Simple Truths ... :) 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 ================ "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ ) ( | ) ( / .- _ ,---. _ ( / / (~-| . . |-~) V / \._ 0 _,/ / / `-^-'`-._ / ' `-. ( : )E : ,---' ( . )E ( gpyy '._____,---' ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( *~* We NEED MORE 2009 CARING And SHARING Angels *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a 2009 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! ================ >-->From Heartwarmers: / | | | | | Have you been playing | | | | | on Daddys computer again?| |__|__| | ( ; ; ) .). __ '| , |' qPjPp (\/) Shake! | | | (@) ;)'" | | | //v\// |__|__| (;,;#;, ,--,_ __ .--& | &--. __(;/";))____-O--o'___('_)-_(______|______)_-[= ############################################### >THANK YOU, DAD by Karen Danner My dad didn't hold prestigious jobs. The first one I remember was when he was a Cook Coffee Company salesman. He drove an orange and brown panel truck and had a regular route on which he delivered packages of ground coffee to customers each week. There were times I was allowed to go on "rounds" with him and though I was only four or five at the time, I can remember always having my little bag full of coloring books, crayons, and a doll as we started our day. I felt so important. Mom would pack enough lunch for both of us and off we'd go. On those special days, I couldn't imagine ever being happier than I was in those moments with my dad. As our family grew, Dad needed a better paying job and went to work in a machine foundry. The foundry was located in the south end of town and was set back from the main road, so it was a common place for people to drop off unwanted animals. There were often litters of kittens or puppies abandoned there and of course the cowards who did the deeds were never seen or heard. Dad and his co-workers did their best to make sure those animals had a second chance in life. They would each take one from the litter and take it home. They never left an animal to fend for itself. I'm quite sure my love and compassion for animals comes from having my dad as an example and mentor. The foundry closed with little warning and Dad had to find another job. We had just moved to another house and he hadn't anticipated being out of work. He searched until he found something that would allow him to support our family of six. Dad's official title at his new job was "maintenance supervisor" but some would have called him a janitor. It didn't matter what the job was called, Dad took it seriously and worked proudly. He never seemed to mind going to work. He loved being able to provide for us. Dad's new job required him to work the second shift, and to our disappointment, he'd be ready to leave for work when we arrived home from school. The weekends were the best times with him and I now realize he must have been tired from working all week, but always made time to play with us. When I left home for nursing school, it was Dad who helped me get through the nights of intense studying. He worked just a mile or so from my dorm and I'd often call and ask him to come get me out of there for a little while. There were nights he took me to Isaly's for ice cream or to a nearby pizza place. It never dawned on me that he might not have the time or the funds to do that and not until years later did I learn he had to make up the time he'd been gone from work to be with me. One night in particular, he and I stopped at a Kresge store and he bought me an amber colored glass mug for my dorm room. It wasn't expensive, but I loved it and it resides in my kitchen cupboard to this day. He also bought me a small blue hand towel with which to decorate my tiny dorm bathroom. He never wanted to take me back to the dorm without giving me a few dollars since I had no money of my own and little time to earn any. He once offered me the last two dollars he had. I took one and insisted he keep the other. I told him if we each had one dollar, neither of us would be broke. He liked that. I graduated from nursing school in 1971 and Dad suffered a fatal heart attack at work one cold February night in 1972. A few months earlier, he had been smiling and proud as he walked me down the aisle to marry my beloved. I was scared and nervous as started our walk and in typical Dad fashion, he leaned over and said, "Don't worry, your ole dad is right here for you." And so he was. One day last year, as my sister was helping our mom in the basement of her home, she found some simple etchings Dad had left near the ceiling, on the beams. There was nothing profound written there, but it was a nice surprise to find after having lost him so many years ago. It seems that every Christmas Day for quite a few years, he had gone to the basement and left his name, the date, and a word or two. No one knows why he did it, but maybe he hoped we'd find it long after he was gone and remember those days. Thank you Dad, for knowing what was important in life. You were strong in your faith and strong in your family relationships. You were generous and compassionate toward people and animals. Though you didn't have a college education, you had "people skills." I know you genuinely loved your family and friends and I continue to marvel at how comfortable you were while talking to people and how you could put them at ease with your humor. You had a work ethic that surpasses any I've ever known, and you didn't just do the job for which you were hired, you went the extra mile for anyone needing help. You loved to dance and how I wish I had taken the opportunity to dance with you more often. Thank you for teaching me, by your