Nation Anthem Day And More... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our ShangyFunList: Group Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* Please Consider Giving To ShangralaFamilyFun.com The cost of the website has gone up dramatically due to the ever increasingly wonderful pages and photos being added each week to entertain you and our fellow Christian families. If every one would chip in $25 or more, we'd be good for the whole year! So Please - I need your help today! "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a Shangrala Angel, the easiest way to do that is through online giving. It is easy to use, and most of all, it is secure. Please visit the site, scroll down and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL form page comes up. NOTE: Paypal will generate a 'Quantity 1' and 'Price per item' form. Just ignore the price per item and put whatever it is you desire to give in there. With Paypal, you will have your normal receipt for your 'payment' donation in USD (United States Dollars). You can put a memo in there if you'd like. Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY FOR YOUR GIFT! ================ >-->In The 'Shangy' News :) . . . . ,-,--. __| //``-, \ \_`\ )\a-a-? \ \ \_`(_=_/_-`__ \__, , \| | _ _,' ___7 ) | (_)(_`__(_,---' | ( _( ) | / /_| |________| __/__/__|__|_________) _________(__,_|)/ (__)|/____\(_______________ mic I am very pleased to announced we have 2 returning sponsors for the website www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com. With our present Covid-19 restrictions around the country, our first returning sponsor may be just the ticket to keep boredom from driving you car tinkerers crazy. It's also a good source for those of you who, like my son, like to save money on car repairs. He likes to find out what his car's problem is at the shop and then locate a quality part for it himself online. This always saves him money over what the shop would charge him and he's assured he gets what he is paying for which is a new, not used, quality replacement part! This company is great! Search from over 10 Million Auto Parts at always 80% off product list prices! Be sure to check them out here... ___ _____________________ d8888 888______888_888888P' d8'888 888 /\ 888 A 888 ,oo. ,d8' 888 888,' `.888/ \888 d8PY8b ,d8Y'__888 888______888___888 Y8bd8P 8888888888 888888888888 888 d8b `""' [888P""Y888 888888888888,--888] Y8P 88P db Y8P Y8888888888P db Y8= o \ YP / \ YP / bmw `--' `--' Dealer Alternative Parts Geek https://www.partsgeek.com/ Our next returning sponsor is sure to win the hearts of guys and gals alike! This company offers beauty in the form of flowers - their motto is 'Bringing joy to your life one flower at a time.' We sure could use some of this in our homes right now after a long rather cold and snowy winter! , .--'|} / /}} .=\.--'`\} //` '---./` || /| \\| | |\_\\/ \__/\\ \\ jgs \| They are on Instagram here: Avas Flowers https://www.instagram.com/avasflowers/ And have many coupon discounts available here: https://www.groupon.com/coupons/avas-flowers Be sure to check this fine company out too! You can always be assured that I only go with the best for you! Why? Because I care About you! :) -<>- >2 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) Our too hot to handle newest page is from our friends Linda, LouiseAu and Geniann. This one is for those who like fun trivia games. It's time to put on your thinking caps and see how many of these super popular movies you can find in one giant picture! I was surprised that even I was able to find some. It also has a very special 1943 MGM photo of 65 movie stars. You'll be amazed at how young many of your favorites are here. Can you name them? Have fun and be sure to watch the video and see how many old TV shows you can name just by hearing their theme song! Check this fun page out here: ################################################################ # , , # # "Hi,I am Mike. _|\_ /| # # We Scare Because /___ "\----' | # # We Care" /=====\ \ `-. # # \ // .--. \| | \ # # /( [@@] ) / \ # # , | \ '--' / / \------- # # |\_ | \___.-' \----- \ # # __,--'' \. /| _____..----) ) | \ \ # # "----____: \. / | (' / | | \ \ # # `. \/ /\ \._ _./ / | \ \ # # \_./ \ '==== / / \ \ # # \ --- --' / \ `. # # \. _,-; /,--.\ # # \___________/\/ / " " # # \/ /_ # # /`/ | # # _____ _ +"""". / /| / # # |_ _| |__ ___ \ \./ / | / # # | | | '_ \ / _ \ `\ . | / +" S@yaN # # | | | | | | __/ \ |/ # # |_| |_| |_|\___| (_) # # __ __ _ ___ # # | \/ | ___ _ __ ___| |_ ___ _ __ ___ |_ _|_ __ ___ # # | |\/| |/ _ \| '_ \/ __| __/ _ \ '__/ __| | || '_ \ / __| # # | | | | (_) | | | \__ \ || __/ | \__ \_ | || | | | (__ # # |_| |_|\___/|_| |_|___/\__\___|_| |___( ) |___|_| |_|\___( # # |/ # # # # 16.08.02 # ################################################################ Hollywood Movie Quiz! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/hollywoodquiz.html --- ...I got a kick out of this one! Thanks Ladies! This second hot new page is from my daughter Tammy and KarenF. God's creation is full of surprises and crabs are no different. While you might think a crab is a crab, think again! They are actually quite interesting and you might even come to think of them as being not only funny but a little on the cute side too. This page has lots of Smiles for you with its many videos. Be sure to check it out for a few chuckles too: /\ ( / @ @ () \\ __| |__ / \/ " \/ /-| |-\ / /-\ /-\ \ / /-`---'-\ \ / \ tre Funny Crabs http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/crabs.html --- ...HaHaHa! Pretty Cool! Thanks Ladies! -<>- *~* We Had A SUPER FUN Month Of Caring And Sharing Last Month! .-. _ .--""" / { `.__ ( ( _ .e"8a-. J ' \ `.._, \ /_`\/8P '.--\/8P-' ) .-. \ e8a `.`. `" / o o`._..--' (;88`-.. \ ""`. `--.>#--.._/ `.-. `8_ 8P`. :_e8P .a. _.' |`\_, \ /-. `.` ,8 ^P" e8P 8a 2 '7.__7" \ \ `": `. ,8P _ /_\ ' / ;e8| 98P .-' `7 `--' |`8: .e8a._..e8" .' : : 88P" .8P`88,8P' / Y8/88 eP"| `YP" / `. `M " :-. .' : .'_ ; _.' \ \ '.' `/_.-e8`,.--. `-: : .'"" " 8P : `""`.e8a ; `"""--. / fsc `---' >Be Sure To Visit And Share All Of Our New Pages... Land That Made Me, Me! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/land.html Sushi The Shoebill Stork! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/sushi.html Chuckles! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/chuckles.html Husband's Love Story! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/husbandslove.html World's Smallest Fox! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/fox.html Whale Rescue 3! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/whalerescue3.html Budding Photographers 3! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/buddingphotographers3.html Life's Many Roads! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lifesmanyroads.html .---._ _.-'"""'-._ _.---. :.---._`.: .- -. ;.'_.---.; : ' `.': .`.' ` ; `....-':'::. 0 0 .' :;`-....' :.:'_:---:_`::; .--._ `:_( )_:' _.--. .----. ``-.' \ / `.-'' .----. : : .---'': `-.-' :--''''-. : : ___: :____.--''`. : .'``--._____: :_____ : :_.'| ' | `''"'|"'' | ` `._; : ____`-'____|_______|_______|_______|_______|___`-'______ | | | | | | | ______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|___ | | | | | | | _|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|________ jgs | | | | | | | ____|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_____ ~ May God Abundantly Bless All Our Thoughtful Contributors! ~ =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: :YMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM-M !!!!!YMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM-M--M !!!!!!!!"MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.-'- .'|| !!!!!!!!!!!!!YMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM-:-:'| .-' || !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!M || .-' | | || oooooooooo!!!!!!!M || | | | || XXXXXXXXXXXb!!!!!M || | | | || $$$$$$$$hdXb!!!!!M || | | | || $$$$$$$$$dXb!!!!!M || | | | || $$$$$$$$$pXb!!!!!M || | | | || XXXXXXXXXXXb!!!!!M || | | | || PPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!M || | | | || !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!M dm __ || | | | || !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!M `MM. _,MMb || | | | || !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!M `MMm ,MP' __ ,m || | | | || !!!!!!!!!MMMMM!!!M `MMYMMF dMMoMMMMMM"MM || | | | || !!!!!!!!!M###M!!!M dMMMMMMm. "' qMMMMMP ' || | ' ...-==| !!!!!!!!!MMMMM!!!M YMMMMMMMP "MMMM" || .--''' dMM| !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!M `MMPP'. _mmMPmmmYMmmmm. || +---== `````"| !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!M ,mMMMMMMMmMMMmMMMMMMMMMMMMMm8MPPM|| | | | || !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!M dMMMMMMM$""'MMMM'MMMMMMMMM' || | | | || !