me of this... , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Are You Limiting God? 'Jesus Christ is the sweetest name I know, for it is in His name, and His name alone, that I see the unlimited possibilities in man. It is in the name of Jesus Christ that men and women are saved, born again, converted. It is in the name of Jesus Christ that the sick are healed to rise up again and declare the glory of the Lord. It is in the name of Jesus Christ that devil spirits are cast out and people are forever freed in body and mind. Unless we know that name of Jesus Christ as a vital living reality in our lives, we are most definitely limiting God. http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/Are_You_Limiting_God.htm =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: |\___/| / \ | /\__/| ||\ <.><.> | _ > ) \ /---- | -\/ / \ Artist Unknown >If I Were the Devil By: Paul Harvey I would gain control of the most powerful nation in the world; I would delude their minds into thinking that they had come from man's effort, instead of God's blessings; I would promote an attitude of loving things and using people, instead of the other way around; I would dupe entire states into relying on gambling for their state revenue; I would convince people that character is not an issue when it comes to leadership; I would make it legal to kill unborn babies; I would make it socially acceptable to take one's own life, and invent machines to make it convenient; I would cheapen human life as much as possible so that the life of animals are valued more than human beings; I would take God out of the schools, where even the mention of His name was grounds for a lawsuit; I would come up with drugs that sedate the mind and target the young, and I would get sports heroes to advertise them; I would get control of the media, so that every night I could pollute the mind of every family member with my agenda; I would attack the family, the backbone of any nation. I would make divorce acceptable and easy, even fashionable. If the family crumbles, so does the nation; I would compel people to express their most depraved fantasies on canvas and movie screens, and call it art; I would convince the people that right and wrong are determined by a few who call themselves authorities and refer to their agenda as politically correct; I would persuade people that the church is irrelevant and out of date, and the Bible is for the naive; I would dull the minds of Christians, and make them believe that prayer is not important, and that faithfulness and obedience are optional; Hmmm I guess if I were the devil, I'd leave things pretty much the way they are. -<>- .--. {\ / q {\ { `\ \ (-(~` { '.{`\ \ \ ) {'-{ ' \ .-""'-. \ \ {._{'.' \/ '.) \ {_.{. {` | {._{ ' { ;'-=-. | {-.{.' { ';-=-.` / {._.{.; '-=- .' {_.-' `'.__ _,-' jgs |||` .='==, >Puff In Love She is overweight with wrinkled skin, beady eyes and big feet. She talks too loud and is prone to fits of pouting. She gobbles her food with gusto and makes quite a mess. But as the saying goes, she has a brilliant personality and we love her. Her name is Puff. We brought her home when she was only a few days old. My friends told me, "Pam, you don't want a turkey on your farm. Gobblers are mean and nothing but trouble." Puff has proven to be very gentle, though, and a great companion when I'm outside doing my yard work. She just wants to be close to people and enjoys spending quality time with her family. Our poultry flock is a free-roaming group, not confined to their small pen around the chicken coop but allowed to wander where they will. This makes egg gathering a bit like a yearlong Easter egg hunt. Puff's eggs are easy to distinguish from the laying hens. They are larger and speckled, and as a special bonus, they are double-yolked. Free-roaming also means when Puff comes close to the house, peeking in doors looking for us, she occasionally leaves turkey-sized deposits where we're most apt to step. We've become accustomed to walking through the yard with our heads down, picking our way by the neatest paths we can find. I believe it's a small price to pay for the companionship of an animal that is so happy to see us when we walk out the door. One day while sitting by the open window in our living room, I heard a funny noise outside. It sounded like gurgling and pipping. I pulled back the curtains and peered out, then started to laugh. Puff had wandered past our new pickup and caught a glimpse of herself in the shiny chrome bumper. What was this? A new bird on the place? She made chortling sounds as she edged nearer, looking first from one small eye, then turning her head and looking at it from another view. She was clearly perplexed at her own image. Soon she had a pretty display of bronze feathers puffed out as she strolled back and forth, making soft sounds in her throat. "I think