Serious Questions... :) 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 ================ , _/ \_ _,--. < , > .-'.' /(/.\ .' .' .""". `/ ` / / / \ /) ; ; ,_.;._ _;-'}/ | | '. )( /' | | /'-._/\_.-' ; ; \_.' \ , \ \ / | _.'/ '. `'-\ /.-/.;,\ '-._ `"""""`_.|`"""`| jgs `"("\/")` |# | \(_/ `-...-' *~* 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. While the ads on the website do help, I don't want to drag the site down with tons of them to pay for it. I need your help! * * *%%* ,,,,, *%%* *%%%%%* W*W*W*W *%%%%%* *%%%%%%%* {//"\\}*%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%*{{/6.6\}}*%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%%%*{{( = )}}*%%%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%%%%*}}}}) ({{{{*%%%%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%%%* {{{{ }}}} *%%%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%* We are each of us *%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%* angels with only one wing*%%%%%* jgs *%%* And we can only fly *%%* * 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, please visit the site and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL page comes up. 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 MOST ABUNDANTLY FOR YOUR GIFT! ================ * 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 First super hot tottie comes from forwards from our friends Linda, LouiseAu, and Geniann. It just goes to show you that you are only as old as you feel! Check out this awesome one here: /""""" >==============< ,((((((, | (.).) | | ((/)))))))) C _) \_/// | | )(.(.)((((( \ _| \ _/ | | (((_ ?)))) \__/___/ / | | \\\_/ ))\= /((( <___Y> \_/ | | \_ / (((\ ())))) / \ #\__\ | | \ \_)))//^\((( / | #| >==============< \___// | || |___| #| \\ | || | | #| | | |/ \ \ #| | / / \ \=LI |/ / \ /// || |\\\ | | || |____/ | || || / | || (( | | || || \ | || || | | || ||_/ [___]]_ _//_\) jgs (_____)) ((___/Y ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Famous Movie Calendar http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/moviecalendar.html --- ...This was a delightful one! Thanks Ladies! Our Next 2 sizzling hot new pages come to us from our friends Linda and GloriaB. Many of these tips will amaze you and give you one of those 'Why didn't I think of that' moments! Check these out here... ____ .' '. ____ / .;;;;. \ .-' '-. | /////\\\ | / ,;;;;, \ | |( '\'( | | {{{{{{}} | \ `\ -_/ / | {)'<' }}} | ;<\ (>; \ {\_= /}}}/ /`|\`\_//|`\ `{{) \}}} ;# LI__:_LI #\ /`\`""`/`\ | | .--. | \ / '--' \ | #| |__| |\ # \ / () \ | ; |#\ #\ / / \ \ \# \ \/ \# \__/-._/ () \_.-\ `\#/ \ | \_.'=-;._/ \_.-; |/ \| //\_/`\_/ () `\|_\ | _| | || ||'-.______.-'`\ | | | ||_...._||._ _.-' | |\ | //.----.\\ ;```--```; | || | |`-....-'| | /| | | ||__ | \ / | || | |.-.|| | '.____.' ; --||.-.| | _ ;| | | || _ | jgs ;/ \`;--'| ;._.|`'/`\ | _< |__.; |.__| >_ | \_/ \__) (__/ \_/ Recycling Ideas http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/recycling.html Recycling Ideas 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/recycling2.html --- ...Some of these are pretty ingenious! Thanks Ladies! ================ *~* We Had A Fabulous Month Of Caring And Sharing Last Month! ______ '-._ ```"""---.._ ,-----.:___ `\ ,;;;, '-.._ ```"""--.._ |,%%%%%% _ , '. `\;;;; -\ _ _.'/\ .' `-.__ \ ,;;;;" .__{=====/_)==:_ || ,===/ ```";,,,,,,,;;;;;'`-./.____,'/ / '.\/ '---/ ';;;;;;;;' `--.._.' / ,===/ '-. `\/ '---/ ,'`. | ; __.-' \ ,' jgs \______,,.....------'''`` `---` * Please Be Sure To Visit And Share All These New Pages: Buttons The Elk! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/buttons.html Humor In Politics 14! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/politics14.html Unforgettable Photos! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/unforgettable.html Zion The Lion! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/zionthelion.html The REAL Old West! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/oldwest.html Inspiring President Quotes! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/presidentquotes.html True Heroes! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/trueheroes.html Making A Difference! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/makingdifference.html Making A Difference 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/makingdifference2.html Chocolate Train! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/chocolatetrain.html Incredible Wildlife Photos! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wildlife.html Incredible Wildlife Photos 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wildlife2.html Maxine Thanksgiving! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/maxinethanksgiving.html Obama After White House! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/obamaafterwhitehouse.html Liberty 2017 Elegant Lady RV! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/rv3.html _..._ (,-'-,) / `"""` \ | /_ _\ | .--.\( _ )/.--. / .' '-...-' '. \ | / _/|\_ \ | / | -' \|/ '- | \ / \__..-'-..__/ \ ( / \ ) '-'._/ \_.'-' / \ ( ) jgs \ / `'-._____.-'` *~* May God Super Bless All Our Sweet Contributors! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: ( )' .