Racism In America, Confessions Of A Police Officer And More... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! AND For Facebook Users: Please Friend Me / Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND For Google Plus Users: You can find me here... Shangy Bigham https://plus.google.com/106648555948034085752/posts AND Please Share This email with All Your Friends And Family! ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! :) -<>- * NOTE: An easy way to adjust the size of print in email or any page is to hold down the Ctrl tab while moving the scroll button on the mouse. You can also use the keyboard to change the font size in your web browser or emails. Hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the + key for larger text or the - key for smaller text! ================ >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This super flaming hot new page is from our friend Bunni. It is one to give you pause. It is simply amazing what length people go to for creativity. This one is totally captivating and I am sure will astound you especially when you think about throwing that old newspaper into the recycle bin. Be sure to check it out here... __________ |DAILY NEWS| |&&& ======| |=== ======| |=== == %%$| |[_] ======| |=== ===!##| ejm97 |__________| Newspaper Sculpture Art! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/newspaperart.html --- ...This was another one in tribute to our beloved friend Bunni. I sure do miss her and look forward to seeing her during our time of gathering in heaven! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: ~; ,/|\, ,/' |\ \, ,/' | | \ ,/' | | | ,/' |/ | ,/__________|-----' , ___.....-----''-----/ jgs \ / ~~-~^~^~`~^~`~^^~^~-^~^~^~-~^~^ ~-^~^-`~^~-^~^`^~^-^~^`^~^-~^ >AN OLD LADY WITH A GOLDEN HEART by Roger Kiser I guess it takes years for us to grow up, but more importantly, it takes many years for us to wise up. As a young man, I saw an ad in my local newspaper one morning that advertised a boat, motor and trailer in "almost perfect, like new" condition. I called and talked with an elderly man and was assured that it was showroom new and that I would find nothing better for that price. I immediately jumped in my station wagon and went to look at a boat. When I arrived, I learned the old gentleman had been my son's former grade school principal. The boat sat on the side of the driveway and was uncovered by a faded somewhat torn and shredded green tarp. I stepped back as the old man unstrapped and peeled back the covering. My eyes opened wide as I secretly told myself "that darn thing is nothing but a piece of junk." There was no way I was going to buy that piece of junk, at any cost. Politely, I explained the boat was too small in length for delta fishing and I returned home. All day long I walked around wondering how anyone could see beauty in something that was old and falling apart. Because of hard times, several weeks ago, I considered selling my 1996 Chevy truck. Though it is fourteen years old, it is in perfect condition. Of course, there is the normal wear and tear but I have taken very good care of the truck and it has taken very good care of me. A new truck with the same features costs about $42,000 and I was surprised to learn that the Kelly Blue Book listed my vehicle at only $3,500. Does this Kelly guy not realize that this old truck has a heart of gold -- that it can stand tall and work just as hard as the rest of those new shinny looking fellows sitting dormant on the showroom floor? It was this just morning, some 50 years later, that I realized what that elderly school principal was seeing when he showed me his beautiful boat. He, as I now see, was looking at the inner beauty of an elderly, wrinkled old lady who had brought much joy, happiness and many pleasant memories into his life. I guess the true value of anything is in the heart, and in what it has accomplished during its lifetime. I suppose, with much sadness, that those traits cannot be purchased or sold at any cost. -- Roger Dean Kiser __________________________________________________ Roger is an author from Brunswick, Georgia, and is one of the nation's leading advocates for orphans. You can visit his website here: http://www.americanorpahn.com =========================================================== .HI .MHMH X: :HMMH. .X!HMM. `HMHM! !MHMMX HMHHH. IMM! XHHHHM! XMMM!. IMHXHMM. :I. `HMHMMI. :HHXXHH' .AMH' `VMHHM! HHXIHH :MHH' `!HHHA. XHIIIX. .MX .:HD AHHV `HHHA. !HI!IXI AM: AMHH'. :HHM! `XXHA. . `HI!:IX :HH AHHMV .IXHH' `!XIX:. AMA:.H!::IX. !HX AHHHV :IIHX `XIXX: :HHHHHI. .HMMMXXH: !XIHHHIIHV' `X!:IXIMHHXHI. IHHH!HX.!IIXH!.IHV `H:.:!IHHXII: .XH!!HMI::X! :XHI :MI. .!!II!: :II.!H!.:I:.IHV: :AMMHHII!:. ::::: ::.I: .: :IHV. .!!: `:VMHII:. . .. .IHHMI .:IHHMMMHMM! ..::::..... HHXI:. :IXXHHMH. .:!IXHHHHHMHHHX!' AMMMMMMMMHHHHHHHXIIIII!!!:::. :!!IXHHHHH:..:!!XXXHHXI!:' ``::!XHX:.... .!XHHHI:' II!:.. .::!IIHHI' .:II:: .:: ::. .:!IHM: :IXXIIIIIIXHMH::!: .:: .::!II!: :H! .!XHHHHXHHHX!:' .XXIXH: :III: !XHHHHHHI!IA:. !MA AHMMHMMMHI!:' :HHHHHH:.!HHHHI: :HM: `!XXXX::. XMMI .HM! `VI!' !MV' :!!IHMMMHHI. XX `!XHHA. .. :HMM: AIIHI' VMH: :I `VHMMH:. `!! .MMMV' AHHH: `HH::! .HM: `VMMMA .HV' :MHHHI `HI!!. `:HMD :' IMHV' `XII! `' :XIX. !HHI IMMI `XHH! IMMM: XHHH. :I: !MHMI VK :MHHH: `VMMV' >-->Racism In America - Have You Ever Felt Your Own Race? by emb I grew up in the 50's and 60's in a predominantly white small Midwestern town. I remember as a young girl walking to the other side of our town to get to a park to play outdoor shuffleboard. My first real experience with a different race was during these times. On my way, I had to cross by our old tomato canning factory. The factory had a big wooden loading dock area with dropped tomatoes all around and beneath it on the stone gravel. Usually it smelled of rotten tomatoes. This was especially bad during the hot humid summer days. They hired Mexican migrant workers to work the tomato fields and I would always dread having to walk past them on my way home. Mostly, if they were present, there would be about a dozen men sitting with their legs dangling off the sides and back of a big, old, dirty flat bed truck. They themselves were dressed in old dirty pants and shirts. Normally any group of dirty dressed, sweating men would be intimidating for a young girl to have to walk past, but they made it even more so because they would be speaking in a language I didn't understand and be laughing and pointing at me at the same time as I walked by them. They disgusted me and made my skin crawl. They actually made me 'feel' my race. You would think that after this experience as a young girl, that I would not like tomatoes or Mexicans. However, I am especially fond of tomatoes and I don't think Mexicans as a whole are bad people. I've always been one to have empathy for others and have the philosophy of 'how would you feel if this happened to you?' sort of thing. I was raised with the Christian golden rule of 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you'. So, I think, this experience actually made me more sensitive to not making others feel bad about being different. My older brothers had black friends they hung out with and I don't remember thinking of them any differently than their white friends. For the most part, I don't think much differently about people of color than I do about white people. I generally go by each individual's character instead of their race. I feel most white Americans felt the same as me at that time. Now fast forward to our Obama years. Our first black president. I opposed him not because of his color but because of his liberal policies, learning he came from the racist black G.D. America church of more than 20 years and that he had so many Marxist ties and friends. https://tinyurl.com/y7skpmrz I am saddened by what he has done to America. My son and I got into a conversation about this yesterday. He was talking about how a black person could board a bus full of white people and how he probably would be treated with respect. People would be friendly, smiling and maybe some would even be offering him a seat and engaging with him in small talk. Me being one who always thinks of 'wearing the other persons shoes', I interjected with the scenario of what if YOU were the one to board the bus and it was full of black people? That was a moment of complete reversal for him. He practically jumped out of his seat saying 'Oh, heck no! No Way! I'd be like - that's OK, I'll get the next bus! Move along!'. I put myself there too and actually could 'feel' my own race just like when I was a young girl. Obama did that. With him, we whites learned all about racism in America. We found out what many of our favorite actors and actresses of color actually felt and thought about us whites in America. We thought we were past it, but he made us think about our race first instead of our character. Suddenly we saw blacks rioting in the streets against cops. Black Lives Matter folks saying how evil all white folks were. Our news filled our heads with hateful racist story after racist story so that now we tend to look to color first - again like we did back in the times of separation and racial divide - like way back in the 40's. It reminds me of just the other day. I was glancing outside and in a split second, I took in what I saw - which was a little black boy crossing my yard. I figured he was a neighbor on our block. My first thoughts as a parent and grandparent were that he was pretty young to be out walking by himself, he was probably headed to our nearby splash park and lastly - him being black - I hoped the kids there wouldn't pick on him. But, thinking about this, I don't think I had to worry about him and his race. Even though he was black in a mostly white small town and he looked to be under 10 years of age, his parents still felt it safe enough for him to go out by himself to a public park and have fun with all the other children - even though he'd probably be the only black child there. That right there tells you a lot about racism in America today. :) =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Side by Side They lie on the Table side by side The Holy Bible and the TV guide One is well worn and cherished with pride No not the Bible, but the TV guide. As the pages are turned, what shall they see. Oh, What does it matter turn on the TV So they open the book in which they confide No not the Bible the TV guide. The word of God is seldom read. Maybe a verse before they fall into bed. Exhausted and sleepy and tired as can be. Not from reading the Bible, from watching T.V. So then back to the table side by side, Lie the Holy Bible and the T.V. guide. No time for prayer, no time for the word. The plan of salvation is seldom heard. But forgiveness of sin, so full and free, Is found in the Bible, not on the T.V. -Unknown -<>- , __ _.