Soaring Like Eagles ... :) 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 ~ .---. ? / 6_6 _ / .-. \_ (__\ ("\ /.-.\ The Early Bird Catches // \\ `\\ // \\ the 'Shangrala' Worm? (( )) \`-`/ \'-') =======""===""=========="""======="""=== jgs ||| | *~* 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 ALL OUR ANGELS MOST ABUNDANTLY! ================================================================= |H____________H| |.------------.| ||::.. __ || |'--------'--''| | '. ______ .' | | _ |======| _ | |(_)|======|(_)| |___|======|___| [______________] |##| |##| jrei '""' '"" >The Plumbing Truck Driver Story Editor: by Cathy Weber-Zunker Joyce Schowalter Minnesota, USA I didn't see the child... I didn't see anything at all except a plumbing and heating truck at a complete stop, on the opposite side of this busy street. It's a small town in Minnesota, with a park that's divided into two parts by a street. That street is an issue in our town; the park is gated and fenced for safety because of it. The truck coming from the opposite direction was a good distance from the crosswalk between the two parks. I stopped... because he stopped. Checking the streets and crosswalk, I saw no one. I stayed stopped... because he stayed stopped. Traffic that was headed for fast food lunches on this day in April 2006, was backing up behind me, as well as backing up behind him. We don't experience traffic backups often in our little town. A gasp caught in my throat when I finally saw what the truck driver saw. As if in slow motion, I saw a child, appearing not yet to be 3 years old, smiling and unaware of danger. Without being noticed, he had escaped the fenced park and was running playfully onto the roadway. With ease the little boy could have reached out and touched the grillwork on the stopped truck. The man in the truck watched as a red-faced, frantic young mother raced into the street. The child, enjoying the game with his mother, merrily turned and ran the other way in the bright sunshine -- toward the middle of the street. The man in the truck was now quickly out of his truck, like a linebacker with his feet planted and arms spread. The boy was rapidly surveying his options: his mother on one side, an imposing linebacker on the other. The choice was easy. The little guy went rushing into the arms of his mother. I exhaled as the mother and child reunion took place, and the man got back into his truck. With the child back in the safety of his mother's arms, I turned the corner onto Tenth Avenue, my eyes clouded with tears. There was a young mother that day who had the privilege of taking her child home, whole and intact. There was a little boy, able to grow up. There was a plumbing and heating man who will rest well tonight, knowing that today he saved the life of a child. Then there were the rest of us -- the ones who witnessed an enormous act of kindness. People from my little town’ people who sat and watched someone save a life. Not one horn honked, not one driver yelled out of a rolled-down window -- we all calmly and patiently helped save a life that day. The statement, "It takes a whole community to raise a child", means more to me today than it did before I encountered that truck driver. =====HeroicStories===== >-->From InspiredBuffalo: Nancy's son Frankie called me to say that Nancy is out of surgery and in her room and still a little groggy and incoherent but she got it across that she wanted me to let all of you know she is doing all right. I will go see her tomorrow when she is awake... -buffalo --- ...Please Keep Nancy In Your Prayers for a speedy recovery! -<>- ,. (\(\) ,_ ; o > {`-. / (_) `={\`-._____/` | `-{ / -=`\ | `={ -= = _/ / `\ .-' /` {`-,__.'===,_ //` `\\ jgs // `\= "A Bucket of Money" One fine evening a man walked into a fast-food chicken place and bought a nine-piece bucket of chicken. He took his chicken to the park for a romantic picnic under the moonlight with his lady. Upon reaching into the bucket, however, he received a surprise. Instead of chicken he discovered what was apparently the restaurant's night deposit--nine thousand dollars. The young man brought the bucket back to the store and asked for his chicken in exchange for the money. The manager, in awe of the young man's honesty, asked for his name and told him he wanted to call the newspaper and the local news station to do a story on him. He would become a local hero, an example of honesty and morality that would inspire others! The hungry man shrugged it off. "My date's waiting. I just want my chicken." The manager's renewed amazement