Move Me Out Of The Way, Lord ... :) 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 red hot new page is from our friend Linda. If you are like me, some of the animals featured on this page will mesmerize you! Be sure to check it and the cool video out here... ___ .-' `'. / \ | ; | | ___.--, _.._ |0) ~ (0) | _.---'`__.-( (_. __.--'`_.. '.__.\ '--. \_.-' ,.--'` `""` ( ,.--'` ',__ /./; ;, '.__.'` __ _`) ) .---.__.' / | |\ \__..--"" """--.,_ `---' .'.''-._.-'`_./ /\ '. \ _.-~~~````~~~-._`-.__.' | | .' _.-' | | \ \ '. `~---` \ \/ .' \ \ '. '-._) \/ / \ \ `=.__`~-. jgs / /\ `) ) / / `"".`\ , _.-'.'\ \ / / ( ( / / `--~` ) ) .-'.' '.'. | ( (/` ( (` ) ) '-; ` '-; (-' Incredible Animals http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/incredibleanimals.html --- ...Pretty Awesome! Thanks Linda! The video here tore at my heartstrings as it reminded me of my grandma. She was a Park Ranger. One time when we visited her, she had a flying squirrel she was helping to recover as it had been hurt. It was the cutest little guy. =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: Love is just a word until someone comes along and gives it meaning. Valentine's Day is around the corner and people from 4 to 104 will looking for ways to send their love to the special people in their lives. You'll enjoy Jaye's personal story of an unusual Valentine she received way back when. __ _ / /| |\\ \/_/ \_\| / __ \/_/__\ .-=='/~\ ____,__/__,_____,______)/ /{~}}} -,------,----,-----,---,\'-' {{~}} jgs '-==.\}/ >MORE ROMANTIC THAN FLOWERS by Jaye Lewis Celebrating Valentine's Day as a patient in a major hospital is a unique experience. My husband, Louie, in 1988, was on active duty, in the U.S. Navy, and his ship was hundreds of miles out to sea. I was in a hospital recovering from a complete immune system collapse. Of one thing I was very certain -- there would be no flowers for me on that Valentine's Day. Nor would there be a phone call or one of Louie's tender smiles to light up his eyes and melt my heart. Usually I could stand the separation, but not today. All the patients had their own problems, and my goal was to get well, so that I could get on with my life. I suppose one could say that I'm an overly optimistic person. I view each downfall as a new beginning. I usually carry hope in my heart by the bushel full, but today hope felt like an elusive dream. Valentine's Day is a day to spend time with those you love, however, with my husband out to sea, and my children in school, I felt pretty much alone. By lunchtime, I had attended two physical therapy sessions. I had attended a craft class, where I'd been given sharp pointed objects to help inspire my "creative side," and I couldn't help wondering who needed the medication here. Then came a lunch that was guaranteed to add another five pounds. Those of us who were ambulatory gathered in a small dining area so we could stuff ourselves. Suddenly, the heavy steel door opened, and in walked my daughters, Jenny, age 16, and Helen, age 13, wearing excited grins. Seeing their blonde and red-gold loveliness brought joy to my heart and a smile to my lips. What a nice surprise! They explained quickly that they both had school permission to leave during lunch, and to make a special trip, with the hospital's permission, to see their mother outside of visiting hours. Incredulous, I looked over at the clustered nurses, who were wearing mysterious smiles on their faces. Then Jenny handed me the small, brown paper bag. What in the world was this? The last thing I needed was a donut. I opened the bag, my hands trembling, and inside I found my husband's small, pocket computer. Oh, it was nothing like what you'd see today. It was one of the first small computers which ran on an archaic "DOS" program. I hated the little thing. I didn't even know how to find the "on" button. I parked a smile on my face, before I looked back up at the girls. "What's this?" I asked, in a cheerful voice. "It's from Daddy!" They chorused, grinning broadly. Of course, my husband, the original techno-geek, wouldn't send flowers. "How sweet!" I lied, grinning broadly through my teeth. "Turn it on!" Helen instructed, her red curls bouncing merrily. "OK," I said, now truly annoyed. I began pressing one button after another, looking for the stupid "on" button. "It's the red button," Jenny explained. Of course. Red means "stop" in any language, so it had to be the "on" button. Tentatively, I pressed the red button. Then all kinds of whirring began, and the tiny view screen became busy, and then stopped. The words jumped out at me, and in my heart they were ten feet tall. "I LOVE YOU, JAYE...I LOVE YOU, JAYE...I LOVE YOU, JAYE..." Again and again the words scrolled across the tiny screen, as the tears streamed from my eyes. Louie had programmed his precious pocket computer to scroll his love for me, for as long as there was life in it, and that's when I discovered that a computer can be more romantic than flowers. -- Jaye Lewis __________________________________________________ Jaye is a proud Heartwarmer Gem and contributing author to Chicken Soup for the Soul. She also has stories published in Guidepost books, God Allows U-Turns, and many other popular anthologies. Jaye