Love A Little 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 ================ *~* 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 Friend Me / Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND For Google Plus Users: You can find me here... Shangy Bigham https://plus.google.com/106648555948034085752/posts 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! ================ >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This smoking hot new page is from our friend Karen. It is sure to tickle your funny bone as well as give you a dose of awws for your daily quota. Be sure to turn your sound on and check out the cute video here too- (Be aware the video has a small Et-Ahem! with its language): .-c. _ .., _ ( ")\ ['" 6'-' __\ / \ /_ snd `----' '-._\ Jungle Boogie! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/jungleboogie.html --- ...This one is a delight! Thanks Karen! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: Football is like life. It requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority. -- Vince Lombardi, Green Bay Packers coach | | | _ | | <_> | | | | | `-._ | |`-._| | | _________________________________|____ `-._ `-._ | `-._ `-._ | kat `-._ `-._ >TURNING POINT by Ben Mueller I heard a quote from a body builder once that went something like the following: "Each day you either become a little bit stronger or a little bit weaker, but you never stay the same." My interpretation of this is that every day we should strive to be the best that we can be in all areas of life. Even on days when you are struggling, it is important to remember that it just takes a positive attitude to turn things around for the better. My dad took me to my first Green Bay Packers game when I was eight years old. At the time, I really did not know much about football other than it was a tough guy's sport. All I knew was that the Packers were playing the Cincinnati Bengals and that the Packers were not a very good team. The had lost all previous games in that season and it had been years since the Packers had a winning season. The year was 1992 and I was astonished at the atmosphere and crowd of being at a football game. I thought that it was the coolest thing. On one particular play, the packers quarterback Don Majowski hurt his ankle and had to leave the game. I remember a negative comment from a nearby fan who stated that the Packers had no chance of winning now. Out stepped the Packers back up quarterback Brett Favre. The beginning of the game did not go well for Favre and he ended up fumbling the ball four times and getting sacked often. Despite the fact the he was struggling, Favre kept the team in the game and they were down by six points with less than a minute to go in the game. Favre had the ball and threw a long pass to Sterling Sharpe. Then, with eight seconds to go, Favre threw the winning touchdown to wide receiver Kitrick Taylor. The crowd went wild! Favre ran around the field celebrating, and first year coach Mike Holmgren was as happy as could be. The Packers carried on that momentum for the rest of the season and just missed the playoffs at 9-7. Even though they missed the playoffs that year, the 1992 season was a special season for the Green Bay Packers. It marked the beginning of the Brett Favre era and also the start of a dynasty in which the team would win the Super Bowl in 1996. From that 1992 game forward, Favre began the longest consecutive starts streak for a quarterback in NFL history. As a Packers fan, I have witnessed many up and down seasons since then, but this game helps instill a special memory -- a memory so powerful that I feel like a turn for the better can happen anytime. Who would have ever thought that game would have ended the way that it did? And who would have thought that a great NFL quarterback and team would have been born on that day? -- Ben Mueller __________________________________________________ Ben is a writer and triathlete from Sheboygan, WI. He has had stories published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Runners. --- ...We used to love watching NFL football - now with all their disgraceful protesting during our National Anthem, we tune it off and watch the college football games... Check Out: These Colors http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thesecolors.html Amazing Athlete Homes 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/athletehomes2.html An Open Letter http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/openletter.html In The News - Trump at Atlanta College Football game https://tinyurl.com/yb7ttogj =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseAu :) | | | | | | |.-. | , .-. _.--.'/ :__ :, `\ ;"`.\/ `"\ J ""/_\,_..._ :} \ } o o F {(`,}\ `""-..__.'/ \/ | `-'| \--"""*--...-' ; /`. ; `. ; \ }. `-' /\ \ \ `. _..-" \ `-- / \_ /`,-"`. /`. { \.--" `"""" `"._/ `--' `" ,--..._ .' .