over the young man's humility almost overwhelmed him. He begged to be allowed to tell the story on the news. At this the honest man became angry with the manager and demanded his chicken. "I don't get it," the manager responded. "You are an honest man in a dishonest world! This is a perfect opportunity to show the world that there are honest people still willing to take a stand for what is right. Please, give me your name and also the woman's name. Is that your wife?" "That's the problem," said the young man. "My wife is at home. The woman in the car is my girlfriend. Now let me have my chicken so I can get out of here." It's easy to look good to people who don't know you. Many of us do a good deed here and there, go to church, say the right words, and everyone thinks we're something that we're not. But God sees your heart. It really doesn't matter how much you do or what other people think of you. What matters is what's on the inside. -Author unknown --- ...These Teachings go good with this one... Christian Stand http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/christianstand.html Christian Walk http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/christianwalk.html -<>- ,' ,; .'/ `-_ .'.' `;-_ .' / `.-. ,_.-'`'--'`'-._.` .' `.`-. / .'"'. _.' / `. '-.'_.._/0 " 0\/` {\ `. |'-^Y^- | // (`\ \_."._/\...-;..-. `._'._,'` ``` _.:---''` ;-....----'''` / ( sk | (` `.^' >"Keep Believing in Yourself" There may be days when you get up in the morning and things aren't the Way you had hoped they would be. That's when you have to tell yourself that things will get better. There are times when people disappoint you and let you down, but those are the times when you must remind yourself to trust your own judgments and opinions, to keep your life focused on Believing in yourself and all that you are capable of. There will be challenges to face and changes to make in your life, and it is up to you to accept them. Constantly keep yourself headed in the Right direction for you. It may not be easy at times, but in those Times of struggle you will find a stronger sense of who you are. So When the days come that are filled with frustration and unexpected Responsibilities, remember to believe in yourself and all you want your Life to be, because the challenges and changes will only help you to Find the goals that you know are meant to come true for you. ~Author Unknown --- ...This is good one for this... ___ ,, // \\ (_,\/ \_/ \ \ \_/_\_/> /_/ /_/ Never Give Up! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/nevergiveup.html Poetry page: I am who I am http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/Iam.html Poetry page: Want-A-Be http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/want.html Inspirational: Dreamy Ladies http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/dreamy.html -<>- _.. ___..-"""-. `)^| .-"""-..___ `-...___ '=.'-.' \-'.=' ___...-' `\ ' ##### ' /` '--;|||||;--' /\|||/\ jgs ( /;-;\ ) '-...-' >[From the year 2007] - Discontented? [Feel Stimulated Now?] The Newsweek poll alleges that 67% of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69% of the country is unhappy with the performance of the president. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I starting thinking, ''What we are so unhappy about?'' Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? Could it be that 95.4% of these unhappy folks have a job? Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year? Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all involved. Whether you are rich or poor they treat your wounds and even, if necessary, send a helicopter to take you to the hospital. Perhaps you are one of the 70% of Americans who own a home, you may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of having a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes; an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy. Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here. I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31% approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me? Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an ''other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig. So why then the flat out discontentment in the minds of 69% of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds, it leads, and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells. Just ask why they were going to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book and do a TV special about how he didn't kill his wife but if he did, how he would do it . Insane! Stop buying the negative venom you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad. I close with one of my favorite quotes from B.C. Forbes in 1953: ''What have Americans to be thankful for? More than any other people on the earth, we enjoy complete religious freedom, political freedom, social freedom. Our liberties are sacredly safeguarded by the Constitution of the United States, 'the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man.' Yes, we Americans of today have been bequeathed a noble heritage. Let us pray that we may hand it down unsullied to our children and theirs.'' I suggest we sit back and count our blessings for all we have. If we don't, what we have will be taken away. Then we will have to explain to future generations why we squandered such blessing and abundance. If we are not careful this generation will be known as the ''greediest and most ungrateful generation.'' A far cry from the proud Americans of the ''greatest generation'' who left us an untarnished legacy. -Joe Sondrup --- .-"""""""-. .' __ \_ / / \/ \ | \_0/\_0/______ Soaring Like Eagles |:. .' oo`\ |:. / \ |' ; | | |:.. . \_______ | |::.|' , \,_____\ / |:::.; ' | . '| )_/ |::; | | ; ; | | /::::.|-| |_|-|, \ /'-=-'` '-' '--'\ jgs/ \ ...Aww, yes. But that was then. Now we have turned our back on Godly morals and given our country up for 'change' the Barach Obama way. What would dear Joe say now about our free country? It is in jeopardy. Now we are headed toward government ruled everything - instead of people ruled. Our government wants to have it's hands in every aspect of our lives - it wants to own and control us as if we are it's puppets instead of us pulling the strings. When the toy becomes the master only bad can come of it. We have to say no and take control back. We need to ask God to forgive us and get God back into our first thoughts and actions. We are a Christian country and we need to act like it and be proud of it instead of apologizing to our enemies for our God given strength and character. Check out this teaching... Christian Position In Christ http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/christianposition.html Joe may join the Tea Party Express like thousands of others are... http://www.teapartyexpress.org/ Instead of just complaining like a duck, these people are soaring like eagles and doing something about this national problem! -<>- __ /` ,\__ | ).-' / .--' / / , _.==''` \ .'( _.=' | { `` _.=' | { \` ; / `. `'=..' .=' `=._ .=' jgs '-`\\`__ `-._{ >Ducks Quack, Eagles Soar.......... No one can make you serve customers well. That's because great service is a choice. Harvey Mackay, tells a wonderful story about a cab driver that proved this point. He was waiting in line for a ride at the airport. When a cab pulled up, the first thing Harvey noticed was that the taxi was polished to a bright shine. Smartly dressed in a white shirt, black tie, and freshly pressed black slacks, the cab driver jumped out and rounded the car to open the back passenger door for Harvey ... He handed my friend a laminated card and said: 'I'm Wally, your driver. While I'm loading your bags in the trunk I'd like you to read my mission statement.' Taken aback, Harvey read the card. It said: Wally's Mission Statement: To get my customers to their destination in the quickest, safest and cheapest way possible in a friendly environment... This blew Harvey away. Especially when he noticed that the inside of the cab matched the outside. Spotlessly clean! As he slid behind the wheel, Wally said, 'Would you like a cup of coffee? I have a thermos of regular and one of decaf.' My friend said jokingly, 'No, I'd prefer a soft drink.' Wally smiled and said, 'No problem. I have a cooler up front with regular and Diet Coke, water and orange juice.' Almost stuttering, Harvey said, 'I'll take a Diet Coke.' Handing him his drink, Wally said, 'If you'd like something to read, I have The Wall Street Journal, Time, Sports Illustrated and USA Today.' As they were pulling away, Wally handed my friend another laminated card, 'These are the stations I get and the music they play, if you'd like to listen to the radio.' And as if that weren't enough, Wally told Harvey that he had the air conditioning on and asked if the temperature was comfortable for him. Then he advised Harvey of the best route to his destination for that time of day. He also let him know that he'd be happy to chat and tell him about some of the sights or, if Harvey preferred, to leave him with his own thoughts... Tell me, Wally,' my amazed friend asked the driver, 'have you always served customers like this?' Wally smiled into the rear view mirror. 