-"` `'-. /||\'._ __{}_( |||| |'--.__\ | L.( ^_\^ \ .-' | _ | | | )\___/ | \-'`:._] jgs \__/; '-. >Confessions of a Police Officer Author unknown I am a cop. That means that the pains and joys of my personal life are often muted by my work. I resent the intrusion but I confuse myself with my job almost as often as you do. The label "police officer" creates a false image of who I really am. Sometimes I feel like I'm floating between two worlds. My work is not just protecting and serving. It's preserving that buffer that exists in the space between what you think the world is, and what the world really is. My job isn't like television. The action is less frequent, and more graphic. It is not exhilarating to point a gun at someone. Pooled blood has a disgusting metallic smell and steams a little when the temperature drops. CPR isn't an instant miracle and it's no fun listening to an elderly grandmother's ribs break while I keep her heart beating. I'm not flattered by your curiosity about my work. I don't keep a record of which incident was the most frightening, or the strangest, or the bloodiest, or even the funniest. I don't tell you about my day because I don't want to share the images that haunt me. But I do have some confessions to make: Sometimes my stereo is too loud. Andrea Boccelli's voice makes it easier to forget the wasted body of the young man who died alone in a rented room because his family feared the stigma of AIDS. Beethoven's 9th symphony erases the sight of the nurses who sobbed as they scrubbed layers of dirt and slime from a neglected 2-year-old's skin. The Rolling Stones' angry beat assures me that it was ignorance that drove a young mother to draw blood when she bit her toddler on the cheek in an attempt to teach him not to bite. Sometimes I set a bad example. I exceeded the speed limit on my way home from work because I had trouble shedding the adrenaline that kicked in when I discovered that the man I handcuffed during a drug raid was sitting on a loaded 9mm pistol. Sometimes I seem rude. I was distracted and forgot to smile when you greeted me in the store because I was remembering the anguished, whispered confession of a teenager who pushed away his drowning brother to save his own life. Sometimes I'm not as sympathetic as you'd like. I'm not concerned that your 15-year-old daughter is dating an 18-year-old because I just comforted the parents of a young man who slashed his own throat while they slept in the next bedroom. I was terse on the phone because I resented the burden of having to weigh the value of two lives when I was pointing my gun at an armed man who kept begging me to kill him. I laugh when you cringe away from the mess in your teen's room because I know the revulsion of feeling a heroin addict's blood trickling toward an open cut on my arm. If I was silent when you whined about your overbearing mother it's because I really wanted to tell you that I spoke to one of our high school friends today. I found her mother slumped behind the wheel of her car in a tightly closed garage. She had dressed in her best outfit before rolling down the windows and starting the engine. On the other hand, if I seem totally oblivious to the blood on my uniform, or the names people call me, or the hateful editorials, it's because I am remembering the lessons my job has taught me. I learned not to sweat the small stuff. Grape juice on the beige sofa and puppy pee on the oriental carpet don't faze me because I know what arterial bleeding and decaying bodies can do to one's decor. I learned when to shut out the world and take a mental health day. I skipped your daughter's 4th birthday party because I was thinking about the six children under the age of 10 whose mother left them unattended to go out with a friend. When the 3-year-old offered the dog the milk from her cereal bowl, the dog attacked her, tearing open her head and staining the sandbox with blood. The little girl's siblings had to pry her head out of the dog's jaws - twice. I learned that everyone has a lesson to teach me. Two mothers engaged in custody battles taught me not to judge a book by its cover. The teenage mother on welfare mustered the strength to refrain from crying in front of her worried child while the well-dressed, upper-class mother literally played tug of war with her toddler before running into traffic with the shrieking child in her arms. I learned that nothing given from the heart is truly gone. A hug, a smile, a reassuring word, or an attentive ear can bring an injured or distraught person back to the surface, and help me refocus. And I learned not to give up EVER! That split second of terror when I think I have finally engaged the one who is young enough and strong enough to take me down taught me that I have only one restriction: my own mortality. One week in May has been set aside as Police Memorial Week, a time to remember those officers who didn't make it home after their shift. But why wait? Take a moment to tell an officer that you appreciate their work. Smile and say "Hi" when he's getting coffee. Bite your tongue when you start to tell a "bad cop" story. Better yet, find the time to tell a "good cop" story. The family at the next table may be a cop's family. Nothing given from the heart is truly gone. It is kept in the hearts of the recipients. Give from the heart. Give something back to the officers who risk everything they have. -<>- ____ /^\ / -- ) / | \ (____/ / | | \ / / /_|_|_|_/ / | / / __ __ __ | / /__ __ __ [ ]__[ ]__[ ]. / /[ ]__[ ]__[ ] |__ ____/ /___ __| | / .