( ) ' (. )' ) . (. ) . ). . ( ( ) ) ( ( ( ) ) ( ' ) (. ) ( .) `\\ // . ) \\ ((()) // \\ ((((^)) // \\ () 6 6 () // \\ ()\ v /() // \`()_;-;_()'/ `\`) Y ('/' `\- -/' ) ( .:::::. /)/)/\\(\ (/(/(/)\)\) `~ ~||\\~~' || \\ || \\ || // || // ||// ||/ jgs || / | \ | \| >THE CHEER by Ron Gold There was not one empty pew in the cathedral. An honor guard of soldiers, firemen and policemen surrounded the flag-draped coffin. A bishop, archbishop and cardinal led the requiem mass. A tall, graying priest rose to deliver the eulogy. "I'm here to talk about Cliff. Cliff Thompson," Father John F. X. O'Toole said. "I knew him very well. We went to high school together, played on the same football team. "Cliff was a solid tight end. He was about six feet tall. Weighed about 180 pounds then. He blocked like a steamroller and was a magnet for my passes. He ran like a swift, single-minded deer with cleats. "In our first varsity game, Cliff and I ran onto the field with the offensive team. After Eddie Newsome's two short runs loosened up the defense, I called a pass play. Cliff was my prime receiver. "Cliff blocked a linebacker, then quickly cut in toward the center of the field where my first pass was waiting for him. He caught his first varsity pass and was immediately hit, knocked to the ground and fallen upon. "He heard the loud crack over the cheers of the crowd. As he tried to get to his feet, the pain smacked him down again. "Our trainers rushed out, gave him their supporting shoulders and carried him to the sidelines, where they put his leg in a splint. "Cliff never heard their full diagnosis or their instructions for caring for his broken leg. He just knew the leg required some surgery, pins and a cast. And that he'd be sidelined for most of the year. "However, what he did hear and see, were the cheerleaders, in their letter sweaters, egging on the crowd to cheer their wounded warrior: "'Yea, Cliff! Yea, Thompson! Yea, yea, Cliff Thompson!'" "Cliff was out for about eight weeks but he made the most of his time and his cast. All the big jocks signed it. And so did the giggly girls. The cast and his crutches gave Cliff greater visibility. And Cliff played it for all it was worth. "When he finally returned, Cliff did so well in the final games -- and the championship game -- that he earned a football scholarship. He studied business with the Wolverines at the University of Michigan. I studied God and man with the Jesuits at Boston College. On TV, we saw Cliff run out on the field in the Rose Bowl game. We saw his picture with the offense squad graphics. And we saw his five catches, two for touchdowns, in replays and on all the late night sport shows. He was even interviewed on ESPN's Sportscenter. "But somehow, all that glory never equaled the thrill of hearing those high school cheerleaders praise him by name. He replayed that memory over and over in his mind's ear: 'Yea, Cliff! Yea, Thompson! Yea, yea, Cliff Thompson! "After College, he got a good job in sales management and became 'Sales Manager of the Year'. He graciously accepted his personal trophy and large bonus check and the polite applause. But, again, there were no cheerleaders. "Cliff enlisted in the Army, graduated from Officers Candidate School and fought with valor in Vietnam. The Secretary of the Army pinned the Silver Star on his chest and Cliff returned the salutes of generals. "He told me how honored he felt but, 'you know, it's not like hearing those cheerleaders'. "On September 11, 2001, he arrived very early at New York City's Twin Towers. He was there to celebrate his promotion to Major at a brunch at The Windows on the World Restaurant. Cliff arrived just before that first hijacked airliner hit the first tower. He ran into the smoking, battered building and joined firemen and policemen, helping crowds of people escape that massive smoking toaster. "He didn't get out alive. His body was recognized by his shiny new Major's gold leaves and by the three scars in his leg, where the oddly placed stainless steel pins used to be. "Again, Cliff Thompson was a hero. And again, he didn't hear the recognition he really wanted to hear. "So let this parish priest play cheerleader right now in this most holy sanctuary. Let's hear it now for a great hero and one of God's finest men! "Yea, Cliff", the padre said, throwing his fist into the air. The congregation yelled "Yea, Cliff!". "Yea, Thompson," he continued. And the congregation repeated, "Yea, Thompson!" "Yea, Yea, Cliff Thompson!" Everyone screamed "Yea, Yea, Cliff Thompson." The organist played, the honor guard snapped to attention. Women sobbed and men held back dry tears. -- Ron Gold ___________________________________________ Ron is Heartwarmer Gem and resides in New Jersey. You can contact him by clicking here: mailto:outthinkresumes@aol.com =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Linda :) ___ .'__ '. / /_ |ST\ | | | | \ <___> / ;.___.; |::|;;| |::/;;| |:/`\;| jgs |/ \| >Presence of Mind ?Moishe the Carpenter, returning home with his week's wages, was accosted by an armed robber on a deserted street. "Take my money," said Moishe, "but do me a favour: shoot a bullet through my hat otherwise my wife won't believe I was robbed." The robber obliged. He threw Moishe's hat into the air and put a bullet through it. "Let's make it look as if I ran into a gang of robbers," said Moishe, otherwise my wife will call me a coward! Please shoot a number of holes through my coat." So the robber shot a number of holes through the carpenter's coat. "And now..." "Sorry," interrupted the robber. "No more holes. I'm out of bullets." ? "That's all I wanted to know!" said Moishe. "Now hand me back my money and some more for the hat and coat that you've ruined or I'll beat you black and blue!" The robber threw down the money and ran. Moral of the Story: Its never too late to use our brains to get out of a difficult situation! ? -<>- .-..-""``""-..-. |(`\`'----'`/`)| \\ ;:. ; // \\|%. |// )|%: |( ((,|%. |,)) '-\::. /-' '::..' }{ {__} / \ |`----'| jgs | [#1] | '.____.' >Problem Solving A farmer died leaving his 17 horses to his three sons. When they opened the will, it read: My eldest son should get 1/2 (half) of the total horses; My middle son should get 1/3rd (one-third) of the total horses; My youngest son should get 1/9th (one-ninth) of the total horses. As it’s impossible to divide 17 into half or 17 by 3 or 17 by 9, the three sons started to fight with each other. Then they decided to go to a farmer friend who they considered to be quite smart, to see if he could work it out for them. The farmer friend read the will patiently, and, after giving it due thought, he brought one of his own horses over and added it to the 17. That increased the total to 18 horses. Now, he divided the horses according to their fathers will. Half of 18 = 9. So he gave the eldest son 9 horses. 1/3rd of 18 = 6. So he gave the middle son 6 horses. 