example, that people are worth the effort, that animals need to be loved and cared for, and that hard work blesses one's life. Thank you for all the times you were strict and all the times you weren't. I know you were trying to teach me to be a kind, decent, and honorable person. Although I still have a lot to learn, I hope and pray that I've made you just a tiny bit proud. I remain very proud of you. I love you, Dad, and I miss you more than words can express. -- Karen Danner ______________________________________________ Karen says, "I'm a retired RN and reside in Miamisburg, Ohio, with my husband of 37 years. We have one daughter and son-in-law and two wonderful grandkids, and we live with a menagerie of seven cats and one big cat-hating dog. All our animals had been strays at one time or another." =================================================================== >-->From Our Friends At CES: _,,,_ .' `'. / ____ \ | .'_ _\/ / ) a a| .----. / ( > | /| '--. ( ) ._ / || ]| `-. ) _/-.__.'`\ || ]| ::| ( .-'`-. \__ ) || ]| ::| `/ `-./ `. || ]| ::| _ | \ \ \ \| ]| .-' / \| \ \ \ \ L.__ .--'( | |\ `. / / \ ,---|_ \---------, | `\'. '. /`\ \/ .--._|=- |_ /| | \ '. '._ './`\/ .-' '. / | | | `'. `;-:-;`)| |-./ | | /_ `'--./_ ` )/'-------------')/) | \ | `""""----"`\//`""`/,===..'`````````/ ( | | | / `---` `===' / ) | / \ / / ( | | '------. |'--------------------'| ) | \ `-| | / | `--...,______| | ( | | | | | ) ,| | | | | ( /|| | | | | )/ `" / \ | | (/ jgs .' /I\ '.| | /) .-'_.'/ \'. | | / ``` `"""` `| .-------------------.|| `"` `"` To our Partners / Contributors - pictures of the new office: from Spirit & Truth Fellowship Hello and God bless you! We thought it would bless you to see a slide show of the construction progress of our new Home Office in Martinsville, Indiana (just south of Indianapolis and much closer to our Camp Vision). We have had to take out a line of credit to cover the cost of the construction but we are on track (and on budget) to complete construction so we can all be under one roof by mid-August. If you would like to help us pay off the building loan, please designate your gift to the "building fund." All we ask is that it please be above and beyond your normal giving. We completely understand these are tough economic times for all of us. Whether or not you are able to help financially, please cover us in prayer. Together, we are truly sowing the Gospel all over the globe! Here is the link to our Fellowship Network News page. The photo album is in the bottom left corner of the page. http://tinyurl.com/nuajzo Thank you so much for your prayers and support! We sure love you! The Home Office staff www.STFonline.org -<>- Hello and God bless you! We have a couple of announcements that we trust will be a real blessing to you. _.-, _ .-' / .._ .-:'/ - - \:::::-. .::: ' e e ' '-::::. ::::'( ^ )_.:::::: ::::.' '. o '.::::'.'/_ . :::.' - .::::'_ _.: .-''---' .'| .::::' ''':::: '. ..-:::' | .::::' :::: '.' :::: \ .::::' :::: :::: .::::' :::: ::::.::::'._ :::: ::::::' / '- .:::: '::::-/__ __.-::::' '-::::::::::::::-' jrei '''::::''' First, our Death & Resurrection to Life audio seminar is now available to listen to online for free. In this multi-part seminar on the state of the dead, John Schoenheit systematically sets forth what the Scriptures teach: that the dead are dead, and not alive in any form until they are raised from the dead by Jesus Christ. Just click on this link and scroll down to just under our video promo on how to use our free audio Podcast. http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=788 Second, the deadline to register for our missions trip in the hills of the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky (July 19 - 24, 2009) has been extended to June 30th. For more information please visit here... http://tinyurl.com/kmcwhl Please know you are always in our prayers, The Home Office staff Spirit & Truth Fellowship International www.STFonline.org ============================================================ >-->From Our Friend Jo Ann: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Intro For Christ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBngNkAqJEc --- ...Very inspiring! Thank You Jo Ann! -<>- _____ , ___)) / | 6 6 (___( _e ____/ /_ / \ o\_/ \ / /\' _ _)\ /_< )____/\_\ ___oo' ,ooooo,|_/ -//,-( / |=/ | \ \ \ \ )_______\ / ) / ) / / ( | | / \ | _________ |/_______\|________. = = /( )\ b'ger /,/ 7 \\_ >I Am a 'Kept' Woman? You see, there were a few times when I thought I would lose my mind, But GOD kept me sane. (Isa. 26:3) There were times when I thought I could go on no longer, But the LORD kept me moving. (Gen 28:15) At times, I've wanted to lash out at those whom I felt had done me wrong, But the LORD kept my mouth shut. (Psa. 13) Sometimes, I think the money just isn't enough, But GOD has helped me to keep the lights on, the water on, the car paid, the house paid, etc.. (Matt. 6:25 -34) When I thought I would fall, HE kept me up. When I thought I was weak, HE kept me strong! (I Pet. 5:7, Matt. 11:28-30) I could go on and on and on, but I'm sure you hear me! I'm blessed to be 'kept.' Are you...or do you know a 'kept' woman? If so pass it on to her to let her know she is 'Kept' I'm Kept by the Love and Grace of God! --- ...Amen! Thank You Jo Ann! -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Spread The Word No one falls in love by choice, it is by CHANCE. No one stays in love by chance, it is by WORK. And no one falls out of love by chance, it is by CHOICE. If you love this man, JESUS CHRIST please forward to 10 people. He did something for you, now do something for Him. Spread God's word, and you'll be rewarded. How? Matthew 10:32... 'Whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will acknowledge him before My Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before men, I will disown him before My Father in heaven. -<>- _,,,_ .' `'. / ____ \ | .'_ _\/ / ) a a| / ( > | ( ) ._ / ) _/-.__.'`\ ( .-'`-. \__ ) `/ `-./ `. | \ \ \ jgs | \ \ \ \ |\ `. / / \ >I Didn't Appreciate As I get older, I realize there are things in My life I didn't appreciate until it was too late. I didn't appreciate the naps they used to make Me take in kindergarten. I long for the day when someone says, "You Can't work anymore until you take a nap." I Guarantee you, I won't argue. I didn't appreciate one-cent candy or milk That was delivered to your front door. In the "do-it-yourself" world we'll never see either of. I didn't appreciate those face-squishing hugs My mother used to give me. Now that she's gone home to be with the Lord, I long for just one more. This time I would squish her right back. I didn't appreciate the days I danced barefoot In the rain with my mouth open wide trying to Get a drink of raindrops. I didn't appreciate the sacrifice my parents Made for my brothers and me to keep us clothed, Fed and happy. I didn't appreciate mom letting us mess up the Living room on a rainy day. I thought building a tent with a secret tunnel Is what everyone did on those days. I didn't appreciate the marvels of planting a seed And watching it sprout into a full-grown plant. I didn't appreciate the struggles we had to go Through as a family. Because of yesterday's struggles, we have Strength for today. I didn't appreciate the times my sons came to Me and asked those annoying, Unanswerable questions. "What makes a duck quack?" "Why is the sky blue?" I had no idea they thought I was smart enough To answer all their questions. I didn't appreciate the times our family had I didn't appreciate those "primary" Sunday School teachers who went through so much Trouble to collect toilet paper rolls so I could Understand what a scroll was. I didn't appreciate those clear nights when the Stars danced with glee showing Off their awesome Creator. I didn't appreciate our son's "refrigerator Artwork" that made our house a home. I didn't know to appreciate the muddy Footprints my wife and I so often found making a Path across our carpet as a representation of life. I didn't appreciate the times my children fell Asleep in daddy's arms. I didn't realize it was there they felt Protected from all the elements of the world. I didn't appreciate my parents taking me to Church, the place I found Jesus! I didn't appreciate the ease at which I can access A Bible, while I know people Who hunger for a single page. And, even today, I can't fully appreciate what A great salvation I have. God, I have just one prayer for today. Open my Eyes that I may be able to see and appreciate the Things that you do each day. - By Walker Moore -<>- >JUST A DOG , ----. - - ` ,__.,' \ .' *` / | | / **\ . / ****. | mm | ****| \ | ****| ` ._______ \ ****/ \ /`---' \___( /~~~~\ / \ / | \ | | \ , ~~ . |, ~~ . | |\ ( |||| ) ( |||| )(,,,)` ( |||||| )-( |||||| ) | ^ ( |||||| ) ( |||||| ) |'/ ( |||||| )-( |||||| )___,'- ( |||| ) ( |||| ) ` ~~ ' ` ~~ ' From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog" or "that's a lot of money for just a dog". They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog". Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog". Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog", but I did not once feel slighted. Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day. If you, too, think it's "just a dog", then you will probably understand phrases like "just a friend", "just a sunrise" or "just a promise". "Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that makes me a better person. Because of "just a dog", I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. "Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day. I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog", but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a man or woman". So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog", just smile -- because they "just don't understand". -- Author Unknown --- ...Thank you Jo Ann. (\ _\_(`\_ `/` _ `/,-'=/` _,'|`._ /' `/` ,-' |||._ `-._ i_i _,-' ,-' || `__ `-._ "=(. .)=" _,-' _,-' --||- (..=`/._ `-/#\ ( i_i ,\ _,-' | )|_|-==` \_)`-/ /v "=(. .)=" ,' ,|/ \ |__||\ //|\\ / / #/ ,/ \ ( ,' ,' ((_.--._)) || )(/|\)' /# ; ,/ #,/v ,' ,' |`- -' ||/ (/\\ / #; ,/# ,/ ,' ' / | \ */"-._ |/ _____,-''"/_)/__ / ,',---|((_.--._(__/ _.--""_____)-//_______"-. (,-.)| `- -( _,"_.--"" |||(( __ "-.: ___,/ ;| \ */ _\'_," (\__/) |||\\\ |__`,()() . \ (,_.) (_| (__/,'_,' /_/)=\.\. = |||||| | `( ` ``\|\)\ ( ;.__| _,-'_,' =//. ==> _7)< |||||| |`` , ` * "") ___\ _,--'_,-' //_(7__/) ////\ |||||| |``` \___.--' \_"""_,--' <*)_//'"" )/_/-"""":|||||,""""(("-._/ | """" ) ( _(-' _.---"\___,----. |||||| | ,' "`._ ,(( | ) ( \_/' ,' _"" "_ `.||||| |,"\\'--._) "._ \ \_/<. .>""( ( . .) )|||| |\\ \/,"\\ /`--._) <. .