Only Jesus Christ Saves... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! AND For Facebook Users: Please Friend Me / Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND For Google Plus Users: You can find me here... Shangy Bigham https://plus.google.com/106648555948034085752/posts AND Please Share This email with All Your Friends And Family! ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! :) -<>- * NOTE: An easy way to adjust the size of print in email or any page is to hold down the Ctrl tab while moving the scroll button on the mouse. You can also use the keyboard to change the font size in your web browser or emails. Hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the + key for larger text or the - key for smaller text! ================ >-->In The 'Shangy' News :) Lately I've not been getting my usual copy back from Yahoo for the EXTRA emails I send out most every Sunday and Wednesday to the group. This always makes me wonder if any others are not receiving theirs as well. Often I will send another copy to the whole group if in a couple hours I still haven't gotten a copy. It is rare that I don't send these out each week. So if you hadn't gotten one by days end on Sunday or Wednesday, you can check the group emails out to see if a new one came in that the Yahoo auto robot didn't send your way: Shangy Fun List Group https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ShangyFunList/conversations/messages If by end of the day on Sundays or Wednesdays you see that the group DID get a copy but you DIDN'T get a copy of an EXTRA, then please let me know. I'll be happy to send you a copy and/or send it out to the whole group again. Our Friend Janus let me know she got hers yesterday, I never did receive a copy. So maybe it is just me? May God's Blessings Abound to You and Yours ALWAYS! (¯`v´¯) `*.¸.*´ ¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•. Huggums!... :) Shangy! -<>- _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ >UPDATE Prayer Request From Our Friend Bunni :) Talked to the cancer doctor today and from what he said doing more radiation on the bone area could cause more problems. So he said to keep taking the Tylenol 3 for pain or if that don't work eventually they will give me something stronger. I am supposed to get a bone strengthener once a month to help strengthen the bone where it's messed up. If the pain gets to be too much they might have to try something like radiation but it can cause problems too with other area's in the body so that isn't good either. So for right now I will be having this bone strengthener once a month and that's it. I guess it's just that they don't want to do anything more if they can help it to avoid other problems. So no more radiation at this time. Guess I'm going to have to depend totally on prayers now. Dr. said I should use a cane for steadiness but I don't need it unless I'm trying to climb up on the examiningg table. That isn't fun ::LOL:: So there you have it. No radiation after all and have to wait to see if medicare will approve the injections for the bone. The joy never ends. Hugs........ Bunni --- ...May God bless you Bunni and heal you so that you are stronger and once again cancer free so that you stay that way through Jesus Christ our beloved Lord, Amen! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: ,%/7\\` (/// .\\) (((( - ))) ((|)_*_/((( ))(/) (\((|) ((((\___/))(\ / ,-) (-. \ ( ( ( _ _ ) ) ) \ \ )^ ^ ^( / / ) y y ( \( )/ \_______/ \ / / y / ( ' \ \ \ y-._ hjw |\,' X-' _,T-) / (__,-%_/ >SISTERHOOD AT ITS BEST by Ron Gold I fall in love with 5 different ladies each week -- one each weekday, one just as beautiful as the next. And they don't even realize it. When Oprah's TV show is pre-empted, I look for twin sisters the next day. It maintains my average. As a red-blooded American girl watcher, I'd rather smile at the beautiful mature ladies in Oprah Winfrey's audience in Chicago, than ogle those younger girls in the Miss America contest. Why do I look forward to my daily Oprah adventure? Because I enjoy Midwestern womanhood at its best. Unlike Miss America, there's no emphasis on physical dimensions on Oprah. Like Miss America contestants, each audience member is well coifed and carefully made up. They've visited their beauty salons and painstakingly applied their cosmetics. Miss America is strictly a competition while Oprah is a sorority meeting. And each female audience member is part of the sisterhood. In Atlantic City, the female contestants recite answers to often-innocuous questions. The Chicago ladies ask smart questions and voice intelligent answers. They often rise to their feet, cheer and demonstrate loving empathy, especially at beauty and interior- decorating makeover shows. Miss America contestants are there to promote themselves. Oprah's soccer moms are there to reap the advice that Oprah and her guests graciously offer. My lovely ladies ask questions and talk back to Oprah's experts. The dress codes are wildly different for both entertainments. Drafty swimsuits and sophisticated evening gowns shimmer in the pageant. The TV show is a rainbow of pastel and deep toned suits, dresses, skirts and blouses in varied sizes. Miss America contestants know children only as siblings, cousins and former baby-sitting assignments. Oprah's ladies are experienced with two-o'clock feedings, diapering, staying up with the croup, playing tooth fairy and mentoring homework. For the most part, they understand the differences between life's wants and needs, day care and mom's care. They've already experienced life and recently rearranged car pools so they can sit in a TV studio and continue their on-the-job life training. In Atlantic City the emphasis is on competition. Not in Harpo Studios, where it's sisterhood at its best. -- Ron Gold ___________________________________________ Ron is a Heartwarmer Gem and lives in West Orange, New Jersey. He enjoys writing inspirational