1/9th of 18 = 2. So he gave the youngest son 2 horses. Now add up how many horses they have: Eldest son...9 Middle son...6 Youngest…2 That totals to 17. Now this leaves one horse over, so the farmer friend takes his horse back to his farm. Problem Solved! Moral: The attitude of negotiation and problem solving is to find the 18th horse - i.e. the common ground. Once a person is able to find the 18th horse the issue is resolved. It is difficult at times, however, to reach a solution - the first step is to believe that there is a solution. If we think that there is no solution, we won’t be able to reach any! That’s clever Mathematics and Positive Thinking in action! --- ...Love it! Thanks Linda! =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: _....._ .' `'-. / (- J-E-S-U-S ->< '._ _,.-' \ jgs ````` "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" The culture of Jesus' day was vastly different from ours except, perhaps, for racism. On one occasion when Jesus wanted to reach a Samaritan village with his message of salvation, he stopped by a well and made friends with a Samaritan woman. This definitely was not kosher for a Jew because the Jews looked down their noses at Samaritans and had no dealings with them. Not so Jesus. After asking this woman for a drink of water and some small talk he directed the conversation to spiritual matters. Not only was this woman a Samaritan but one who had led a very colorful life and Jesus knew exactly what type of person she was. She was a social outcast, which was obvious by the fact that she was drawing water from the well in the middle of the day. All the other women from the village did so in the cool of the evening. Jesus said to the lady, "Go and get your husband and come back with him." "I don't have a husband," she replied. "I know," Jesus said, "you've already had five and the man you are now with is not your husband!" That would be quite a reputation even today, let alone in that society. And yet, this was the woman that Jesus chose to be the messenger to carry the gospel to her village--which she did--and the people there came to see and hear Jesus for themselves. How many of us would treat such a woman this way? Jesus, who upheld impeccable moral standards and high ideals regarding marriage, wasn't shocked by this woman's lifestyle. He saw beyond the externals and looked at her heart. Here was a woman who needed salvation and was willing to admit it. Neither is God shocked with you or me when we are willing to admit our needs, sins and faults and bring them to him for his forgiveness--and when we acknowledge our brokenness and come to him for his healing and deliverance. -<>- _.-/`) // / / ) .=// / / / ) //`/ / / / / // / ` / || / \\ / )) .' jgs // / / >Learning to Stay by Pema Chodron In meditation we discover our inherent restlessness. Sometimes we get up and leave. Sometimes we sit there but our bodies wiggle and squirm and our minds go far away. This can be so uncomfortable that we feel it's impossible to stay. Yet this feeling can teach us not just about ourselves but also about what it is to be human. All of us derive security and comfort from the imaginary world of memories and fantasies and plans. We really don't want to stay with the nakedness of our present experience. it goes against the grain to stay present. These are the times when only gentleness and a sense of humor can give us the strength to settle down. The pith instruction is, Stay...stay...just stay. Learning to stay with ourselves in meditation is like training a dog. If we train a dog by beating it, we'll end up with an obedient but very inflexible and rather terrified dog. The dog may obey when we say, "Stay!" "Come!" "Roll over!" and "Sit up!" but he will also be neurotic and confused. By contrast, training with kindness results in someone who is flexible and confident, who doesn't become upset when situations are unpredictable and insecure. So whenever we wander off, we gently encourage ourselves to "stay" and settle down. are we experiencing restlessness? Stay! Discursive mind? Stay! Aching knees and throbbing back? Stay!. What's for lunch? Stay! What am I doing here? Stay! I can't stand this another minute! Stay! That is how we cultivate steadfastness. When our emotions intensify, what we usually feel is fear. This fear is always lurking in our lives. In sitting meditation we practice dropping whatever story we are telling ourselves and leaning into the emotions and the fear, Thus we train in opening the fearful heart to the restlessness of our own energy. We learn to abide with the experience of our emotional distress. Coming back to the present moment takes some effort, but the effort is very light. The instruction is to "touch and go." we touch thoughts by acknowledging them as thinking and then we let them go. It's a way of relaxing our struggle, like touching a bubble with a feather. It's a nonaggressive approach to being here. - Pema Chodron, from 'The Places That Scare You" InnerNet Weekly: Inspirations from CharityFocus.org -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >WHAT R U? Your Heart is your Love, Your love is your Family, Your family is your Future, Your future is your Destiny, Your destiny is your Ambition, Your ambition is your Aspiration, Your aspiration is your Motivation, Your motivation is your Belief, Your belief is your Peace, Your peace is your Target, Your target is Heaven, -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Amazing Grace!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/amazinggrace.html Angels Are Watching!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/angelswatching.html Come Adore Him!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bailey.html Bailey's Jesus!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bailey.html Christ's Life!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/jesuslife.html FULL Christmas Index!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/christmasindex.html Akiane Child Prodigy!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/prodigy.html Shopping With Men!