Peace, He Will Be Found, Starfish 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! ================ *~* 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 Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all 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! ================ >-->3 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) Our too hot to handle new page is from our friend LouiseAu. It is one that will astound you. It gives you a time-capsule type look at life around the world over a century ago making you feel like you are actually there. Taken from high-quality remastered prints from the Lumiere archives and EYE Film Museum, it is pretty amazing to watch. Be sure to check this one out here... _________ . _____ _______________________,-" ________\_________________.'| | ,`'-------------------------," | | | | _,--.`--"-----------.--------------"" | | | | |#|==| | | `-._____________ | | | | |#|==| | | _ _ _ _ _ `. | | | | |#|==| __| | '-.: ;|\| V \_|_______,'`.| |#|==| |--| _ _ | ##== O `" " ' ' ' \ | ` |#|==| |[]|:_;: : | \ | |#|==| |--|:_;:_;X|---------_________________________| | |#|==| |__| ......|________|/ DigitalHandycam | | |#|==| | | ' | | |#|==| | | | .----------------. | | |#|==| | | .----| | ,,,,,,,,,,,. | | | `--'--------.""""""| | | | ############ | | | _;-----"-----'| | | |________________| | | ::: ,. | |____| Digital8 ......... | | ::: || ` \\ | | ::: || \________\\_______________________;____; `:: "' == ; `.____________________________________________; Bob_R Rare Historical Photos 3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/historyphotos3.html --- ...Wow! It's great watching this film! Thanks LouiseAu! Our next piping hot new page is from our friend CharlieY and Linda. It'll give you plenty of chuckles for your day! Be sure to give it a few moments of your time and check it out here... .-. __/ ( , '-.____\ u=='/ \ /_/ \ .-'' | ( ____/_____ _>_/.-------- \/// // snd // Kids Being Kids 6 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kids6.html --- ...HaHa! I do love this series! Thanks my friends! Our sizzling hot new page is from our friend Fran. It, too, will give you smiles and chuckles for your day! Don't miss out on these cute humorous photos. Check them out here... ___ .=" "=._.---. ." c ' Y'`p / , `. w_/ jgs | '-. / / _,..._| )_-\ \_=.\ `-....-'`------)))`=-'"`'" Comedy In Nature 3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/comedyinnature3.html --- ...LOL! Adorable and sweet! Thanks Fran! -<>- *~* Another Super Duper Caring And Sharing Month Last Month! ,_ :`. .--._ `.`-. / ',-""""' `. ``~-._.'_."/ `~-._ .` `~; ;. / / / jgs ,_.-';_,.'` `"-;`/ ,'` * Please Be Sure To Visit And Share These With All Your Friends: Little Known Things! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/littleknown.html Bee Hummingbirds! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/beehummingbird.html Bird Feeder Birds! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/birdfeeder.html Radical Room Decor! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/radicaldecor.html Savor The Moment! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/moments.html Historical Photos In Color 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/historycolorphotos2.html Rainbow Fruit Dove! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/fruitdove.html Chuckles 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/chuckles2.html Umbrella Sky Project! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/umbrellas.html Lion Massages! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lionmassages.html _ .--. ( ` ) .-' `--, _..----.. ( )`-. .'_|` _|` _|( .__, ) /_| _| _| _( (_, .-' ;| _| _| _| '-'__,--'`--' | _| _| _| _| | _ || _| _| _| _| _( `--.\_| _| _| _|/ .-' )--,| _| _|.` (__, (_ ) )_| _| / jgs`-.__.\ _,--'\|__|__/ ;____; \YT/ || |""| '==' * Abundant Thanks And God's Blessings To All Our Sweet Contributors! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: %%%% %%%%-( _%%%%%_/ \ ' / _%%%%%%%% - (_) - _%%%%%%%/ \% / , \ %%%%%%%%%\\ \_ %%%%%% \ \\ ) /\_/ /(___. \ '----' ( / ) ---....____/ (_____ __ _ ___ ___ __ _ _ _____ _ _ ___ / )---...___ =-= = -_= -=_= _-=_-_ -=- =-_ ,' ( ```--.._= -_= -_= _-=- -_= _=- ,-' ) ``--._=-_ =-=_-= _-= _ '-._ '-..___( ``-._=_-=_- =_-= ``---....__) `-._-=_-_=- )|)| `-._=-_ gnv '-'-.\_ `-. >THE SHORE by Kelly A. Mieszek "Hey guys, wanna go to the beach tomorrow?" Before the words had faded from the air, my 8 and 6 year olds returned with their boogie boards and swim suits. Next came the cooler and a bag of snacks. The two year old toddled out, dragging beach towels and heading for the door. The next day we'd spend a few hours riding the waves and looking for unique sea shells to stuff into the beach bag. There's never really a bad day at the beach in Florida. Now, when I was a kid in Jersey, there were bad days at the beach, or at least on the way to it. First, it's not the beach, it's the shore, which is pronounced like you meant to say "sure", but it got stuck somewhere around in your gums before dribbling out. It's called the shore because that's where my grandmother made me stay. "No further than your knees, kids," which was fine with me since my lips were trembling from cold, even in July or August. What a sight I was splashing in the knee-high water with a flower covered