-. `""--. _./`-. `-' __/| F `"--i_ `. \|========/`"\ `-. `"--.__.'`|J / /SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSssss.._ _/ _ () | ! {._ / YS !__./ \ | / /.-.\SSSss...__ __.=P / `""--.__!' :| |:`"""""^^SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSP^^"" \ :`""""-----------..........!!_!!______ \ ! `"""""""""--------....._____: `"""""""""""----------........._________ | `"""""""------......______! fsc >Story Time... The Mouse Trap: A mouse looked through a crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife opening a package. What food might it contain? He was aghast to discover that it was a mouse trap. Retreating to the farmyard the mouse proclaimed the warning: "There is a mouse trap in the house, a mouse trap in the house! " The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, "Excuse me, Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it." The mouse turned to the pig and told him, "There is a mouse trap in the house, a mouse trap in the house!" I am so very sorry Mr. Mouse," sympathized the pig, "but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured that you are in my prayers." The mouse turned to the cow. She said, "Like wow, Mr. Mouse. A mouse trap. Like I am in grave danger. Duh...NOT!" So the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer's mouse trap alone. That very night a sound was heard throughout the house, like the sound of a mouse trap catching its prey. The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see that it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught. The snake bit the farmer's wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital. She returned home with a fever. Now everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient. His wife's sickness continued so that friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig. The farmer's wife did not get well and a few days later she passed away. So many people came for her funeral, that the farmer had the cow slaughtered, to provide meat for all of them to eat. So the next time you hear that someone is facing a problem and think that it does not concern you, remember that when there is a mouse trap in the house, the whole farmyard is at risk. --- ...Awww, A classic lesson for life! Thanks LouiseAu! -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Bible Character Declarations (By George Burr) I will... like Paul, forget those things which are behind and press forward; like David, lift up mine eye unto the hills from whence cometh my help; like Abraham, trust implicitly in my God; like Enoch, walk in daily fellowship with my heavenly Father; like Jehoshaphat, prepare my heart to seek God; like Moses, choose rather to suffer than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; like Daniel, commune with my God at all times; like Job, be patient under all circumstances; like Caleb and Joshua, refuse to be discouraged because of superior numbers; like Joseph, turn my back to all seductive advances; like Gideon, advance even though my friends be few; like Aaron and Hur, uphold the hands of my leaders; like Isaiah, consecrate myself to do God's work; like Andrew, strive to lead my brother into a closer walk with Christ; like John, lean upon the bosom of the Master and imbibe of His Spirit; like Stephen, manifest a forgiving spirit, toward all who seek my hurt; like Timothy, study the Word of God; like the heavenly host, proclaim the message of peace on earth and good will toward all men; and like my Lord Himself, overcome all earthly allurements by refusing to succumb to their enticements. --- ...Wow! A Great one to reflect on! Thanks LouiseAu! With Martin Luther King, Jr. Day approaching, I'd like to add this one... I will... like Martin Luther King, Jr., judge all people by their character. 'I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.' - Martin Luther King, Jr. Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/martin_luther_king_jr =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it. Happy moments, praise God. Difficult moments, seek God. Quiet moments, worship God. Painful moments, trust God. Every moment, thank God. - Unknown -<>- .-""""- F .-' F J I I L `. L `-._, `-.__.-' ## ### # #### _____ ## .---#####-...__ .--' `-### .--..-' ###### ""`---.... _____.----. ###`.._____ .' ####### a:f ### / -. ####### _.--- ### .( ####### # : `--... ###### # `. ``. ###### : :. ##### .' ) ### .' / ## _.' | .