'No, not always. In fact, it's only been in the last two years. My first five years driving, I spent most of my time complaining like all the rest of the cabbies do. Then I heard the personal growth guru, Wayne Dyer, on the radio one day. He had just written a book called You'll See It When You Believe It . Dyer said that if you get up in the morning expecting to have a bad day, you'll rarely disappoint yourself. He said, 'Stop complaining! Differentiate yourself from your competition. Don't be a duck. Be an eagle. Ducks quack and complain. Eagles soar above the crowd.'' That hit me right between the eyes,' said Wally. 'Dyer was really talking about me. I was always quacking and complaining, so I decided to change my attitude and become an eagle. I looked around at the other cabs and their drivers. The cabs were dirty, the drivers were unfriendly, and the customers were unhappy. So I decided to make some changes. I put in a few at a time. When my customers responded well, I did more.' 'I take it that has paid off for you,' Harvey said. 'It sure has,' Wally replied. 'My first year as an eagle, I doubled my income from the previous year. This year I'll probably quadruple it. You were lucky to get me today. I don't sit at cabstands anymore. My customers call me for appointments on my cell phone or leave a message on my answering machine. If I can't pick them up myself, I get a reliable cabbie friend to do it and I take a piece of the action.' Wally was phenomenal. He was running a limo service out of a Yellow Cab. I've probably told that story to more than fifty cab drivers over the years, and only two took the idea and ran with it. Whenever I go to their cities, I give them a call. The rest of the drivers quacked like ducks and told me all the reasons they couldn't do any of what I was suggesting. Wally the Cab Driver made a different choice. He decided to stop quacking like ducks and start soaring like eagles. How about us? Smile, and the whole world smiles with you... The ball is in our hands! A man reaps what he sows. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up... let us do good to all people. Ducks Quack, Eagles Soar Have a nice day, unless you already have other plans -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment Ollie http://www.buffaloschips.com/jhg.htm Parrot Plays Golf http://www.buffaloschips.com/hgrf.htm Pepsi Please http://www.buffaloschips.com/uyr.htm Pilobolus http://www.buffaloschips.com/fer.htm Ponies http://www.buffaloschips.com/tred.htm Subscribe send a blank email to: the-inspired-buffalo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ============================================================== >-->From Our Friend Jo Ann :) .-----. _.----"""""""----._ _.---//-"""-\\---._ .------.___ ( ) ( (/ `-' ) ( ___|-|`"""---..___..---""| _|`"--._________.--"'|_ `---'""" | | (_| |_) | | `--) (--' ________ | | | | _.--""""" """"----._ | | | (_ _)--.----------------. | | \`""---...________...----'/__/___ || `-.__ __.-' \___ __/ ""-----"""""""-----`' VK `""-----""' ""`-----------'"" >Kitchen Fire - Read this first, then watch the attached video... I never realized that a wet dishcloth can be a one size fits all lid to cover a fire in a pan! This is a dramatic video (30-second, very short) about how to deal with a common kitchen fire... Oil in a frying pan. Read the following Introduction, then watch the show... It's a real eye-opener! At the Fire Fighting Training school they would demonstrate this with a deep fat fryer set on the fire field. An instructor would don a fire suit and using an 8 oz cup at the end of a 10 foot pole toss water onto the grease fire. The results got the attention of the students. The water, being heavier than oil, sinks to the bottom where it instantly becomes superheated. The explosive force of the steam blows the burning oil up and out. On the open field, it became a thirty foot high fireball that resembled a nuclear blast. Inside the confines ! of a kitchen, the fire ball hits t he ceiling and fills the entire room. Also, do not throw sugar or flour on a grease fire. One cup of either creates the explosive force of two sticks of dynamite. This is a powerful message. Watch the video and don't forget what you see. Tell your whole family about this video. Or better yet, send this to them. See It Here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wux85VAnChg -<>- | \ \ | |/ / | |\ `' ' / | ;'aorta \ / , pulmonary | ; _, | / / , arteries superior | | ( `-.;_,-' '-' , vena