Leaning On The Everlasting Arms... :) 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 ================ >-->OoooWEeeee!! oo 8 "} > @ < .8 .-._/| .'_'`')`_.' \| ) / (>'/ |_,_ | (,| .' ,'\| `._/ ) \| '`- -- ''-- --- VK/ejm I'm doing a 'Happy Angel' dance! Why? Because Shangrala has been blessed with another donation from our long time Shangrala Angel, Cloie from NH! May God Bless her abundantly! She is a loyal supporter contributing to help Keep Shangrala Alive! We sure do thank God for her and all our past most sweet, caring and wonderful angels! Shangrala is only here because of you! Thank You! If you'd like to help too and be counted as a Shangrala Angel, please visit the site and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL 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. EVERY LITTLE BIT WILL HELP! 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 ABUNDANTLY FOR YOUR GIFT! -<>- * 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 too hot to handle new page is from our friend Tammy and LouiseAu. It's certain to provide you with you aww quota for the day with its adorable bundles of fur. Be sure to check it out here... |\ /| |\ /| | \ / | |\\ //| | | | | | \| |/ | \ | | / \ || || / \ |_| / \||_||/ .' '. .' '. | | |o o| / \ /= Y =\ `'-. .-'` `'-.^.-'` _| |_ _| |_ /` `\ /` `\ | / \ | | | |/ \| | ( ) | / \ /\ \ / /\ | .-~-. | | '._)_.' | \ { } / \ / jgs \ '-=-' / \ '.___.' / .--' ;---; '--. .--' \---/ '--. `-------' '-------` `-------' '-------` Big Beautiful Rabbits! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/rabbit.html --- ...Wow! Amazing - especially the one with Lassie! Thanks Ladies! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: _ / } /'.\ _/ ) (`- ( ,) |/ /| ' ` Elb >LIVING FOREVER My cousin, Yale Sappern, is buried in a Catholic cemetery -- a strange burial site for a Jew. But Yale was never predictable. Never. He married Pat Rizzo three times. Once by a judge. Once by a priest (Pat's a Roman Catholic) . And once by a rabbi. Yale was always thorough. Always. He was much more than "another lawyer". He was strikingly handsome. 6'5". Trim. Muscular. A former child model and lifeguard with a captivating smile and a laugh that shook his broad shoulders, poured out of his smile and stirred your spirit. He graduated from Stamford High School in Connecticut, the University of Connecticut and Fordham University Law School in New York City. He seemed to have unlimited patience and the faith you need to live at the water's edge of Long Island Sound. And he tested his personal discipline by keeping his "cool" by never mauling the wife-beaters, deadbeat dads and spoiled children as they rationalized domestic violence. He was so caring, restrained and efficient that he became the Administrator of the Family Court in New Haven, Connecticut. The power of his personality motivated lawyers and judges to communicate better and raise the court's efficiency and compassion level. Somehow a "bug" violated his body and caused him continuous excruciating pain. Samples of his blood were sent to the most sophisticated medical laboratories, none of which could pinpoint a diagnosis. Finally, the unrelenting pain took his life. More than two thousand people paid their respects at the funeral home. Old friends, family, and members of the Bar Association eulogized his charm, skills and sincerity. They recalled his humanity, his wry sense of humor and his fairness and righteousness -- the totality of his life. County police honor guards stood at parade rest alongside his flag-draped casket. City and state police escorted the funeral cortege to the graveside ceremony. As we queued our cars, I saw Pat standing alone, waiting for her ride, her hair blowing in the cold, February morning breeze. She clutched the folded presentation flag to her heart -- a place always (and still) reserved for Yale. New Haven County commissioned a fine artist to bring his likeness to canvas.The portrait hangs in "Yale's Courthouse". Every year on his birthday, August 20th, his brother, Don, stages the annual Yale Sappern Golf Outing at Rolling Hills Country Club. The proceeds go to the Yale Sappern Foundation, assuring that battered women get quality legal services. As a Heartwarmer "Gem", I donate part of the proceeds of my book, Let Me Touch Your Spirit, to the foundation. It's our effort to prove that a good life, and a good man, can live and work from beyond the grave. Forever. -- Ron Gold =========================================================== _|_ | / \ //_\\ //(_)\\ |/^\| ,%%%% // \\ ,@@@@@@@, ,%%%%/%%% // \\ ,@@@\@@@@/@@, @@@%%%\%%//%%%// === \\ @@\@@@/@@@@@ @@@@%%%%\%%%%%// =-=-= \\@@@@\@@@@@@;%#####, @@@@%%%\%%/%%// === \\@@@@@@/@@@%%%######, @@@@@%%%%/%%//| |\\@\\//@@%%%%%%#/#### '@@@@@%%\\/%~ | | ~ @|| %\\//%%%#####; @@\\//@|| | __ __ | || %%||%%'###### '@|| || | | | | | || ||##\//#### || || | | -|- | | || ||'#||###' || || |_|__|__|_| || || || || ||_/` ======= `\__||_._|| || jgs__||_/` ======= `\_||___ >-->These Times by emb Reflecting on these times of Coronavirus concerns and closings, I was thinking about God and Jesus Christ. Generally on Sunday I am blessed thinking of all my fellow Christians going to church and giving God the Glory with songs, prayer and praise. However, When I again was thinking of that the other night, I was saddened instead of blessed. I realized that around the USA and even the world, churches had closed their doors to help keep their members safe. That meant that God and our Lord Jesus Christ weren't getting their normal worship. That's sad. I just wanted to remind you that even though you can't go to church, that God and Jesus Christ deserve our praise and worship. Do not forget to pay them respect. Give them a little extra prayers, thanks and praise for all they are doing and have done to bless you and your loved ones - especially during these hard times. Give them more of your time knowing they are getting less homage right now from the body of believers. Here's some good songs to sing along with to give God The Glory: Praise You In This Storm - Casting Crowns https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoqbKyeKOBI To God Be The Glory ( Royal Albert Hall, London) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-15v9iworAU Home Free - How Great Thou Art https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXQpDDcrN-w You Raise Me Up https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcLl0A-lXIc Amazing Grace https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7n145-J8ejg The Ten Tenors - Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen Cover) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9R6FBEe_10 Selah - "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBJgFa4MZLg And my song... Casting Crowns ~ Only Jesus (Lyrics) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFGZzyrClzU Let us all keep in mind that while the whole world may be going crazy over worries and fears about the coronavirus, we are not only saved by grace but through faith and grace from God our Father, we are protected - always. Praise God! :) =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: ,(()). ,;;;;. __ ________ _____ ___ ((_ _));'_`'_( _| __ __ __ _| _| _| __ __ () \ /)\ ) / (_|__ _|-_| _(_|(_|(_|__ _|-- ((\ O(() \ O / _____(_|(_|_____________(_|_ SSt Healing Upstretched arms reach for the sky, Please Lord hear my cry!!! So much hurt instilled within, Insanity will not win. Send your Spirit down to me, Flood my spirit while on bended knee. Cleanse this darkness from inside, There is no more portals for it to hide. Rain upon on me with your love so sweet, Allow our hearts to meet!! Let me smell those roses sweet, Like I do each time we meet. Floodgates are open for the pain to go, Tell me which way to go There it is that warm,firm touch, Oh Lord,I needed that so much!! Thank You for releasing me from these chains that bind, Giving back to me a Peaceful Mind! Thank You for your Blessings strong, With My Father's healings I can't go wrong. Praise I send up to the Heavens bright, Thank You for Your Spirit's light. Never have You failed my prayers no matter how strong or weak, In Your presence is what I seek. Written by: Sandra McDowell -<>- "I have offended God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have." - Leonardo Da Vinci -<>- ______ _\ _~-\___ = = ==(____AA____D \_____\___________________,-~~~~~~~`-.._ / o O o o o o O O o o o o o o O o |\_ `~-.__ ___..----.. ) `---~~\___________/------------````` = ===(_________D -Roland >Delayed The bulletin board on the wall at headquarters contained all the important instructions/messages for the day in a rather matter- of-fact way. I was a cadet in pilot training for the Air Force. I spotted one note that said, "volunteers wanted for crew for cross-country flight to Dallas, Texas," near my home town. It was only one hour before flight time. I called and my name was listed on the flight crew. Hurriedly, I went to check out a parachute. No one was around. Time was running out and I couldn't fly without one. At 10 minutes before take-off time, I managed to get a parachute and get to the flight line just in time to watch the plane take off. I was so angry!!!! I had a few choice words for everyone who had caused the delay. Sadly, I returned the parachute and walked back to my quarters. The following morning, as was my custom, I checked the bulletin board. Much to my amazement, there was a notice containing the names of the flight crew who had crashed in their approach to Love Field in Dallas. It was foggy and a wing had crashed into a radio tower. There my name was listed as those who were deceased. When our anger takes control over something we strongly dislike and pout about, we never know that the thing might well be included in what we commonly call, "Acts of God." A true story by Carmon Stiles of Colorado -<>- Circa 1946 Nickel JukeBox _______ _.