Lord Grant Me... :) 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 ================ >-->In The 'Shangy' News :) *~* What An Awesome Month Of Caring And Sharing! We had one of our record months last month! Over 72,000 pages were viewed! That is pretty awesome for us! Hopefully Shangrala brought many SMILES to its visitors and by the Grace of God will continue to grow and spread even more SMILES! _. ,-.,-"`""-./ \ / \ `-.| .:::.:::. \ / `-._ ::::::::: | "=\ ':::::' | .==" |o_|_ ':' | _o. ` (_) ,;;;,;;;, ; \\ ;;;;;;;;; \ _. /|-. ';;;;;' \ ` `'---'/ \ ';' \ .--._ /-' | ,-`. / `-._( / `-._`-._\ `\ '\ ( ` `'._ _, | \ / ~-. `| | | / `;-.| | | .' \ /| | / .'-. '. | \ | .' `-._ '. | /"` `\ jgs / `"--.,_'-._\-.___.'_ ; / `""";--' `. | / .'` \ /""-. ; / \""-, \ | / | \ | \ | '. |/ '. \ .'`-. / '._ '.,___,.;' '-.___.' `"""----------'` * If You Haven't Already, Please Visit & Share Our Nov. New Pages: Life's Little Oops 2! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/whoops2.html World's Largest Things! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/largest.htnl Northern Lights Over Teepees! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/teepees.html Look Who's Talking 3! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/talking3.html Niagara Falls Frozen! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/niagarafalls.html Proud Of Our Troops 2! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/troops2.html BibleStudy: Gifts And Callings! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/giftscallings.html Amazing Stairways! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/stairs.html Christmas With Pets http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/christmaspets.html Humor In Politics 3 http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/politics3.html __ ( y--. .=-. \_\/_,' / | --("))))))= __|__ | / < > > `\ .=-. .-' `-:._.-. | | / \' / | .\_. | | | ,- `(\|.--. .' \ . / \ / `'| ),' `-\_/ |` ` (\ `-'| / \ ' ; .' \ , /\ .' \ '`-.___.-> \ .> \ /\\ `---'| `. -' || `-..-' hjw .=`-....___ || / _.-`--=._ `----.___// \.' _.-'-.`-. `----' '\ ;' \ ; _.'`-. .' / ___ ' _.-'`. / / ,' , `-._ _.-| / /.--\ \ `._ __.---' `./ | \' \ `. `._.-' `. ``. | | `. d8oooo._\_ `. \ /\ / 988888888b. `. \ /::`-.__.'\ 688888888888b : | ___ |::::::::::\ "d8b""888888, ; |`-. .' _`. |::::::::::::. 8888888 | `. / .::::\ |::::::::::::::. /888888' / / /:::::| \:::::::::::::::.._ .' d88888 ___ .' | |:::::| `:::::::::::::::::"--.' `88888`. .-' _`._ |:::::| `::::::::::::::::-' d8889 `/ ,.::.\`-.__ |:::::/ `::::::::::;'`-._ `"' / /:::::| `-. \:::;' ``''''' `-._ /::::::| `-`"' `-._ |:::::::/ `-._ |::::::/ `. \:::;' `--`"' *~* May God Abundantly Bless All Our Sweet Contributors! Thank You! -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >-->Awesome News From Our Friends At TruthOrTradion.com :) Hello and God bless you! We wanted to let you know that we have added our newest Teaching of the Month to iTunes and TruthOrTradition.com Title: Giving & Tithing (December 2009) The Christian world is very confused about giving and tithing. Many Christians believe that God commands them to tithe, and some believe that if a person does not tithe he will be cursed by God. This causes guilt, shame, and even fear among Christians who do not tithe. In this teaching, John Schoenheit opens the Word of God and shows that, while each person should give generously, Christians are not commanded to tithe. The Word of God shows that the tithe was instituted by God as a part of the Mosaic Law, so that the Levites and Priests, who could not own land, would be provided for. Before the Law God did not command a tithe, and the command to tithe ended when the Church started, just like the Temple, sacrifices, and priestly system ended. However, the Word of God says that Christians should give their very lives as living sacrifices and that certainly includes giving; giving time, material goods, and money. Although some people's situation may be such that they cannot give ten percent to the work of God, many people can and should give more than that. This teaching not only covers giving and tithing, but also provides biblical information about what to give and where Christians should give. Listen for free at: http://www.TruthOrTradition.com/audio (Just scroll down a little bit to December 2009) or http://www.STFonline.org/podcast , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Also, here are some new 10-minute video teachings we have just added to our YouTube channel: Grace & Peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ by Karen Theisen The book of Romans: A righteousness that comes from God is now revealed by Elaine Landmark Loving Above the World by Dave Hanson Psalm 42 by Elaine Landmark Thankfulness Vs Treasures on Earth by John Schoenheit To watch these short 10-minute video teachings (and many more) visit here: http://www.TruthOrTradition.com/youtube To subscribe to our video teachings in iTunes visit http://www.TruthOrTradition.com/itunes We are sure thankful for you! The Home Office Staff Spirit & Truth Fellowship International STFonline.org 1-888-255-6189, M-F 9 - 5 (ET) International callers use 1-765-349-2330 ================================================================ >-->From Heartwarmers: .