stories, mostly about his youth. He is the creative director for two major motivational agencies. You can reach him by clicking here: mailto:outthinkresumes@aol.com =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseAu :) __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >Only Jesus Saves (Patricia Clement) I am no great writer or pastor, but I felt that I needed to share with you about how the Lord Jesus ministered to me about my brother. I went to Michigan to visit my brother who had just had his voice box removed; he has cancer of the lungs. My brother and I have always been the best of friends. We drank together, smoked together and did drugs together. If you messed with him, you had to fight me, and vice-versa. But when I accepted Jesus into my heart, my brother could not stand the sight of me for more than two minutes without trying to start a fight. He finally stopped talking to me for about two years, but I never stopped praying for him because I love him so. When I was in Michigan I wanted so bad for my brother to turn to the Lord, but God in His wisdom stopped me from pushing any further. When I was praying one morning I was given John 4:42: "They said to the woman, 'We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.'" - John 4:42 (NIV) As many times as I had read the story of the woman at the well, I had missed that truth. My brother knew the life I had lived and he also had witnessed the "new creature" that I had become. I did not need to continue to push Jesus at him. The Lord told me to just love him and He would take care of the rest. The woman at the well had testified to the people about who Jesus was, but it was what Jesus said to them and how He touched their hearts that made the difference. Love your family and keep praying for them, but please remember: only Jesus saves. --- ...So True! Thanks LouiseAu! When we witness we do need to keep our ears open so God can give us wisdom. We get over zealous at times and forget that what we are saying isn't always going to stick with a person just because we believe it to be the most important thing for them - EVER! It is God who gives the increase. , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' 1 Cor.3: [5] Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? [6] I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. [7] So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. [8] Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. [9] For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. If the timing isn't right for that person then our good intentions may persuade them against the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ instead of for it. Some people are only wanting to play games and bait and trap you as well. They think themselves more wise than you. I got to the point that God gave me the wisdom to know that it is HIS MINISTRY not mine. It is up to me to present His Word so that others may believe, but I can only do that. After that, it is up to God and the person. I have to let go and Let God, through Jesus Christ, work their miracle. What we are often forgetting is that those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and are now Christians were chosen by God before the foundation of the world to be His children. Eph.1: [4] According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: We were predestined to be His. The bible uses this word 4 times: Rom.8: [29] For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. [30] Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Eph.1 [5] Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, [11] In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: Here's it's definition: ‘made firm beforehand,’ from the verb praedestinare, from prae ‘in advance’ + destinare ‘establish.’ Made firm beforehand - established. With that in mind, is there anything you or I are going to be able to do that will change this? No. It is already set, fixed, made official by God. We just do our part so God can work His. I remember one time a group member was upset with me for having spiritual comments and bible teachings in with my emails. He wrote me saying he didn't believe in God. I think he wanted me to debate him or 'play' his game but I instead I answered him simply... To each his own. Just delete what you don't like. Took him off guard. Like he felt it was my duty as a Christian to hammer the word of God at him. Salvation is a gift from God and people can choose to freely take it or leave it. Jesus Christ said. John.14 [6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. We accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and our savior by doing this: Rom.10: [9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. That is THE ONLY way to salvation. Saying out loud, 'Jesus Christ is my Lord' and believing without a shadow of a doubt that God raised him from the dead. Eph.2: [8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast. So if we were unable to reach someone, we should not worry. But keep them in prayer knowing that we did our part and God will do His. We may have only been the key to unlock their closed door. Later God may send someone else to push their door open to His Word of Truth and their salvation through Jesus Christ! We are God's 'mouth' when we speak God's word and teach others. Isa.55: [11] So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Remember, God gives the increase. Your labors are never in vain. =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: | | + \ \\.G_.*=. `(H'/.\| .