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/menshopping.html Most Expensive Cars!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/expensivecars.html Tour Inside Of Google!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/insidegoogle.html Big Boy Toys!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bigboytoys.html Wedding Fails!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/weddingfails.html Wishing Lamp!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wishinglamp.html Stainless VS Gold!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/stainlesscar.html Humor With Mailboxes!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mailboxhumor.html MacGyver - How To Do It 6!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/macgyver6.html World's Most Expensive Things!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/expensive.html God's Paintings!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gpaints.html I Believe In You!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ibelieveinyou.html Maxine On Jesus!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/maxineonjesus.html -<>- >Please Visit This Link to Get New Traffic For Shangrala :) Fun Pages http://www.funpageexchange.com/go.php?uid=3559 -<>- >Please Follow Me On StumbleUpon: http://tinyurl.com/zsynlpj -<>- >In The News: Full Speech: Donald Trump, Mike Pence Carrier Plant Announcement 12/1/2016 Trump Indianapolis Speech (1:13 starts speeches) - President Elect Trump tells amazing story of how just 1 man motivated him to action for the workers. (Listen starting at 1:24:40) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5fbu7BjpUc Carrier Employee to Trump: 'Thank you for sticking to your word and' http://tinyurl.com/jdml7ot Latest From AFA: http://www.afa.net/ Which stores recognize Christmas in their advertising...and who's the Scrooge? http://tinyurl.com/hp76bu7 Latest From MRCtv: http://www.mrctv.org/ Latest RightAlerts: http://rightalerts.com/ Latest ConservativeTribune: http://conservativetribune.com/ Latest eHeadlines: http://eheadlines.com/ -<>- >From Our Friend Bunni :) She Sent us one we have here... Silly Veggies http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/veggies.html --- ...Teehee! Such a cute one! Thanks Bunni! -<>- >From Our Friend Melody :) 8 Future Trucks & Buses YOU MUST SEE - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yhj4-pwi0sg --- ...Ooo Yea! Just a matter of time! Thanks Melody! 9 Deadliest Insects On Earth - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2jX63x1Ivw --- ...Geesh! Don't want to meet any of these! Thanks Melody! Reminds me of these: Dangerous Critters http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dangerouscritters.html Real Angry Birds http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/angrybirds.html Grizzly Bear Killed http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/grizzly.html Great White Shark http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/greatwhite.html Tigerfish http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/tigerfish.html Giant Catfish http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/giantcfish.html Only In Australia http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/australia.html Fun With Nature http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/nature.html -<>- >From Our Friend PatDeE :) Some crazy close calls and dumb (lucky) people mixed in. Many, if not all of these are hard to believe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyU02H5b5X8 --- ...Wowsers! Scary! Thanks PatDeE! -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) Hank Williams - Jambalaya https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqUoktB3PAc Roy Acuff - Wabash Cannonball https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yhvv234oaA Elvis Presley - Blue Moon of Kentucky https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AAOM-BRxcg Dolly Parton - Coat Of Many Colors https://www.youtube.com/embed/w_-YbWHs6DE?autoplay=1 Tammy Wynette - Stand By Your Man https://www.youtube.com/embed/DwBirf4BWew?autoplay=1 Johnny Horton - The Battle of New Orleans https://www.youtube.com/embed/sN6Q2SZfuQE?autoplay=1 Eddy Arnold - Make The World Go Away https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdWEbweX1rQ Gary Allan - It Ain't The Whiskey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3Xr67jp1Fo Blake Shelton & Trace Adkins - Hillbilly Bone https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGoiiwxTWeE --- ...Great old Country classics! 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 ========================================================== ___________________________ | ________________________ | | | || | | || | | .*`. || | |____ / | || | | | / | || | | | `O.__,. || | | | _//------. || | | |/ \ \ || | | / '-------' || | |____\ ) || | | | '---/ , || | | | / | | || | | | / ` , || | | ._. ' ' || | | ( , || ----- | |------- ( ; ----- ||------ | | ( ; || | | (___, || | | ( ( ) || | | {( ) || | ------------------------ | | mb | |___________________________| >Dimes for a Stranger Story Editor: by Hope Pesner Joyce Schowalter Pennsylvania, USA My mother has always been one of those rare people that sees the good in everyone and does good things 'just because.' Life hasn't always been kind to her; she lost my oldest sister to leukemia in 1963 and just lost my father in 2007 after nearly 51 years of marriage. She's had her ups and downs, but has always maintained a positive, sunny outlook on life and has been very helpful to people. As an example, when I was in girl scouts in junior and senior high school, my mom drove me home from the meetings. She always waited for all the other girls to get picked up before driving home. She said, "I wouldn't want my daughter to wait alone, so I don't want any of the girls to wait alone." In the late 1970s, my other older sister had to have a pair of clogs, a hot fashion at the time. They were heavy slip-on shoes with tall soles. One day at home after