## ,:' | ' .' < ' | / | ' . >I will go to God The stars shone more brightly then ever before and the moon hung ever so high in the majestically black sky. I could hear laughter in the background and crying in the foreground. My mind was clouded and my palms a bright red from the bitter cold. It seemed like just yesterday I had sat with him laughing and smiling. I could still hear the slight crackle or his perfectly creased shirts, and smell the sweet aromas of cologne and dryer sheets. I remembered the brightness in his eyes and his glowing personality. I could hear his sweet voice and his assuring words. But now he was gone. It was only hours after I said goodbye, laid a single rose upon the ground, and watched his casket slowly fade into the deep earth tones. I was confused, numb, and deeply depressed. He had been my mentor, my guide. He had been my life. The days went by ever so slowly and the nights were never ending. I kneeled beside my bed and prayed each night while drowning in my tears. I was lost without him, and felt as if I had no reason to live anymore. I was standing on the edge. Finally it came time for me to clean out his belongings. I was going through albums and dresser drawers in his bedroom when I found a small white book and on the cover was a tiny angel with his initials inscribed. It looked as if he had sketched them in himself. I opened the book and began to flip through the pages. Page after page there were prayers and inscriptions from the bible. As I put the book down a small folded piece of paper fell out. I opened it and read it. It was a list of names he had written himself. It was in two or three tones of blue pen and had been folded and unfolded several times. On this piece of paper were his "thank-yous". He had made a list of all the people who had made a difference in his life and who he cared about. Reading the names and inscriptions I felt the tears flow down my cheeks. At the bottom of the list it read: "These people have shown me the way through the toughest of times, but most of all I must thank God. For without him I would not have these people. When I get to heaven I will go to God and ask Him to watch over you all. I know He will be proud to stand next to you all when it is your time. Enjoy every minute of your time on Earth. Live through God." With this I put the paper back into the book and finished packing things up. For the first time in the past month I smiled. I knew he was safe and he would be watching over us. And I learned to live through God, Our Savior. by B. R. Montoya -<>- ___ ___ ___ ___ ___.---------------. .'\__\'\__\'\__\'\__\'\__,` . ____ ___ \ |\/ __\/ __\/ __\/ __\/ _:\ |:. \ \___ \ \\'\__\'\__\'\__\'\__\'\_`.__| `. \ \___ \ \\/ __\/ __\/ __\/ __\/ __: \ \\'\__\'\__\'\__\ \__\'\_;-----------------` hh \\/ \/ \/ \/ \/ : | \|______________________;________________| >CHOCOLATE SINGS One day I had a date for lunch with friends. Mae, a little old "blue hair" about 80 years old, came along with them---All in all, a pleasant bunch. When the menus were presented, we ordered salads, sandwiches, and soups, except for Mae who said, "Ice Cream, please. Two scoops, chocolate." I wasn't sure my ears heard right, and the others were aghast. "Along with heated apple pie," Mae added, completely unabashed. We tried to act quite nonchalant, as if people did this all the time. But when our orders were brought out, I didn't enjoy mine.. I couldn't take my eyes off Mae as her pie a-la-mode went down. The other ladies showed dismay. They ate their lunches silently and frowned. The next time I went out to eat, I called and invited Mae. I lunched on white meat tuna. She ordered a parfait. I smiled. She asked if she amused me. I answered, "Yes, you do, but also you confuse me. How come you order rich desserts, while I feel I must be sensible? She laughed and said, with wanton mirth, "I'm tasting all that's Possible. I try to eat the food I need, and do the things I should. But life's so short, my friend, I hate missing out on something good. This year I realized how old I was. (She grinned) I haven't been this old before." "So, before I die, I've got to try those things that for years I had ignored. I haven't smelled all the flowers yet. There are too many books I haven't read. There's more fudge sundaes to wolf down and kites to be flown overhead. There are many malls I haven't shopped. I've not laughed at all the jokes. I've missed a lot of Broadway hits and potato chips and cokes. I want to wade again in water and feel ocean spray on my face. I want to sit in a country church once more and thank God for His grace. I want peanut butter every day spread on my morning toast. I want un-timed long distance calls to the folks I love the most. I haven't cried at all the movies yet, or walked in the morning rain. I need to feel wind in my hair. I want to fall in love again. So, if I choose to have dessert, instead of having dinner, then should I die before night fall, I'd say I died a winner, because I missed out on nothing. I filled my heart's desire. I had that final chocolate mousse before my life expired." With that, I called the waitress over.. "I've changed my mind," I said. "I want what she is having, only add some more whipped cream!" Remember that while money talks, CHOCOLATE SINGS -<>- reICareI