-'\ /'-._ _.-' _\ .-. /_ '-._ .-' _.-' |/.-.\| '-._ '-. .' .-' _|| ||_ '-. '. / .' .-' ||___|| '-. '. \ / .' .-' _.-'-----'-._ '-. '. \ / / .' .-' ~ ~ '-. '. \ \ / / / .' ~ * ~ ~ '. \ \ \ / / /.'........ * ~ * ~'.\ \ \ | / //:::::::::: ~ _____._____ \\ \ | | | |/::::::::::: * '-----------' \| | | .--.|__||_____________________________||__|.--. .' '----. .-----------------------. .----' '. '.________' |o|==|o|====:====|o|==|o| '________.' .'--------. |o|==|o|====:====|o|==|o| .--------'. '.________' |o|==|o|====:====|o|==|o| '________.' .'--------. |o|==|o|====:====|o|==|o| .--------'. '.________' |o|==|o|====:====|o|==|o| '________.' | | || ____ |:| | | | | |:| ____ || | | | | || | ||:| | | | | |:|| | || | | | | || |____||: Wurlitzer :||____| || | | | | || | /|:| | | | | |:|\ | || | | | | || |_.` |:| | | | | |:| `._| || | | | | || .---.-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-.---. || | | | | || | |\ /\ / \ /\ /| | || | | | | || | |~\/ \/ ~ \/ \/ | | || | | | | || | | /\ ~/\ ~ /\ ~/\ | | || | | | | || | |/ \/ \ / \/ ~\| | || | | | | || | |\~ /\~ / \~ /\ /| | || | | | | || | | \/ \/ ~ \/ \/ | | || | | | | || | | /\~ /\ ~ /\ ~/\ | | || | | | | || |===|/ \/ .-. \/ \|===| || | | | | || | | ~ /\ ( * ) /\ ~ | | || | | | | || | \ / \/'-'\/ \ / | || | | /-._|__|| \ \ ~ /\ ~ /\~ / / ||__|_.-\ |-._/__/| \ './ .-. \.' / |\__\_.-| | | | || '._ '-| |-' _.' || | | | | | | || '._ | | _.' || | | | | | | || '-._| |_.-' || | | | | | | || __ | | || | | | | | | || O__O |_| || | | | '.|_|__||_____________________________||__|_|.' | | |-----------------------------| | | | | [_____________________________] | | | | |/ LGB \| | | '._|__.' '.__|_.' >A bit of nostalgia from Al Solomon In 1953 the US population was less than 150 million... Yet, you knew more people then, and knew them better... And that was good. The average annual salary was under $3,000... Yet our parents could put some of it away for a rainy day and still live a decent life... And that was good. A loaf of bread cost about 15 cents or less.. But it was safe for a five-year-old to skip or skate to the store and buy one... And that was good. Prime-Time meant I Love Lucy, Ozzie and Harriet, Gunsmoke and Lassie if you had a TV. Radio was still a hot item too... So nobody's ever heard of ratings or filters... And that was good. We didn't have air-conditioning... So the windows stayed up and half a dozen mothers ran outside when you fell off your bike... And that was good. Your teacher was either Miss Masters or Mrs. Lyons or Coach Hutchinson...But not Ms Becky or Mr. Dan... And that was good. The only hazardous material you knew about... Was a patch of grassburrs around the light pole at the corner... And that was good. Most families needed only one job... Meaning Mom was home when school let out... And that was good. You loved to climb into a fresh bed... Because sheets were dried on the clothesline... And that was good. People generally lived in the same hometown with their relatives... So "child care" meant grandparents or aunts and uncles... And that was good. Parents and Teachers were respected and their rules were law.... Children did not talk back..... and that was good. TV was in black-and-white... But all outdoors was in glorious color... And that was certainly good. Your Dad knew how to adjust everybody's carburetor... And the Dad next door knew how to fix what your Dad couldn't... And that was very good. Your grandma had a garden in her back yard... And chickens behind the garage... and her chicken and dumplins melted in your mouth! - And that was definitely good. And just when you were about to do something really bad... Chances were you'd run into your Dad's high school coach... Or the nosy old lady from up the street... Or your little sister's piano teacher... Or somebody from church... ALL of whom knew your parents' phone number... And YOUR first name... And even THAT was good! Golly - I miss those GOOD OLD DAYS! Phyllis -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Back In Time!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/backintime.html Suryia and Roscoe!