Start With The Faith You Have... :) 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 ================ *~* 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. If every one would chip in $25 or more, we'd be good for the whole year! So Please - I need your help today! "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ .-=":-=") |_.'|_.' /" /" : / / / .' .' : .-'-.---. / .--"""""--.. : .((((__ .\ ___.:-//\\\\\\-._ -. __..--'"` [.]-[.] \\_. ` `""--..__ ..---\ ___(/_ | /___ /---.. """",-/_...---'"`` \,_ /.- ``"'---..__\-,"""" " /"""'"'""""/ " \`'-.__.-' \___ aa/wkm "._________".' *~* 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, the easiest way to do that is through online giving. It is easy to use, and most of all, it is secure. Please visit the site, scroll down and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL form page comes up. NOTE: Paypal will generate a 'Quantity 1' and 'Price per item' form. Just ignore the price per item and put whatever it is you desire to give in there. With Paypal, you will have your normal receipt for your 'payment' donation in USD (United States Dollars). You can put a memo in there if you'd like. 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! ================ >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This flaming hot new page is from our friends Linda and PatDeE. It's sure to give you your aww quota and plenty of smiles for your day. Be sure to check it out here... ___ / _ \ | / \ | | \_/ | \___/ ___ _|_|_/[_]\__==_ [---------------] | O /---\ | | | | | | \___/ | [---------------] [___] | |\\ | | \\ [ ] \\_ /|_|\ ( \ //| |\\ \ \ // | | \\ \ \ // |_| \\ \_\ // | | \\ //\ | | /\\ // \ | | / \\ // \ | | / \\ // \|_|/ \\ // [_] \\ // H \\ // H \\ // H \\ // H \\ // H \\ // \\Elissa Potier // \\ Love Caught On Camera! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lovecamera.html --- ...So Sweet! Thank you my friends! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: __ \/.--, //_.' .-""-/""-. / __ \ / \\\ \ | || | \ \ / \ '- / '-.__.__.' sjw >THE POWER OF LOVE by Joseph Walker By any standard of measurement, David was a powerful man. Tall, handsome and dignified, he cut an imposing figure, even in his declining years. He was widely known and greatly respected by his peers and others in the community. As the head of a large organization, he was surrounded by people who were prepared to respond to his every whim. Because of the prominence of his position and the value of his time, he didn't have to do anything he didn't want to do, or that wasn't a high priority to him. Which is why it seemed a little unusual to those who worked in the small downtown market to see this great man, slowed and bent by the years, shuffling in to shop. "Doesn't he have people to do this sort of thing for him?" a clerk asked the store manager. "Of course he does," the manager whispered. "He has people who have people who have people to do this sort of thing for him." They watched as David moved slowly, deliberately, toward the produce section. "Then what's he doing here?" the clerk asked. "I don't know," the manager said, a little nervously. "But whatever it is, it must be VERY important." David paused at the produce section, looking at the surprisingly expansive display of fresh fruits and vegetables. At last his eyes settled on a big bin of large, shiny red apples. He picked up the apples one by one, examining each closely, twisting and turning it in the sunlight to expose any defect or flaw. Over the course of several minutes he must have inspected two dozen apples or so until at last he settle on one that looked absolutely perfect -- perfectly sized, perfectly shaped, perfectly colored, perfectly ripe. "Perfect!" he said to himself, smiling broadly. He tucked the apple securely in his hand and made his way back up the aisle to the cash register, where the manager stepped in front of the clerk. "There will be no charge for that, sir," the manager said when David presented the apple for purchase. "You may have it, with our compliments." David shook his head. "Thank you, sir," he said kindly. "But I insist. Please allow me to pay for this beautiful apple." Hesitantly, the manager rang up the charge for the apple, and placed it carefully in a brown paper bag. He took David's money, and handed the bag to him. "Thank you," David said, holding the bag as one might hold a package of diamonds. "Emma will love this!" Emma? Of course -- Emma. The love of David's life. His sweetheart of more than 50 years. It was said that in all their time together, they had never once had an argument. And now, a clerk and a manager at a small downtown market understood why. It was a matter of priority. It was a matter of sensitivity. It was a matter of purpose. And clearly, it was a matter of power. The power of love. -- Joseph Walker =========================================================== >-->A Repeat From Our Friend Linda :) [get out the tissues] - One of the Sweetest Prayers I've ever heard... ,,,,, ////""\ . (((/ m m -|- __ )))c = ) | (__) ////-./~` . [] (((( `.`\ :: [] )))`\ \)).-;.' .------, [] (() `._.-'` _( )[] )/ `. | .'`^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^))\`.----'`[] jgs ( \' { ~ - ~~ _ ~ - ~~ - ~ - (( | | [] .-.--\ \ { )) | | [] |_;_._`\ |{ ((__|_|-----[] | ; ``` ;{ )) [] | /``-.