Let's Bring Back The 'Oh' And More... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our ShangyFunList: Group Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: 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 ABUNDANTLY FOR YOUR GIFT! ================ >-->In The 'Shangy' News :) . . . . ,-,--. __| //``-, \ \_`\ )\a-a-? \ \ \_`(_=_/_-`__ \__, , \| | _ _,' ___7 ) | (_)(_`__(_,---' | ( _( ) | / /_| |________| __/__/__|__|_________) _________(__,_|)/ (__)|/____\(_______________ mic I am very pleased to announced we have a new sponsor for the website www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com. The summer is heating up! HMY Yachts will give you access to premium fishing and cruising outboard boats for your boating pleasure! Fishing and cruising outboard boats at HMY’s Outboard Boating Center will receive HMY’s industry-leading sales and marketing expertise. The visibility and sales results generated by their world-class team are just a few reasons why HMY is among the most influential yacht brokerage and new yacht firms in the U.S. . _\____ |_===__`. ==/ \/ '---"\ _ _ _ _/ ______/_______/_|_|_|_|_| _|--------------------==." \____________________.' LGB If you are looking for a quality outboard boat, be sure to check out this fine company here: HMY Yachts https://www.hmy.com/outboard-boats-for-sale/ You can always be assured that I only go with the best for you! Why? Because I care About you! :) -<>- >-->2 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) Our red hot new page is from our friends LouiseAu, Linda, Geniann and PatDeE. All this stress from the Pandemic and Biden will get to you if you let it. Instead, let's take some time out for some rib-tickling laughs. This page will take you away and leave you with a smile on your face. Be sure to check it out here... _ (=> HaaHaHa _c==] ~ \ |_ TTTT ___________O+-/x\_ __| || |_____________________ / ____ ___ _____ _____ _ __ __ ___ ___ | _ \ / _ \_ _| ___| | | \/ |/ _ \ / _ \ | |_) | | | || | | |_ | | | |\/| | |_| | | | | | _ <| |_| || | | _| | |___| | | | _ | |_| | |_| \_\\___/ |_| |_| |_____|_| |_|_| |_|\___/ cww Chuckles 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/chuckles2.html --- ...LMAO! Love all of these! Thank you my friends! This smoking hot new page is from my daughter Tammy. If, like me, you didn't think doves were anything but gray or white, this will surprise you. There are doves that are in a rainbow of vibrant beautiful colors! Be sure to check this page along with its videos out here... _..._ _..._ .' _ '. .' _ './ (a) .-'-. / (e) .-'-. '-,-'` | '-,--'` / ; / ; | _ / |/ .\ _ (_\ __..;__ \ ::\ ,/_)._ _;\;``""----...___...---:"`` .-'_ `'. \ '::.()\__) (\())(`._'- `-._ ,:-" '. '. - : ; '::\--;__ _\()`''----...__ `-._ '-. '._ .' | .:::|()\_) (_/`;-. jgs _ ()`-. `""--...____..-'` ;_ .:::| `. \_) _;/_)/).;()'._ (`\.-();/_).__ .::::/().-./`) (_\`;(()(_/(()/(. __.--;();`\_)()\__) .::()--;__:() '-;---()_;\_/()"-._ (_/ (/ /()';();--._\_::'`.();\_)` ,() (_.-(); \._ ``""(_.();_().(`\.-();__)`(_/ `--.__ (_/ (_/() \_) __/(_/|\();__\_)` \_) ` (_/ \_)`-._); Rainbow Fruit Dove http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/fruitdove.html --- ...Most stunning! Thanks Tammy! =========================================================== >-->From Heartlight: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >ToGather: Life that Lasts (May 16, 2021) by Demetrius Collins & Phil Ware (05/15/2021) | ToGather Sometimes a single, short, straightforward passage from Proverbs gives us two gems to help us live fruitful and long lives! Opening with Praise in Word and Song: Let's begin ToGather by reading aloud these words of truth about the creation declaring the glory of its Creator: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. (Psalm 19:1-4) Let's sing the truth of these verses from Psalm 19 as we join Hillsong United in ,(()). ,;;;;. __ ________ _____ ___ ((_ _));'_`'_( _| __ __ __ _| _| _| __ __ () \ /)\ ) / (_|__ _|-_| _(_|(_|(_|__ _|-- ((\ O(() \ O / _____(_|(_|_____________(_|_ SSt "So Will I (100 Billion X)": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2U7ffUM5Ec >Focusing on the Scriptures: [Edited] The apostle Paul praised Jesus as the Son of God who chose to bring us salvation at the cost of his life on the cross: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Col.1: [15] Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: [16] For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: [17] And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. [18] And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. [19] For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; [20] And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. --- ...I interrupt this article... , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' This can be confusing so lets take it VERSE BY VERSE: Col 1: 15. Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: Watch your pronouns! They play a key part in rightly dividing God's Word and especially where there is a parentheses in the Word of God which is evident in verses 16 and 17. But first, let's stay with our pattern and study the literal of verse 15. Literal: Who, (Jesus Christ) is the image or likeness of the invisible or unseen God, the firstborn of all creation. *** The following two verses, 16 & 17, are a parenthetical statement which is a figure of speech that you need to study and understand in order to rightly divide God's Word and avoid private interpretation. 16. (For by him [God] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him [God], and for him [God]: Literal: (For by Him (GOD) were all things created, the things in the heavens and things on the earth, things seen and the unseen ("visible and invisible"), whether thrones (i.e. a symbol of regal authority), or lordships (i.e. rule, dominion, rank or authority of a lord), or principalities (i.e. implies the use of supra-mundane powers over and above everyday worldly powers and implies the mutual rank of these powers as they relate to men), or exercised powers with the delegated liberty or authority of free movement insured as compared to simply having the ability. All things were created by God and for God. 17. And he [God] is before all things, and by him [God] all things consist.) Literal: And He, God, is before all, and by Him all things cohere as parts connected naturally or logically by a common principle; they stand together or united in accord. Another literal translation according to usage is: And he (God) is before all things, and by him (God) all things consist [cohere; were created].) Verses 16 and 17 are a parenthetical phrase. It is a Figure of Speech WHICH IS AN EXPLANATION. By not understanding this, private interpretation easily comes into being and people say that Jesus Christ created all things. You must read from verse 15 DIRECTLY to verse 18 to avoid the loss of thought continuity and to get the rightly divided Word of God! Now to verse 18 which continues the thought from the end of verse 15: 18. And he [Jesus Christ] is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he [Jesus Christ] might have the preeminence. Literal: And he (Jesus Christ) is the head (chief part) of the body as a whole, of the church - the assembly. Jesus Christ is the head of the body of the church of God of which we are a part of that body. Who (Jesus Christ) is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead. Jesus Christ is the first and only person ever to be raised from the dead and still living and is seated at the right hand of God. The purpose being that he might be, in all things, having or holding the first place or the highest dignity (might have the preeminence). Can you see how easily private interpretation can come about as a result of not understanding this figure of speech called a parentheses?!! The pronoun in verse 15 is referring to Jesus Christ-the Son of God. This same continuity of thought follows in verse 18. However, the pronouns in verses 16 and 17, which are in parentheses, are referring to God Almighty. By not properly understanding figures of speech, you simply cannot rightly divide God's perfect Word. Can you see the importance of this lesson? Go back and take a second look and a third look until you completely understand this point. How hard did you study your college courses or how much time did you put in that new procedure that you had to learn at your job??!! My God, people -- this is God's Word -- this is how we're supposed to be living -- by His rule book. There is no real life outside of God's Word. It's all a well disguised mass of organized confusion that will always let you down just when you need some power in your life. Trust me. I've been there. 19. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; Before going on to the literal translation, it should be pointed out that this is another very poor translation from the King James Version. Take note of the words 'the Father' which are in italics. You should know by now that words in italics are added by the translators. They are not a part of the original God-breathed Word. In this particular situation, they appear to throw the whole verse to smithereens and confusion. That's what private interpretation does. A much more clear and accurate translation of this verse 19 is presented in the Interlinear Greek-English New Testament. The following is that literal translation: Literal: Because in him (Jesus Christ), all the fulness was pleased to dwell. Isn't that a simple and beautiful scripture when rightly divided? It's so easy to see how words in italics result, most often, in private interpretation. That's why you must work the Word on your own with God helping you to find the closest to the original God-breathed Word. 20. And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. [Note: This is another verse where the italicized words in the King James Version are unnecessary.] Literal: And by him to reconcile* all things to himself making peace or reconciliation through the blood of his cross or stake (nailed to for execution or crucifixion), by him whether things in earth or things in heaven. * This word 'reconcile' means that no impediment remains to unity and peace. To put away all enmity that amity follows as the result of changing one state into another. Full Teaching Here... The Epistle of Colossians ** Chapter One https://tinyurl.com/yv8wb3j9 Now back to the Heartlight article... >Let's praise Jesus for being our sacriicial, all-sufficient Savior as we sing, ,(()). ,;;;;. __ ________ _____ ___ ((_ _));'_`'_( _| __ __ __ _| _| _| __ __ () \ /)\ ) / (_|__ _|-_| _(_|(_|(_|__ _|-- ((\ O(() \ O / _____(_|(_|_____________(_|_ SSt "You Are My All in All": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JkuwzIPWoU&t=123s Learning to live for Jesus from others who are older and sharing how to live for Jesus with those who are younger are two points of emphasis in our Verse of the Day: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity (Proverbs 3:1-2 NIV84). Phil's message taps into the double application embedded in this biblical principle: Two-Sided Principle of Lasting Life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Kuql8RIesU Our identity as a children of God is given to us and repeatedly reaffirmed by God. However, we need others to help us remember who we are in Christ. Others around us also need us to help them remember who they are in Christ. Our goal is to help them say to God, with confidence, I am "Who you Say I Am"! READ The Rest Of This Heartlight Article Here: https://tinyurl.com/udmmxch6 =========================================================== >-->From Daily Encounter: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Unimagined Beauty (edited) "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him."1 I have read how, when William Montague Dyke was a child, he was blinded in an accident, but he never allowed this handicap to deter him. He graduated with high honors from an English university and, while a student, fell in love with the daughter of a high-ranking British naval office whom he was to marry. Before the wedding he had an eye operation in the hopes that it would restore his eyesight. However, he didn't want the bandages removed from his eyes until his wedding day when he stood before his bride to be. If the surgery failed, he would remain blind for the rest of his life. If successful, the person he wanted to see first was to be his bride. The wedding day arrived. The dignitaries and guests waited in anticipation as the organ played the wedding march and the bride, accompanied by her father and the groom's surgeon, slowly walked the aisle to the altar. As William's sweetheart stood before him, the surgeon took a pair of scissors from his pocket and removed the bandages. The entire party and all the guests held their breath for a brief moment until they heard the words of William which echoed throughout the cathedral as he said to his soon-to-be bride, "You're more beautiful than I ever imagined!"2 In one sense this gives us a faint glimpse as to what it will be like when we get to heaven and stand face to face with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. When we see him in all his majestic beauty and our Father the God of all creation -- no words this side of heaven could ever describe, nor any imagination ever perceive, what this experience will be like. As a hymn we used to sing with great enthusiasm in my childhood days expressed it, "When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be. When we all see Jesus, we'll sing and shout the victory!" Just make sure that your name is written in God's book of life and that you, too, are on your way to heaven. For help be sure to read, "How to know God and be sure you're a real Christian" at: http://tinyurl.com/real-christian. Suggested prayer: "Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your wonderful promise that you are preparing a place for all who believe in your Son, Jesus, and have accepted him as their personal Lord and Savior. Thank you for the forgiveness of sins we have in Jesus and the hope of one day being in Heaven with you. I can only imagine what it will be like. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus Christ's name, amen." 1. 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV). 2. Adapted from Making Today Count for Eternity, by Ken Crockett. Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers, 2001, pp. 101-102. Cited on http://www.sermons.com/. <:))))>< , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Perfect Timing “As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him."1 You are probably familiar with the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth found in Luke 1:5-19. Zechariah was a priest, and both he and his wife, Elizabeth, were righteous in the sight of God. The Bible says that they observed all the Lord's commands and decrees blamelessly, so some might question why the Lord hadn’t yet answered their prayer of having children. You see, Elizabeth was unable to have children, and although they had prayed for children, they grew older and accepted the fact that they wouldn’t have children. But God had a plan! He had heard their prayers but was waiting for His perfect timing to answer. God would later use their son, John the Baptist, to have a vibrant ministry and prepare the way for Jesus. They just wanted a baby, but God had bigger plans for them all! Today’s verse reminds us that when we take refuge in God, He will protect us. Sometimes this means that we will need