Life's Too Short And More... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* Please Consider Giving To ShangralaFamilyFun.com The cost of the website has gone up dramatically due to the ever increasingly wonderful pages and photos being added each week to entertain you and our fellow Christian families. If every one would chip in $25 or more, we'd be good for the whole year! So Please - I need your help today! "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a Shangrala Angel, the easiest way to do that is through online giving. It is easy to use, and most of all, it is secure. Please visit the site, scroll down and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL form page comes up. NOTE: Paypal will generate a 'Quantity 1' and 'Price per item' form. Just ignore the price per item and put whatever it is you desire to give in there. With Paypal, you will have your normal receipt for your 'payment' donation in USD (United States Dollars). You can put a memo in there if you'd like. Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS YOU MOST ABUNDANTLY FOR YOUR GIFT! ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! AND For Facebook Users: Please Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND Please Share This email with All Your Friends And Family! ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! -<>- * 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! ================ *\o_ _c/* / * * \ <\ *\o/* /> ) c/* / > *\o <\ /> __o */\ /\* c__ * /> <\ * /\* __o_ _c__ */\ * / * * \ * <\ /> *\c/* ejm97 __)__ >-->In The 'Shangy' News :) I am quite pleased to announce that we have a couple new sponsors for the website www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com. With our present shelter in place situation around the country, our first sponsor may be just the ticket to keep boredom from driving you car tinkerers crazy. It is also a good source for those of you, like my son, who like to save money on car repairs. He likes to find out what his car's problem is at the shop and then locate a quality part for it himself online. This always saves him money over what the shop would charge him and he is assured he gets what he is paying for which is a new, not used, quality replacement part! This company is great! Search from over 10 Million Auto Parts at always 80% off product list prices! Be sure to check them out here... ____________ .F............T. | .----------. | | |',' ',' , | | _......_ .''''''''''. | `----------' | _+' `+_ .' '. _|.-. _...._ .-.|_ _/.-. _...._ .-.\_ _|.-. _...._ .-.|_ (_)`-' __[]__ `-'(_) (_)`-' __{}__ `-'(_) (_)`-' __/\__ `-'(_) (....__|LESTER|__....) (....__|LESTER|__....) (....__|LESTER|__....) | | ~~~~~~ | | | | ~~~~~~ | | | | ~~~~~~ | | `-' `-' `-' `-' `-' `-' Dealer Alternative Parts Geek https://www.partsgeek.com/ Our next new sponsor is sure to win the hearts of you ladies and gents with a sweet tooth! They have lots of yummy favorites and many Pinata's to delight the little ones too! Be sure to check out their low prices along with one of the best selections of authentic south of the border candies and treats in the world! You will delight in their sweet, sour, and spicy Mexican candy they have in stock and ready to ship direct to you! ___ .-""-. ___ \ "-. / \ .-" / > -=.\/ \/.=- < > -='/\ /\'=- < /__.-' \ / '-.__\ jgs '-..-' The Candy Warehouse - Mexican Candy https://www.candywarehouse.com/international-candy/hispanic/mexican Mexican Culture Dia de Los Muertos https://tinyurl.com/ybkz3ubx Be sure to check out both of these fine companies today! You can always be assured that I only go with the best for you! :) -<>- >HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This red hot new page is from our friend Linda. It is sure to spike your aww meter for the day and give you plenty of smiles. Make sure you take a few minutes to watch the video here. You'll be glad you did! Check this out here: .-"""-. _.---..-; :.) ;"" \/ __..--'\ ;-"""-. ;._ `-.___.^.___.'-.____J__/-._J bug Irish Ducklings http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/irishducklings.html --- ...Aww, so sweet and adorable! Thanks Linda! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: %%%% %%%%-( _%%%%%_/ \ ' / _%%%%%%%% - (_) - _%%%%%%%/ \% / , \ %%%%%%%%%\\ \_ %%%%%% \ \\ ) /\_/ /(___. \ '----' ( / ) ---....____/ (_____ __ _ ___ ___ __ _ _ _____ _ _ ___ / )---...___ =-= = -_= -=_= _-=_-_ -=- =-_ ,' ( ```--.._= -_= -_= _-=- -_= _=- ,-' ) ``--._=-_ =-=_-= _-= _ '-._ '-..___( ``-._=_-=_- =_-= ``---....__) `-._-=_-_=- )|)| `-._=-_ gnv '-'-.\_ `-. >LIFE'S TOO SHORT by Kristine Lowder I never told a soul. Far as I know, no one knows. Till now. Back in my college days -- some three decades ago -- I decided to cut classes one morning and head for the beach instead of the books. It was one of those bright, balmy, eighty-degree San Diego days. Sapphire-blue, sun-soaked. Postcard-perfect. Especially for playing hooky. I didn't plan on bailing out of Western Civilization and Physical Anthropology 101. But I found myself chugging down the I-8 in the exact opposite direction of Mr. Asmov's lecture hall. To put this in context, it was one of two days I "played hooky" in my entire scholastic career. I'm more of the "nose-to-the-grindstone" type. Steady. Responsible. Reliable. As impetuous and impulsive as a gimpy snail in a molasses factory. So why did I suddenly decide to do something as utterly uncharacteristic as spend a gorgeous sunny southern California day playing hooky? I'm not entirely sure. Maybe I was tired of being "responsible and reliable." Maybe I was in a rut and wanted to stir some spontaneity into my schedule. Maybe I wanted to "carpe diem." Seize the day. Instead of the other way around. It was a day worth seizing -- wading, sand castle-building, soaking up some rays. Lunching under swaying palms. Sucking in huge chunks of salt-spiced sea spray. (Okay, I also finished two essays, a book report, studied for