____/ `~~~[]~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~'-' [] `' (__) (__) >Dear MR GOD: I'm sorry for keepin' ya up late. But, I wanna know If'n you're too busy, I can wait. You see grandma's been forgettin' A lot of things. Mamma says so. She forgot my name, today, Mr. God, And she's a walkin' kinda slow. Yesterday, she jest left Without even sayin' bye. Daddy brought her back and He had a tear in his eye. So, I was wonderin', can you fix her? She has somthun' called 'all tizers', daddy said. She forgets who we are sometimes, And she forgot that grandpa's dead. Mr. God, you give her a new brememberer 'Cause I miss her playin', and stuff, with me And the cookies she used to bake. And, she was so smart, wasn't she? She used to talk 'bout you a lot. Now, she jest talks to herself and, Mr. God, she don't know herself From the pictures on the shelf. Sometimes, she calls me 'little boy' And pats my cheek or hair. And she don't seem to care. Please, Mr. God, Will ya fix her, all new again, A'fore she gets lost and Can't bremember where she's been? She ain't sang a Jesus song Like I like to hear her to do. Daddy says 'cause she is getting old. But, she's not as old as you. Daddy says you never forget and You are older than anyone, anywhere. Mamma says, "All we can do is Bremember her in prayer. So, Mr. God, I'm jest askin' 'Cause I don't know how to pray. 'Cause you un'erstand what I try to say. Does Jesus have a grandma And does she forget people, too? I guess she would be your mommy And wouldn't she be older than you? Well, I gotta go to bed. Would ya keep grandma safe, O please, So as she won't wander off and get lost? She forgets her hat and coat, and she could freeze. I love her lots and I wish she bremember I'm her little Andy And bake some good cookies for me, And even share my candy. Tell my friend, Jesus, I was here and Give Him a hug from grandma and me. She used to know Him and I heard her say, "Thank you, Jesus, for little Andy." Good night, Mr. God. Are ya tired? You work, so hard, all day. I'll be back a'morrow, to visit, Before I go out to play.XOXOXO --- ...Thank You Linda! A heartwarmer - especially when you know somebody suffering like this. Sadly we went through this with Paul's mom and I know, you too Linda, with your mom as well. Brings tears thinking of it. Just remember 'the thief' that Jesus speaks of here... , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' John 10:10 'The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.' Not only steals your material treasures but also your most personal and most valuable treasures as well. =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >GOD'S WILL FOR US Just to be tender, just to be true; Just to be glad the whole day through; Just to be merciful, just to be mild; Just to be trustful as a child; Just to be gentle and kind and sweet; Just to be helpful with willing feet; Just to be cheery when things go wrong; Just to drive sadness away with a song; Whether the hour is dark or bright; Just to be loyal to God and right; Just to believe that God knows best; Just in His promise ever to rest; Just to let love be our daily key; This is God's will, for you and me. ~Author Unknown~ -<>- _.--. ;.-'i.`._.--, {(;{} y`-.`,_`--. <`~;`-( _.'`.~`.' \ \ `i.' ` Y },-,) .j~. | ; / _j\ <_ `! ;_.'( / >-, `---.,' .'-j / `. ,<_ ( `. \ `=-j\ `-A Valentine For Laura By Don Caskey Ann, a friend of mine, disliked Valentine's Day as a girl. She was plain - not ugly, but not beautiful. Valentine's Day is not kind to plain girls. It wasn't so bad in elementary school, when the obligatory thirty valentines arrived: one from each classmate. She overlooked the fact that her cards were not oversized like those of the popular girls, and did not contain the love notes like those of the pretty girls. But later, in middle school, the valentine exchange was no longer mandatory. Just when the yearning for romance budded, when the desire for admiration and flirtation became imperative, and a valentine was needed most, no card arrived. Not for Ann. Not for plain girls anywhere. Only for the pretty and the popular. At such a time, stories of ugly ducklings that will one day turn into beautiful swans do not assuage the hurt and rejection. As fate would have it (and often does), in subsequent years Ann did become pretty and turned many a boy's head. As she received more attention and flirtations, she came to feel - and therefore to be - very beautiful. But even years later, grown and with a family of her own, she did not forget those long-ago days of rejection and dejection. Today, Ann's family includes two boys in middle school. For a dollar, their Student Council will deliver a Valentine's Day carnation. Ann gives a dollar to each of her boys to buy flowers for their girlfriends. Then she adds another dollar apiece with the instruction: "Pick another girl, one who is nice but plain - someone who probably won't get a flower. Send her a flower anonymously. That way she will know that someone cares, and she will feel special." Ann has done this for several years, spreading Valentine's Day a little beyond her own world. One year, Laura, who was plain to behold but beautiful to know, received one of these gifts. Ann's son reported that Laura was so happy and surprised, she cried. All day long, she carried the flower on her books and chattered with the other girls about who her admirer could be. As Ann heard the account, she