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!M ,dMMMMMb ' MMMMMMM' || | | | || !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!M ;MMP `MMM. MMMMMMM || | | | || !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!M 8MM `MMP mmmmmmmmm || | | | || !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!M ' " dMMMMMMMMMb || | | | || !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!M ,MMMMMMMMMMMM || | | | || !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!M MMMMMMMMMMMMMY || | | | || !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!M 'MMP MM8 || | | | || !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!M MM$ 8Mb || | | | || =================M YMM dM' || | | | || !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!M ]M[ dM || | | | || !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!M [:dg:] `Mb YM || | | | || #################MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM`-.'-._ | | || !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!' :: :: `-..`' | || !!!!!!!!!!!!!!' ::. ::. `-.,`-..|| !!!!!!!!!!!!!' '::: ::' `-._ | !!!!!!!!!!!!' :::: ::' `-| !!!!!!!!!!!' ::::: :::' | !!!!!!!!!!' '::::: :::' | !!!!!!!!' ,::::: ::::' | !!!!!!!' ,:::::: ::::; | !!!!!!' ::::::: :::::\ | !!!!' :::::::: ::::::' | !!!' :::::::: ::::::: | !!' ::::::::: :::::::: | ' ':::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::;:::. | ;::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::' | `;::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::' | `:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::/ | `:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::/ | Y::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::' | ____________________________;::::::::::::::::::::::::::::;___________| >IOU1 by Bob Perks I see them all the time -- license plates that carry a message most often understood only by the owner. Mine says IBLEVNU. I love to look in my rear view mirror and see people mouthing the words. "I believe in you." These "vanity plates" as they are called seem to be offered in most every state here in the United States. I wrote a story about a wonderful woman who held a sign in the window of her car that read "Heartwarmers" as she drove by. She had read a story of mine there and recognized my license plate. Small world. "IOU1" the plate read on the car in front of me. Normally I'd just read it and continue on, but this one had a handwritten sticker next to it and I knew I had to meet this person. He wasn't headed where I wanted to go, but this seemed more important. So I decided to follow him. Luckily he pulled into the post office in town. Otherwise, I might have been writing this from on the road somewhere. I got out of my car and approached the man. "Excuse me, sir. May I ask you about your license plate?" "You wouldn't be the first one," he said as he kept walking. My curiosity kept pace with him as he entered the post office and stayed with him until he returned to his car. "I understand the "IOU1" on your plate. I've said "I owe you one" many times in my life." "Did you pay up?" he asked with a smile. "Pardon me?" "Did you pay back the ones you owed?" "Oh, sure... I mean I guess I did. That's something you say so freely after someone does you a favor. I guess I meant it," I told him. "Well, I'm still working on this one," he said. "That sticker you have next to your plate. Is that part of it?" "It surely is. It'll take the rest of my life to pay this one back," he said. He then stopped at the door suddenly, almost causing a pile up of people behind us. "In fact, it could probably take two lifetimes to pay this one back," he said. We continued out the door heading back to his car. "Would you mind telling me what happened?" I asked. "No, not at all. It's part of my pay back. I promised to tell as many people as I could, any time and any place." He then stopped behind his car, leaned on the truck near the plate and began to tell his story. He went on to tell me about an accident he was in with his family. The car had flipped over and his youngest daughter, still seated in her child seat, somehow flew out the car door in the accident. He was pinned inside. Hanging upside down the only thing he could see was the back of her car seat sitting about ten yards in front of him. Not being able to free himself, he prayed for her. "God, if you make sure my baby is alright, I'll owe you one," he said in his prayer. She was. They found her sitting there untouched and smiling. That explained it all. His license plate read "IOU1" and the sticker said "God!". -- Bob Perks ___________________________________________ Bob is a Heartwarmer Gem and a professional speaker, author, and vocalist. You are welcomed to visit his new story website and sign up to receive his free email newsletter at: http://www.iwishyouenough.com To read the archives of past stories: http://www.topica.com/lists/Ibelieveinyou/read =========================================================== >-->From Daily Encounter: . : . . : | : . . | | | , \ | | / . ,-'"""`-. . "- / __ __ \ -" |==| I |==| - --- | _`--^--'_ | --- - |'`. ,'`| _- \ "---" / -_ . `-.___,-' . / | | \ .' | | | `. : | : . : . >Impossible to Resist the Light “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."1 The story is told of Gordon Maxwell, missionary to India, that when he asked a Hindu scholar to teach him the language, the Hindu replied: “No Sahib, I will not teach you my language. You would make me a Christian." Gordon Maxwell replied: “You misunderstand me. I am simply asking you to teach me your language. "Again, the Hindu responded, “No, Sahib, I will not teach you. No man can live with you and not become a Christian." Wow. What a powerful testimony Gordon Maxwell must have had for the Hindu man to be so convinced of what would happen should he know their language! Wouldn’t it be amazing to see someone’s faith in action so loudly that words were not necessary? This is what God wants from all His followers, including you and me. The only way we can have this kind of testimony is by allowing Christ to live in and through us. As we surrender to Christ and die to our flesh, the fruits of the Holy Spirit will shine brighter and brighter in our lives. And the more we practice the fruits of the Spirit in our everyday interactions with others, the more Christ will be seen. This is one of the most effective ways to lead others to Christ. People are tired of hearing empty words, but when they see those words supported by a lifestyle, it will be impossible for them to resist the Light. Suggested prayer: “Dear God, I ask you to work in my heart, remove all the things that are prohibiting your light to shine through me. I surrender to you and ask that my life would be a visible example of who you are and what you can do. I pray that your Holy Spirit would shine so bright through me that others would be drawn to a personal relationship with you. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus Christ’s name, amen." 1. Matthew 5:16 (NIV). <:))))>< &&&&& |~ |~ && -.-& |~ o' o' & . o' jrei __)` -(_ >To the Ends of the Earth "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."1 Ravi Zacharias shared how "during the Cold War, a Christian from the U.S. was visiting Romania. It was a gray, cold day, and all the faces around him reflected that gray, cold atmosphere. But in the midst of the gloom, the Christian man heard someone whistling a tune. It was an old hymn, 'The Great Physician now is here, the sympathizing Jesus.' "The Christian man spotted the whistler and began walking alongside him. Because Christians were persecuted by the government, he took care not to publicly identify his allegiance. He simply began whistling the same tune. The Romanian man stopped, a big smile spreading over his face. He pointed to heaven. So did the American man. He pointed to his heart. The American did too. Then he reached out and grabbed the American in a big bear hug. Neither man could speak the other's language, but they knew instantly that they were brothers in the faith. "How did these two men from opposite ends of the world, from different cultures and different languages, come to worship a Jewish carpenter? Because someone told the story of Jesus to someone else, who told it to someone else, who told it to someone else, until it reached Jerusalem, and Judea, and Samaria and all the ends of the earth."2 Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please use me today in some way to communicate your love, and in so doing, be a powerful witness to your saving grace in my life. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus Christ's name, amen." 1. Acts 1:8 (NIV). 2. Ravi Zacharias, Deliver Us From Evil (Nashville: Word Publishing, 1997), pp. 103-104. --- ...Listen to this sweet song here... The great Physician now is near - Ugo Okiyi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDfHFaJaTwk <:))))>< When copying or forwarding include the following: "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2016 ACTS International. =========================================================== /T /I / |/ | .