Puff's in love," I told my husband. "She hasn't left that bumper all afternoon." It was only when the sun began to set and darkness fell that she abandoned her preening and followed the rest of the chickens to the roost. The next morning, she was back at her post. I think it may have upset her when I drove the pickup to work, taking her new-found friend along with me. She gave a sad, longing look as I left, stretching her head high in the air and watching the pickup until it was out of sight. Without a spoken word, Puff had made her wishes known. It didn't take long for me to call the hatchery and check the price of baby turkeys. This spring should find our farm flourishing with a new flock of bronze beauties. I can hardly wait for the hatching date to come. I know I'll be happy to have a yard full of gobblers, and I'm sure Puff will be, too! Pamela Jenkins -<>- _.-'`'-._ .-' _ '-. `-.__ `\_.-' | `-``\| jgs `-.....-A # # >MY HIGH SCHOOL REUNION By: Joseph J. Mazzella I attended my twenty year high school reunion recently. It was so wonderful getting to meet all of my dear friends again. It was so fantastic getting to see their smiling faces and hear their laughing voices. It was so great getting to catch up on their lives, see their beautiful children, and share all of our memories of each other one more time. It was so heart-touching as I learned of the tragedies they faced, the struggles they overcame, and the joys they found in their lives. As we all hugged, laughed, told stories, shared smiles and got to know each other all over again I came to a beautiful realization. Every single person there was a success in their lives. My friend who had married a lovely woman with two children and then raised them as his own was a success in the love he gave them. My friend who had bravely faced and then overcame cancer while still a young woman was a success in the strength and courage she had shown. My friend who had devoted his life to a military career even though he had to move with his family again and again over the years was a success in the loyalty he had pledged. My friend who had spent his life teaching children even though other jobs would have paid him far more was a success in all the young lives he had touched. All of my friends there were a success not because of what they had taken from life but because of what they had given to life. They had blessed their lives and the lives of all those around them with their love and joy, their energy and vitality, their talents and skills, and their goodness and light. Even those of them who had already passed from this world had blessed it by touching the hearts and minds of us who knew them. May we all live a successful life then. May we all give the love from our hearts and joy from our souls to the world. May we all live in peace, kindness, and oneness with everyone everywhere. May we all strive to make our final reunion, with God and Heaven, a joyous one. -<>- _______________________ |\_____________________/| || || || _ _ || || / ) / ) __ |_| || || / -|- / -- | || || `== `== ' || || _____ || ||______________#####__|| jgs |/_____________________\| The university professor challenged his students with this question. Did God create everything that exists? A student bravely replied, "Yes, he did!" God created everything? The professor asked. Yes sir", the student replied. The professor answered, "If God created everything, then God created evil since evil exists, and according to the principal that our works define who we are then God is evil". The student became quiet before such an answer. The professor was quite pleased with himself and boasted to the students that he had proven once more that the Christian faith was a myth. Another student raised his hand and said, "Can I ask you a question professor?" "Of course", replied the professor. The student stood up and asked, "Professor, does cold exist?" What kind of question is this? Of course it exists. Have you never been cold?" The students snickered at the young man's question. The young man replied, "In fact sir, cold does not exist. According to the laws of physics, what we consider cold is in reality the absence of heat. Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-460 degrees F) is the total absence of heat; all matter becomes inert and incapable of reaction at that temperature. Cold does not exist. We have created this word to describe how we feel if we have no heat." The student continued, "Professor, does darkness exist?" The professor responded, "Of course it does." The student replied, "Once again you are wrong sir, darkness does not exist either. Darkness is in reality the absence of light. Light we can study, but not darkness. In fact we can use Newton's prism to break white light into many colors and study the various wavelengths of each color. You cannot measure darkness. A simple ray of light can break into a world of darkness and illuminate it. How can you know how dark a certain space is? You measure the amount of light present. Isn't this correct? Darkness is a term used by man to describe what happens when there is no light present." Finally the young man asked the professor, "Sir, does evil exist?" Now uncertain, the professor responded, "Of course as I have already said. We see it every day. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil." To this the student replied, "Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is not like faith, or love that exist just as does light and heat. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light." The professor sat down. The young man's name - Albert Einstein. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Lean On Me!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/leanonme.html Miracle Baby!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/smellofrain.html The Black Dot!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/blackdot.html 90/10 Principle!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/giving.html Love Thoughts!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/love.html Dreamy Ladies!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dreamy.html What Is Love 1!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wlove1.html Butterfly's Story!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/butterflystory.html When God Paints!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gpaints.html Blind Woman Sees!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/blindsees.html Jesus Laughing Art!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/Jesusart.html Playing With Words!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wordplay.html Humor In Religion 3!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/hreligion3.html You Have Six Minutes!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lovetest.html Church Mouse Wisdom!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/churchmouse.html Our Valuable ANCHOR!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html Amazing Human Progress!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/humanprogress.html For The Joy That Was Set Before Him!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/joy.html -<>- What does the Bible say about Remarriage After Divorce? https://tinyurl.com/y48q4prr Does archaeology support the Bible? https://tinyurl.com/yxul8ac8 Treating the Symptoms Rather Than Curing the Problem https://tinyurl.com/y4dhyzco Reaching Gen Z and the Pastoral Divide - A Free Special Issue from CT https://tinyurl.com/y3logken 27 INGENIOUSLY EASY HACKS YOU'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GscQhQGn8bs 100-Year-Old Life Hacks You Didn't Know Existed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCDVD9GJ9Kg -<>- >In The News: Westwing News: https://www.whitehouse.gov/westwingreads/ Latest From AFA: http://tinyurl.com/j7lakqw Students For Life https://tinyurl.com/yd5nxmu6 Latest From OperationRescue: http://www.operationrescue.org/ Latest Product Alert: Meat and Poultry http://www.emergencyemail.org/products/?fmt=text Latest Health Alert: Plastic Pieces Found in More Food http://www.emergencyemail.org/health/?fmt=text Click to Give Free https://tinyurl.com/y2abb8d2 -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAU :) Russian acrobatic team 'The Cats' with their beautiful performance of 'Memory' at the French TV Show 'The Worlds Greatest Cabaret.' https://youtu.be/OAPkB_g02N8 These super giant bubbles made on Stinson Beach near San Francisco by Sterling Johnson are so impressive! https://youtu.be/3i-zYdOPG2k --- ...I do super Love Bubbles! 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 ========================================================== %%%% %%%%-( _%%%%%_/ \ ' / _%%%%%%%% - (_) - _%%%%%%%/ \% / , \ %%%%%%%%%\\ \_ %%%%%% \ \\ ) /\_/ /(___. \ '----' ( / ) ---....____/ (_____ __ _ ___ ___ __ _ _ _____ _ _ ___ / )---...___ =-= = -_= -=_= _-=_-_ -=- =-_ ,' ( ```--.._= -_= -_= _-=- -_= _=- ,-' ) ``--._=-_ =-=_-= _-= _ '-._ '-..___( ``-._=_-=_- =_-= ``---....__) `-._-=_-_=- )|)| `-._=-_ gnv '-'-.