too had to dry her eyes - for she remembered. -<>- hi, my honey. i'm really happy that my mailbox is full of those pretty hearts every day. so, i just thought i would return the favor, just in case you'd not yet realized just how i love you. you are just so very, very, very extraordinarily special and i adore you ! >Have You Taken Inventory Lately? The renown teacher and author Dr. David McLennon tells a story of his very first job in a small town general store. This was the day before mails and supermarket chains at least it was in his community. At age thirteen he was hired as a handy boy. He would sweep the flour, bag items for customers, put up stock. On one particular Saturday, he recalled., he heard the owner say to one of the clerks "It's that time of the year again, it's time to take inventory." Dr. McLennon Wrote that this was a word that had not yet entered into his vocabulary. When an opportune moment arrived, he went up to the kindly older man and asked, Sir, what is an inventory? Patiently the owner explained that it was a time when you made a list of everything that you had-- from groceries on the shelves to wrapping paper and string. Still somewhat puzzled, the young McLennon then asked, Why? "Well, responded the owner, its easy to forget exactly how much you have each year. Every now and then you have to take an inventory just to see what all you have." That little story, to me, pretty well sums up what Thanks giving is all about. It is a time when each of us needs to ask ourselves the question: Have I taken inventory of my life lately? Have I made an effort to count all the things that I do have in life instead of complaining about the things that I don't have. It is a good exercise especially when we are of a mind to brood or whine in self pity. Have you taken inventory lately? What I am suggesting here is not some shallow "count your blessings" platitude. But from time to time, in a genuine kind of a way, we need to sit down and do some talking to ourselves about all of the gifts and opportunities and challenges that God has given each one of us. Perhaps there is a deep underlying wisdom in the children's poem that says: "Count your blessings one by one, and you might be surprised what the Lord has done." -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Start with the Faith You Have [The boy's father said,] "... If you can do anything, do it. Have a heart and help us!" Jesus said, "If? There are no 'ifs' among believers. Anything can happen." No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the father cried, "Then I believe. Help me with my doubts!" Mark 9:22-24 (MSG) *** *** *** *** Is it possible to be filled with faith and doubt at the same time? Yes! You can have faith that God wants you to do something and still be scared to death. Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is going ahead and doing what you're called to do in spite of your fear. You have to begin with the faith you already have: it may be just a little, but you start there. A beautiful example of this is the story of the man who brought his sick son to Jesus in Mark 9. Jesus looked at the man and said, "I can heal your son. If you will believe, I will heal him." The father then makes a classic statement: "Lord, I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief." Have you ever felt like that? "Lord, I have some faith. But I also have some doubts." This man was filled with faith and doubt, yet despite his honest doubts, he went ahead and asked Jesus for a miracle. And he got his miracle – Jesus healed his son. Mustard seed faith moves mountains. No matter how weak or how frail you think your faith is, it's enough to get you through what you're facing because your "little faith" is in a big God. Matthew 17:20 says, "If you have faith as small as the mustard seed, nothing will be impossible to you." That's not a lot of faith; in fact, it's just a little faith. But what else does that verse teach? "If you have faith as the mustard seed, you can say to the mountain, 'Move' and it will be moved." Mustard seed faith moves mountains. Don't get this reversed; we tend to read this verse backward; we want it to say, "If you have faith like a mountain, you can move a mustard seed" – as if it takes enormous faith to do a very little task. Everybody has faith. You had faith this morning when you ate your cereal – faith that your spouse didn't put poison in your granola! You had faith when you sat down in your computer chair – faith that it wouldn't collapse. Everybody has faith; the difference is what you put your faith in. Sometimes people will tell me they don't want to surrender to Jesus until all their questions are answered; they don't want to make a commitment until every thing is understand. God wants you start with the faith you have; and based on the example of the mustard seed, you don't need a whole lot of faith to do great things for God. You just need a little. So here's a trustworthy equation: Little Faith + Big God = Huge Results! · You take your little faith; "Lord, I believe! Help me with my unbelief!" · And you place your faith in our big God, · And then he'll show you how he works out huge results. --- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' ...I like to remember this verse to sort of kick me in the pants when I am doubting - which = worries which = fear which = unbelief 1 John 4: [18] There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. If I LOVE God, I cannot have fear - which is doubts and worries. I DO Love God so I do as the bible teaches - ask God for help when I am in doubt or worried or afraid - and then I TRUST and BELIEVE God. Of course, I am not talking about anything but issues of faith here. For instance, If you are cautious or afraid to walk down a dark alley - perhaps you are using wisdom to not do something dumb to get you in trouble. The bible context here is speaking of ones faith in God. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Monkey Shines! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/monkeyshines.html New Year Advice! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/newyear.html Real Fantasy Trees 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/trees2.html Extraordinary Photos! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/extraordinary.html Unusual Photos! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/unusual.html How True It Is! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/nyear.html Beautiful Bridges 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bridges2.html Albino Hummingbird! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ahummingbird.html Paper Art! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/paperart.html Journey Through Life! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/journey.html Valentine's Day Index! https://tinyurl.com/y4xyz2w8 -<>- The Fear Of The Lord http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/THE_FEAR_OF_THE_LORD.htm THE LOVE OF GOD In The Renewed Mind In Manifestation http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/THE_LOVE_OF_GOD.htm The Palms Of God http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Word/THE_PALMS_OF_GOD.htm Giving = Receiving http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Promises/GIVING_EQUALS_RECEIVING.htm Law Of Believing http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Believing/Believing.htm -<>- >In The News: Awesome State Of The Union Address: - (Pelosi tore up her copy of the speech while Trump was saying 'God Bless America' - so telling of her! Grrrrrr!) https://tinyurl.com/r5yy2td ‘Ripped Our Hearts Out’: SOTU Guest Whose Brother Was Murdered Reacts To Pelosi Ripping Up Speech https://tinyurl.com/qp9czso How LOW Can You Go? She didn't even attend the SOTU - Like Lindsey said, it was too much for her as a socialist to see how well God's way of capitalism is doing in America through President Trump! 'Oprah Moment’: Ocasio-Cortez Accuses Rush Limbaugh Of Faking His SOTU Reaction (All Prayers go to Rush) https://tinyurl.com/slyssy3 Democrats Sit Quietly As Republicans Cheer Women’s Unemployment Numbers https://tinyurl.com/vuuwleg We Knew It - Senate acquits Trump on abuse of power, obstruction of Congress charges https://tinyurl.com/yxxnr39f Every Republican Senator voted against impeachment except one – Mitt Romney. Romney's not in Washington for Republicans or Utahans - he's in it for himself and his anti-Trump agenda. By voting to support Democrats baseless impeachment witch hunt against President Trump, Mitt Romney didn't just sell out the president, he betrayed every GOP Senate ally, and blatantly ignored the will of his Utah voters. Join our calls to recall Romney and hold him accountable once again. Add Your Name! https://tinyurl.com/rjq4hb6 Westwing News: ‘They Should Have Been Working for You’ https://www.whitehouse.gov/westwingreads/ WhiteHouseNews: Senate acquits President Trump! House Democrats’ sham impeachment ended with the full vindication and exoneration of President Trump by the Senate. https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600daily/ Latest From AFA: http://tinyurl.com/j7lakqw Students For Life https://tinyurl.com/yd5nxmu6 Latest From OperationRescue: http://www.operationrescue.org/ Latest Product Alert: Cakes and Cookies http://www.emergencyemail.org/products/?fmt=text Latest Health Alert: Deadly Virus Shows No Signs of Slowing Down http://www.emergencyemail.org/health/?fmt=text Click to Give Free https://tinyurl.com/y2abb8d2 -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) An interesting look at some historical photos that have been colorized from the original black and white photo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dov50PAsj5M If you are concerned about someone breaking into your car then you might want to protect your key FOB. https://youtu.be/BRe_Tr7pMi8 Professional race car drivers enjoy driving Porsche's so much they work the night shift at the Porsche museum in Stuttgart, Germany. Big game commercial 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92sXWVxRr0g --- ...Great Ones! Thanks LouiseAu! -<>- >From Our Friend Victor :) Tencent may have accidentally leaked real data on Wuhan virus deaths. Tencent briefly lists 154,023 infections and 24,589 deaths from Wuhan coronavirus https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3871594 --- ...Wow. Thanks Victor! It is hard to say since they keep true facts to themselves in communist (socialist) countries. Hopefully since we a few cases here, we can quickly develop a vaccine for it. 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 ========================================================== _..._ ,s$$$s. .