school, my sister was chasing after our dog while wearing the clogs. She fell down and hurt her ankle and leg, prompting a necessary visit to the hospital emergency room. My mother immediately shifted into crisis mode, packed my sister into the car and drove to our local hospital. Because she was in such a rush to get to the hospital with my sister, my mother didn't call from home to tell my father that they were going to the emergency room. This was long before cell phones, instant messaging, texting and the Internet; so when she got to the hospital, she realized she needed to get in touch with my father immediately. He worked as a retail store manager and she wanted to let him know where they were. While waiting for my sister to be examined, my mother made her way to the pay phone to place her call. She put her dime in and called my father. She told him what had happened and where they were. After she hung up, the phone returned several additional dimes that mom wasn't owed. Realizing that the phone was broken, my mother decided to leave the extra dimes by the phone. She told us she left the money there because it was an emergency room -- in a crisis people might not remember to bring change with them to make that emergency call. She left the dimes there for someone else who might need them. I've often thought about her decision from an adult's perspective. I realize that someone seeing the money by the phone may have simply taken it, because not everyone was as trusting as my mother. But I like to believe that my mother's faith was well-placed, and that someone who needed them found the dimes waiting there. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From CupO'Cheer: _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ >MAY YOUR EYES BE OPEN May your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayers offered 2 Chronicles 6:40 "Now, my God, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place." Today's Scripture is an extract from the Prayer of Solomon offered at the dedication of the temple. Please read the entire chapter if you have some time today. It is great to be in company of prayer warriors so that we learn how to pray. Prayer connects us one-on-one with our maker! When we pray God listens. When we praise He accepts it. When we call He answers. When we ask He gives. When we knock He opens. When we cry He comforts. Amen. As believers we are called to pray not only for our needs but for one another also. Even here at Coffee with Jesus we have an opportunity to share our prayer requests and pray for one another. Please make it your regular practice to check out the prayer requests and pray for the shared needs. Please encourage one another by comments and testimonies. Today's Scripture is my sincere prayer for this blog. Please join me in unison and let us pray the same together: "Now, my God, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place." Amen! as seen in Coffee With Jesus -<>- __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >SURRENDERING TO GOODNESS John 15:1-11 "If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit ..." (v.5) Although, as we have seen, goodness is a fruit that is difficult to define, we come close to seeing its meaning when we think of it in terms of essential goodness -- goodness in the inner parts. It is not something that is imposed but something that is exposed; it moves, not from without to within but from within to without. It is not self-achieved. Supernatural goodness is pure goodness -- a goodness which unconsciously proclaims itself. Christians in whom goodness is growing will not "use" others as many use their friends -- they will love them for themselves alone. They will not mentally fit people into their scheme -- for they have no schemes. I think it would be true to say that goodness is there to some degree in all Christians who are in daily touch with the Lord and are growing in Him -- but in those who have known what it is to die to self, it is there in overflowing measure. They exude goodness. John Wallace, a Scotsman and the principal of the college where I received my training for the ministry, used to say: "Goodness, the fruit of the Spirit, is more 'felt' than 'telt'. It is not so much actions as attitudes, not so much talking as walking."I believe myself that God never gets closer to a sinner -- or, for that matter, an un-surrendered Christian -- than when He calls to that person through the life of someone in whom the fruit of goodness is ripe. So in yearning for this fruit of the Spirit, remember, it comes not by straining to be good but by surrendering to goodness. Prayer: O God, I see that goodness is not some extraneous thing introduced from without; it is something that rises from within. Teach me how to stop struggling and start surrendering. In Jesus' Name. Amen. For Further Study Matt. 5:1-16; 1 Pet. 2:12; Col. 1:10 1. What will cause the unbeliever to glorify God? 2. What was Paul's prayer for the Colossians? as seen in Everyday Light --- ...Galatians 5: 22, 23 -- 'But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. For an in depth study, Visit here: Fruit Of The Spirit http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Promises/The_Fruit_of_the_Spirit.htm -<>- >FULFILLED ALL THE REQUIREMENTS Galatians 2:16 Know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified. (NIV) Thoughts "I should be awarded this recognition because I have fulfilled all the requirements." A young person was coached to say this. They were about to be interviewed prior to being recognized for the ultimate award in a particular organization. He believed he had earned the award. (Jack M) Action Point There are a lot of people who feel that way about going to Heaven. They believe they have fulfilled all the requirements. They think that their good works, their charitable giving, their attendance at church, their record of public service, their membership in a club, their family history, or any number of other things will get them to Heaven. People who depend on their work or personal