bathing cap, a shoestring tied across my back to keep my bathing suit straps from falling off my shoulders, and blue lips. Five minutes in the water was plenty of time for any of us and we, my sister, aunt (who was my mom's younger sister and the same age as my own sister), and cousins, became expert sand castle builders on the shores the likes of Atlantic City (before casinos), Sea Side Heights, and Cape May. What a sight our merry band made those summers with my grandmother. Anyone watching had to get a chuckle watching her trying to deal with all of us in the sand and buying ice cream cones on the boardwalk. They would have truly had a belly laugh though, had they seen us in transport to and from our weekly fun filled day. We'd all pile in with her, squirming worms burrowing into the back cabin. We couldn't wait to get there and, for the first few minutes, asked every ten seconds if we were there yet. Nan always drove old station wagons with windows down and air conditioning that didn't work right. We'd be lined up in the far back, facing each other, knees laced together. Grandma was a heavy smoker, and her habit came along in the car. On the dash of every vehicle she drove there always sat a bean bag bottom ashtray. Next to it, stuck on with duct tape, was a small dog with a spring for a neck. Even before the the key was in the ignition, Nan had lit up and set her cigarette in that ashtray. As the engine chugged to life, the head of the dog started to bounce around. The back window was always down, and fumes from the exhaust immediately came into our tiny cabin. The faster we went the less we smelled it, but it returned each time we came to a stop. And there we sat, knees smacking each other as the car chugged forward, smoke wafting back from the cigarettes, and dog head bobbing. Puff, puff, bob around with each bump, come to a stop and smack go the knees against each other. Up come the fumes from the back window. Lurch forward, smack knees, bob, bob, drag on the cigarette. The squirming stopped, and our heads began to bob around as well. Please, Nan, are we there yet? We were too sick to ask, and she was too busy singing with Elvis to notice if we had. Sometimes I think she took the long way home just to have a little peace. I don't smoke, but when I come to a stop in my air conditioned van, I sometimes think of my Nan and the shore, and I bob my head around and laugh at myself. Hey kids, don't forget to pack the water proof sunscreen. Tomorrow I plan to go in the water above my knees. -- Kelly A. Mieszek ___________________________________________ Kelly enjoys actually going in the water at the beach in Jacksonville, Florida. She does not drive a station wagon, smoke, or have a bobbing dog head in her van. All of this makes her kids happy, coming and going. =========================================================== >-->From Daily Encounter: _._ .' '. / \ ___ _.. _.--. | / |.' `'. ;-._ .' `\ .' `\ \| / \ .' `\/ ; / _ \.=..=./ _.' / | `\.---._| '. .-'-.}`.<>.`{-'-. / .--; . ( .' '. \ .---.{ <>()<> }.--..-' / _ \_ './ _. `-./ _},'<>`.{_ `\ ( = \ )`""'\;--. .' .-'/ )=..=;`\`- \ {= (| ) /`. ( / /| \ ) ( =_/ )__..-\ .'-..___.' : '.___..-' \ }/ / ;.____.-;/\ | ` | '--' | .' | \ \ /'. _.' \ ' / |\.\ ; /`--.-' ) .'`-. / \ \ |`| /__.-' \_.'jgs \ \ |-| >Seeds and Soil "A sower [farmer] went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold." When He had said these things He cried, "He who has ears to hear let him hear!"1 Most people like to have a nice lawn or a fruitful garden around their house. We certainly do. We used to have a lovely front lawn, but unfortunately ugly weedy-type grass has taken a hold and ruined it. Unfortunately, I didn't get rid of it when it first appeared, so to make it good again, I'll have to destroy the entire lawn and start over from scratch. It's amazing how easily ugly grasses and weeds grow, but to maintain a good lawn and garden takes constant care. This summer I will make the effort to plant a new lawn. To do so, I will first have to destroy our entire lawn, carefully re-cultivate the soil, and get a new layer of top soil before planting new good lawn seed, and then take care of it so it will take root and thrive. It's exactly the same with the "seed and soil" as illustrated by Jesus in his parable in today's Scripture passage. The seed represents God's message as found in his Word the Bible--a message that includes his message of salvation--and, as Jesus explained, the four soils represent all those who hear God's message and what they do in response to it. The four soils are best explained in the words of Jesus: "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience."2 Today's question to you and me is this: "Which soil represents you?" Have you accepted God's message of forgiveness and eternal life and allowed it to grow in "good reproductive soil"? Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please give me the desire to not only hear your Word, but also the good sense to listen to it with my heart, accept it, and follow its direction knowing that it is for both my temporal and eternal wellbeing. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus Christ's name, amen." 1. Luke 8:5-8 (NKJV). 