Pernicious Ways... :) 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: 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! ================ >-->2 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' This piping hot scorcher is one from my own personal reflections, memories and insights dealing with the study on how some people feel about being gay and that they think it isn't something a person chooses to be, but that somehow they were born that way. I have done a bible study on this before, but this one goes a step further. I get emotionally upset when people talk about this because it reminds me of my own early childhood memories. For me this is personal and something I would not even talk about unless Father hadn't put it on me to do so. If this is a question you have, please take a few minutes to check this teaching out... Is Your Toddler Gay? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/toddler.html -<>- Our next super scorcher is from our friends Linda and PatDeE. Many of these home remodeling ideas are fun to check out even if you are not planning on making any changes to your home. Just fun to window shop and dream. :) .o##o. .o##o. ######o.o###### ############### .o88o. .o88o##########' 888888o.o888888########' 888888888888888######' '8888888888888'#####&o. .o&&o. '88888888888' '#&&&&&o.o&&&&&& '8888888' &&&&&&&&&&&&&&& '88888' '&&&&&&&&&&&&&' '8' '&&&&&&&&&&&' H A P P Y '&&&&&&&' v a l e n t i n e'&&&&&' D A Y '&' Thoughts Into Action 8! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/action8.html --- ...These are sweet! Thanks my friends! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: ,@@@@@@, ,@@@@@""@@, ( _ _ , @@@@@ 6.6\@ :\ ( \/ ) {{^\@@@C _-_)@ : \ \ / {{:\\@@@) (@@' : \ \/ (\/) {{::\\ / \---.:.__\_ \/ \`::\( , \---:---._) `"`"; \ \|_.-;====I======{> | \ _.-': / (\/) | `"/ : / \/ // \/ : / \\_ \ :/ \ \ | ( ) ) ) / / / jgs / / /_ (_(____) Sunday is Valentine's Day! You never know how or when Cupid's arrows will strike! David shares his story today on how modern technology, and a little time mixed with friendship and Southern hospitality, brought happiness to an unsuspecting couple. You'll love it! >SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY AND LOVE by David Welch The story of how I met, and then fell in love with my Valentine might be what some people would say is an odd way of meeting, but in our case it has worked for us. God has a plan for all of us though, and we understand we are together because God brought us together for a reason. I have never questioned God for the health troubles I've had to deal with, and try an live in the present. I look forward to the future, but never blame God for what troubles I've had during my past. My name is David Welch, and I've been a diabetic since I was four years old. Since I was 23 I've had many health problems -- blindness, loss of my kidneys, open heart surgery, and now I'm in a wheelchair. The one thing I have enjoyed doing since my health has declined is to use my computer with a screen reading program for the blind. One evening, I downloaded a program I had heard about called Freedom Chat, which was for blind people. Chat programs are something I really never enjoyed, but I'm so glad this time I tried it out. I didn't call anyone when I got online, but I received a private message from a young lady asking who I was. We started chatting and we both had health problems and felt comfortable with our conversation. Come to find out she was legally blind in one eye and completely blind in the other, along with being deaf in one ear. She had Lupus which had created many of her health problems. We chatted several times as the weeks went by, but neither of us thought much more of it than just a friendly conversation. I found out that she was from Thailand, but had become an American citizen nearly twenty years earlier. Her name was Nualanong Pumyam, but wanted to be called an American name, Nicole. Nicole mentioned to me that she was in school still working on her English, and computer skills using JAWS, the same screen reading program that I was using, and I thought I could help her out with her school work. We spent many evenings on the phone, with free long distance service, working on the computer skills, and her English. I had no problem helping her with her computer skills -- but hey, I probably need a little help at times myself with English! The one thing I kept telling her, was she should never trust anyone that she chats with. I told her many times she should go out and enjoy her life, but never agree to meet some guy that she was talking with over the Internet. I wanted Nicole to understand that meeting someone she had been chatting with over the computer could be very dangerous! As time went by the two of us started feeling much closer, and she said she would love to see what Kentucky was like. We managed to arrange for a plane ticket so she could visit Glasgow, Kentucky, where I live. Yes, we did exactly what I had been preaching for her to never do, and brought her to my hometown. With help from my brother driving me to the airport in Nashville, we picked up Nicole. It didn't take her long to notice a big difference between the people in San Jose, California, and the southern hospitality of the people that she would