>|_/\| \/ ) \,-( \(||||| | \\)"\\ \) ||_/( ( | |\/ /, \ \ )\\(:|||||,()""""-.:| | \ `-\ | |__\/, :`/-`._____,-""_,' ctr:| |"""\___,""""""""""""""\(_,( (__,-"||---""""""; \---""""---------""""""""````/////))----""""/ ~~~\ ~///////~ ~/~~~~~ \ ~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ /~~~~/ ~~/ ~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ So many people do not understand about animals. When God said 'Let us make Man in our own image' - it tells us He chose us out from among the other animals and creatures he formed and made to be created in his image - with spirit. This also tells us that other animals and creatures had to of been somewhat close to us else God would not of had to say this. In other words, it would of been a 'given' considering how superior man was to all the others. But this was not the case. God had to say so. Anyone that has pets and is close to them, realizes that each one is unique and wonderful. Just as human life is unique and so very important. We are just one step ahead of all the other creatures. Why? Because God chose us to be. God made us all with own DNA - our own uniqueness and each animal and living creature has their individual mentality and personality. It is to our shame that we treat them as any thing less then special. It is why puppy mills and China pet furors are so cruel. We should be up in arms about anyone being cruel to animals. Yet I got news from PETA yesterday of an old practice going on in China that is still going on today. Slaughtering cats and dogs and even skinning them alive for their fur. America sells these animals, according to PETA, some still with their old owners collars on them! They are shoved into tight little cages and shipped off to China. Only to be processed and returned to the states in some other form like fur gloves or hats or for collars around coats or jackets! How horrible to think by buying that fur thing that you may be wearing some child's stolen pet! We live in evil times. Cruelty to animals is one of the first disorder signs associated with rapists, child molesters, and serial killers. It is because it is the innocent ones who often suffer the most in this world. Thank God for Christ's return when all this will end with Him in power! Hope Of The Return http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/hopeofthereturn.html -<>- _ _.-~~.) _.--~~~~~---....__ .' . .,' ,'. . . . . . . . . .~- ._ ( ( .. .g. . . . . . . . . . .~-._ .~__.-~ ~`. . . . . . . . . . . -. `----..._ ~-=~~-. . . . . . . . ~-. ~-._ `-._ ~=_~~--. . . . . .~. | .~-.._ ~--._-. ~-. . . . ~-. \ .( ~~--.._~' `. . . . .~-. , `._\ ~~--.._ `. . . . . ~-. .- . ,'/ _ . _ . -~\ _ .. _ ~~--.`_. . . . . ~-_ ,-','` . ` ._ ~ ~--. . . . .~=.-'. /. ` - . -~ -. _ . - ~ - _ - ~ ~--..__~ _,. / \ - ~ . __ .. ~- ~~_. ( ` )`. _ _ `- .. - . . - ~ ~ . \ ~-` ` ` `. _ _ Seal _ - . ` . \ \ `. >Simple Truths I just watched a beautiful and powerful presentation that really touched me and I wanted to share it with you. I'm sure you'll enjoy the breathtaking images and the inspiring message. You can check it out here http://www.stservicemovie.com/ --- ...A Sweet One! Thank You Jo Ann! -<>- >UPS/Fed Ex Delivery Failure (VIRUS) The newest virus circulating is the UPS/Fed Ex Delivery Failure. You will receive an email from UPS/Fed Ex Service along with a packet number.. It will say that they were unable to deliver a package sent to you on such-and-such a date. It then asks you to print out the invoice copy attached. DON'T TRY TO PRINT THIS. IT LAUNCHES THE VIRUS! Pass this warning on to all your PC operators at work and home. This virus has caused Millions of dollars in damage in the past few days. Snopes confirms that it is real. http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/ups.asp --- ...Great Info! Thanks Jo Ann! ================================================================== >-->From Our Friend GloriaB: A dog had followed his owner to school. His owner was a fourth grader at a public elementary school. However, when the bell rang, the dog sidled inside the building and made it all the way to the child's classroom before a teacher noticed and shooed him outside, closing the door behind him. The dog sat down, whimpered and stared at the closed doors. \_/ --(_)-- . / \ /_\ |Q| .-----' '-----. __ /____[SCHOOL]___\ ())) | [] .-.-. [] | (((()) ..|____|_|_|____|..................................)(... ldb Then God appeared beside the dog, patted his head, and said, 'Don't feel bad fella'...they won't let ME in either'. IN GOD WE TRUST!! --- ...Sweet! Thank You GloriaB! ============================================================== >-->From Our Friend Viv :) She sent us a forward of one we already have a page for: __ / _,\ \_\ ,,,, _,_) # /) (= =)D__/ __/ // C/^__)/ _( ___// \_,/ -. '-._/,--' _\\_, / -//. \_ \_/ -,._ _ ) ) \/ / ) / / \-__,/ ( ( ( \.__,-)\_ )\_ / -( b'ger / -(//// //// Best Playmate http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/playmate.html --- ...A Very Sweet Reminder! Thank you Viv! -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' AMEN, AMEN AND AMEN. It's about time we all stood up to this government and stop this from happening. I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT A HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL CAN SEE THE PROBLEM, BUT NOT OUR SOCIETY. IF I OFFENDED ANYONE BY THIS, I REALLY DON'T CARE. >Tennessee Football This is a statement that was read over the PA system at the football game at Roane County High School, Kingston, Tennessee, by school Principal, Jody McLeod: "It has always been the custom at Roane County High School football games, to say a prayer and play the National Anthem, to honor God and Country." Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a Prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law. As I understand the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it "an alternate lifestyle," and if someone is offended, that's OK. I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity, by dispensing condoms and calling it, "safe sex." If someone is offended, that's OK. I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a "viable! means of birth control." If someone is offended, no problem... I can designate a school day as "Earth Day" and involve students in activities to worship religiously and praise the goddess "Mother Earth" and call it "ecology.." I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depicts people with strong, traditional Christian convictions as "simple minded" and "in ornate" and call it "enlightenment." However, if anyone uses this facility to honor GOD and to ask HIM to bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, then Federal Case Law is violated. This appears to be inconsistent at best, and at worst, diabolical. Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone, except GOD and HIS Commandments. Nevertheless, as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules with which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do otherwise would be inconsistent at best, and at worst, hypocritical... I suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not need to add an intentional transgression. For this reason, I shall "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's," and refrain from praying at this time. "However," if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank GOD and ask HIM, in the name of JESUS, to bless this event, please feel free to do so. As far as I know, that's not against the law----yet." One by one, the people in the stands bowed their heads, held hands with one another and began to pray. They prayed in the stands. They prayed in the team huddles. They prayed at the concession stand and they prayed in the Announcer's Box! The only place they didn't pray was in the Supreme Court of the United States of America - The Seat of "Justice" in the "one nation, under GOD." Somehow, Kingston, Tennessee remembered what so many have forgotten. We are given the Freedom OF Religion, not the Freedom FROM Religion. Praise GOD that HIS remnant remains! JESUS said, "If you are ashamed of ME before men, then I will be ashamed of you before MY FATHER." If you are not ashamed, pass this on. I'm not one bit ashamed to forward this! IN FACT, I AM VERY HONORED TO PASS THIS ON IN GOD'S WORD HE STATES,"IF MY PEOPLE WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME WILL HUMBLE THEMSELVES, AND PRAY AND SEEK MY FACE, AND TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS, THEN I WILL HEAR FROM HEAVEN, AND WILL FORGIVE THEIR SIN AND HEAL THEIR LAND." http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/mcloud.asp --- ...Very moving! Thank You Viv! I loved this! , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' So many times I have seen this little phrase about what Jesus said that I almost skipped over it thinking yadah-yadah till I stopped and it dawned on me. I am quite sure Jesus said this little phrase due to God knowing it would be used so often in the future to get people to think about His Word. So Then it made me smile and think of the layer thing. Shrek and his layers. Saying he is like an onion - he has lots of layers. God's Word is like that too only I suppose you might want to think of it more like the petals of a rose bud. It has many layers. Until it unfolds you don't see the true full beauty of the rose. You can't make it unfold but you have to wait for just the right time and then it unfolds for you. Just like the Word of God. I find this time and time again with Bible teachings. I think I get it the first several times I study it but each time I go back and study it again, something new unfolds for my greater understanding of it. , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' This happened again for me with this biblical teaching: Prosperity and Health http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/prosperityhealth.html I was studying it again because it is such a strong teaching. Who of us can say we have this mastered in our life? That your health and prosperity are exactly where you want them to be? No? Me neither, that is why I was studying it again. Can't get enough of a good thing! So with it came a new 'dawn on me' light that I'd like to highlight for you just in case you, like me, have missed it. James 4: 7 -- Submit [addict] yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. This little verse in this teaching hit me like a ton of bricks. I'm sure most of you have read this one before. I've skipped over that nasty little word [addict] many times before because I didn't want to hear it. An addict is like a bad word in our language these days. We certainly don't want to be an addict. I quit cigarettes. I was addicted to them and I don't want any part of that again. Check out these: _ |_| | |_/ _ _ (_) _ | | | (` \) . | \ (` (` |) (_ (_) ,-.(_) | o o o / | `-' _ (_) * .|, * O -x- '|` \ \ |// | * ( %%%)%%%/%%% % -+- O _ %\%%%%%%%%(%%%%%/ | %%%%%%%%%%)%%%)%(%%\ _ %%/ __^_ _^__ \%%% (_) _|_ ) |"\=(((@))=((@)))=/"|% | ( %\_( ,`--'(_)`--'. )_/ % \ ) /%%( /______I______\ )% ) ) , _/%%%%\\\_|_|_|_|_|_///%%% ,----.-._ ( / %% %%\ `|_|_|_|_|' /%\%%\ / __ `.``. \( -%% %%%%`---.___,---'%%%% ) / / _`.__))))____` ( %% % %% \ ( @)__,._ :%## % % \ .' )`-----.%## / `' ,' Stef Quit Smoking http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/quitsmoking.html My parents and grandparents had problems not only cigarettes but with alcohol as well. So I know how horrible one addicted to alcohol can be. _.,_ ,-'.' .`-, ;; '. ' `. ;` - _ _,-; ' ; `. ,% .-, - *click* ,_.,-'` ';; ; : ;%' | | \ ___ _._,-`'\ `'-`' _.,' `. ) __,--`-,,`' ,._,.-`-., _.,-.--.-,`''` | _| |__ `---'////\ / .-, `-`-^--`'^`-...,,| | |.,/ //\)(/ `-\.-. | `-' ( .-; | | ,. `-~ ~~-. `._.' ,/ / `~ ~~~ ~~ /,.