-""""-._.'| / '.| | / | / | -= | /| ( | |/`< ) ) ( ; -=| _| ) \ \ / ____ /) '._ _.-""-.< .' `\/) / / \ / _ .'`/| _ / | '-._( __\ (__/_/=, ( \| \ -=/ /--;==========` ._,;'\==='-,..__/__/__.' `'--/,/ || ' \ / | / || ' \ \/ . || ; jgs / / || | | . || | / '=------| / ' ; ; ;| `-.___.___.___.___._/ >THE WEEK AFTER THANKSGIVING by Diane Dean White Thanksgiving is over and it has often been a tradition, over the past 20 years at least, to make tracks to the malls and all the stores with their wonderful sales. I've noticed that the stores keep opening earlier and earlier. People even pitch tents outside to be the first in line! This year, stores are competing all over the place to out do one another with their pricing. I recall a shopping experience when I waited until the week after Thanksgiving. I wanted to feel the ambience of a snowy evening and excitement that I used to feel as a youngster, and to select from the wish list that our children had made, choosing exactly the right items for each one. The first problem was the parking at the mall -- there weren't any spaces left! I thought it would be a wiz to go through the stores and enjoy a hot chocolate break at one of the many little food courts. I wanted to hear the Christmas music that is so popular and playing as shoppers go their way but as Steve and I walked through the crowds there wasn't a "Merry Christmas" heard. Everyone was shoving so hard to make it to this store or that, and there were lines -- long lines. Instead of feeling like we were enjoying the most wonderful time of the year, we were trying like crazy to navigate through the people to get to the right stores. We had bundled up because of the cold night, but the mall was hot and so we carried our coats along with the gifts. I thought I heard a few words from the song "Silver Bells," but there were so many people all talking, nobody cared about the musicŠ As we walked to the exit we wandered by Santa's display and children lined up to sit on his lap. A train ran around the secluded area was beautifully decorated, and we just paused and remembered the earlier years when this was such an important time with our kids. I finished up what we had set out to do, and with some time alone before school was out, I took an afternoon and put on my Christmas songs, and enjoyed a peaceful time of wrapping gifts for everyone. I know the malls can't compare to the downtown stores I enjoyed as a youngster growing up. For all the advances and the conveniences of shopping at stores that are close together and inside one building, I truly miss the experience of walking in the snow, listening to the bells ringing on the corners with Santas and donation kettles. The smell of the Peanut Shop and the little man giving out samples, and the fun of running into someone from school! The beauty of each store front, and inside as it was decorated to the hilt for the customers was spectacular. I regret that I don't have that anymore, because downtown stores can't compete with the malls. Many are no longer around. Catalog shopping and purchasing things over the Internet have become popular. The memory of those times during the Christmas season so long ago still tug at me during this special time of the year, but life goes on, and I'll keep those memories forever as I try to adjust to the new ways of shopping. -- Diane Dean White __________________________________________________ Diane is a freelance writer, author and columnist. She and her husband have three grown children and three grand gals. They make their home on the Gulf Coast of Florida. You can read more of Diane's stories at her website at: http://www.dianedeanwhite.com ================================================================ >-->From LaughAndLiff: ____ || | ||___| _)__<__ _ _ |____|__|:|___|:|_ | |_.---._|___| _ | o| | | |_o_| | || |/| |\| | |_||____|`\___/'|___| V _/-\_ fsc >Virus Scan (By Ron Hutchcraft) [Based on Psalm 139:23-24] I used to just be concerned about me or someone I love picking up a virus. Now I have to be concerned about my computer picking up a virus! And more and more of them are infecting various computer systems. Now, if one of those viruses contaminates your computer, it can cause you to lose valuable data. It can even cause your computer to crash. But, thankfully, I have this special software feature that's called a virus scan. When I turn on my computer, basically the virus scan checks to see if any of those destructive little bugs have gotten in, and it warns me if they have. And that's a good thing. You want to get it before it infects everything. Well, I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Virus Scan." You know your soul can pick up viruses, too? And if you don't catch them right away, they can spread throughout your system and infect everything. That's why you need to install God's virus scan. David talks about it in our word for today from the Word of God from Psalm 139:23-24. He