------ ) | | / / / | | / / / | ~~~~~-----------~~~~~~~~ldb~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >Sand Castles When I describe it, you'll be able to visualize it. I'm certainly not the first person who has observed it. But there is a lesson in it we both may have overlooked. There are some children on a beach. They're playing At the edge of the water. Giggling. Building sand castles. They seem so intent on the project. You get amused At how meticulous and careful they are with crumbly Corners and tiny turrets. The looks on their faces As they screw their mouths around and stick out their Tongues in earnest concentration are priceless. Then a big wave starts to close in! But the kids don't Panic. They do the strangest thing. They jump to their Feet, scream with excitement, and watch the waves Wash away their creations. There is no hysteria. No sadness. No bitterness. Even little children know The fate that awaits sandcastles. So they are neither Shocked nor angry when the tide comes in. You and I should be so wise. The stuff of this world is about as permanent as Sandcastles on a beach. Yet we get so caught up in it, defensive over it, and Depressed over the loss of it. But God didn't create You for this world. Your destiny is not bound up in Cash and bonds, land and houses, fame and monuments. So living to be a hundred years old is far less important Than living well - Even if for a relatively short time. Beautifying your body is not nearly as urgent as Living with a pure heart before God. -Author Unknown -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Three Old Men http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/oldmen.html Sunken Treasure In A Field! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/steamboat.html Craig Alan's People Art! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/peopleart.html Fearless Women! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/fearlesswomen.html Thoughts Into Action 8! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/action8.html Love Stories! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/lovestories.html Magnificent President Tree! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/presidenttree.html Sweet Animals With Flowers! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/animalswithflowers.html A Butterfly's Story!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/butterflystory.html Growing Old!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/growingold.html The Black Dot!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/blackdot.html Hill Of Crosses!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/hillofcrosses.html Thank You God!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thankgod.html One Word Essay!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/essay.html Thank You Lord!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thanks.html The Blue Ribbon!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/blueribbon.html Inspiring Seniors!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/inspiringseniors.html Butchart Gardens!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bgardens.html God's Instructions!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/instructions.html Friends And Health!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/friendhealth.html Playing With Words!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wordplay.html God's Most Beautiful!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mostbeautiful.html -<>- A Christian’s Response to Immodesty https://tinyurl.com/y9nrqlbu Sean Hannity 7/17/18 | Breaking Fox News July 17, 2018 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAYqFN3zy8E Here's How President Trump Is Countering Russia http://1600daily.com/2018/07/18/heres-president-trump-countering-russia/ “Sadly, the media had little interest in delving into important issues that Presidents Trump and Putin discussed, including nuclear nonproliferation, destroying ISIS, ending the civil war in Syria, preventing Iran from building atomic bombs, and the security of Israel,” David Bossie writes in Fox News. “Reporters could barely acknowledge the positive sight of former Cold War adversaries talking about peace.” https://tinyurl.com/ycf3bq6a “The 2018 Helsinki Summit is yet more evidence that Trump’s bold approach to international diplomacy is reviving America’s clout on the global stage,” Paris