-~/ T\ Y I |/ / _ /T | \I | I Y.-~/ I l /I T\ | | l | T / T\ | \ Y l /T | \I l \ ` l Y __ | \l \l \I l __l l \ ` _. | \ ~-l `\ `\ \ \\ ~\ \ `. .-~ | \ ~-. "-. ` \ ^._ ^. "-. / \ | .--~-._ ~- ` _ ~-_.-"-." ._ /._ ." ./ >--. ~-. ._ ~>-" "\\ 7 7 ] ^.___~"--._ ~-{ .-~ . `\ Y . / | <__ ~"-. ~ /_/ \ \I Y : | ^-.__ ~(_/ \ >._: | l______ ^--.,___.-~" /_/ ! `-.~"--l_ / ~"-. (_/ . ~( /' "~"--,Y -=b-. _) (_/ . \ : / l c"~o \ \ / `. . .^ \_.-~"~--. ) (_/ . ` / / ! )/ / / _. '. .': / ' ~(_/ . / _ ` .-<_ /_/ . ' .-~" `. / \ \ ,z=. ~( / ' : | K "-.~-.______// "-,. l I/ \_ __{--->._(==. //( \ < ~"~" // /' /\ \ \ ,v=. (( .^. / /\ " }__ //===- ` / / ' ' "-.,__ {---(==- .^ ' : T ~" ll -Row / . . . : | :! \\ (_/ / | | j-" ~^ ~-<_(_.^-~" ->Eagle01<- >-->In Honor of Nation Anthem Day (yesterday) Our Nation Sure is Great!! Star Spangled Banner As You've Never Heard It https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=YaxGNQE5ZLA -<>- >A little US History lesson From Our Friend Fred :) ______________________________________________________________________ |.============[_F_E_D_E_R_A_L___R_E_S_E_R_V_E___N_O_T_E_]=============.| ||%&%&%&%_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ %&%&%&%&|| ||%&.-.&/||_||_ | ||\||||_| \ (_ ||\||_(_ /\|_ |\|V||_|)|/ |\ %&.-.&&|| ||&// |\ || ||_ \_/| ||||_|_/ ,_)|||||_,_) \/| ||| ||_|\|\_|| &// |\%|| ||| | | |% ,-----,-'____'-,-----, %| | | ||| ||| | | |&% """""""""" [ .-;"`___ `";-. ] &%| | | ||| ||&\===// `).'' .'`_.- `. '.'.(` A 76355942 J \\===/&|| ||&%'-'%/1 // .' /` \ \\ \%'-'%|| ||%&%&%/` d8888b // / \ _ _;, \\ .-"""-. 1 `&%&%%|| ||&%&%& 8P |) Yb ;; ( > a a| \ ;; //A`Y A\\ &%&%&|| ||&%&%| 8b |) d8 || ( ,\ \ | ) || ||.-'-.|| |%&%&|| ||%&%&| Y8888P || '--'/` -- /-' || \\_/~\_// |&%&%|| ||%&%&| || |\`-.__/ || '-...-' |&%&%|| ||%%%%| || /` |._ .|-. || |%&%&|| ||%&%&| A 76355942 J /;\ _.' \ } \ '-. /;\ |%&%&|| ||&%.-; (, '. \ } `\ \' ,) ,.,.,.,., ;-.%&|| ||%( | ) 1 """"""" _( \ ;...---------.;.; / )_ ```""""""" 1 ( | )%|| ||&%'-'==================\`------------------`/=================='-'%&|| ||%&%&%&%&%&%&%%&%&&&%&%%&)O N E D O L L A R(%&%&%&%&%&%&%%&%&&&%&%%&|| ||%JGS%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&&/_.----------------._\%&%&%%&%&&%%&%&%&%&%&%&|| '""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""` >The US ONE DOLLAR BILL Take out a one dollar bill. The one dollar bill you're looking at first came off the presses in 1957 in its present design. This so-called paper money is in fact a cotton and linen blend, with red and blue minute silk fibers running through it. It is actually material. We've all washed it without it falling apart. A special blend of ink is used, the contents we will never know. It is overprinted with symbols and then it is starched to make it water resistant and pressed to give it that nice crisp look. If you look on the front of the bill, you will see the United States Treasury Seal. On the top you will see the scales for a balanced budget. In the center you have a carpenter's square, a tool used for an even cut. Underneath is the Key to the United States Treasury. That's all pretty easy to figure out, but what is on the back of that dollar bill is something we should all know. If you turn the bill over, you will see two circles. Both circles, together, comprise the Great Seal of the United States. The First Continental Congress requested that Benjamin Franklin and a group of men come up with a Seal. It took them four years to accomplish this task and another two years to get it approved. If you look at the left-hand circle, you will see a Pyramid. Notice the face is lighted, and the western side is dark. This country was just beginning. We had not begun to explore the West or decided what we could do for Western Civilization. The Pyramid is uncapped, again signifying that we were not even close to being finished. Inside the capstone you have the all-seeing eye, an ancient symbol for divinity. It was Franklin's belief that one man couldn't do it alone, but a group of men, with the help of God, could do anything. "IN GOD WE TRUST" is on this currency. The Latin above the pyramid, ANNUIT COEPTIS, means, "God has favored our undertaking." The Latin below the pyramid, NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM, means, "a new order has begun." At the base of the pyramid is the Roman Numeral for 1776. If you look at the right-hand circle, and check it carefully, you will learn that it is on every National Cemetery in the United States. It is also on the Parade of Flags Walkway at the Bushnell, Florida National Cemetery, and is the centerpiece of most hero's monuments. Slightly modified, it is the seal of the President of the United States, and it is always visible whenever he speaks, yet very few people know what the symbols mean. The Bald Eagle was selected as a symbol for victory for two reasons: First, he is not afraid of a storm; he is strong, and he is smart enough to soar above it. Secondly, he wears no material crown. We had just broken from the King of England. Also, notice the shield is unsupported. This country can now stand on its own. At the top of that shield you have a white bar signifying congress, a unifying factor. We were coming together as one nation. In the Eagle's beak you will read, "E PLURIBUS UNUM", meaning, "one nation from many people". Above the Eagle, you have thirteen stars, representing the thirteen original colonies, and any clouds of misunderstanding rolling away. Again, we were coming together as one. Notice what the Eagle holds in his talons. He holds an olive branch and arrows. This country wants peace, but we will never be afraid to fight to preserve peace. The Eagle always wants to face the olive branch, but in time of war, his gaze turns toward the arrows. They say that the number 13 is an unlucky number. This is almost a worldwide belief. You will usually never see a room numbered 13, or any hotels or motels with a 13th floor. But think about this: 13 original colonies, 13 signers of the Declaration of Independence, 13 stripes on our flag, 13 steps on the Pyramid, 13 letters in the Latin above, 13 letters in "E Pluribus Unum", 13 stars above the Eagle, 13 bars on that shield, 13 leaves on the olive branch, 13 fruits, and if you look closely, 13 arrows. And, for minorities: the 13th Amendment. I always ask people, "Why don't you know this?" Your children don't know this, and their history teachers don't know this. Too many veterans have given up too much to ever let the meaning fade. Many veterans remember coming home to an America that didn't care. Too many veterans never came home at all. Share this with someone, so they can learn what is on the back of the UNITED STATES ONE DOLLAR BILL, and what it stands for... Otherwise, they will probably never know... --- ...Excellent! Thanks Fred! -<>- _ (_) <___> | |______ | |* * * ) | | * * (_________ | |* * * |* *|####) | | * * *| * | (________________ | |* * * |* *|####|##############| | | * * *| * | | | | |* * * |* *|####|##############| | |~~~~~~| * | | | | |######|* *|####|##############| | | |~~~' | | | |######|########|##############| | | | | | | |######|########|##############| | |~~~~~~| | | | | |########|##############| | | '~~~~~~~~| | | | |##########JGS#| | | '~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | | | | | | >From Our Friend Richard ... Charlie Daniels - These Colors Don't Run - Open Letter: https://www.charliedaniels.com/soap-box?b_id=3339&pg=4 --- ...Sweet! Thanks Richard! -<>- >Worth Repeating..... "Give us, we pray, the power to discern clearly right from wrong, and allow all our words and actions to be governed thereby, and by the laws of this land. Especially we pray that our concern shall be for all the people regardless of station, race, or calling." -- President Dwight D. Eisenhower =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: ______________________ |,----.,----.,----.,--.\ || || || || \\ |`----'`----'|----||----\`. [ | -||- __|(| [ ,--. |____||.