qualifications will be told "Do Not Enter" like the sign in today's picture. The truth is that there is only one way to go to Heaven. That Way has a name. His name is Jesus Christ. He died, was buried, and rose again in order to fulfill all the requirements for humans to go to Heaven. Put your faith in Him alone for Heaven. What are you counting on to get there? In Christ alone is the answer. Sportsmen's Tip of the Day Make sure that you sign or endorse all of your permits and licenses when you receive them and before you hunt with them. In most places it is not legal to hunt unless you sign your name or endorse the license, the tags or stamps. Even the federal waterfowl stamps must be signed by the owner to be valid. With many items being printed or delivered electronically from one's own computer, this is especially easy to forget. as seen in Sportsmen's Daily Devotional --- ...Just a note here... , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' This is the ONLY way to be saved... Romans 10: [9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. All the things mentioned about charitable giving, public service, going to church, good works, bringing people to Christ, etc are not to be considered lightly. God tallies all that you do for Him and Christ Jesus throughout your lifetime on earth and considers it for your rewards in heaven. After all, why should he or she who gave up all for Christ receive the same as the person who once he became a Christian decided to continue with their ungodly lifestyle and do nothing to further the gospel of Christ? 1 Cor.9: [23] And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. [24] Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. [25] And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. There are rewards for those that work hard for Christ! -<>- >YOU ARE NOT A NOBODY 1. Who taught Martin Luther his theology and inspired his translation of the New Testament? 2. Who visited Dwight L. Moody at a shoe store and spoke to him about Christ? 3. Who was the wife of Charles Haddon Spurgeon? 4. Who was the elderly woman who prayed faithfully for Billy Graham for over twenty years? 5. Who financed William Carey's ministry in India? 6. Who refreshed the apostle Paul in that Roman dungeon as he wrote his last letter to Timothy? 7. Who helped Charles Wesley get underway as a composer of hymns? 8. Who found the Dead Sea Scrolls? 9. Who followed Hudson Taylor and gave the China Inland Mission its remarkable vision, direction? 10. Who were the parents of the godly and gifted prophet Daniel? Okay, how did you do? Over fifty percent? Maybe twenty-five percent? Not quite that good? Before you excuse your inability to answer the questions by calling the quiz "trivia," better stop and think. Had it not been for those unknown people - those "nobodies" - a huge chunk of church history would be missing, and a lot of lives would have been untouched. Nobodies! What a necessary band of men and women... servants of the King... yet nameless in the kingdom! Men and women who, with silent heroism, yet faithful diligence, relinquish the limelight and live in the shade of public figures. What was it Jim Elliot, the martyred messenger of the gospel to the Aucas, once called missionaries? Something like a bunch of nobodies trying to exalt Somebody. But don't mistake anonymous for unnecessary. Otherwise, the whole Body gets crippled - even paralyzed... or, at best, terribly dizzy as the majority of the members within the Body become diseased with self-pity and discouragement. Face it, friend, the Head of the Body calls the shots. It is His prerogative to publicize some and hide others. Don't ask me why He chooses whom He uses. If it's His desire to use you as a Melanchthon rather than a Luther... or a Kimball rather than a Moody... or an Onesiphorus rather than a Paul... or a Hoste rather than a Taylor, relax! Better than that, give God praise! You're among that elite group mentioned in I Corinthians 12 as: "...some of the parts that seemed weakest and least important are really the most necessary... So God has put the body together in such a way that extra honor and care are given to those parts that might otherwise seem less important (vv. 22,24, TLB). If it weren't for the heroic "nobodies," we wouldn't have top-notch officers to give a church its leadership or quality sound when everyone shows up to worship or janitors who clean when everyone is long gone or committees to provide dozens of services behind the scenes or mission volunteers who staff offices at home or work in obscurity overseas with only a handful of people. Come to think of it, if it weren't for the faithful "nobodies," you wouldn't even have this [paper] in your hands right now. Nobodies. . . exalting Somebody. Are you one? Listen to me! It's the "nobodies" Somebody chooses so carefully. And when He has selected you for that role, He does not consider you a nobody. Be encouraged! Chuck Swindoll's "Encourage Me" www.chuckswindoll.com as seen in The Daily Encourager --- ...See this for more: You Are The Only You God Has! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/onlyyougodhas.html To SUBSCRIBE to CupO'Cheer: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316kim@sc.rr.com. ========================================================== >-->From Kidwarmers: /())) //( oo (/|| _ \__ /||||/ '._-' / \ |\ / \ \ \_____ | \ \.___ /==, | ='.___/=. | ) '.