exams and updated my Day Planner to a year out. Nobody's perfect.) Know what I discovered on that hooky day? Playing hooky is fun. Delicious. I don't remember diddly from most of my lecture notes, exams, textbooks or Day Planner, but I remember that "hooky day" like it was yesterday. There was something about seizing the day that was soul-stretching. Refreshing. Recharging. Energizing. Effervescent. I loved it. I celebrated my 50th birthday last fall. It felt weird. On one hand I feel I'm way too young to be that old. I mean, my mom was 50! On the other, it seems my half-century status is supposed to result in pearls of wisdom and sage sagacity. Kind of like a modern Oracle of Delphi. Truth is, I've never gotten the hang of that oracle thing. Most of what I've learned and gleaned in my five decades isn't all that earth-shattering: Put God first. Honor your parents. Love your spouse. Hug your kids. Work hard. Serve. Eat chocolate. They say "you're only as old as you feel," which probably puts me somewhere in the Sesame Street demographic. I'm not exactly turning cartwheels over that "older woman" bit. There are still plenty of other "olders" out there, thank you very much. If they're real "olders," I'll pass. Maybe you know the type. They rehearse their daily litany of moans and groans, aches and pains with the regularity of day following night. They've kept records of all the people who've wronged them over the years. They're gonna get even one of these days. Or they spend so much time resting on their laurels and looking back at "the good ole days" that "carpe diem" would give them whiplash. This phenomenon isn't unique to the Geritol crowd, is it? Some things transcend age: -- Comparing kids, outfits, income and accessories so the other person always gets short shrift. -- Mammoth-sized me-ism -- Excising "I'm sorry" from vocabularies like it's malignant -- Crammed closets compensating for shallow souls -- External busyness hiding internal barrenness I'd rather seize the day. Reach out. Restore. Get real. Laugh. Apologize. Play hooky once in a while. Grab the kids and scarf down that second banana split, guilt-free. While I'm hoping the cost of cake candles doesn't break the bank this year, I have some regrets from the past five decades. Some shoulda-woulda-couldas. But I've never regretted that hooky day. Don't tell anyone, but I sometimes wish I'd taken more. A few things I CAN tell you from my perch here in the middle- age rafters is that raspberry white chocolate cheesecake tastes better when it's shared. Lucy and Ethel in the bon-bon factory deserve an Emmy. Toothpaste can't be squeezed back into the tube. It's amazing how much less I know at age fifty than I did at eighteen. Family, faith and friends matter most. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. And while sapphire-skied, sun- soaked days are perfect for playing hooky, carpe diem is for every day. Life's too short not to. -- Kristine Lowder __________________________________________________ Kristine has authored eleven books. Her byline has appeared in over a hundred ezines and numerous print publications. She enjoys camping, hiking and exploring the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Chris, their four sons and one yellow Lab. __________________________________________________ -<>- _...._ .'.o' o.'. /o o .o' o'\ |'.o 'o. o'.o| |o. o' o 'o .| \ o .o.'o'./ '._o__o_.' \ / || || || || || jgs || \/ >FAIRWAY ANGEL With summer approaching and golfers getting their clubs ready, it reminds me of my first and only golf game. Last year, the director of my department at work decided that we should have an annual golf afternoon. As the game of golf never interested me nor had I ever even held a golf club in my life, I was less than enthusiastic. In fact, I was downright anxiety ridden -- worried about what a fool I was going to make of myself in front of my co-workers, all of whom were very proficient at the game. After we arrived at the 9-hole golf course, we made our way to the first hole and gathered around discussing how we were going to do things. We then noticed an older gentleman, with a golf club, standing watching us. Thinking he was waiting to play, we offered to let him go ahead of us. He said, "Oh, I'm not playing," Then suddenly he looked straight at ME and said, "Do I have a golf ball for you." He then walked up to me and placed a bright fluorescent pink golf ball in my hand and then walked away. As my favorite color is pink, I was delighted. On the first hole, after watching everyone else hit with precision, it was finally my turn to swing. Not really knowing what I was doing, I just basically said a little prayer and with the stiffest arms you could imagine, I swung my club at that tiny pink ball. Lo and behold, the club and ball connected and it went straight down the fairway -- and for the next 8 holes, I repeated this phenomenon and managed to not make a fool of myself as I had thought I would. So you see, angels are everywhere -- even on the fairway. -- Susan MacGregor =========================================================== ___ .dSSSS$$pp.. .dSSSS$$$$$$$$; .dSSSS$$$$$$$$$$$ :SSP^" T$$$$$$$$$$b_ dSSP $$$S$$$$$$$b` dSS$;_. .:$$$SS$$$$$$b dSS$$$_ ; __."^TSS$$$$$b dSS$$P;" ""' :lSS$$$$$b :SS$$$ ; ::SS$$$$$$b_. 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"-._ ---""" /; ; : : \ "-._....____; : : \ :\ `. \ ; ; \ \\ \ \ ; : : `. \\ \ \ : ; ; ;"-t\ `. \ : : : : `; \ ; ; ; ; : \ / : : / ; \-..__ .'; : ; / : ; """T ; : / / ; \ : ; ; ;/ : : \ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; : ; ; / : : : ; ; ; / ; :; : ; ; / : :: ; ; ;_ `""--..__; :_; __ ;____;.-;'; ;.__.: :..t-"" j" ; ; : ; ; ;--"" \ [bug] ; ; ; : ; : \ ; ; : \ ; ; ;. ; ; \ \ ; : / ; ; ; \ \ ; : ; ; ; \ `-. ; ; .' ; ; \ \ ;___/ /______;.-' \ ---; / / ;______: .