says, "The little computer scrolled my husband's love message for two years. After my recovery, I would often turn it on to remind myself just how blessed I was." For more about Jaye, you can visit her website at http://www.entertainingangels.org where you will also find links to her blogs. =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend GethsemaneW :) , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >How to share the gospel with atheists Last week I sat next to James on a flight from St. Louis to Denver. As we talked the subject turned to spirituality and religion. I confessed that I was a preacher and he confessed he was an atheist. What unfolded on the rest of the flight was a deep, thought-provocative, laughter-laced gospel conversation. Over the years I’ve had the privilege of engaging many atheists like James in various settings. I’ve discovered five helpful tips when sharing the gospel with someone who claims to not believe in God. 1. Don’t be shocked and do ask tons of questions: Some atheists like to shock Christians with the fact that they don’t believe in God. This brand of atheist pulls the pin on the “there is no God” grenade and drops it in the middle of the conversation, expecting Christians to run for cover. Don’t be phased. As a matter of fact start asking questions about their atheism. Find out what they mean by atheism (some are agnostics but call themselves atheists.) Ask questions about their background. Were they raised in church? Do they have any Christian friends? Where were they educated about atheism? And remember that, as you ask questions, your goal is not to trap them but to understand them. Find out areas where you agree. Just like Paul found common ground with the athenians when he discovered an altar “to the unknown God” we can find common ground in a mutual rejection of legalistic religion, a passion for science and reason and, usually, an overall positive view of the historic Jesus. Although James spoke somewhat negatively of religion he spoke well of Jesus. While he didn’t view Jesus as the Son of God he did perceive him as an enlightened soul. At the minimum that was something I could build on in making my own case for Christ. 2. Listen deeply for the real “why”: Often atheists have a reason (other than “reason“) for becoming atheists. Listen for it. Sometimes it’s anger over losing a loved one or because they were hurt by the church in some way. Sometimes there are other reasons, like the fact that they are afraid of the truth, because if they embraced the truth, they would be submitted to God, and would not be free as they were before; so they prefer to embrace a lie which makes them freer. Whatever the reason, there’s always a “why” behind the lie they are embracing. In John 4 Jesus masterfully attacked the why behind the lie that the woman at the well was embracing. She was not an atheist but a hedonist who thought that satisfaction could be found if she finally found the right husband. But Jesus offers her living water to satisfy her deepest needs and, finally, her thirst was fully quenched. James shared with me about his upbringing in England and his regular attendance at The Church of England. He told me about how his wife had left him and how he could only see his kids every other weekend. James shared how he reads at least a book a week and how he loses himself in novels. As he shared I couldn’t quite nail why he was an atheist but I could sense that he was a lonely man. My heart went out to him and I think he could sense my sympathy. 3. Connect relationally: Atheists are real people with real feelings. They laugh, cry, talk and connect like anyone else. I think that too many times Christians treat atheists as objects and not people. James and I joked together as we sparred each other. I listened to him and he listened to me. Bottom line is that I like James. He is an interesting guy with an interesting story. We should heed Paul’s reminder to Timothy about how to deal with those who disagree with us theologically, “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” (2 Timothy 2:23-26) 4. They do believe in God: There are no people who totally rejects the existence of God. Sure, there are many who claim that God’s existence is a lie but they really do believe there’s a God. Why? Because Scripture makes it clear in that there are no real atheists: "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools." (Romans 1:18-22) They may try to suppress their belief in God but, sooner or later in the discussion, atheists say something like, “well if God is so good then why does he allow...” This is the point in the conversation where they have “forgotten” their atheism and revealed some of their challenges with, not the reality of God, but the nature of God. When you assume that an atheist does really believe in the existence of God it gives you the freedom not to have to prove God’s existence but to share God’s story. You can be sure that, the gospel is churning in the soul of the atheist. 