to wait to see God’s plan unfold, but we can rest knowing that His way is perfect and flawless. If God answered our prayers how we wanted him to and according to our timeline, we would miss out on the blessings of seeing his plan unfold and all that he teaches us in the process. At times God may not answer our prayers the way we want because he knows it is not what is best for us. Our perspective and understanding are limited, which is why we would be wise to trust our all-knowing God. His ways are good, and his timing is perfect. Suggested prayer: Dear God, thank you for answering my prayers. Whether you answer immediately, or I need to wait for the answer, help me trust that your ways are perfect, and your word is flawless. Thank you that your plan is bigger than mine. I ask that you allow me to take refuge in you, trusting that you will protect me and keep me from anything that is not in my best interest. Gratefully, in Jesus Christ’s name, amen. Psalm 18:30 (NIV). When copying or forwarding include the following: "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2016 ACTS International. --- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' ...See these great teachings... Wait On God Most of us have some difficulty waiting on God. We pray and we pray and we wait and we wait and it seems like God doesn't even hear us or He's taking His good old time. Well, I want to explain something to you that I ran across in my research materials a long time ago. When God does something, it is done at the exact right moment in time. http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/Wait_On_God.htm Trust In The Lord http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/Trust_In_The_Lord.htm The Promises of God Index http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Promises/Promises.htm =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _( )_ ( ) ( ) _( )_ ( ) ( ) _( )_ ( ` ' )| |_| | _ _ __ ( ` ' )| |_| | _ _ __ ( ` ' ) > < | _ |( ) ( ) /'_ `\ > < | _ |( ) ( ) /'_ `\ > < (_, ,_)| | | || (_) |( (_) |(_, ,_)| | | || (_) |( (_) |(_, ,_) (_) (_) (_)`\___/'`\__ | (_) (_) (_)`\___/'`\__ | (_) ( )_) | ( )_) | \___/' \___/' unknown >"Be Kind Unconditionally" By Zelig Pliskin Printed with Permission of Shaar Press Once you have done an act of kindness for another person, be grateful if the person is grateful. But don’t expect gratitude. Many people lack the ability to express gratitude. If you do your acts of kindness because you hope you will receive gratitude, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. Some people are very hurt and feel resentful if they help another person and he isn’t grateful. When you do an act of kindness, do it wholeheartedly. Do it even if that person will never do anything at all for you. Do kindness unconditionally and you will never regret the good you have done. "True kindness" is the kindness you do for someone who is deceased. Attending his funeral and being involved in honoring him after his death is the truest level of kindness. Why? Because he will never do anything for you. He can’t even say, "Thank you," regardless of how difficult it was for you to attend his funeral. Since you are doing an act of respect which will not be reciprocated by this person, your act of kindness is more elevated. The authors students provided these stories: I used to have many angry quarrels. I would go out of my way to do many things for others, but I didn’t feel I was receiving enough gratitude. This would make me angry, and I would rebuke and censure relatives and friends for not being more grateful. I spoke to someone who advised me, "Take pleasure in the good you do. Let the knowledge that you are doing kind acts be its own reward." "This sounds too lofty for me," I argued. "I’m a regular human being and it bothers me when my efforts are not met with gratitude." "Forget about high spiritual levels right now," he said. "Do this out of intelligent self-interest. When you demand the gratitude you don’t spontaneously receive, you end up quarreling and everyone loses. By not demanding gratitude, you will end up with more gratitude than before. Please do me a favor and try it out." He was right. It worked. When others saw that my kindness came from my sincere caring and not as a means of obtaining gratitude, the actual gratitude increased immensely. But I was sincerely prepared to forgo gratitude, so I could only win and there was no way to lose. * * * Whenever I did something for someone, what was uppermost in my mind was, "I hope this person will do something for me in return. If he won’t, I should be doing this for someone who will." This attitude caused me much resentment. A friend of mine consistently did acts of kindness for people who weren’t likely to reciprocate. He told me, "When someone does something for another person with the hope that they will do something in return, he is never certain if he will get what he wants. When I joyfully do a kind act unconditionally, I am one hundred percent guaranteed to benefit from what I do. It makes sense to get a guarantee on one’s investment in time and energy." --- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' ...The bible teaches us - Col.3: [23] And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; [24] Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. This requires no gratitude from people who are often 'thankless' when you do things for others as a way to serve your Lord and savior Christ, who gave His all for you and continues to bless and help you in your day to day life. Pss.37: [4] Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Its a given! God and Christ protect us, love us and provide us with all our needs and even abundantly provide for us giving us the desires of our hearts! We need no thanks from others when we know we are giving back for what we have and are receiving from God. -<>- ___ ____ ___ ____( \ .-' `-. / )____ (____ \_____ / (O O) \ _____/ ____) (____ `-----( ) )-----' ____) (____ _____________\ .____. /_____________ ____) (______/ Joe Reiss `-.____.-' \______) >Church spreads a gospel of abundance, $10 at a time By HELEN T. GRAY McClatchy Newspapers KANSAS CITY, Mo. — On a recent Sunday, the Rev. Will Bowen gave $3,000 to his congregation at One Community Spiritual Center. Each adult received an envelope marked "Top Secret." Inside was a $10 bill and instructions: "Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to change the consciousness of those about you who are feeling there is lack in our world." Members were to give away the $10 and spread the word that "There is limitless abundance in and around us at all times." Bowen has been in the news before. He’s the Kansas City pastor who came up with the idea that has become a worldwide movement: to a wear a purple bracelet as a reminder to quit complaining. The idea for the "Top Secret Spiritual Stimulus Plan" came to him because he got tired of hearing people blame their woes on the economy. "Consumer confidence has a big impact on the economy," he said. When people became convinced that the economy was troubled, they "started freaking out" and hoarding their money. "Even the banks were freaking out, not lending money. It was a collective freak-out. And there is this belief that the economy dictates our abundance." Bowen wondered how his church could change some of the thinking about the economic crisis, to change their perceptions and beliefs about what they have. Then it came to him: Spread money. "If all of a sudden money started being handed out, people may change their beliefs," he said. "So we are just doing our small part in showing Kansas City that there is not lack, but abundance." >Unsuspecting recipients Participants were asked to e-mail their results of their giveaway to the church. "It has