meet here in Kentucky. She said the people in Glasgow all seemed so friendly, and she fell in love with the town. The visit turned into a move to Glasgow, and she has never returned to California since. Actually, as I mentioned, Nicole fell in love with Glasgow, but we fell in love with each other as well. We have been together now for four years, and we have built a good life with one another, and on July 5, 2009, Nicole became my bride. I may not have the ability to always provide her with material things, like other men might give their girlfriend or wife, but we certainly give each other loyalty, respect, happiness, and most significantly... love! -- David Welch =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseA :) , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Blinded by the Cross (By Brenda Wiggleton) "It makes my eyes hurt said one member." "I can't see the pastor or the choir" said others. "I wonder how many visitors are turned off and don't return because of this" spoke the pastor as he turned toward the huge stained glass window in the shape of a cross. "The motion has been seconded and the 'ayes' have it." said the pastor. "We will find a way to filter out the glare from the window." I sighed as I looked up at the magnificent cross that covered the wall of the sanctuary behind the pulpit. No, I did not fight against changing the window. The decision would be what the majority wanted anyway and I was not in the majority. The first thing I saw when I entered into this church building was the cross. It was beautiful. I purposely sat in the area where the light glared. I loved to look to the front of the church and not see the pastor or the choir but only the cross blinding me. I wanted to be blinded by the cross. When I would stop and talk to people I would see the reflection of the cross in their eyes. You just could not say anything unkind when you see the cross in the eyes of others. You could not hide from the cross. As I came into the sanctuary several days after the business meeting the room appeared dim. A plastic coating had been applied to the cross. The glare was gone. As I looked around the sanctuary I saw things that I had never noticed before. I noticed places where the walls needed to be repainted. I saw the dust on the light fixtures and the dirty corners where the walls reached up to the ceiling. I was able to see my friends faces more clearly. I no longer saw the cross but I saw the imperfections that had been hidden by the glare. I thought about the places in the Bible where God is compared to light. I thought about Moses as he was blinded when he got to see God as He passed by. I also thought about bringing a sweater for there was now a chill in the once warm spot. How strange that a simple window could say so much. Our imperfections can't be seen because of the Cross. How many times do we filter God's light so we can be comfortable? --- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' ...So true! A wonderful Insight! Thanks LouiseA! It is like what we are doing in our society today with political correctness. We dull things with the 'plastic coating' of political correctness so that the truth won't upset or offend or hurt any one's feelings. 2 Pet.2: [1] But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. [2] And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. So what does 'pernicious' mean? adjective: pernicious having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way. "the pernicious influences of the mass media" synonyms: harmful, damaging, destructive, injurious, hurtful, detrimental, deleterious, dangerous, adverse, inimical, unhealthy, unfavorable, bad, evil, baleful, wicked, malign, malevolent, malignant, noxious, poisonous, corrupting; literarymaleficent "a pernicious influence on society" Sounds a lot like 'political correctness' along with many of our 'movements' of today such as Black Lives Matter that only spreads hate for any one who is not of their race and for law and order enforcers, the Gay movement that spreads their corrupting hate to any one who does not accept their ways as normal and OK, and the atheists via the ACLU activists that are making anything Christian in public places be removed saying it is hateful or offensive toward others who are not Christians even when it comes to displays that have been used for years for our National holidays and our graves. They are all a pernicious influence on our society and like the bible predicted... 2 Pet.2: "And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.' Those who uphold the truth are 'evil spoken of' by those who buy into these movements and way of thinking. 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 should be seeking the truth - not trying to cover it up! We need to uplift and support all those brave souls who are speaking out and standing up for the truth! =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: .--. .