5. Frame the gospel as a love story (that just happens to be true): When I shared the gospel with James I wasn’t trying to prove God’s existence, I was simply sharing the story of God’s love. I said something like, “James, at the core of Christianity is a love story. Jesus put it this way, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him will not perish but has everlasting life." (John 3:16) I could tell that James was intrigued by this view. He listened respectfully and asked thoughtful questions. Yes, I dipped into some apologetics at this point (C.S. Lewis’ Lord, lunatic or liar argument, teleological argument, etc.) but only after I had framed the gospel as a love story. In the words of my friend Bill Jack, too many times too many Christians use apologetics as a sledge hammer instead of a crowbar to pry open closed minds. As a result the conversation turns argumentative instead of respectful. James and I had a respectful conversation where I heard him and he heard the good news of Jesus. My job is not to lead him to Jesus but to “set forth the truth plainly” and let the Spirit of God continue his work. James didn’t say the sinner’s prayer when the plane pulled up to the gate after landing. But I believe that somewhere between Denver and St. Louis the Spirit of God nudged him closer to Jesus. It is my prayer that, in God’s perfect time, he will cross the line of faith and receive Jesus as his Savior. one plus one --- ...Great advice! Thanks GethsemaneW! You are spot on with your witnessing here. It is great of you to share this as so many Christians feel they have to bring the person they are witnessing to to salvation. They feel defeated and even sometimes frustrated if this doesn't happen. You bring up a great truth. It is not our job to save the world, it is simply our job to share God's Word. God will do the rest. , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Keep this in mind when you spread the Good News... Rom.10: [13] For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. [14] How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? [15] And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! This part is often overlooked so I'll bring it to your attention: 'How shall they preach, except they be sent?' - If you are witnessing God's Word to someone, be assured it is NOT by accident. This is how God feels about those who preach His gospel of peace for Him - He considers them His Mouth... Isa.55: [10] For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: [11] So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Notice that God used the word 'shall'? That means 'shall absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt'! You could therefore read it like this for a full understanding of what God is saying.. [11] So shall absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt not return unto me void, but it shall absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt accomplish that which I please, and it shall absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. What a strong conviction and a beautiful vision God lays out for us! Who wouldn't want to be God's mouthpiece? Go out with joy knowing that you are sent by God himself and that whenever you share God's Word, it will be absolutely perfect because He will make it so! No worries, on fears - just total Trust in God your Father giving you the peace to go forth spreading God's Glorious Word to all who desire to hear! How Awesome! God brings our freedom and joy over this reality into full perspective with this next beautiful verse... [12] For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. What an awesome delight it is to spread God's Word! =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: M | M |}\-._.-./~ C/ .--' ~\.-._.-/{| (/__.-----------+ /___.'--------.__\) /| /`( ~~ _/ `---' ~~ `( |\ / \ | \ / \ / | VK >Life's Tug of War Life can seem ungrateful and not always kind... Life can pull at your heartstrings and play with your mind.... Life can be blissful and happy and free... Life can put beauty in the things that you see ... Life can place challenges right at your feet... Life can make good of the hardships we meet... Life can overwhelm you and make your head spin... Life can reward those determined to win... Life can be hurtful and not always fair... Life can surround you with people who care ... Life clearly does offer its Up and its Downs... Life's days can bring you both smiles and frowns... Life teaches us to take the good with the bad... Life is a mixture of happy and sad... SO Take the Life that you have and give it your best... Think positive, be happy, let God do the rest... Take the challenges that life has laid at your feet... Take pride and be thankful for each one you meet... To yourself give forgiveness if you stumble and fall... Take each day that is dealt you and give it your all... Take the love that you're given and return it with care... Have faith that when needed it will always be there... Take time to find the beauty in the things that you see... Take life's simple pleasures let them set your heart free.... The idea here is simply to even the score As you are met and faced with Life's Tug of War - Author Unknown -<>- . | . \ | / `. \ ' / .' `. .-*""*-. .' "*-._ /.*" "*.\ _.-*" : ; ____ """"': .. ; _.-*" \ `.__.' / "*-._ .' `-.__.