cava | `, `-._ _,-'_ |,-`. `.) ,<_,-'_, pulmonary ,' `. / ,' `;-' _, veins ; `./ /`, \-' | right / | ;\ |\ | atrium ;_,._|_, `, ' \ | \ \ ` `, HEART HEALTH ` __ ` \ left ;, \ ,' ` \, ventricle \_( ;, ;; | \ `;, ;; inferior | |`. `;;, ;' vena cava | | `-. ;;;;,;' FL | | |`-.._ ,;;;;;' | | | | ``';;;' aorta >ASPIRIN If you take an aspirin or a baby aspirin once a day, take it at night. The reason: aspirin has a 24-hour "half-life". Therefore, if most heart attacks happen in the wee hours of the morning, the aspirin would be strongest in your system. FYI, aspirin lasts a really long time in your medicine chest...years. (when it gets old, it smells like vinegar.) Please read on. WHY ASPIRIN BY YOUR BED Save lives .. It is important to always have ASPIRIN in the home!!! Why have Aspirin by your bedside ? ABOUT HEART ATTACKS There are other symptoms of an heart attack besides the pain on the left side. One must also be aware of an intense pain on the chin, as well as nausea and lots of sweating, However these symptoms may also occur less frequently. NOTE : There may be no pain in the chest during an heart attack. The majority of people (about 60%) who had an heart attack during their sleep, did not wake up. However, if it occurs, the chest pain may wake you up from your deep sleep. If that happens, IMMEDIATELY DISSOLVE TWO ASPIRINS IN YOUR MOUTH and swallow them with a bit of water. Afterwards, phone 911, a neighbor or a family member who lives very close by and state "HEART ATTACK!!!" And that you have taken 2 ASPIRINS take a seat on a chair or sofa and wait for their arrival and ...DO NOT LIE DOWN !!! A Cardiologist has stated that, if each person, after receiving this e-mail, sends it to 10 people, probably a life can be saved! I have already shared the information!!! What about you? Forward this message: IT MAY SAVE LIVES !!! !!! --- ...Very Good Info! Thanks Jo Ann!! ===================================================================== >-->From Our Friend Sandi :) >Think about this: 1. Cows 2.. The Constitution 3. The Ten Commandments .-. ## ) * _.-+*'`*+-._ ,## _ _ #. ;### ((.;;.)) ##: .=._.; ,-*:;;:*-. *##:._.=, >##; *-')_@@_(`-* ;###< ---------------`****------(o `` o)-----*****'-------------e:l `-""-' COWS Is it just me, or does anyone else find it amazing That during the mad cow epidemic our government could track a single cow, born in Canada almost three years ago, right to the stall where she slept in the state of Washington ? And, they tracked her calves to their stalls. But they are Unable to locate 11 million illegal aliens wandering around Our country.. Maybe we should give each of them a cow.. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE CONSTITUTION They keep talking about drafting a Constitution for Iraq ...... Why don't we just give them ours? It was Written by a lot of really smart guys, it has worked for Over 200 years, and we're not using it anymore. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE 10 COMMANDMENTS The real reason that we can't have the Ten Commandments posted in a courthouse or Congress is this -- You cannot post 'Thou Shalt Not Steal' 'Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery' and 'Thou Shall Not Lie' in a building full of lawyers, judges and Politicians .... It creates a hostile work environment. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Also, think about this ... If you don't want to forward this for fear of offending someone -- YOU ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM! It is time for America to speak up! --- ...Yeppers! A Good One Sandi! ========================================================== >-->From Cup'O'Cheer: >MOWING I was trying to mow the lawn before my husband got home from work, but our electric lawn mower refused to cooperate. It would run fine for a few seconds, then cut off, run again, cut off, etc. Finally, I gave up and waited for my husband. He had a good laugh when he diagnosed the problem. Instead of plugging in the mower using a three-prong adapter, I had hooked up the cord through the Christmas tree light blinker! as seen in da Mouse Tracks -<>- _______\\__ (_. _ ._ _/ '-' \__. / / / / / .--. .--. ( ( / '' \/ '' \ " \ \_.' \ ) || _ './ |\ \ ___.'\ / '-./ .' \ |/ \| / )|\ |/ // \\ |\ __// \\__ //\\ /__/ mrf\__| .