`) // / /_ `/ ( `/ `-' mic Alcohol And Drug Use http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/alcoholanddrugs.html Defeating Drug Use http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/defeatingdruguse.html No. Addict is not good. So I skipped over that. But, it dawned on me this time when I read it. God wants me to become addicted to Him? You mean all the times I think of him, pray to him and bug him countless times by singing to him and thinking of him and talking to him and ask him for stuff and thank him for stuff is OK? I was thinking I was being a nuisance and at times asked God to forgive me for being so much in his face all the time! Silly huh? Why? Because here is God telling me he wants not only ME but ALL of His children to be like that - to be addicted to him! How wonderful! What a great Father! I know, only you who have been addicted to something can fully understand this one. But you see, when I was addicted to cigarettes, they were on my mind over and over again - several times an hour! I smoked a cigarette every 15 minutes! Every 15 minutes I was thinking of having a cigarette and then I spent a good 10 minutes smoking the thing! So most all day long my addiction had me thinking about it. I also had to work hard enough to support my habit with money. And my goodness, I certainly could not leave the house unless I had my cigarettes and lighter with me! It was important that any where I went, I had enough smokes to make it through! Now with that in mind, think of my addiction to cigarettes as being addicted to God. Wowsers! Can you see how much God wants us to have Him in our life? Totally! Awesome huh? Now today, the second part of this verse spoke up. Notice it too with me ... James 4: 7 -- Submit [addict] yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 'Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.' It never struck me before. Notice it doesn't say 'he shall flee from you'? It says 'will'. That is important. Why? When God uses the word 'shall' it means absolutely - no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Likewise when He uses the word 'will' it means probably but not absolutely. Even when we do good and resist the devil, there is no assurance that the devil will absolutely leave us alone. That means Sometimes we'll have to do more then just simply resist him. Check out these teachings for those times... Dealing With The Adversay 1 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/dealingwiththeadversary1.html Dealing With The Adversay 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/dealingwiththeadversary1.html ====================================================================== >-->From InpsiredBuffalo: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Making/Being Made (by Rich Mullins, Release Magazine Fall 1992) The Bible is a very great book. It is the written witness to God's revelation of Himself in His word: Jesus Christ. And, if you like, you can make a great deal of it. You can speculate about it: This will make you a philosopher and people will think you are deep and very smart. You can pontificate in view of it: This will make you a preacher and people will marvel at your courage and gift for oratory. You can adulate it: This will make you it's number one fan. You can display your very fine collection of it's various versions all over your house. You can attack it: This will make you a skeptic and people will admire your honest, blind determination to live in your grim, faithless little world. You can adapt it: This will make you a youth pastor or a Christian musician or a feminist theologian or a popular author. You, too, can be the icing on a cake. You can systematize it: This will make you a theologian and people will quote you and regard those quotes as some sort of authority. You can criticize it: This will make you a scholar - and those who are not put off by your egg-headedness will confer on you M.A.'s and D.D.'s. You can theorize it: This will make you an expert in biblical slants on contemporary issues like political science, psychology, church growth, economics, sex and marriage. You can ponder it: This will make you a mystic and people will turn to you for spiritual advice (and from you when they get it). You can practice it: This will make you a model citizen - a fair, generous and righteous (if somewhat uptight) person. Of course, what we make of the Bible will never be as great a thing as what the Bible will - if we let it - make of us. For that which is born of the flesh - our human understanding and handlings - is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit - God's revelation of Himself and the power of that revelation to enliven us - is spirit. The will of man will not ultimately prevail against the will of God. It is the will of God that we should know Him as He revealed Himself and that will has not only survived the arrogant attacks of scientific and "enlightened" men, it has (even more miraculously) thrived in spite of our best intended, though sadly misguided attempts at "rightly dividing" that seamless robe of revelation. So, let us press on with no faith in our own understanding and nothing but faith in the Truth that is too great to be diminished by our feeble minds and too great to not transform us. Salvation comes from God, not from our cleverness. The Bible is a very great book. Let us submit to it so God may do the great work of making us into a great people. -<>- $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$P^""^T$$$$$$P^""^T$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$P" "^^" "T$$$$$$ $$$$$" "$$$$$ $$$$P >< >< x88' T$$$$ $$$$ '88" "88' "" $$$$ $$$$p "" "" g$$$$ $$$$$. .$$$$$ $$$$$$p. .d$$b. .g$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$b.__.d$$$$$$b.