reICareIC ICareICareICar ICareICareICare reICareICareICareI reICareICareICareIC CareICareICareICareICa reICareICareICareICareI ICarICareICareICareICareI ICareICareICareICareICareI ICarICareICareICareICareICare CareICareICareICareICareICare ICareICareICareICareICareICareI CareICareICareICareICareICareICa ICaICareICareICareICareICareICareI ICareICareICareICareICareICareICar eICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICar ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICar ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareIc eICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICa ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareI reICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICare ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICa reICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareIc ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICare reICareICareICareIICareICareICareICareIca ICareICareICareICareICareICareICarICa reICareICareICareICareICarICare areICareICareICareICareICa ICareICareICareICare areICareICareICa eICareICareI -Grim CareICar reIC eI >Love a Little More "I love you!" The words just hung there in the air suspended for the moment, drifting, waiting for the echo..."I love you, too!" I thought about it and wondered if there really needs be an echo, a reply of the same. "Why do we tell someone "I love you?" I wondered. Oh, the obvious point is to let someone know you care about them. But do we say it so that we can hear it back? If we say those words they certainly aren't taken or given lightly. There is power behind them, woven in between them and laced with tone's of commitment. But do we also say them because we, too need reassurance? Are we really saying it this way; "I love you! Do you love me?" I believe the best things in life come to us without expectations. It reminds me of the tradition of sending greeting cards. "Should I send a birthday card to Uncle Joe?" "Did you get one from him for your birthday? "No." "Well, I wouldn't send one to him." Or..."John we got a card from the Phillips for Christmas. Did we send them one?" "No. I don't remember getting one from them last year. Remember we decided to send cards only to those who send us one?" How many things do you do that you label as "giving" when in reality you are expecting a return for your gesture? Have you ever given something anonymously? I'm not suggesting that it's wrong to say "I love you" because you long to hear it. I just wondered how many times we say it without expectations. So I experimented with it. The last several times when my wife said it to me, I didn't reply with the same words. I would say "thanks." In some cases I replied with a hug. Other times I said or did nothing. The words hung in mid air. Last night I sighed. That got me into trouble. The sigh seemed to give a different signal. For me, hearing the words echo back doesn't mean that much. It seems too mechanical. Like "Thank you" and "You're welcome." It's polite and proper, but expected. So here's what I've come up with. Touch a little more. A hand on a shoulder, a gentle touch on a chin. If you are sitting near each other, play "footsies" gently bumping, nudging your loved one's foot. In this new society of keeping our distance, not invading one's space for fear of misunderstanding the gesture, the human spirit longs for touch. Smile a little more. In a passing glance, return a soft, gentle smile. Practice it in the mirror and you'll see how your eyes are involved in this expression of love. They seem to sparkle and brighten as they tell the person you bring joy to my life. Offer to do a little more. "Can I get you something?" "Let me get that for you." "No, sit I'll get the phone." Watch the expression and body language on that person when you do this. They suddenly feel special, like royalty. Call a little more. For no reason at all. "Just needed to hear your voice." "I thought about you and thought I'd give you a call." You won't see it, but when they hang up they walk a little taller, the smile will linger for a while. Write a little more. Don't send a card. Don't send an email. Take a piece of paper, an envelope and write a quick note to someone you love. Here in America it costs 39 cents. Do you realize how valuable that investment is? In these times what can you buy for 39 cents that could possibly be as valuable as a hand written note. Oh, yes. Send it even if you live in the same household. Be quiet together a little more. Sitting in silence with someone you love creates an energy in that space that is breathtaking and unforgettable. Listen to the sound of love, two hearts beating in one continuous rhythm, sending pulsating waves of immeasurable force into the world. Now try saying "I love you" without expectation. If you are doing all of these things those words will not need an echo. They