--. | =-(( `))-----------(( `))== jrei`--' `--' >A True Story from Tennessee Here is a true story about a nine year old boy who lived in a rural town in Tennessee. His house was in a poor area of the community. A church had a bus ministry that came knocking on his door one afternoon. The kid came to answer the door and greeted the bus pastor. The bus pastor asked if his parents were home and the small boy told him that his parents take off every weekend and leave him at home to take care of his little brother. The bus pastor couldn't believe what the kid said and asked him to repeat it. The youngster gave the same answer and the bus pastor asked to come in and talk with him. They went into the living room and sat down on an old couch with the foam and springs exposed. The bus pastor asked the kid, "Where do you go to church?" The young boy surprised the visitor by replying, "I've never been to church in my whole life." The bus pastor thought to himself about the fact that his church was less than three miles from the child's house. "Are you sure you have never been to church?" he asked again. "I sure haven't, came his answer. Then the bus pastor said, "Well, son, more important than going to church, have you ever heard the greatest love story ever told?" and then he proceeded to share the Gospel with this little nine year old boy. The young lad's heart began to be tenderized and at the end of the bus pastor's story the bus pastor asked if the boy wanted to receive this free gift from God. The youngster exclaimed, "You Bet!" The kid and the bus pastor got on their knees and the lad invited Jesus into his little heart and received the free gift of salvation. They both stood up and the bus pastor asked if he could pick the kid up for church the next morning. "Sure," the nine old replied. The bus pastor got to the house early the next morning and found the lights off. He let himself in and snaked his way through the house and found the little boy asleep in his bed. He woke up the little boy and his brother and helped get them dressed. They got on the bus and ate a donut for breakfast on their way to church. Keep in mind that this boy had never been to church before. The church was a real big one. The little kid just sat there, clueless of what was going on. A few minutes into the service these tall unhappy guys walked down to the front and picked up some wooden plates. One of the men prayed and the kid with utter fascination watched them walk up and down the aisles. He still didn't know what was going on. All of a sudden like a bolt of lightning it hit the kid what was taking place. These people must be giving money to Jesus. He then reflected on the free gift of life he had received just twenty-four hours earlier. He immediately searched his pockets, front and back, and couldn't find a thing to give Jesus. By this time the offering plate was being passed down his aisle and with a broken heart he just grabbed the plate and held on to it. He finally let go and watched it pass on down the aisle. He turned around to see it passed down the aisle behind him. And then his eyes remained glued on the plate as it was passed back and forth, back and forth all the way to the rear of the sanctuary. Then he had an idea. This little nine year old boy, in front of God and everybody, got up out of his seat. He walked about eight rows back, grabbed the usher by the coat and asked to hold the plate one more time. Then he did the most astounding thing I have ever heard of. He took the plate, sat it on the carpeted church floor and stepped into the center of it. As he stood there, he lifted his little head up and said,"Jesus, I don't have anything to give you today, but just me. I give you me!" I do love Jesus. He is my source of existence and my Savior. He keeps me functioning each and everyday. Without Him, I will be nothing. Without Him, I am nothing. With Him I can do all things. Phil 4:13 -<>- ()()()()()() |\ | |.\. . . . | \'.\ | \.:\ . . .| \'o\ | \.'\. . | \".\ | tre \'`\ .| \.'\ | \__\| >The Pie By Lori Ann Curley Wisconsin, USA For one weekend in late January every year, my parents volunteer for a church retreat. They don't lead any activities, but they prepare all the food, from meal planning to cooking to serving to cleaning up. Mum doesn't make food processed for bulk cooking, either. She buys all the individual ingredients and makes everything from scratch: Friday's taco feast, Saturday's breakfast with her special homemade cinnamon rolls, the soup and sandwich lunch, and a formal dinner Saturday night that includes chicken, baked potatoes, and homemade pie. That's right, homemade pies for 60 to 100 people: blueberry, banana cream, chocolate, cherry, apple -- and my personal favorite, lemon meringue. Mum makes them all from scratch. For almost a decade, I helped Mum and Poppy during this weekend-long feast. The only year I didn't help in the kitchen was the year I attended the retreat myself. Otherwise, I sliced vegetables, laid out the buffet, coordinated volunteers, and waited tables for Saturday's dinner -- whatever was needed. One year, Mum discovered that one of the boys attending the retreat had diabetes. Most meals were no problem, as people with diabetes usually know how much carbohydrate is in a slice of bread, in taco meat, or in any other food served during the weekend. I noticed the boy looking longingly at the cinnamon rolls at breakfast, but he chose corn flakes over sugar-coated cereals, and took fruit instead of rolls, then went to sit by himself. The retreat was famous for its homemade pies, though, and Mum didn't want this boy to feel left out. When the pies were placed on the buffet near the end of the formal dinner, I went around to each table announcing that dessert was ready, and listing the variety of pies. When I came to the table where the boy with diabetes sat, he didn't have the same look of excitement on his face that everyone else had. So I said to him, "You get a whole pie to yourself." "What? But I...!" was all he could say before I interrupted him. "It's made with a sugar substitute. You do like chocolate, right?" He nodded his head and his expression turned from sad to glad. "Good, I'll bring you a slice; everyone else has to go up to the buffet to fetch their own." When I went into the kitchen for the pie, I told Mum to look at the boy. His face was beaming as he talked animatedly with the other people at his table. Mum said, "He looks like he finally feels he belongs here." The main lesson Mum taught me about cooking was not a technique, but that the cook should tailor a meal for the people who will eat it. Her lesson applies far beyond cooking, because through cooking she taught me that serving people is about meeting their needs, not your own. Her example is with me always. --- ...Those with diabetes... You may be pleasantly surprised to find out, like I did, that cinnamon rolls - even frosted cinnamon rolls, won't spike your sugar. The cinnamon acts as a natural sugar reducer for many of us and even some natural sugar blockers on the market these days use cinnamon as their main ingredient. However, every body is unique and different. Try it and see for yourself if it works for you. You just might have a yummy dessert you can enjoy without any stress. :) -<>- __..\/ "You know, since I gave up /\ \ \\ food, I can really taste /_/\_.___\ ) my cigarettes." /\~()/()~//\ (( \_ (_ _/ )_ \ //\\ / // __/\ __ /\__ (\(((\ ~-._ / \ \ / / \ \___/ ~-._ / \/\/\/ \ / / ~-._/ \../ \/ / | | \/ __\ / | | o \_____/ | | o | | | o |~-._ | |___/\____| ~-._ \___| | \ | | | `-| | | | | | jro >The Price of Vice (In 2003) One day when I was in line at the grocery, a man was checking out his purchases and I learned the astounding, terrible, but warranted price of vice. The man in front of me was only buying a 24-pack of canned beer and a carton of cigarettes. His bill rang up as $38.14. I was a little taken aback: to my mind, he had nothing to show for his $38. Now, going to the grocery store for food and coming out with a $38 bill and only a few groceries-actual things to eat-is bad enough. But he ended up with nothing to eat, no calculable nutrition. I'm glad I don't have to spend hard earned money that way. I recently stood behind a woman at the convenience store where I buy gas and she bought five cartons of cigarettes for a total bill of $122. Again my nosy head turned more than slightly. This may have been because authorities were threatening to raise the tax on cigarettes in our area, and she wanted to beat out a possible price increase. With our state having the lowest cigarette tax prices of anywhere in the U.S., I'm told, an additional tax sounds like a wonderful idea to me. For instance, because of budget cutbacks in our area, the county school system currently has no paper on which to print tests for the students, and the students have to waste valuable time (busy work) copying their tests off the chalkboard or marker board as the case may be. (That's not to say that some schools don't waste paper and money, but oh the priorities here!) Now, perhaps you say I can afford to act superior about these taxes and vices because I don't happen to be affected by them. Suppose they were going to impose a new, special tax on coffee. Or tea (now that's a novel idea.) Suppose the coffee tax doubled the price of coffee. (I switched to decaf coffee a couple years ago, but a coffee habit is a coffee habit and I am guilty as charged.) If that money were going to pay the growers a fairer price for