Marriage Is Sacred And Binding...:) 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 Through no fault of my own we suddenly became an adult club in the love and romance directory so you will have to confirm that you are an adult when you go here. I still have no idea how to change this back as it sends me around in a circle when I try! 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!! ================ >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press! :) Our newest scorcher comes from a forward from our friend PatDeE. I do so love this artist. He shows that you don't have to invest a lot of money in your art supplies to come up with some awesome results! Check it out here... _ _ _ _ _ /^\ /:\ /%\ /8\ /#\ /___\ /:::\ /%%%\ /888\ /###\ [_____]:::::]%%%%%]88888]#####] |_____|_____|_____|_____|_____| |=====|=====|=====|=====|=====| | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | | / \ | / \| / \ | / \ |/ \ | || || | || ||| || | | || || | || ||| || | | || || | || ||| || | | | \_/ | \_/| \_/ | \_/ |\_/ | |_____|_____|_____|_____|_____| jgs |=====|=====|=====|=====|=====| | |:::::|%%%%%|88888|#####| '-----'-----'-----'-----'-----' Crayola Art 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/crayolaart2.html --- ...Simply stunning! Thanks PatDeE! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: .e$c"*eee... *Tent* z$$$$$$. "*$$$$$$$$$. .z$$$$$$$$$$$e. "$$$$$$$$$$c. .e$$P"" $$ ""*$$$bc."$$$$$$$$$$$e. .e$*"" $$ "**be$$$***$ 3 $ $F $ 4$r 'F $ 4$F $ 4$F $ 4P \ 4$F $ $$ 3r $" r 4$F 3 $$r $ $ '. $$F 4F 4$$ 'b dF 3 $$ ^ b $$L "L $ . $$ % $ ^$$r "c JF $$ % 4r '$$. 3L .$ $$ " $ ^$$r"" $% $$P 3r .e*" '*=*********************************$$P" Gilo94' >A PLACE OF WONDER by Kathy Anne Harris After pulling the truck and tent-trailer into a double-wide spot in the small parking lot, we stepped out and walked to the edge of the escarpment. There before us, in a breath stopping glance, lay the grand vista of the Valley. Crisp, cool air swirled around us and the other people crowding the outlook. Outstretched arms pointed from a great waterfall in the distance to the half-domed rock, capped in clouds, and illumined in a column of sun from the south -- from the massive protruding wall of granite to the left, to the arches that had been created in the walls of the valley, ages ago. Below, the valley floor was thick with color, verdant meadows and a carpet of trees. We drove on until we reached the Lower Pines Campground. After setting up camp, we had a bite of lunch and relaxed. Off to the west, in a meadow of dried yellow grasses with small, reedy pockets of swampy earth was a herd of mule deer, nearly obscured but for their long ears, delicately shaped heads and slender necks. I walked closer, to get a better look. Their heads followed my course from the camp to the meadow. We studied each other, the deer, and me. And none of us moved. Cars sped by on the road past the meadow. Campers arrived, shuffling about in their designated camps. Hikers and bicyclists scurried back and forth on the paths around us. But the deer, and I, remained quiet, unmoving. I glanced up at Half Dome, and I could spot dots of color and movement on its crest -- hikers. I swiveled my gaze to the opposite side of the valley. I followed the upper ridge, and stopped. There, rushing down the slope of granite, Yosemite Falls pulsed torrents of snow-melted water over rocky ledges, down the cliff wall, and down further still -- crashing at the bottom in a spray of mist. Rainbow patterns winked in and out of the dewy spray. When I got back to camp, several people were whispering to each other, and pointing to something moving through the nearby trees. It seemed everyone was looking at the same thing. I looked, too. Between shafts of sunlight, columns of shadow, and the trees, a large coyote strolled past us and on to the river on the other side of the camp. It was delightful! Later that night, during supper, a park ranger came to visit each group of campers. She advised us that there was a large, indigenous bear populace in the park. She instructed us to store all foods in the iron, bear-proof, storage boxes. And not just food. Anything with an attractive scent was to go in these boxes -- not in your vehicle, not in your tent or camper or RV -- but in the iron storage box. We did as she had instructed. Others did not. That night, while the humans slept in their sleeping bags, beds, or cots, bears came visiting -- a mama bear, and her two cubs. However, we didn't discover this until the next morning. My brother remarked how he had heard a soft, shuffling sound outside his tent that night. He had peeked through the window of the tent and watched as the mother bear and her cubs ambled past his tent, on to the campground across the road. The bears had totaled the campers' van. We discovered that she had also paid us a call. She had left paw prints on our truck, and one on the outside wall of the tent-trailer, just above the place where my head had laid that night, in sleep. Yosemite is a place of wonder. Yet, when I think of the magnificent creatures who dwell there, and then of the hordes of humans who visit the valley, I must ask