will not hang in mid air and die in sadness because you didn't hear them back. They will be absorbed by the one they were intended for and they will sigh, not in frustration or confusion, but in satisfaction of knowing it is so. You actually do this already. When you pray, you say "I love you, God." You don't wait for a deep sounding voice in reply. "This is God...I love you, too!" Why? Because it is understood. We know He loves us not because we hear it, but because we experience it, feel it, and know it. Our true love for Him is not in the words we say, but in the way we live. When we love each other we love God. I write for you as an expression of love although we have never met. If you know that, take a deep breath and sigh. "I believe in You!" ~ Bob Perks ~ Bob@BobPerks.com -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: I Believe... http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/believe.html Dreamy Ladies!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dreamy.html God's Paintings!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gpaints.html Just Have Faith!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/faith.html Adam In Paradise!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/adam.html Thoughts For Today!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thoughts.html Attitude Is Everything!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude.html God's Water Paintings!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/water.html Just Thinking!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thinking.html What Is Love 2!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wlove2.html Love Thoughts!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/love.html Small Thoughts!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/smallthoughts.html Who Is This Jesus?- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/jesus.html A Kairos Moment http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/kairosmoment.html Straying From The Light http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/straying.htm -<>- >Visit/Follow Me On StumbleUpon: https://tinyurl.com/yby5e7v2 -<>- >From Truth Or Tradition: Why read the Bible? http://www.truthortradition.com/articles/why-read-the-bible -<>- >In The News: WHiteHouse: https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600daily/ Trump orders mental health support for military veterans to prevent suicide https://tinyurl.com/y8l5zt4z Igor Bobic writes in the Huffington Post that Democrats are downplaying the bonuses American workers are receiving as a result of Republican-led tax reform. “If it were up to Democrats, a million Americans wouldn’t have gotten a bonus or more take-home pay,” Republican National Committee spokesman Michael Ahrens said. https://tinyurl.com/y962n9uo In The Hill, Armstrong Williams argues that America is already seeing the returns from year one of President Trump’s “winning” foreign policy. “In just under one year, the president has managed to slow and ultimately halt the slide of United States credibility and influence on the world stage,” Williams writes. https://tinyurl.com/y7svgcmj Bloomberg News reports that New York is among 18 states “pressing the nation’s top energy regulator to ensure utilities pass on hundreds of millions of dollars of tax savings to customers” following the passage of tax reform. https://tinyurl.com/yd2yyxk2 -<>- >From Our Friend Linda :) Manly Man Fishing! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdnHGm5VGwM --- ...ACK! Not for me! Thanks Linda! Criss Angel ramdom tricks on a coffee shop https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=eCepP0HmcB0 --- ...He's crazy to watch! Thanks Linda! Blown glass steam engine. This Model of Stephenson's Steam Engine was made in 2008 by master glassblower Michal Zahradník. Highlights: Everything is made out of glass. There are no sealants used. All is accomplished by a precision fit. The gap between the piston and its cylinder walls are so small, that the water that condensates from the steam seals it shut! Notice the elaborate excessive steam exhaust system next to the piston. The pistons are the most difficult part to make due to the extreme level of precision needed. It has to be so accurate that no machinery is of use here. The piston and its cylinder must be hand sanded to perfection, and they are very likely to crack in the process! On average, three out of four crack. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73txXT21aZU --- ...Wow! Awesome to watch! Thanks Linda! 