been thrilling to read the feedback," Bowen said. Everyone loved the project and found many different people to help, he said. Among them: Fast food drive-throughs were great spots to ambush unsuspecting $10 recipients. * Terry Hale of Kansas City was in a drive-through lane when she looked in her rear view mirror and saw in the car behind her a young woman, her hair in a ponytail, and behind her a child’s car seat. She could make out a bit of wiggling from the seat. Hale paid for her meal at the window and after the young man returned her change, she handed him the $10 bill to pay for the meal for the car behind her. "You see, we live in an abundant world and I am paying it forward," she said. "Thanks and have a great day." The young man muttered, "OK," with a look of confusion. As Hale was receiving her food at the second window, she saw the attendant explaining to the young mother that her meal was paid for. "A surprised smile was forming on her face," Hale said. "I drove away with a gigantic smile on my own face, and then I wished I’d thought to give the guy working there $10, too." * A man holding a sign caught the attention of Peggy Smith of Liberty as she was driving. The sign read, "Lost Job -Two kids to feed." Despite traffic, Smith was able to pass him the $10. "His eyes immediately?teared and he said, 'God bless you,’" Smith said. "He was pretty surprised when I told him this was proof of God’s abundance coming your way and to believe more is ahead." * John Westlie immediately knew he wanted to give his money to the woman who cleans his office building at William Jewell College. He described her as a hard worker with boundless cheer and optimism. But $10 didn’t seem to be enough for her, so Westlie matched it with $10 of his own. He then asked other faculty members in the office if they wanted to match his $10. "Several people engaged me in lengthy conversations and were fascinated by the concept that a church would simply give money away, confident that there was enough abundance and that the loss to the budget would not matter." In the end, the $10 became $180, and Westlie gave it to the cleaning woman in a thank-you card. "Interestingly enough, she was far more touched by the spontaneous expression of appreciation than the cash, which she barely glanced at, and we had tears and hugs," he said. * Doreen Ray of Kansas City gave hers to a waitress, who had been given only one table to wait on that night. At first she said she couldn’t take it. "So I let her know that this was a top-secret mission, and she was the one I picked," Ray said. "She said 'Thank you so much,’ ?and 'I hope to be able to do the same for someone else some day.’" >Perception can be reality While Bowen knows that many people are facing real challenges, he said a lot is perception. For example, he was at the airport and overheard a conversation between two real estate agents. "The first one said, 'In this economy my business is in the tank.’ The woman Realtor said, 'I’ve chosen not to participate in the down economy, and my business is as strong as ever.’ "People are complaining about the economy, and one of the main reasons people complain is to remove themselves from responsibility." The first Realtor may not have been working as hard, may have unintentionally been slowing down. Whereas the 2nd woman was seeing lots of abundance." Bowen said many of the mission results will be shared in the church’s newsletters to "help perpetuate the truth that we live in abundance." -<>- .---. .---. ,';' `.';' `.. f :Bo. ` d88: `\ /d88P' `\ ; /d888P' `. ',d8&8P' : ;d8&7' | :8: | qx >Falling in Love with Molly Falling in Love with Molly From Chicken Soup for the Soul: On Being a Parent BY: From Chicken Soup for the Soul: On Being a Parent My son Joe knew about Molly even before I did. He was fourteen years old and had just walked through the open door of the bathroom, where I was standing at the sink. “Just need to grab my hair gel,” he said, reaching up to the shelf above my head. I was startled and turned slightly away from him. But it was too late. He had already noticed that I was holding something in my hand. “What’s that?” he asked. For a moment, I didn’t answer him. Just mumble something, I said to myself. He doesn’t listen to most of what you say anyway. But there was something about the depth of his voice behind me, something about the fact that it was coming from a good five inches above me, that made me turn and tell him the truth. “It’s a pregnancy test,” I said, looking down at the little white wand. “I... I don’t really think I’m... you know... it’s just a possibility... a remote possibility... your Dad said I should try one of these kits....” I looked up at Joe as my voice trailed off. His face had gone white. He didn’t look so grown up after all. “How do you know if it’s... positive?” he asked. “Well,” I said, reaching for the instruction leaflet, “it says here that a little red line would appear.” Just then, the phone rang. I had been waiting to hear from my husband all day -- I didn’t want to miss his call. “Hold this for a minute,” I said, handing the wand to Joe. “Don’t tip it. I’ll be right back.” It wasn’t my husband. “Okay,” I said, heading back into the bathroom. “Sorry about all this, Joe, the time’s up anyway. I’ll just throw that thing in the -- ” I stopped. The wand was lying in the sink. Joe was staring down at it. Slowly, he raised his head, turned, and looked straight at me. “There’s a line,” he said. “A little red line.” His eyes narrowed. “A gross, disgusting, little... red... line.” And then he walked past me, out of the bathroom, down the stairs, out the side door, and as much as was possible for the next nine months, out of our lives. By the time our daughter Molly was due to be born, I had grown accustomed to my elder son’s embarrassment and animosity. I had grown accustomed to a lot of things, not the least of which was having an unexpected child at the age of thirty-nine, long after we thought our family of two boys was complete. My husband, to his eternal credit, was delighted. Our younger son, eleven-year-old Shea, pored over the baby books with me, keenly following the week-by-week progress of his little sister’s in utero development. Throughout it all, Joe rarely spoke to me, except to say, “You don’t have to come to my school,” and -- after a marathon baby-naming conference -- “Molly is Ron’s dog’s name.” When Molly finally arrived -- tiny, quiet and perfect -- six family arms were there to draw her close. But Joe’s remained tightly crossed over his chest, on the far side of the hospital room. It was an effort to step outside my bliss, to call to him, to beckon him into our circle of adoration. Shaking his head just slightly, he backed up farther into the corridor. I could see him standing there, arms still folded, staring straight ahead. Joe arranged to be at a friend’s cottage when Molly and I came home from the hospital. He was still gone ten days later when I took our daughter for her first check-up. He arrived home just as I was coming back, tears streaming down my face. “The doctor thinks she might have a hearing problem,” I sobbed. “She’s too quiet, she’s not responding like she should. We have to have her tested.” As my husband soothed me, downplaying my worry, I noticed that Joe had stopped beside the baby, sound asleep in her car seat. He reached out to her, shifting her slightly away from a bump in the carpet. “She’s okay,” he said, looking down at her. “There’s nothing wrong with her. She’s just little.” He looked up at us. I stopped crying. I held my breath. “I’m going in-line skating,” he said. “I’ll put my stuff away when I get back.” Three months later, as I walked the floor at 4:00 A.M. with a fretful, inconsolable (and otherwise perfectly healthy) baby in my