-' `. bug .' / . \ `. / | \ ' | ` >You are My Sunshine, My only Sunshine" Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling. They found out that the new baby was going to be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sang to his sister in Mommy's tummy. He was building a bond of love with his little sister before he even met her. The pregnancy progressed normally for Karen, an active member of the Panther Creek United Methodist Church in Morristown, Tennessee. In time, the labor pains came. Soon it was every five minutes, every three, every minute. But serious complications arose during delivery and Karen found herself in hours of labor. Would a C- section be required? Finally, after a long struggle, Michael's little sister was born. But she was in very serious condition. With a siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushed the infant to the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital, Knoxville, Tennessee. The days inched by. The little girl got worse. The pediatrician had to tell the parents there is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst. Karen and her husband contacted a local cemetery about a burial plot. They had fixed up a special room in their house for their new baby but now they found themselves having to plan for a funeral. Michael, however, kept begging his parents to let him see his sister. I want to sing to her, he kept saying. Week two in intensive care looked as if a funeral would come before the week was over. Michael kept nagging about singing to his sister, but kids are never allowed in Intensive Care. Karen decided to take Michael whether they liked it or not. If he didn't see his sister right then, he may never see her alive. She dressed him in an oversized scrub suit and marched him into ICU. He looked like a walking laundry basket. The head nurse recognized him as a child and bellowed "Get that kid out of here now. No children are allowed." The mother rose up strong in Karen, and the usually mild-mannered lady glared steel-eyed right into the head nurse's face, her lips a firm line. "He is not leaving until he sings to his sister" she stated. Then Karen towed Michael to his sister's bedside. He gazed at the tiny infant losing the battle to live. After a moment, he began to sing. In the pure-hearted voice of a 3-year-old, Michael sang: "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray." Instantly the baby girl seemed to respond. The pulse rate began to calm down and become steady. "Keep on singing, Michael," encouraged Karen with tears in her eyes. "You never know, dear, how much I love you, please don't take my sunshine away." As Michael sang to his sister, the baby's ragged, strained breathing became as smooth as a kitten's purr. "Keep on singing, sweetheart." "The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms". Michael's little sister began to relax as rest, healing rest, seemed to sweep over her. "Keep on singing, Michael." Tears had now conquered the face of the bossy head nurse. Karen glowed. "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. Please don't take my sunshine away.." The next, day...the very next day...the little girl was well enough to go home. Woman's Day Magazine called it The Miracle of a Brother's Song. The medical staff just called it a miracle. Karen called it a miracle of God's love. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Whale Rescue!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/whalerescue2.html Look Who's Talking 5!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/talking5.html Up Close And Personal 2!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/personal2.html Suryria And Roscoe!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/orang2.html Orang-Utan Hospital!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/orang.html Margaret The Giraffe!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/giraffe.html Highway To Hell!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dirt.html No Passing Zone!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/elephant.html Under His Wings!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wings.html Thailand's Tigers!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/tiger.html Toyger Mini Tiger!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/minitiger.html Adam In Paradise!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/adam.html World Of Big Cats!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bigcats.html World Of Peacocks!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/peacock.html Life's Little Oops 10!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/whoops10.html Undersea Restaurant!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/undersea.html Why Dogs Bite People!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dogsbite.html Odin The White Tiger!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/whitetiger.html World's Largest Rodent!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/caplin.html Grand Canyon Skywalk!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/skywalk.html Finger Monkeys!