\_ `-. >The Finishing Touch Story Editor: by Donna P. Joyce Schowalter Texas, USA At 27 years old, I began getting angry, then my anger turned into rage. Issues of my past had been dealt with, or so I thought. Yet, maybe I was angry at my father because I perceived him as an angry person who verbally battered me. To discover the reason for the anger, therapy was necessary. In January 1994, my journey began. Some of my rage came from my perceptions of my father. The primary cause seemed to be residual feelings from childhood s%xual abuse. One of the healing projects offered as therapy was to make a collage, something to expel the hurt, pain and rage that I felt as a result of childhood sexual abuse by family members. I knew this project was for me, and I started saving magazines and newspapers. I bought special crayons, glue and special tape. During months of preparation I cut out pictures, letters and words from newspapers. I tried to replicate every childhood drawing I'd done. Every part of my being went into this. My husband was so patient and accepting during this time, especially when it came to the day that I made my collage. I had to do this by myself, but I couldn't be alone. My husband sat quietly in the room with me while I cut, glued, colored, pasted and cried. He sat so calmly, with such love. After hours of work, gallons of glue, and oceans of tears, I stood up, achy, but proud and tall. I showed my husband what I'd done, to share with him this healing that I had earned and deserved. He stared for what seemed an eternity. He asked if he could put something on it. I couldn't believe that he would be so intrusive to want to "mess up" my work. Then I stopped. "He needs this too," I thought. "He's listened to me, been there for me, and caught so many tears." I thought he'd draw a stick figure, or write something funny, but what he did changed my life forever. He walked to the bathroom medicine cabinet and came back carrying something small. I asked what it was; he just said to wait. Taking my posterboard to the table, he bent over for a minute and came back to me. I looked and stared in total disbelief. The profundity of what he'd done went immediately to my heart, and the healing tears flowed more than ever. I began another part of a wonderful journey in my life. What did he do? He took a small Band-Aid and placed it in a very small corner. With a red crayon, he wrote LOV, the O being a heart. My life truly was forever changed, in how I perceived myself and people, and what I believed people thought of me. One small Band-Aid, and I knew my past could never again prevent me from being loved. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From LaughAndLift: As you travel along I-10 in Louisiana there is a large billboard which catches your eye. It stands high above the city just as you start up the Mississippi River bridge. On it is a picture of Jesus Christ hanging on the cross of Calvary, head bowed. The caption underneath says in bold letters, "It's Your Move!" What a powerful thought. God has already taken the initiative in salvation. Christ died for you. Now--it's your move! //-----------\\ // | | | \\ // \__ / \ / | \\ || \| | / __|| || \ | |_/ || ||\ __ | |/ __ || || \__/ \| |_/ \_|| || _ ___| / \_ || ||_/ \__/ |/_ \_/|| || o \ _|| ||\ / | \___/ || || \___/ | \ /|| || | / \_ )-<_|| || / / \ / || \\ / | _>< // //\\ | / \ //\\ || \\-----------// || || || /||\ /||\ /____\ /____\ unknown >Shattered Glass (By Margaret Long) All of Earth's children have a home - Some of stone, some of grass... But I lived in a house of glass; Content to let the world slide past. Illusion mirrored on every side, Reflected in self-righteous pride. Then one day my soul looked back, And I smashed my fist through the glass - To wrap my bleeding hands around A blood stained cross. For Jesus died on Calvary, To hold my soul and set me free. No more to play a puppet's role, Only Christ can make us whole! -<>- When a Christian reaches up as far as he can, God reaches down the rest of the way. _,._ __.' _) <_,)'.-"a\ /' ( \ _.-----..,-' (`"--^ // | (| `; , | \ ;.----/ ,/ ) // / | |\ \ jgs \ \\`\ | |/ / \ \\ \ | |\/ `" `" `"` >Just Say Baaaa! (by Marybeth Whalen) [Minor editing] "We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:6, NIV) I spent some time this morning just confessing before God that I am a sheep. And I don't mean that in an "I'm not fat, I'm fluffy" kind of way. I mean in a dirty, smelly, dumb animal kind of way. Let me explain. As I was praying, I noticed myself once again asking God for some affirmation and encouragement on a specific issue. Now, I have asked for this before - many times, in fact. And God is faithful to answer each and every time. And so, there I was again, asking Him to supply something I know He knows we have already covered. Why can't I accept this covering once and for all? Why can't I rest on His promises and accept Him at His word, once and for all? As I listened to myself asking my Heavenly Father for the same thing all over again, I wondered, "Why doesn't He get tired of me already and tell me to go bother someone else?" And I realized, because I am a sheep. And He knows I will act like a sheep. As I thought about this, I realized how many other dumb sheep things I do daily. I lose my way. I ask questions for which I already know the answers. My attitude stinks. I ram my head against the same brick wall, hoping for different results. I wander off from Him and then pout because I feel like He's not there for me. I am a