myself: Who is the beast? -- Kathy Anne Harris ___________________________________________ Kathy says, "I am a social worker by day, a writer by life. Four of my books have been published: three fiction, one non-fiction. They are available online and also can be ordered from your local bookstore. I live in Clovis, CA with my fur kin." You can reach her at: mailto:bluebelliedlizard@earthlink.net ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Bunni :) , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >SCRIPTURES God never intended us to carry the weight of this broken world on our own shoulders. Give the weight and anxiety back to Him. Read Psalms 120:1 (I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me) We are to build up the body of Christ. Read Ephesians 4:12 (Prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.) Where do you go to find enough stillness to rediscover that God is God? Where do you turn when your days and nights start running together? Read Luke 5:16 (But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.) True integrity implies you do what is right when no one is looking or when everyone is compromising. Read Colossians 3:23 (Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.) In the tragic storms of life, God specilizes in calming waves and silencing winds. It is amazing how God can do such things. Read Luke 8:24 (And they came to him and woke him saying, Master, we perish. Then He arose and rebuked the wind and raging of the water: and they ceased and there was a calm.) We must acknowledge that God is intimately acquainted with all our ways. Read Job 31:4 (Does He not see my ways and count my every step?) We can stop showing mercy to others ONLY when Christ stops showing mercy to us. Read Matthew 5:7 (Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.) Discouraged people don't need critics. They hurt enough already. They don't need more guilt or piled-on distress. They need encouragement. They need a refuge. Read Psalms 9:9 (The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.) The Bible is our Ultimate Authority. Some believe that, some don't. God said it. Read Psalms 119:105 (Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.) --- ...Amen! Thanks Bunni! ============================================================= >-->From Laugh&Lift: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >What a Ride! (by Peder Eide, www.pedereide.com) (taken from part of Peder's 7/24/03 Journal Entry) I like to listen to bible teachings and speakers on CD when I am out on the road. It works well for me and as I listened to a CD of a local pastor's teaching in my truck while traveling to a concert, my heart was awakened by a question he posed at the beginning his talk. To paraphrase it, he told of news he had received that 2 single women from his church who were serving as missionaries in Cameroon had died. Failed brake on a mountain road, over the cliff, both dead. One was a nurse; one was doctor, both from the Twin Cities. Both women were both 80 plus years old!!! Then the pastor spoke of an article in Readers Digest where it talked about a couple who made key investments and now get to spend there early retirement years in Florida collecting sea shells, shuffle board, and spending afternoons on their new boat. Then came the question...which one of these is a tragedy? I almost needed to pull the truck over to the side of the road. What a truth. It's not that it's wrong to retire or make wise investments but to honestly ask myself what is my life for and when will I be done serving the Lord Jesus Christ? The answer was pretty clear...my life is for what ever God wants it to be and I will never be done trying to serve, please, glorify, and take delight in Him. I was not made to take a seat and do nothing one day. What that picture looks like, I don't know but I do know that I was created for good works and what God has started in me God will take to its completion. Even as I write this, I have been met with some big challenges that can feel personal or defeating, yet part of the call that God gives is to do what ever, go wherever, and give it everything, every time. Mike Yaconelli says this life with Jesus is to sit down, buckle up, hang on and at the end to look back at where the Savior has taken you and say "What a Ride!" That's what I want. "Only one life twill soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last!" My dear friends, let us make this life count, not just last. Peace and love, Peder -<>- ______________________________ \._:_:__:_:_:__:____:_ _ _\\PG| :\`.;-._: : : :_,-/ . \ \\\| `_\'`. '`-._:.-' \ \_(#)_/ /\\| ;_\ ,`./ / >==/|\==< \| "`. \ ,'`./ -' /(-+-)\ \ __`,~\ .' \ \|/ | `_.-\'_ _,,,---"""""' .