says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." David knew the subtle, infectious way that sin can creep into the human heart. And he knew all too well the damage it can do. So He prays that God will see if some spiritual virus has found a place in his heart and to reveal it to him as my virus scan reveals to me what is threatening my computer. This has to be a prayer that we pray at least once a day. A spiritual system that may have been virus-free yesterday may have picked up something damaging in the meantime. Each new day - every time you turn your mental computer on - you need to ask God to reveal any trash that has invaded your system. Preachers call it the "conviction of the Holy Spirit" - God, who lives inside you, revealing what's out-of-line in you and moving you to do something about it. As you open yourself up to the Holy Spirit's searching of your heart, you may see a bad attitude that is starting to take root, a little resentment, a little jealousy, a little complaining, a little negativity. It's little now. It won't stay that way. That's why you need to recognize it and repent of it right away while it's still small and not doing a lot of damage. For example, God warns us to "see to it that ... no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many" (Hebrews 12:15). In other words, catch the bad attitude while it's still small before it deepens into something very expensive. God's scanning of the viruses in you may expose some "trash talking" you've been doing - words that have hurt people. Critical words, backstabbing words, angry words, gossiping words. Or God may show you that some lustful fantasies have been allowed to infect your heart and mind. You may have watched something you never should have watched, listened to something you never should have listened to, lingered on something you should have turned away from, flirted with something you should have fled from. Or it could be that you've told some lies lately or at least spoken less than - or more than - the truth. God wants to confront those now so you won't get into a pattern of deceit. In fact, that's the reason we need to see and attack any sin right away. Because sin unconfessed becomes sin repeated and repeated until it starts poisoning so much we care about. So invite God often to scan for viruses you may have allowed into your heart. Computer viruses not dealt with can make a computer crash. Spiritual viruses not dealt with can make you crash. ---- Copyright (c) 2003, Ron Hutchcraft. Permission to distribute this material via email, or individual copies, is automatically granted on the condition it will be used for non-commercial purposes, and will not be sold. To subscribe to "A Word With You," by Ron Hutchcraft visit: http://www.hutchcraft.com/a-word-with-you/ 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 ============================================================== , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >-->A Reader Question: ______ '-._ ```"""---.._ ,-----.:___ `\ ,;;;, '-.._ ```"""--.._ |,%%%%%% _ , '. `\;;;; -\ _ _.'/\ .' `-.__ \ ,;;;;" .__{=====/_)==:_ || ,===/ ```";,,,,,,,;;;;;'`-./.____,'/ / '.\/ '---/ ';;;;;;;;' `--.._.' / ,===/ '-. `\/ '---/ ,'`. | ; __.-' \ ,' jgs \______,,.....------'''`` `---` One of our dear readers had a question concerning the 2nd commandment. A friend of hers was picking on her and then me for using Christian graphics on my web site. I later found out her friend worked in a Christian book store no less! Anyway, this in part was her first note to me and mine back to her: _ === _ / \(_)/ \ | / \ | | \\ // | \_/ \_/ .--" / \ `"-. ( ( '.___.' ,') (__,-. )--' jgs '.____)--' "...I have to ask you, being someone who professes to be a Born Again yourself - aren't all those animated gifs you have on your site, the ones of angels, and pics of Jesus, God, and heavenly things a direct violation of the 2nd commandment? "You shall not make for yourself a carved image - any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;" I just recently emailed someone who has been Born Again for over 30 years your website and when she saw all the animated things that you have of angels, God, etc she wrote me. Will you please get back to me with your thoughts - I would sincerely appreciate it. A sister in Christ" , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' I emailed her back... Thank you for writing me and thank you for your kind words. Do you understand the biblical definition for 'graven image'? God is not talking about just any image of a bird, or cat, or angel or sun, moon, or cow that he had formed made and/or created. Here is what God is talking about and why it is forbidden: Definition for graven image: idol: a material effigy that is worshipped; "thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image" .========. .========. // I .'..' \ // VI.'.,".\ || II .'..'| || VII..'..| || III .'."| || VIII,'.'| || IV ,','.| || IX.'".'.| || V '..'.'| || X .'..',| jgs .\_________/ .