>' (_--. _=/d ,^\ ~~ \)-' ' / | ' ' a:f >A Vision I had a vision of a horseman Mounted on His steed. Everywhere He would ride, People fell down on their knees. I saw flowers fall down at His feet, That surrounded all their steps. Blood red carpet led the way, As the people cried for help. There was a golden crown upon His head. His shield looked like a mirror. He had eyes of fire. His hair was white, As His procession just grew nearer. The wind, it blew things from His path, As the mighty steed would step. Everyone He touched, that day, Received His Godly help. I saw golden crosses, everywhere, Hung out on His steed. His voice echoed loud and clear, "I am all you need." The children ran and frolicked, As if peace had finally come. I sat so quiet, as I recall. He made wise men of the dumb. He restored all the eyes, That they might clearly see. He healed the sick and raised the dead. He spoke, "I am all you need." That day, it seemed to last so long, Just like eternity. There were smiles on everyone He touched. He, literally, set them free. He sat tall in the saddle and smiled at all And, then, He turned to me. He had a sword that was God's word. As He spoke, it came to life. I saw mountains move and walls, they, fell. He put His foot on strife. His words, they echoed like a song, "I will change your life. God has called you out, my son. You must set my people free. What you must do, from this day on, Is simply follow me. Tell them of my love and How I long to hold them tight. Tell them that I died for them And I cried for them all night. Tell them I've a love so strong That it will never ever die. Tell them I'll forgive their sins And I will never ask them why. I make a place for them, If they will just believe. That's the reason I died that day, To see them all set free." -<>- .. |\\ .====^^\\==. |\ || |\ kya :X"====^^====' \|XXXXXXXXXX| """"""""""" >Picnic in the park By Bob Perks Bo-@BobPerks.com "Summer has just begun and already they are talking Fall," the old man said. "Why do we rush life?" I asked. "Because we always want to be somewhere else," he said. "Somewhere ahead in time where we think things will be better than they are right now." "So we never live in the here and now. We live in the future," I added. "Some live in the past. You see, they thought back then that today would be better. It isn't. Defeated now by broken dreams, they see no future, hate the present and have decided what they had years ago was the best they could do," he said. Looking at this man you would think he never let go of the past. He was dressed in a long sleeve white cotton shirt and pants, red suspenders, blue bow tie and yes, a straw hat with a blue band around it. His white hair, long enough to hold a wave around his ears, and slightly over his shirt collar, was clean, bright and well kept. "So where are you today?" he asked. "Right now I am here speaking with you and enjoying every minute of it." He smiled. "But I'll admit there are times when "being here" isn't good enough. I guess I float back and forth. I've enough great moments in the past to get me through some present day challenges and enough hopes and dreams to find myself lost in thoughts of tomorrow," I told him. "Someone once told me that it's okay to look back at yesterday, just don't sit there and stare," he said with a chuckle. "The best place to be is here." "What about you? Where are you today?" I asked him. We were interrupted just then, by the sweet sounds of a young girl approaching. "Grandpa! Grandpa!" He stood up and waved shouting "Over here, my love!" "That is my grandchild and my daughter. Today, right now, I will not think of yesterday, nor will I dream about tomorrow. Today is Friday and we shall picnic in the park." I sat there a moment longer and watched them walk down to the lake, picnic basket in hand. He was right. The best place to be was here. But oddly, I could see it all. There was the past, present and future right there before my eyes. So, where are you today? Why not "picnic in the park." "I believe in you!" Bob Perks Bo-@BobPerks.com Copyright (c) 2003, Bob Perks. I encourage you to share my stories with your friends but, when copying I ask that you keep my name and contact information attached along with this notice. Use of this story for commercial purposes is prohibited without direct permission from the author. -<>- .-'`"'-. _.---. .' \ .' '. / \ / \ | __ Y __ | | .'` '-./ .-' `'. | \ / ',,' \ /-. \| .-"()"-. |/--.`\ | /` /||\ `\ | \ \ \ | | / ; ; '--`\ /`--' | | '-.__.-' ; ; __ / / .-'''-` '. .-. _ /`/` (_ .--..._ `-' \_| \ /`/` '.__. `---._ |/`/` `) _.. '-./`/` (__.-' _) /`/` jgs `--`/` ` >Violet Carl Our family had two reasons to be excited about our vacation. First, we were flying across the United States to Los Angeles; home to Hollywood, The Beach Boys and Disneyland. Second we would be visiting my Uncle and his family for the first time in many years. We were eagerly anticipating many memorable experiences. Our vacation was wonderful, but the best part of the whole trip was a surprise; it was the opportunity of getting to know my cousin, Carl. Carl greeted us within moments after we arrived. "Hi, cousin Larry. Would you like to see my house?" He then gave us a complete tour. In the living room, he showed us the game table where he played with his dad. We saw the den where he watched movies and stored his wrestling magazines. But the best part of the house was his bedroom where most of his prized treasures were stored. There were pictures and memorabilia everywhere showing Carl with various celebrities. We heard about a chance meeting with Elvis Presley and saw a photograph of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team signed by each player. There were albums filled with letters and pictures of family and friends. Then, Carl turned to me and asked: "Larry, why haven't you sent any pictures or letters?" What could I say? "Carl, I didn't know how important they were to you. We'll send some family pictures when we go home. I am really sorry. Will you forgive me?" Carl flashed the sweetest smile I've ever seen and said, "Of course, I forgive you Larry, we're family." Carl has Down Syndrome, a genetic condition caused by the body having too many chromosomes. Symptoms include varying degrees of developmental delays. We don't know yet what causes Down Syndrome but we