--. : _ \/ _ : _\/ \ 6 6 / \__\ ' / \'--'/ \__/_ /\ /\ \ / \/ \ \ / jgs _\ /_ (__\ /__) >Helping your child handle a bully If your child is being bullied, get involved. Children need to know you’re taking the situation seriously and will act to help stop the bullying. Follow this advice. · Listen in a loving manner. Don’t let your child see that you’re upset. This can make the situation worse. · Tell your child that he or she isn’t to blame. · Support your child’s feelings. Instead of saying, “Everything will be fine,” say, “I understand you’re having a tough time. Let’s work together to deal with this.” · Talk to your child’s teacher and principal, and brainstorm solutions. If another child physically assaults your child or is seriously threatening your child with physical injury take action immediately. Talk with school officials to help determine whether the police need to be involved. What kids can do. · Don’t react to the bullying. Bullies may give up if they don’t get the attention they crave. · Don’t hit, kick or push back. · Practice what you’ll say to a bully, such as, “I want you to stop now.” · Show confidence by walking away with your head held high. · Stick with a friend while on the bus, at lunch or in between classes. · Talk to an adult. Parents, teachers, principals and guidance counselors can help you stop the bullying. - Mayo Clinic - -<>- .-""""-. .-""""-. ./ \/ \. | _ _ | \ \. _(9><6)_ ,/ / `\ \==_) (_==/ /' `\ -'= ='- /' `\ /' jgs `\ /' `\ /' `\/' God bless the corners of this house, And be the lentil blest; And bless the hearth and bless the board And bless each place of rest; And bless each door that opens wide To stranger as to kin; And bless each crystal window pane That lets the starlight in; And bless the rooftree overhead, And every sturdy wall, The peace of man, the peace of God, The peace of love on all. -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >SYNCHRONIZATION It's the classic burglary scene... "OK, let's synchronize our watches." Why? So that two or more activities coincide to make them work together, which is much more effective than if they unravel separately. Spirituality is a lot like that burglary scene. It works best when we synchronize ourselves to God's commandments. Things just work smoother when they run on-schedule. Of course, not everything works according to plan because of yielding to temptations or this or that, and one must be prepared to manage those situations. But wouldn't it be wonderful if those times were a little fewer than they are now, because of synchronization? Get synchronized! -Malladi Venkata Krishna Murthy -<>- >The sign reads: WE WOULD RATHER DO BUSINESS WITH 1000 ARAB TERRORISTS THAN WITH A SINGLE JEW. This sign was prominently displayed in the window of a business in Philadelphia. Most would be outraged at the thought of such an inflammatory statement... One would think that anti-hate groups from all across the country would be marching on this business and that the National Guard might have to be called to keep the angry crowds back... But, perhaps in these stressful times one might be tempted to let the proprietors simply make their statement. We are a society who hold Freedom of Speech as perhaps our greatest liberty and after all it is just a sign... You may be asking what business would dare post such a sign? ........Goldberg's Funeral Home! -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Crossed The Line http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/crossedtheline.html Gay Agenda http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/gayagenda.html AUDIO CLASS - New Life In Christ http://tinyurl.com/yk8q6rd -<>- >SPECIAL LINKS For Valentine's Day.... POEMS: Friends Together http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/together.html I Need A Hug! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/hug.html It Takes Two! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/two.html Love's Lust! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/desire.html Moody Is My Day http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/need.html TEACHINGS: Our Valuable Anchor http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html Choose His Children? http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/choosehischildren.html You Are The Only You God Has http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/onlyyougodhas.html The Palms Of God http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Word/THE_PALMS_OF_GOD.htm SPECIAL PAGES: That's God! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thatsgod.html Best Friends! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/bestfriends.html Big Hearts In Nature http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/heartsinnature.html Big Hearts In Nature 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/heartsinnature2.html Friendship! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/friendship.html I Believe... http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/believe.html God's Little Love Notes http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/notes.html Love Thoughts http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/love.html Love Story http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lovestory.html Love Test http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lovetest.html What Is Love 1 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wlove1.html What Is Love 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wlove2.html What Is Love 3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wlove3.html Would You Care? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/care.html Jesus Laughing Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/Jesusart.html Akiane Child Prodigy http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/prodigy.html Akiane Thru The Years http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/prodigy2.html Tale Of Two Swallows http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/swallows.html Mother Horse's Love http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/motherslove2.html A Mother Squirrel's Love http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/motherslove.html ANIMATIONS Hearts http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs_f-j.html Valentines http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs_u-z.html -<>- >From Our Friend Karen :) Canadian Rockies http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/4CMb7yj8Cyk?rel=0&%3bhd=1 Edwardian street style: Astonishing amateur images which capture the fashion of women in London and Paris over a century ago. http://tinyurl.com/72jubj9 --- ...Wow! Thanks Karen! -<>- >From Our Friend Geniann :) Common Sense https://www.youtube.com/embed/c1Q1qzfL9rE --- ...Good one! Thanks Geniann! -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseA :) A beautiful look at Yosemite National Park in California set to some chill out music by by Amethyste called "Desir D'Amour". Getting outdoors is a great way to relax and lower your stress level and if you can't make the trip to Yosemite National Park watching this video is the next best thing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQCQgD_hsas&feature=player_embedded The most amazing stage magic ever - sawing a woman in half using clear see-through boxes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2Wkg6I5RqI&feature=player_embedded We've all seen optical illusions before. But have you ever wondered how they work? Watch the video to find out how they trick you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfdJyDfIHIc&feature=player_embedded This young singer didn't let her chance at stardom go to waste. Her song blew away everyone who heard it. The judges loved her voice, and I bet you will, too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giLU76dl3yY&feature=player_embedded While on safari in Africa, most park visitors would expect to see nature at its wildest. That's what the creators of this video were thinking when they started filming a lion's pursuit of a baby wildebeest However, what could have been an epic documentary on brutal nature turned out to be a surprisingly sweet video of a lion that is so kind! Enjoy this incredible footage proving that big cats can have big hearts too! http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=J_nTLtrsLeg Footage of a hippo rescuing a wildebeest calf and a zebra foal from drowning in the strong-flowing river caused a sensation worldwide. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=NaU8dbVgneU --- ...heartwarming! Thanks LouiseA! 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 ========================================================== (\/) \/ (\/) .-. .-. \/ ((`-)(-`)) \\ // (\/) \\ // \/ .="""=._))((_.="""=. / ., .' '. ,. \ /__(,_.-' '-._,)__\ ` /| |\ ` /_|__ __|_\ | `)) ((` | | | jgs -"== =="- >Doctor Tim Story Editor: by The Patient Joyce Schowalter USA Over 25 years ago a friend recommended a doctor to me. The doctor had a private practice and his office was nearby. Best of all, he favored "preventive and natural medicine", important to me as I seem to be allergic to half the substances known to mankind. Foods, chemicals, dyes, you name it, I'm allergic. I appreciated he was a small business owner, being one myself. I didn't have insurance, because one month of insurance cost more than I usually spent in three years at the doctor. (Even 25 years ago, policies for one person were extremely expensive.) So I went to see Doctor Tim. He was a great guy, very helpful, very respectful. Afterwards, the gal at the front desk printed out a bill for $80. As I was writing my check, Doctor Tim came up, took the bill, drew a line across it, and wrote in "$60.00". I was floored. "Look, he said, "If we bill an insurance company, it takes an incredible amount of our time, energy and money. Insurance companies don't pay the full amount of the bill, and it takes a long time for us to be paid. People who pay in the moment deserve to pay less, it's still better for us." "Wow, thanks!" I replied. Years later, Doc Tim joined a big medical business in my metro area, in charge of one of their offices. At that big business, still uninsured, I had to pay full price. Then one day the front desk clerk said, "If you're paying today, self-insured, there's 20 percent off your bill." Amazing. Next time I told Doc Tim, "Great news on the 20 percent off!" He said, "Let me tell you a story about that. "I went to meetings for two years, saying that I thought our self-insured customers deserved this. People finally agreed. But the computer guys said they had to change the system to accommodate it. Next meeting, same conversation. "Finally, after two years, I sent a bill out front with the instructions, 'Take 20 percent off, patient is self-pay." The front desk did just that. Soon my phone lit up with the billing department, 'Why did you do this?' "I told them I did it because they'd been talking about it for years, plenty of time to get it done, and I was going to continue. Within *one month*, the 20 percent off was in the computers, system-wide, for all our locations." Needless to say, my jaw dropped. One person, one conviction to do what was right, thousands of patients paying a more "fair" rate, probably still more money than insurance companies paid. Imagine how many people, how many families that would help over the years. It's probably been 10 years. I still don't see the doctor often. But when I do, there's 20 percent off my bill. On my behalf, and the thousands of people who don't know the story: Thank you, Doctor Tim. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Laugh and Lift: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >The Love of Jesus (By DaySpring) There's no love more precious, more costly, more kingly! There's no love that's greater-- that's more wonderful, more wild, more passionate, more powerful-- than the love of Jesus! Believe, receive and rejoice forever in the greatest love the world has ever known! -<>- ..8888888.. ..8888888.. .8:::::::::::8. .8:::::::::::8. .8:::::::::::::::8:::::::::::::::8. .8:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::8. 8:::::: ::::' ':::' ':::: : :::::8 8:::::: ::: ' ::: : :::::8 8:::::: ::: ::: : :::::8 '8::::: ::::. .:::: : ::::8' '8:::: ::::::. .:::::: : :::8' '8::: ::::::::.::::::::. .::8' '8:::::::::::::::::::::::::8' '8:::::::::::::::::::::8' '8:::::::::::::::::8' '8:::::::::::8' jgs '8:::::8' '8' >Gift of Love (by Matt Anderson) Reflecting on the gift of love this Valentine's Day, a warm family memory comes to mind. After dinner one evening, my five-year-old daughter wrote a note that said, "I love you!" She came around the table with a smile, showing each of us her precious message. Our four-year old daughter didn't want to be left out, and came around the table softly whispering to each of us, "You are special." Our youngest, a three-year-old boy, decided he had to get in on the act. He came around with his own special blessing. In a not so quiet whisper he told each of us, "You can have ice cream any time you want!" All three children demonstrated love in their own special way. Valentine's Day is a great time to celebrate the gift of love in our lives. The greatest gift of love occurred when God looked upon a lost world with compassion and sent His one and only Son into the world as a sacrifice for our sins. That is the very highest definition and demonstration of love. But that should be no surprise, for God is love. May your Valentine's Day be a celebration of the gift of divine love that gives life, power, and hope to all our human expressions of love. "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God." I John 4:7 KJV ------------- ,;;;;;;, ,;;;;;;, ,;;;@@@@@;;;@@@@@;;;, ,;;;@@,;;;,@,;;;,@@;;;, ;;;@@;;;' ';' ';;;@@;;; ;;;@@;;; ;;;@@;;; ;;;@@';;, ,;;'@@;;; ';;;@@';;,;;'@@;;;' ';;;@@';'@@;;;' jgs ';;;@@@;;;' ';;@;;' ( ';' (#) ) (#) ( (#) ) (#) >Breaking the Valentine's Day Blues (by Rob Eagar) When I was teenager, my high school had a unique Valentine's Day tradition. For $1.00, you could send a red Carnation along with a note to a student whom you thought was special. This idea started as an innocent fundraiser for the Student Government Association. Unfortunately, the tradition led to one of the most dreaded times of the year. As you might imagine, Valentine's Day at my high school turned into an emotional roller-coaster. The cheerleaders and athletes would receive armfuls of flowers and proudly display them. Meanwhile, the less popular girls and geeky guys would leave school empty-handed and dejected. I remember one girl in particular named Cindy. Every year, you could see the disappointment on her face as she fought to hold back tears. No one gave her any flowers, and Valentine's Day was just another painful blow to her self-esteem. As a single adult, does Valentine's Day have a similar effect on you? Does the February focus on candle-lit dinners and romantic couples make you feel left out and depressed? Do you feel a pressure inside to find someone to date? If so, you are not the only one. This time of year can seem like a painful reminder to many individuals that they are alone and forgotten. Yet, don't let society make you miserable, because the God of the universe has a totally different viewpoint: Isaiah 62:3-4 - "You will be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord. For the Lord delights in you!" Psalm 139:17-18 - "How precious are Thy thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would out number the sand." In God's eyes, you are not a single adult - that's society's label. Instead, God considers you a beautiful and important person. He delights in you and lovingly thinks about you every day. In addition, you are so valuable that His Son, Jesus Christ, gave up His life to make you His and love you forever. The problem occurs when we believe a myth in our culture, which implies that "romance and marriage will satisfy you." This notion is manifested in countless movies, love songs, TV shows, etc. Just look at all of the popular reality programs, such as The Bachelor and Joe Millionaire. The hidden theme behind these shows suggests