Out Of Whack? ... :) Shangy! >-->WELCOME To ALL Our NEW SHANGY FUN LIST Yahoo Group Members! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@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 =========================== >-->From CES: .______. !' / ! "WHO DID IT?" ! / / ! .=. "------" ./v|. |\ ( ) || [] [| `._.'--. ______ | \ `-.-' |/=====| / \ / |\ ____\ | \ | ) ()/\`-'/ |\| : | \ a:f__ | _______ ( - ()^--.--.--. __ |\| | | /| / _|_ /.-/ ^ | \_\ \ `\| | .-/ | ' .-. / `-' `--' \ \| | `/ | |"| `-----(`.-----------' `-----'\ || | `-' \ ( `. _. / \_| | `-----( )' `.-' "o|o | /. ) _) /_| | `/^""| / )| | ' /( | / _/'( | / |/ ejm >Updated Book - Don't Blame God! Hello and God bless you! The Bible says that God is love, but it is hard to believe that if you think He is the cause of suffering and death. This book shows what He says in His Word: that God does not cause suffering and death. God is for you, and His abiding love for you is fathomless. Understanding what the Bible says about the nature of God and the actual cause of evil, sin, and suffering will help you grow immensely in your love for God and His Son, Jesus Christ. How can we reconcile the existence of a loving God with the existence of rampant human suffering? Is God in any way responsible for evil or suffering? Is everything that happens God’s will? Why the seeming contradiction between the nature of God in the Old Testament and the New Testament? Why did Jesus Christ have to suffer and die? For more information on this book, and to read key chapters online, please visit www.STFonline.org/dbg Please spread the Word! You are always in our prayers. The Home Office Staff Spirit and Truth Fellowship International 1-888-255-6189, M-F 9-5 (EST) www.STFonline.org www.TruthOrTradition.com ====================================================================== >-->From InspiredBuffalo: >Dear God: \_/ --(_)-- . / \ /_\ |Q| .-----' '-----. __ /____[SCHOOL]___\ ())) | [] .-.-. [] | (((()) ..|____|_|_|____|..................................)(... ldb Why didn't you save the school children at .. . . Moses Lake, Washington 2/2/96 Bethel, Alaska 2/19/97 Pearl, Mississippi 10/1/97 West Paducah, Kentucky 12/1/97 Stamps, Arkansas 12/15/97 Jonesboro, Arkansas 3/24/98 Edinboro, Pennsylvania 4/24/98 Fayetteville, Tennessee 5/19/98 Springfield, Oregon 5/21/98 Richmond, Virginia 6/15/98 Littleton, Colorado 4/20/99 Taber, Alberta, Canada 5/28/99 Conyers, Georgia 5/20/99 Deming, New Mexico 11/19/99 Fort Gibson, Oklahoma 12/6/99 Santee, California 3/5/01 and El Cajon, California 3/22/01 ? Sincerely, Concerned Student ------------------------------ Reply: Dear Concerned Student: I am not allowed in schools. Sincerely, God ---------------------------- _.-'`'-._ .-' _ '-. `-.__ `\_.-' | `-``\| jgs `-.....-A # # How did this get started.... Let's see, I think it started when Madeline Murray O'Hare complained she didn't want any prayer in our schools. And we said, OK... Then, someone said you better not read the Bible in school, the Bible that says "thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbors as yourself," And we said, OK... Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem. And we said, an expert should know what he's talking about so we won't spank them anymore... Then someone said teachers and principals better not discipline our children when they misbehave. And the school administrators said no faculty member in this school better touch a student when they misbehave because we don't want any bad publicity, and we surely don't want to be sued. And we accepted their reasoning... Then someone said, let's let our daughters have abortions if they want, and they won't even have to tell their parents. And we said, that's a grand idea... Then some wise school board member said, since boys will be boys and they're going to do it anyway, let's give our sons all the condoms they want, so they can have all the fun they desire, and we won't have to tell their parents they got them at school. And we said, that's another great idea.... Then some of our top elected officials said it doesn't matter what we do in private as long as we do our jobs. And we said, it doesn't matter what anybody, including the President, does in private as long as we have jobs and the economy is good... And someone else took that appreciation a step further and published pictures of nude children and then stepped further still by making them available on the Internet. And we said, everyone's entitled to free speech.... And the entertainment industry said, let's make TV shows and movies that promote profanity, violence and illicit sex... And let's record music that encourages rape, drugs, murder, suicide, and satanic themes... And we said, it's just entertainment and it has no adverse effect and nobody takes it seriously anyway, so go right ahead... Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, classmates or even themselves. Undoubtedly, if we thought about it long and hard enough, we could figure it out. I'm sure it has a great deal to do with... "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW," Pass it on if you think it has merit! If not then just discard it...but if you discard this thought process, then don't you dare sit back and complain about what bad shape this world is in... -<>- >Finer Than Wealth by ~ Steve Goodier ~ I love the story about an angel who suddenly appears at a faculty meeting and tells the dean of the college that, in return for his unselfish and exemplary behavior, he will be given his choice of infinite wealth, wisdom or beauty. Without hesitating, the dean selects infinite wisdom. "Done!" says the angel, and disappears in a cloud of smoke and a bolt of lightning. Now, all heads turn toward the dean, who sits surrounded by a faint halo of light. At length, one of his colleagues whispers, "Say something wise." The dean looks at them and says, _____ \/,---< . , ( )a a( - SIGH - C >/ ' ` \ ~/ ,- >o<-. / \/ \ / /| | |\ \ _ \ \| | | \ `-/_) "I should have taken the money." \_\_ | | `-- /_/____| | | | | | | | | | |__|_|_ Stef00 (____)_) Though wealth is highly regarded in our world, I rather suspect this fictitious academic made the better choice. Wisdom, like many other virtues, is usually more difficult to obtain and can be far more satisfying. I've heard it said that when our hearts are empty, we collect "things." On the other hand, when our hearts are full, we tend to lose interest in most of the "stuff" of life. The "things of the heart" become all important. Things like love and joy and peace. Or wisdom. Or hope. Or faith. And the wonderful truth is that these gifts are given freely to any who will take them! None of us has to live without love. There really is joy to be found in this life. And we can know peace - now. Fra Giovanni gave us these immortal words in 1513: "No heaven can come to us unless our hearts find rest in today. Take heaven! No peace lies in the future that is not hidden in his present moment. Take peace! The gloom of this world is but a shadow. Behind it, yet within reach, is joy. There is a radiance and glory in the darkness, could we but see, and to see we have only to look. I beseech you to look. Life is so generous a giver . . . ." You have already been offered things even finer than infinite wealth. Will you grasp them and make them yours - today? -<>- >There's Something About The Wind by ~ Bob Perks ~ , (`-.-/( .:::::., `-.__) ``:\:: . /7_.-, '. -. - - `:::' .- ( `_.= \ `--._ / _?'` ___.-' -`"' \ - / )----'''' - .-' `--.. `--' ,' .-' `\ --' )---'' ) ) | _| ( \ L / | \ )__ _ \ \ `---' `--' L \ | \ \ \ L ) L_ ( \ | \ . J a:f | `. \ _.-`--=' \ ) ( _-' `--'\ '"' / ' J (,_./ I was trying to explain faith to a man who had no faith. "How can you believe in something you can't see?" he asked me. It was a fair question. I placed my hand upon my chin like the famous statue, "The Thinker." Glancing back and forth, I tapped my foot for a moment. Then turning toward him, I pointed my finger as if about to respond. I stopped and returned my hand to my chin. He smiled that kind of smile that said, "I've stumped you." Then looking back I said, "There's something about the wind." He shook his head and said, "What? The wind?" "Oh, it's simple enough for me to explain my faith, but first I've got to explain yours," I said. "I have no faith!" he said. "Sure you do." "Okay, go for it." he said. "Do you feel the wind?" I asked. "Sure." "You can't see it, but you believe it's there." "Ah, but I can feel it." "You can feel faith, too." "How?" "Faith was there when I found out both my wife and son had cancer. I felt it in my heart. I touched it when I touched their faces in the last moments before they went into surgery. I couldn't see it. I could feel it soak deep into my being giving me peace. A peace only a man of faith can have." "But that was faith in the doctor. You saw the doctor, you heard him speak. That's not faith that's fact." "But I had faith in his abilities. My faith told me to trust the man God inspired to be a doctor and all the nurses who found their place in life helping others." "That's not the same." "But there's something about the wind," I repeated. "Now we're back to the wind." "See that tree is moving because the wind is moving it, not because it can move on its own. Now, see that older woman sitting on the porch? She sits there on this hot day so that the wind can cool her, but she cannot see it. She was warm, looked outside her window and saw the tree swaying. She knew the tree could not move on its own...it must be the wind. There's something about the wind." "You keep saying that." "I can't see it, but I know it's there. If I were a sailor, I could set my sails and know it would take me where I want to go. Without it, I would be on my own. But sailors know the wind just like people of faith know God. You accept that the wind exists because you can see the tree move, the boat sails bend and it's touch upon your face. But there's something about the wind." "There you go again," he said. "Explain the wind to me, then," I asked of him. He fumbled with his hat. He nervously tapped his fingers on the table and said, "Because I just know." "But there's something about the wind," I said one more time as I smiled. He shook his head in frustration. Placing my hand on his shoulder I said, "My friend, you believe the wind exists because you see the tree move. I believe that God exists because I can see the tree." "I believe in You!" ~ Bob Perks ~ Bob@BobPerks.com -<>- >JOY, LOVE, AND LIFE By: Joseph J. Mazzella ___ ____ ___ ____( \ .