-' / '-------' >-->From Daily Encounter: >Overcoming Depression - Part I "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."1 When his father had a sudden heart attack and died, Jack Lawson was devastated. He withdrew from friends and family, was unable to sleep at night, and just couldn't stop crying. It took him a good six months to resolve the resulting depression, but afterwards he said he felt "better put-together than before." Depression is something many of us grapple with at some time or another. As Dr. Frederick Flach, professor of psychiatry at Cornell University, explained, depression is a normal reaction to many of life's situations, such as the loss of a loved one, a valued object, or job, or experiencing divorce. Depression is only destructive if we fail to deal with and resolve it. When we work through it, our life, like Jack Lawson's, can be enriched. Until resolved, however, its symptoms can be very painful and include a loss of self-esteem, appetite or libido. It can induce indecisiveness, alcoholism, sleeplessness, irritability, bad temper, tearfulness, dejection, procrastination, apathy, headaches, backaches, chronic fatigue, nausea, digestive upsets, and many other ills. Its causes can be many and complex. They can be physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual. There are no simple answers, but once we understand and receive help to treat the cause or causes, we can resolve and get on top of our depression. Physical Causes. For several years Joan was plagued by fatigue and depression. A thorough medical examination showed that she had low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). After a short time on a suitable diet she was back to her old, bright self. Physical exhaustion, burnout, an unbalanced diet, too much refined sugar, lack of exercise, a chemical deficiency in the brain, or hormonal changes can make people vulnerable to depression too. Emotional Causes. Some depression is the result of normal mood swings that most healthy people experience at some time. Other depression can have its roots in painful childhood experiences such as physical or sexual abuse, neglect, or from a feeling of not being fully loved. Lack of purpose without meaningful work and worthwhile goals, not using one's abilities, too few friends and loneliness, unmet needs, and unfulfilled dreams, can all cause or increase depression as well. To be continued .... Suggested prayer: "Dear God, whenever I am feeling down too much for too long, please help me to admit and face my problem realistically, and seek Your help and that of a trusted friend, pastor or counselor wherever needed, and to find the help needed to treat the causes. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen." 1. Psalm 43:5 (NIV). <:))))>< >Overcoming Depression - Part II "Don't sin by nursing your grudge. Don't let the sun go down with you still angry--get over it quickly."1 Yesterday we talked about depression that has a physical cause and some where the cause has its roots in emotional issues. Furthermore, considerable depression is caused by repression of negative feelings such as anger. Dr. Theodore Isaac Ruben, eminent psychiatrist and author of The Angry Book, reminds us that when we deny our true feelings and smile when we feel like snarling, the suppressed anger can lead to anxiety, depression, insomnia, psychosomatic illness, alcoholism, frigidity, impotence, and downright misery. Anger turned in on ourselves can drive us down into a spiral of depression. No wonder the Bible advises, "Don't sin by nursing your grudge. Don't let the sun go down with you still angry-get over it quickly." Depression can also be caused by a denial of emotions. This is why the healthy reaction to adverse situations is to accept our feelings and express them creatively--verbally or through writing. Mental causes. Faulty thinking is another cause of depression. Many counselors believe that feelings follow thoughts. That is, negative feelings follow negative thoughts while positive feelings follow positive thoughts. While we may not have control over many of life's circumstances, we do have control of our thinking. By disciplining the mind, choosing positive thoughts, and doing something constructive can help change our moods. This is why the Bible taught centuries ago, "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."2 Spiritual Causes. Man is much more than a physical and emotional being with a need for food, rest, exercise, and loving relationships. He is also a spiritual being with a need for a relationship with God. An impaired relationship with Him or anybody else can cause depression. Unresolved guilt, failing to forgive all who have ever hurt us, rejecting God's call to follow him, or resisting his will can also cause miserable depression. To overcome depression, no matter what its origin, we obviously need to discover and resolve its cause or causes. Is the cause physical? A thorough medical examination can help answer this question. A balanced diet, proper nutrition and hormone balance, adequate rest, and regular exercise are all crucial to overcoming depression, worry and anxiety. In some cases where there is a chemical deficiency or imbalance in the brain, a doctor may see the need to prescribe anti-depressant drugs. To be concluded .... Suggested prayer: "Dear God, when and if I am depressed or anxious, please lead me to the help I need to face and resolve the causes whatever they might be. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen." 1. Ephesians 4:26 (TLB). 