\_________/ God wants us to ONLY Worship Him. Christians would not be able to use cameras, or use their God-given ability to paint and draw like Michalangio who painted images for the Roman Catholic church if all images were forbidden. Our homes would not be able to have any pictures unless they were the abstract art. Our books would be devoid of any ocean or fish or bird or cave pictures. How boring! . . : . '. . : . .' ._ '._.-'''-._.' _. '-..' '..-' --._ /.==. .==.\ _.-- ;/_o__\ /_o__\; -----|` ) ( `|----- _: \_) (\_/) (_/ ;_ --' \ '._.=._.' / '-- _.-''. '._.' .''-._ ' .''-.(_).-''. ' jgs .' ' : ' '. ' : ' ' No nativity sets, no baby Jesus or Jesus on the Cross, no stars, moon, sun, etc. You must understand the bible in full context - not just taking a verse out. To better understand what God is saying we also check out the verses before and after the verse in question. Before the verse it says... Exod.20: [3] Thou shalt have no other gods before me. [Number 1 Commandment is to put God first and formost - Worship God Only] To further explain what 'no other gods' means, God continued by saying this [2nd commandment]... [4] Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: To further explain what He means by 'graven image', He continued by elaborating and explaining it to us by saying this... [5] Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; As you see, the WHOLE Context of what God is saying here is that He does not want us to worship any images. [WORSHIP GOD ONLY] , _/ \_ _,--. < , > .-'.' /(/.\ .' .' .""". `/ ` / / / \ /) ; ; ,_.;._ _;-'}/ | | '. )( /' | | /'-._/\_.-' ; ; \_.' \ , \ \ / | _.'/ '. `'-\ /.-/.;,\ '-._ `"""""`_.|`"""`| jgs `"("\/")` |# | \(_/ `-...-' The images I have on my website are harmless just like the images on TV or in a coloring book or picture book. They are just pictures. When you buy a bible for your child and it has pictures to go along with the old testament stories, do you think it is against God's commandment? I have been a Christian since I was a little girl. Close to 50 years. I don't know of any Christian who believes that Christian artwork is a sin against God or His commandments. * * *%%* ,,,,, *%%* *%%%%%* W*W*W*W *%%%%%* *%%%%%%%* {//"\\}*%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%*{{/6.6\}}*%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%%%*{{( = )}}*%%%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%%%%*}}}}) ({{{{*%%%%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%%%* {{{{ }}}} *%%%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%* We are each of us *%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%* angels with only one wing*%%%%%* jgs *%%* And we can only fly *%%* * embracing each other. * -Luciano Decrescenzo If you were to Google 'Christian Art', you would get this result... Results 1 - 10 of about 60,000,000 for christian art That is 60 million! Listings of Churches, Biblical sites, and Galleries of those gifted artists who love God and want to share their talent and love with others. -=====- -=====- _..._ _..._ .~ `~. .~` ~. ,_ / } { \ _, ,_\'--, \ _.'`~~/ \~~`'._ / ,--'/_, \'--,_`{_,} -( )- {,_}`_,--'/ '.`-.`\;--,___.'_ _'.___,--;/`.-`.' '._`/ |_ _{@} {@}_ _| \`_.' / ` |-';/ _ \;'-| ` \ / \ / | _ {@}_ | \ / \ / '--;_ _ {@} _Y{@} _;--' \ _\ `\ {@}\Y/_{@} Y/ /` /_ / |`-.___. / \Y/\|{@}Y/\|// \ .___,-'| \ ^^jgs^^`--`------'`--`^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^`--`'------`--`^^^ All these things simply help to enhance our understanding and love for God and our Lord Jesus Christ. As long as we do not go against God's Word and bow down and worship an image rather then the true God and Father of Lord and savior Jesus Christ, then it is just part of God's wonderful creation. He gave us many beautiful and wonderful things to amaze and bless us. Art is just one of them... .-""-. _______ .-""-. .'_.-. | ,*********, | .-._'. / _/ / **` `** \ \_ \ /.--.' | | **,;;;;;,** | | '.--.\ / .-`-| | ;//;/;/;\\; | |-`-. \ ;.--': | | /;/;/;//\\;\\ | | :'--.; | _\.'-| | ((;(/;/; \;\);) | |-'./_ | ;_.-'/: | | );)) _ _ (;(( | | :\'-._; | | _:-'\ \(((( \ );))/ /'-:_ | | ; .:` '._ \ );))\ " /(((( / _.' `:. ; |-` '-.;_ `-\(;(;((\ = /););))/-` _;.-' `-| ; / .'\ |`'\ );));)/`---`\((;(((./`'| /'. \ ; | .' / `'.\-((((((\ /))));) \.'` \ '. | ;/ /\_/-`-/ ););)| , |;(;(( \` -\_/\ \; |.' .| `;/ (;(|'==/|\=='|);) \;` |. '.| | / \.'/ / _.` | `._ \ \'./ \ | \| ; |; _,.-` \_/Y\_/ `-.,_ ;| ; |/ \ | ;| ` | | | ` |. | / `\ || | | | || /` jgs `:_\ _\/ \/_ /_:' `"----""` `""----"` Christian Symbols though are simply that. Symbols. They are not idols. As long as we aren't praying to them and worshiping them instead of the one and only true God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, all is well. , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' As I was thinking about this and praying to God about it this morning, This story came to mind I just had to pen... .========. .========. // I .'..' \ // VI.'.,".\ || II .'..'| || VII..'..| || III .'."| || VIII,'.'| || IV ,','.| || IX.'".'.| || V '..'.'| || X .'..',| jgs .\_________/ .