2. Luke 8: 11-15 (NKJV). <:))))>< , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Life With a Purpose "Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go."1 Motivational speaker, Mark Victor Hansen, said, "Setting goals is one of the most important things you can do to guarantee your personal, professional and financial success. Goals are like a road map to your target destination. Each goal accomplished is another mile behind you on the way to where you want to be." Years ago I heard another speaker say, "Success is the ability to embrace a worthwhile goal and employ all of your powers for the achievement of that goal." A life without goals is like a ship without a rudder drifting where the winds and waves of chance direct. However, even more important than setting goals is to first discover one's God-given life purpose and then establish goals to fulfill that purpose. This is exactly what Joshua did. And as long as he and the people of Israel lived by God's laws and followed God's plan, God assured them that they would have good success. God will do the same for you and me, too, as we live in harmony with his will and follow God's plan and purpose for our life. Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to discover and clearly define my God-given life purpose and then direct me in the setting of worthwhile and specific goals that, with your help and my commitment, will assure the fulfillment of my life purpose. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus Christ's name, amen." 1. Joshua 1:7 (NIV). When copying or forwarding include the following: "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2016 ACTS International. =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: Y | . +._ O / | `#' | / \ ()) a:f d b >ARGUE WITH YOURSELF - AND WIN! When someone makes you angry, it may seem that the cause of your anger is the other person's actions. But what really makes you angry is what you think the action means. If you look closely at the meaning of an event, your certainty about it will fade. You'll realize it doesn't necessarily mean what you think it means. This uncertainty will make your anger diminish. Suppose, for example, someone interrupts you while you're talking and it makes you mad. You "know" the person is being disrespectful. On closer look, you see that: 1) an event happens, 2) you figure out what it means, and then, 3) you feel an emotion in response to the meaning you created. Step number two happens very fast - so fast it seems the event directly caused your feelings. But that isn't so. And you can prove it to yourself. Wait until the next time you get mad at someone. Then try to discover one thought you have about what they did. You may have to backtrack - do a slow-motion replay. Ask yourself, "Why am I mad?" Your answer is probably, "Because he did such-and-such." Ask yourself another question, "Why would that make me angry?" Your answer to this second question is probably a statement about the meaning of the action. Now you have something to work with. Take your statement and look at it scientifically. In the above example, someone interrupted you. You thought, "He doesn't respect me." Looking at that thought scientifically, you realize it's a theory to explain why he interrupted you. Once you look at it, you also realize it isn't the only explanation possible! Try to come up with other explanations: "Maybe he never thought much about interrupting, and no one ever said anything to him about it, so he's in the habit of interrupting people - those he respects and those he doesn't." Or, "Maybe he interrupted me because he has a poor memory and didn't want to forget his thought, so he blurted it out." You can never really be sure why another person does something. Sometimes the person himself doesn't know why he's doing it. After you create two or three good theories (this will only take a few moments), your anger will fade, you'll feel better, and you'll deal with the situation more rationally. Argue with yourself this way and everyone wins! - Adam Khan -<>- ."". ."", | | / / | | / / | | / / | |/ ;-._ } ` _/ / ; | /` ) / / | / /_/\_/\ |/ / | ( ' \ '- | \ `. / | | jgs | | >Peace Do not undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others. It is because we are different that each of us is special. Do not set your goals by what other people deem important. Only you know what is best for you. Do not take for granted the things closest to your heart. Cling to them as you would your life, for without them, life is meaningless. Do not let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past nor for the future. By living your life one day at a time, you live all the days of your life. Do not give up when you still have something to give. Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying. It is a fragile thread that binds us to each other. Do not be afraid to encounter risks. It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave. Do not shut love out of your life by saying it is impossible to find. The quickest way to receive love is to give love; The fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly. Do not dismiss your dreams. To be without dreams is to be without hope; To be without hope is to be without purpose. Do not run through life so fast that you forget not only where you have been, but also where you are going. Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored each step of the way. True peace is found in Jesus Christ! - Leon T Nepple -<>- _ ( ) ,,,,, \\ . . , \\ | - D (._) \__- | | | \\|_ , ,---- _ |----. \__ ( ( / ) _ | \/ \. ' _.| \ ( ) | \ /( / /\_ \ // \ / ( / / ) // ( , / / , (_.) |......\ | \, / / ) \--- b'ger /___/___^// >THE STRENGTH OF A MAN The strength of a man isn't seen in the width of his shoulders.. It's seen in the width of his arms that circle you. The strength of a man isn't in the deep tone of his voice. It's in the gentle words he whispers. The strength of a man isn't how many buddies he has. It's how good a buddy he is with his kids. The strength of a man isn't in how respected he is at work. It's in how respected he is at home. The strength of a man isn't in how hard he Hits. It's in how tender he touches. The strength of a man isn't in the hair on his chest. It's in his Heart that lies with-in his chest. The strength of a man isn't how many women he`s Loved. It's in can he be true to one woman. The strength of a man isn't in the weight he can lift. It's in the burdens he can carry. - Author Unknown -<>- ____________________ / {)][o>][_o][c_][o][| |-==)| | &_____________________L ejm 96 ( ) ( ) >PRESENCE "R. Enterkine" The passengers on the bus watched sympathetically as the attractive Young woman with the white cane made her way carefully up the steps. She paid the driver and, using her hands to feel the location of the seats, walked down the aisle and found the seat he'd told her was empty. Then she's settled in, placed her briefcase on her lap and rested her cane against her leg. It had been a year since Susan, thirty-four, became blind. Due to a medical misdiagnosis she had been rendered sightless, and she was suddenly thrown into a world of darkness, anger, frustration and self- pity. Once a fiercely independent woman, Susan now felt condemned by this terrible twist of fate to become a powerless, helpless burden on everyone around her. "How could this have happened to me?" she would plead, her heart knotted with anger. But no matter how much she cried or ranted or prayed, she knew the painful truth - her sight was never going to return. A cloud of depression hung over Susan's once optimistic spirit. Just getting through each day was an exercise in frustration and exhaustion. And all she had to cling to was her husband Mark. Mark was an Air Force officer and he loved Susan with all of his heart. When she first lost her sight, he watched her sink into despair and was determined to help his wife gain the strength and confidence she needed to become independent again. Mark's military background had trained him well to deal with sensitive situations, and yet he knew this was the most difficult battle he would ever face. Finally, Susan felt ready to return to her job, but how would she get there? She used to take the bus, but was now too frightened to get around the city by herself. Mark volunteered to drive her to work each day, even though they worked at opposite ends of the city. At first, this comforted Susan and fulfilled Mark's need to protect his sightless wife who was so insecure about performing the slightest task. Soon, however Mark realized that this arrangement wasn't working - it was hectic, and costly. Susan is going to have to start taking the bus again, he admitted to himself. But just the thought of mentioning it to her made him cringe. She was still so fragile, so angry. How would she react? Just as Mark predicted, Susan was horrified at the idea of taking the bus again. "I'm blind!" she responded bitterly. "How am I supposed to know where I'm going? I feel like you're abandoning me." Mark's heart broke to hear these words, but he knew what had to be done. He promised Susan that each morning and evening he would ride the bus with her, for as long as it took, until she got the hang of it. And that is exactly what happened. For two solid weeks, Mark, military uniform and all, accompanied Susan to and from work each day. He taught her how to rely on her other senses, specifically her hearing, to determine where she was and how to adapt to her new environment. He helped her befriend the bus drivers who could watch out for her, and save her a seat. He made her laugh, even on those not-so-good days when she would trip exiting the bus, or drop her briefcase. Each morning they made the journey together, and Mark would take a cab back to his office. Although this routine was even more costly and exhausting than the previous one, Mark knew it was only a matter of time before Susan would be able to ride the bus on her own. He believed in her, in the Susan he used to know before she'd lost her sight, who wasn't afraid of any challenge and who would never, ever quit. Finally, Susan decided that she was ready to try the trip on her own. Monday morning arrived, and before she left she threw her arms around Mark, her temporary bus riding companion, her husband, and her best friend. Her eyes filled with tears of gratitude for his loyalty, his patience, his love. She said good-bye, and for the first time, they went their separate ways. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday ... Each day on her own went perfectly, and Susan had never felt better. She was doing it! She was going to work all by herself! On Friday morning, Susan took the bus to work as usual. As she was paying for her fare to exit the bus, the driver said, "Boy, I sure envy you." Susan wasn't sure if the driver was speaking to her or not. After all, who on earth would ever envy a blind woman who had struggled just to find the courage to live for the past year? Curious, she asked the driver, "Why do you say that you envy me?" The driver responded, "It must feel so good to be taken care of and protected like you are." Susan had no idea what the driver was talking about, and asked again, "What do you mean?" The driver answered, "You know, every morning for the past week, a fine looking gentleman in a military uniform has been standing across the corner watching you when you get off the bus. He makes sure you cross the street safely and he watches you until you enter your office building. Then he blows you a kiss, gives you a little salute and walks away. You are one lucky lady." Tears of happiness poured down Susan's cheeks. For although she couldn't physically see him, she had always felt Mark's presence. She was lucky, so lucky, for he had given her a gift more powerful than sight, a gift she didn't need to see to believe - the gift of love that can bring light where there had been darkness. God watches over us in just the same way. We may not know He is present, but He is. We may not be able to see His face, but He is there nonetheless! Be blessed in this thought. God Loves You - even when you are not looking. -<>- ,-. _,. / / ; \____,-==-._ ) //_ `----' {+> ` `'--/ /-'`( / / dew `=' >Provision for the Future According to an article in Today in the Word, "In the spring of 1981, a young man was flown into desolate northern Alaska to photograph the natural beauty and mysteries of the tundra. He took along 500 rolls of film, several firearms, and 1,400 pounds of provisions. "As the months passed, the words in his diary changed from wonder and fascination into a nightmare. In August he wrote, 'I think I should have used more foresight about arranging my departure. I'll soon find out.' In November he died in a nameless valley, by a nameless lake, 225 miles northeast of Fairbanks. An investigation revealed that though he had carefully planned his trip, he had made no provision to be flown out." Difficult to imagine isn't it? How could anyone be so foolish or even forgetful? He made every provision for his journey except how to get home! Unbelievable! "How tragic," we say. And yet, how many of us make every provision for life here on earth but no preparation for our departure? God has warned us in his Word, the Bible, that there is life after death ... after which is God's judgment. And as he warned the nation of Israel to prepare to meet God he warns us to do the same. We need to do this today. After death it is too late. As God's Word also says, "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." And how do we prepare to meet God? By confessing our sins to God and accepting his Son, Jesus, as our personal Lord and Savior. Doing this is getting our "passport to Eternity in Heaven." Whatever you do, don't leave earth without it! --- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' ...See these great teachings... Why Be “Born Again”? https://www.truthortradition.com/articles/why-be-born-again How to Become a Christian - How to Get Born Again / How to Get Saved / Romans 10:9 & 10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMzblR8YDQ0 -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >An Overflow of Peace by Chris Courtney "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." – Romans 15:13 (KJV) I've believed in Jesus for a long, long time. I was probably about 10 years old when I first began to recognize Him. However, most of my life I've dealt with anxiety and nervousness. When circumstances aren't perfect, my natural reaction is to get edgy and anxious. Getting to a point of inner peace has never been easy for me. It's been difficult to understand why I have the tendency toward nervousness when I have believe in Jesus. Why no peace? Why so little joy? If you find yourself in a similar situation, Romans 15:13 is for you. The answer is found in faith. When we believe in Jesus, we open a spiritual door for Him to move through and work out every aspect of our lives. It is faith that allows God to fill us with His hope. Look at the word "abound" for a minute. This English word is translated from the Greek "perisseuo", which means to be filled to excess, or be overly abundant. In this case, Paul is saying that, through faith, we can overflow with joy and peace. And overflowing is what we want, because the excess flows to others and blesses them as well. When we believe, the holy spirit – the power of God working and dwelling within each of us – is empowering us, and we know God is handling the outcome of every step of our lives, we will overflow with peace and joy. When we know that we know that we know that, no matter how circumstances may appear, everything is working out for us and God is working in our best interests. After all, "...we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28, KJV). So, today, let me encourage you to put down that bundle of care you lug around. Stop looking down at the troubles in your life and look up to the One Who can handle all those issues. He is the God of healing. He is the God of provision. He is Love, and He loves you. Strengthen your faith, cling on to God, and let His peace and joy overflow through your life. --- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' ...See these great teachings... The Peace Of God Philippians 4: 7 – And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall (absolutely) keep (guard) your hearts and minds (thoughts) through (in) Christ Jesus. http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Promises/The_Peace_Of_God.htm The Promises of God Index http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Promises/Promises.htm -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Awesome Photos! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/awesome.html Undersea Restaurant! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/undersea.html Trucks! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/trucks.html Extreme BBQs! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/extremebbqs.html Orangutan Mom And Son! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/orang3.html Beautiful Monarch Butterflies! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/monarchbutterflies.html Thoughts Into Action 9! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/action9.html Super Rare Muscle Cars!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/musclecars.html God's Sky Paintings! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gsky.html Moms And Dads Index! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/momsanddadsindex.html -<>- Casting Crowns - Nobody (Official Music Video) ft. Matthew West https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yBzIt_z8oY Newsboys - God's Not Dead https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_OTz-lpDjw Leeland - Way Maker (Official Live Video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJCV_2H9xD0 Bible Study Index http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Contents.htm Remember Me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ervaMPt4Ha0 Finding Wisdom – Of Decaf and Delight https://tinyurl.com/7yj22myu Disney Launches Pro-LGBT Campaign Targeting Kids With Everything “Pride Friendly” / Man Jumps Over Bridge To Save Toddler Thrown Into The Water After Horrific Car Crash And More: https://mommyunderground.com/ Forever Changed – This Young Adult Gave Up the “American Dream” to Help Persecuted Christians / Joe Biden Caught on Video / Christian Pastor Led Muslims to Christ – and It Cost Him His Life / Doctors Admit Sex Change Drugs Are Actually Causing Disease AND More: https://www.christianlifedaily.com/ -<>- >In The News: TX GOV: ‘Texas is Going to Start Arresting Everybody Coming Across the Border’ - Be sure to Watch the next video here too: https://tinyurl.com/4ptvv7uy --- ...My brother lives in Southern Texas. He told me last week that his boss said she was scared because she knew she had at least 3 sets of aliens on her property. He also said his town had to lock down their school because the cops were chasing a truck with 5 aliens who fled from the truck close to the school and at least one was known to have a gun. They were later all apprehended and each of them had a gun! Scary stuff going on - and he is over 100 miles from the border! Biden wants us to believe it is all just kids and families crossing our border - yet we know it is the Cartels and gangs - drug runners and human smugglers and traffickers. Nasty! Interesting - reinstate Pres. Trump? - lots of other videos here too... https://tinyurl.com/buw775tz Fox News Channels https://www.bitchute.com/channel/DvxaueOo4ww7/ Judge Jeanine Pirro Rips Media For Ignoring Latest Hunter Biden Scandal(May 28,2021) https://www.bitchute.com/video/1MvbuiA5UNt0/ Jim Jordan on Hannity 6/2/21 https://rumble.com/vhymvx-rep.-jim-jordan-on-hannity-6.2.2021.html Biden Whitehouse Advice to Jews: “Hide Your Jewishness” / Russia No Longer Backing the Dollar / DeSantis Kicks Off Gay Pride Month by Signing Bill Outlawing Trans Athletes / You Have One Week to opt Out of this Amazon Data Sharing Scheme / Rand Paul Has 2-Word Response to Fauci’s Unearthed Emails: ‘Told You’ / Voter ID Laws are Common Around the World / Chicoms Boast that They Will Beat the US in an Intense Nuclear Showdown https://reliablenewsnow.com/ Sidney Powell Reveals Why President Trump Didn’t “Stop The Steal” / JUST IN: Vaccine Researcher: “We’ve Made a Big Mistake” And More: https://dailyheadlines.net/ Latest From Deep State Journal: https://deepstatejournal.com/ Latest From 2020 Conservative: http://2020conservative.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: Recall Alert: Chicken, Fish, Mushrooms http://www.emergencyemail.org/products/?fmt=text Latest Health Alert: FDA Warns COVID Test Kits Provide False Results http://www.emergencyemail.org/health/?fmt=text Click to Give Free https://tinyurl.com/y2abb8d2 -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) She sent us one we have here... Redneck Innovations! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/redneckinnovations.html --- ...Such a funny one! Thanks LouiseAu! Jason Latimer, the world champion of magic, revolutionizes one of the oldest magic trick with "Clear Cups and Balls" on The Late Late Show. https://youtu.be/pJN1iMOfgAc Female magician Josephine Lee amazes the judges and audience of Britain’s Got Talent 2017 Semi-Final. https://youtu.be/Ndod4DPrpHs Spanish magician Younke performs his amazing disappearing tricks at the French TV show 'The world's greatest Cabaret' hosted by Patrick Sebastien. https://youtu.be/wuuTUg27zMo --- ...Wowsers! 