arms, I stumbled into Joe’s room and nudged him awake. “Joe, could you take her? Just for a few minutes? I can’t settle her down, Dad’s at work, I just really need a break.” Saying nothing, but throwing off his covers, Joe took his little sister from me. He laid her briefly on his bed, tightly rewrapping her blanket. Putting her over his shoulder, he patted her back, spoke to her softly, slowly walked her up and down the hall outside his room. It wasn’t his first night with Molly, and it wouldn’t be his last. In the months before Molly was born, a lot of people told us about the pleasures of a baby who comes late. “A do-it-yourself grandchild,” said one old gentleman. “We had one of those, the best thing that ever happened to us.” “A change-of-life child,” said another. “What a blessing.” “A caboose baby,” said an aunt. “They’re always the sweetest.” They assured us that we would cherish this unexpected detour in our lives. They were right. But they didn’t mention the bonus. They didn’t tell us about the sight of a baby stroller parked perilously close to a backyard basketball net, a mop-haired one-year-old shrieking in delight as lanky teenagers tore back and forth in front of her. They didn’t talk about a chubby toddler, dressed in a size-large hockey jersey, scooping up the puck that always slid directly into her oversized glove. They didn’t describe a two-year-old, sitting high atop a stack of cushions at the kitchen table, “helping” earnestly with grade-eleven math. Or the four-year-old wrapped tightly around the legs of the smiling graduate, in each and every photo. No one ever predicted the first family visit to a college dorm, where sixteen drawings of the same two stick figures competed on the wall with air-brushed, leggy calendar girls. They didn’t portray newly muscled arms holding up a struggling swimmer, a shaky skater, a first- time skier. They failed to account for an impish little face hanging out the window of a rusty, rumbling car, or prepare me to be bypassed on the platform for tiny outstretched arms. Certainly, no one ever warned me that I would have to will my heart to stay intact one Christmas Eve, when a seven-year-old with a brother on the other side of the world asked if she could trade all the presents under the tree for “our Joey at the door.” No one ever told me about the joy of seeing your own little girl perched on the shoulders of your own grown-up son, her arms reaching down toward him, his grinning, handsome face turned up toward her laughter. They couldn’t tell me. Because they couldn’t describe it. -<>- \\ ///// | | (| _ _ |) |` | '| | __ | >>>___/\_^__/\___<<< / ||| \ Mike Hertz >On this Memorial Day... This Sunday I will be the Elder at the table and I will speak over communion.. this is what I will say. My wife's grandfather served in WWI, WWII, Korea and was an instructor for troops that went to Vietnam. My father was a tail-gunner for a B-24 Liberator Bomber. My step-father served in Guadalcanal. I served in the Air Force between 1962 and 1966 and am a disabled vet. A good friend that I rode to graduation with was the last man off of Hamburger Hill in Vietnam, he was a marine. He had to fight the enemy hand to hand in order to get the wounded to waiting helicopters while he was wounded. For his actions, he was awarded the Silver star. While in Nam, he also received two bronze stars and of course, at least one purple heart. It is people like this that enable us to worship here today, to have a free country, to work, to play. As good as these men were, the Man who was at the original table... well, He raised the dead, gave us, the soldiers a reason to fight, hope. Without Him, there would not be a Church. So on this memorial day, let us remember all of our heroes...the ones in uniform and our Savior. BJ Cassady Guthrie, Oklahoma -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment :) Birth Of An Island! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/island.html Moon Photography Art W/Michael Jackson Tribute http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/moonart.html A Woman's Dream http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/woman.html Tigerfish http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/tigerfish.html Roller Coasters: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/coaster.html Mountain Biking http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mountainbiking.html Oregon Aquarium http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/oregon.html Miracle In Utah http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/utah.html Dog Logic http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/doglogic.html Kid Lessons http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kidlessons.html Mule Vs Lion http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mulelion.html Nanny Animals http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/nannyanimals.html Never Give Up! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/nevergiveup.html You are The Only You God Has http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/onlyyougodhas.html Lean On Me http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/leanonme.html The Red Hat http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/redhat.html 9-11 And Troops Index! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/911andtroopsindex.html -<>- God’s Word has What You Need https://tinyurl.com/ezr595rv Rescued by the God of Armies – Of Decaf and Delight https://tinyurl.com/3rjmesac Stand for Nothing, Fall for Anything https://tinyurl.com/2ypxry2e Former Muslim Woman Faced Death by An “Honor Killing” – Then Jesus Saved Her Life / Men – Before You Abandon Your Family – Remember Your Covenant With God (women too!) / Complete Chaos – Terrorists in Nigeria Kidnap Children and Slay Christians Without Mercy / “Every Black Life Matters” Is the Pro-Family, Pro-Life Alternative to Marxist BLM / A Life-Changing Event: Over 100k Bibles Distributed to Prisoners During COVID-19 Lockdowns AND MORE: https://www.christianlifedaily.com/ A New Bill Protects Students And Teachers Against “Transgender” Madness / Traveling Mom Fined $18k Because Her COVID-19 Test Was Expired By Just 2-Hours / Scientists Play God With Monkey Cells AND More: https://mommyunderground.com/ >In The News: VA News: Job Fair Tips, Dollywood Discount, Stress Solutions https://tinyurl.com/yz4f8ch9 Trump JUST SLAMMED Traitor Pence In Latest Statement! There was no reason at all that Pence could have not stopped the certification of the votes from the contested states, but he did and allowed a stolen election to stand. READ MORE... https://tinyurl.com/5njkvknf Conservative News Channels https://smashleft.com/2021/05/ Democrats Mull Weakening Hefty Biden Estates Tax / Biden's Infusion to States and Cities Already Totals $105 Billion / China Threatens US for 'Creating Risks' in South China Sea / US, Russia at Odds Over Military Activity in the Arctic / GOP Sens Bash Dems, Biden for Tepid Israel Support / Administration Has Allowed 61K Illegal Immigrants Into US And MORE: https://www.newsmax.com/ Post Office Surveillance Worse Than We Thought / WI Officially Begins their Election Audit / 5 Rural Counties in Oregon Vote to Secede and Join Idaho / AP Hired Anti-Israeli Activists / Media and Democrats Fear-Mongering over 'Climate Crisis' Fails / Pelosi Maintains Mask Mandate until 100 Percent of House Members are Vaccinated / Video Reveals the Shocking Scale of Hamas’s Terror Tunnels / Biden Caves to Woke Mob, Pushes Israel for Significant De-Escalation / Black Lives Matter has Declared ‘Solidarity’ with Palestinians / Liberals Unsure of How to Handle Maskless America / What’s Behind the Cryptocurrency Crash? https://reliablenewsnow.com/ Biden’s Numerous Policy Missteps Has