do know that nearly one in every thousand babies have it. That's a lot of folks. Some would say Carl is impaired. They are so wrong. Carl is different, but different is not impaired. Kay Drais, the mother of a child with Down Syndrome wrote: "Indulge me for a moment and imagine yourself to be a violet growing smack dab in the middle of a beautiful bed of daisies. And all of your (short) life, the multitude of daisies surrounding you seem frustrated that you are different. They try endlessly and to the best of their abilities to turn you into a daisy, despite the fact you aren't a daisy and never will be. Have you ever picked up a violet and wished that it were a daisy instead? Shouldn't you be glad of its violet-ness and that be sufficient? Is it any different with people?" Carl is a beautiful violet surrounded by a field of daisies. Yet, I could not help but feel that Carl is one of the fortunate ones. A loving family that provides for his every need surrounds him. He is nurtured and encouraged to learn and develop at his own pace, all within a safe and wholesome environment. One question bothered me: "Where would Carl go if anything happened to his mom and dad?" Recently, I was asked to write an article for Heart Havens, a ministry of the United Methodist church in Virginia, which is building homes for persons with disabilities who no longer have anyone to care for them. These are residential homes designed to hold four residents plus staff support. Virginia alone has more than 5,000 people on various waiting lists who desperately need this kind of support. In each home, residents will be nurtured and encouraged to develop at their own pace, all within a safe and wholesome environment. Just like my "violet" cousin, Carl receives from his parents. Our church and many others throughout the area will be working together with Heart Havens to build such a home for the "violets" who live within our own community. This project will take a lot of work and cost some money, but every time I see Carl's sweet smile, I know: It's the right thing to do. The night before we left Los Angeles, Carl and his dad were lying on the floor in the living room watching TV. At one point, Carl scooted closer and gently put his head on dad's shoulder and whispered, "I love you." Together arm in arm, father and son created a magic moment that turned out to be the highlight of my vacation and a critical lesson on the real meaning of "love." © Reverend Larry Davies -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Alzheimer's Through Artist Eyes! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dementiaandart.html Morons At Work http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mwork.html Old Trains And Cars http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/trainsandcars.html Naptime http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/naptime.html High tech Toys 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/techtoys2.html BeBe Rag Dolls http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ragdolls.html Amazing Blind Artist http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/blindartist.html Tornado And Rainbow http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/tornadoandrainbow.html Salute To Texas http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/salutetexas.html Where God Wants Me http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wheregodwantsme.html -<>- >Please Visit This Link to Get New Traffic For Shangrala :) Fun Pages http://www.funpageexchange.com/go.php?uid=3559 -<>- >In The News: Ford shifting all U.S. small-car production to Mexico Greg Gardner and Brent Snavely, Detroit Free Press http://tinyurl.com/jrjglar BREAKING: Donald Trump HALTS HIS RALLY Right In The Middle For VERY SERIOUS Reason http://tinyurl.com/gvdzo5x From AFA: Thank This Attorney General For Taking On Target https://www.afa.net/action-alerts/thank-this-attorney-general-for-taking-on-target/ FULL EVENT: Donald & Ivanka Trump Unveil Child Care & Maternity Plan In Aston, PA 9/13/16 {ALSO Elder Care) Tuesday, September 13, 2016: After being introduced by his daughter Ivanka, Donald J. Trump delivered remarks and unveiled his child care policy at the Aston Community Center in Aston, PA. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNieyVSXmus Trump Website for full details https://www.donaldjtrump.com/ -<>- >This one will give you SMILES :) Blind Trust https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnfAYBgs948 -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) "Photographer on a Mission" is a short film that looks at how a photographer has developed a passion for using antique photography to create unique photos. Ed Drew is both a photographer and a member of the California Air National Guard and serves as an aerial gunner on search and rescue helicopters. He took some amazing tintype photographs of his fellow service members while deployed in Afghanistan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ZTAV0H8U-AM Did you know that Otters aren't born with the ability to swim? They have to learn from their parents just like we do at times. Watch baby otter as he reluctantly gets his first swimming lessons! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpTqV6LPl8c&feature=player_embedded --- ...Sweet! Love your videos! Thanks LouiseAu! 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 ========================================================== >-->Story Time From Our Friend Bunni :) ,_ _, |\\.-"""-.//| \` `/ / _ _ \ | a _ a | '.= Y =.' >._ ^ _.