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 ========================================================== === === === === ___===____________oooo___________oooo____________===___ |___===___________________________________________===___| === | /O O\ | === dwb || || jrb === || || === ( | _ | ) || ( ) || _ || _/_-_\_ || \ ooooO /___|___\ Ooooo == ((( )|____^____|( ))) / \ (|)MMMMM| |#####(|) |MILK| (_)MMMM/ \####(_) |____| --------------------------------------------------------------------- __ ____ ___ __ ___ ___ ( )(_ _) ( \ / \( _)/ __) )( )( ) ) )( () )) _)\__ \ (__) (__) (___/ \__/(___)(___/ ____ _ _ ___ ___ __ ___ _ _ __ __ __ ___ _ (_ _)( )( )( _) ( ,) / \( \( \/ ) / _) / \ / \( \ / \ )( )__( ) _) ) ,\( () )) ) )\ / ( (/\( () )( () )) ) )\_/ (__) (_)(_)(___) (___/ \__/(___/(__/ \__/ \__/ \__/(___/ (_) >-->From Our Friend Linda :) This is truly so beautiful! May you celebrate & enjoy the simple pleasures of life in the coming new year! God Bless & a Happy New Year to everyone! >The Glass Of Milk One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it so slowly, and then asked, How much do I owe you?” You don’t owe me anything,” she replied. “Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness.” He said, “Then I thank you from my heart.” As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit. Many year’s later that same young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room. Dressed in his doctor’s gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to her case. After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She read these words... “Paid in full with one glass of milk” (Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly. Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: “Thank You, God, that Your love has spread broad through human hearts and hands.” --- ...Such a heartwarming Classic! Thanks Linda! Amazingly enough, this is taken from a true story - but it has been exaggerated some... See the full of this story here: https://www.snopes.com/glurge/milk.asp ================================================================ ._ | | |L___, .' '. T unknown : * :_| '._.' L >Some Little Action I Can Take Story Editor: by Marie Clark Joyce Schowalter Pennsylvania, USA --+-- This Story Originally Ran as #277: 7 February 2002 --+-- Rain began to pour down in buckets as my husband and I left a lovely Philadelphia restaurant and headed back to our car. Purse in one hand, dinner leftovers in the other, we raced toward the parking lot. My husband Mark popped the trunk and I threw leftovers and purse in, and then jumped in the car. As we pulled out of the parking lot onto the one-way street, we both noticed a couple struggling along in the rain. The woman was short and slightly built. She was pushing the man, who was in a wheelchair. Although the night was cold and wet, neither was dressed warmly. This was an area in Old City, where the sidewalks have been around since the revolution and show it in each bump and crack. We could see the effort it took to propel the chair down the walk. We drove slowly by them, each of us wishing we could help them. But what could we do? Our car is small -- we could never have fit both them and the chair into the back. It was silent in the car as we headed for the bridge. Suddenly, my husband made a quick left, and then another. I understood he was heading back, looking for the couple, but I didn't know why. We didn't see them immediately. They must have cut through one of the numerous local alleyways. We made another pass around the block and then, giving up, headed back for the bridge. Just as I was saying, "They must live nearby. I'm sure they're OK," we saw them in the headlights. Mark pulled the car slightly ahead of the couple, who stood looking at him a little fearfully. He went back to the trunk and opened it. "He's giving them the leftovers," I thought. But no. He reached into the trunk and came out with my big, brand-new golf umbrella. He'd noticed it when we opened the trunk earlier. He approached the couple in the pouring rain and opened the umbrella. He handed it to the man and smiled at him, without saying a word. Then he jumped back in the car and we drove away. I had a lump in my throat the size of a grapefruit when I looked back at the two strangers under the huge umbrella. I'll never forget the looks on their faces. And I'll never forget the smile on my husband's face as we headed home. Mark has never told a soul about this. That's just the kind of guy he is. But that event stays with me now, and I find myself looking for opportunities to help others out, even when it seems certain that I am not in the position to help. I am always surprised by how often something will occur to me -- some little action I can take that makes a difference to someone else. You never know what you might have forgotten in your own trunk! =======HeroicStories======= >-->From LaughAndLift: .======================================. | ___ ___ ___ _ _ _ | | \_/ \_/ \_/ C|||C|||C||| |-| |-| |-| | | _|_ _|_ _|_ ||| ||| ||| |_| |_| |_| | '===================================== ,sSSSs DUFFY'S WATERING HOLE SSSS "( .:. SSS@ =/ \~/ C|||' SSSS_(_ _Y_ ___|||______________________________SS/ _)_) /.