-' `-. / )____ (____ \_____ / (O O) \ _____/ ____) (____ `-----( ) )-----' ____) (____ _____________\ .____. /_____________ ____) (______/ Joe Reiss `-.____.-' \______) Many years ago I saw something that helped me for the first time to see what life was really about. It was a documentary about the home for the dying that Mother Teresa started in Calcutta. In it there was so much sickness, so much pain, so much suffering, and so much misery. Death was there as well. You could tell just by looking at the people that almost all of them would be dead soon. By the time they reached the home most of them were too sick to recover. Mother Teresa didn't create the home to be a hospital. She created it so that the people who were dying on the streets could have a place to die with dignity, with peace, and with a feeling of being loved. It was this love that so deeply touched me. The Sisters in the home radiated it to those they cared for. In spite of the misery, suffering, and death this home was a place of joy. The joy and love flowed from God, through the hearts and souls of the Sisters, and blessed all those who were there. The sick and dying knew that they were loved. They felt God's love and the love of the Sisters and they died in peace often with the most joyous expressions on their faces. It was such a beautiful thing to see and it showed me for the first time that life really is about the love and joy that we choose and share. Without it life has no meaning, but with it life becomes a glorious gift from God to rejoice in always. May your own life always be full of love and always be full of joy then. May you always embrace the glorious gift of life that God gives you and live it with giving, caring, and compassion. May you one day face death yourself with dignity, peace, and the knowledge that you are forever loved by the greatest love imaginable. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment Invisible Fence http://www.buffalosjokes.com/21714.htm Parrots http://www.buffalosjokes.com/21715.htm Bad Idea http://www.buffalosjokes.com/032906.htm Watch Out For That Tree http://www.buffalosjokes.com/032907.htm Close One http://www.buffalosjokes.com/032908.htm Autumn Of Life: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/life.html My Value In Life: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/value.html Leaf Art Paintings: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/art.html To join send a blank email to: the-inspired-buffalo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ==================================================================== >-->From AndyChaps: >My Security System /\ .-_-. / \ || .-.( .' .-. // \ / \\\/ (((\ /))) \ / // )( ) '._ ,-. ___. )/ //(__) \_((( ( :) \)))/ , / || \_ \ '-' /_ /| ),// || \ (_._.'_ \ (o__// _||_ \ )\ .(/ / __) \ \ ( \ '_ .' /( |-. \ \_'._'.\__/)))) (__)'.'. _._ | | _.-._ || \ '. / //--' / '--//'-'/\||____\ '. \---.\ .----.// // ||// '\ \ / ' \/ ' \\__\\ ,||\\_______.' \\___//\\____//\____\ || _.-'''---. /\___/ \____/ \\/ || ..'_.''''---.| /. \ / || .'.-'O __ / _/ )_.--.____( || / / / \__/ /' /\ \(__.--._____) || | | /\ \ \_.' | | \ | || \ '.__\,_.'.__/./ / ) . |\ || '..__ O --' ___..' /\ /|'. || ''----' | \/\.' / /'. || |\(()).' / \ || _/ \ \/ / \|| __..--'' '. | ||| .-'' / '._|/ ||| / __.- / /|| \ ____..-----'' / | || '. )). | / || ''._// \ .-----./ || '. \ (.-----.) || '. \ | / || )_ \ | | || /__'O\ ( ) ( || _______mrf,-'____/|/__ |\ \ || | | || |____) (__) '-----' || \ | || \ | || \ | || | \ || |_ \ || /_'O\|| .