2. Philippians 4:8 (NIV). <:))))>< >Overcoming Depression - Part III "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."1 Yesterday we talked about depression that can not only have a physical cause, but can also be emotional. If so, complete honesty with yourself, a trusted friend (and/or a qualified counselor where needed), and God about your true feelings is the first and all-important step in overcoming this type of depression. Questions such as the following can be helpful: Am I hurt or angry? Am I not forgiving someone? Are my needs for love and acceptance being met? Have I learned to recognize and express my feelings creatively? Have I resolved any impaired relationship or feelings of guilt? Am I using my abilities? Do I have a purpose for living with worthwhile work and meaningful goals? Have I accepted full responsibility for my life and my feelings? Merely talking about problems or feelings is not helpful. We need to see, confess and resolve the feelings that are the root cause of the depression. Is the cause mental; that is, in one's negative thinking? Remember, when we feel down, we tend to dwell on self-defeating, negative thoughts. Practice exchanging these for positive affirmations such as, "Thank you God that you love and accept me as I am, and because you do, I love and accept myself too." Concentrating on positive thoughts--even though you don't feel like it--and doing something worthwhile to help get your thoughts off yourself is also helpful for overcoming depression. Is the cause spiritual? Dr. Paul Tournier, world-renowned Swiss medical doctor and psychiatrist, states, "All my experience has taught me the limitations of medicine and psychology, because the supreme and universal need of man is to find God." Augustine (AD 354-430) aptly described man's need for God this way: "You have made us for yourself, O God, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in You." Man finds total inner peace and wholeness only as he is in harmony with himself, others and God. If you are depressed, talk to your doctor, a close friend, your pastor, or a competent counselor. Live a balanced life and remember, with competent help, faith, and persistence you can overcome depression. Above all, talk to God. He loves you and cares for you. Ask Him to direct you to the help you need, to give you the courage to face the cause/s of your depression, and to help you grow through your pain. Suggested prayer: "Dear God, whatever unresolved issues I have in my life, please give me the courage to admit that I have a problem and need help. Deliver me from the sin of denial and lead me to the help I need--be it physical, emotional, mental or spiritual--to understand and overcome my problems. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen." 1. Philippians 4:8 (NIV). <:))))>< NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or if you would like to re-commit your life to Jesus Christ, please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this. * * * * * * * Daily Encounter is published at no charge by ACTS International, a non-profit organization, and made possible through the donations of interested friends. Donations can be sent at: http://www.actscom.com ACTS International P.O. Box 73545 San Clemente, California 92673-0119 U.S.A. Phone: 949-940-9050 http://www.actsweb.org Copyright (c) 2016 by ACTS International. When copying or forwarding include the following: "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2016 ACTS International. --- ...See These fine teachings... EMOTIONS http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/EMOTIONS.htm Truth Or Tradition? https://www.truthortradition.com/ =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: _____ / _))) / / 6 6 ( ( \ / ,' __= / _ ) /_ ) ( /\__~__|( /\/__)__) ) ( /\ (_ \| \__'/ \ :o / \ /\ _/ ) \/ | | | >People Pleaser I have always been a people pleaser. I have always tried to fit in, to be one of the crowd. At school I was everybody's friend. I fit in with the Preps and the Goths and every other stereotype you can imagine. It seemed to me that everybody else had something I wanted. No matter what I did, I couldn't find it. I have gone to church just about my whole life. I sang the songs and talked the talk, but I never really bought into it. I always thought that since other people in my family believed, I didn't have to--I was covered. I loved going to church and hanging out with my friends on Sundays, but on Monday I was the girl who always fit in. About God I always thought, How I am I supposed to love a person I don't know? Like if someone said to you, "I know a guy, and he's madly in love with you. Don't you love him, too?" If you had any common sense, you'd want to know who the person was--at least I did. People always say, "I found Jesus." That's not how it was for me. I didn't find anything, no matter how hard I looked. The bottom line is that Jesus came looking for me. Don't get me wrong--it wasn't like, "Oh, I know Jesus now," and everything was all hearts and flowers. I wish it worked that way. But about a year and half ago, I started to run after God for real. Some of my friends from church talked me into going to a conference with them, and one of the speakers talked about how if you fit in perfectly with the world, you have a problem. I didn't think of it as a problem. I just thought the speaker didn't have any friends in high school and was still bitter about it. The other speakers were all about change-the-world-this and change-the-world-that. I was doing just fine in my little corner of the world not changing anything. They weren't hitting me like a lightning bolt: boom, change the world for Jesus. Then over the weekend I was praying one of my packaged prayers: you know, "Bless Mom, bless Dad, thanks for everything I own, it would be nice to have world peace while you're at it." But during my prayer, the speaker's voice kept playing in my head. It hit me that out of all the people I knew, maybe two knew I was a Christian. I'm always trying to fit in--not make waves, I thought. Exactly what kind of impact am I making? I knew if I were to speak up, people would look at me like I'd escaped from a place with padded walls--but if I didn't, then one day I'd have to try to explain to God that I was too embarrassed to let people know that I loved him. I didn't want to have to imagine that. So I switched off of my "bless everyone" prayer and began to talk to God for real. I asked for boldness