that you must get married to find true love. However, we must realize that romantic love can make us feel good for a little while, but it is ultimately based on our performance. That's why our culture has such a high divorce rate. Couples break up when one person fails to keep the other person happy. In other words, human "love" means a man must continuously please a woman to keep their relationship alive, and vice-versa. Yet, carrying the burden to keep someone else happy is terrible way to live. Our hearts long to be in a relationship where a person accepts us unconditionally. We want to feel wanted, even if we make a mistake or act selfish. Yet, humans in ourselves do not have the ability to fully love in this way - only God does. Titus 3:4-5 - "But when the kindness of God and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy." God loves you more than any human being ever will. Even better, His love is not tied to your performance or deeds. There is nothing you can do to make God love you any more or any less. He loves you unconditionally, which is the kind of love your heart craves. So where does romance fit into your life? God created marriage (and dating) as an avenue to express His love through you towards someone else. He didn't create a man or a woman to complete you. Instead, He wants His love to fill your heart and complete your self-esteem (Colossians 2:10). Once you rest in this truth, then romance is an opportunity to share His love with another person. So this February, don't let all of the talk about romance degrade your self-esteem. If you are single, you are not missing out on true love. God says He truly loves you, and His opinion is what really matters. If you are dating someone, keep in mind that your boyfriend or girlfriend cannot fulfill you. Concentrate on sacrificing yourself to benefit that person, rather than using him or her to make you happy. Let Valentine's Day be a reminder of how Jesus Christ thinks you are worth dying for. As His, you are never alone. You could even throw a party to celebrate this truth with other singles. Romance is nice, but it is not real love. 1 John 3:16 says, "We know real love by this, that Christ laid down His life for us." Happy Valentine's Day! -<>- _.-"""""'. .;__ `\ / `\ | ;a/ a `'. _ | ,_ |/_ _) / {(}`\ \,___. \.' '--''-.( \_ _ / .-\_ _."-.... ;_ _/ '--. \ ."\ _/\ , | / \_.' /'./ ; \__.' '-./ ' / __/ `\ / .' ``""--..__\___/ / | | , | \ ';_ / \ \`'-...-' \ \ | __ \ \ /-----; '. .--\_.-"\ | \ jgs / |._______|\ \ \_____,__/ '.__| >Valentine Quick Jokes I just love to do special things for my wife on Valentine's day! Simple things like: - Open the door for her when she puts all the laundry in the washing machine, - Plug and unplug the vacuum as she moves from room to room cleaning. Guys, it's these little thoughtful things you can do to have a marriage such as mine! -------- My high-school English teacher was well known for being a fair, but hard, grader. One day I received a B minus on a theme paper. In hopes of bettering my grade and in the spirit of the valentine season, I sent her an extravagant heart-shaped box of chocolates with the pre-printed inscription: "BE MINE." The following day, I received in return a valentine from the teacher. It read: "Thank you, but it's still BE MINE-US." -------- For the kid in all of us: Q. What did the boy elephant say to the girl elephant on Valentine's Day? A. I love you a ton! Q. What did the boy pickle say to the girl pickle on Valentine's Day? A. You mean a great dill to me! Q. What did the boy bird say to the girl bird on Valentine's Day? A. Let me call you Tweet heart! -------- >A Clever Food Valentine Cabbage always has a heart; Green beans string along. You're such a Tomato, Will you Peas to me belong? You've been the Apple of my eye, You know how much I care; So Lettuce get together, We'd make a perfect Pear. Now, something's sure to Turnip, To prove you can't be Beet; So, if you Carrot all for me Let's let our tulips meet. Don't Squash my hopes and dreams now, Bee my Honey, dear; Or tears will fill Potato's eyes, While Sweet Corn lends an ear. I'll Cauliflower shop and say Your dreams are Parsley mine. I'll work and share my Celery, So be my valentine. 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: .-""""--. _ _ / ) ( \/ ) / --"` \ / _ _ / _`:____ \/ ( \/ ) | .-' `\ \ / \ / .----'./ \/ \ : ,-' ~(.).)\ _ _ \_| \ ._) | ( \/ ) _ _ / | \.__, / \ / ( \/ ) _.--' )`///-,-' _ _ \/ \ / / / _| (_\\ ( \/ ) \/ | (____/____) \ / \ ___/ | _ \/ `---( ` ) `-, .' (__.'