sheep. Yet, He is the Shepherd. Ezekiel 34:11-12a says, "For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep" (NIV). How I need the comfort, nurture and protection of the Shepherd. After I spent time just confessing how sheep-like I am, I spent time praising Him for His infinite patience with us, His flock. I praised Him for knowing how dirty, smelly and dumb we are and loving us anyway. I praised Him that He knows how very little we have to offer and accepts it as our gift to Him. A shepherd doesn't expect his sheep to be wolves or eagles or anything other than sheep. Knowing that comforted me in the strangest sort of way. I love knowing that He leaves the 99 to get the one lost, hopeless sheep. (Matthew 18: 12-13 NIV). He doesn't pick the sheep up and yell at it for acting like a sheep. Instead He patiently, lovingly carries it back to the flock and resumes His watch. I love knowing that when I bring my little insecurities to Him, revealing my weaknesses and confusion, He doesn't say, "How can you be so stupid?" I hope that, like me, this will comfort you today. I hope that when you feel lost, hopeless, and smelly or just plain dumb for making the same mistakes or going to God with the same requests, you will just reflect on being a sheep. Spend time thanking Him for loving you anyway and being your Shepherd every day. "Dear Lord, thank You for being my Shepherd, and for loving me even when I act like a sheep. And thank you that you lead me to act more as you want me to act. In Jesus Christ's Name, Amen." Additional Verses: John 10:14-15, "I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me - just as the Father knows me and I know the Father - and I lay down my life for the sheep." (NIV) The 23rd Psalm http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/psalm23.html -<>- .-----------. .------------. :`.__________` :`.____________` .-----.._ '.'_.------._.' `.|__.-------..' |`-..___.'| | ||__..| | |-._ __ | | |.... || |-._`--..__ |.'---. .::/ / | | | | ___ `-| | | _ || | | | | | | \ `. _.-.` -`.|_| `.|.' /`. `. '.|_\ `|.' | | | | || `. `. '. `. `- _ _ | `.__` _ _ `.|.' | ||`. \ \ | `. __`. _ _ `. | | `-- _ _ '.|| \ `.____. /`. | | .'`---...____ `'---' _ _ _ | | `.|_..-' | /`|__.' |`---...___ . | `-- ______________________`.|_| | ` | | | | '| `---...____|.' _ |`._-_______-______-_____`. | | | .| | | | _ | | | | | '| `- '.| ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' || | | ' `| | | / | | |'| | _ |'.__.-------.__.-----.__.'| | .- |\ | | |' | | | | | | | `-- _ | |..| | |''| -| |::| `.|_..-' | \ `|_.' _ | | |_| '. | .`-._ | | | - | | | _ | | | `-- .' '. | | | | | | |`. `. _ | | | _ | | | | | | _ `. '-. _ '._|.' | | | | `.__`. | | | __ | | |__ | | | `-- _ | `''''. _ `-.|.' '. | | `|__| ___ `.|__| _ `.|__| / LGB : _ _ `.|_.-' `- _ _ .' `-._______.::.__ `- _ _ ___.:::.__.-' `----.....__..------------` >Weighed Down (By Alan Smith) [Minor editing] A few stupid criminal stories: One man robbed a liquor store at gunpoint and demanded all of the cash from the register. He then asked for some liquor, but the cashier declined saying that he didn't look 21. The robber again demanded, but the cashier declined saying that he could not give liquor to anyone under 21. The stupid criminal proceeded to show the cashier his driver's license to prove he was 21! The cashier took down his information, gave the robber his liquor, and called the police when he left. The robber was arrested AT HIS HOME later that evening. Another guy was in a verbal lineup (where you have to say something to see if the victim can identify you by voice). He was told to say "Give me your money or I'll shoot you", and he refused to do it. When asked why by the detective, he said "Because that's not what I said"! David Posman 33, was arrested in Providence, R.I, after allegedly knocking out an armored car driver and stealing the closest four bags of money. It turned out they contained $800 in PENNIES, weighed 30 pounds each, and slowed him to a stagger during his getaway so that police officers easily jumped him from behind. David Posman is not the first person to make the mistake of trying to run while being weighed down. In fact, it happens spiritually all the time. The writer of Hebrews talks about sin being a weight that keeps us from effectively running the Christian race. We can get bogged down with things that pull us away from God. And, by the way, as with Posman, those things that are weighing us down are not worth nearly as much as we thought they were when we grabbed hold of them. "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1) Anything weighing you down? May you lay it aside today as you run the Christian race. SUBSCRIBE INFO Want to receive a Christian inspirational item AND great clean humor in an email to you each day of the week? It's easy and FREE! Read all about Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com ========================================================== ) ( ( .