-'`.,' ,' ,' >The Harvest (Author Unknown) There was once a spider who lived in a cornfield. He was a big spider and he had spun a beautiful web between the corn stalks. He got fat eating all the bugs that would get caught in his web. He liked his home and planned to stay there for the rest of his life. One day the spider caught a little bug in his web, and just as the spider was about to eat him, the bug said, "If you let me go I will tell you something important that will save your life." The spider paused for a moment and listened because he was amused. "You better get out of this cornfield," the little bug said, "The harvest is coming!" The spider smiled and said, "What is this harvest you are talking about? I think you are just telling me a story." But the little bug said, "Oh no, it is true. The owner of this field is coming to harvest it soon. All the stalks will be knocked down and the corn will be gathered up. You will be killed by the giant machines if you stay here." The spider said, "I don't believe in harvests and giant machines that knock down corn stalks. How can you prove this?" The little bug continued, "Just look at the corn. See how it is planted in rows? It proves this field was created by an intelligent designer." The spider laughed and mockingly said, "This field has evolved and has nothing to do with a creator. Corn always grows that way." The bug went on to explain, "Oh no. This field belongs to the owner who planted it, and the harvest is coming soon." The spider grinned and said to the little bug, "I don't believe you," and then the spider ate the little bug for lunch. A few days later, the spider was laughing about the story the little bug had told him. He thought to himself, "A harvest! What a silly idea. I have lived here all of my life and nothing has ever disturbed me. I have been here since these stalks were just a foot off the ground, and I'll be here for the rest of my life, because nothing is ever going to change in this field. Life is good, and I have it made." The next day was a beautiful sunny day in the cornfield. The sky above was clear and there was no wind at all. That afternoon as the spider was about to take a nap, he noticed some thick dusty clouds moving toward him. He could hear the roar of a great engine and he said to himself, "I wonder what that could be?" 2 Peter 3:3-4 "In the last days mockers will come, following their own lusts, and saying, 'Where is the promise of His coming?'" 2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness, but He is patient toward you, not wanting anyone to perish, but for all to come to repentance." 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 ================================================================= >-->From CupO'Cheer: _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ WE ARE PRAYING FOR RUNNING WATER RAIN, ENOUGH TO FILL LAKES AND STREAMS. THEN A LIGHT SHOWER TO SOAK OUR LAND. Lets be specific!!! This is a prayer for rain in those dry areas of America......join in!!! Tucson!!! LargePrayer Circle As evidenced by people living in Colorado, Oklahoma, West Texas, and South Texas, Indiana and New Mexico ever-increasing areas in other parts of the country, the drought condition is reaching critical status; cattle are being auctioned off; crops have burned up; and drinking water is becoming a concern. Please join us in this prayer circle. Lets make this one of the largest prayer circles ever. It will be as though everyone is holding hands around the world. Dear Heavenly Father, You said whatsoever any two or more come together and agree and ask in Your Son's name, it shall be given. We come to you, humbly, and ask that you bring down the rain to our parched lands. Our farmers and ranchers need it desperately, as well as our firefighters. We ask this all in Jesus Christ's name. Amen. You may adopt this prayer and evidence your participation in this gathering by simply passing this prayer request on to your circle of friends! PLEASE forward this if you believe in the power of prayer. -<>- QUOTES !|| !|||| ,/|||| !|'''| `\ | )\ \ ejm / \ \ \ "Abide in Me says Jesus. Cling to Me. Stick fast to Me. Live the life of close and intimate communion with Me. Get nearer to Me. Roll every burden on Me. Cast your whole weight on Me. Never let go your hold on Me for a moment. Be, as it were, rooted and planted in Me. Do this and I will never fail you. I will ever abide in you."--J.C. Ryl Marriage is a journey toward an unknown destination--the discovery that people must share not only what they don't know about each other, but what they don't know about themselves. --Michael Ventura --- ...My two Cents... .::\)`:`, .:;\/~`\``;) ,.~-----, ;;==`_ ~:;( ,,~{*}\~~--,.`. ;:== 6 6;;) ,(((((({*});~~. .\ ;;C } )' (('`)))~({*}) . \ .\ :;` `--'; >6 6`({*}))) . \~~ | `____/ ( { ))())) . .`, ____._| |_____. `--' (((())) . | / \ \__ _| | \ `-- )))))) . .| | ) \/\/\_{@} | ,-| ((((((( . | | \_ \ \ | / | / | / ))))))) .| | |\ : \ |/ | Y | (/*@@*( ' ` ) . | \ \ \_\/_/ | | / */ \ \'/ /. | \ \ |o | | \. \ |'@'| .| \ \ | ; ,'--,.,.,., \ ~*@*~. . | \ \_________._--`((,:{@}.:))_\ |~@~| . | \ ' | ((,{@}:{@}.))-----' ;/\ (, \._____________`-__((;,{@},:))_________/|{ | . ; | | | `';{@},) /`-----'\ |. | | .__/\__ | `{@};,; / / | \ \ \/ .| | / :; \ | `(@))\ / \. . | | /! | \| ';; ))_/`-'/`_`., \. | | | ! | | ';(( | | ! `_ \ .| | | ! | | )) | | ! |.