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 ========================================================== /\ __ _ __ / / || _ \\ || __ / / || / | >>|| / / \ \/\ || //|| // ||____/ / \ / || //_||<< | ___ / \ \ ||/ __ | \\ || / / \_\||_/__||__>>||_/_/ \_________________/ _| 0_] /\ >Lost and Found Story Editor: by Miep O'Brien Joyce Schowalter New Mexico, USA Twenty-five years ago, I went traveling with my first boyfriend, "John", traveling light. His parents were kind enough to store some papers and photos for me, and off we went. Several years later we returned to Los Angeles, separately. We kept in touch, but our relationship was over. By the early 90s, John had left Los Angeles and was out of my life -- except for the boxes. I had asked about them, but he said he couldn't find them. I figured they'd keep, they would return to me sooner or later. Then I got a call. I'd just moved, suffered some losses, and here was John on the phone. He was having problems too, and would like to be rescued. It was bad timing; I was having enough trouble just trying to rescue myself. Sorry, I can't help, I said. That was the last time we ever spoke. Several months later I moved back to my parents' house, to try to get things together. I got another phone call, this time from a stranger, "Hector". Hector had been hired by the landlady to clean out the last house John had lived in. He'd been looking for me for a long time, tracking me down from notes and numbers. Among the mess inside the house, this man had found my papers and photos. When he found the photos, he thought; "Surely these are important? Surely whoever owned these didn't want them thrown away." He wished to send me back my irreplaceable family photographs, some going back for many decades. He wouldn't let me pay him back for anything. I got the photos back in the mail the next week. The week after that, I was bicycling down the street and saw a manila envelope lying in the middle of it. "Photos Enclosed!" it was marked. "Do Not Bend!" It was even already stamped. I was only too happy to get this package back on its way. I bicycle everywhere, and find things. Sometimes just pennies, sometimes stray hand tools. Sometimes a checkbook, driver's license, or something with an address. If there's a phone number I call it. If there's a local address, I go there. Otherwise I mail these stray things to the address on them and hope for the best. I get some gruff acknowledgments, some suspicious looks. One lady picked up her checkbook around Christmas, and merrily gave me five bucks and a bag full of sugar cookies. I delivered one ID to a head-shaking bartender, dropped down the street from the bar. Things get lost. People get lost. I can't bring back lost people, but at least I can bring back small things to strangers, like a stranger once did for me. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From LaughAndLift: "Common sense tells us that if we want victory in our thought life, we must exercise discipline over what we read, what we see, and those with whom we fraternise. Spicy books and magazines, Hollywood films, the average TV show offer instant pollution. And there are material objects that awakens lust in people's lives. A good bonfire will help considerably." - William MacDonald in his book "The Forgotten Command: BE HOLY" , /( ((|) \( i^i +| | + + + + | |& + + + + &| |&& + + + &&|_|&& @@@@@ + + + &||| @@@@@@ $$$ + + + ||| @@@@@ $$$$$$ + + +|||+ @@ $$$$$$ + + + ||| + $$$$$ ***** + + + ||| + $$ ******** + + + ||| + ******** + + + |||+ ******* + + + + + + + +`+ ** #### + + ######## + + ########## + || + ######### + /||\ /\ + #### + / || | __\ \ + +__ / || || \\ \ + +/ \ / | || || _\\ \ + +| / / /| || || | \ \/+ +| /\/ / / | || || \ \ /+ +|| | / / | || || _\ / \ + + _|| | / /__ | || || |_ / /\ \ + + +| |_ | | ad. / || || || \/ / \ \ | + + + + + || \| | /______||_||_||____\/ \ \ |_______+ + + + + + + +| ||_||____\_| >God's Embroidery (like a painting) (From "Grace and Truth," by Pastor Jack Hyles) When I was a little boy, my mother used to embroider a great deal. I would sit at her knee and look up from the floor and ask what she was doing. She informed me that she was embroidering. I told her that it looked like a mess from where I was. As from the underside I watched her work within the boundaries of the little round hoop that she held in her hand, I complained to her that it sure looked messy from where I sat. She would smile at me, look down and gently say, "My son, you go about your playing for a while, and when I am finished with my embroidering, I will put you on my knee and let you see it from my side." I would wonder why she was using some dark threads along with the bright ones and why they seemed so jumbled from my view. A few minutes would pass and then I would hear Mother's voice say, "Son, come and sit on my knee." This I did only to be surprised and thrilled to see a beautiful flower or a sunset. I could not believe it, because from underneath it looked so messy. Then Mother would say to me, "My son, from underneath it did look messy and jumbled, but you did not realize that there was a pre-drawn plan on the top. It was a design. I was only following it. Now look at it from my side and you will see what