Americans Questioning The Timing of This Announcement / Communist Chinese Military Scientists Planned This Deadly Attack / DOJ Caught Deleting Emails, Other Evidence In High-Profile... AND MORE: https://deepstatejournal.com/ Poll: 64% Think Biden Won’t Finish First Term–51% Of Biden Voters! / Biden Giving Russian Gas Pipeline A Pass After Killing American Keystone XL Pipeline / Joe Biden Insults Coast Guard Grads For Not Laughing at Joke He Stole From Ronald Reagan (VIDEO) https://thescoop.us/ Biden Caught Trying To Pour Gas On The Vaccine Fire! / Insider Reveals THE BIG SWAP Is About To Happen! / Fauci Just Admitted It Was All For Show! / Giuliani Has HAD ENOUGH And Is Taking On Granny Killer Cuomo! http://2020conservative.com/ Here’s The Pentagon’s Secret Army Of 60,000 That Congress Did NOT Know About / Nikki Haley Just EXPOSED The Trump Victory Biden Can’t Take Away! https://threepercenternation.com/ Latest From AFA: http://tinyurl.com/j7lakqw Students For Life https://tinyurl.com/yd5nxmu6 Latest From OperationRescue: http://www.operationrescue.org/ Latest Product Alert: Recall Alert: Beans, Hand Sanitizer, Oil http://www.emergencyemail.org/products/?fmt=text Latest Health Alert: Toxic Mercury In Fish Rising http://www.emergencyemail.org/health/?fmt=text Click to Give Free https://tinyurl.com/y2abb8d2 -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) A great look back at the 1950s and 1960s that should bring back fond memories for anyone that grew up in that era. Since I was born in the 1960s it was a little before my time but I still enjoy the music and looking at the classic cars. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDc0ID6PJeg If you like Rock and Roll Oldies I think you’ll enjoy this video. A great look back at the 1950s and 1960s that should bring back fond memories for anyone that grew up in that era. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lT1sHyi2eY A great look back at the 1950s and 1960s that should bring back fond memories for anyone that grew up in that era. It was a little before my time but I still found it fun and entertaining to watch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmF91z1-dRY --- ...A great memory trip! 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 ========================================================== \\ ///// | | (| _ _ |) |` | '| | __ | >>>___/\_^__/\___<<< / ||| \ Mike Hertz >-->From Our Friend LouiseAu :) Some people have been a bit offended that the actor, Lee Marvin, is buried in a grave alongside 3 and 4-star generals at Arlington National Cemetery. His marker gives his name, rank (PVT) and service (USMC). Nothing else. Here's a guy who was only a famous movie star who served his time, why the heck does he rate burial with these guys? Well, following is the amazing answer: I always liked Lee Marvin, but didn't know the extent of his Corps experiences. Lee Marvin and Bob 'Captain Kangaroo' Keeshan were both in the military during World War II, but they didn't fight together at Iwo Jima or any other engagement. In a time when many Hollywood stars served their country in the armed forces often in rear echelon posts where they were carefully protected, only to be trotted out to perform for the cameras in war bond promotions, Lee Marvin was a genuine hero. He won the Purple Heart. Lee Marvin did enlist in the U.S. Marines, saw action as Private First Class in the Pacific during World War II, and was wounded (in the buttocks) by fire which severed his sciatic nerve. However, this injury occurred during the battle for Saipan in June 1944, not the battle for Iwo Jima, which took place several months later, in February 1945. See this for the details: https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/captain-kangaroo-lee-marvin-iwo-jima/ Now on to Mr. Rogers of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood... >Mr Rogers A Navy SEAL? Beginning in the 1990s, an urban legend started up that Mr. Rogers (formally known as Fred McFeely Rogers) was a tattooed military sharpshooter. After partially dying down in the late ‘90s, rumors began to resurge following Mr. Rogers’ death in 2003, but this time, they suggested that he was an ex-military SEAL rather than a sniper. The rumors grew so much in popularity that Navy officials issued a statement as to why these rumors were false and just an urban legend after all. But why did these rumors begin in the first place and accumulate such a strong public backing? And what details about Mr. Rogers’ life have proven that he was not involved in the military in any shape or form? The death of Mr. Rogers was a catalyst for new rumors, and a chain email that was sent in 2003 seemed to provide more proof of this supposedly “violent” Mr. Rogers alter ego that was kept concealed from the public. The email, suggesting Mr. Rogers had a background that his millions of adoring fans were unaware of, stated: “There was this wimpy little man (who just passed away) on PBS, gentle and quiet. Mr. Rogers is another of those you would least suspect of being anything but what he portrayed. But Mr. Rogers was a U.S. Navy Seal, combat-proven in Vietnam with over twenty-five confirmed kills to his name. He wore a long-sleeve sweater to cover the many tattoos on his forearm and biceps. (He was) a master in small arms and hand-to-hand combat, able to disarm or kill in a heartbeat. He hid that away and won our hearts with his quiet wit and charm.” So who really was Mr Rogers? Fred Rogers was born in 1928 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Growing up, he had a hobby of music, which eventually turned into a music composition degree from Florida’s Rollins College. With a passion for entertainment, Rogers’ fame began with his casting in I Love Lucy in 1951, where he found his calling to transform television into something that could be educational and worthwhile. Rogers, who was a Presbyterian minister, was known worldwide for his gentle and calm demeanor and his way with children. He was an upstanding citizen and made the decision never to smoke or drink, and chose to follow a vegetarian diet due to ethical reasons. In his children’s television show Mister Rogers Neighborhood, Mr. Rogers was always pictured wearing sweaters that fully covered his arms, but he was not using his choice of apparel to conceal tattoos of any kind. These trademark sweaters, one for each of his 900 episodes, were handknitted by his mother and were a crucial part of the persona Rogers spent his life creating. As far as Mr. Rogers’ opinion on war, he often stated that he equated it with child abuse and that sending a child’s parents away to war would break their “essential bond” and be traumatic for the child. He wished for a world where no child would have to experience this abuse by war. It is believed that Mr. Rogers’ squeaky clean public appearance and morals allowed for these scandalous rumors to gain footing and flourish in the first place. Mr Rogers Navy SEAL: Fact or Fiction? The entirety of the claims within this chain email, in addition to all other supposed evidence of Mr. Rogers’ past in the military, has been proven false. Following the chain email, the U.S. Navy decided to issue a correction by clarifying information about Mr. Rogers’ life that serves as proof of the false validity of these claims. First off, they stated that since Mr. Rogers was born in 1928, he would have been too old to enlist in the Navy during the period of the U.S. involvement in the conflicts with Vietnam. In addition, military involvement for Fred Rogers doesn’t have a place where it fits into the timeline of his life. Since he attended college immediately after graduating high school and then continued straight into television work, there was no gap in Mr. Rogers’ life where this claimed Navy involvement