\_________/ >The Master Teacher by emb The master teacher came into the room and seeing the 3 children, he said to them. "Here is a rule I want you to keep." He then motioned at his workbench and said, 'Do not touch anything.' He looked at the children in their eyes and said, "Do not touch anything on this shelf or above this shelf or below this shelf. This is a rule. Do not break it." He asked the children, "Do you understand? I will be watching you and when I get back later this afternoon, if you have been good and did not break my rule, you will get ice cream!" All the children cried out in glee and jumped up and down. "But if you are bad and break my rule,' said the Master, you will get no reward of ice cream and you will be punished." With that he left the children alone. __ _,, /\\\ sSSSs \_ ( s\_SS (\/`"`\.__/`"`\/) \/|_(\/'-')=(\/ /,| |__\ /\ //||__ ||\\//` \\'--.) \\`` jgs (/ (/ Sally saw a large box in the middle of the room with many puzzle pieces in it. She decided to have fun and work and put the puzzle together. Tommy quickly went to the building blocks on a rug on the floor. He loved to build things. He smiled as he got busy. _._ ///\\ //. .|\ //\_-_/\\ \/`'-'`\/ /_| |_\ \\___// /\) (/\ /_______\ |_|_| jgs (__/__) Laura went directly to a chair and sat down with her hands folded in her lap. She saw a large canvas with paper on it and lots of paints, brushes, and drawing items. She loved to draw and paint, but she sat where she was. She watched the other children having fun and pointed her finger at them and told them they would be in big trouble when The Master returned. They were breaking his rule! They insisted they were being good and tried to ignore her though she was making them feel uneasy and guilty. She was putting them in a bad mood. +&- _.-^-._ .--. .-' _ '-. |__| / |_| \| | / \ | /| _____ |\ | | |==|==| | | |---|---|---|---|---| |--|--| | | |---|---|---|---|---| |==|==| | | ^jgs^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The day wore on. Sally had a beautiful landscape picture from her putting her puzzle together. Tommy had a great farm house complete with barn and fence built from his blocks and construction set. Laura however had nothing. She still sat on her chair with an unhappy scow on her face. Finally the Master Teacher came into the room. Laura jumped up and ran to him. "I have been very good, Master, I did not break your rule! I did Not Touch Anything! Not like them!" She looked behind her at the other two children and said, 'They were bad! They were playing with your stuff!" The Master Teacher asked each of them if they had touched anything on his workbench. Had they touched anything on the shelf, above the shelf or below the shelf?" Each of the two children said, "no". _._ ///\\ //. .|\ //\_-_/\\ \/`'-'`\/ /_| |_\ \\___// /\) (/\ /_______\ |_|_| jgs (__/__) The master then turned to Laura and said, "You have disappointed me Laura. While you did not break my rule, I put these things here to bless each of you and you did not use what I had given you. Sally put her puzzle together and made a thing of beauty. Tommy worked hard and built a wonderful farm house with the things I left for him. I gave you a big canvas to make me a beautiful picture with but look at it. It is unused. Not only did you not do anything constructive while I was gone, but you accuse others of being bad when it is you who were not paying attention when I gave you my rule. Truly I said you were not to touch anything but had you listened, you would know that it was pertaining only to my workbench. Not to everything. Because you have not broken my rule, you will not be punished, however for making my good followers feel guilty about doing what is good in my sight, you will not get a reward of ice cream like they will." .-"`'"-. / \ | | /'---'--`\ | | \_.--._.-._/ \=-=-=-/ \=-=-/ \=-/ jgs \/ Moral of This Story? Obey the Word of God. Do not take it out of context and accuse others of being in the wrong. That way you won't be disappointing God Himself! Always remember, when you take God's Word out of context, you no longer have the truth. You have a lie. The bible tells us the author of lies is the devil himself. He uses lies to trap and snare people so that they are not all they can be through Christ Jesus. He tries everything he can to destroy the Word Of God because the Word of God is our weapon against him. If it is destroyed, we are defenseless. We who love God must understand that God is our Father. He always wants the best for us. All that He does is to our benefit. Like the bible says ... Matt.7: 9-11 [9] Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? [10] Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? [11] If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? He is not going to make ridiculous rules that vex us instead of bless us. Just remember, "Sincerity is no guarantee for truth" - A person may honestly believe what they are telling you, but it doesn't mean that what they are telling you is true. If it doesn't seem like something a loving parent would say or do for their child, chances is, it is not something Your loving Father and God would say or do or expect of you to do. God made us sisters, Hearts made us friends. .--. /`\| / .;;.;;;;. '-.""""