My Shephard ... :) 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 ================ >-->2 Hot Off The 'Shangy' Press :) ( (( . : ( .) ) : ) ( ( : . : : ) )) ( ( ( ( . : . . ) ) ( ( : : : ) ) ) ( :( . . ) .' '. :( : ) ( : . ) ) ') : #@## #',### " #@ #@ #/ @'#~@#~/\ # ## @@# @##@ `..@, @#/ #@# _## `\ @##; `#~._.' ##@ \_ .-#/ @#@#@--,_,--\ / `@#@.., .~###' `~. _/ `-.-' #@####@ \ __/ &^^ ^#^##~##&&& % \_ / && ^^ @#^##@#%%#@&&&& ^ \ ~/ &&& ^^^ ^^ &&& %%% ^^^ `~._ .-' ^^ %%%. && ___^ && && && ^^ \ /akg ^^^ ___&&& X & && |n| ^ ___ %____&& . ^^^^^ `~. |M| ---- . ___.|n| /\___\ X |mm| X |n|X ||___| These both come from forwards from our friend Viv and both deal with volcanoes. The hottest one is of our latest problem volcano - Check out these great photos here.. Iceland's Volcano http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/volcano.html Some things you just never hear about - no matter how cool they are! Check out this one for yourself here... Birth Of An Island http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/island.html --- ...Very Interesting and Intriguing ones! Thank You Viv! ================================================================= >-->From Heartwarmers: _.._ .-' `-. : ; ; ,_ _, ; : \{" "}/ : ,'.'"=..=''.'. ; / \ / \ ; .' ; '.__.' ; '. .-' .' '. '-. .' ; ; '. / / \ \ ; ; ; ; ; `-._ _.-' ; ; ""--. .--"" ; '. _ ; ; _ .' {""..' '._.-. .-._.' '..""} \ ; ; / : : : : : :.__.: : \ /"-..-"\ / fsc '-.__.' '.__.-' >LIFE'S TOO SHORT by Kristine Lowder I never told a soul. Far as I know, no one knows. Till now. Back in my college days -- some three decades ago -- I decided to cut classes one morning and head for the beach instead of the books. It was one of those bright, balmy, eighty-degree San Diego days. Sapphire-blue, sun-soaked. Postcard-perfect. Especially for playing hooky. I didn't plan on bailing out of Western Civilization and Physical Anthropology 101. But I found myself chugging down the I-8 in the exact opposite direction of Mr. Asmov's lecture hall. To put this in context, it was one of two days I "played hooky" in my entire scholastic career. I'm more of the "nose-to-the-grindstone" type. Steady. Responsible. Reliable. As impetuous and impulsive as a gimpy snail in a molasses factory. So why did I suddenly decide to do something as utterly uncharacteristic as spend a gorgeous sunny southern California day playing hooky? I'm not entirely sure. Maybe I was tired of being "responsible and reliable." Maybe I was in a rut and wanted to stir some spontaneity into my schedule. Maybe I wanted to "carpe diem." Seize the day. Instead of the other way around. It was a day worth seizing -- wading, sand castle-building, soaking up some rays. Lunching under swaying palms. Sucking in huge chunks of salt-spiced sea spray. (Okay, I also finished two essays, a book report, studied for exams and updated my Day Planner to a year out. Nobody's perfect.) Know what I discovered on that hooky day? Playing hooky is fun. Delicious. I don't remember diddly from most of my lecture notes, exams, textbooks or Day Planner, but I remember that "hooky day" like it was yesterday. There was something about seizing the day that was soul-stretching. Refreshing. Recharging. Energizing. Effervescent. I loved it. I celebrated my 50th birthday last fall. It felt weird. On one hand I feel I'm way too young to be that old. I mean, my mom was 50! On the other, it seems my half-century status is supposed to result in pearls of wisdom and sage sagacity. Kind of like a modern Oracle of Delphi. Truth is, I've never gotten the hang of that oracle thing. Most of what I've learned and gleaned in my five decades isn't all that earth-shattering: Put God first. Honor your parents. Love your spouse. Hug your kids. Work hard. Serve. Eat chocolate. They say "you're only as old as you feel," which probably puts me somewhere in the Sesame Street demographic. I'm not exactly turning cartwheels over that "older woman" bit. There are still plenty of other "olders" out there, thank you very much. If they're real "olders," I'll pass. Maybe you know the type. They rehearse their daily litany of moans and groans, aches and pains with the regularity of day following night. They've kept records of all the people who've wronged them over the years. They're gonna get even one of these days. Or they spend so much time resting on their laurels and looking back at "the good ole days" that "carpe diem" would give them whiplash. This phenomenon isn't unique to the Geritol crowd, is it? Some things transcend age: -- Comparing kids, outfits, income and accessories so the other person always gets short shrift. -- Mammoth-sized me-ism -- Excising "I'm sorry" from vocabularies like it's malignant -- Crammed closets compensating for shallow souls -- External busyness hiding internal barrenness I'd rather seize the day. Reach out. Restore. Get real. Laugh. Apologize. Play hooky once in a while. Grab the kids and scarf down that second banana split, guilt-free. While I'm hoping the cost of cake candles doesn't break the bank this year, I have some regrets from the past five decades. Some shoulda-woulda-couldas. But I've never regretted that hooky day. Don't tell anyone, but I sometimes wish I'd taken more. A few things I CAN tell you from my perch here in the middle-age rafters is that raspberry white chocolate cheesecake tastes better when it's shared. Lucy and Ethel in the bon-bon factory deserve an Emmy. Toothpaste can't be squeezed back into the tube. It's amazing how much less I know at age fifty than I did at eighteen. Family, faith and friends matter most. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. And while sapphire-skied, sun-soaked days are perfect for playing hooky, carpe diem is for every day. Life's too short not to. -- Kristine Lowder __________________________________________________ Kristine has authored eleven books. Her byline has appeared in over a hundred ezines and numerous print publications. She enjoys camping, hiking and exploring the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Chris, their four sons and one yellow Lab. ==================================================================== >-->From Our Friend John-Paul :) ___....___ ^^ __..-:'':__:..:__:'':-..__ _.-:__:.-:'': : : :'':-.:__:-._ .':.-: : : : : : : : : :._:'. _ :.': : : : : : : : : : : :'.: _ [ ]: : : : : : : : : : : : : :[ ] [ ]: : : : : : : : : : : : : :[ ] :::::::::[ ]:__:__:__:__:__:__:__:__:__:__:__:__:__:[ ]::::::::::: !!!!!!!!![ ]!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!![ ]!!!!!!!!!!! ^^^^^^^^^[ ]^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^[ ]^^^^^^^^^^^ [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] jgs [ ] [ ] ~~^_~^~/ \~^-~^~ _~^-~_^~-^~_^~~-^~_~^~-~_~-^~_^/ \~^ ~~_ ^ ~The Bridge~ A pilgrim, on life`s journey`s road, came upon A swollen stream as he strode. He saw an elderly man, at task, with much labor, He asked,"Why build you, this bridge, dear Neighbor"? "You know that you`ll never pass this way again". "So why build you this bridge across this stream, my friend"? Standing up straight, the old man began to explain, Though weary with much age, and bodily pain. "This Bridge, cross this chasm deep and wide, Will surly do, this day, our stride", "But it is not for you and me, `Tis for the young, that followers after us, you see". "In life`s Journey, they shall also pass this this way, On this path, we struggle, here this today. Then all my effort be not in vain, It`ll aid their travel, ease --Their Pain." Then the two men, old and bent. Finished the Bridge, before they went. (Let us not forget our children, and the burden that will be on their life one day, in the uncertain future) God`s~Love~~~~~John-Paul --- ...So true! Thank You John-Paul! ==================================================================== >The Minature Manager Story Editor: by Sue Reed Joyce Schowalter Connecticut, USA About 1996, my 9-year-old son and his best friend were with me at the Shop Rite supermarket in Middletown Connecticut. As kids like to do when they're a bit older, they took off to the toy section while I shopped. When we arrived home, I became suspicious when they ran up to my son's room without first taking off their jackets. I snuck up the stairs behind them. Sure enough, they had two items that they hadn't asked for, let alone paid for. I was livid. After chewing them out about stealing and phoning the other guy's mom, she and I decided on a plan. The next day, when they were in school and likely thinking my lecture was their worst punishment, I called the market's manager. I told her what had happened, saying I wanted to bring the boys back to the store so she could give them heck about stealing. She was happy to oblige. Later that night, my son and his friend were back in the car for another ride, but we ended up at the same store from the night before. Their faces turned gray. When we got to the manager's desk, I was taken aback by the small stature of this woman. She was only a couple inches taller than these boys, who, despite her size were now shaking in their boots AND gray. She quietly but sternly bawled them out with the commanding presence of the best school principal. When she finished, a "Yes, Ma'am" was expected, but when the boys tried to talk, their throats were closed in fear. Sounding like Minnie Mouse on helium they apologized, returned the items and offered to work off their bad deed. She took the items, declined their work offer and told them they'd NEVER be allowed in her store again if they ever repeated their offense. Standing behind them, I tried my hardest to not smile, especially when they answered in squeaky voices. Fortunately it was winter and my scarf hid my very satisfied face. As soon as the lecture was over, the boys turned and headed for the exit without being told. The manager gave me a wink and the slightest of smiles that showed she, too, believed those boys would never crook another thing. If they had gotten away with stealing that time, who knows what they would have tried next? Peer pressure works *both* ways: perhaps someday they'll talk their friends out of doing something dishonest. With one very intimidating lecture she may have saved two boys from a go-nowhere-fast path in life. That ShopRite is closed now, so I can't thank that manager apropriately. I'd love to tell her those boys are now 16 and haven't (to my knowledge) stolen anything, or even JOKED about thieving since her lecture. Especially as a single parent striving to build my child's morals, I so appreciate her doing more than her job that day. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Our Friend Sandi :) |\ |\ |\ |\ || .---. || .---. || .---. || .