their coffee, I would be fine with it. If it were going to other worthy causes, I would also be fine with it. Maybe it would force me to cut back on my consumption a little, and that would probably be good for me (not work my bladder quite as hard). As it is, I do spend a considerable amount on coffee, probably $10 a week when you count the price of my gourmet, "fairly traded" brand at the coffee shop in our building, and roughly one bag a week of the cheaper kind I make myself at home. My dad always says he went around the world on the money he didn't spend on cigarettes. What could I be doing with an extra $520 a year? Throw in my vices of donuts, red licorice and popcorn, and the total tab on my vices might run closer to $1000 a year. That's where vices get personal, and telling someone else what they should do is never effective. If I drink coffee because I enjoy the flavor, the routine, the small "pick me up" from daily tasks, who am I to condemn the next guy who uses cigarettes or a cold beer in the same way? Therefore, I am no better than anyone else. Still, we would be wise to keep our vices in check, and look at the total expenditure. And look at the health consequences for our bodies and the health of our families. The Bible speaks of the body as being a temple for God's spirit, to take care of and cherish (1 Corinthians 6:19). But still, I should never judge the vice of the next guy, or the woman standing in front of me at the convenience store. Now that's a lesson worth learning. Contributed by Melodie Davis from her weekly column ANOTHER WAY (http://www.thirdway.com/aw/awmain.shtml) Melodie@mennomedia.org --- _______ ______ ' ' ' ' ( BUD ) _______ ( WISE ) ,_ _____, / \ ,___ __, | | ER | | \ | | / oO)-. \___ ___/ .-(Oo /__ _\ | /_ __\ \ \( | / | )/ / \__|\ | ()~() | /|__/ ' '--' (-___-) '--' ' ==`-'== Steve ...Aww, 2021 Prices - Is it inflation or just taxation greed? Americans spend an average of $6.65 for a cigarette pack now. A carton would cost $66.50 and they pay an average of $15 for a 24 pack of beer. So today, just 18 years later, we're talking about $81.50 a week for a normal case of beer and a carton of smokes user - $43.36 more now. That translates into $4,238.00 a year habit. Think of all you could buy with that? Cigarette Prices by State – A Complete Rundown https://balancingeverything.com/cigarette-prices-by-state/ -<>- ,"=-. / _),`'". ( /a( ), ) ) C = = ?/ ( )) (_ o-< ) ( `-' \; ( \_ ( | \ ) )| \_/} \ \ \(_;/-|_) )/) `._,--/ / / `!__!! ( (_o)) ---`-._, )--- ------( / |---- | ( | :__/|\_; \ |/ )(\_ /_)--` gpyy \_! >Happy Woman's Month! . . . SOMEBODY SAID - - - - - Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby. . somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother normal is history. Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct . . .somebody never took a three-year-old shopping. Somebody said being a mother is boring. . . somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit. Somebody said if you're a "good" mother, your child will "turn out good"...somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee. Somebody said "good" mothers never raise their voices . . .somebody never came out the back door just in time to see her child hit a golf ball through the neighbor's kitchen window. Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother . . . somebody never helped a fourth grader with his math. Somebody said you can't love the fifth child as much as you love the first.. .somebody doesn't have five children. Somebody said a mother can find all the answers to her child-rearing questions in the books . . .somebody never had a child stuff beans up his nose. Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery .. somebody never watched her "baby" get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten. Somebody said a mother can do her job with her eyes closed and one hand tied behind her back . . . somebody never organized seven giggling Brownies to sell cookies. Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married ... somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a mother's heartstrings. Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home... somebody never had grandchildren. Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her. . . somebody isn't a mother -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment :) Maxine On Jesus http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/maxineonjesus.html Rules For Raising Children http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/rulesforchildren.html BibleStudy: Financial Stewardship http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/financialstewardship.html Full Bible Study menu http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/BibleStudy.html Ice Sculpture Art 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ices2.html Empire Building http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/empire.html This Is India http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/india.html Bear Playground http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bearplay.html Amazing Albino Animals http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/albino.html In The Blink Of an Eye http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/eye.html Newsworthy Animals! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/newsanimals.html Flower Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/flowerart.html Amazing Cop Cars http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/copcars.html St. Pat's Day/Spring Index! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/springindex.html -<>- >From TruthOrTradition: Audio Teachings: Persistent Prayer (Feb 2017) by John Truitt http://tinyurl.com/z3ve687 Joy and Forgiveness (Jan 2017) by John W. Schoenheit http://tinyurl.com/jko87oh 3 Weeks in Thessalonica (Dec 2016) by Dave Hanson http://tinyurl.com/hy2v6p5 Begin with the End in Mind (Nov 2016) Live teaching by Jeff Tyler http://tinyurl.com/h8pnb7s -<>- Canadian Pastor Locked Up for Holding Church During COVID-19 Restrictions / Remembering the Legacy of Rush Limbaugh – A Man of Deep Faith / What Christian Scandals Teach Us About Our Own Hearts / Violence in Nigeria: More Than 300 School Girls Kidnapped by Violent Extremists / Jobless Woman With a Love for Jesus Leads the Charge to Make Sure No Soul Goes Hungry And MORE: https://www.christianlifedaily.com/ Civil Government: God’s Design for Peace and Justice https://tinyurl.com/myu7xsau -<>- >In The News: VA News: Veteran Tax Prep Help, Vaccine Q & A, Compete in a Cyber Challenge https://tinyurl.com/yknn6tpr FULL CPAC Video - TRUMP SPEECH 2021 https://tinyurl.com/bs79xf5s CPAC News: Trump says the Supreme Court should be 'ashamed' for not having guts to overturn 'rigged' election, hammers Biden, Big Tech, internal GOP enemies and cancel culture - and trails a 'triumphant return' to White House: Donald Trump made his grand comeback to the political scene by taking the stage at CPAC Sunday. The former president assured the Orlando crowd he will not be forming his own political party.'We're not starting new parties,' he said, dispelling weeks of rumors. 'We have the Republican Party' https://tinyurl.com/ya235ypx The Number Of People That Viewed Trump’s Big Speech Is Absolutely AMAZING! AND More: http://2020conservative.com/ Hannity 3/3/21 video https://one-news.net/hannity-%E2%80%93-3321-fox-news/ Texas Fires Back: ‘'Neanderthal Biden’ Released Illegals with Positive COVID Tests / 108 Illegals Tested Positive for COVID and Biden Sent them into US / Biden: No Press Conferences, No State of the Union and No Questions / Biden in Denial About US Border Crisis / Biden, 41 Days As President, Still No Solo Press Conference, Media Remains Largely Silent / House Passes Bill to Make Widespread Voting Fraud the Law of the Land https://reliablenewsnow.com/ White House Shows Biden Who Is In Control, Cuts Feed When He Offers To Take Live Questions (VIDEO) AND MORE: https://tinyurl.com/3zhmhvhu Latest From FoxNews: https://one-news.net/fox-news/ Latest From Deep State Journal: https://deepstatejournal.com/ Latest From Independent Minute: https://independentminute.com/ Latest From TPN News: https://threepercenternation.com/ Latest From AFA: http://tinyurl.com/j7lakqw Students For Life https://tinyurl.com/yd5nxmu6 Latest From OperationRescue: http://www.operationrescue.org/ Latest Product Alert: http://www.emergencyemail.org/products/?fmt=text Latest Health Alert: http://www.emergencyemail.org/health/?fmt=text Click to Give Free https://tinyurl.com/y2abb8d2 -<>- Revisiting... >From Our Friend Sheepdogs :) THE UNIVERSE FROM HUBBLE TELESCOPE Look at this 'til the end...you will learn something! English Astronomy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92VI_SWSej0 --- ...Yes. Shows how magnificent our God truly