-./;;;;;;;;;\ / / \ \;;;;;;;;;;| / | \;;-;;;;;/`\ .' / | \ '| \()| ;. __'._/ | \__.\ _/;;`--/ } / '.-'`"""`'-._ \;;;-'\.' \ __\'-.__-' /`-' _.' \ ;\-_- //`''-'-._.-' | __|_'---'`-..______,.____.../__ |_.._.._.._.._.._.._.._.._.._.._| __| || || || || || || || || || || | |\ | || || || || || || || || || || | \\ | || || || || || || || || || || | |\\|_||_||_||_||_||_||_||_||_||_||_| ||\|.---..---.--.---.--..--.---..-.| || ||jgs \ / / | || | || || || || \/_ / _|==||==| || || || | |`\ ( `-| '-| || || \ _\_/ '.__/\__/ || To edify means to build up. We are to build each other up in the truth and love of God's Word. Reminding each other of what Christ Jesus did for us. We are free and have sonship rights thanks to him. We can boldly come to the creator of the entire universe without fear knowing that this great one is our Father. It was because Jesus Christ gave his life to made this available for us. Now how cool is that? 1 John 3:2 'Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he [Christ] shall appear, we shall be like him [Christ]; for we shall see him [Christ] as he [Christ] is.' That's our Hope - our anchor Hebrews 6:19a [19] Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, Our Valuable Anchor http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html ===================================================================== >-->From InspiredBuffalo: >I Found God I found God in the morning, and we just sat and talked. I kept Him very near me, no matter where I walked. I called on God at noontime, a heart filled with despair. I felt His quiet presence, and I knew He was there. We met again at sunset, the waning of the day. I had made Him happy, for I had lived His way. Then when I knelt at bedtime, in quiet, silent prayer, Again I felt His presence, telling me, "Someone does care!" Author Unknown -<>- ' . ' . . . : . . '. ______ .' ' _.-"` `"-._ ' .' '. `'--. / \ .--'` / \ ; ; - -- | | -- - | _. | ; /__`A ,_ ; .-' \ |= |;._.}{__ / '-. _.-""-|.' # '. ` `.-"{}<._ / 1938 \ \ x `" ----/ \_.-'|--X---- -=_ | | |- X. =_ - __ |_________|_.-'|_X-X## jgs `'-._|_|;:;_.-'` '::. `"- .:;. .:. ::. '::. >A Higher Standard of Living Max Lucado tells the story of a man who had been a closet slob most of his life. He just couldn't comprehend the logic of neatness. Why make up a bed if you're going to sleep in it again tonight? Why put the lid on the toothpaste tube if you're going to take it off again in the morning? He admitted to being compulsive about being messy. Then he got married. His wife was patient. She said she didn't mind his habits . . . if he didn't mind sleeping on the couch. Since he did mind, he began to change. He said he enrolled in a 12-step program for slobs. A physical therapist helped him rediscover the muscles used for hanging up shirts and placing toilet paper on the holder. His nose was reintroduced to the smell of Pine Sol. By the time his in-laws arrived for a visit, he was a new man. But then came that moment of truth. His wife went out of town for a week. At first he reverted to the old man. He figured he could be a slob for six days and clean up on the seventh. But something strange happened. He could no longer relax with dirty dishes in the sink or towels flung around the bathroom or clothes on the floor or sheets piled up like a mountain on the bed. What happened? Simple. He had been exposed to a higher standard of living. That's what confession and repentance do for us. That's what Jesus does for us. Billy D. Strayhorn, Thunder in the Desert -<>- .--.-. ( |\ `) (__/` ) ) / e ( ) .' \ ) \^ __/ ) ) .'"-. \-__/\ ( )______ / `\ | `-; | `\.-. ) | \ / \ ) ) | '--' | ( ( | .-. .-. | `--` |\ /\/ | | \/ /| |\ './ / /------\ \ _.'//| \`';_/ / \\ \'_.'`/ '. `-./_`"""""` ;\_.-' .' jgs '-._ `""""""` _.-' `'-.........-'` >THE U IN JESUS Before U were thought of or time had begun, God stuck U in the name of His Son. And each time U pray, you'll see it's true, You can't spell out JesUs and not include U. You're a pretty big part of His wonderful name, For U, He was born; that's why He came. And His great love for U is the reason He died. It even takes U to spell crUcified. Isn't it thrilling and splendidly grand He rose from the dead, with U in His plan? The stones split away, the gold trUmpet blew, and this word resUrrection is spelled with a U. When JesUs left earth at His Upward ascension, He felt there was one thing He just had to mention. "Go into the world and tell them it's true That I love them all - Just like I love U." So many great people are spelled with a U, Don't they have a right to know JesUs too? It all depends now on what U will do, He'd like them to know, But it all starts with U. Will YOU pass it on. When Jesus died on the cross he was thinking of you! If you are one of the 7% who will stand up for him, forward this. 93% of people won't forward. -<>- /\,%,_ \%%%/,\ _.-"%%|//% .' .-" /%%% _.-'_.-" 0) \%%% /.\.' \%%% \ / _, %%% `"---"~`\ _,*'\%%' _,--""""-,%%, )*^ `""~~` \%%%, _/ \%%% _.-`/ |%%,___ _.-" / , , ,|%% .`\ /\ / / `\ \%' \ / \ \ _,/ /`~-._ _,`\ \`""~~` `"` /-.,_ /' `~"----"~ `\ \ jgs \___,' \.