______ | (______( | || snd |_|| _/ | |_\ '---'--' >THE FUNNIEST THINGS KIDS SAY Uncle Tom asked Judy, 5, if she wanted a cup of holiday cheer. She said, "NO!" The rest of the kids were surprised that she would say that and they tried to convince her that there wasn't any "booze" in it. Uncle Tom made the best kiddie cocktails. After receiving much coaxing to have some cheer, Judy finally blurted out, "Why would I want to drink anything with laundry soap?" She was thinking of Cheer laundry detergent! -- Mary Linteau (older sister of Judy. This story is from the 1960s) of Macomb, Michigan Last Easter Kasey carried her daughter Megan, 2, to the mall to have her picture taken with the Easter Bunny. They were getting close to the bunny when Megan began screaming, "He bit me! The Easter Bunny bit me!" This Christmas season Kasey and Megan were at the same mall. They were approaching the area where they were setting up Santa's chair. Megan began to scream. When she finally calmed down, Kasey asked her what was wrong. Megan said, "Santa knows the Easter Bunny!" -- Dewayne (uncle of Kasey) of Louisiana When Susan's daughter was married last year she asked Susan's grandson Dylan, 6, to be her ring bearer. Dylan and his father Mike would be traveling from Alaska to be in the wedding. Later Dylan told his father, "I don't want to be a ring bear." His father explained to him it was "ring bearer" and he would carry the rings down the aisle for the couple to give each other. "Oh," Dylan said. "I can do that! I just couldn't figure out what kind of a bear was a ring bear anyway! We have lots of bears here in Alaska, but I've never seen a ring bear!" -- Susan Avirett |L ,' ` /.o `, `, |-`, -', ' `,'_) '\ ,' `-`, _`o,- (_)/ '_ ' o `-, / ,-L `-' _`-`_ , `'. ;. (,' `| `.-. \ ,``_' (_) o `' ,` '_ ,|\ o _ \ /..-(_)' |','..-`(_)-` | | -bf- --' `-- Joyce and her husband met their daughter for lunch because she was in Denver for the weekend. They learned Olivia, 5, had been given a job to do while her mother was gone: "Have Dad bring up the tree from the basement OR maybe you can get him to get us a REAL tree!" Olivia's eyes grew wide and she asked, "You mean a tree that walks?" -- Joyce (grandmother of Olivia) of Colorado Springs, Colorado Debi Pugh of Butler, Indiana, shares this holiday story from her aunt in Arizona: After the turkey dinner, Shae said, "Mamaw, don't put shaving creme on my 'punkin pie." Later Shae put her head on "Mamaw's" lap and said, "I love you, Mamaw, for Thanksgiving, Christmas and 'punkin? pie." Alison was looking for some important papers in her fireproof save when Claire, 4, saw Alison's passport. Claire looked at the picture and then looked at Alison and said, "Mommy, were you in jail?" The picture was THAT bad! -- Alison Hummel of Danville, Pennsylvania Mari, 2, was with her grandmother for a week. Her grandmother was arranging things and Mari was undoing things faster than her grandmother could do them. Her grandmother jokingly asked, "Are you trying to stress me out?" Mari got a big smile on her face and said, "No, Grandma, I stress my mommy!" -- Barb (Mari's grandmother) of Iowa For He's a Jolly Good Fellow, For He's a Jolly Good Fellooooow... / _/_ \_ __ \\_ / \_/ ,< ==-o _| * \ __, /_) \_\__// * / ^\-' //\ \ \\ \ ') /_) ),-. // \\ (( )) * _\\ //_ . ..((__)(__))..b'ger Marcy has a very large blow up, light up Santa in the front yard. Santa stays inflated by a fan, on a timer, so that during the day he's deflated. One morning they were outside and their 5-year-old said, "Hey, what happened to Santa, he is flat?" Without missing a beat the 2-year-old said, "Daddy's mouth got tired of blowing him up!" -- Marcy in Columbus, Ohio When Matthew was 2 he liked to play in the dresser drawers so his grandmother told him one day to get out of the drawer. He went to the second drawer and asked, "Is this a no, no, too?" -- Myrle Brown (grandmother of Matthew) of Georgia Traci's family loves Christmas and they usually put up their tree right after Thanksgiving. Traci starts shopping in October so it's very hard for Casey, 8, to not peek. This year Casey said, "You know, Mom, I could really use a new lunch box." Traci immediately knew that he had peeked... a lunch box is not very exciting. Little does he know that inside the lunch box is the video game he has been asking for! -- Traci Walker of Lebanon, Tennessee Here is a Casey story from last Easter. Casey had gone to his bedroom to put on his pajamas. Traci had an idea to hurry and put his Easter present and his chocolate bunny on the coffee table and act surprised as if the Easter bunny had come while he was gone. The chocolate bunny had been hid in the refrigerator so when it was taken out and put in the warm room, condensation appeared on the package. Casey was so excited that the Easter bunny had come. He said, "Look, Mom, I think we barely missed him because this chocolate bunny still has dew on the box!" ____ ___ _.--"""-, / ) / \ .' `\ / _\ / \/ \ / .-' / _ | /.-.--.-.-.)/ / ( )\_ .\|(_._.__._._) / \,' \/ \ \ / : , | 0 _ 0 |/ : \ _/ (_) |`\ ,' `; "\ \ / / | | | /'. '._.' .' / \_,' .( '-----'` .'-. '-._ .-'\ '. [ `''''') ) `\ { ( ( ,\ / /\ '-..-'/ ; .-' ( '. / | .' ) `;---'` | /' /__.-' } / / O ' '----' ; / ! ___ { ! }/ \ ( _--- / | ___----'(__ .-' !\___/ .---' / .-.--' '------'------ --( ____)/ _-' (;(;;---'' (_(_(;; miraculis /jgs This Thanksgiving Jean traveled with her children and grandchildren to visit Great Grandma and Great Papa. Jean purchased a new bedroom set for Curissa, 7, and Corie Lynn, 5. They didn't have time for the mattresses to be delivered before they left. While at the home center Curissa spotted mattresses for sale and came running up to Jean saying, "Grandma, please buy these mattresses so the Counting Sheep will come to our house!" -- Jean Messenger of Byron, Illinois Lori was traveling from Florida with her two children Savannah, 9, and Jackson, 4, to visit relatives in Ohio where it was snowing heavily. The children who don't have much snow experience living in Florida were very excited about the weather and wanted to play in the snow with their cousins. After about 5 minutes in the snow, Jackson came inside covered in white. With a perplexed and sad expression, he said, "Mom, I can't find any snowballs!" -- Deborah Hurley (co-worker of Lori) of Tallahassee, Florida The neighbor boy, Sean, Sally's granddaughter Danyelle, and Sally were talking about game boys. Danyelle said she would like one. Both children are 6. Sally asked Sean, "Don't they cost a lot of money?" Sean answered, "I got mine for Christmas. You just ask Santa." Problem solved. -- Sally Morris of Wellington, Florida When Anne's daughter, Jenny, was in first