< / ````` \ ) ( ,( ), / ) / \ ( \ ) ( ) ( ) ( ( ) ( ) ( ) )_( ) ( )_(-.._ ( )_ (._.) _( )_, `\ ``( ) ( )`` .' .' jgs ``` ``` ( (` '-' >The Cat Who Needed a Night Light On a warm August day, a dainty little cat named Dolores was receiving a special award: the American Humane Association's William O. Stillman award for bravery. The association gives the award to people who risk their lives to save animals from danger, and to animals who face down danger to save the lives of people. Either way, the winners are heroes, whether they're take-charge, fearless sorts of people, or extroverted, devoted pets like Dolores. Dolores hadn't always been an extrovert. And she hadn't seemed very devoted to anyone, either. In fact, she'd been what most people call the quiet type. When she first came to live with her owner, Kyle, Dolores rarely had anything to say. And most of the time, she didn't like being touched. Kyle didn't know why Dolores was so standoffish. And he didn't understand something else about her: why she always became upset whenever the lights were turned out. But Kyle didn't care. Something about the cat's quiet, unassuming manner appealed to him. So, at night, he just left all the lights on in the apartment where he and Dolores lived, even when it was time to go to sleep. And if Dolores wanted to keep her distance - well, he could respect that. Maybe, if he was patient, Dolores would someday decide to come to him, to talk to him, to be friends. So for the next year, Kyle loved Dolores for exactly who she was. He let her keep her distance, and he didn't ask for more than she could give. Then, one May evening, everything changed. The night started like any other. And, at evening's end, Kyle checked - as usual - to make sure all the lights in his apartment were on. Then, he went to sleep. Sometime later he woke with a start. Something was jumping on his head! Paws were scratching his face! And, when he opened his eyes, his apartment was no longer brightly lit; instead it was filled with black smoke. But he could see who was doing the jumping and scratching: Dolores. The little cat was all Kyle could see. But she was enough. Together, the two made their way to the only available exit from the apartment - the back door. Kyle felt his way along the walls. At the same time, he felt for Dolores with his feet and followed her. Finally, the pair reached the back door. Kyle pulled on the knob to open the door, only to have the knob fall off into his hand. The door remained firmly shut. Making his way to the door had taken every bit of strength and oxygen Kyle had, and he collapsed to the floor. But, once again, he felt those insistent paws scratching his face. Kyle mustered his last bit of strength to hurl himself against the door, break it down and run outside to fresh air and safety. Once there, he looked around for the cat who'd saved his life. She wasn't there. With sickening clarity, Kyle realized that Dolores was still inside the apartment. He ran to one of the firefighters. "My cat's still inside my apartment!" he exclaimed. "Can you find her?" The firefighter promised to try. Now all Kyle could do was wait. He knew Dolores's chances weren't good, but still - maybe, just maybe, she would be found alive. An hour or so later, the firefighters brought the blaze under control. And one firefighter brought Kyle a bundle wrapped in a towel. Kyle held his breath. Inside the bundle was Dolores - eyes seared shut, hair singed, but alive. The firefighter explained that Dolores had collapsed just inside the door and that a fireman had stumbled on her when he entered the apartment. After removing her from the apartment, paramedics gave the cat CPR and oxygen before bringing her to Kyle. The fire changed Kyle's life dramatically. He'd lost all his clothes, furniture and other possessions, and had to go live with his mother for a while. His cat had changed, too. The once-quiet Dolores was now a talker who meowed and purred almost constantly. Even more surprising was her new desire to be touched and cuddled - preferably while she was lying on Kyle's lap. Now, just four months later, Dolores was being recognized for her bravery. But Kyle knew he'd gotten a bigger prize. He'd never asked for more than Dolores could give - and then found she was willing to give him everything she had. -- Susan McCullough (c) --- ...awww, So Heartwarming! Thanks Bunni! -<>- , __ \/ __ /\^/`\ /o \{}/ o\ If I had a flower for each time | \/ | \ () / I thought of you, my garden | | | `> /\ <` ,,, would be full... \ \ / @@@@ (o/\/\o) {{{}} _ _ '\\//' @@()@@ _ ) ( ~Y~ @@@@ _{ ' }_ || @@@@ _(_)_ wWWWw .oOOo. @@()@@ { `.!.` } || ,/ (_)@(_) (___) OO()OO @@@@ _ ',_/Y\_,' || ,\ | /) (_)\ Y 'OOOO',,,(\|/ _(_)_ {_,_} |\ || |\\|// vVVVv`|/@@@@ _ \/{{}}}\| (_)@(_) | ,,, | | || | |;,,,(___) |@@()@@ _(_)_| ~Y~ wWWWw(_)\ (\| {{{}} | | || / / {{}}} Y \| @@@@ (_)#(_) \| (___) | \| /~Y~ \ \||/ /\\|~Y~ \|/ | \ \/ /(_) |/ |/ Y \|/ |//\|/ jgs\ `\\//`,.\|/|//.|/\\|/\\|,\|/ //\|/\|.\\\| // \|\\ |/,\|/ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >The Rented Room Our house was directly across the street from the clinic entrance of Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. We lived downstairs and rented the upstairs rooms to outpatients at the clinic. One summer evening as I was fixing supper, there was a knock at the door. I opened it to see a truly awful looking man. "Why, he's hardly taller than my eight-year-old," I thought as I stared at the stooped, shriveled body. But the appalling thing was his face, lopsided from swelling, red and raw. Yet his voice was pleasant as he said, "Good evening. I've come to see if you've a room for just one night. I came for a treatment this morning from the eastern shore, and there's no bus 'til morning." He told me he'd been hunting for a room since noon but with no success, no one seemed to have a room. "I guess it's my face... I know it looks terrible, but my doctor says with a few more treatments..." For a moment I hesitated, but his next words convinced me, "I could sleep in this rocking chair on the porch. My bus leaves early in the morning." I told him we would find him a bed, but to rest on the porch. I went inside and finished getting supper. When we were ready, I asked the old man if he would join us. "No thank you. I have plenty." And he held up a brown