-"`/ `--' A mom was concerned about her kindergarten son walking to school. He didn't want his mother to walk with him. She wanted to give him the feeling that he had some independence but yet know that he was safe. So, she had an idea of how to handle it. She asked a neighbor if she would please follow him to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, so he probably wouldn't notice her. She said that since she was up early with her toddler anyway, it would be a good way for them to get some exercise as well, so she agreed. The next school day, the neighbor and her little girl set out following behind Timmy as he walked to school with another neighbor girl he knew. She did this for the whole week. As the two walked and chatted, kicking stones and twigs, Timmy's little friend noticed the same lady was following them as she seemed to do every day all week. Finally she said to Timmy, 'Have you noticed that lady following us to school all week? Do you know her?' Timmy nonchalantly replied, 'Yeah, I know who she is.' The little girl said, 'Well, who is she?' 'That's just Shirley Goodnest,' Timmy replied, 'and her daughter Marcy.' 'Shirley Goodnest? Who is she and why is she following us?' 'Well,' Timmy explained, 'every night my Mom makes me say the 23rd Psalm with my prayers, 'cuz she worries about me so much. And in the Psalm, it says, 'Shirley Goodnest and Marcy shall follow me all the days of my life', so I guess I'll just have to get used to it!' The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift His countenance upon you, and give you peace. May Shirley Goodnest and Marcy be with you today and always. -<>- .,,. ,;;*;;;;, .-'``;-');;. /' .-. /*;; .' \d \;; .;;;, / o ` \; ,__. ,;*;;;*;, \__, _.__,' \_.-') __)--.;;;;;*;;;;, `""`;;;\ /-')_) __) `\' ';;;;;; ;*;;; -') `)_) |\ | ;;;;*; ;;;;| `---` O | | ;;*;;; *;*;\| O / ;;;;;* ;;;;;/| .-------\ / ;*;;;;; ;;;*;/ \ | '. (`. ;;;*;;; ;;;;;'. ; | ) \ | ;;;;;; ,;*;;;;\/ |. / /` | ';;;*; ;;;;;;/ |/ / /__/ ';;; '*jgs/ | / | ;*; `""""` `""""` ;' >WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING A message every adult should read because children are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say. When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one. When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals. When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life. When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to, and I learned to trust in Him. When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other. When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing, and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't. When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given. When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up. When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry. When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be. When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up. When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and wanted to say,'Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.' I AM SENDING THIS TO ALL OF THE PEOPLE I KNOW WHO DO SO MUCH FOR OTHERS, BUT THINK THAT NO ONE EVER SEES. LITTLE EYES SEE A LOT . Each of us (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher, friend) influence the life of a child. How will you touch the life of someone today? Just by sending this to someone else, you will probably make them at least think about their influence on others. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God. -<>- ,_ |\'. ,_ \ \ \ )\`. \|_,|-'`'-'| \ \'.-. ;-' | | | `'--._ / \ | / `-. | \_,/\_/`-._/\_.-;'-._ / __ \/ \/ \_, =\ /-.\ \__/ |_, | \o_/ / /\ \ | \_/ ;_ / / \ \/ ;__'--._./_/ _;-` / `"-._( )-; | _ _ ;-' \ \ (C,/ / \ '.__.;-' jgs >Just Stay in the Race -King Duncan When Cecil B. DeMille began working on the movie "Ben Hur", he talked to Charlton Heston - the star of the movie - about the all-important chariot race at the end. He decided that Heston should actually learn to drive the chariot himself, rather than just using a stunt double. Heston agreed to take chariot-driving lessons to make the movie as authentic as possible. Learning to drive a chariot with horses four abreast, however, was no small matter. After extensive work and days of practice, Heston returned to the movie set and reported to DeMille. "I think I can drive the chariot all right, Cecil," said Heston, "but I'm not sure I can actually win the race." Smiling slightly, DeMille said, "Heston, you just stay in the race, and I'll make sure you win." Those are the words of God to everyone going through a time of struggle in their lives... "My child, you just stay in the race, and I'll make sure you win." Look for God's hand. If you cannot see it in the event itself, look for it in the aftermath when you are putting your life back together. I promise you, God's hand will be there. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:7-8 King Duncan "Collected Sermons" -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment Best Wave Ever http://www.buffaloschips.com/sdfsfw.htm Better Than A Beer Commercial http://www.buffaloschips.com/sssfw.htm Blobbin http://www.buffaloschips.com/sddewew.htm The Elevator http://www.buffaloschips.com/fsdksl.htm Bud Light BBQ http://www.buffaloschips.com/sdfwsed.htm Angels Are Watching http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/angelswatching.html True Duck Tale http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/duck.html I Believe In You! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ibelieveinyou.html Love Test http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lovetest.html Attitude Is Everything! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude.html Top Reasons To Smile! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/smile.html Just Have Faith! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/faith.html Subscribe send a blank email to: the-inspired-buffalo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ============================================================ >-->From Our Friend Jo Ann :) _____ ____ `----,\ ) `--==\\ / `--==\\/ .-~~~~-.Y|\\_ @_/ / 66\_ | \ \ _(") \ /-| ||'--' jgs \_\ \_\\ Now what if God changed like we do, and was to busy to hear our prayers? Thank goodness God said: "I am the Lord, I do not change." ( Malachi 3:6 ) So sit back and enjoy a humorous look at what prayer might be like today if He did! We have all learned to live with "voice mail" as a necessary part of modern life. But, have you wondered, what if God decided to install voice mail? Imagine praying and hearing this: Thank you for calling My Father's House. Please select one of the following options: Press 1 for Requests Press 2 for Thanksgiving Press 3 for Complaints Press 4 for All Other Inquiries. What if God used the familiar excuse..."I'm sorry, all of our angels are busy helping other sinners right now. However, your prayer is important to us and will be answered in the order it was received, so please stay on the line" Can you imagine getting these responses as you call God in Prayer? _,._ __.' _) <_,)'.-"a\ /' ( \ _.-----..,-' (`"--^ // | (| `; , | \ ;.----/ ,/ ) // / | |\ \ jgs \ \\`\ | |/ / \ \\ \ | |\/ `" `" `"` If you would like to speak to: Gabriel, Press 1 Michael, Press 2 For a directory of other angels, Press 3 If you'd like to hear King David sing a psalm while you are holding, please press 4. To find out if a loved one has been assigned to Heaven, Press 5, enter his or her social security number, then press the pound key. (If you get a negative response, try area code 666.) For reservations at "My Father's House" please enter J-O-H-N, followed by 3-1-6. What if you heard, our computers show that you have already prayed once today. Please hang up and try again tomorrow. ( or ) This office is closed for the weekend to observe a religious holiday. Please pray again Monday after 9:30 AM. If you need emergency assistance when this office is closed, contact your local Pastor. (Ahhhhhhhhh) (baa,baaa) O O o O ,@;@, ,@;@, ;@;@( \@;@;@;@;@;@, ,@;@;@;@;@;@/ )@;@; /a `@\_|@;@;@;@;@;@;, ,;@;@;@;@;@;@|_/@' e\ / )@:@;@;@;@/@:@;@|) (|@;@:@\@;@;@;@:@( \ `--"'`;@;@;@;@|@;@;@` '@;@;@|@;@;@;@;'`"--' `;@;\;@;\;@;@`o '@;@;/;@;/;@;' || | \\ ( ) // | || || | // / o \ \\ | || jgs // ( // / dHHb \ \\ ) \\ ''"' '"' 8KROGG `"` `"`` ---------------------------------------------------------- Thank GOD, He Doesn't Have Voice Mail And He Always Listens When We Pray!!! After all, remember that God's always answers all "knee" mail! Amen. --- ...Amen!! Thanks Jo Ann! ============================================================ .-.-"````"-.-. ,-._._ \ / _._.-, '. '-. \ / .-' .' \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ | | | | / | \_/ \_/ | | | ; ; jgs \ / '.__ _ _ __.' ``` \ / ``` / \ d b \/ >-->Prayer - Lord Grant Me... Lord grant me the courage To stand on my own. When all from my world, Thy love has gone. Lord grant me the strength To hold my head high, Put a smile on my face, When my eyes want to cry. When my mind's in turmoil Despair my friend, Show me the wisdom To know it will end. Walk with me, Lord Show me the way, Help me get through Till the next sunny day. I know I'll survive, If you lead me along, And stay by my side 'Till all's where it belongs! --Author Unknown _..._ _..._ .' _ '. .' _ './ (a) .-'-. / (e) .-'-. '-,-'` | '-,--'` / ; / ; | _ / |/ .\ _ (_\ __..;__ \ ::\ ,/_)._ _;\;``""----...___...---:"`` .-'_ `'. \ '::.()\__) (\())(`._'- `-._ ,:-" '. '. - : ; '::\--;__ _\()`''----...__ `-._ '-. '._ .' | .:::|()\_) (_/`;-. jgs _ ()`-. `""--...____..-'` ;_ .:::| `. \_) _;/_)/).;()'._ (`\.-();/_).__ .::::/().-./`) (_\`;(()(_/(()/(. __.--;();`\_)()\__) .::()--;__:() '-;---()_;\_/()"-._ (_/ (/ /()';();--._\_::'`.();\_)` ,() (_.-(); \._ ``""(_.();_().(`\.-();__)`(_/ `--.__ (_/ (_/() \_) __/(_/|\();__\_)` \_) ` (_/ \_)`-._); >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! --------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS --------------------------------------------------------------------- -->This is for all you who love food andd 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? 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