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/orang2.html 100 Years Ago!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/yearsago.html Semper Fidelis!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/semperfi.html Signs For Woman! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wsigns.html Humorous Signs! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/hsigns.html Our Valuable Anchor http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html Curse Of The Law http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/curseofthelaw.html In The Beginning http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/inthebeginning.html Proud Of Our Troops 3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/troops3.html Thoughts For Today http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thoughts.html Butchart Gardens http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bgardens.html Keukenhof Gardens http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kgardens.html Montreal Gardens http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/montreal.html Transparent Butterfly http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/butterfly.html Jesus Clinic http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/clinic.html Amazing Horse Trainer http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/horsetrainer.html When Artists Get Bored http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/abored.html Seven Wonders http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wonders.html -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Bible Study: ABOUND I Quite often, we do not hear much about this word that actually means a great deal to us in our walk and renewed mind with God. We are to abound in every single thing that we do. God's kids are not losers, but they are winners. http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Promises/ABOUND_Part_One.htm ABOUND II We are continuing with and are going to conclude this teaching in this part two. Of course, it is highly recommended that you read part one before you read this final section. Once again, we are studying a topic that is very seldom mentioned in any teachings at any time. I searched through mostly all of my research materials and could not find a chapter related to this subject. With the exception of my very large concordance, I was able to find relevant information for this teaching. That concordance list is what I based this teaching upon. It is a subject that sometimes we do not pay much attention to. I am noted for teaching this type of subject. It is attention to detail of the Word of God and attention to detail is the difference between success and failure. Let's get right to it. http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Promises/ABOUND_Part_Two.htm MORE Promises Of God - Index: http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Promises/Promises.htm -<>- >In The News: Official CDC: Latest Coronavirus Information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html Coronavirus Guidelines for America https://tinyurl.com/w9poy4v "On this #nationaldayofprayer, we come together as one people, united under the grace of God. May the amazing power of prayer lift up our spirits as a nation and guide this Administration forward. - Psalm 17:6 " I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer." - Kimberly Guilfoyle on Instagram, March 15 https://tinyurl.com/wvhvcap President Trump's proclamation naming Sunday, March 15 as a national day of prayer invited all faiths to participate in asking God for added wisdom, comfort, and strength. But this apparently was unacceptable to Muslim Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) 0 she should resign: https://tinyurl.com/vgjng4h Kimberly Guilfoyle shares launch of 'Irish Americans for Trump' https://tinyurl.com/tmg5qvt With the coronavirus pandemic, Trump administration's true leadership on display - (Doing what's Right- Not what is popular) https://tinyurl.com/w6y5cnf UPDATE: Chinese propaganda continues to flood the internet, is backed by Twitter and the Left https://tinyurl.com/v4cdjkr Twitter nixes Sheriff Clarke's Coronavirus tweets, leaves up Chinese official's tweet blaming US for virus outbreak https://tinyurl.com/wqttbr4 Westwing News: Mike Pence: We Need the American People's Help to Fight Coronavirus Now https://www.whitehouse.gov/westwingreads/ WhiteHouseNews: Together, America will prevail 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: Vegetables, Fish, Supplements http://www.emergencyemail.org/products/?fmt=text Latest Health Alert: White House Issues New Coronavirus Guidelines http://www.emergencyemail.org/health/?fmt=text Click to Give Free https://tinyurl.com/y2abb8d2 -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) One of the top magicians in Australia, James Galea made his US television debut with some unbelievable magic. https://youtu.be/DX7v6pK0lrU Funny Cheers - Now this is timely and funny https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tqdOwOxY3s --- ...Hilarious! Thanks LouiseAu! Here's Another one - Funny Cheers - Sick Boss... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdUF4Hljyus -<>- Lysol and Coronavirus? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHTNZKttDXw --- ...Great Info! Thanks LouiseAu! What you see, all depends on your point of view. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=a7LCTT7HKzc --- ...Wow! Thanks LouiseAu! Reminds me of this one we have here... Trash Shadow Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/shadowart.html In Toyota country, border security is taken seriously because it's a hard country to live in and they don't want anything soft sneaking across their borders. City folks with their cafe lattes and wimpy cars aren't going to last five minutes in the rugged country. Tofu, man bags, and anyone that looks metro-sexual are big clues for these border patrol agents that further screening is required before they are allowed to cross the border. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=isC32ev4Lw4 Beautiful Footage of Red Sea Marine Life. The Red Sea is located between the continents of Africa and Asia and is an inlet of the Indian Ocean. Eight different countries surround the sea, including Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Somalia and Sudan on the African side and Jordan, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Yemen on the Asian side. The Red Sea is renowned for its rich and diverse marine life which entails over 1,200 species of fish and 44 species of shark. Over 10 percent of these species are entirely unique to the Red Sea ecosystem including numerous seahorses, starfish and coral. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVwdkmtzoAA&feature=player_embedded --- ...Beautiful! Thanks LouiseAu! Reminds me of this one we have here: Underwater Life Of Eliat http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/underwater.html 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 ========================================================== ,,,,,,,,,,---''''---,,,,,,,,,, --'''''''' ````]['''' ''''''''-- _3'''':. _ .,---------------. \\ / _________./ |[__]| o |J@"\\__ \\==o=========:; |____|[IL__|''''/_/') / `'-,._____===\=_____.,-' \ \ , """""""""""""""""""""" >You Never Know Who Story Editor: by Chuck Keller Joyce Schowalter Missouri, USA We'd moved to St. Louis, but the Veteran's Administration (VA) said if I wanted to stay in queue, I'd better get myself to the appointment I'd made at the VA medical facility in Marion, Indiana. So after working Wednesday, May 30, 2007, I drove the five hours to Marion. While I sat in the waiting room another man sat down beside me. We started talking. He said he was a Marine. He still looked strong at about 60, had sandy brown hair which was graying, and a quiet voice. His right eye was gone and the face and skull around it were deformed because of an obviously horrible injury. I didn't ask how or what happened because some of us don't like to talk about or remember some things. What I did ask was if he was in Vietnam. He said he was. I asked when. He said 18 months in 1967 and 1968. That's when I was there so we began to talk about places and things. He was in recon, which is tough and dangerous work. We talked about the troops in Iraq and the PTSD they will face. We talked about how loud noises still make us jump after 40 years. Recently in a store someone dropped an empty pallet behind me that hit the concrete floor with a very loud bang. My heart stopped -- as it always does when I hear sounds like that. He nodded agreement. We discussed a woman's son, back from Iraq for July 4th, 2006. He formerly enjoyed fireworks immensely, but couldn't stand them now. That will be a sad -- and profound -- fact of life for many people returning after service in this war. I asked if he made it to Danang. He said that's where they took him when he was hit and lost his eye. That was the third time he was wounded so it finally sent him home. I told him I might've carried him off the chopper and taken care of him before his surgery. I was a Navy Corpsman at Danang hospital, in the Receiving Unit. We ran out to the choppers, took the wounded into our Quonset hut, and tried to save their lives. We stopped bleeding, started IV's, stabilized them enough to give them a chance to live, and prepared them for surgery. When it was my time to see the doctor, I told him Semper Fi and walked away. After seeing the doctor I came out and the Marine and I happened to walk along side by side for a minute. He said, "Doc, if you ARE the one who carried me and saved my life... thanks." I just nodded and our paths parted. I hadn't felt better than that in a long time. That former Marine said something else very profound during our conversation. "You never know who the drunk sitting at the bar might be, or the homeless guy on the corner. He might have saved your life once." He was right. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From LaughAndLift: Stewardship is not a matter of funds, it is a matter of faith. ,%&& %&& % ,%&%& %&%& %& %& %&% &%&% % &% % &%% %&% &% %&%&, &%&% %&%& %& &%& % %%& %&%& %&%&% %&%%& &%&% %&% % %& &% %%& && %&% %&%& %&% %&%' '%&% %&% %&&%&%%'% % %& %& %&% &%% `\%%.' /`%&' | | /`-._ _\\/ |, |_ / `-._ ..--~`_ |; |_`\_ / ,\\.~` `-._ - ^ |;: |/^}__..-,@ .~` ~ `o ~ |;: |(____.-' '. ~ - ` ~ |;: | \ / `\ //. - ^ ~ |;: |\ /' /\_\_ ~. _ ~ - //- jgs\\/;: \'--' `---` `\\//-\\/// >The Old Fisherman (Author Unknown) [Edited] Our house was directly across the street from the clinic entrance of Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. We lived downstairs and rented the upstairs rooms to outpatients at the clinic. One summer evening as I was fixing supper, there was a knock at the door. I opened it to see a truly awful looking man. "Why, he's hardly taller than my eight-year-old," I thought as I stared at the stooped, shriveled body. But the appalling thing was his face - lopsided from swelling, red and raw. Yet his voice was pleasant as he said, "Good evening. I've come to see if you've a room for just one night. I came for a treatment this morning from the eastern shore, and there's no bus 'til morning." He told me he'd been hunting for a room since noon but with no success - no one seemed to have a room. "I guess it's my face...I know it looks terrible, but my doctor says with a few more treatments..." For a moment I hesitated, but his next words convinced me: "I could sleep in this rocking chair on the porch. My bus leaves early in the morning." I told him we would find him a bed, but to rest on the porch. I went inside and finished getting supper. When we were ready, I asked the old man if he would join us. "No thank you. I have plenty." And he held up a brown paper bag. When I had finished the dishes, I went out on the porch to talk with him a few minutes. It didn't take a long time to see that this old man had an oversized heart crowded into that tiny body. He told me he fished for a living to support his daughter, her five children, and her husband, who was hopelessly crippled from a back injury. He didn't tell it by way of complaint; in fact, every other sentence was prefaced with a thanks to God for a blessing. He was grateful that no pain accompanied his disease, which was apparently a form of skin cancer. He thanked God for giving him the strength to keep going. At bedtime, we put a camp cot in the children's room for him. When I got up in the morning, the bed linens were neatly folded and the little man was out on the porch. He refused breakfast, but just before he left for his bus, haltingly, as if asking a great favor, he said, "Could I please come back and stay the next time I have a treatment? I won't put you out a bit. I can sleep fine in a chair." He paused a moment and then added, "Your children made me feel at home. Grownups are bothered by my face, but children don't seem to mind." I told him he was welcome to come again. And on his next trip he arrived a little after seven in the morning. As a gift, he brought a big fish and a quart of the largest oysters I had ever seen. He said he had shucked them that morning before he left so that they'd be nice and fresh. I knew his bus left at 4:00 a.m. and I wondered what time he had to get up in order to do this for us. In the years he came to stay overnight with us there was never a time that he did not bring us fish or oysters or vegetables from his garden. Other times we received packages in the mail, always by special delivery; fish and oysters packed in a box of fresh young spinach or kale, every leaf carefully washed. Knowing that he must walk three miles to mail these, and knowing how little money he had made the gifts doubly precious. When I received these little remembrances, I often thought of a comment our next-door neighbor made after he left that first morning. "Did you keep that awful looking man last night? I turned him away! You can lose roomers