paper bag. When I had finished the dishes, I went out on the porch to talk with him a few minutes. It didn't take a long time to see that this old man had an oversized heart crowded into that tiny body. He told me he fished for a living to support his daughter, her five children, and her husband, who was hopelessly crippled from a back injury. He didn't tell it by way of complaint; in fact, every other sentence was prefaced with a thanks to God for a blessing. He was grateful that no pain accompanied his disease, which was apparently a form of skin cancer. He thanked God for giving him the strength to keep going. At bedtime, we put a camp cot in the children's room for him. When I got up in the morning, the bed linens were neatly folded and the little man was out on the porch. He refused breakfast, but just before he left for his bus, haltingly, as if asking a great favor, he said, "Could I please come back and stay the next time I have a treatment? I won't put you out a bit. I can sleep fine in a chair." He paused a moment and then added, "Your children made me feel at home. Grownups are bothered by my face, but children don't seem to mind." I told him he was welcome to come again. And on his next trip he arrived a little after seven in the morning. As a gift, he brought a big fish and a quart of the largest oysters I had ever seen. He said he had shucked them that morning before he left so that they'd be nice and fresh. I knew his bus left at 4:00 a.m., and I wondered what time he had to get up in order to do this for us. In the years he came to stay overnight with us, there was never a time that he did not bring us fish or oysters or vegetables from his garden. Other times we received packages in the mail, always by special delivery; fish and oysters packed in a box of fresh young spinach or kale, every leaf carefully washed. Knowing that he must walk three miles to mail these and knowing how little money he had made the gifts doubly precious. When I received these little remembrances, I often thought of a comment our next-door neighbor made after he left that first morning. "Did you keep that awful looking man last night? I turned him away! You can lose roomers by putting up such people!" Maybe we did lose roomers once or twice. But oh! If only they could have known him, perhaps their illness would have been easier to bear. I know our family will always be grateful to have known him; from him we learned what it was to accept the bad without complaint and the good with gratitude to God. Recently, I was visiting a friend who has a greenhouse. As she showed me her flowers, we came to the most beautiful one of all, a golden chrysanthemum bursting with blooms. But to my great surprise, it was growing in an old dented, rusty bucket. I thought to myself, "If this were my plant, I'd put it in the loveliest container I had!" My friend changed my mind. "I ran short of pots," she explained, "and knowing how beautiful this one would be, I thought it wouldn't mind starting out in this old pail. It's just for a little while, till I can put it out in the garden." She must have wondered why I laughed so delightedly, but I was imagining just such a scene in heaven. "Here's an especially beautiful one," God might have said when he came to the soul of the sweet old fisherman. "He won't mind starting in this small body." All this happened long ago -- and now, in God's garden, how tall this lovely soul must stand. Author Unknown --- ...Wonderful! Thanks Bunni! ============================================================== ______ '-._ ```"""---.._ ,-----.:___ `\ ,;;;, '-.._ ```"""--.._ |,%%%%%% _ , '. `\;;;; -\ _ _.'/\ .' `-.__ \ ,;;;;" .__{=====/_)==:_ || ,===/ ```";,,,,,,,;;;;;'`-./.____,'/ / '.\/ '---/ ';;;;;;;;' `--.._.' / ,===/ '-. `\/ '---/ ,'`. | ; __.-' \ ,' jgs \______,,.....------'''`` `---` >Privileged to Help Story Editor: by The Sassy Texan Joyce Schowalter Texas, USA I want everyone to know how my small town reacted to help Hurricane Katrina survivors. We're an hour outside Houston, three hours from Louisiana. When hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in September 2005, we had no idea it would affect our community. When Katrina hit, we sprang into action. Blood, food and clothing drives, and fundraisers... all for people we'd never meet. Or so we thought. Wednesday evening evacuees began to arrive. Hundreds of people arrived daily, with absolutely nothing. They spent everything they had getting here. Many stopped... simply because their gas tank was empty. Emails flew with assistance offers and volunteer opportunities. Our town fire department became command center for all relief efforts. Thursday afternoon I called. Ten minutes later I walked into the heart of our relief effort. In two days, we helped several hundred people. Ninety percent needed money, food, clothing, household supplies, toiletries, medicine, jobs, gas, shelter and help with pets. Yet their most devastating need was contacting people who stayed behind -- they assumed close friends and family have died. From the evacuees' intake form, volunteers gathered a resource packet for the family. Then volunteers explained how to meet immediate needs for clothes, food and gas. Our distribution center was close. I walked people outside, showed them the building, and they were relieved and hopeful -- for the first time in days. But we had people sick or injured pre-hurricane who needed medical attention: pregnant women, newborns, people in the lowest depths of depression. Our shelters needed hospital beds, always more cots. Hardest for me was older men who broke down asking for help. I always explained that we're neighbors, this is what neighbors do. They would do the same for us, and may have to one day. Churches became shelters and established meal rotations to feed hundreds. The college allowed evacuees to late-register at in-state tuition rates, and considered scholarships. Bureaucracies turned out