and courage every night, but in the morning I didn't wake up feeling like Wonder Woman. Then I remembered how my older sister once told me that courage only comes after you face what you fear. You have to challenge your fears in order to defeat them. I decided to speak up about my faith, although I knew that it wouldn't be easy for me. I was really scared of what people would think. Remember, I had never been an individual; I had always tried to blend in. It was a huge stretch for me. It is never easy being the only one standing for what you believe. I discovered that my sister was right. After I told one person what I believed, telling one more wasn't difficult. Believe it or not, other people saw that I was making a stand for Jesus, and they stood up right next to me. For the first time in my life, I didn't try to fit in with anyone. In the process, I lost some of my friends because of my honesty. But faithful to the end, God soon sent good, strong Christian friends--people I didn't know well and really didn't want to know at first, I'll admit. Now that they are my friends, I see how judgmental and wrong I was. I would have missed so much not really knowing them. Things are not easy; I don't think they ever will be. There are times when I know I am supposed to witness, but I back out. I kick myself for it, but I know that God forgives me every time. He's working with me. I no longer fit in with every group, but how can you be passionately in love with Jesus and still play the field? You can't. If it comes down to a choice between "be welcomed on this earth" or "be welcomed in heaven," I will choose heaven any day. -Lauren Alyson Schara, 16 --- _ |\_,,____ ( o__o \/ /(..) \ (_ )--( _) / ""--"" \ ,===,=| |-,,,,-| |==,== |d | WW | WW | |s | | | | | ...My two cents... She brings out a lot of truth here. My son said it the other day when he told his co-workers what he was eating for Easter. They said his family was weird. I suppose we are. I guess most folks have a traditional Easter dinner that includes baked ham. We don't. Thanks to my husband's mom, we generally have what I call creamed egg on toast. The reason is because we have all those hard boiled eggs already decorated for Easter so to put them to good use, we have deviled eggs and for dinner, creamed egg on toast. His mom turned me on to this recipe when I married her son way back when. I shared it here - Easy-Does-It Recipes! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/easy.html I had never had it before. I mentioned it to my mom when I started cooking things for her to help her out when she got older and she said it sounded nasty and told me no thanks. It is actually quite good - surprisingly enough. I'm not one much for ham. It is OK but not a love of mine. Besides. I have a hard time understanding why ham became 'the' food for Easter when we celebrate Jesus giving his life for our salvation and God raising Jesus from the dead. During Jesus' time, people thought eating pig was against God's word. Which it was. Back then, they didn't know about that little worm in pork we know about now that could give people an infection called Trichinosis... 'Trichinosis is caused by eating raw or undercooked pork and wild game infected with the larvae of a parasitic worm. The contaminated meat is infected with the larvae of a worm called Trichinella spiralis. The severity of symptoms depends on the number of infectious worms consumed in the meat." God knew and so warned people that eating pig was unclean for them. , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Leviticus 11: [7] And the swine (pig), though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you. [8] Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you. So, why would eating ham be 'the meal' to have for Easter? Made no sense to me. I don't go with the crowd. I go with God. Sure eating ham is not a sin today - we are under Grace and not The Law - but if it is not our family's favorite then why be stuck with it over going with our tradition of having eggs on Easter? I'm like the author of this story - not really a people pleaser. I seek to please God first. It has always made me and our family a bit on the 'weird' side. But I don't care. :) -<>- __________ /________ /| | XII , | | | ,' | | |IX * III| | | `. | | |____VI___| | | | | | | | | | | | | | -|- | /` |/ -|- | /` |/ | ( ) | | | | \, |\ | | \, |\ ejm |_________|/ >So Little Time So little time to say the things You'd really like to say - Before you even find the words, The time just slips away. So little time to do the things You feel that you must do. So treasure, like the purest gold, The time God's given you. So little time to dream your dreams, For youth has passed its prime, And all too soon you realize That there's ... so little time. So little time to reach the height To which you're bound to climb, For swiftly pass the waning years, And there's ... so little time. So little time to pass regrets, And less, to make amends, Yet God can heal the deepest wounds In chosen, cherished friends. So little time to share God's love And beauty here on earth, And know, before His endless time, Their meaning and true worth. Oh, yes, there is so little time To seek the hidden door That opens up to heaven's time, Where time's forevermore. --Unknown -<>- __________ |DAILY NEWS| |&&& ======| |=== ======| |=== == %%$| |[_] ======| |=== ===!