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/monkey.html -<>- >Please Follow/Visit Me On StumbleUpon: https://tinyurl.com/y9pczhac -<>- >From TruthOrTradition: New Article: The Bible as a Work of Literature https://tinyurl.com/y87bkt2a New Article: Worship – Fun and Not Fun https://tinyurl.com/ybyk8qky New Article: Why read the Bible? https://tinyurl.com/y9ox8at7 -<>- >In The News: WhiteHouseNews: https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600daily/ 125,000 Disney employees to receive $1,000 cash bonus due to tax reform https://tinyurl.com/y9k25g6t Starbucks said it would spend more than $250 million on the increased wages and benefits,” Nathan Bomey writes. “The company credited ‘recent changes in the U.S. tax law,’ saying they ‘accelerated’ the decision.” https://tinyurl.com/ycrb626n A new survey from the Job Creators Network that shows “64 percent of small business owners see Trump's policy changes as helping their businesses.” https://tinyurl.com/y8x6wtko More Explosive News from Sean Hannity 1/23/18 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k_77hYwfYE Latest From AFA: http://tinyurl.com/j7lakqw Latest From RightAlerts: http://rightalerts.com Latest At FoxNews: http://www.foxnews.com/ Latest From MRC News: https://tinyurl.com/ya6uruck Latest From TrueDailyNews: http://truedaily.news/category/news/ -<>- >From Our Friend Linda :) How to catch a spider in Australia - Warning - NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRaDKCFC8z8 --- ...ACK! Oh MY!! Geesh! Thanks Linda ( I guess...) Reminds me of this song... Listen for the chorus - that's my thoughts right after your video Linda! (HaHa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ng4P6FWVdcE 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 ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Fran :) Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it. - Helen Keller ____ 3 _ ., _ ' `_ _______ ( ) --+-[---------.---(-)-----(@)----|-------|--.-----|-------------.-------|~-- | ] | |~ |~ (@) _ | | |} | | --+-[-----|---+---|-------|--|--(@)---------+-----|----------|}-+---|---|--- |/ | | | | | |~ (@) _ | | _| .. | | | | --Y-------|---+---|-------|--|--|---|---(@)-+-|>( )------|---|--+---|------- /|_ _| | `=_| | | |~ | ~ |>(@) | _| |-@-)---(@)---+-----------------|---|---|---+-------------------+-(@)------- \_|/ ~ | | | | | ~ --+-----------"-------------------------|---"-------------------"----------- | ._} --jw >Music Man I studied in Adelaide, Australia, from 1992 to 1995. My parents actually could not afford sending me overseas so my sister decided to finance my study there. I had been living in a shared house for a while with two friends. Then, one night when everybody was out enjoying the weekend, some burglars got into our house and ransacked our rooms. Along with the things that he took was my newly bought stereo. A couple of weeks before, I had to beg to my sister so that she would allow me to buy a stereo. I promised that she could deduct $50 from my $500 monthly allowance. I was deeply angry and disappointed. Because I didn't feel comfortable living there anymore, I decided to move back to the dormitory. During that time, I also got to know Kevin through Internet Relay Chat, from California. We exchanged e-mails back and forth and at one point, he asked me to name 10 artists who I liked. He worked for a major record company. I jokingly told him that if he was thinking of sending me CDs not to bother doing it because I didn't have any stereo. I shared my experience with him, and Kevin just made silly comments about it and laid quiet for a while. A couple of weeks later, the dormitory office called me that a parcel was waiting for me. It was a very big box, all the way from California. In it, there was a portable CD/cassette player, and 11 CDs, from my friend Kevin. He had to spend hundreds of dollars just to give me that pleasant surprise. We have never met each other in real life, but he shows that friendships can span thousands of miles. In this world, where skepticism reigns, it still warms my heart to remember what Kevin did in 1995. Often times, people take a cold attitude towards others, and give questioning looks when strangers, or even friends or relatives, express their misfortune. However, I can now see that even in this world of billions of people, there are gems shining in different parts of the world. - By Arry Tanusondjaja --- ...What a heartwarming story! Thanks Fran! =================================================================== _,aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa,_ _,aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa,_ ,P" "Y, ,P" "Y, d' ,aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, `b d' ,aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, `b d' ,d" ,aaabaaaa8aaaaaaaaaa8aaaadaaa, "b, `b I I I I ,adba, I I Y, `Y, `aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa' I I,P' ,P Y, `baaaaaaaaaaaaaaad' ,P Y, `baaaaaaaaaI Id' ,P `b, ,d' `b, I I ,d' `baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad' `baaaaaaaaaaaI Iaad' I I Normand I I I I >Coupon Chain Reaction Story Editor: by Vickie Clark Joyce Schowalter Texas, USA My friend Joe is in the early middle stages of dementia. After his last car accident, his children decided it was no longer safe for him to drive, and didn't replace his car. Since then Joe's friends and church family have helped with his transportation needs. In