Dennard argues in The Hill. “President Trump knows that in order to make deals, you actually need to sit down and speak directly with adversaries and allies alike.” https://tinyurl.com/y7msgmkw “President Donald Trump has struck a deal with The Boeing Company for a new generation of two Air Force One aircrafts at a lower cost than originally proposed,” Saagar Enjeti reports for The Daily Caller. The deal saves taxpayers “over $1.4 billion from the initially proposed $5.3 billion cost-plus contract,” Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said. https://tinyurl.com/yapgcvto You'll Never Believe What Trump's National Guard Just Pulled Off https://tinyurl.com/y8j9jw7l A new White House initiative will tackle the challenges technology poses to the workforce. - Training for the Jobs of Tomorrow - With more companies expanding, hiring and raising wages, it is time to deliver better workforce training so that all Americans have the chance to move into better jobs and earn bigger paychecks. Already this administration has taken action to expand apprenticeships, increase access to STEM education for K-12 students, and help 11 million students and workers by working with Congress to pass an improved Perkins Career and Technical Education bill. On Thursday the president will sign an executive order to prioritize and expand workforce development so that we can create and fill American jobs with American workers. https://tinyurl.com/ycy2cca2 CEA Report: Addressing America’s Reskilling Challenge Economy & Jobs- Issued on: July 17, 2018 https://tinyurl.com/y84e9afn -<>- >From Our Friend Linda :) This is in 4K UHD. Note the 3-D effect. One would never have seen this on a ground tour. This is awesome! Really! https://player.vimeo.com/video/107995891 --- ...Wow! Quite Beautiful! We seldom see China so up close! Thank Linda! -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) “Wild Alaska” is a wonderful look at some of the stunning scenery and wildlife that can be found along the coastline of Alaska. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCWqrE1ozsw Alaska – Uncharted Waters: A great look at the beautiful wildlife and scenery along some rivers in Alaska. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Htacj6a4L3Y Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom shares with us a wonderful look at polar bears in this interesting wildlife video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn9GjzdK1Kg --- ...Love These! 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 ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Fran :) >Quotes: When you cannot get a compliment any other way pay yourself one." --Mark Twain "Love is an exploding cigar we willingly smoke." --Lynda Barry "To the soul, there is hardly anything more healing than friendship." --Thomas Moore -<>- . | . \ | / `. \ ' / .' `. .-*""*-. .' "*-._ /.*" "*.\ _.-*" : ; ____ """"': .. ; _.-*" \ `.__.' / "*-._ .' `-.__.-' `. bug .' / . \ `. / | \ ' | ` >BUT REMEMBER THE FACTS OF LIFE The most destructive habit (Worry) The greatest Joy (Giving) The greatest loss (Loss of self-respect) The most satisfying work (Helping others) The ugliest personality trait (Selfishness) The most endangered species (Dedicated leaders) Our greatest natural resource (Our youth) The greatest "shot in the arm (Encouragement) The greatest problem to overcome (Fear) The most effective sleeping pill (Peace of mind) The most crippling failure disease (Excuses) The most powerful force in life (Love) The most dangerous pariah (A gossiper ) The world's most incredible computer (The brain) The worst thing to be without (Hope) The deadliest weapon (The tongue) The two most power-filled words (I Can) The greatest asset (Faith) The most worthless emotion (Self-pity) The most beautiful attire (A SMILE) The most prized possession (Integrity) The most contagious Spirit (Enthusiasm) Unknown -<>- _____ (((\\\\\ )_ \\\| / \\|\/ \\( ), & \) ( (( |` \\ ))) _ | \` __| ` | , \ ` , \ | \ ,\ , \ ' \/ \_ \/ \ `_,`-._ ` \ ejm / `-. _ \ ` / ,`. \ === / '== =`. | ==== / | === ` / /========= / | / , /______| / , ======== __-' | = === / ,======= ' - -- ( \ \ \ ` \ ` \ ` \_____ \ / ` _/ / '-- ' >Story Time - In Serenity's Shoes In 2002, I started a job that required regular travel around the U.S. After six months, I had a couple of trips under my belt and had earned my solo wings; next I would be traveling to three states for business meetings and then flying to a conference in a fourth state. On day three, I was in my third state and had wrapped up my business meetings for the day. I checked into my hotel and headed out to a local outlet mall' typical for a visitor to New England. While in the first store, my cell phone rang, and I could see it was my sister. I knew something must be up, because I only turned my cell phone on when I traveled, and other than business contacts, my husband was the only one that knew my number. My sister asked me where I was and if I could find a place to sit down. I walked outside the store and sat down on a bench beside the parking lot. She proceeded to tell me that our father, who had been away on a business trip that week, had come home to find our mother dead in their bed. My