##| ejm97 |__________| >My Little Buddy Most people's first jobs are pretty boring and anything but glamorous. Mine fit the stereotype exactly. But I stuck with it and plugged along day after day, year after year -- for three years, six months and five days, to be exact. When asked how work was going, I had my typical responses: "I hate it," "I despise it," or my favorite, "It sucks." My first job wasn't as a waitress at the local diner or a cashier at Kmart. No, my working days started early. When I was ten years old, I became a delivery girl for the local paper. It wasn't so much the work I hated. Who can complain about taking one hour out of each day to throw papers on porches? No, it wasn't hard work; it was just lonely. I barely had interaction with any of my customers, and it made my job seem pointless, or unappreciated at the very least. I delivered through pouring rain, scorching heat, snow and, even once, a hailstorm. I went through the motions day after day. I rarely got a hello from a friendly resident of the neighborhood; at times, I wondered if there even was a friendly resident beyond those porches. After one long June day of the same boring routine, I prayed -- hard. I prayed that the job would liven up. For if it didn't, I was sure I was going to die of boredom and loneliness. The next day, I raced home from school to get my paper route done so I could meet my friends later. I looked on my cover sheet and noticed two new customers. Ugghh, I thought. Just what I need today. I started my route as I would have any other day, dragging my feet and hanging my head. I came to the street of one of the new customers and searched for the house. It was the big, brick house with the SOLD sign still in the front lawn. I had walked past it many times as it stood dark and empty. It was nice to see that someone was making it a home again. On the front porch, the new owners had hung a little wooden porch swing. And on that swing sat a little boy. He was so cute! His blond hair was neatly combed to the right side, and his big blue eyes shone like they held the stars in them. At first glance, I guessed he was five. He was so adorable, and I was happy to see his smiling face looking at me. I promptly forgot that I was in a hurry to finish my paper route. As I stretched out my arm to see if he wanted the paper, he smiled and said, "Hi!" I was pleasantly surprised; in this neighborhood, even the cats didn't seem friendly. "Well, hi," I said. He scootched his little bottom off the swing and came to take the paper. As I stood there, arms still outstretched, he confidently moved toward me. He took the paper and, as if he had known me all his life, he put his arms around me in a hug and said, "Thank you, thank you, thank you," in a sing-songy voice. Standing there stunned, I watched as he turned and trotted back into the house yelling, "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, the paper is here!" The rest of the route I smiled, held my head up and thought about this little boy who had just put a little happiness into my day and didn't even know it. The next day when I began my route, I had high hopes of seeing my little buddy again. As I approached the house, I scanned the porch, hoping to see him sitting on the swing... to no avail. As I reached in my bag and pulled back to launch the paper, he emerged from his house with a plate of cookies in hand. He walked over to the top step of the porch and sat. He had the same radiant smile as the day before as he patted the spot next to him. Happy that he again wanted to have interaction with me, I went over to sit on the step next to him. He handed me a cookie, took one himself and we ate. No words were spoken until we had both finished our cookies. "Thanks," I said. "Did you like it? Those are my mommy's famous chocolate chip cookies. And they are the best." "It was delicious," I said with a smile. "So, what's your name?" "I'm Andrew. And who are you?" he asked, with wonder in his voice. "Bethany. I'm Bethany." After we ate our cookie, he took the paper, hugged me and in his song-like manner said, "Thank you, thank you, thank you." After that day, I did my paper route with happiness in my heart and a smile on my face. Sure, I still had my bad days, but whenever I reached his house, my frown became a smile. If he was going to be at his grandma's the next day or shopping with his mom, he was sure to let me know the day before so I would know where he was. Monday was our conversation day. Every Tuesday he brought me one of his mom's famous cookies. Every Wednesday we drank a juice together. On Thursday, it was a piece of gum. On Friday, he gave me five cents. Sometimes it was five pennies, and sometimes it was a nickel, but it was always five cents to say thanks for delivering each day of the week. On every holiday, he had a present for me, whether it was something his mom had bought for him to give or a picture he had colored himself. Without fail, he had something to present to me. My favorite gift was the one I received on Easter. It was a cross made out of Popsicle sticks that said, "Jesus loves me, this I know... and he loves you, too!" It wasn't an extravagant gift, but one that came from the heart and let me know I was appreciated. Even if he wasn't going to be there, he left my treasure on the porch swing in a box. He became my "little buddy," and I became his "big buddy." Each day he was home, he would greet me with his "Hey, big buddy!" and wait for my reply of, "Hey, little buddy!" Then he would hand me my treasure, and we would exchange a few words about how his day was going or what he was up to. I would hand over his paper, and he would hug me and say, "Thank you, thank you, thank you." It never changed. I'm sure my "little buddy" never realized what he did for me. I'm sure my "little buddy" had no idea that because of him I was able to hold my head high and smile for an hour each day, regardless of how bad the rest of the day had been. My "little buddy" taught me many things. The radiant smile that never left his face taught me how far a simple gesture can go. His presents taught me that big things really do come in small packages. And his hugs taught me that even the most insignificant jobs in life can mean something to someone. By Bethany Couts -<>- _______ / ) /_____ | ______ ( ' ) / / __\ _____ |. '| / | \ | / )) |____|/ |`-----' /_____)) `-----' `------' cf >VOICE OF COMPASSION I heard a story about Fiorello LaGuardia who was mayor of New York City during the