is! Thanks Sheepdogs! Reminds me of this one... Earth In Perspective http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/earth.html And This one... God's Night Lights http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/night.html -<>- >From Our Friend PatDeE :) Pat sent us a couple we have as pages... If God brings you to it - he'll bring you through it. Read this - I mean REALLY read this... Love Test http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lovetest.html And This One... Medical Heath Tests http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/medical.html --- ...Awesome! Thanks for the sweet reminders PatDeE! -<>- >From Our Friend Bunni :) She sent us a sweet one we have here; Lion Cub Rescue http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lionrescue.html Next time you think you are having a bad day, think about this ayoung pilot...in this 3 minute video... The Man Who Rode the Thunder https://www.youtube.com/embed/0cqQzcChFG0 --- ...Wowsers! (R.I.P. Bunni) -<>- >From Our Friend Melody :) Let It Go https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqJjXEXr988 Claim It! http://www.spiritisup.com/claimitsc.html Harmony Zhu Is Back -10-Year-Old Piano Prodigy https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=158&v=w3ayJGqhZOk --- ...Awesome! Definitely 'tickles those Ivory Keys!' Thanks Melody! 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 ========================================================== ( ,&&&. ) .,.&& ( ( \=__/ ) ,'-'. ( ( ,, _.__|/ /| ) /\ -((------((_|___/ | ( // | (`' (( `'--| _ -.;_/ \\--._ \\ \-._/. (_;-// | \ \-'.\ <_,\_\`--'| ( `.__ _ ___,') <_,-'__,' jrei `'(_ )_)(_)_)' >Easy Kindness Story Editor: by Stephen Mollins Clayton Bennett Massachusetts, USA In 1984, I was a single father raising three children alone. Money was tight. We were on our way home from our annual two-week camping trip in Vermont. I had an old Chevy, loaded with camping gear: some tied to the roof, the trunk full to the top of the open lid. We'd just crested a large hill when I felt the right rear tire go flat. I felt clever for having the foresight to tie the spare tire to the top of the trunk... until I removed the spare and remembered the jack was still at the bottom of the trunk. I cursed my stupidity and prepared to unload the trunk. Across the street was an old farmhouse in serious disrepair: plastic covered all the windows, it hadn't seen paint in years, the roof sagged, and the barn looked worse. Perched on an old rail fence was a boy of about eight, towheaded and tanned, dressed in only an old pair of jeans. As I began to untie the ropes holding the overflowing trunk, he shouted, "Hey, Mister, you need a jack?" I shouted back, "Sure do!" He took a long look at the car, back to front, then shouted "Just a minute" and headed for the barn. He was back a few minutes later with a jack that fit the car perfectly. I thanked him profusely and started changing the tire. You can imagine my reaction when I let the car down and the spare went flat, too. The boy was gone, so I gathered the kids and rolled the original tire down the hill to a small gift shop, hoping to use the phone to call a garage. I looked at the few remaining bills in my wallet and hoped they'd take an out-of-state check. When I explained our situation to the man at the gift shop, he told me the nearest town was quite far, and the garage would take hours to reach us and charge a lot. "But," he said, "I'm heading into town for errands now. I'll drop you at the service station and pick you up on my way back." He closed his shop -- on a Saturday, the busiest day for these seasonal shops -- and loaded us all, and the tire, into his station wagon. Not until he returned us to our car did I notice he had no packages or bags, nothing to show he had run any errands. The tire repair cost me five dollars. I thanked the man for his help, changed the tire, left the jack and lug wrench leaning against the fence, and continued our journey home. A vacation that would have ended in frustration ended instead with gratitude and friendship, due to the easy kindness of two strangers. The boy is long grown and the man no longer owns the shop, but every time we pass that way I think of them and smile, and in my heart I thank them again. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Sermond Fodder: Talk about 'Meeting People's Needs'... ____ ;----""(#) '--|-|'|' / | \ ltb >BURNING BUG BUNS What is the deal with Lightning bugs? I mean, here is this rather ordinary looking flying insect, but wait... it has a glow-in-the-dark rear end. What was God thinking? I'm sure science has all kinds of explanations about how this fluorescent fanny is useful for mating and other stuff, but why did God choose to make the lightning bug glow? There may be some crucial purpose for the Lighting bug that I don't know about, but I have a feeling it may be quite simple. I wonder if, when God was creating all the animals and every- thing around us, He came up with the idea of the Lightning bug and said, "The kids are gonna love this." We know that God loves us enough to create all the things we need to survive, but does God loves us so much He created some things just to make us smile? Just seeing Lightning bugs takes me back to those warm summer nights of my youth. I'd be running around the back yard with my empty Mason jar, racing toward the flashing lights all around me. I can still feel the joy and hear the laughter echoing through my memories. Lighting bugs were as much a part of summer as fire- works, fresh tomatoes, and big ice-cold slabs of juicy watermelon. (I also have a theory of why God created watermelon seeds the perfect size to spit, but that is another story.) God created so much diversity in this world, much more than is needed for mere survival. He made all of this for us, and He wants us to enjoy it. We can get so busy surrounding ourselves with man-made goods that we don't notice the living tapestry God has laid out all around us. I guess Lightning bugs do have a purpose after all. They are a reminder of a creative God who loves us so much, He'd even painted the rear end of a bug ... just to see us smile. © 2002 Phil Morgan mailto:filmorgan@aol.com -<>- "Ultimate Reasons You Might Be in the Wrong Church" (Original version Copyright 2000 by Keith Todd of the Sermon Fodder. This version has been edited.) + (|) _____.___.|_|. | / \ |===| | / \ | o | |__/__v__\|, ,| | | | | | || || |/| . . . |','| ||| A A A | , | ||| M M M | | wtx --------------------- >You Might Be In The Wrong Church If............ - You have to pass through a metal detector to get inside. - The scripture lesson is on "Jonah the Shepherd Boy and His Ark of Many Colors." - The choir performs "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" - as a polka! - It's over 100 degrees outside, and the trustees haven't approved turning on the air conditioning yet. - Everyone drives a nicer car than the pastor. - They believe that an elected official attending religious services is a violation of the separation of Church and state. - The preacher is wearing a "David Koresh Rules!" t-shirt - The sign out front says "First Church of the Gooey Death and Discount House of Worship." - A week before Christmas the pastor announces the church will be "closed for the holidays." - Everyone agrees the temperature in the Sanctuary is absolutely perfect! - You're on your way to a wedding and walk in on a funeral (or vice versa). - The music director has you sing "Amazing Grace" in the round (a la "row row row your boat"). - Three words: Pastor Larry King. - The pastor is out of town, but he leaves a video taped message to be shown during the worship service. - The church picnic will be held at KFC this year. - You are a member of AARP but they ask you to attend "Children's Church." - There's no "Reserved For Minister" parking place, only a sign saying 'Visiting preachers can shelter their horses in the stable stall marked 'preacher'. - The sign out front says "Church-Lite: Home of the original ten minute Sermonette, and the 7.5 Percent Tithe." - The baptismal fount has bubbling water, is large enough to hold two or three seated adults, and looks suspiciously like a jacuzi. - Every illustration the preacher uses somehow refers to "those hilarious Budweiser frogs". - The missions budget just got cut in half, but the church treasurer just bought a "kickin'" new Harley. - Elders Council "prayer meetings" usually break up in a fight for the remote control. - New "Purpose-Driven" mission statement includes vague reference to jello-wrestling. - Most frequent complaint to worship committee: "Too much Charo, not enough Elvis." - New head greeters: Mike Tyson and WWF President Vince McMahon. - On your second Sunday as a visitor they ask you to be their pastor. - The acolytes are roasting hot dogs and