could have occurred. The only connection that has been found between Mr. Rogers and the military is when he registered for the draft in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 13, 1948, when he was 20 years old. For many years, he was eligible for military service, since he was classified as a “1A.” However, during his final year of college, Rogers reported to the Armed Forces in order to complete his physical and his status was changed to “4F,” meaning that he was no longer qualified for military service. It is unknown why Rogers didn’t pass as these medical records have since been destroyed. Finally, the Navy SEALs were founded in 1962, the same year that Rogers began his television program Misterogers, which was the preceding Canadian show to his later American television program Mister Rogers Neighborhood. Mr Rogers Sniper Prior to claims of his Navy involvement, it was also speculated that Rogers was an ex-sniper. However, this same military timeline and its correlation to Mr. Rogers’ life also proves that he wasn’t a military sniper either, as the U.S. did not send ground troops into Vietnam until 1995, making Rogers too old to enlist as a sniper. Mr. Rogers also opposed the Vietnam War and often said on his television show, “Isn’t peace wonderful?” through his many puppet storylines based around war resistance. Mr Rogers Sniper Marine Corps One other commonly searched connection between Mr. Rogers and the military is that he was possibly a sniper in the Marine Corps. Going back to trademark sweaters, this assumption is usually based on the myth that Rogers is using his full coverage sweaters to conceal his tattooed sleeves, which were said to hold a tattoo for each of his supposed sniper kills. However, the same evidence of military events in comparison to that of Mr. Rogers’ life events shuts down this claim as well, ruling out any connection between Mr. Rogers and the Marine Corps, and ultimately any military involvement, period. The Validity of Urban Legends While these urban legends continue to be assumed as true, it only takes a simple lineup of events and analysis of Mr. Rogers’ personal beliefs and morals to see that these are just that — legends. It is very common for someone with such a high standing public persona and track record to become the subject for such claims, and Fred Rogers is no exception. In addition to urban legends regarding military involvement, Mr. Rogers has also been accused of being a convicted child molester, flashing satanic devil horns during his children’s television program, and flipping off his audience; however, all of these rumors are easily explained and continue to be nothing more than urban legends. Often, positive public figures are distorted in order to create more intrigue. However, at the end of the day, Fred Rogers was nothing more than a Puritan-esque character who followed his passion for education and creating a peaceful society where children are taught to be good- hearted, morally conscious people. Mr. Rogers was truly the best kind of person there could be, and these legends ultimately are a reflection of society rather than the man at the center of them. https://www.ourmilitary.com/mr-rogers-navy-seal/ --- ...Wow, Super interesting! Thanks LouiseAu! We have so many actors and actress' that were heroes! Here's some of them... Famous US Veterans http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/famousveterans.html ========================================================== >-->From LaughAndLift: "In the average church service the most real thing is the shadowy unreality of everything. The worshiper sits in a state of suspended mentation; a kind of dreamy numbness creeps upon him; he hears words, but they do not register, he cannot relate them to anything on his own life level. . . . It does not affect anything in his everyday life. He is aware of no power, no presence, no spiritual reality." - A. W. Tozer _|_ | / \ //_\\ //(_)\\ |/^\| ,%%%% // \\ ,@@@@@@@, ,%%%%/%%% // \\ ,@@@\@@@@/@@, @@@%%%\%%//%%%// === \\ @@\@@@/@@@@@ @@@@%%%%\%%%%%// =-=-= \\@@@@\@@@@@@;%#####, @@@@%%%\%%/%%// === \\@@@@@@/@@@%%%######, @@@@@%%%%/%%//| |\\@\\//@@%%%%%%#/#### '@@@@@%%\\/%~ | | ~ @|| %\\//%%%#####; @@\\//@|| | __ __ | || %%||%%'###### '@|| || | | | | | || ||##\//#### || || | | -|- | | || ||'#||###' || || |_|__|__|_| || || || || ||_/` ======= `\__||_._|| || jgs__||_/` ======= `\_||___ >Let's Bring Back the "Oh" (By Chris Long) I was just listening to a message last night on my mp3 player by Alan Redpath, a pastor who went to be with the Lord over 20 years ago. I was listening, as we all can be apt to do, in kind of the "ho hum" state - where we're listening but not as engaged as we should be, when all of a sudden he said something that literally was like bricks falling on me! This is what he said [yes, I actually got out a pencil and paper and wrote it down - I felt so low-tech... ;) ] David cried, "Oh God..." Isaiah cried, "Oh that thou would rend the Heavens and come down..." Hannah...in bitterness of soul because of the barrenness cried, "Oh Lord..." The "Oh" doesn't exist any more in our prayer meetings, and we play religious games while society goes to hell. This last line just jumped out at me - and proceeded to bonk me on the head! Where is our "Oh"? Or, rather, "Where did our 'Oh', Go?" As a Church, and specifically the Church in America, we've become quite content living in our little "Christian bubble" - hands over our ears; eyes tightly shut; screaming loudly "I can't hear you!" in our best ignoring tone - to a world that has become progressively dark. By maintaining a stance of ignorance, or worse, complete apathy, we have not only tried to ignore what's been going on around us, we actually invited it into the church. By not taking an appropriate stand, we flung the doors wide open and welcomed the world's values inside. We didn't realize that while we were silently passive to the evil growing around us, what that actually meant was that we were being active in embracing it. While the Biblical standards showcase a clear life difference that a believer in Jesus Christ is to have in comparison with an unbeliever, describing it in such graphic contrasting terms as "light" vs. "darkness" and "life" vs. "death", the lines have gotten incredibly blurred in many of our churches. We go and sing our songs all spiritual- like, raise our hands, dedicate our hour a week (or two or THREE if we're REALLY spiritual!) and then go home. We go to church and put on our "Christian face" and of course we've all learned to speak "Christianese" fluently ("Oh, Praise the Lord brother!" "Hallelujah, sister!" :) :) - you know what I mean...) We can sit there and listen to messages, but somehow not really take them in and apply them personally to our own lives, and then we leave church, and we proceed to live just like the world in most every regard. When the divorce rate WITHIN the church is worse than the divorce rate outside of the church, you KNOW there's a problem...a systemic, underlying, structural problem. This isn't a bash on the Church, but a wake-up call for us all (myself included). Thankfully, there have been some very encouraging signs recently that us slumbering pew-folk are beginning to wake up. But, honestly, just trying to put a band-aid on decades of slumbering ignorance isn't going to cut it. Just holding a once or twice-a-year hourly revival/prayer service isn't enough. We've got to get into the fundamentals and start seriously re-examining just how it is - or, better yet, why, we do church. It's time to examine where we have let mechanized programs and man's wisdom in, and pushed the Holy Spirit out. It involves being real with God, ourselves, and one another. The facade we've built up in many of our churches has got