worst days of the Great Depression and all of WWII. He was adored by many New Yorkers who took to calling him the "Little Flower," because he was so short and always wore a carnation in his lapel. He was a colorful character -- he rode the New York City fire trucks, raided city "speakeasies" with the police department, took entire orphanages to baseball games, and when the New York newspapers went on strike, he got on the radio and read the Sunday funnies to the kids. One bitterly cold night in January of 1935, the mayor turned up at a night court that served the poorest ward of the city. LaGuardia dismissed the judge for the evening and took over the bench himself. Within a few minutes, a tattered old woman was brought before him, charged with stealing a loaf of bread. She told LaGuardia that her daughter's husband had deserted her, her daughter was sick, and her two grandchildren were starving. But the shopkeeper, from whom the bread was stolen, refused to drop the charges. "It's a real bad neighborhood, your Honor," the man told the mayor. "She's got to be punished to teach other people around here a lesson." LaGuardia sighed. He turned to the woman and said, "I've got to punish you. The law makes no exceptions. Ten dollars or ten days in jail." But even as he pronounced sentence, the mayor was already reaching into his pocket. He extracted a bill and tossed it into his famous hat, saying, "Here is the ten dollar fine which I now remit; and furthermore I am going to fine everyone in this courtroom fifty cents for living in a town where a person has to steal bread so that her grandchildren can eat. Mr. Bailiff, collect the fines and give them to the defendant." The following day, New York City newspapers reported that $47.50 was turned over to a bewildered woman who had stolen a loaf of bread to feed her starving grandchildren Fifty cents of that amount was contributed by the grocery store owner himself, while some seventy petty criminals, people with traffic violations, and New York City policemen, each of whom had just paid fifty cents for the privilege of doing so, gave the mayor a standing ovation. Someone beautifully said, "Sympathy sees and says, 'I'm sorry.' Compassion sees and says, 'I'll help.' When we learn the difference, we can make a difference." © By Steve Goodier -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Choose His Children? http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/choosehischildren.html Our Gifts And Callings http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/giftscallings.html Sand Sculpture Art 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/sandart2.html Liberty Air Show http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/liberty.html Strange Hotels http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/hotel.html Montreal Gardens http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/montreal.html Mountain Biking http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mountainbiking.html Car Show 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/carshow2.html Rare Flowers http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/rareflowers.html Beautiful Bridges http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bridges.html Cat Motivational Posters http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/catposters.html Three Old Men http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/oldmen.html Awesome Photos http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/awesome.html Kid Lessons http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kidlessons.html -<>- What It Means “To Live Is Christ” https://tinyurl.com/ycn89sve What’s in a Word? – Discipline https://tinyurl.com/y8nz9sfo 90-Year-Old Woman Praises God for Miraculous Healing from COVID-19 https://tinyurl.com/ydz5vfml Church Starts National Giving Movement to Provide for Those in Quarantine https://tinyurl.com/yax5a5n8 Paris Church Sees Conversions as Coronavirus Brings Faithless Back to Christ https://tinyurl.com/y7kfetx8 5 Takeaways from Martin Luther’s Writing on Plagues https://tinyurl.com/ydxet65q Only Jesus! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3AzMUFwfmM Crown Him with many crowns https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuMh_ept-Js No One But You (Live) - Hillsong Worship https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo5uf4-WCdE Great Are You Lord - Casting Crowns https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZqV6i98SkA Let Go https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NKeyTjwre0 -<>- >In The News: CDC Coronavirus https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html Facebook Portals for Veterans, VA Financial Relief Actions, VFW’s grant funds https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVA/bulletins/286b54c Tucker Carlson Exposed Which Democrats China Colluded With to Attack America https://tinyurl.com/yaw9bk56 Westwing News: Liberal Media Bias on Full Display During White House's COVID-19 Press Briefings https://www.whitehouse.gov/westwingreads/ WhiteHouseNews: Congress, get this deal done! https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600daily/ Latest MyHealthVet: Update | April 22, 2020 https://tinyurl.com/ycp83c8p Latest From AFA: http://tinyurl.com/j7lakqw Students For Life https://tinyurl.com/yd5nxmu6 Latest From OperationRescue: http://www.operationrescue.org/ Latest Product Alert: Fruit, Fish, Juice http://www.emergencyemail.org/products/?fmt=text Latest Health Alert: http://www.emergencyemail.org/health/?fmt=text Click to Give Free https://tinyurl.com/y2abb8d2 Mercury in Tuna: Is This Fish Safe to Eat? https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/mercury-in-tuna -<>- >From Our Friend Linda :) The Egg Trick https://1funny.com/the-egg-trick/ --- ...HaHa! Comedy at it's best! Thanks Linda! -<>- >From our Friend LouiseAu :) These vintage photos from the 50s and 60s were a little probably before your time but hope you enjoy looking at them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpTURY0WN0s --- ...Sweet! Thanks LouiseAu! The Crazy Nastyass Honey Badger (original narration by Randall) https://youtu.be/4r7wHMg5Yjg --- ...They are one tough critter! 