marshmallows over the altar candles. - You are told your offering is nice but the ushers want your wallet, watch, and wedding rings too. - The usher that meets you at the door says "Hurry on in, the show is about ready to start." - The announcements last 2 minutes and include the starting time of the afternoon's NASCAR Race, the sermon lasts 6 minutes, and the benediction is "Christians, start your engines ." - The pastor wears his golf togs in the pulpit. - The regular pastoral retreats almost always seem to be in either Las Vegas or Atlantic City. - The organist is Boris Karloff or appears to be his stunt double. - On the offering envelopes is printed "Please make checks payable directly to the pastor." - A Hazmat team just sealed the doors and placed quarantine signs up. - People in the last 10 pews are yelling for more pepperoni pizza with anchovies. - Everyone is handcuffed together at the ankles before preaching starts. - You are asked to fasten your seat belt before the service begins moving. - You are the only person in the sanctuary and it's 15 minutes after church is scheduled to start. - The confessional has a coin slot and a hand lever. - The pastor search committee never disbands. - Bill Clinton is the speaker of the day and his topic is "Morality In America - How To Be A Shining Example." - The pastor is introduced with a Johnny Carson style "Heeeeere's Sparky." - The media refers to the church facilities as a "compound". - Just before the sermon, cups of strong black coffee are distributed along the pews. - The ushers passing around the offering basket are wearing ski masks. - The band for the services has a tip jar on the loudspeaker and all the songs are about money. - They have a volunteer blood drive in the morning service - that is to be used for some vague purpose in the evening service. - The Bible they use is the Dr. Seuss version. - The Choir wears black leather robes. - The sanctuary has only entrances, no "exits"! - The ushers look mysteriously like "Men in Black"! (Yes, with sunglasses) - The offering plate has been passed three times and the sermon hasn't even begun yet. - The people in the pew next to you brought a sack lunch. - The acolyte is the youngest member of the congregation, and she is 76. - The pastor's sermon begins: "Let me tell you about my book..." - The music minister announces that the liturgy will be sung to the tune of "Wagner's Etude in F sharp minor" and raises his baton. - When the choir sings, the dogs outside begin to howl, and are closer to being in tune. - New member candidates are required to submit W-2's for the last 5 years. - You discover the church refers to the 10 commandments as the 10 suggestions or offers to let you "pick any six." - The Pastor preaches an eloquent sermon on ancient heresies and the elders want to make them part of the doctrinal statement. - The New Member's kit includes a certificate of membership, a Bible, church-by-laws, and an assault rifle. - You're the only person in the congregation who is carrying a Bible, including the preacher. - The Ushers ask "Smoking or non-smoking?" - The Church bus has a gun rack. - There's an ATM machine in the vestibule. - Members of the Women's quartet are all married to the pastor. ...and the number one sign you're in the wrong church... - They have open Communion ...but there is a two-drink minimum. ========================================================== >-->From LaughAndLift: "Now, more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature." - President James Garfield (also a Christian minister) in his centennial address before Congress, 1876 .--. .--. (_ _) "SICK" (_ _) I CANNOT GO TO SCHOOL TODAY )( -by Shel Silverstein )( Said little Peggy Ann McKay. /__\ /__\ [____] __,--"""""""--,__ [____] "I have the measles and the mumps, ) ( _/ \_ ) ( A gash, a rash, and purple bumps. \__/ / ((((((()))) \ \__/ My mouth is wet, my throat is dry, [ _]/ (((((((())))))) \[ ] I'm going blind in my right eye. [(_`"-._((((((( ))))))--"`_) ] [ ) (((( ,_ _, )))) ( ] My tonsils are as big as rocks, [ / (() |*| |*| (() \ ] I've counted sixteen chicken pox. [/ ()) ''' ''' ()) \ ] And there's one more- ( (() '' ^ '' (() )] ...that's seventeen! [ ())'. C====O.'()) / ] And don't you think [(\_/) (() '-._____.-' (()( ( ] ...my face looks green? ./o o\())____/ \____())____) . :(= Y =)@-----'---`-----@--------: My leg is cut, my eyes are blue- |/`----'/|\ /|\ \It might be instamatic flu. |``________________________________ I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke | |\'.'''.'''.".'.'".'..'".'.'.'."" I'm sure that my left leg is broke. | |'\.'"..'...."'"'..'...'.'.'.'.'..'.\ | |.'\.''.'...'''"'..'..'.'.'.'..'. My hip hurts when I move my chin, | |.'.\.'"..'.'."".'".'..'.'.".'.'. My belly button's caving in, | |.'.'\'.".'.".'.".''.'".'.'".'.'. My back is wrenched, | |.".'.\'.'..'.".'.'.-".'.'.'.- '.' ...my ankle's sprained, | |.'.' .\'.'.''.''.''.''.'.'.''.'' My 'pendix pains each time it rains. | |'.'.' .\'".'.-".'.''".''.-'".'.'.'.".'.'.'.\ \ |.'.'." .\".'.'-'.'".'..'.'.'.'.' My nose is cold, my toes are numb, \|.'.'..".'\".'.''.'..".'.''-'''.' I have a sliver in my thumb. \'.'.'.''.'\.'.''.'..'".'.'..'.'. My neck is stiff, my spine is weak. \.'.'.'".'.\'.'".'.'.'".'.".".'. I hardly whisper when I speak. \'".'.".".'\".'.'.".'.'-".'.".'.'.'."."-".'.'.'\ \.'.".'.".'\'.'.".'-'.''.'.'.'.'.'.".'.'.".'.'.\ \'.'.'".".'\'.'.".'.-''".".'. My tongue is filling up my mouth, \'.".'.'.".\'.'.'.'.".'.'.'. I think my hair is falling out. \".'.".'.".\".'-".." .".'.' My elbow's bent- \ \'.".''.".'\".'.'." .'.' ". ...my spine ain't straight. \".'.-'.".'\.'.'- .'.".'. My temperature is one-o-eight. \".".'.'.'|~.-~~-.~~-~.'~-~-.-'~-~..~~'-~-~-~-~| \'.'.''.'|.".'.'..-'.'. My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear, \".'..".|".''.''.'.".' There is a hole inside my ear. \'.".'.|".''..'.'.'.' I have a hangnail, and my heart is- \".'.'|".-.'..'..-'.' ...WHAT? \'.'.|.'.'.-'.'.'.".'..'".'.'.".'.'.".'"..| \'.'|'.'.".'.'..'. What's that? What's that you say? \.'|".''.'-'.'.'. You say today is...Saturday? \'|.-.'-'.-".'." G'bye, I'm going out to play!" \|jgs''.'.'.'.'.'-'.'".'.'.'".'.'.'.'"| ~~~~`~~~`~~~``~~~~```~~~~~`~~~~`~~~~~ >The Way to Fail: Look At the Symptom, Ignore the Root (lengthy) (By Chris Long, 2012) You could take the title of today's message and apply it to lots of areas for it to be a true statement and one which we human beings are continually never seeming to understand, including many Christians. Big areas of concern for human beings such as health spring to mind. For instance, if you're getting headaches every day, yes, you could just treat that symptom every day by popping a pain pill. But that doesn't solve the REASON for your headaches. In fact, it only distracts you from really dealing with the problem because you think that you can just pop a pill every day and "be okay". But it's all an illusion. There's really a problem causing the headaches and until that is dealt with, the symptoms will persist (and probably get worse). We human beings are silly creatures. Do you know I took an acid-blocking medication daily for almost 13 years to deal with symptoms without even really TRYING to deal with the root issue (i.e. I never even really prayed about it when it was just so easy to pop a pill!) But eventually it caught up with me. It always does. And now you're thinking I'm writing about health today. Nope. :) Actually, I want to talk about America. This is not a "political message" today but a Word which I believe is sorely needed for the Body of Christ at this juncture in history. Of course we all know (even those not Americans) that there is a lot of dissatisfaction with both the Congress and the President and basically a general feeling all the way around that we have "lost a lot of ground" and that unless we make big changes, America as we know it will be no more. Since the Democrats have been "driving the ship" the last few years, spearheaded by liberal policies, many are looking to the Republicans to come in and save the day. It is generally true that Republicans are more "conservative" and it is also generally true that they are more friendly to Christians, and many Christians are indeed Republicans or at least tend to identify more with Republican policies and principles. I don't think there's anyone with any intellectual honesty that would dispute that. It is within that backdrop that I want to write today, as the Republican nominating process is well under way and "Super Tuesday" is upon us. I am not writing today to tell you who I like, don't like, etc. I am writing today because I am very concerned at an attitude that I see in many many people, including many Christians, and it is one I believe (and for which I believe Scripture backs me up) that is destined to ultimately fail. There is a strong push coming