grade, she came home one day all distraught because someone told her that there was no Santa Claus. Anne told her that was too bad because Santa did not bring presents to kids who did not believe in him. She thought about that for quite awhile, then she said, "I knew she was just kidding all along." -- Anne Streit of Cherry Valley, Illinois (Jenny is now 30 and still believes!) Koen, 2, is talking his head off. His PawPaw had an old Steve Miller Band CD playing. When the selection ended, Koen asked, "PawPaw, where'd the sing go?" -- Dennis Smith (PawPaw) of Oak Ridge, North Carolina Brady, 4. and his family have moved very close by his grandparents. This spring they found out Brady's parents are expecting a new sibling for him and big brother, Nathan, 6. His grandmother was asked to babysit while Mom and Dad made their first trip to the doctor. As they said goodbye, Brady asked, "How did the baby get in there (Mom's tummy)?" The room fell silent. Then he asked, "Did you eat it?" About a week later he started "talking" to his new little sister by yelling down Mom's throat. Now he won't let his big brother sit on Mom's lap for fear the baby will be born flat. -- Rita Hubbard (grandmother) The Woodlands, Texas ,-.-. / ,-. \ ,-. ( |a a| ) ,-. : `( : o ; )' : ____|____(_.>-<._)____|____ (_| / \ |_) || : `.|,' : || '|___..--|_\_|_/_|-...___|' ; | /SSt\ | : / ; ;| ,'|`. |: : \ / /| /|;._____.:|\ |\ \ / ,' `' / ;| |: \ `' `. \ `' / / | | \ \ `' / / ; : \ \ / / /| |\ \ \ / / / | | \ \ \ / / / ; : \ \ \ / / / /| |\ \ \ \ ( / / / | | \ \ \ ) `(_ / / ; : \ \ _)' `'.(_./___\._).`' Renee's son is now 20 years old. One night when he was 4 Renee called him inside from playing with the neighborhood kids so that he could get ready for bed. Rob obediently came in; he ran to the window and saw his friends still outside playing and asked why Renee wasn't making them come in too. She explained that she had no say as to how late they were allowed to stay out. The next morning he got up ran to the window and observed there were no children outside playing and exclaimed, "They're just like owls, they are up all night and sleep during the day!" When Rob was 3 they went to pick up a new car. It was raining outside so while Renee and her father went in to sign papers and get the keys, her mom stayed in the car with Rob who was very upset because he really wanted to go inside too. Rob drove home with Renee's parents and Renee drove the new car home by herself. Later that day as he was looking out the window at the new car he asked Renee who got the car. She replied, "We did, don't you remember?" He didn't say anything for a while just stared. Then he exclaimed, "Wow that must have been a really big box!" Rob's best friend was Eddie. They both were 4 when Eddie's grandma came to visit. She noticed that Eddie's jeans had holes in the knees. She said to him, "Eddie, you have holes in your knees!" He looked down at his knees and said, "No, I don't Grandma, my pants do!" -- Renee Trask of Brainerd, Minnesota Diane's grandson Alton Hyde is quite a talker for a 2-year-old. They had just finished a busy day when his parents came to take him home. He took a deep breath and began: "We raked leaves in a pile and we jumped in them and we swang on the swing and we played on the slide and we played with a rope in the garage and we decorated pumpkins and we put out corn and we played in the sandbox." He paused one second, smiled, and said, "The end!" -- Diane Schlemmer of LaGrange, Indiana () vvvv .-" "-. .'___ `. / /_/_/ \ ____ | /_/_/ | .%%%%%%. | | /%/_/%%%%\_ \ .::::.%%%%%%%%(_{}-o `. .::::::::%%%%%%%%/ `-._/:/_/::::::\%%%%%' o-3_)::::::::::|"""" \::::::::::/ `::::::::' `````' hjw Here's another one from Diane. Oggie, 4, began nursery school this year. His mother prompted him to tell Diane what he was learning. They had studied the letter "D" and he told Diane what "D" sounded like and gave examples of words that begin with "D." A few weeks later, Diane asked Oggie what he had learned in school that day. He replied, "We learned the F-word!" Note: You are welcomed to use, copy and share these stories, but please reference http://www.funnykids.com as the source. ========================================================== ________ _jgN########Ngg_ _N##N@@"" ""9NN##Np_ d###P N####p "^^" T#### d###P _g###@F _gN##@P gN###F" d###F 0###F 0###F 0###F "NN@' ___ q###r "" >-->>SERIOUS QUESTIONS -Helen Dowd I've only one life; it soon will be gone. What will remain of the things that I've done? Will I be remembered as someone who cared? Someone who sympathized? Someone who shared? Am I so obsessed with desire to succeed, that my eyes are blinded to someone in need? Or could I put on hold my ambitions, my dreams to help a weak brother to boost self-esteem? Am I so preoccupied that I can't find room to share a friend's sorrow, dispel a friend's gloom? Would I stop my dashing around here and there, to help out a neighbor? to show that I care? Do I lend an ear to someone who's grieved? Can I listen silently until they're relieved? Or do a cascade of MY words get in the way of the message of love God wants me to portray? Do I seem absorbed by the things that "I" own? Am I swallowed up in MY OWN little throne? Or can I show joy at a friend's great success? Can I honestly join HIM in HIS happiness? Will the things that I did while on earth be worthwhile? Have I lightened a load? Gone the second mile? Did I put off my ambitions? Put them on hold? To help someone else in reaching his goal? If I can say YES to these things, and more, Then I'll not be ashamed when I reach Heaven's shore. I will hold my head high, when I'm called by my Lord To stand before God to receive my reward. When my time on this earth has come to an end, will my epitaph read, "You were a true friend."? Or will it have words that go something like this: "Here lies a dead body that no one will miss."? 1 Cor.9: [24] Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. >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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