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 ========================================================== ,-`"-=') =/////// ,== _,_(((((-`6\ ==.| /,,...\\\C _| .--. ((((\\\\\` _, /;_| )9 )))))./ `. / } _\,_ ,-'))) \ / /=-. ,-./ \/ '))) . /\_/ / \ (,-.%\ / /-' ') \/\ / ( \ (/ \ ' /( ' `-/ \( \ ,- / ( `-' \ . / / \ \ &_) /\ \ | ( /--.- \ \----,------=;% | _/ _); `. ` `-. .`\ ) +++/ \ ,," %&-. ; \\| `-` `-=.;_,.__.__\_,/ )_/___+_/_________\,"(_//_(__)______:-._) gpyy >-->What is A Friend? 'What is a friend?' I hear you ask, 'And what can a friend do?' It's the person that you love and trust, Who is always there for you. There is nothing in the whole wide world, That really can compare, With the feeling that enfolds you By having friends who care. And even though it may be, That they live far away, You can hear the laughter in their voice In funny things they say. They can even share the bad times, And tears not held in check, And make you feel all better With a hug around your neck. What is a friend? It's the person who Is quick to show they care, Whether in the best or worst of times, A 'Friend' is always there. -- Author Unknown ========================================================== >-->From LaughAndLift: "We tend to be devoted, not to Jesus Christ, but to the things which allow us more spiritual freedom than total surrender to Him would allow." - Oswald Chambers + (|) _____.___.|_|. | / \ |===| | / \ | o | |__/__v__\|, ,| | | | | | || || |/| . . . |','| ||| A A A | , | ||| M M M | | wtx --------------------- >Answer the Challenge (By Steve Troxel, God's Daily Word Ministries, http://www.gdwm.org) Why are so many "believers" content to live a life of mediocrity in Christ - a life partially devoted to following God and partially devoted to following the ways of the world? Without question, some have only put on the face of a Christian and have never given their heart to God through a saving faith in Jesus. But others are true believers in desperate need of a spiritual kick in the pants! Paul's letters comprise much of the New Testament. They were written to give instruction on the Christian faith and to encourage perseverance through times of testing. Paul often wrote of the simplicity of the gospel message; "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8). But he also wrote to encourage those who truly put their faith in Jesus to live a life of service, holiness, and unity. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we begin a new life. We are set free from the bondage of sin (Romans 6:22) and are called to follow Christ as we are conformed to His image (Romans 8:29). But Paul saw many believers sitting on the sidelines of the Christian life; "I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received" (Ephesians 4:1). Paul gives encouragement by "urging" a life worthy of Salvation. This has nothing to do with earning our way to Heaven; rather, it's a life lived in holy thankfulness for the gift we have received. The word Paul used for urge can also be translated as beseech, beg, implore, exhort, or challenge. He's not giving a gentle pat on the back which says, "You're doing well, keep running a good race." Rather, Paul is presenting a firm challenge to draw nearer to God and give our lives more fully to Him. Paul used the same word in his letter to the Romans. Romans 12:1 "Therefore, I urge {beg, implore, exhort, and challenge} you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship." We have been set free and made new! We are a new creation and CANNOT continue to walk with one foot on God's path and the other being allowed to tiptoe along worldly desires. These simply have no place in the life of a worshipper of the One True God! Today, we are being challenged to trust God more; to talk with Him more and seek His presence more diligently; to not get pulled away by the lies of the world! We are being challenged to love Him with ALL our heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30). As we face this day with its multitude of struggles, let's live a life worthy of the calling we have received and forevermore answer the challenge! 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 --- ...See this teaching... DOING ALL THE WORD [All of the Time] http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Word/Doing_All_The_Word.htm ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseAu :) , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >MY CHILD, I LOVE YOU, COME CLOSER (By Debbie Preuss, January 9, 2005) My Child, I love you, come closer to Me I know you're not, where you want to be Draw nearer child, don't be afraid I know that your faith is beginning to fade Come closer My child, and then you will see Just how much, you truly matter to Me I miss you so much, when you wander away I'm waiting for you, please don't go astray Read My words. and know that they're true I love you so much, I gave My Son for you I long to hold you, My precious dove To shower you, with My endless love I'm watching you child, I see the tear in your eye I want to hold you, while you sob and cry I see the struggles that you're going through I want to remind you, that I'm here for you No matter what comes, what your struggles may be Come now My child, come closer to Me I'll give you the strength, to get you through For My precious one, I truly do love you So come back to Me, I'm waiting right here I know you feel far away, but I am so near Just turn around, run to My embrace I will wipe every tear from your face I know you're not, where you want to be My child, I love you, come closer to Me --- ...Very Sweet! 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