$$$$$$$s$$ss$$$$, $$$sss$$$$s$$$$$$$ $$ss$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ '$$$s$$$$$$$$$$$$' '$$$$$$$$$$$$$$' S$$$$$$$$$$$' '$$$$$$$$$' '$$$$$' '$$$' ; ; ; ', ; ,' ; ', ', ; ' Steven Maddison >-->The Valentine's Day Balloon By Mike Collins This Valentine's Day my wife and I will celebrate eleven years of a rock-steady relationship. It was on that particular day eleven years ago that I asked her to "go steady" with me. Later that year (November) we were married. We will be celebrating eleven wonderful years of a faithful relationship, and we also celebrate the releasing of our eleventh balloon. Let me explain; eleven years ago we had been dating only a few weeks when Valentine's Day was approaching. I bought flowers and a beautiful card for her; she bought a rose and a huge helium-filled balloon for me. We both drove to Kroger's and met in the parking lot. I'll never forget being totally mesmerized by her infectious smile as I watched her get out of her car. She walked over to me and handed me the rose and balloon, except I thought the balloon string was tied to the rose, and she thought that I had a hold of the string and the rose. We both stood and watched helplessly as the balloon flew slowly out of sight. Jewell began to cry; she thought that it was a disaster to lose the balloon like that. It was at that moment that I asked her to "go steady" with me and to be mine and only mine; fortunately for me she said yes. Every Valentine's Day since, we have bought a balloon and made our way to a public area to release it into the sky. With this tradition we have been able to turn tragedy into something memorable: what was originally thought of as a blunder now is celebrated as a special moment. We have been very dedicated to our balloon-releasing ceremonies. We have released balloons from different states, and at times have been so busy that we were forced to make a special effort in order to even continue the tradition. In 1999, balloon number seven was released in the middle of a hectic week of packing as we were moving from one city to another. Balloon number six was the very first to be released outside of the state of West Virginia, and on February 13th 1996, my wife's father passed away after only one week in the hospital; the next day we tearfully released balloon number four. We have been through quite a bit in the short time we have spent together. After all this time I now realize that I love her more today than I did eleven years ago. I love my wife more than I love myself; as a matter of fact, I would gladly lay down my life for her if necessary. However, the interesting thing to note is she is not number one on my priority list, and thankfully nor am I on hers. God comes first in our lives, then and only then, our respective spouse. C. S. Lewis was quoted once as saying, "When I have learnt to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now. In so far as I learn to love my earthly dearest at the expense of God and instead of God, I shall be moving towards the state in which I shall not love my earthly dearest at all. When first things are put first, second things are not suppressed but increased." Because God is prioritized at the number-one slot in my life, I am able to love my wife even more so than had I prioritized her first. Helium balloons rise because of displacement. Helium is lighter than air, and because it displaces air, it causes it to rise. Also, air is lighter than water, and because it displaces water, it causes it to rise. In the same sense, the more we displace earthly things which keep us grounded or tied down, the closer we can get to God. In other words, the more sin we displace or keep out of our lives, the higher the spiritual levels we are able to attain in God. When we are able to do this, it is as if we are actually sending a Valentine balloon to God. John 3:16 says, 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.' Remember, when it comes to God's love, you can rest assured knowing there are no strings attached. Visit www.mikecollins.biz to read previous articles from this column. Or sign up for Mike's weekly e-column via email by sending an email message to: mikecollins-subscribe@myinjesus.com ========================================================== _ _.;_'-._ {`--.-'_,} {; \,__.-'/} {.'-`._;-'; `'--._.-' .-\\,-"-. `- \( '-. \ \;---,/ .-""-;\ / .-' )\ \,---'` \\ jgs \| >Eleven Roses Story Editor: by Katherine E. Lockwood Joyce Schowalter New York, USA My two-year-old daughter and I often get smiles from strangers as we walk through town with Clara riding in her backpack, singing and swinging her feet. I felt extra grateful for my sunny little girl on one walk at the end of April, 2006. Just three days before she woke up from her nap with a fever of 106 degrees. We spent a traumatic evening in the emergency room. Any parent or child is frightened by such an experience. So it was a great feeling that Clara was so happy that day. We were heading home from a local grocery store, which wisely gives out free balloons to children. Clara always looks forward to getting a balloon there. She had done an especially nice job being patient at the store, after waiting a long time for a prescription. She was thrilled when the selection included pink balloons. Pink looms large in her philosophy, especially these days, since the antibiotic she is taking for the infection that