- [____________________________________] \ /\// | ____ ____ ____ ____ | \|==(\_/ | (____) (____) (____) (____) | (/ ; | | | | | | | | | | |____| | | | | | | | | | | \ |\ | | | | | | | | | | ) ) ) | |____| |____| |____| |____| | ( |/ | I====I I====I I====I I====I | /\ | jgs | | | | | | | | | /.(=\ Y\_\ >God's Powerful Word in The Moment of Temptation (By Charles Swindoll) Many years ago, when our children were still in school, Cynthia stayed home with them while I flew to Canada for a full week of ministry. I was exhausted by Friday night, so I grabbed a hamburger at the hotel cafe and headed back to my room. I can still hear my heels tap across the polished floor of the big rotunda-like lobby leading to the hotel elevators. I pushed "up," stepped into the empty elevator, and before the doors closed, two very attractive women walked in. I pushed "six" and asked, "Which floor would you like?" In unison, they said, "Six would be fine." Both smiled, looked at each other, and then one of them looked back at me with eyebrows raised and said, "How 'bout it?" I won't lie to you. For a brief moment, the offer seemed inviting. But immediately something powerful happened within me. In the recesses of my mind, I recalled the words my mother had drilled into me as a little boy when she and I memorized Scripture together over the kitchen table. They were: "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap" (Galatians 6:7). I repeated those words slowly in my mind. I quickly answered, "No thanks, I'm not interested. I've got more than I can keep up with at home." Then the doors opened and I stepped out . . . alone. When I got to my room, I leaned against the wall in a cold sweat thinking, Thank You, Lord, for Your powerful Word! -<>- ,w. ,YWMMw ,M , _.---.._ __..---._.'MMMMMw,wMWmW, _.-"" """ YP"WMMMMMMMMMb, .-' __.' .' MMMMW^WMMMM; _, .'.-'"; `, /` .--"" :MMM[==MWMW^; ,mM^" ,-'.' / ; ; / , MMMMb_wMW" @\ ,MM:. .'.-' .' ; `\ ; `, MMMMMMMW `"=./`-, WMMm__,-'.' / _.\ F"""-+,, ;_,_.dMMMMMMMM[,_ / `=_} "^MP__.-' ,-' _.--"" `-, ; \ ; ;MMMMMMMMMMW^``; __| / .' ; ; ) )`{ \ `"^W^`, \ : / .' / ( .' / Ww._ `. `" / Y, `, `-,=,_{ ; MMMP`""-, `-._.-, fsc (--, ) `,_ / `) \/"") ^" `-, -;"\: `""" `""" `"' `---" >A Lifetime of Conviction (By Steve Troxel, God's Daily Word Ministries, http://www.gdwm.org) Daniel was one of the first captives taken by the Babylonians in 605 BC. Upon his arrival in Babylon, Daniel was selected to receive three years of specialized training (as well as special food and drink) to prepare him for service in the palace. This special treatment would have caused Daniel to violate the laws of God, so he "resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine" (Daniel 1:8). His convictions had a profound impact on those around him - especially his three closest friends who were soon thrown into a fiery furnace for refusing to bow to a golden image; "We want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up" (Daniel 3:18). Daniel served seventy years under the kings of Babylon and his convictions earned him a place as the most trusted advisor in all the land. When the Persians defeated the Babylonians, the new king even "planned to set {Daniel} over the whole kingdom" (Daniel 6:3). But when the other officials became jealous, they convinced the king to pass a law forbidding prayer to anyone except the king. Though he knew he would be severely punished, Daniel held to his convictions and prayed to God three times a day. For this violation of the law, Daniel was thrown into a den of lions; but "God sent His angel, and He shut the mouths of the lions" (Daniel 6:22). When the king saw how God miraculously protected Daniel, he issued the following decree: Daniel 6:26 "I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For He is the living God and He endures forever." There were many opportunities for Daniel to question his circumstances. He was taken into captivity at a young age, tempted with special treatment, despised by his peers, thrown to the lions, and served an entire lifetime under foreign rulers. But, without a single complaint, Daniel continued to trust God and serve Him without compromise. In the end, Daniel was used to encourage the Jews while in captivity and to draw an entire nation to a greater reverence of God. Shortly after the decree was issued 50,000 Jews were allowed to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Stories like this are scattered all through God's Word! Though we may not understand our circumstances or be able to clearly see God's specific plan, we KNOW the way He's calling us to walk. Let's continue to serve and trust with all our heart. Let's walk down His path without turning to the right or to the left. Regardless of our present circumstances, let's determine once and for all to give Him a lifetime of conviction. 