by putting up such people!" Maybe we did lose roomers once or twice. But oh! If only they could have known him, perhaps their illness' would have been easier to bear. I know our family always will be grateful to have known him. Recently I was visiting a friend who has a greenhouse, As she showed me her flowers, we came to the most beautiful one of all, a golden chrysanthemum, bursting with blooms. But to my great surprise, it was growing in an old dented, rusty bucket. I thought to myself, "If this were my plant, I'd put it in the loveliest container I had!" My friend changed my mind. "I ran short of pots," she explained, "and knowing how beautiful this one would be, I thought it wouldn't mind starting out in this old pail. It's just for a little while, till I can put it out in the garden." She must have wondered why I laughed so delightedly, but I was imagining just such a scene in heaven. "Here's an especially beautiful one," God might have said when he came to the soul of the sweet old fisherman. "He won't mind starting in this small body." All this happened long ago -and now, in God's garden, how tall this lovely soul must stand. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7b) -<>- "Forgiving means giving up on getting even." - Dr. Val Farmer , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >"Taking Aim" (Author Unknown) [Edited] A young lady named Sally, relates an experience she had in a seminary class, given by her teacher, who we'll call Brother Smith. She says Brother Smith was known for his elaborate object lessons. One particular day, Sally walked into the seminary and knew they were in for another fun day. On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many darts. Brother Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone that they disliked or someone who had made them angry, and he would allow them to throw darts at the person's picture. Sally's girlfriend (on her right), drew a picture of a girl who had stolen her boyfriend. Another friend (on her left), drew a picture of his little brother. Sally drew a picture of a former friend, putting a great deal of detail into her drawing, even drawing pimples on the face. Sally was pleased at the overall effect she had achieved. The class lined up and began throwing darts, with much laughter and hilarity. Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart. Sally looked forward to her turn, and was filled with disappointment when Brother Smith, because of time limits, asked the students to return to their seats. As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn't have a chance to throw any darts at her target, Brother Smith began removing the target from the wall. Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus . . . A complete hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were pierced out. Brother Smith said only these words, "In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me." No other words were necessary; the tear-filled eyes of each student focused only on the picture of Christ. "And the King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.' Matthew 25:40 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 ========================================================== _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ >-->My Thoughts And Prayer For You "Prayer is something that has always been a part of me. I prayed when I needed to hear my Father's heart, when I was baptized by John, when I chose the twelve, when I did mighty works, when I broke bread, and when I blessed the children. I prayed when facing my darkest hour, and I prayed as I gave my life upon the cross. I prayed in public before others, and I prayed alone. I prayed in the daytime, and I prayed at night. When I prayed with my disciples just before I was arrested in the garden, you were included in that prayer. When I taught my disciples how to pray, it was for your understanding as well. I know that I am not physically present with you today as I was with my disciples so many years ago, but my heart of prayer has not changed. I am praying for you now because you are mine. My love for you today is great, and my heart for you is full. I pray peace over you and blessings upon you. I pray rivers of joy to be within you and to flow out through you. I pray good things over you. I pray that your life will bear much fruit, that you will grow in grace, that your faith will increase, and that you will stand strong until the day that I see you face to face." Love, Your Brother And Lord, Jesus Christ - Author Unknown >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. 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