caused the high fever is bubble-gum pink. Clara was singing "Mister Golden Sun" to her balloon, as we walked under a tree, when POP! There went the balloon. Clara immediately burst into tears. "My pink balloon popped!" She has had many balloons before, but is always very careful with them. This was the first time she experienced this minor trauma of childhood, and she was inconsolable. A college-aged young man, about 21, with light brown hair, who was walking behind us noticed Clara's tears. He was clearly preparing for an important date, as he was carrying a bouquet of a dozen long-stemmed roses. He stopped and talked to Clara. "Your balloon popped, that's very sad." "What's your name?" Unfortunately, Clara was too shy and upset to answer, but I filled in for her, touched that a young guy, probably hurrying home to get ready for a date, would stop to comfort a little child. "Clara is a pretty name," said the young man. "Would you like a flower? It's pink, just like your balloon." Clara was still crying inconsolably, unable to say that she would really like the rose. The young man said jokingly, "Uh-oh, I'm in trouble if girls don't like these!" He tucked a pink rose into Clara's backpack, and went on his way. Shortly after the young man was too far away to hear, Clara said "Thank you for my rose," in a quiet voice. She carried the rose in her hand the rest of the way home, finally waving at the young man, who was much too far away to see. A block later, Clara was singing to her flower. Somewhere in Ithaca, a lucky young lady is receiving a bouquet of eleven roses. I hope she asks why one is missing! =======HeroicStories======= > -->From Jerry's Christian Jottings: /:""| .@@@@@, |: 66|_ @@@@@@@@, C _) aa`@@@@@@ \ ._| (_ ?@@@@ ) / =' @@@@" /`\\ \(``` || |Y| //`\ ."~~~~~". || |#| / | || | .:. | || |#| \ | || A | /6 6\ | || |#| / | || |~|_|_\ e /_|_ .@@@@, :| |=: / | |\ |_|)___`"`___(8 aa`@@@, ||_|,| | |_| \ |~~~~~~~~~| = `@@@ \)))|| | ((( | \_________/ )_/`@' |~~~`-`~~~| `~\~~~~~~| |/ /_\ \| / || @ | | `\ / ()/___\() | || @ |_________| ( || ||~~~~~|| /~|| "` |_________| | || || || /__W_\ | || | || || || ||| |_||__ __|_|| ||_____|| _||| jgs (____)) (:;:;)) ||-----|| ((___) >From conception to birth in the womb visualized… Today’s offering is going to be very unique in our mailings. I am simply going to give you a link to a secular video artist’s presentation of the growth of the human body. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fKyljukBE70 I have no idea of the man’s religious beliefs or his stand on abortion. He presents an incredible animation based on cat scans etc. No gross stuff, only the beauty of God’s creative work inside the womb. Watch this video and ask yourself whether that is a baby in the womb. --- ,,, _,_ _@_ _(_ _?_ >*< _/. .\_ _/- -\_ _/, ,\_ _/' '\_ _/a a\_ _/. .\_ (.\_o_/.) (.\_-_/.) (,\_e_/') (.\_^_/.) (.\_~_/') (.\_c_/.) (.`,.`'.') (.`,.'.'.) (.`'.,'.') ('.,'.`'.) (.'.,'.`.) (.,'.,'',) ('.`,'`,) ('.`,'',) ('.','.`) ('.,'.',) ('.,'.`.) (',.'`.,) ('.`,'`) ('.','`) (.'.,'.) ('.`.,') ('.','') (.'.'.') jgs `--'"` `--'"` `--'"` `--'"' `--'"' `--'"' ...at 12 weeks - (3 months) That's definitely a human being! Thank God President Trump is pro life - late term abortion and the Dems newest crazy talk of killing the baby up until and including after birth is nothing less than murder. No woman has a right to kill another human being even if she is the mother. Just as a man is charged with double homicide if he kills a woman who is pregnant even if he is the one who got her pregnant. There should be no difference. ============================================================= >-->From CupO'Cheer: _____ (((\\\\\ )_ \\\| / \\|\/ \\( ), & \) ( (( |` \\ ))) _ | \` __| ` | , \ ` , \ | \ ,\ , \ ' \/ \_ \/ \ `_,`-._ ` \ ejm / `-. _ \ ` / ,`. \ === / '== =`. | ==== / | === ` / /========= / | / , /______| / , ======== __-' | = === / ,======= ' - -- ( \ \ \ ` \ ` \ ` \_____ \ / ` _/ / '-- ' >YOU'RE GOING TO KILL YOURSELF? So you want to kill yourself? Because no one cares about you. Your family hates you. Right? No. Your parents walking in your room in the morning to only find a dead body. They’ll try their hardest to not think negative, and to just think that you’re fooling around. Then they’ll start shaking you. Why aren’t you breathing? They’ll be broken. Tears. Many tears. More tears than you ever shed. Was it them? Were they the reason you did this? More tears. Pain. Every day. Every night. Every single second of every day. Guilt. More guilt. What about your best friends? They’re not going to care. Right? No. What’s the first thing that will go through their mind when your principal comes in and tells the class that you’re not alive. While your best friend sits there in tears. That girl that you’d smile at but never talk to? She’s now crying. The boy who used to kick you under the table just to annoy you? He’ll be shocked. He’ll be devastated. He’ll blame himself. What about your teacher? Thoughts crossing her mind. She’ll question if you did it because she didn’t make school comfortable enough for you. Pain. Devastation. All in one. Who organizes your funeral? Who has to go through your stuff? Clothes? Notes? Those few older girls who used to give you daggers at school? They’ll feel regret. They’ll blame themselves. See, if you killed yourself today, you’ll never know what might of happened