to go. We've played our religious games long enough, agreed? It involves getting back to what God says in His Word, and not just what others "think" God says in His Word. It involves all of us spending that time with God in His Word, developing that personal relationship with Him. We've been living on the milk - and often not even milk we ourselves sought out personally - but that was handed to us after being drunk by others - for decades. It's time to "get meaty." The gray is rapidly fading and the sides are becoming clear. God has definitely been "forcing the hand". It's time that we get back to simple basics and examine ourselves - and our beliefs - in the light of God's Word. It's time we repent where we need to repent and weep where we need to weep. And then it's time to take our stand and cry out to our Lord like never before. It's time to bring back the "Oh"! ------------------- This is version 1.0 of this document (August 30, 2010). This document is provided as a ministry outreach via Laugh & Lift. http://www.laughandlift.com This article is Copyright by Chris Long 2010. You may use this article for free for any purpose, whether commercial or non-commercial, as long as you use the entire text and that all text, including this notice, is not modified or removed in any fashion. For any other usage, you must obtain written permission from the author. 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 --- _ ///-._ ////////-._ /////////////-. ////////////////`. //////////////// .'`. //////////////// . '.'`. '|`'//////////// . .'.::|` : `'/////// . '.':| | . . `'// ' _|- ::| |. .-._ . | . | .':: | |:|:| | ' ' '.::| | |:|:| :. . .'.':| | . |:|:| . | .._.::: : `':| | ' ////-:| |. . | '/////////-._ | . . : .//////////////-._ : : ///////////////////-._ |. |////////////////////////-._ | . . :`'//////////////////////////-._ | . _.-\\\\``'//////////////////////////-._ | /\\\\\\\\..``'//////////////////////////". : . . /. \\\\\\\\\. .``'///////////////////// .'`. : / _ \\\\\\\\\. ``'//////////////// . .'`. | . / (@) \\\\\\\\\. . . ``'/////////// . '.'::|. {`)._ '| _` .\\\\\\\-`:|#| . . ``'////// '. .'.:| `-{_/`| ||::. \\'`.:|:.|#| |#| . ``'/ ' .##:'::: `-| ||||| |`.'::|::|#| |#| |#| . . '| . .|##|'.:| pils | ||||| : .'::|:.'#| |#| |#| |#| | |##|'::| | ||||| .| .'.:|::.'' '#| |#| |#| . : ' |##|'.:| {`\:|||| : .'::|:_.:. . '#| |#| | .|##|'::: `-{_/'|_ |_.-'/}_/'-._ '#| :. |##:'.:| `'{._('}_)-' `-}_}(-._ . . | ' '` .'::| `-' `-.} /-._ . : .'.'_:-'\ `-}_}(-._ | . _.-')_(-' `-/_)`-.:.-{ \{-' `-{_'_)-'' ^ ...I can relate to the above... I was going to church, as a child, taken ever Sunday by my mom. Sweet Love of Jesus in my heart and songs to grace my soul. But then I grew older and the time of childhood wonder and fun songs and games at church were over. I found the adult world of church pews. Sit in them silently for the hour or two during service. Sing what is to be sung and bow when prayer was heard and be done. Boring. No wonder so many fall asleep in church. Simply not interesting. What was I being taught in church? As a child I learned all sorts of great works of God and stories of brave souls who gave their all to be obedient to God only to wind up as I learned later as an adult that they left God's favor and no more stories of greatness was told about them. Just another to go down. Like all the poor souls that didn't make it on to Noah's Ark. I learned about Jesus and the apostles and how after he gave his life that they had to work hard to get the gospel out. , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Paul the apostle said: 2 Cor.11: [23] Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. [24] Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. [25] Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; [26] In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; [27] In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. [28] Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. [29] Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? [30] If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. [31] The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. Yet I hear Christians talking about this little thing bothering them or that little thing bothering them. Really? Why don't we learn about God and Jesus Christ in church? I heard the same teachings - boring - make you fall asleep teachings - in church. Where is the OH! Where is the WOW! Where is the How Awesome! You don't hear that in church do you? Until I went to a church that actually taught the Word Of God and made sure I was learning THE WORD OF GOD, I didn't get that WOW! The teachings I share with you here are teachings that that should be taught in church but rarely ever are. They feed you what the Word refers to as milk or baby food... Heb.5 [12] For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. [13] For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. They do this Sunday after Sunday and it seems they think their people can only digest the milk of the Word instead of the meat... 1 Cor.3 [2] I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. They treat everyone as babies... 1 Pet.2 [2] As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: After a while, an adult will grow sick of a milk only diet and won't care if they attend church or not. I remember an experience I had. My best friend invited me to go with her to a bible camp. She was going to be gone for a week and I didn't want to have her gone for so long - what would I do without her?!? So I got my mom to allow me to go with her. Which was a big deal for my mom to pay for anything for me other than the necessities of life. So I went. Way over my head. I had been raised in a Methodist church with no other teachings. Here I jumped into a Dealing With The Adversary class. Normally they require a person have their Basics class first, but somehow I got in. My friend must have had clout with them. I'm bringing this up as this is what the Apostle Paul was talking about when he said... 1 Cor.3 [2] I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. I'd go into a classroom and I'd be fine up until a point and then, boom, I'd not remember anything of what was being said or taught until we were heading out of the class. I felt dazed. I just felt like the devil was hitting me over the head so I'd not get anything that was being taught. I was glad we'd have small study groups to discuss things afterwards. I loved that bible camp. It began my first love for the true meat of God's Word! Many of my early teachings from those years are on the following web site... So - Spice up your life and eat some Biblical meat - begin here: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Contents.htm ========================================================== , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >-->Promises God Gives You: 1. He will go with you, sustain you, and strengthen you. (Psalm 89:21, 22) 2. You are His beloved, He believes in you. (Rom. 1:7) 3. He will be your confidence. (Prov. 3:21, 26) 4. He has set you apart from the world. (Psalm 4:3) 5. He will deliver you—no matter what. (Psalm 18:19) 6. He will increase you mightily. (Deut. 6:3) 7. He will hear you if you ask for help today. (Prov. 3:21) 8. Even if chaos abounds, you will experience perfect peace. (Isaiah 26:3) 9. The waters may rise; but they won’t overtake you. (Isaiah 43:2) 10. You do not labor in vain. (Isaiah 65:23) --By Toni Birdsong. >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->ShangyFunList AD RATES: $25 will get your a message (of up to 40 words) out to all web site list 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. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe **********************************************************************