December 2010 I drove him to the grocery store to buy a bag of sugar for 99 cents. The store is small and the atmosphere is reminiscent of a time when most people at a store knew each other. While my friend shopped, I did too; we met at the cash register. On second thought I asked Joe to get me a bag of sugar. I took Joe's sugar to purchase, and he went to get another for himself. I kept watching for him and finally spotted him in line at the register next to me. As I paid my bill, the clerk for the next line told a customer, "I'm sorry, but you can only buy four boxes of cake mix for 99 cents. You'll have to pay the regular price of $2 each for the other six boxes." I heard the customer reply, "I was only trying to help my kids save a little money." The clerk appeared to be an assistant manager. He was tall, thin, young, and although he kept repeating store policy, seemed a bit unsure of himself. He repeated, "I understand, Ma'am, but you can only buy four at the sale price." After years of reading HeroicStories, I've started looking for opportunities to help others. Joe was in line behind this kind-faced woman, so I said, "My friend can buy four boxes of cake mix for you." After checking out I joined Joe in line, and the lady handed us four boxes of cake mix and $5. As Joe checked out, he was told his bag of sugar would only be 99¢ with a $10 purchase. Being easily confused, Joe argued with the clerk. "But the sign says 99¢." "I know, sir, but the fine print says with $10 purchase." "No, the sign says 99 cents. Come look, I'll show you." I intervened, "I understand, but Joe will have a hard time understanding." The clerk looked confused and repeated that the small print said Joe had to buy $10 worth of groceries. The next woman in line was well dressed with beautiful gray hair and a full grocery basket. She stepped up, "I'll buy the sugar for him." I told Joe to give the lady behind us $1 and the sugar. He did. We purchased the cake mixes, and gave them with the dollar change to the woman who was waiting for them. This prompted a discussion among us ladies about how nice it is to be neighborly to strangers. We thanked the lady for the sugar and left... and I spent the drive to his home trying to explain the whole chain of kindness to Joe. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From LaughAndLift: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Radical Obedience as the Norm - Mark 9:43-48 (By Rev. Kerry S. Doyal, www.GetGraced.org) Ever heard: "If you have your health, you have everything"? No doubt about it, good health is hard to overrate. Yet Jesus placed a greater value on spiritual health, obedience and entrance into His kingdom. In what strikes us as extreme and odd language, Jesus says it would be better to be maimed, lame and half-blind than to have perfect health and be hell-bound. Check out this challenging chunk of Christ’s teaching from Mark 9:43-48. "And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, 'where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched'" (English Standard Version). "It is better" is not a phrase we expect to describe being a double amputee and missing an eye by one’s own gouging. Yet, three times in the text Jesus makes clear these are better options than an agonizing eternity in hell. Whatever becomes a hindrance to your coming to Him, any and every sin-snare or trap of temptation needs to be dealt with in violent measures. The word for cause to sin or stumble is "scandalize." It refers to that which trips, or to a trap. Specifically, it is a baited "trip stick" (trigger) for a trap. Using hyperbole, Jesus describes the radical spiritual surgery we are to perform on any enticement to sin. With a passion for purity, we are to cut off, to throw out all potential means of sin (see John 18:10, 26; Acts 27:32). Puritan Pastor Matthew Henry commented we should: "mortify the darling lust, kill it, crucify it, starve it, make no provision for it. Let the idols that have been delectable things, be cast away as detestable things; keep at a distance from that which is a temptation, though ever so pleasing. It is necessary that the part which is gangrened, should be taken off for the preservation of the whole." We live in a day in which Biblical discipleship is seen as fanatical, crazy and possibly dangerous. Disciples of Jesus who pursue Him wholeheartedly stand out so much that we assume they must be called to preach or be a missionary. How did the normative get to be radical, the exception? Charles Spurgeon, an English Pastor wrote: "If you are true and faithful to the Most High, people will resent your unflinching devotion because it is a testimony against their iniquity." Using radical language as well, the Apostle Paul penned: "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming" (Colossians 3:5, 6). Sadly, my hands desire to do things Jesus despises. My feet itch and twitch to take me places that God prohibits. My eyes want to wander in abject ways the Spirit abhors. Each of us crave carnal creature comforts that curtail our compliance to Christ’s Kingdom commands. Jesus’ "main man" Peter, gave this wise pastoral counsel: "abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul" (1 Peter 2:11). Beware: your sin nature is on the warpath against you. It wants to take you out. "Just say no" to sin and temptation. The Psalmist David, in hot pursuit of God’s heart prayed: "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!" (Psalm 139:23). Are you open to that level of scrutiny, committed to deal with whatever He shows you? To choose sin and its passing pleasures over salvation is folly personified. Rejecting Jesus to retain junk – incredible. Forfeiting heaven for hell – unimaginable. Seeking not to quench your thirst for sin and risk the unquenchable fire and a worm that does not die – indescribable. Jesus expects such "extreme" commitment to be normal, ordinary for His disciples. His descriptions of discipleship sound little like what we let pass for "accepting Him." Remember how Jesus described love for Him? "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." (John 14:15). Knowing salvation is not of works, we resonate with Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s reflection: "Unless he obeys, a man cannot believe." Professor C. S. Lewis taught: "We are half-hearted creatures, fooling around with drink and sex and ambition, when infinite joy is offered us. Like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased." The blessed, according to Jesus, "are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6). Is this your main appetite in life? Does this reflect your priorities (also see Matt. 5:22-29; 6:33; 18:8, 9)? ------------ Follow up by Chris: As Kerry points out, we know that our salvation is not determined by our performance (works) - see Ephesians 2:8, but it is also true that our actions will SHOW what we believe. Therefore our obedience to Jesus shows that we love Him and are indeed saved. The Christian life is a process of growing and learning how to be more like Him. A major key is to have the attitude that Kerry closes with of hungering and thirsting after righteousness (i.e. after God). 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 --- ...I gotta add my two cents here as well... I don't believe God who is love would condemn a person to ETERNAL suffering in a lake of fire - ever been touched by a hot object or been burned? It is very painful. Now immagine being thrown alive into a lake of fire - how painful would that be? That is what Jesus is speaking of. , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' The lake of fire is said to be the second death... Rev.2: [11] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. Rev.20: [6] Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. Rev.20: [14] And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. Rev.21 [8] But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. So what is the definition of death? Definition of death: the action or fact of dying or being killed; the end of the life of a person or organism. the state of being dead. the permanent ending of vital processes in a cell or tissue. If one is thrown into the lake of fire, they suffer eternal death - an end to their life. Check out this teaching... Part 1 of 2 What Does the Bible Say About Hell? / Do People Really Burn Forever in Hell? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72eJeryrQeI ========================================================== _________________________ (, ______________________ ) | | || | | @@@@ || @@@@ | | @@@@@@@ || @@@@@@@ | | @@ - - || - @@@@ | | @ c/ || '_ @@@ | | _@| |_ || __\@ \@ | | ( \ )/_\ /_ || _\\ (/ ) @\_/) | | \ \|) / \) || |(__/ / /| | | |\_/ ( -/ || \___/ ----/_| | | / \ || ,: '( | | : _/| || |: \ | | : | || |: ) | | : | || |: | | |_______'____,_|_______|| |_____,_| .---('________________________)--. | / ( |____ __________ _| | /\ ) |___| -o- | |__| -o- | ( \| / |___| -o- | |__| -o- | | /'=. b'ger|________| |__|______| '=>/ \ / \ /|/ ,___/| >-->Move Me Out Of The Way, Lord I run to the front To take the control But in the end It's harm to my soul. I must be in charge I think I know best "It's my life," I say. I'm leading the quest. Who knows me better Than I know me Though you look You do not see. There's only one Who truly sees me He knows who I am And who I could be The author and finisher Of my holy faith The love of my life He receives all my praise He truly sees me The intent of my heart He understands all He sees not in part The depth of His love For this wretched mean It boggles my mind So I don't understand Why I insist On running my life When in the end It cuts like a knife When I look upon The wreckage I've wrought It all came to ruin It all came to naught It's come to the point Where All I can say Is move me, dear Lord Move ME out of the way Make me decrease Make me small Make me, in the end The least of all Subdue my ego O' Lord bind my pride Have your way, Father Just move me aside To you be the glory Creator of life The author of peace Moderator of strife Flesh cries to be seen Pride desires to be known But I know the glory Is yours alone. So, Lord hear my plea and answer me true. Keep me from running ahead of you. Move me to the rear, drive me to my knees. Lead me to the light, move me Father, please. ~Norris K. Oler~ >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? 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