I was doing." Many times through the years I have looked up to my Heavenly Father and said, "Father, what are You doing?" He has answered, "I am embroidering your life. " I say, "But it looks like a mess to me. It seems so jumbled. The threads seem so dark. Why can't they all be bright?" The Father seems to tell me, "'My child, you go about your business of doing My business, and one day I will bring you to Heaven and put you on My knee and you will see the plan from My side." --- ...Like This Painting... Jesus Friend of Sinners Powerful Jesus Painting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNbGG-6aDjU -<>- "Just because of His unfathomable love, the God of LOVE, when He sees His children resting their souls on things that can be shaken, must necessarily remove those things from their lives in order that they may be driven to rest only on the things that CANNOT be shaken; and this process of removing is sometimes very hard." - Hannah Whitall Smith , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >He Will Be Found (By Steve Troxel, God's Daily Word Ministries) ...The Psalm writer longed to be close to God; "my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God" (Psalm 84:2). The writer knew his heart would only be satisfied by being in the presence of God; but unfortunately, not many of the children of Israel shared this same understanding. The Israelites continually rebelled and failed to devote their hearts to God. They sought pleasure and security in the world, and turned to worship idols and false gods. And though God sent many messengers to call His children home, they refused to change. Finally, God allowed the armies of Babylon to destroy the temple and lead the people into seventy years of captivity. But even in this most severe discipline, God demonstrated His love and true desire for His Children to return Home. Jeremiah 29:10-13: "'I will come to you and fulfill My gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.'" God's plan has always been to give us hope and a future, to prosper us and keep us from harm, but His plan can never be separated from a life devoted to Him. There is no hope - no future or security - apart from resting in His arms. And the only lasting prosperity and peace comes as we walk in step with His Spirit. Why do we not trust Him to fully guide our path? And why do we seek His plan for our life without bothering to first seek Him?! God's plan is for us to be restored to Him and glorify His name as we love Him with all our heart. All other plans regarding the specific circumstances of our existence flow out of His plan for a loving relationship filled with worship; "seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33). Seek Him first! Yes, He has promised a glorious future - not necessarily a future free of trouble, but a future filled with "the peace of God which transcends all understanding" (Philippians 4:7), a future where we can learn real prosperity by "being content in any and every situation" (Philippians 4:12). But this future can only be had by those who seek Him with all their heart. Let's allow God to be the all-consuming top priority of our life. Let's diligently seek Him in times of quiet as well as in the midst of the endless multitude of daily activities. And let's be filled with hope and encouraged by His promise that as we faithfully seek Him with all our heart, He will be found! 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 ========================================================== ____ /^\ / -- ) / | \ (____/ / | | \ / / /_|_|_|_/ / | / / __ __ __ | / /__ __ __ [ ]__[ ]__[ ]. / /[ ]__[ ]__[ ] |__ ____/ /___ __| | / .------ ) | | / / / | SheDragon | / / / | ~~~~~~~~~~~~-----------~~~~~~~~ldb~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >-->The Starfish Once upon a time there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work. One day he was walking along the shore. As he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day. So he began to walk faster to catch up. As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn't dancing, But instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean. As he got closer he called out, "Good morning! What are you doing?" The young man paused, looked up and replied, "Throwing starfish in the ocean." "I guess I should have asked, why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?" "The sun is up, and the tide is going out, and if I don't throw them in they'll die." "But, young man, don't you realize that there are miles and miles of beach, and starfish all along it. You can't possibly make a difference!" The young man listened politely. Then bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves and said, "It made a difference for that one." There is something very special in each and every one of us. We have all been gifted with the ability to make a difference. And if we can become aware of that gift, we gain through the strength of our visions the power to shape the future. We must each find our starfish... And if we throw our stars wisely and well, the world will be blessed. >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. Ad Request ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->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 **********************************************************************