._/'._/ |`| | __/ / / // | `--. || /_____) jgs `=---` >THE FUNNIEST THINGS KIDS SAY On the way home from Mikey's basketball game, Mikey said, "Mommy, I know what you and Daddy do after me and my brother go to bed." Although Jen was a bit concerned with where the conversation was heading, she asked him, "What?" Mikey replied, "You guys watch T.V. and eat ice cream and don't share with us!" - Jen Waterson Barr of Georgia One day the temperature was so low that schools were actually delayed. On the way to St. John Lutheran School in Kendallville Brad and his daughter stopped at a traffic light, waiting their turn to go. Olivia, 8, said very seriously, "Daddy, in my whole life has it ever been this cold before … you know, 20 below windshield?" - Brad Rummel of Kendallville, Indiana Lilly, 5, who attends preschool at a church, told her mother that she saw Jesus at school. She said she saw Jesus in the kitchen and he was smiling at her. So her mother asked, "Lilly, what did Jesus looked like?" Lilly said, "Jesus is a cowboy, Mom, and he has no hair, just a little on the sides, and he wears button shirts and blue jeans." - Abrae Gann of Kendallville, Indiana Alexys, 7, had the stomach flu. She told her mother that she wished she would never have eaten the bowl of cereal before she went to bed the night before because that is what made her sick. Her mother explained to her that the cereal had nothing to do with her being sick. Her mother told her she had a "flu bug." Alexys' eyes got big. With a horrified look on her face she asked, "You mean I swallowed a bug?" - Heather Antal (mother of Alexys) of Topeka, Indiana ...... ...... .:oOOOOo:. .:oOOOOo:. .:oOO:'':Oo:. .:oO:'':OOo:. .:oO: 'Oo:oO' :Oo:. :oO: 'o' :Oo: :oO: :Oo: ':oO: V A L E N T I N E :Oo:' ':oO: :Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' jgs 'oO:Oo' 'oOo' 'o' Janeen's mother died recently, so Janeen's 3-year-old grandniece learned from her parents about how Great-Grandma was in heaven now. Then she was told that they were going to see Great-Grandma (at the funeral home). When they got out of the car at the funeral home, the 3-year-old asked, "Is this heaven!?" - Janeen Longfellow of Albion, Indiana Cathy hugged her grandson Jacob, 5, and told him his hair smelled good. He said, "That's because I washed it tomorrow!" - Cathy Youngblood of Carthage, Texas Cathy took Jacob to school. She put the truck in reverse but it rolled forward a little. Jacob said, "Nana, if you don't know how to back up you need to read the manual." Cathy assured him she does know how to back up. He said, "Well, it doesn't look like it." Zelma was babysitting Cheyenne, 3. When Zelma's husband took his glasses off, Cheyenne said, "Lloyd, put your glasses back on. I can see better when you have glasses on!" - Zelma Feltner of Kendallville, Indiana __,,,__ ,-""-,-" "-,-""-, /,-' , .-'-.7.-'-. , '-,\ \( / _ _ \ )/ '-, { (0) (0) } ,-' / > .---. < \ |/ .-' \___/ '-. \| {, / ,_ _, \ ,} \ {, \ / ,} / ',\. '---' ./,' _.-""""""-._ _.-""""""-._ .' `._.` '. _/_ _ \ .'` `\ | | \ / | | | ; | / |_| | \ ;'---' _ ___ _ _ ___ ; '. ; | | / \| || || _| _ ; `-\ | |_ | | || |/ /| _| .' `, `\ |___|\___/ \__/ |___| | \ \ _ _ \ | jgs `\ | | | /` _/ ,-""-. .'`\ | | | /`-,-'` .-""-, / `\.' `\ \___/ /` './` \ ; .--. \ '\ /' / .--. ; | ( \ |, '\ /' | / ) | \ ; } ;\ /; ` { ; / `;\ \ _.-' \ / `-._ / /;` \ \__.' _.-' Y `-._ '.__// '.___,.-' `-.,___.' Nancy arrived home and was greeted by her daughter, Rachel, 16, who was wearing one of Nancy's sweaters. Nancy asked her, "Since when did you start wearing your mom's sweaters?" Rachel replied, "Oh, it was UGLY SWEATER day at school today!" - Nancy Franke of Seymour, Indiana Arrindale goes to the town middle school. His older sister attends a high school academy and his younger sister attends a Christian elementary school. During a snow storm, both sisters' schools were closed, but the town school had a two-hour snow delay. Arrindale's mother heard her cell phone ring. When she answered it, she heard a deep voice saying, "This is the principal calling from Maplewood Middle School. School has been closed due to bad weather." Arrindale forgot his mother's cell phone has Caller ID and the call came from their home telephone number. - Rebecca Hayes (grandmother of Arrindale) of Pennsylvania While at the pediatrician's for his 2-year check-up, Liam overheard a nurse say to someone, "No way!" He immediately said, "Way!" - Marcia Gilbert (grandmother and "Gogi" of San Antonio, Texas A couple of years ago, when Liam's big sister Erin was 5, she stepped on a nail in the backyard. The nail went through her flip-flop and into her foot. Once she stopped crying, she said she hoped that News Four (the local TV station) would come and cover the story! .-.*_, {*(,\}/___ .-"-, `;)@\*|" `", _.' \ '((/; | .-' | *;-.=-=-=._ .;-, | __;____..---/' -,\ ; .--';`_ __.-'` _/ / / `;---'__0 \ .' | / (__) \ _.' _.-,_ { |-'` ({\*,;) \,'-`-' /' /*(@-'}) ___",_ __ __,;`.--, \_,'-;}`.' `'."".,---.._, ) / _`) |`----'`( (= /`-._ / ', \ =";`--'\ '=. /| ()() | | /` / |\ '. ` | ()@()* | ,_/.=\ .; | | '. /-' -##@() \ || '--'/| \ \ \`-` ##)@() '.||_,.--'/ / / ) |/ *`(\A/)() || { |.'.| /_.'./ .-.* { >*< }*) |/ { | (\A/) @(/V\)()@() /{ \___{ >*< }()()##()()*{ { \ / ###(/V\)()@()(####\) | `--.. ,' #########()()##### { / <><><><><><><><><> \ | | ; \ / jgs \ | / _.-'` { `-. .' } .`\ `.-' _.