from those who see the problems in our country and want to "fix" them, but their solution for fixing them is to "focus on the economy", "jobs", etc. In fact, there's a large segment of people that see it as absolutely foolish to even talk about moral issues, when the "real problem is the economy" (so they say). I can't count the number of pundits and even some candidates who have taken this position and even really criticized some of the people (including fellow candidates) that have tried to talk about issues within the moral sphere. Friends, I want to encourage all of us (you, me, and anyone who will listen!) to not get lulled into thinking that the solution to all our country's woes - or even only our economic woes - can be solved simply by addressing things on the economic plane. We have a large number of symptoms all over this country, manifesting in all sorts of areas. Yes, the economy is definitely one of those symptoms - and that's a symptom that easily drives people to anger since it hits them personally - financially - right where it hurts. But it is just a symptom. There's lots more, including (just off the top of my head): a country that doesn't know what's right or wrong - moral indifference, inability to support our allies - including Israel - while emboldening our enemies, breakdown of the family unit all over the country - including to the core with the breakdown of marriage and the furtherance of homosexuality, corruption out of control, attack on religious liberty, lawsuits everywhere you turn, drug ads everywhere you turn, a million other things. I'm only 31 and even I can see that the "symptoms" have been growing at an exponential pace since I've been alive. Us human beings are always looking to "solve the next crisis" - i.e. "solve the next symptom that pops up" - and even us Christians have been doing this far too often. So, as Christians, we see an attack on something like Christmas (another symptom) and so we go and get "gung ho" about the symptom. And then another thing comes along, and we get all "gung ho" about it. But it's all just symptoms. I believe the devil would be - and is - perfectly content to see us Christians running from one symptom to the next, because he knows that if we keep doing that, ultimately he will succeed because the "real problem" is never addressed. Anyone that is looking for a man or woman to "apply good business sense" to "fix our economy", even implementing "conservative principles", will be sorely let down because the object of their hope is all wrong. No matter how great some good business policies (including much lower spending) might be to help our economy, at best, it only serves to deal with a symptom. You can be assured that the problem will just creep up again, and probably a lot worse. As long as the root is ignored, the downward spiral will continue. People have been playing the "political games" for a long long time. One side makes promises, doesn't keep them, things get worse, then the people vote for the other side making promises, who don't keep them, things get worse. And this cycle continues ad-infinitum. And it will continue ad-infinitum because things WILL continue getting worse as long as the root of the infection, the root issue is not dealt with. So, what is the "root issue"? Righteousness, or rather, lack thereof. Proverbs 14:34 says "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." (ESV) You want an exalted nation, not just economically but in every way possible? The answer is not this political policy or that political policy. The answer is righteousness. You want to take a nation down, not just economically but in every way possible? Fill the land with unrighteousness - with sin. Sin, as the Bible tells us, brings forth death. That death does, and will, manifest in every possible area. The Word of God never tells us that the way to ultimate success personally or nationally is to "watch our spending" or "use good business judgment" - though granted, those are good things and the Bible does have some things to say about good financial practices. What the Bible does showcase from cover to cover is that people personally - or nationally - who are in rebellion to God - do not ultimately prosper. Where there is unrighteousness, where there are people flaunting their unrepentant sin, there you will find darkness in every way. However, just as it is a fallacy to look at and try to correct an "economic symptom" purely on an economic plane, it is just as much a fallacy to look at and try to correct a "moral symptom" on a purely "moral plane". This is why Christians can try to fight against the "war on Christmas" every December if they want and try to "morally" or "intellectually" convince others of their argument, but it doesn't ever seem to really make much headway. Christians, by and large, I believe have made some real mistakes in putting all their energies into "fighting" against moral decay (and see how well we've done doing this? the results we've gotten should speak for themselves!). You cannot force righteousness on people. You cannot argue or convince people into being righteous. The only way people can become righteous - and leave their darkness and darkened, futile thinking (as the Bible refers to it - see Romans 1), is to embrace the One who is Righteous, Jesus Christ and truly make Him the Lord of their life. Ultimately, my friends, much of what we see in our society comes down to a failure of us as the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Church needs to focus on individuals, showing and sharing God's love as expressed to us in Jesus Christ - sharing the "Good News" throughout our society and then discipling people in how to really live that out (the discipling has been sorely lacking - there's been a real "meatless Christianity" with people living how they want to live, not how the Bible tells them to live). That is what we are taught to do. If the church focuses on the individual, then the individual affects the family, the family affects the community, the community affects the state, the state affects the nation, the nation affects the world. If we as the Church do what the Church is supposed to do rather than focus on societal symptoms, the symptoms will take care of themselves because we will be affecting the root issue: righteousness. This is the mandate given to the Church, as the Body of Jesus Christ on this planet. That mandate was not given to politicians. Don't get fooled by political candidates promising how they'll fix this and they'll fix that. They as a flawed human being working with lots of other flawed human beings can only do so much. Don't get fooled by appearances of those that look suave or smug and think all the answers are in the political or legal sphere. The best political candidates are those that understand the moral sphere is actually the most important because they understand that "Righteousness exalts a nation" and know where - or rather Who - that righteousness comes from. In other words, they have a "true understanding" of what they can and cannot do as a politician - of what their role is and is not. They understand that they aren't the world's Savior, but they know who Is the World's Savior. Those are the type of candidates you and I as believers should be voting for (and yes, I DO believe we SHOULD be voting!). There's been a real push to avoid talking about such things in this country and instead just "focus on the economy". That's focusing on a symptom. That's looking to flawed human beings to be our Savior. And that will ultimately fail. Guaranteed. Church, it's time to start really doing what we're called to do. With love to you in Christ, Chris Long Laugh & Lift Ministries http://www.laughandlift.com/ ========================================================== ___ ____ ___ ____( \ .-' `-. / )____ (____ \_____ / (O O) \ _____/ ____) (____ `-----( ) )-----' ____) (____ _____________\ .____. /_____________ ____) (______/ Joe Reiss `-.____.-' \______) >-->Hugs - Author Unknown When the sun is refusing to shine on your day And you're feeling it hard just to cope. When you're seeing more rain clouds than stars in the sky And you just feel like giving up hope. That's the time when someone comes along with a smile and a warm hug that says, "It's okay--- tomorrow is coming, so don't give up now, brighter moments are soon on their way!" This is just a warm little hug and a smile to cheer you To let you know now that there's somebody near you who cares... ((((Hugs)))) (¯`v´¯) `*.¸.*´ ¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•. Huggums!... :) Shangy! >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->ShangyFunList AD RATES: $25 will get your a message (of up to 40 words) out to all web site list readers. Email me to secure dates. 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