to have hearts inside. Individuals distributed supplies, and offered homes. Local schools enrolled hundreds of students. The high school held a kid's event with gifts, games, Snocones and hot dogs. It may sound trivial, but these kids needed to be kids if only for moments. I'd have invited these people join our community permanently, but most just wanted to go home. I'm proud to have met such amazingly strong people, who added a lot to our community, if only temporarily. The first night I spent hours entering names and needs into the RC database. I nearly cried over the constant needs -- so many lacking so much. Then I picked up the intake form of an elderly couple. Like everyone else, they needed everything -- everything you and I take for granted. But out at the side she added, "We will pray for everyone and help any way we can." These people, with nothing, offered their help. I'm glad so many in our town stepped up to help, but we were completely humbled by the courage and generous spirit of our guests. --- ...Check out this recent: DEAR AMERICA: Did TRUMP Do The RIGHT Thing Helping Flood Victims? (Hillary Doesn’t Think So) http://tinyurl.com/jeaetlw =======HeroicStories======= >-->From LaughAndLift: "You and I, God's ambassadors, are called to sound the warning, to call sinners to repentance, to point the way to peace with God and the hope that is in Christ." - Billy Graham "The deepest problems of the human race are spiritual in nature. They are rooted in man's refusal to seek God's way for his life. The problem is the human heart, which God alone can change." - Billy Graham The Lift _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` >Honesty With Ourselves & God (By Henry Cloud & John Townsend) Jerry was a member of a support group I was leading. He was cheating on his wife, but he kept saying that he was sorry and that he really didn't want to be an adulterer. He really wanted to obey God; however, as much as he said that, he didn't change. He wanted to believe that he wanted to change without doing the work of change. Tired of hearing how much he wanted to be different, I suggested that he tell God and the group the truth. He really did not want to change, he enjoyed his affairs, and his real wish was that God would take his rules and go somewhere else. Jerry was taken aback, but gradually began to see how true this was. Finally, he told the truth about his lack of love for God and how he really wanted to do his own thing. At first this admission scared him. He was giving up the falsehood of seeing himself as a Christian who cared about holiness. But his honesty felt better to him than all the lies, and something began to happen. In the safety of grace, which was allowing him to see himself as he really was, he began to regret who he was. He began to see the emptiness of his heart. When he owned who he really was from his heart, he did not like himself. He was developing godly sorrow, the kind that leads to repentance, and he began to change. He told his lover that he was not going to see her any more, and he made a new commitment to his wife. This time he meant it. Whereas for years he had been saying yes and acting out no, he finally owned his no to God directly and honestly. Only then was change possible. Until we can own our boundaries with God, we can't ever change them or allow Him to work with them. They are hidden and not communicated. They need to be honestly owned, exposed, and made a part of us. Then, we and God can face the problem. [From "Boundaries: When to Say Yes-When to Say No-To Take Control of Your Life", By Cloud, Henry; Townsend, John, Published by Zondervan (Jan 1, 1999), ISBN: 0310224535, http://isbn.nu/0310224535 ] Note from Chris: I have been reading this book "Boundaries" and must say it has truly been a blessing in my own life as it has helped me to look at myself and why I do some of the things I do, and what can be done about it with God's help! If you're serious about overcoming obstacles and issues in your own life and enhancing the relationships in your life (with God, yourself, spouse, children, co-workers, friends, etc.) this is a book that you may find very helpful. I personally have been working through the workbook as well (you have to order it separately) - which I also have found helpful in forcing me to "dig deeper". If you're interested at all, you can get a used copy of "Boundaries" or the Boundaries Workbook pretty cheap on eBay. Just a tip: There's also a miniature version of the book as well as a "participant's guide" - I have no experience with either - be careful that you double-check that you're not ordering them by mistake as it can be confusing. SUBSCRIBE INFO Want to receive a Christian inspirational item AND great clean humor in an email to you each day of the week? It's easy and FREE! Read all about Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com ========================================================== >-->From Kidwarmers: _ ,="` `""=, o / ' ,=="""'=; , __ ~ /.: ,--'/=,) o \`\\"._ _, | .='/ <9(9.=" / _ |||;._//) / .:' (J ^\ \ o_/@ @ /// |=( .' .' \ '='/ '-. ( (`__, ,`\| / .' / \`-;_ . ' \ '.\_/ |\_.' ~ / | ' /` _ \ ::' ) `""``` | , .' ; /`\/ `\ \.::'/.-._///_ |/ ' \_,\__/\ \.-'.'----'` \| '. \ \ /`-, ~ `\ '.' _.-'\ (`-` .' `-.-' _.-')__./,--'` .--'`,-'`'""` ` \ /`"`-` :' ::' | ~ | .: .::' :: ::' / ~ | .:' .-'__ .:: .' \ ;'"` `""----'` \ .'\ '. `\ jgs ):' `-. ~ / :..:' `-._ | :' , `-, ~ \ .' `''----` `.