---. ||/_____\ ||/_____\ ||/_____\ ||/_____\ ||( '.' ) ||( '.' ) ||( '.' ) ||( '.' ) || \_-_/_ || \_-_/_ || \_-_/_ || \_-_/_ :-"`'V'//-. :-"`'V'//-. :-"`'V'//-. :-"`'V'//-. / , |// , `\ / , |// , `\ / , |// , `\ / , |// , `\ / /|Ll //Ll|| | / /|Ll //Ll|| | / /|Ll //Ll|| | / /|Ll //Ll|| | /_/||__// || | /_/||__// || | /_/||__// || | /_/||__// || | \ \/---|[]==|| | \ \/---|[]==|| | \ \/---|[]==|| | \ \/---|[]==|| | \/\__/ | \| | \/\__/ | \| | \/\__/ | \| | \/\__/ | \| | /\|_ | Ll_\ | /|/_ | Ll_\ | /|/_ | Ll_\ | /|/_ | Ll_\ | `--|`^"""^`||_| `--|`^"""^`||_| `--|`^"""^`||_| `--|`^"""^`||_| | | ||/ | | ||/ | | ||/ | | ||/ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | L___l___J L___l___J L___l___J L___l___J |_ | _| |_ | _| |_ | _| |_ | _| jgs (___|___) (___|___) (___|___) (___|___) ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ I know this is an old one but when someone sends it to me, I feel honored to send it on. God Bless America and the men and women who make this the best country in the world. Sandi He was getting old and paunchy And his hair was falling fast, And he sat around the Legion, Telling stories of the past. Of a war that he once fought in And the deeds that he had done, In his exploits with his buddies; They were heroes, every one. And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors His tales became a joke, All his buddies listened quietly For they knew where of he spoke. But we'll hear his tales no longer, For ol' Bob has passed away, And the world's a little poorer For a Soldier died today. He won't be mourned by many, Just his children and his wife. For he lived an ordinary, Very quiet sort of life. He held a job and raised a family, Going quietly on his way; And the world won't note his passing, 'Tho a Soldier died today. When politicians leave this earth, Their bodies lie in state, While thousands note their passing, And proclaim that they were great. Papers tell of their life stories From the time that they were young But the passing of a Soldier Goes unnoticed, and unsung. Is the greatest contribution To the welfare of our land, Some jerk who breaks his promise And cons his fellow man? Or the ordinary fellow Who in times of war and strife, Goes off to serve his country And offers up his life? The politician's stipend And the style in which he lives, Are often disproportionate, To the service that he gives. While the ordinary Soldier, Who offered up his all, Is paid off with a medal And perhaps a pension, small. It is not the politicians With their compromise and ploys, Who won for us the freedom That our country now enjoys. Should you find yourself in danger, With your enemies at hand, Would you really want some cop-out, With his ever waffling stand? Or would you want a Soldier-- His home, his country, his kin, Just a common Soldier, Who would fight until the end. He was just a common Soldier, And his ranks are growing thin, But his presence should remind us We may need his like again. For when countries are in conflict, We find the Soldier's part Is to clean up all the troubles That the politicians start. If we cannot do him honor While he's here to hear the praise, Then at least let's give him homage At the ending of his days. Perhaps just a simply headline In the paper that might say: "OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, A SOLDIER DIED TODAY." Pass On The Patriotism! YOU can make a difference --- ...I love this one too! Thanks Sandi! _____ /~/~ ~\ | | \ \ \ \ \ \ \ --\ \ .\'' --==\ \ ,,i!!i, ''"'',,}{,, unknown It is sad to think that with freedom of speech comes freedom by some to protest in front of the faces of those grieving for their fallen loved one. To these people I do wonder! Westboro Baptist Church members who say they do it in the name of God - I am glad they lost their first bought of a lawsuit over this. My next thoughts are exactly what I was taught in the matter - Their God must be the little g - god instead of capital G - God. To think they represent My God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ who is love - is of course a down right lie. Love doess not twist the knife in deeper and smirk at the pain and extra sorrow imposed. Which is what they do when they protest at a funeral in the faces of those already deeply hurting by their loss. http://www.bvblackspin.com/2010/04/20/westboro-baptist-church/ Jesus Christ said it well when he said... John 8: [39b]...Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. [44] Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And Paul sums it up well here... 2 Cor.4: [4] In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. [5] For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. ===================================================================== >-->From Our Friend Johanna :) _|_ | / \ //_\\ //(_)\\ |/^\| ,%%%% // \\ ,@@@@@@@, ,%%%%/%%% // \\ ,@@@\@@@@/@@, @@@%%%\%%//%%%// === \\ @@\@@@/@@@@@ @@@@%%%%\%%%%%// =-=-= \\@@@@\@@@@@@;%#####, @@@@%%%\%%/%%// === \\@@@@@@/@@@%%%######, @@@@@%%%%/%%//| |\\@\\//@@%%%%%%#/#### '@@@@@%%\\/%~ | | ~ @|| %\\//%%%#####; @@\\//@|| | __ __ | || %%||%%'###### '@|| || | | | | | || ||##\//#### || || | | -|- | | || ||'#||###' || || |_|__|__|_| || || || || ||_/` ======= `\__||_._|| || jgs__||_/` ======= `\_||___ This is the best Recall Notice I have ever received! >Major Recall Notice The Maker of human beings (GOD) is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart. This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect has been technically termed "Sub-sequential Internal Non-Morality," or more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed. Some of the symptoms include: Loss of direction Foul vocal emissions Amnesia of origin Lack of peace and joy Selfish or violent behavior Depression or confusion in the mental component Fearfulness Idolatry Rebellion The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this defect. The Repair Technician, JESUS CHRIST, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required. The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R. Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure. Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component. No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with: Love Joy Peace Patience Kindness Goodness Faithfulness Gentleness Self control [ALSO Known As The Gift of God In Christ In You] Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Believers' Instructions Before Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes. WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded. For free emergency service, call on Jesus. DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility. Thank you for your attention! - GOD P.S. Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important recall notice, and you may contact the Father any time by Knee mail. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The worst moment for the atheist is when he is really thankful and has nobody to thank. --- ...Yeppers! A much needed recall! Thanks Johanna! -<>- ______ ,-' ; ! `-. / : ! : . \ |_ ; __: ; | )| . :)(. ! | |" (##) _ | | : ;`' (_) ( | : : . | )_ ! , ; ; | || . . : : | |" . | : . | |mt-2_;----.___| >The Other Side of the Door, by Tim Archer There was an old country doctor who would take his dog along with him when visiting patients. The dog would remain outside while the doctor went in for the house call. On one occasion, the physician went to the home of a man with a terminal disease who didn't seem to have much time to live. The man confessed to the doctor his fears about death and said, "What's it like when you die?" The doctor thought for a moment, then got up and opened the front door. His loyal canine friend, who had been waiting patiently on the porch, gleefully bounded in to join his master. The doctor turned to the dying man and said, "Do you see this dog? He didn't have any idea what was on this side of that door. All he knew was that his master was there, and he wanted to be with him." "That's how I feel about death," the physician continued. "I don't really know all the whats and hows about dying. I'm not totally sure what's on the other side of that door. But I know who is there, and that's enough for me. I'm looking forward to being with my Master." Death can be a frightening thing. There is so much uncertainty. There are a lot of things I just don't know. Some claim to be able to explain everything that will happen when we die. I'm not one of those people. I don't know a lot of things about death. Some debate what life after death will be like. I don't join those discussions. I don't know all the details about what will happen when I die. There are a lot of things I don't know about death I do know who is waiting for me. I do know that I will leave this world to be with Jesus. That's enough knowledge for me. The apostle John wrote: "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is" (1 John 3:2). We don't know what we will be, but we will be like him. And we will be with him. You don't have to be afraid of what's on the other side of the door. You can focus on who is on the other side of the door. Isn't that a better way to approach the end of our life here on earth? If you don't have that confidence, I'd love to share with you what I've learned. Not about me. About the one who is waiting. --- ...Awww, Thank You Johanna! Thanks to the Bible, we Do know more then you may think! If you have Any questions about death, Check out these teachings... , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' What Happens if You Die? http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&new_topic=15 ================================================================== >-->From InspiredBuffalo: _ &&&& ' /\ / \ &&& = > . * _ |_|| | | | &&&& _C '. a h (_ | || | | | &&&&( () \/ | | ejm97 / \ // \_/ / /\\// / /\\\/ ( ( \\ \ \\ \\ \ \\ () / /| /_/_| /__ |__ >THE SNEEZE They walked in tandem, each of the ninety-two students filing into the already crowded auditorium. With their rich maroon gowns flowing .. and the traditional caps, they looked almost .. as grown up as they felt. Dads swallowed hard behind broad smiles, and Moms freely brushed away tears. This class would NOT pray during the commencements---- not by choice, but because of a recent court ruling prohibiting it. The principal and several students were careful to stay within the guidelines allowed by the ruling. They gave inspirational and challenging speeches, but no one mentioned divine guidance and no one asked for blessings on the graduates or their families. The speeches were nice, but they were routine.....until the final speech received a standing ovation. A solitary student walked proudly to the microphone. He stood still and silent for just a moment, and then, it happened. All 92 students, every single one of them, suddenly SNEEZED!!!! The student on stage.. simply looked at the audience and said, 'GOD BLESS YOU, each and every one of you!' And he walked off stage.... The audience exploded into applause. This graduating class had found a unique way to invoke God's blessing on their future with or without the court's approval. Isn't this a wonderful story? Pass it on to all your friends......... and GOD BLESS YOU!!!! This is a true story; it happened at the University of Maryland. Oh, how I wish THIS one would take off and FILL the whole Country!!! "America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." - Abraham Lincoln -<>- _ .'` '`. .-", @ `, `. '-=; ; `. \ : `-. / '; `. / .' `. | ( `. `-.._ \ \` ` `. \ `-.._ `. ;`-.._ `-`._.-. `-._ `-._ `..' `-.```. `-._ `-.._.' `--..__..-`--' `-.,' `._)`/ / / /--( -./,--'`-, ,^--( hjw/gs ,--' `-, >It's What's Inside That Counts (By Roy Irwin) I have a very good friend who is a Geologist by trade. I joke with him saying that he never grew out of playing in the dirt as a child. But the truth is, he knows a lot about rocks! I cannot tell one type of rock from another. However to someone like my friend with a trained eye - he knows exactly what to look for to identify a rock. Several years ago we were traveling together through the mountains of North Carolina. We started seeing road signs which read: "Diamonds! Rubies! Precious Gems! Follow the signs to our Gem Mine!" How could we resist the invitation? We followed the signs to a company that had set up a makeshift site where you could pan for gold and gems. Hopeful 'prospectors' could buy bags of dirt that had been mined from the mountains - each guaranteed to contain a precious gem! Patrons were then invited to wash the dirt they had just purchased in a shallow pan with water. Most people can identify precious stones by their color, but, like myself, can not identify a gem in the rough - it looks just like any other rock. 