__.d$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ fsc $$$$ >Binoculars One of the great joys of my life is being able to lead field trips looking at birds, flowers, trees, mammals and anything else in nature. Leading children around a state park is a particular joy to me. There is nothing quite like seeing something through the eyes of a child who is seeing it for the first time. I never cease to marvel at their enthusiasm and willingness to express their awe. Not long ago, I was walking with a group of 5th graders at Myre-Big Island State Park. There were about 75 Scarlet Tanagers in the Park this day, and I wanted to make sure every one of my charges got a good look at these beautiful birds. A Scarlet Tanager male, with his bright red and lovely black colors, is an "Ahhh Bird". Whenever anyone sees one of these birds through binoculars or a spotting scope, they cannot help but issue an, "Ahhh." This day, I was leading 15 kids in a group. I had brought along 8 binoculars for the kids to use. The idea was that they would share the optics. It was a good idea, and like most good ideas, it was better in theory than in practice. But the kids were great. Kids are great. Every generation says the same thing, "What's the matter with the kids today? Why can't they be like we were, perfect in every way?" I want to tell everyone that there is nothing wrong with the kids today. Society may have some problems, but the kids are wonderful. The kids were using the binoculars as you might expect them to. They , "Ew! Cooties!" They would turn the binoculars around, so they were looking through the big lenses, then look at their feet saying, "This is what my feet would look like if I were 30 feet tall." They did find the time to see the birds. The tanagers worked their magic on these children. The kids made sounds like they were seeing fireworks. I couldn't help but wonder if one of them would be hooked on birds as I am. My hopes were fulfilled -- every child had a good look at the tanagers. As we continued our hike, a girl by the name of Becky began to walk with me, matching me stride-for-stride. She was bubbling. "These are the greatest binoculars I have ever seen!" she gushed. "Why, I'm seeing things I've never seen before. These have to be the best binoculars in the world." I guessed they were the only binoculars she had ever peered through. I appreciated her enthusiasm -- no one values optics and their magic more than I do, but the binoculars were far from being the best in the world. They were well worn from years of constant use. I told Becky the story on how I came to possess those glasses. When I was about 11 years old, I was given a bird book published by Capper's Weekly. It was a tremendous book. It was a pleasure to be able to put a name on the birds I was seeing and hearing. Shortly after getting this book, I made the decision to become the "Birdman" of Hartland, Minnesota. There seemed to be an opening in that position. There was only one thing preventing me from becoming the "Birdman," I had no binoculars. What kind of a "Birdman" could I be without binoculars? I started making subtle hints. I would cut out binocular ads from my brother's "Field & Stream" and "Sports Afield" magazines and leave them lying about the house where my mother would see them. I nailed a couple of the ads to the walls of our outhouse. I had decided to concentrate my campaign on my mother, as she was much more likely to succumb to my pleadings than was my father. Mother would say, "I wonder who that is going up Joe Holland's driveway?" Joe was a neighbor. "I don't know," I'd reply, "But I'll bet if I had a pair of binoculars, I could tell you." My persistent, understated approach worked. My mother, with money she did not have, went to Montgomery Ward's and bought me binoculars on the layaway plan. Dad would complain about money being spent needlessly at "Monkey Ward's," but Mom would prevail. I do not know how long it took Mom to come up with the required funds, but one day, she presented me with a gift that I had hoped and prayed for. I loved my mother even more than usual that day, if that was possible. It sounds hokey to say so, but those binoculars changed my life. Just as Becky was, I began seeing things that I had never seen before. Once I had finished my story, I looked down at Becky. "I hope...," she said. Oh, I knew what she was going to say. She was going to say that she hoped her mother would buy her binoculars, or that her Dad would buy them for her, or maybe, if she was like I was at her age, she'd say, "I hope you give these to me." But she didn't say any of these things. What she said was, "I hope that, when I grow up and I have a little boy, that I buy him some binoculars just like these." Suddenly I felt tears in my eyes. This little girl had learned something by the time she was in the 5th grade that takes most of us a lifetime to learn, if we ever learn it. Becky knew that what we carry with us all the days of our lives is we carry with us is what we do for and give to others. My, mother told me that I could never lose what I gave away. Becky told me that my mother was right. Al Batt SnoEowl@aol.com -<>- _.----._ ,'.::.--..:._ /::/_,-;._.:._.;,-=_(.-' __ `._ ,;' _..-(((('' .,-'' `-._ _,'<.-'' _..``'.'`-'`. ` _.-((((_..--'' \ \ `.`. -' _.