( >THE FUNNIEST THINGS KIDS SAY Sylvia, 5, was talking with her father about the Mississippi River. Sylvia asked, "Is there a Mister-sippi River?" -- Jodi Villarreal (mother of Sylvia) of St. Paul, Minnesota Oggie, 2, was playing in his grandmother's dining room. He was pulling and pushing the chairs across the room in front of the fireplace. When he had two of them arranged, his grandmother asked him if he was making a choo-choo train. He said, "Noooo!" After he had pushed two more chairs up to make a T-formation, he sat in the last chair. "Are you driving a car?" his grandmother asked. "No, Grandma, it's NOT a train and it's NOT a car," he said. "It's just a bunch of chairs!" -- Diane Schlemmer (grandmother of Oggie) of LaGrange, Indiana Samantha and Jake were at their grandparents' house. Suddenly Grandpa heard Samantha scream as if she were dying. He ran to see what was the matter. Samantha sobbed, "Jake hit me back!" -- Michelle Ackermann (Samantha and Jake's aunt) of Pickerington, Ohio , __ \`\\"._ _, / _ |||;._/ ) _/@ @ /// | ( ( (`__, ,`\| '.\_/ |\_.' jgs `""``` Here's another one from Michelle. Charlie, 4, was on the way to daycare with his mother. There was a billboard with a picture of an above-ground swimming pool with several people in it. Charlie said, "That looks like our swimming pool." His mother said, "There's no ladder -- how did the people get in?" Charlie replied, "Duh! It's a picture, Mom! They painted them there!" When Brenda was in the first grade her teacher told the class that the first student to read a certain amount of books would be rewarded by going to Denny's (restaurant) for lunch with the teacher. Brenda earned that reward. When Brenda got home from school her mother asked if she went to Denny's. "No," Brenda replied, "we went to the restroom where my teacher eats! -- Donna Alexander (mother of Brenda) of Utah Here's another one from Donna. When her third daughter Lorraine was 5, they were getting ready for Halloween. Donna was making a costume for her oldest daughter and they were talking about Halloween coming. Lorraine went to the door and looked down the road. She returned a few minutes later and announced, "Mom, Halloween's not coming!" .'\ /`. .'.-.`-'.-.`. ..._: .-. .-. :_... .' '-.(o ) (o ).-' `. : _ _ _`~(_)~`_ _ _ : : /: ' .-=_ _=-. ` ;\ : : :|-.._ ' ` _..-|: : : `:| |`:-:-.-:-:'| |:' : `. `.| | | | | | |.' .' `. `-:_| | |_:-' .' jgs `-._ ```` _.-' ``-------'' Here's another holiday-related story. When Connor, 3, was asked at Easter if he would like a hot crossed bun he replied with all sincerity, "No thanks, Mum, but I'll have a happy cool one." -- Katie Shaw (mother of Connor who is 10 now) of Toowoomba, Australia Koen, 1, was riding around the neighborhood in his grandparents' golf cart. Madison, 8, was driving. As Madison pulled away from a stop, she asked, "PawPaw, can you adjust the mayor so the golf cart will go faster?" "Don't you mean the governor?" her grandpa asked. Madison replied, "Oh, yeah, I get my politicians mixed up sometimes!" -- Dennis Smith ("PawPaw" of Koen and Madison) of Oak Ridge, North Carolina Brandon, 8, was talking on the phone to a friend in his class. The cordless phone was beeping because the battery needed to be charged. Brandon said to his friend, "Are you swearing or something, 'cause the phone keeps beeping!" -- Tracy (mother of Brandon) of Mundelein, Illinois .-"""-. / \ \ / .-"""-.-`.-.-.< _ / _,-\ ()()_/:) \ / , ` `| '-..-| \-.,___, / \ `-.__/ / jgs / `-.__.-\` / /| ___\ ( ( |.-"` `'\ \ \/ {}{} | \| / \ , / ( __`;-;'__`) `//'` `||` _// || .-"-._,(__) .(__).-""-. / \ / \ \ / \ / `'-------` `--------'` After a particularly stressful summer which involved a car accident and problems at home, Diane decided to take her two granddaughters, DeLainey, 9, and Selena, 6, to the beach to lift her spirits. Selena, who was getting ready to start first grade, was telling about her knew teacher. She said the teacher was going to teach her how to make jewelry. Selena volunteered to make Diane some jewelry and also to teach her how to make jewelry, too. Diane jokingly replied, "That's good because all Grandma knows how to make now is a mess of her life." Selena put her hands on her little hips and looked at Diane and said, "Yeah, I know what you mean, Grandma. I have the same problem." -- Diane Himebaugh of Dearborn Heights, Michigan Note: You are welcomed to use, copy and share these stories, but please reference http://www.funnykids.com as the source. ========================================================== .-"""-. , (_ _ \ /| ____ _ )= `) ) ,"";, |(| ()___>===(()====( ( (//``;\\ (| ||~\__ `) ( ) ;|| || `==\--`.-; ;|| \\ / |`-._, ;\\ , `---;` / `._`\\ ,/| >~~~~`._ `"` |(| / ' `""---.....___ (| | '. ' _ . ``\ \ '-. '- . _ / \ '. - ._`\ '. '. '-.. _/ jgs '._ - ._ _/ `-..__ .-'` `"'""` >-->IF YOU COULD SEE ME NOW Our prayers have all been answered I finally arrived The healing that had been delayed Has now been realized No one’s in a hurry There’s no schedule to keep We’re all enjoying Jesus Just sitting at His feet If you could see me now I’m walking streets of gold If you could see me now I’m standing tall and whole If you could see me now You’d know I’ve seen His face If you could see me now You’d know the pain’s erased You wouldn’t want me To ever leave this place You could only see me now My light and temporary trials Have worked out for my good To know it brought Him glory When I misunderstood Though we’ve had our sorrows They can never compare What Jesus has in store for us No language can share If you could see me now I’m walking streets of gold If you could see me now I’m standing tall and whole If you could see me now You’d know I’ve seen His face If you could see me now You’d know the pain’s erased You wouldn’t want me To ever leave this perfect place You could only see me now You could see me now You could only see me now… sung by Don Moen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42mRr3FLsAE Our Hope for when Christ Returns as Lord Of Lords! >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->This is for all you who love food and DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe ************************************************************************ >TO SUBSCRIBE: Visit Here This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR For the Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ************************************************************************