'Fortunately', store employees were on hand to answer questions and tell people what they had discovered. Visitors 'lucky' enough to discover a gem could then take their prize rocks into the store, and for a fee, have it cut or polished and mounted into a ring or pendant. And wouldn't you know it, the day we were there, EVERYBODY had struck it rich! My friend and I walked behind the store employee as he explained to each person what he or she had discovered. "That's a ruby and a nice one at that!" said the store employee. I looked at my friend the Geologist who whispered, "It's not a ruby - it's just a rock." "Wow, look at the size of that sapphire, it's a real keeper, probably worth a lot!" I looked at my friend who shook his head. "Another rock" he said. Though my friend's knowledge of rocks is bad for the tourist trade, it is of real value to people who want to buy or build on land. He is frequently hired by companies and banks to help evaluate the worth of land before it is bought. Looking at the land is easy - anyone can see the trees, terrain, location, and layout. But to determine the land's true value, you have to look a little harder. That's where my friend's knowledge comes in. He knows that the real value of the land lies beneath the surface. A core sample taken from various depths and areas around the site can reveal a number of things about the land: Does it have special minerals that make it valuable? Does it have large areas of rocks that will make it more expensive to dig through? Does it contain hazardous waste that will make it unusable and unsaleable until the land is cleaned up? His evaluation will ultimately reveal the true value of the land. This same friend introduced me to Geodes. What is a Geode? He showed me a large rock that was unexpectedly lightweight for its size. My friend was so excited, but to me, it was just a rock and an ugly one at that! It was only when he cut the rock in two revealing what was inside that I realized why he was so excited. As my friend cut the geode in half, water poured out of it. You see, a geode has a hollow core that is filled with water, making it lighter in weight than a regular stone of the same size. The water, along with minerals that leech into the geode, form beautifully colored crystal formations on the inside of the rock. My friend turned the cut halves so that I could see the insides - it was absolutely breathtaking! I would never have guessed that something that looked so plain and worthless on the outside could be so beautiful on the inside. One glimpse at the interior beauty completely changed my opinion! The thing with geodes is, you never know for sure what you've got until you look inside. The same is true with people. How easy it is to fall into the trap of judging a person by their outward appearance. How easy it is to be attracted to or pushed away from a person simply because of what they wear, how they talk, where they live, what they own, who they know, etc. We see examples of this all the time: The restaurant that looks run down on the outside yet serves great food; or the person who lived their entire life in anonymity who makes a large donation to an organization. Who would have guessed just by looking at the outside? Fortunately, God doesn't look at the outside, He looks much deeper - He looks into the heart of man. In I Samuel 16:7 we read: "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."(NIV) Why would God look at the heart of man? Because the heart reveals what is truly important to a person; it reveals their character and all that makes up who and what a person genuinely is. "As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man." Proverbs 27:19 (NIV) Maybe that's why Jesus spoke so often about the condition of each person's heart. And why He chose to live in the hearts of those who have made him the Lord of their life. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21 (NIV) What does your heart reveal about you? What treasure is found there? Would you find Jesus Christ sitting on the throne of your heart and life? If you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior and He is your treasure and your hope, then your heart and life will reflect the love that He has shown for each of us. Perhaps you have never invited Jesus to come into your heart and made Him the Lord of your life. What better time to do that than now? Jesus has promised "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you;" Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV) - a new life with Christ at the center! If you would like a changed heart and to know the love of Jesus in your heart, visit http://www.laughandlift.com/goodnews for more info. ...See SALVATION Teachings here: http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&new_topic=35 "O God, search me and know my heart. You are my greatest Treasure. Come and live in me, taking your place on the throne of my heart. Help me to live a life that reflects the love you have shared for each of us. Put a new spirit in me that embraces the whole of what you are - so that I can be more like you every day. Amen." [Copyright 1998 Argyle Giraffe Productions. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to freely copy (unmodified) without charge if reproduced in their entirety for non-commercial purposes. These documents may not be resold (or used for the enhancement of any product sold) without the written permission of Argyle Giraffe Productions.] --- !