``' \ ` SSt >Sweet Morning Music By: Joseph J. Mazzella I love the sweet morning music that comes to the woodlands here in the Springtime. As I go out to walk my dogs at daybreak I can literally hear dozens of birds singing songs of love, joy, and delight. Often I pause our walk to just listen to the beautiful music of these feathered angels. The dozens of different songs float through the cool morning air to form a Heavenly symphony for my happy ears. They bring a smile to my face and a song to my own heart as well. They awaken the sweet morning music in my own soul as I watch the sun climb over the mountains, tell God how much I love Him, and thank Him again for my life here. Of course, not all of the music in this world is so sweet. There are lyrics of loneliness in this world. There are notes of pain that can pierce your heart. There are songs of discord and disharmony that poison the air of our lives everyday. One thing that I have learned, however, is that while we can’t always control the music we hear in this world we can always control the songs that we sing. What song is going to come from your spirit today? What lyrics are you going to sing? What notes are you going to play? Are you going to add to the sweet morning music that is so often around you or are you going to lend your voice to the disharmony that often comes your way? The choice is yours. You can start your mornings with prayerful lyrics of love and thanks to your Heavenly Father who made you. You can fill your days with a melody of kind words for family, friends, and strangers alike. You can send a silent chorus of well wishes to every soul you pass on the street. You can share the harmony of help and happiness with your neighbors and the whole world. You can make your entire life such a sweet song of love that every angel in Heaven will want to sing along. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment Magician Act Followed By Explanation http://www.buffaloschips.com/gsdhsjsk.htm Malcom-Jue-Bebe http://www.buffaloschips.com/gshsjsk.htm Marine And Geese http://www.buffaloschips.com/gshsjsks.htm Mary Did You Know http://www.buffaloschips.com/gsddsshsjsk.htm canadian hunter http://www.buffaloschips.com/fjsklfjdsklfjdfg.htm Heroes Truck http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/herotruck.html Miniture Wonderland http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/modeltrain.html Aww Animals 3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animals3.html Lock Bumping http://www.buffaloschips.com/gajhs.htm Locked Bucks http://www.buffaloschips.com/gahhjs.htm Look At My New Dog http://www.buffaloschips.com/gahsjjsk.htm Lotto http://www.buffaloschips.com/gjsjsk.htm Love http://www.buffaloschips.com/gshsj.htm Receive - Retain - Release http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/receive.html Oregon Aqaurium http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/oregon.html Subscribe send a blank email to: the-inspired-buffalo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ============================================================ >-->From SermondFodder: !|| !|||| ,/|||| !|'''| `\ | )\ \ ejm / \ \ \ >First Time Prayer A man came to church for the very first time in his life. He heard a sermon that really tugged at his heart strings and felt the need to answer the invitation to become a Christian. When he shared his story about never having attended church the preacher thought surely the new convert was someone special. The preacher urged the man to come back that night to take part in the evening service. When the man arrived the preacher told the man he needed him to perform a special task. The pastor wanted him to say the benediction at the end of the service. The new convert protested and said, "Pastor, I've never been to church in my life. How am I supposed to know how to pray in public in only the second church service I've ever attended. The preacher said, "That's OK. I have a plan. I've written you a prayer you can read. Just sit back here on the back row next to the coat rack. Place this prayer I've written in your hat. As the service is closing out, just reach back here behind you, pick up your hat and read the prayer." The new Christian reluctantly agreed to the plan. At the end of the service the preached called the man by name and asked him to offer the closing prayer. On cue, the man reached to the hat rack behind him, and picked up a hat. As planned he started the prayer. In a loud voice he said, "DEAR GOD... this is NOT my hat...." == As told by John Conn of Henderson, Kentucky -<>- ,'-', :-----: (''' , - , ''') \ ' . , ` / \ ' ^ ? / \ ` - ,' `j_ _,' ,- -`\ \ /f ,- \_\/_/'- , `, , , /\ \ | / \ ', , f : :`, , <...\ , : ,- ' \,,,,\ ; : j ' \ \ :/^^^^' \ \ ; ''': \ -, -`.../ ' - -,`,--` \_._'-- '---: Storm >What Do You See? THREE PEOPLE WERE visiting the Grand Canyon -- a painter, a preacher, and a cowboy... Looking over the massive canyon, each one verbalized his observation: "Incredible!" the painter said. "I'd love to paint a picture of this!" The preacher waved his arms and cried, "Glory! Look what God has done!" The cowboy exclaimed, "I'd sure hate to lose a cow down there!" THOUGHT: What do you see when you look at your situation? An illustration of God's handiwork, or just someplace to lose a cow? (Stan Towler) Bible reading for 05.22.09: John 7:28-53; 1 Chronicles 16-18 -- KneeMail ============================================================ Decisions which are made in the light of God's Word are stable and show wisdom. -- Vonette Z. Bright >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->This is for all you who love food and DARRE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do :) Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe ************************************************************************ >TO SUBSCRIBE: Visit Here This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR For the Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ************************************************************************