\_| | |/ ! | | (/ | | ! | . | | ! | | | | ! |~~~~' >Marriage Is Sacred And Binding I am thinking people have lost what marriage really is. The institute of marriage is sacred and binding. It is not only between a man and a woman, but it is between them and God. Their vows are to each other before God. This means their vows are a promise to God as well. People who want to end a marriage simply because they 'want to be happy' or want to play around have lost the true meaning of what marriage is. When you get married you make a promise to God to love, honor and cherish [or whatever your special vows to each other may be] - and you promise this until death do you part. Marriage is a life long commitment. Not meant to be broken. Children today are suffering because people go into marriage and don't work on it. It is not easy, but when you make a promise to God, you keep it and you do all you can to continue keeping it! After all it is a promise to God! My husband's brother did the unthinkable during the power outage. In his anger, he yelled at his dad that he was going to get his mom to divorce him. She is suffering from dementia made worse when she is stressed out. She gets very forgetful when she is separated from the man she has lived in marriage with almost 63 years. He was upset that his dad didn't want to go to a shelter to escape the heat. They set their a/c at 80 normally so the 90's wasn't so bad for them. Mildly uncomfortable. To save the peace, she went with him. Now he has gotten a temporary guardianship of her and won't return her home. We can't fight it because we know she is a forgetful wreck when she is away from her husband. Last year when he went into a nursing home to recover from taking the wrong dose of meds, She called him so much there that they called Paul to complain. This time she hasn't called him at all and it has been almost two weeks. He is a church goer. It totally befuddles me that he doesn't understand that 'what God hath joined together, let no man put asunder' applies to him too! She was doing OK. At their age, they should be able to live their life as they please without meddling from those who think they know best for them when the way they are living is not life threatening. , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' See: Matthew 5:31-32 Heb.13:4 This is why I believe marriage is between a man and a woman and God: Rom.1: [26] For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: [27] And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. Anything else is a 'vile affection' in God's eye and not sacred and holy. vile means: morally debased, depraved, or despicable: vile deeds Extremely unpleasant. Morally bad; wicked: "as vile a rogue as ever lived". Synonyms: mean - base - villainous - nasty - foul - scurvy - sordid See... Crossed The Line http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/crossedtheline.html Gay Agenda http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/gayagenda.html -<>- Most people today are just interested in making the world a better place to go to hell from. --Adrian Rogers Can I say something to young ladies here? I’m trying to pick my words carefully here. Your husband, whoever he is, single ladies, will have an unbelievable amount of influence over your sons and daughters in regards to spiritual things. If you want your children to love Jesus deeply, hold out for a man that is Godly. And let me tell you this: I am well aware that Godly men are rare. Lots of neat Christian boys, not a lot of Godly men. …But don’t settle, because it’s better that you be lonely now than you be married and lonely later. Are you tracking with me? It is better that you will be lonely now than for you to get married to a man that will teach your kids everything but the way of Jesus. --Matt Chandler --- ...Excellent advice! That goes for a woman too, all you single men of God out there! An unGodly woman will mean your children may or may not love Jesus like you do and she may or may not pack up one day and take them away from you. With a Godly woman you at least have a much greater chance that she will stick it out and work with you instead of against you! -<>- _ ///-._ ////////-._ /////////////-. ////////////////`. //////////////// .'`. //////////////// . '.'`. '|`'//////////// . .'.::|` : `'/////// . '.':| | . . `'// ' _|- ::| |. .-._ . | . | .':: | |:|:| | ' ' '.::| | |:|:| :. . .'.':| | . |:|:| . | .._.::: : `':| | ' ////-:| |. . | '/////////-._ | . . : .//////////////-._ : : ///////////////////-._ |. |////////////////////////-._ | . . :`'//////////////////////////-._ | . _.-\\\\``'//////////////////////////-._ | /\\\\\\\\..``'//////////////////////////". : . . /. \\\\\\\\\. .``'///////////////////// .'`. : / _ \\\\\\\\\. ``'//////////////// . .'`. | . / (@) \\\\\\\\\. . . ``'/////////// . '.'::|. {`)._ '| _` .\\\\\\\-`:|#| . . ``'////// '. .'.:| `-{_/`| ||::. \\'`.:|:.|#| |#| . ``'/ ' .##:'::: `-| ||||| |`.'::|::|#| |#| |#| . . '| . .|##|'.:| pils | ||||| : .'::|:.'#| |#| |#| |#| | |##|'::| | ||||| .| .'.:|::.'' '#| |#| |#| . : ' |##|'.:| {`\:|||| : .'::|:_.:. . '#| |#| | .|##|'::: `-{_/'|_ |_.-'/}_/'-._ '#| :. |##:'.:| `'{._('}_)-' `-}_}(-._ . . | ' '` .'::| `-' `-.} /-._ . : .'.'_:-'\ `-}_}(-._ | . _.-')_(-' `-/_)`-.:.