|| !|||| ,/|||| !|'''| `\ | )\ \ ejm / \ \ \ ...Please keep InspiredBuffalo's Lady - Nancy - In your daily prayers for a full recovery in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment Chinook Water http://www.buffaloschips.com/1251.htm Circus Monte Carlo http://www.buffaloschips.com/12.htm An Unusual Gun http://www.buffaloschips.com/11.htm Coming Home http://www.buffaloschips.com/123.htm Cop Crapper http://www.buffaloschips.com/123f2.htm Liberty Air Show http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/liberty.html Strange Hotels http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/hotel.html Montreal Gardens http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/montreal.html Mountain Biking http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mountainbiking.html Hiking In China http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/trail.html Desert Skiing http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/desertskiing.html Beautiful Bridges http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bridges.html Cat Motivational Posters http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/catposters.html ================================================================= >-->CupO'Cheer: \ | / -- o -- / | \ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ \/'-'\/\/'-'\/\/'-'\/\/'-'\/\/'_'\/\/'-'\/\/'-'\/ \_;_/ \_;_/ \_;_/ \_;_/ \_;_/ \_;_/ \_;_/ / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ m1a >IF GOD IS FOR US… Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop criticizing and start creating. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Consider the lilacs. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Don’t let what’s wrong with you keep you from worshipping what’s right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Laugh at yourself. Keep making mistakes. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don’t try to be who you’re not. Be yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away. And remember: If God is for us who can be against us? --Mark Batterson, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day (The Timothy Report, www.timothyreport.com) -<>- ~MISS ISABEL~ "I don't believe in power mowers," she said, .-------, ../ \ / , , , \ / , \__\___\ \ "and on Saturdays | | __ || __',. \ you will work | \_'_/ \_'_/. | inside." | (| v |) | / , | | . / | \ ~ / | ---' | /. | | .\ . / ,/ |/ \| \, |, ( <-, \___/ ,-> ) | ,_ \ / _, .| | \ \ \ / / / | | | \ * / | | | | # | | (1/2 kl) Sitting in the library of a three story Victorian home with streams of warm spring sunlight dancing among the books nestled in the floor to ceiling shelves, Miss Isabel began to explain my duties as her summer hired helper. "I pay $1.25 per hour. Tuesdays we mow; Thursday is flower garden day, and Saturdays will be general house cleaning." I really didn't hear much past the $1.25, as in 1958, I was only 14 and that was a fortune. I had come to this opportunity by way of an older neighborhood friend who had worked for Miss Isabel for the past 3 years and was leaving for Notre Dame midsummer and so had referred me. "Can you start next Saturday? 8 am sharp?" she asked? "Sure!" I said, "I mean, Yes, Ma'am." There was something about Miss Isabel that made you say Yes, Ma'am." Saturday arrived, and at 8 am sharp I rang the doorbell. Miss Isabel opened the door. "Good Morning," she said, "Follow me. I had some hot tea ready, but we won't have time, now. We're running behind." Running behind? How could we be running behind? She had said 8 and it was 8 exactly. As Miss Isabel led me down the hall to the kitchen, she imparted to me lesson one. "I have found," she said, "that when you arrive at work fifteen to twenty minutes early, it allows you to settle in." It wasn't a scold, but I felt somehow I had cheated her out of something important, and I wasn't sure what. Miss Isabel had already laid out several white cotton rags and a bottle of Old English furniture polish - the red kind - the kind I can remember the smell of to this day. I had observed that the old Victorian house had highly polished ebony hardwood floors. I was about to find out how they became so highly polished. On hands and knees I began to minister to those boards with which over three years of Saturdays I would form a love-hate relationship. After awhile Miss Isabel suddenly asked, "What's your favorite flavor of soda pop?" "Orange, I suppose," I replied, not sure what this was about. "I'm going to Ralph Brown's market," she said, "and I'll be coming back in half an hour. Will you please come outside and swing open the garage doors?" As I opened the doors, I saw resting comfortably in the huge detached three car garage, a pristine four door sea green Plymouth, circa 1947, and even though 11 years old, looking brand new. I would soon come to learn how this automobile stayed so spotless. Miss Isabel drove away, and true to her word, returned in 30 minutes. I had gone back to finishing up the floors, so she tooted for me to come outside. "Please carry in the groceries and put them on the sideboard," she said, and off she went to the house. As I sat the groceries on the sideboard, she instructed me to dust down the Plymouth and put it away. Here lay a problem - I couldn't drive. "Miss Isabel," I said, "I don't know how to drive. I'm only fourteen." "Fine," she said, "I'll pull her in and you dust her down and close the doors." Off she went with me trailing behind. For a woman in her late 60's and barely 5 feet tall, she was surprisingly quick, and I had to hustle to keep up. When I returned to the kitchen, Miss Isabel had prepared two ice cream sodas with orange soda pop. They were resting on a beautiful