mother was a 54-year-old working woman who had already had beat breast cancer. This was unexpected and devastating news. When I hung up the phone, I was distraught, sobbing, and thoroughly confused. I was alone in a state I had never been to, had just received the worst possible news, and I felt lost. I started wandering around the parking lot, struggling to remember what my rental car looked like. A woman approached me and asked me if I needed help. She listened to me babble incoherently, hugged me, helped me find my car, stayed with me while I called my husband, and gave me her phone number in case I needed help later that night. When she told me her name, Serenity, it was like a warm blanket had enfolded me. Within two hours, I had changed my flight, checked out of my hotel, turned in my rental car, and was on a plane headed to my birth state. I didn't even call my dad until I had all of the details worked out, including a ride to his house from the airport. The next morning, my dad called this woman to thank her for helping me. She wanted to speak to me, and asked me to tell her a story about my mom. I told her about a car trip we took to the Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Ontario, where my mom couldn't decide which shoes to wear before we left. We made a pitstop about half way there and when mom climbed out of the van, she was wearing two different shoes! Serenity suggested that I wear two different shoes on my mother's birthday to remember the fun we had together, and I have done so every year. I often wonder if I would have the strength to approach a crying stranger in a mall parking lot. I don't know what I would have done in her shoes, but I am so thankful she was there. by Sara Ruiter --- ...Awww, So Heartwarming! Thank You Fran! ========================================================== _______________________________________________________ | | / | | /---, | | -----# ==| | | | :) # ==| | | -----'----# | |______________________________________________________| |)___() '# |______====____ \___________________________________| [_/,-,\"--"------ //,-, ,-,\\\ |/ //,-, ,-, ,-,\\ __# ( 0 )|===******||( 0 )( 0 )||- o '( 0 )( 0 )( 0 )|| ----'-'--------------'-'--'-'-----------------------'-'--'-'--'-'-------------- unkn >Tandem Highway Dance Story Editor: by M. H. Niemann Joyce Schowalter Texas, USA It was too early and still dark at 5:30 a.m. as I drove through Houston, Texas on the way to my parents' house for our 2008 Thanksgiving dinner. As I drove south out of town on Highway 59, somewhere between Richmond and Rosenberg, I noted brake lights on the cars in front of me. As I got closer I saw two 18-wheeler tractor-trailer rigs, one in each lane, slowing down until they were next to each other and blocking any traffic from getting around them. I thought maybe there was an accident, or perhaps one of the trucks was getting in position to pass the other one. When the situation continued and the rigs even slowed down even further, I naturally got annoyed and started grumbling at the delay, cursing the rudeness of drivers with no consideration of others sharing the road with them. By this time, the rigs had slowed to almost 20 miles per hour and there was a long line of impatient cars behind them. My whole mindset changed dramatically, however, when I was able to get a peek into the gap between the rigs at the road ahead. I saw a car weaving all over the road, slowing down and speeding up, slewing from one shoulder to the other. The two rigs never faltered in their tandem blockade, ignoring the impatient honks of the cars behind them and moving over as necessary to keep cars from going around them on the highway shoulders. This situation continued for about another 15 minutes until three police cars, lights flashing, came racing up the access road and around the two 18-wheeler rigs. I watched while the police cars herded the weaving car to the side of the highway and forced it to stop. The 18-wheeler rigs then sped up and moved over to let all the cars pass by. I have no doubt those two 18-wheeler rigs saved many lives, not to mention the impaired driver of the weaving car, on that Thanksgiving morning. I only wish I had had the presence of mind to note which trucking companies those drivers worked for so I could have sent their companies a note. I've always considered 18-wheeler truckers the unofficial "angels" of the highway -- they are often in the right place at the right time and always, in my experience, help when they can with no expectations of reward or even thanks. What I observed that November only reinforced my opinion of these unsung Good Samaritans. I gave those two truckers what thanks I could by honking and waving as I drove by... on my way to a truly thankful day with my family. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From LaughAnd Lift: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22, 23 The Lift __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (// \\) __(// __ (// \\) __(// __ (// \\) sjw /" / __ \\)" \\)_ /" / __ \\)" \\)_ /" / __ '|-..__..-''\_''-.\__..-'' '|-..__..-''\_''-.\__..-'' '|-..__..