-{ \{-' `-{_'_)-'' ^ >WHY PEOPLE LEAVE THE CHURCH (2) Written by Bob & Debby Gass 'We have come to believe and know...You...' John 6:69 NKJV And another reason: Sometimes the rules of the Father's house seem too restrictive. Many people want Christ's love but not His Lordship, His blessings but not His commandments. It's not that He offers them too little, but that the cost of serving Him seems too high. Maybe you are thinking that if you'd lived in the days of Christ, walked and talked with Him and heard Him preach, you'd be a better Christian. Think again! 'His disciples, when they heard this, said, "This is a hard saying"...From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?" But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ..."' (John 6:60-69 NKJV). True discipleship doesn't result from attending a special service at church. No, it's progressive. It's the result of 'coming to believe and know' the Lord as you walk with Him on the mountaintop and in the valley, in the bad times as well as the good. That's why Peter wrote: 'Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe...A stone that causes men to stumble...' (1 Peter 2:7-8 NIV). Paul puts it this way: '...No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost' (1 Corinthians 12:3 KJV). The purpose of the Holy Spirit working in your life is to bring you into submission to the will of God. And that involves a relationship - with rules! SoulFood: Deut 22-24, Mark 11:12-26, Ps 47, Pr 12:4-6 as seen in The Word For Today -<>- To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ================================================================= >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: ,,-,-.,-. ,-. ,,-. ,-,-. ,-.-. ,-.. ,-. ,-.,-.-.. (( ( ( ( '( ' ( ' ) ' )' ) ) ) )) \\ \ \ \ \ ,\ /. / / / / // \\ \ /\ / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ /\ / // gpyy'' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '' "Love Is" Love to me is... ...wishing good things for another person ...accepting the goodness in their heart and overlooking the mistakes and pain and anger ...sharing smiles and tears and sadness and joy and hugs ...listening to their story and delighting in their discoveries ...opening my heart to them and trusting them with my vulnerable secrets...one at a time ...holding their vulnerable secrets as carefully as I hold my own ...helping when help is wanted...in the way it is wanted and needed ...not taking offense when none was intended ...being...just being together in peace and mystery and flexibility ...and enjoying each other's quirks ...like dirty fingernails and snoring and forgetfulness and off-the-wall hobbies ...and the little child's heart that pops out occasionally in a giggle or a dance or a joke... ...and I know that lasting love packs a lot of baggage full of 'stuff' ...and that forgiveness and acceptance is a large part of a loving relationship. Love is modeled by Jesus' caring, sharing and sacrifice for those he loved. And sometimes we need to learn from the little children whom Jesus himself admired and appreciated for their membership in the kingdom of God's love. -<>- ,-'"";`- ,<""\oO\|*(`. / | "/ ;/_\ ( \ ,-' `;--) |; |(_' ( | ( | \ `-.) \ | / / ||\ / /| ||').:___,-(`| \\ \ / | \\ `. ,' | `\ `-' | `. \ `. | -shimrod \ | >The World is Mine Today, upon a bus, I saw a very beautiful woman. And wished I were as beautiful. When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle. She had one leg and wore a crutch. But as she passed, she passed a smile. Oh, God, forgive me when I whine. I have two legs; the world is mine. I stopped to buy some candy. The lad who sold it had such charm. I talked with him, he seemed so glad. If I were late, it'd do no harm. And as I left, he said to me, "I thank you, you've been so kind. It's nice to talk with folks like you. You see," he said, "I'm blind." Oh, God, forgive me when I whine. I have two eyes; the world is mine. Later while walking down the street, I saw a child I knew. He stood and watched the others play, but he did not know what to do. I stopped a moment and then I said, "Why don't you join them dear?" He looked ahead without a word. I forgot, he couldn't hear. Oh, God, forgive me when I whine. I have two ears; the world is mine. With feet to take me where I'd go. With eyes to see the sunset's glow. With ears to hear what I'd know. Oh, God, forgive me when I whine. I've been blessed indeed, the world is mine. If this poem makes you feel thankful, just forward it to your friends. After all, it's just a simple reminder that we have so much to be thankful for! -<>- _.--. _.-'_:-'|| _.-'_.-::::'|| _.-:'_.-::::::' || .'`-.-:::::::' || /.'`;|:::::::' ||_ || ||::::::' _.;._'-._ || ||:::::' _.-!oo @.!-._'-. \'. ||:::::.-!()oo @!()@.-'_.| '.'-;|:.-'.&$@.& ()$%-'o.'\U|| `>'-.!@%()@'@_%-'_.-o _.|'|| ||-._'-.@.-'_.-' _.-o |'|| ||=[ '-._.-\U/.-' o |'|| || '-.]=|| |'| o |'|| || || |'| _| '; || || |'| _.-'_.-' |'-._ || |'|_.-'_.-' jgs '-._'-.|| |' `_.-' '-.||_/.