silver serving tray. "Bring these along to the library," she ordered. As I carried the treats along behind, she casually suggested that I arrive 30 minutes early on Tuesday for my driving lesson. I was astounded. Driving lesson? I couldn't believe that I was going to get to drive. Miss Isabel took a seat in one of her high wingback chairs. For the first time, I took a moment to observe my employer. It was hard to believe that someone so tiny could be so impressive. I was accustomed to football and basketball coaches, big men, and even my dad was six feet four, but no one I had ever met was in such control of her surroundings. "Jerry, do you read?" she asked. "Yes, I can read really well," I replied. "No, Jerry, not can you read, do you read?" "Do you mean for the fun of it?" "Exactly! What's the last book you read for fun?" "Riders of the Purple Sage, I guess, a couple of years ago." "Have you ever seen Purple Sage?" she asked. "I don't guess so." "Well, we'll plant some in the garden and you can tend to it. Now, Jerry, pick a book you'd like to read, and we'll discuss it next week." That started three years of sodas and book reports, although I never knew I was giving book reports. As we discussed the books, Miss Isabel could make me feel the cold of the Yukon, the heat of the Jungle, the dry winds of the African desert and see the glitter of the jewels of King Solomon's mines. For the first few weeks, I only reported my reading to escape the hated task of pulling the dreaded chickweed from the garden, but eventually, I came to consider those book review sessions the very best part of Saturday. After three years of polishing floors, learning to drive, and developing a permanent hate for chickweed, Miss Isabel told me one Saturday to come to work in tie and jacket. This seemed very bizarre for a lawn boy/floor polisher, but by then, I had learned not to question Miss Isabel's requests. Unknown to me, Miss Isabel had summoned to her home Mr. Fox, the director of the Springfield-Greene County Library, to have an ice cream soda. Mr. Fox chose strawberry, and as he casually sipped away, Miss Isabel Shepard explained to him that I was ready to start my employment with the Library system as a page, the very next week. She went on to discuss my qualities as an employee, and spoke of my knowledge of authors, subject matter and considerable interest in National Geographic, although she claimed not to know why. But maybe she did. Mr. Fox was at least six feet four inches tall, but under Miss Isabel's dominance, he became her willing and eager to please student. He immediately briefed me on when and where to report the following Saturday. Miss Isabel and I spent the rest of the afternoon discussing the responsibilities of librarians, and how I should find a suitable replacement for myself as her employee. These things came to pass, and though Miss Isabel Shepard has long since passed away, I cannot help but think the problems of teen violence and crime could be diminished by a summer spent among the flowers, sage, dreaded chickweed and books of Miss Isabel Shepard's Victorian home, or even some time spent in the Shepard Room of the public library, which was named in her honor. After all, when you're 14 years old and you're discussing Ernest Hemingway with Miss Isabel, how can you be thinking about building a bomb? ~Jerry Hayes~ as seen in Inspiration Plus To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ================================================================== >-->From LaughAndLift: __ /\ `. 2^)_| \`/(_ )/,`. Praise God For My Shephard! __(( \/ /.--|_.L\\_ \, \ \= / ,/L 7 (\ \...,_ | | \____| ) ]_| `\) /_) SK `" "The Lord is my Shepherd..." (by Max Lucado in his book "Traveling Light") We humans want to do things our way. Forget the easy way. Forget the common way. Forget the best way. Forget God's way. We want to do things *our* way. And according to the Bible, that's precisely our problem. "We all have wandered away like sheep; each of us has gone his own way" (Isa. 53:6). You wouldn't think sheep would be obstinate. Of all God's animals, the sheep is the least able to take care of himself. Sheep are dumb! Have you ever met a sheep trainer? Ever seen sheep tricks? Know anyone who has taught his sheep to roll over? Ever witnessed a circus sideshow featuring "Mazadon and his jumping sheep"? No. Sheep are just too dumb. _,._ __.' _) <_,)'.-"a\ /' ( \ _.-----..,-' (`"--^ // | (| `; , | \ ;.----/ ,/ ) // / | |\ \ jgs \ \\`\ | |/ / \ \\ \ | |\/ `" `" `"` And defenseless. They have no fangs or claws. They can't bite you or outrun you. That's why you never see sheep as team mascots. We've heard of the St. Louis Rams and the Chicago Bulls and the Seattle Seahawks, but the New York Lambs? Who wants to be a lamb? You couldn't even stir up a decent yell for the cheerleaders. "We are the sheep. We don't make a peep. Victory is yours to keep. But count us if you want to sleep." _.%%%%%%%%%%%%% /- _%%%%%%%%%%%%% (_ %\|%%%%%%%%%%%% %%%$$$$$$$$$$$% S%S%%%*%%%%S ,,,,# #,,,,,,,##,,,,, b'ger What's more, sheep are dirty. A cat can clean itself. So can a dog. We see a bird in a birdbath or a bear in a river. But sheep? They get dirty and stay that way. Couldn't David (in Psalm 23) have thought of a better metaphor? Surely he could have. After all, he outran Saul and outgunned Goliath. Why didn't he choose something other then sheep? How about: "The Lord is my commander in chief, and I am his warrior." There. We like that better. A warrior gets a uniform and a weapon, maybe even a medal. Or, "The Lord is my inspiration, and I am his singer." We are in God's choir; what a flattering assignment. Or, "The Lord is my king, and I am his ambassador." Who wouldn't like to be a spokesperson for God? Everyone stops when the ambassador speaks. Everyone listens when God's minstrel sings. Everyone applauds when God's warrior passes. __ _ .