-'___/(__) Many people have security systems for their houses, or alarms for their cars. They know they have something of value. And they also know that there are thieves loose in the world who are likely to want the valuable possessions they have. While this is true for material possessions, so many people do not have a security system for their emotional and spiritual lives. Part of the reason is that they don't know they are valuable to God. And another part of the reason is that they don't know that a thief is loose in the world who wants to steal, destroy, and kill everything of value that they possess. You can put bars on the windows of your house ... you can put an alarm system on your car that will cause sirens to sound and lights to flash on and off... You can put video cameras and silent alarms in your store... You can put padlocks on your bicycle or on trunks filled with things you hold to be valuable... You can put your most prized possessions in sealed vaults with highly sophisticated security systems... But are you putting something in and on and around yourself to guard your precious emotional and spiritual life from the ravages of the thief who wants to steal from you your very life? [Those of you that are born again of God's Spirit are] created in the image and likeness of God. That's the only reason the thief needs to want to rob you of who you are. He knows that first and foremost you are an offspring of the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, all-loving God. You are a spirit... that has a soul... and lives in a body that was formed from the dust of the earth. Your spirit comes from God's in-ness, and therefore you can know God in your spirit. In your spirit you have God-consciousness. You have an awareness of Him and a desire for Him. In your soul you have self-consciousness. In your mind, your psyche, your memories, and your emotions you know who you are and what you are supposed to do. In your body, you have world-consciousness. In your body, you know if you are hot or cold, hungry or satisfied, comfortable or uncomfortable. The thief is after you solely because you have a part of God's eternal Spirit in you. [You are God's Child] Guard your spirit [spiritual walk and closeness with God your Father]. It's not only the most valuable part of you, it's the eternal part of you. How do we guard our spirit [spiritual walk and closeness with God our Father]? First, build your relationship with Jesus. Spend time communicating with Him. Draw your identity from Him. [Put on the mind of Christ - be like him] Second, build yourself up in God's Word. Read your Bible. Study it. Bind the Word of God to your mind. Third, build up yourself spiritually in praise. Worship the Lord. Serve Him in every way you know. Stay on guard. The thief never sleeps. =================================================== Posted From Bob's. WOP Daily Devotion <> =================================================== -<>- >Is The "INNER YOU" - Out Of Whack? .--- / # o \,__> .o-'-'--._ Do you look like this on the / |\_ '. | | \ -, \ INSIDE? \ / \__| ) | '|_____[)) |,/ |===H=|\ >> \ __,| \_\ \/ \ \_\ |\ | \/ | \ \ \\ | \ | \\ |__|\ ,-ooD \\ |--\_(\.-' \o snd '-.__) We all know how various forms of machinery such as a pop or candy machine, can get out of whack, thus be in need of professional repair, but did you know your life could become just as easily off kilter? Sometimes, all we need is a good jolt to set us back on the right path, similar to how some people give a faulty coin-operated machine a good wrap. We become imbalanced when we allow ourselves to be so heavily involved in a particular corner of life that the scales subtly begin to lean in favor of this one issue, often, allowing this topic to dominate our thoughts, even actions. How many people do you know that are workaholics? Even something as necessary and noble as "work" can slowly turn a good thing in to a medium that allows parent to child communication to be hindered, wives to become frustrated and embittered over a spouse who is never there, and a husband who begins to perceive his only purpose in life as that of provider. "Work" has thus replaced joy, laughter, sharing and intimacy. What about fantasy and dreams? God made man with a brain that is capable of awesome intellectual abilities, including our ability to imagine, but what happens when this gift is continually misused, such as in the case of sexual fantasy with someone other than your spouse? The woman in the below story can answer that. Although Laurie had been married with children for many years, she never fully emotionally let go of the love she had for an old flame. When times grew stressful in her own marriage, Laurie would sink deep within her thoughts, envisioning exotic getaways with her "dream man." "Dream" is right, for that is exactly what it was; a figment on her own imagination. If truth be-known, while Laurie held a secret torch for this past love, in "his" mind, Laurie was nothing more than a distant memory. What part of "your" life might be out of whack due to some sort of imbalance as obsessive hungers, ungodly thought processes, or the scales of work or play leaning too heavily in one direction? Can you see how these behaviors are not helping, but hurting you; physically, emotionally, even spiritually? In the above story, what Laurie perceived as harmless fantasy, was not so harmless after all. Her many years of comparison; measuring her former flame to her current husband, had not only furthered her frustrations, but caused her very spirit to be divided. No longer did her