-'`'-._ \' `"""` `""""` A first grade teacher in northeast Indiana kept a bit of chocolate in a drawer of her desk… for quite a while. Eventually a mouse showed up. The teacher was extremely upset, as were most of her students. When the teacher lamented that she did not know how she would get the mouse out of the building one of her students had quite a different view. Looking on the bright side, the student said joyfully, "We needed a class pet!" Autumn Rayne was walking out of church with her grandparents and asked if Father smoked. Margo told her she was fairly certain that he did not and questioned why she wanted to know. She said that during Mass he asked God to forgive his "nicotine." Margo had to think for a minute. Then she told Autumn Rayne that what he says during that prayer is, "Please forgive me my iniquities." - Grammy and Pawpaw (Margo and Dan Phillips) of Big Long Lake, Wolcottville, Indiana When Margo and Dan purchased their new front loading washer her grandchildren were impressed with all the "bells and whistles." One evening they had taken their little chairs into the laundry room and were watching the clothes in the washer and dryer. When asked what they were doing they said, "We're watching the laundry channel." You never know what sounds children hear on Christmas Eve. A friend of Melva's had her grandchildren (ages 8, 6 and 2) spend Christmas Eve at her house. On Christmas morning the boys were talking about Santa Claus and the 8-year-old said he heard the reindeer on the roof. The 6-year-old said, "I even heard Santa say "Ho, Ho, Ho!'" The 2-year-old said, "I heard Santa flush the toilet!" - Melva Brown of Oxford, Ohio __ / \ /'. / | Some bunny loves you! ||'.\| | || \\ / /\ __ /^\/^\ \\ \\'```'-._ ; | /\ \ \ / \'./` __ `P | _/ /\_| `\/` \ .__|' ` -.| | ,' \ /^\/^\ \ .| - - | \ / \____,..-` \ _Y_ __/ `\/` / / `---'"""` `\ \| . __.._/ | '-.__.-""``.-./ |\ | ( _.'` |\ || .-| `` || || | ; || // jgs '-'\ //` `"""""""""`"""""` Sherri's boyfriend's oldest daughter woke up one Saturday morning, walked out of her room with her hand on her forehead and a really terrified look on her face. She said she had a NIGHTMARE. With a serious look on her face she said, "I dreamed I got married!" - Sherri of Mentone, Indiana Bob and Elaine had a visit from their granddaughter, Jennifer Hurst of Archbold, Ohio, and her daughter, Kennedy, 2. Jennifer told the Hartmans that during the holidays she made a batch of "Puppy Chow" (a mixture of dry cereal, cocoa, powdered sugar, peanut butter and sometimes candy and nuts). She said Kennedy really enjoyed the treat. After finishing her serving, Kennedy told her mom that she wanted another "dog biscuit!" - Bob and Elaine Hartman of Hamilton, Indiana ________________________________________________ __..._.-. .-._...__ /.-. '-.) (.-' .-.\ \', \ / ,'/ | o'--D c--'a | \ / | | \ / ;._ _\ '-/ \-' /_ _.; .' __ `\`.-"-. .-"-.`/` __ '. .' .' '.|' ' '|.' '. '. / \ '._, I ,_.' / \ ; '-._ \ LUV / _.-' ; (| /'-.__/ U \__.-'\ |) \ __ ,' '-. .-' ', __ / `/ `\.-'| '.' |'-./` \` | | '-. .-' | | | '-. ) ( .-' | jgs \ )-' '-( / '-----' '-----' >TEACHABLE MOMENTS Your day starts early and it ends late. Somewhere in the middle of it all you're supposed to teach your child. But when? By the time your "stuff" is done, you're too tired to think ABC's and 123's. Why not include your child in your stuff? • Making cheese toasties for supper? Grab your kids and ask for their help. Four-year-olds can get bread, cheese and butter from the fridge. Threes can unwrap cheese slices. Fives can spread the butter. Dad takes care of the hot pan by himself. Then everyone can enjoy together! • Driving to childcare? If you're not on the phone, you'll remember to say something like this: "Do you see this sign? It says stop. Let's spell it together: S-T-O-P. I'm going to stop the car right now." • Doing laundry? Ask your child to help you put whites in one pile and colors in another. Talk about how warm clothes feel right out of the dryer. Compare that with how cool the outside of the washer feels. Grab a warm bath towel and wrap it around you and your child, then say, "We are snug as bugs in a rug!" There you go - your stuff is done and your child has learned all day long! Kids thrive when parents visit http://www.before5.org Note: You are welcomed to use, copy and share these stories, but please reference http://www.funnykids.com as the source. ========================================================== .-"""-. .-"""-. / `..' \ | | | H A P P Y | \ VALENTINE'S / __\ D A Y ! / _ / |`\ /' | \ \/_/ `\ /' \_\| / __ `\ /' \/_/__\ `\/' .--='/~\ ____,__/__,_____,______)/ /{~}}} -,-----,--\--,-----,---,\'-' {{~}} jgs __/\_ '--=.\}/ /_/ |\\ \/ >-->A Special Valentine My Valentine is specially for you, Not frilly, not syrupy and sweet, Not large in size to show the world, Just expressing My love to you. My Valentine to you is true, To uplift you when you are blue, To let you know that I care, My love is sincere and oh so true. My Valentine for you is sent your way, A gift of love from me to you, Enfolding you in love so great, Your heartfelt thanks does come my way. My Valentine of love please don't forget, My love for you has no beginning no end, As my light of love encircles all, Even those who don't remember but forget. My Special Valentine of love I impart, I love you all with arms opened up, To take and embrace you tenderly, This is My Valentine I do impart. .-"""-. .-"""-. / `..' \ ; ___ _ _ ; | | | / \| ||_ | ; _|_ |__\_/|/ |_ ; \ _ / \__ \_// \| | / _ / | | \_/\_/ /' | \ \/_/\ /' \_\| / __ `\ /' \/_/__\ `\/' .--='/~\ ____,__/__,_____,______)/ /{~}}} -,-----,--\--,-----,---,\'-' {{~}} jgs __/\_ '--=.\}/ /_/ |\\ \/ Signed "I first loved you" God, your Father Written By: Joan C. Nelson-Payne Copyright © 2006 (¯`v´¯) `*.¸.*´ ¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•. Huggums!... :) Shangy! >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? 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