--_/ \_--. /__/ \__\ >GNATS AND CAMELS Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!. . .You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. - Matthew 23:23-24 Before the days of pop-tops, easy-twist lids, and sports bottles, liquids were stored in large, open-mouthed jars and vats. Because of their stringent dietary laws, the Jews poured these liquids through a cloth to strain out foreign particles before they were served at table. This straining process removed dead flies and insects that contaminated their drinks and made them ceremonially unclean. Now, imagine these same fastidious folks, who meticulously strained out small gnats, swallowing something as large as a camel, which was also an animal that could not be eaten for food according to Jewish law. Jesus humorously used that visual image to point out the hypocrisy of those who insisted on keeping the smallest letter of the law, yet neglected the important things; important things like brotherly love and human kindness and compassion for the poor and oppressed. Jesus said they strained out the gnat but swallowed the camel. They were so busy examining the miniscule letter of the law that they were blind to the supreme law, the law of love. For those of us who have had a disordered relationship with food for many years, it is easy to fall into the trap of straining out the gnat but swallowing the camel. We can get so consumed with weighing and measuring and writing down every morsel of food, that we miss the big picture. Actually, becoming obsessed about all the tiny details is just another manifestation of our disease. Eating that affirms our commitment to health and wholeness is about balance, not obsession. It is not about focusing on the specks that keep us blind to the truth; it is about practicing loving self care because of God’s great love for us. Little by little we learn that attitudes and motives are far more important to God than rigorously keeping stringent rules while our heart is still far from Him. As we allow God to teach us, we learn that our Master wants a relationship with us, not just rote obedience that is devoid of personal application. Practicing the spiritual discipline of self care begins by allowing God to love us, and then caring for ourselves and others as a reflection of the great love He has shown to us. Today I pray we will not be among those who strain out the gnats but swallow the camels in the daily application of our commitment to balanced, loving self care. A test of true worship is how sensitive it makes me to the needs of those around me. --Anonymous as seen in Winning Words --- ...A wonderful Orientalism! , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' ORIENTALISMS OF THE BIBLE ** Part 1-3 The word 'orientalism' refers to passages in the Bible that are descriptive of Eastern culture. Those of us from Western cultures (Europe and the Americas), may not understand these passages, or even misinterpret them because we don't understand the culture of the times in the Bible... For more, check these out: Part #1 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/orientalisms1.html Part #2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/orientalisms2.html Part #3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/orientalisms3.html -<>- _________________________ (, ______________________ ) | | || | | @@@@ || @@@@ | | @@@@@@@ || @@@@@@@ | | @@ - - || - @@@@ | | @ c/ || '_ @@@ | | _@| |_ || __\@ \@ | | ( \ )/_\ /_ || _\\ (/ ) @\_/) | | \ \|) / \) || |(__/ / /| | | |\_/ ( -/ || \___/ ----/_| | | / \ || ,: '( | | : _/| || |: \ | | : | || |: ) | | : | || |: | | |_______'____,_|_______|| |_____,_| .---('________________________)--. | / ( |____ __________ _| | /\ ) |___| -o- | |__| -o- | ( \| / |___| -o- | |__| -o- | | /'=. b'ger|________| |__|______| '=>/ \ / \ /|/ ,___/| >SEE YOURSELF The way you see yourself becomes the way you make yourself. How do you see yourself? If you see yourself as always struggling, you will always struggle. If you see yourself as never getting ahead, you will not get ahead. Your view of yourself is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Fortunately, you can make that view whatever you wish. Choose to truly see yourself as effective, creative, patient, disciplined, enthusiastic and abundantly prosperous. See yourself as loving, caring, ever thankful and positive. Imagine yourself in rich detail to be the kind of person who easily and naturally achieves those very special dreams you treasure most. See yourself living life at its best and most fulfilling. Each time you think of yourself, see yourself as the best you can imagine. And the reality of your life will be true to your most sincere self-image. -- Ralph Marston --- ...See These Also: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Throughout the Word of God, from Genesis to Revelation, we see in operation the most dynamic and powerful law of God -- the Law of Believing. If we are ever going to receive anything from God, we must master this principle. The Law Of Believing Part 1 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/lawofbelieving1.html The Law Of Believing Part 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/lawofbelieving2.html The Law Of Believing Part 3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/lawofbelieving3.html -<>- To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ================================================================ >-->From HeartWarmers: /'\ / / , c-' / /'-._ ,____,' .