spouse have her "all," but a piece of her was always with another man. Had she continued on this way, chances are, Laurie's marriage would be doomed to fail. Just as that old pop or candy machine sometimes needs a good kick in the side, so too, do we sometimes need a jolt of hard reality. Some people do not face this reality until it's too late or there is a death, sickness or traumatic life circumstance, but thankfully, a relationship with God can be the most continuous wake-up call! Getting in to the habit of daily communication (prayer), with the Creator, is one of the best ways to remind ourselves to keep that scale straight, and with God in the center. Today Inspirational Web Page From Mr. Mom's Web Site <> ======================================================================= >-->"Just a Cop" , __ _.-"` `'-. /||\'._ __{}_( |||| |'--.__\ | L.( ^_\^ \ .-' | _ | | | )\___/ | \-'`:._] jgs \__/; '-. The funeral line was long, There's an awful lot of cars, Folks came out of the restaurants, They came out of the bars. The workers at the construction sites All let their hammers drop. Someone asked. "What is this all for?" And they said,"Aw, just a Cop." Some chuckled at the passing cars. Some shed a silent tear Some people said,"It's stupid." "All these dumb policemen here." "How come they are not out fighting crime?" "Or in a doughnut shop?" "Sure is a lot of trouble, For someone who's just a Cop." They blocked the intersections, They blocked the interstate. People yelled and cursed, "Damn, it's gonna make me late!" "This is really ridiculous!" "They're makin' us all stop!" "It seems they are sure wastin' time, On someone who's just a Cop." Into the cemetery now, The slow procession comes, The woeful Taps are slowly played. There's loud salutes from guns. The graveyard workers shake their heads "This service is a flop." "There's lots of good words wasted, On someone who's just a Cop" , /\ , / '-' '-' \ | POLICE | \ .--. / | ( 19 ) | \ '--' / '--. .--' jgs \/ Yeah, just a Cop to most folks. Did his duty every day. Trying to protect us, Till they took his life away. And when he got to heaven, St. Peter put him at the top. An angel asked him, "Who was that?" And he said, "Aw, just a Cop." The Judgment: The Officer stood and faced his God, Which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shinning, Just as brightly as his brass. "Step forward now, Officer, How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek? To my church have you been true?" , __ _.-"` `'-. /||\'._ __{}_( |||| |'--.__\ | L.( ^_\^ \ .-' | _ | | | )\___/ | \-'`:._] jgs \__/; '-. The Officer squared his shoulder and said, "No, Lord, I guess I aint, Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint. I've had to work most Sundays, And at times my talk was rough, And sometimes I've been violent Because the streets are tough. But I never took a penny That wasn't mine to keep. Though I worked a lot of overtime, when the bills got too steep. And I never passed a cry for help Though at times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept an unmanly tear. I know I don't deserve a place among the people here. They never wanted me around except to calm their fear. If you've a place for me here, Lord, it needn't be so grand. I never expected or had too much, But if you don't...I'll understand. , /\ , / '-' '-' \ | POLICE | \ .--. / | ( 19 ) | \ '--' / '--. .--' jgs \/ There was silence all around the throne, where the saints often trod. As the officer waited quietly for the judgment of his God. "Step forward now, Officer." "You've borne your burdens well." "Come walk a beat on heaven's streets," "You've done your time in Hell" ---> Visit my CyberHome - ALWAYS OPEN HOUSE :)Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/index.html Shangrala ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->Bigham's Computer Rescue - PC Sales & Serrvice You can trust us to provide you with quality computer sales and repair. We've been servicing the Van Wert area since 1981 and can help you with all your computer needs. Please phone us at 419-238-5806 ************************************************************************ -->This is for all you who love food and DARRE 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: a href="http://tinyurl.com/2vrfzv">This Weeks regular Shangy emails ************************************************************************ -->Want to ADVERTISE in The Shangy FUN List Publication? >To ADVERTISE: Advertise ************************************************************************ -->Missed Any of These Teachings? 'BABES IN CHRIST','IN The Beginning', 'Crossing The Line','NEVER Give Up', 'FEAR - Feeling Kind Of Buggy', 'HAUNTINGS', 'Christianity And The Renewed Mind', or 'Curse Of The Law' --BE SURE TO Tell me which one you want or yyou'll get them all :) >For a Lesson: Teaching ************************************************************************