-.' `; `-._ __ _ (_, .-:' `; `-._ ,'o"( (_, ) (__,-' ,'o"( )> ( (__,-' ) `-'._.--._( ) ||| |||`-'._.--._.-' ||| ||| Artist: Bob Allison But who notices when God's sheep show up? Who notices when the sheep sing or speak or act? Only one person notices. The shepherd. And that is precisely David's point. When David, who was a warrior, minstrel, and ambassador for God, searched for an illustration of God, he remembered his days as a shepherd. He remembered how he lavished attention on the sheep day and night. How he slept with them and watched over them. And the way he cared for the sheep reminded him of the way God cares for us. David rejoiced to say, "The Lord is my shepherd," and in doing so he proudly implied, "I am his sheep." Still uncomfortable with being considered a sheep? Will you humor me and take a simple quiz? See if you succeed in self-reliance. Raise your hand if any of the following describe you. 1) You can control your moods. You're never grumpy or sullen. You can't relate to Jekyll and Hyde. You're always upbeat and upright. Does that describe you? No? Well, let's try another. 2) You are at peace with everyone. Every relationship as sweet as fudge. Even your old flames speak highly of you. Love all and are loved by all. Is that you? If not, how about this description? 3) You have no fears. Call you the Teflon toughie. Wall Street plummets - no problem. Heart condition discovered -- yawn. World War III starts - what's for dinner? Does this describe you? 4) You need no forgiveness. Never made a mistake. As square as a game of checkers. As clean as grandma's kitchen. Never cheated, never lied, never lied about cheating. Is that you? No? Let's evaluate this. You can't control your moods. A few of your relationships are shaky. You have fears and faults. Hmmm. Do you really want to hang on to your chest of self-reliance? Sounds to me as if you could use a shepherd. Otherwise, you might end up with a Twenty-third Psalm like this: "I am my own shepherd, I am always in need. I stumble from mall to mall and shrink to shrink, seeking relief but never finding it. I creep through the valley of the shadow of death and fall apart. I fear everything from pesticides to power lines, and I'm starting to act like my mother. I go down to the weekly staff meeting and am surrounded by enemies. I go home, and even my goldfish scowls at me. I annoint my headache with extra-strength Tylenol. My Jack Daniel's runneth over. Surely misery and misfortune will follow me, and I will live in self-doubt for the rest of my lonely life." .. ./AHBA. /HBAHBAHBA\ /BAHB /AHBAHBAHBAHBA\. HBAHBAHBAHBAH. .BAHBAHBAHBAHBA\ /HBAHBAHBAHBAHBAH\. AHBAHBAHBAHBAH. .AHBAHBW~~~~~"\WAHBAABAHBAHBAHBAHBAHBAHB\ . BAHAHBAHBAAHBA. HBAHBAA """"""~~~~"""""~~"\BAHBAHB\ .AH BAHBAHBAHBAHBAHB HBAHBAH \YAHBAH BAHBAHBAHBAHBAHBAHBAHBAI .,/ YAHBA HBAHBAHBAHBAHBAHBAHBAHBA..;II. .AHBAHBA HBAHBAHBAHBAHBAHBAHBA`~ AHBA\ IHBAHBA HBAHBAHBA/~ ~~ _ HBAH. \ .....,/ \ . ..YBAHBAH BAHBAHBAI . /ABAHBAHBAHL\ \ ,;|MAMA\\ ~\ ,. IAHBA HLAMBAY/ /A,. /BAHBAHBAHBAHBL I \AHBAHBAHD /BIHBD \WBAH BAIIMBBAD Y bABY''A:.\YHBIHIAIIIIBA>.Wo..IHBAHBA\..YBIIBAH..BAHI BIIIIHIIIL A IAH/ AAA__~BIIBIIBIIYI/;/AI;/BIIIIIIA::BIIIIAI:::BI .IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII.. IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII. IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGGN94. Why is it that the ones who most need a shepherd resist him so? ...Scripture says, "Do it God's way." Experience says, "Do it God's way." Every Scot in heaven begs. "Aye, laddie, do it God's way." 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 ====================================================================== >-->Here's a Sweet Story of Buddy The Hero Dog... I saw this on Fox News this morning. What a story! .--~~,__ :-....,-------`~~'._.' `-,,, ,_ ;'~U' Move Over Lassie! _,-' ,'`-__; '--. (_/'~~ ''''(; artist unknown http://video.foxnews.com/v/4163667/move-over-lassie-meet-buddy I am sure God had his hand in helping both the dog and the trooper on this one! Especially when they said the dog is normally quite shy - a for sure give away that God was involved! And Then the trooper said he followed his hunch - another good sign. It is often the little nudges and thoughts and feelings that we get that are actually from God and help us out the most. ================================================================= >-->What is A Friend? 'What is a friend?' I hear you ask, 'And what can a friend do?' It's the person that you love and trust, Who is always there for you. There is nothing in the whole wide world, That really can compare, With the feeling that enfolds you By having friends who care. And even though it may be, That they live far away, You can hear the laughter in their voice In funny things they say. They can even share the bad times, And tears not held in check, And make you feel all better With a hug around your neck. What is a friend? It's the person who Is quick to show they care, Whether in the best or worst of times, A 'Friend' is always there. >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Chhristian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->Pass this on as it should be of interesst to all who served. The study was carried out in Austrialia on their Vietnam Veterans. ABC Nat. Radio Health Report Autralian Vietnam Vets: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/HealthReportVV.mp3 VV ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->This is for all you who love food and DDARE 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 ************************************************************************