-''\ (\\ \_ _(\\ _/ (\\ \_ _(\\ _/ (\\ \_ //) "" (\\ //)"" //) "" (\\ //)"" //) "" (\\ "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" >Where Are Your Roots? (Author Unknown) In the midst of the vineyard there was one grapevine that was poor and sickly looking. This weak vine stood out among the rest of the vineyard of strong and flourishing vines. Year after year the vine was sickly. Finally the owner started to dig the ground to find the reason why. He found an abandoned well which had been covered over with a circle of wood and shallow earth thrown on top. The vine had very long roots dangling in the thin air of the well. Perhaps your soul is like that. You have not been fast rooted in the foundation and are getting no nourishment from the Word of God. You will be a sickly Christian, bearing no fruit, unless you get your roots firmly established in Him. -<>- Christianity is not just Christ in you, but Christ living his life through you. The Lift __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >A Life Worthy of the Calling (by Roy Irwin) [Edited] Have you paid much attention to the coins in your pocket change recently? You might want to take a second look. It is possible that someone reading this right now has a coin of incredible value without even knowing it... An extremely rare 1943 copper penny, of which only about 40 were ever made, is back in circulation. Normally worth one cent, this particular penny might be worth as much as $500,000 dollars. And you might have it right now! In 1998, a man from Idaho who had the rare penny in his collection for a number of years accidentally mixed it in with his regular change and spent it. The penny, known as a "wheatie" to coin collectors, has not yet been rediscovered by its new owner... Almost everyone who hears this story says the same thing - they would NEVER have been so careless. Never??? History might indicate otherwise... Many people made a similar mistake when the Susan B. Anthony dollar coin was issued a number of years ago. The coins were never well accepted because people were always mistaking them for quarters rather than dollars due to their sizes being the same. People couldn't tell the difference between the two. Unfortunately, the same thing often happens with Christians and non-Christians. Often the world can't see a difference between the two... If you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, your life IS different! Your life was instantly transformed when you made the decision to follow Christ. Your sins were forgiven! You have eternal life! You became a part of the fellowship of believers - a member of the family of God! We should be the happiest people on the planet and our lives should show it! The Bible describes it this way in 1 Peter 2:9-10: "But you are God's "chosen generation", his "royal priesthood", his "holy nation", his "peculiar people" - all the old titles of God's people now belong to you. It is for you now to demonstrate the goodness of him who has called you out of darkness into his amazing light. In the past you were not "a people" at all: now you are the people of God. In the past you had no experience of his mercy, but now it is intimately yours." (Phillips Translation) As citizens of heaven and heirs having the hope of eternal life the Bible urges each of us to "...live a life worthy of the calling you have received." Ephesians 4:1 (NIV) In a world filled with darkness, Matthew 5:14 and 16 reminds each of us that "You are the light of the world." "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (NIV) How about you? Can the world see a difference in your life? Can they see the change that is a result of having placed your hope in Jesus Christ? Dear Lord Jesus, may our prayer today be the same as what Paul wrote for the church of Colosse: "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17 (NIV) (Psalm 145:21-146:2 NIV) May we "live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:10b-14 NIV) Amen. (Copyright 1999 Argyle Giraffe Productions. This may not be resold or used for the enhancement of any product sold without the written permission of Argyle Giraffe Productions.) 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 Our Friend Jacinto :) : '. _ .' -= (~) =- .' # '. /""""" | (')') C _) \ _| \__/ <___Y> / \ :\\ / | :|\ |___| :|/\ | | :|\ \ \ \ :| \ \_ \ \==L| \\\ ///` || | || | || | || | || | || | || [___]] jgs (____)) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >Thoughts "Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye." ~ Helen Keller "Observe your enemies, for they first find out your faults." ~ Antisthenes The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time. ~ Jack London Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow." ~ Mary Anne Radmacher Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That is why it is called Present. ~ Anonymous "Ideals are like stars; you will not succeed in touching them with your hands. But like the seafaring man on the desert of waters, you choose them as your guides, and following them you will reach your destiny." ~ Carl Schurz "Who dares nothing, need hope for nothing." ~ Johann von Schiller --- ...Good Ones! Thanks Jazz! >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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