tomorrow. You’ll never know because you’re dead. Plain dead. Not breathing. Not alive. Just dead. Your family hates themselves for it. Your best friend then falls into depression. Tears. Tears. More tears than a river. All because you killed yourself because you thought no one would care. Right? You are loved. By many. Someone right now is thinking of you. And right now, I’m thinking about anyone who has thought or is considering suicide. You are beautiful. No matter if you’re black, white, homosexual, tall, short, overweight or anorexic. You are beautiful. You want to kill yourself? Think about it first. There’s no coming back. And I promise, if you do it, you are not only hurting yourself, you are hurting many. You are creating more tears than you led yourself to. You are making everyone miserable and making them all feel guilt and pain. Never will they feel whole like they used to when they had you. You are beautiful. And you are never ever alone. - Author unknown as seen at IHateQuotes.net --- (\___/) \ (, ,) c\ >' )o_/ Just End It, /\ ____/ /__ ,_ Bo One Will Care / \ __/ ` ~ ) / _/// /_ %%%___%, . ' .) \ /# %%% = =% , / \ / | ___%% > __..,; \,/ /' \_% ^ % \:,# / %%%% .'%#.% /. ,- O < \%"# (\ <' ' |\ / '-.___ _.\__\________\_\___/), |\\____________| b'ger ...Suicide is of the devil. Think about it. God is all about life - Jesus said it himself... John 10:10 'The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.' God through Jesus Christs wants you to have life and have it more abundantly - live the good life. Who is it that wants you dead? The devil. Check out these teachings for more insight: The Nature Of The Enemy Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URnECVEE44w Our Valuable Anchor http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html The Sleep Metaphor http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/sleepmetaphor.html You Are The ONLY You God Has! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/onlyyougodhas.html -<>- reICareI reICareIC ICareICareICar ICareICareICare reICareICareICareI reICareICareICareIC CareICareICareICareICa reICareICareICareICareI ICarICareICareICareICareI ICareICareICareICareICareI ICarICareICareICareICareICare CareICareICareICareICareICare ICareICareICareICareICareICareI CareICareICareICareICareICareICa ICaICareICareICareICareICareICareI ICareICareICareICareICareICareICar eICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICar ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICar ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareIc eICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICa ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareI reICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICare ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICa reICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareIc ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICare reICareICareICareIICareICareICareICareIca ICareICareICareICareICareICareICarICa reICareICareICareICareICarICare areICareICareICareICareICa ICareICareICareICare areICareICareICa eICareICareI -Grim CareICar reIC eI >HE HAS CHOSEN ME Isaiah 41:8 – 10 “But as for you, Israel my servant, Jacob my chosen one, descended from Abraham my friend, I have called you back from the ends of the earth, saying, ‘You are my servant.’ For I have chosen you and will not throw you away. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” I’ve been in a bit of a funk for a while. I hadn’t noticed because it came on so gradually and because I’m basically a cheerful person, so the discouragement wasn’t easy to spot beneath the usual bounce in my step. But one night not too long ago, when I hit my knees my prayers wouldn’t come. I knelt by my bed for what felt like a long time, empty of words and wondering what had happened. All I could do was cry out to the Lord to give me back my joy and to lift up my head. It wasn’t a turning away from God that had made me feel distant from Him. It wasn’t any kind of willful sin. It was more of a slow drift toward more and more distractions that left less and less time for sleep and made me too tired to devote much of myself to prayer. I had wandered to the ends of the earth, and the Lord gave me that time of emptiness to let me feel how far I had moved from the center of His will. The good news—always—is that He has chosen me and will not throw me away. And in the days since I cried out to Him, He has strengthened me and is lifting me back up again. In what ways have you wandered from the Lord? What sins have taken hold of you? What entertainments do you allow to keep you from your time with Him? What emptiness of heart are you facing? Take heart, because the God of all comfort is with you, and He will hold you up with His victorious right hand. Brenda McGill as seen in Tuesday's Bread --- ...Check out... Choose His Children http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/choosehischildren.html -<>- /\/\ / / / _/,/ / _/` (/"/////, ( '```--.___ /' _), ,- '-. /, / \ (\ \, \_()/ \) )' =_ )) | | | .// _/) ( ( \_ // / \ >_,\ (/)= / | | | \ #\| / |=| |=|\ ( ( (=> ( >( >),) | | |=| \ ( ( / / / / ) |/ \ /_( /_( , || )/.,_ ). /\\_(\,/, //- / /_(_( / ,\. b'ger .- '-'-'-,)\/.')) >BE STILL… Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, she turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat her to get her back on the road. Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between two vineyards, with walls on both sides. When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam's foot against it. So he beat her again. Then the angel of the LORD moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat her with his staff. Then the LORD opened the donkey's mouth, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?" __...----.. .-' `-. / .---.._ \ | | \ \ | `. | | | | _____ ` ' | | / _.-` `. \ | .'| //'''.' \ `---'_(`.||.`.`.' _.`.'''-. \ _(`'. `.`.`'.-' \\ \ \ (' .' `-._.- / \\ \ | ('./ `-._ .-| \\ || ('.\ | | 0') ('0 __.--. \`----'/ _.--('..| `-- .' .-. `. `--..' _..--..._ _.-' ('.:| . / ` 0 ` \ .' .-' `..' | / .^. | / .' \ ' . `._ .'| `. \`...____.----._.' .'.'| . \ | |_||_||__| // \ | _.-'| |_ `. \ || | | /\ \_| _ _ | || | /. . ' `.`.| || || || / ' ' | . | `.`---'/ .' `. | .' .'`. \ .' / `...' .' \ \ .'.' `---\ '.-' | )/\ / /)/ .| \ `. `.\ \ )/ \( / \ | \ | `. `-. )/ ) | | __ \ \.-` \ | /| ) .-. //' `-| \ _ / / _| | `-'.-.\ || `. )_.--' ) \ '-. / '| ''.__.-`\ | / `-\ '._|--' \ `. \ _\ / `---. LGB /.--` \ \ .''''\ `._..._| `-.' .-. | '_.'-./.' Balaam answered the donkey, "You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now." The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?" "No," he said. .--.-. ( ( )__ (_, \ ) ,_) '- \\---' _\\ \\ . '.\:.' .':`(\ ' \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ _ \\/@) /(&\ (@(\&\ <*****> ` \/ \.=^=. .""". .=^=. \ \```\\(/a a\)//```\\ \ \ ( L ) }} {\ \ __ \ = / }} {{\ '--,/'-'\,---. }} {{ \ |`-._/\_.-'| \ }} {{ \| || |\ \}} {{ |___o()o___| > )} {{ |__((<>))__|` .'}} {{ \ o\/o /`` }} {{ ,'\ || / ', }} {{.' \ || /| '.}} |'.||.' | | : | | : | | : | | : | | : | | : | jgs |____:__| (_/ \_) Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown. (Numbers 22:21-31 (NIV)) Have you ever encountered something that just seemed to go completely different than expected, even when you have done it many times before? Were you able to come up with a logical explanation for the change in the results? Perhaps the change in the results were similar to those that Balaam had. He was so blinded to the fact that his donkey had never done anything like this before, yet he still blamed the donkey. He did not stop to even contemplate the reason for the change. He did not stop to think that perhaps there was a reason that his trusted donkey had done what she had done. He did not even consider that there is more to this life than meets the eye. He did not consider that God was intervening in his life! Are we blinded to this just as Balaam was? Think about that for a moment. Does God still speak to His people? Does God still seek out relationships with those who seek Him? Does God work in our lives to guide us, to lead us and to mature us into what He created us to be? Why should we be any different from Balaam? Why should we limit God's intervention to the pages of the Bible? The Bible is the story of what He has done. We are the story of what He is doing. The next time that something seems too odd and out of the normal realm of things, stop and reflect upon what is going on. God may be using the unexpected to reach out to you. He may be calling you to something and that moment in time is the decisive point where you must listen and respond or miss out on His blessings. Everyone marvels at the story of Balaam and the talking donkey, but how many people overlook the reason that the donkey spoke? It took something completely out of the ordinary to get Balaam's attention. What does God have to do to get your attention? Copyright 1998 - 2012 Dennis J. Smock Daily Living Ministries, Inc. -<>- To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ========================================================== __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >-->ONE SOUL AT A TIME (By Rev. Eric McGrath) [Edited] Believers have a mission, And it's very clear to see, That we don't have to look that far, Or travel over land and sea. There's a mission field outside our door, Just waiting to hear from you and me. We're called to take our land back, One soul at a time. Some people think that government, It's their responsibility. Or else it belongs to the school, To set our morality. But the Lord has another plan, And it involves you and me. We're called to take our land back, One soul at a time. Only Jesus can provide the hope, That this land needs so bad. At one time there were lots of folks, Deep faith in God they had. But times sure are different now, They call for all of us to stand. We're called to take our land back, One soul at a time. One soul at a time, Is the plan that Jesus gave. He called us when He left our world, Gave us victory o'er the grave. It wasn't neon lights and glitter, But the good old gospel saves. We're to take our land back, One soul at a time. >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->ShangyFunList AD RATES: $20 will get your a message (of up to 40 words) out to all self-subscribed readers and $5 more will give you the same message also put up for all web site readers. Email me to secure dates. Ad Request ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->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? 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 **********************************************************************