-'''-. .-'.// \ '-;-========,"-,' ' ,` /, \_//\ ,/ ( '- *) ) ( ./ ) {,}========'===='- ' , , , \/ ', -muse. _____'-.-`_______________________'-..-'____ s i t b a c k r i d e 'n' r e l a x r e c u m b e n t b i c y c l e s ____________________________________________ >A BICYCLE BUILT FOR TWO by Kathy Whirity It isn't quite the bike you'd envision when picturing a standard bicycle built for two. After my husband, Bill, and I bought our snazzy green Schwinns a few years ago we spotted a bicycle built for two in the corner of the bike shop. We both agreed that when it came time for us to need new ones we would pick the tandem type. Little did we know that I would have one of my own, just a slightly different model. Lately the weather has not been cooperating with our plans to hit the bike paths and we've only had the chance to ride once. Aside from the weather I knew this summer would be excitedly different than last. This time last year we were anxiously awaiting the arrival of our first grandchild. For the soon to be grandpa and I, the countdown began the moment we found out our youngest daughter, Katie, was expecting. Needless to say the pregnancy seemed to drag on forever. Now, looking back, we can't believe how fast the time has flown since her birth. Our bouncing bundle of joy has blossomed into a beautiful baby girl. Just the sight of her causes old gramps and me to giggle with glee. It's also the reason that this summer season found us on the hunt for a baby carrier for the back of my bike. I discovered, in my quest for the best, that there are many styles of these bike seats to choose from. There are some with springs for a cushier cruise, some with extra padding for added comfort. We chose the one that seemed to offer the best of everything. Now, the only challenge left was installing it onto my snazzy two-wheeler. You wouldn't think it would be that time consuming but when you're considering the welfare of your grandchild you make sure that every one of the hundred and one bolts, screws and washers are accounted for and used. Finally it was erected, sturdy and solid behind my seat. That's about when I noticed the open gap between the leg rests and the wheel. The possibility of our little grand daughter getting her tiny toesies caught in the spindles was a nightmarish thought. My mind flashbacked to the days when Katie, her mom, rode on the back of my pink and gray ten-speed. Has it really have been over 2 decades ago? I don't remember being so concerned when she was the one riding in back of me. As a grandma I now find myself worrying over everything, which probably comes with the territory. Thankfully there was a purpose for the vinyl sheeting I noticed lying next to the empty box. Following the instructions, we placed it between the back tire and frame and clamped it together with a few heavy duty plastic strip ties. Even though this vinyl covering causes an annoying sound, like a kid's bike with cards stuck in the spokes, nothing compares to the melody of hearing my darling grand baby girl oohing and aahhing while patting my back as we pedal through the park. It's a tune I hope will be heard all summer long. I look forward to sharing more happy, joyful memories with my precious little passenger, on our own special version of a bicycle built for two. -- Kathy Whirity ______________________________________________ Kathy is a syndicated newspaper columnist who shares her sentimental musings on family life. Life Is A Kaleidoscope is Kathy's first published book which is a compilation of some of her most popular columns. She is also a contributing author to the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. You can visit her website here: http://www.kathywhirity.com =========================================================== >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. 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