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 ========================================================== / / /____________________ |________ __________ /_____ /|| | |".___."| || | |_______|/ | | || .___."|| / ||_______|| / |_________|/ >-->STUFFED WITH JUNK (By Ron Hutchcraft, Copyright 2002, Ron Hutchcraft. Used by permission.) The other day one of our team members shared a discovery she made during the remodeling of her kitchen. The counter top had been removed, and as she looked into this little 6"x8" drawer by the sink, she saw that it was completely stuffed - with "stuff"! She realized that for 24 years she had been sticking things into that drawer - twist ties, rubber bands ... you know, everything. There were some useful things in the back, but there were inaccessible because of all the "stuff." Now, it had been a long time since the drawer had been opened very much - our friend just crammed things into it and occasionally pulled it open an inch or two to use something out of it. But looking down on it all from above, she was surprised to see what was in there. Almost everything in that drawer could be thrown away - but it was accumulating for years. And that drawer was much more useful now that it was emptied out. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Stuffed With Junk." You've got to wonder what God sees when He looks down on the contents of our life. The "top" is always off as far as His view of us is concerned. He sees directly into our heart, our motives, our every thought. And all too often, our life and our heart are cluttered with "stuff" ... things we've filled our life with that are simply unnecessary to Him, useless to Him - actually limiting our usefulness to Him. Some of us won't realize how useless a lot of our life has been until it's too late to do anything about it - we'll wait until the Judgment Seat of Christ. Paul talks about it in 1 Corinthians 3, beginning with verse 11, our word for today from the Word of God. He says, "No one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones (that's filling your life with things that will last, that have eternal significance), wood, hay, or straw (things that are just "stuff"), his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light ... the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames." You get one life. You can fill it with things that really matter or with things that really don't. With things that will last forever or things that will be gone in a moment. And often what this world stresses as being important is really just "stuff" - and what Jesus says is important, our world thinks isn't much. So when the Lord looks down inside your life, is it crammed with a lot of "stuff" that just doesn't mean much? A lot of time in front of a television, hours on the Internet, listening to music, talking on the phone, following sports, pouring yourself into causes and diversions that won't matter much in eternity at all? It's not that these things are necessarily bad. The problem is when "stuff" that should be peripheral becomes central in your life. That's when it's time to reevaluate your priorities. It's time to see your life through God's eyes, and clean out what's not useful - the trivial pursuits. When you do, you become so much more useful to your Lord. And the more you fall in love with Him, the less you'll be stuffing your hours, your days, your mind and your heart with "stuff." You'll be about what Jesus is about. You'll be "seeking first the Kingdom of God." (Matthew 6:33) ========================================================== _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ >-->Elusive Peace By Debbie Preuss, December 4, 2002 Elusive peace in a busy day Running, running, no time to pray God wants to talk, to be your friend For time and eternity without end Talk to God, He's always there His heart is filled with loving care He wants a relationship with you Not just religion that you say or do But a friendship formed in the heart One that will never be pulled apart He gave His Son, take time to see All He's done for you and me The ransom is paid, by Jesus' blood Be washed forever in His cleansing flood He paid the price to set us free Sins washed away for eternity Take time away from your busy life To give to God your cares and strife For time and eternity without end God wants to talk, to be your friend Elusive peace in a busy day Running, running, take time to pray >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->This is for all you who love food and DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe ************************************************************************ >TO SUBSCRIBE:Visit Here This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR For the Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ************************************************************************