^. \) ) .'.^.'. (/ .'.'---'.'. _\)_ .'.'-------'.'. (__)() .'.'-,=======.-'.'. (_)__) .'.'---| | |---'.'. (__)_),'.'-----| | |-----'.'. ()__.'.'-------|___|___|-------'.'. (_.'.'---------------------------'.'. .'.'-------------------------------'.'. """""|====..====.=======.====..====|""""" ()_)| || |.-----.| || | (_)_| || || || || | (...|____||____||_____||____||____| (_)_(|----------| _____o|----------| (_)(_|----------|| ||----------| (__)(|----------||_____||----------| (_)(_|---------|"""""""""|---------| ()()(|--------|"""""""""""|--------| Zot-wWUwwuw|wwWWwuu|"""""""""""""|uwuwuuW|wuwwuuwu >-->House Behind the Weeds Just two little boys.... Walking down a dusty lane... They came upon this old white house... With broken windowpanes. The paint was faded; the shine was gone.... The grass had grown so high... Still they made their little feet... Go see what was inside. They opened up the squeaky door... And then it came to light.... This must have been an old church house... Once upon a time. Dirty, dusty wooden pews.... A pulpit that still stood... A bible lay upon it.... Though the pages weren't too good. An offering plate and song books too... Were lying on the floor.... They must have left this old church fast... The day they closed these doors. And over in the corner... A piano was still there... It must have played a pretty tune... But I guess nobody cared. So little Bill looked up at Tommy... And Tommy looked at Bill.... "Why don't we clean this old church up? And get these old pews filled?" They took a rag and wiped the dust... To try and make things shine.... And then they took the offering plate... And put in it their last dime. They took a broom and swept the floor... And picked up broken glass.... They got it all so nice and neat... And then they mowed the grass. They lifted up the old church sign... And stood it by a tree... Right down by that old dirt road.... Where everyone could see. They ran back home, to find Daddy gone... But their Momma was inside.... Just to find her hurt again.... Where Daddy had made her cry. "Don't cry Momma, wipe those tears," Little Bill and Tommy smiled.... "Cause we have a big surprise for you.... Just down the road a mile." Hand in hand they tugged at her... Until they made her run.... "What is it Bill, Oh Tommy, Just what have you two kids done?" And then they came upon the house... Once hidden by the weeds... And there it stood a country church... Just like it used to be. "But what is it, Mother? What's with your tears? We thought this would bring you joy." "Yes, but hush kids now and listen close... My two sweet precious boys." They both got quiet and stood real still.... For the words they heard so true.... Was Daddy praying in the church..? With his head bowed on the pew. ! "Forgive me Lord! Forgive me Lord! Though I'm not worthy of Your love... But shine down on this sinner man... Sweet Salvation from above." "For I've been out in the world, You know.... Living my life all wrong.... Until I came upon this church; The place where I belong." "I never noticed it before... All those times I passed it up.... I guess I wasn't looking, Lord.... Or maybe I was drunk." "Bless oh Lord, yes, bless oh Lord... The one who made me see.... This little church that used to hide... Behind al l those tall weeds." And then he raised his head and stood.... With his hands high in the air.... To find two, dirty, tear-faced boys... With Momma standing there. They ran up to him, hugged him tight... As their tears fell on the floor.... "Don't worry kids, I'm not the Dad, The one you've known before." Things are different for us now... So keep on those pretty smiles... And let's go gather people in. To walk down these church aisles." Then Bill looked up at Tommy... And Tommy looked at Bill... "Come on brother; let's get to work.... To get these old pews filled?" "For we need no special blessing... For cleaning up this church.... Cause, God gave us back our Daddy... And that's more than gold is worth." Sunday morning, pews all filled.... And smiles on every face... Especially two little country boys... The ones who found this place. Though it was hid back in the weeds.... And so far out of sight... Nothing's ever hard to find... If you're walking toward God's light. Written by: Sherri Puckett Mayfield, Ky. >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->ShangyFunList AD RATES: $20 will get your a message (of up to 40 words) out to all self-subscribed readers and $5 more will give you the same message also put up for all web site readers. Email me to secure dates. Ad Request ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->This is for all you who love food and DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. 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