-' >"A Buried Treasure" by Bob Perks She is your neighbor. She lives in that house down the street where the grass gets a little tall in the summer. The sidewalks remain covered in snow a little longer than most of the homes in your area. During your early morning drive you'll see her outside in her housecoat and slippers sweeping the porch. Even on a warm summer day she wears a heavy sweater. Every so often you see her walking down the street with her fold-up push cart heading toward the grocery store. For the most part she is invisible to the world. She has become a part of the scenery. She goes about her daily routines asking for nothing from the world. And the world responds by doing nothing for her. The truth is she could die tomorrow and you most likely wouldn't even miss her. "They're selling that old house down the street. You know, where that old lady lived." "I saw a sign at the grocery store. They're having a tag sale. God, I bet there's some great old stuff in there. Let's make a point to go Saturday. We'll get there early for some real bargains." By the end of that Saturday, when the last piece of her life has been sold, she will be but a memory for someone. Her worth to whatever family members laid claim to her property, will be in dollars and cents. She was just passing through this life, biding her time. "How sad," you say to yourself. How sad indeed. Sad that you never got to know her. If you had taken the time to say "hello" one day you would have been blessed. Perhaps walking the down the street one early summer's eve you would have seen her sitting on the old oak rocking chair you got at a bargain price the day they auctioned off her life. That chair was hand made by her Father. He came to America with the skill of a craftsman and raised her and her seven siblings with his bare hands. Her Momma sat in that chair and breast fed every one of them. She made their clothes, baked bread everyday and tended to a large garden that they depended on for fresh vegetables. This mysterious old lady was married once for what would have been a lifetime for most of us. Her husband died years ago, but not before he paid the last payment on the home you rummaged through on Saturday. Children? They had seven kids and raised them on hand-me-downs and fresh garden vegetables. Two died at an early age, one in a car accident when he was just a teen. The others went on to college and scattered across the U.S. in search of big dollars, big homes and little respect for who gave them life and everything they had today. Except for a few photographs that they split among themselves as tokens of the "good old days" they each received their portion of the estate and went on with their lives. Some where in her possessions they found an envelope filled with cash. On it was written the words, "I couldn't spend your money." For they would send her checks to pay someone to cut the grass and shovel the sidewalk. She did it herself. She had no living relatives and very few friends to visit her. The ones still around were tucked away in nursing homes she couldn't get to visit. Yes, how sad it is that you didn't take the time to say hello. You would have met an honest to goodness Angel here on earth. I am guilty, too. You see, I wouldn't have met her either except one day while driving past her house I blew a tire and pulled by the side of the road. While struggling with the spare, she came out and offered me a fresh glass of homemade iced tea. I sat on her steps as she rocked in that chair and told me a lifetime of stories. She talked so long she apologized for she rarely got visitors. I assured her that she need not apologize at all. I was the one who was sorry that I had never stopped by sooner. "You are an angel," I told her. In her sweet, gentle voice she said, " We are each other's angels. We meet when it is time." She died the other day and I sat on her front porch and watched her life fall apart. The neighbors got some real bargains that day. But I found a treasure. -<>- ,"=-. / _),`'". ( /a( ), ) ) C = = ?/ ( )) (_ o-< ) ( `-' \; ( \_ ( | \ ) )| \_/} \ \ \(_;/-|_) )/) `._,--/ / / `!__!! ( (_o)) ---`-._, )--- ------( / |---- | ( | :__/|\_; \ |/ )(\_ /_)--` gpyy \_! >Why Did God Make Mothers The following are different answers given by school-age children to the given question: Why did God make mothers? 1.She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is. 2.Think about it, it was the best way to get more people. 3.Mostly to clean the house. 4.To help us out of there when we were getting born. How did God make mothers? 1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us. 2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring. 3. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts. Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom? 1. We're related. 2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me. What ingredients are mothers made of? 1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean. 2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string. I think. What kind of little girl was your mom? 1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff. 2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy. 3. They say she used to be nice. How did your mom meet your dad? 1. Mom was working in a store and dad was shoplifting. What did mom need to know about dad before she married him? 1. His last name. 2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer? Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores. Why did your mom marry your dad? 1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats a lot. 2. She got too old to do anything else with him. 3. My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on. What makes a real woman? 1. It means you have to be really bossy without looking bossy. Who's the boss at your house? 1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dads such a goofball. 2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed. 3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad. What's the difference between moms and dads? 1. Moms work at work and work at home, and dads just got to work at work. 2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them. 3. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have the real power 'cause that's who you gotta ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's. What does your mom do in her spare time? 1. Mothers don't do spare time. 2.To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long. What's the difference between moms and grandmas? 1. About 30 years. 2. You can always count on grandmothers for candy. Sometimes moms don't even have bread on them! Describe the world's greatest mom? 1. She would make broccoli taste like ice cream! 2. The greatest mom in the world wouldn't make me kiss my fat aunts! 3. She'd always be smiling and keep her opinions to herself. Is anything about your mom perfect? 1. Her teeth are perfect, but she bought them from the dentist. 2. Her casserole recipes. But we hate them. 3. Just her children. What would it take to make your mom perfect? 1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery. 2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd dye-it, maybe blue. If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be? 1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that. 2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment God's Royal And Holy Priests http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/royalpriests.html Stretching For The Lord http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/stretching.html You Are The Only You God Has! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/onlyyougodhas.html Friends And Health http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/friendhealth.html Price Of Children! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/child.html Jesus Laughing Art! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/Jesusart.html Amazing Stairways http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/stairs.html Corner Of Paradise http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/corner.html Extraordinary Photos http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/extraordinary.html Lion Cub Rescue! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lionrescue.html Relics From The Past! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/relics.html Up Close And Personal 3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/personal3.html -<>- >From Our Friend Wesley :) Family Christian's edifi http://goo.gl/oNQ2s --- ...Nice one! Thanks Wesley! 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 If You haven't joined LynnLynn's mailing List yet, send a blank e-mail to LynnLynns-links-subscribe@Yahoogroups.com ========================================================== >-->From Kidwarmers: ___ ,-'" "`-. ,'_ `. / / \ ,- \ __ | \_0 --- | / | | | \ \ `--.______,-/ | ___) \ ,--"" ,/ | / _ \ \-_____,- / \__-/ \ | `. ,' \___/ < ´--------' \__/\ | Wny \__// Joshua, 5, was in the car with his parents on the way to visit his grandparents. He hadn't seen them since Christmas, and he exclaimed, "I have a big happy on my face!" -- Sholee Kreps (mother of Joshua and Ryann) of Gilbert, Arizona Tracee was driving on the freeway past the airport when her 3-year-old daughter Jenna said, "Momma, there's Grandma's house!" Her daughter thought that's where grandmother lived because that's where they always pick her up! (Note: Whenever she visits, grandmother brings tons of "junk" jewelry that she acquired at garage sales. She would be wearing every bit of jewelry that she had acquired since her last visit and when they got home she would ceremoniously remove the "jewels" to give to Jenna.) -- Tracee of Reno, Nevada Arie, 9, was riding her bicycle on July 4. A big dog came barking at her and she lost control of her bike, crashed and broke her left arm. Her dad had to take her to an emergency care clinic. The doctors put her under to put the arm in place. When they got home, Arie told her mom, "The doctors gave me amnesia." Her mom said, "Don't you mean they gave you an anesthetic?" Her father explained, "No, they gave her amnesia; she doesn't remember a thing!" -- Joyce (grandmother) of Colorado Springs, Colorado , |`\ /'_/_ ,'_/\_/\_ , ,'_/\'_\_,/_ ,'| ,'_/\_'_ \_ \_/ _,-'_/ ,'_/'\_'_ \_ \'_,\ _,-'_,-/ \, ,' /_\ _'_ \_ \'_,/ __,-'<_,' _,\_,/ ( (' )\/(_ \_ \'_,\ __--' _,-_/_,-',_/ _\ \_`\> 6` 7 \'_,/ ,-' _,-,'\,_'_ \,_/'_,\ \/- _/ 7 '/ _,' _/'\_ \,_'_ \_ \'_,/ \_'/> 7'_/' _/' \_ '\,_'_ \_ \'_,\ >/ _ ,V ,< \__ '\,_'_ \_ \'_,/ /'_ ( )_)\/-,',__ '\,_'_,\_,\'_\ ( ) \_ \|_ `\_ \_,/'\,_'_,/' \\_ \_\_) `\_ \_) > `\_ / `, |`\_ / \ / \ `\ / __/| / / `\ (` ( (` (_ \ / / ,/ | / / \ / ,/ | / \ `\_ _/_/ |/ /__/,_/ mic /_( /_( The mother of Stephanie, 3, had foot surgery. For several weeks she had to use crutches. When Stephanie saw her mother in the hall one day without her crutches, she said, "Mom, you are all better. You don't have your handles!" -- from Sharon Stark (grandmother of Stephanie) of Kendallville, Indiana Nathaniel, 7, was watching one of the recent award shows on TV when a popular rapper performed for the audience. His mom, Elaine, commented that she couldn't understand a word the rapper was saying. Nathaniel quickly responded, "He must be singing in cursive." -- Earl King of Chesterfield, Virginia Loretta's son Tom takes his vacation every November to allow him to go deer hunting every day, usually twice a day. While deer hunting, he stopped in to see Loretta with his daughter Emily, 4. Tom told Loretta, "When I come home from hunting, if my hunting pants are dirty, I take them off in the mud room and then go in and get some other pants." He said that one evening that week Emily heard the door open, turned to see who was coming and said, "Oh, great, now Dad's hunting in his underwear!" -- Loretta Eicher of Michigan ** '**''' .' ** .** '*.***'' .. ***. ***. ***** **''. ***'* *' .*.... .*** * * ***********...'' .' ****************. ' ******************.. *****'*************.. .**'**' ***************' ''*** '''************ **''. '** *'*****. '* ' ** * ***** *. '* * ******. *. ** ****' * '**' * unknown Helen's 3-year-old son started parting the hair on the back of her head. When she asked him what he was doing, he replied, "I am looking for the eyes in the back of your head." -- Helen Buss of Red Bud, Illinois Cassie was discussing what life was like in 1776 with her class of four and five-year-olds. Cassie told them that in 1776 they used axes and saws because power tools hadn't been created yet. Several children told about various relatives that had axes. Cassie said, "Yes, lots of people still use axes. I have one in my bathroom." (In her toolbox.) One little boy looked at Cassie and said, "I know what that's for. It's for when strangers come in!" -- Cassie Campbell of Paris, Kentucky .0. / \ ; \_/ ; | | | | | | _______; ;_______ `======='\ /`=======` \ / _ | | _ _( \____|=|____/ )_ ( .---. .---. ) `-' / \ '-' / HUG \ ; ; | .---.|__, jgs : / :--' .--\ \ | `" `"".-' < =""` `"== `""""""` =""` `"""===="""` =""` `""==="""` Aida, 12, was getting her hair cut and the hairdresser told her what beautiful hair she had. Her hair is thick with a lot of body and natural wave. Aida replied, "You don't have to get up to it every morning!" -- Patty McCoy (mother of Aida) of Hudson, Colorado Peter, 3, recently announced that his game was "Spin the Bottle." His mother was relieved to discover that the game simply consisted of Peter spinning a bottle over and over. -- Lisa Cooper (mother of Peter) of Lawrenceville, New Jersey ========================================================== .------------------------. | PSYCHIATRIC | | HELP 5¢ | |________________________| || .-"""--. || || / \.-. || || | ._, \ || || \_/`-' '-.,_/ || || (_ (' _)') \ || || /| |\ || || | \ __ / | || || \_).,_____,/}/ || __||____;_--'___'/ ( || |\ || (__,\\ \_/------|| ||\||______________________|| |||| | |||| THE DOCTOR | \||| IS [IN] _____| \|| (______) jgs `|___________________//||\\ //=||=\\ ` `` ` >-->Dear God, I'm writing to say I'm sorry for being angry yesterday When you seemed to ignore my prayer and things didn't go my way First, my car broke down, I was very late for work But I missed that awful accident. Was that your handiwork? I found a house I loved, but others got there first. I was angry, then relieved when I heard the pipes had burst! Yesterday, I found the perfect dress but the color was too pale Today, I found the dress in red.. would you believe, it was on sale! I know you're watching over me and I'm feeling truly blest For no matter what I pray for, You always know what's best! I have this circle of E-mail friends, who mean the world to me; Some days I "send" and "send", At other times, I let them be. When I see each name download, and view the message they've sent; I know they've thought of me that day, and "well wishes" were their intent. I am so blessed to have these friends, with whom I've grown so close; So this little poem I dedicate to them, because to me they are the "Most"! So to you, my friends, I would like to say, Thank you for being a part of all my daily contacts. This comes right from my heart. God bless you all is my prayer today, I'm honored to call you "friend"; I pray the Lord will keep you safe, until we write again. God Bless You! --unknown Thank You God through Jesus Christ for all my friends and guiding us with your love today. ~emb >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->BECOMING A CHRISTIAN HOW TO BE A CHRISTIAN! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->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 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? 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 ************************************************************************