Stewardship and More ... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@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 =========================== >-->In The 'Shangy' News :) _ " _ _ " _ (_\|/_) (_\|/_) _ " _ _ " _ (/|\) (/|\) (_\|/_) " _ (_\|/_) (/|\)_\|/_) (/|\) ejm97 (/|\) It has been a busy Month so Far! If you haven't already, Please be sure to visit all our new pages for the month: Wyoming Cowgirl http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/cowgirl.html Flower Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/flowerart.html Matchstick Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/matchstick.html The Bible http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thebible.html Creation Mountain http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/creationmuseum.html Identity Theft http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/identitytheft.html Awww Animals 3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animals3.html Code Of Ethics http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ethics.html We generally only have one new page a week, so this shows how busy this month has been AND how great our friends have been to help us out by sending forwards to me. I can't do new pages without forwards or contributions. *\o_ _c/* / * * \ <\ *\o/* /> ) c/* / > *\o Y E A H ! <\ /> __o */\ /\* c__ * /> <\ * /\* __o_ _c__ */\ * / * * \ * <\ /> *\c/* ejm97 __)__ Contributors are the bomb! {{{HUGS}}} To ALL OF YOU! God's Most Abundant Blessings to You And All Of you on this Group! Know that I pray for you all daily! -<>- Wow! We've had a bunch of cool photos sent to us! I've gotten these great pics together and added them to our group photos so everyone can enjoy them! You can view these ... >From Our friends Jo Ann, PatH, and Viv Here: http://ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList/photos/browse/1f2a?b=37&m=t&o=0 We have a funny animated gif from our friend PatH here: Kansas http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList/files/ AND I put a sweet pic from her on our group home page See it Here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList/ With this picture she says 'LOVE YA!! TAG - You are It!!!' I just had to get ALL OF YOU! Consider yourself Tagged! :) AND Our Friend John-Paul sent us some great scenic pictures! See his photos here: http://ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList/photos/browse/a3bb He says... When you have a moment, Please visit my web site~ It has now been updated, and soon new poems will be added ~~~~~ http://www.geocities.com/jpw1936/index.html WE Sure Will! Thank You John-Paul, Jo Ann, PatH, And Viv! You enrich our lives with your gifts of kind thoughtfulness! ================================== >-->From Our Friend Tony In Australia :) _____ (((\\\\\ )_ \\\| / \\|\/ \\( ), & \) ( (( |` \\ ))) _ | \` __| ` | , \ ` , \ | \ ,\ , \ ' \/ \_ \/ \ `_,`-._ ` \ ejm / `-. _ \ ` / ,`. \ === / '== =`. | ==== / | === ` / /========= / | / , /______| / , ======== __-' | = === / ,======= ' - -- ( \ \ \ ` \ ` \ ` \_____ \ / ` _/ / '-- ' >Feeling down?? I just finished writing a letter to my moderators and a couple of friends, excusing myself for my lack of ‘input’ due to work and business and other family concerns….I sent it off and after I had done that, I read back through it and wished I hadn’t pressed ‘send’….I hate being a ‘complainer’ about anything. My Bible is always near me and its margins are full of my own ‘comments’ and I just saw something written and highlighted right there where my eyes fell. It was a scripture from “Lamentations” 3: 7,9 And the Prophet Jeremiah is having a moan about his situation at that time, and he is saying that God has him all ‘hedged in to a point where he felt he had no escape, and the harder he tried the heavier the chains he felt holding him there became. He was ‘lamenting’ that God had forsaken him and made any chance of progress from his dilemma difficult to say the least. Now there have been songs written about this man Jeremiah! And even in the New Testament you will find Jesus referring to Jeremiah as an ‘over comer’, a ‘strong’ man who had shown the way to many others, and Jeremiah had bathed in some amazingly ‘anointed’ periods in his lifetime and now? Here he was ‘whinging’! In the past God had spoken to Jeremiah on many occasions and Jeremiah had experienced that God had been there! Directing his path! And now he was saying that God was making his way ‘crooked’. And yes….Jeremiah was feeling ‘cast down and trodden on’ and his ‘chains were getting heavier and heavier and here is perhaps where we get the saying” banging ones head against a brick wall”….Thats what Jeremiah was experiencing. What was Jeremiahs real problem? And I had another comment in the margin of my Bible and its simply said… “ Call on the name of the Lord Jerry!” and a referral to another scripture that basically said… “ the Lord came to Jeremiah after 10 days” The ‘word’ of the Lord the Bible says. And Jeremiah called on the Military leaders and said “ The Lord says”(How did he know what the Lord had to say?) Well, the answer is simple…….Jeremiah had spent time in his closet and it was there that God spoke to him and gave him ‘the Word” Ten days that took! And here’s us thinking that a few minutes here and there and God will rush to help us! You see people, Jeremiah had not really sought God’s help! he had just taken it for granted…. And when nothing was going right for him, Jeremiah blamed God! He said that God was making life difficult and he was making himself feel worse, God had nothing to do with it! And Jeremiah thought all the light he had previously experienced, was now just darkness…… Well…….I happen to know that there are people I know, personally…who are in worse straights than I am… And… I feel I have neglected them to just concern myself with my own problems and I have also neglected My Lord…. I can’t go as far as to say as Jeremiah did that the Lord has filled me with bitterness, but I have felt more bitterness of late than I have in many years. I have 2 hrs before I have to face Tribunal of the Social Services about them ‘cutting us off’ because of the way they interpret a rule for payment under certain conditions. Several of the people I have spoken to from SS admit that the rule prejudices certain situations and my situation is one of them. But NO Government is as strong or as fair as MY God and I am calling on His name right now! To be, not just with me NO! But to be with all of us who face any sort of adversity! Be it from outside our ‘courts’ or inside our chambers….. Lord there IS sickness , pain and suffering amongst us! There IS a temptation to lose our cool with others. There ARE situations that are beyond our control so…. WE CALL ON YOU LORD! You overcame death for US…. We call upon Your power and wisdom to again be ‘overcomers’…..Let the seas part Lord and the mountains spit out their ash and cover those who do NOT honor you but themselves. Take off the chains Father and release us from bondage! Make us FREE again Dear Jesus to give YOU! the Honor and Glory in ALL things….. I wonder how many here feel what I am feeling right now as I write? How many wonder if there will again be a day without strife and torment? Now, not all that read this are Church going Christians I know..I also know that Christ didn't come for the 'saved' He came for the sinners and that means ALL of us...so I am just hoping today, that I have encouraged 'someone' here and that 'someone' recognises themself and I say to them Don’t stop dreaming!….Don’t stop hoping and praying. Jeremiah reached that point when he felt all was lost….including himself and its my guess youe are close to that point as I was/am. But……..But GOD! Yes GOD Has the answer! Right there in His Word I believe God has a message just for you……and him and her…all of us! I KNOW this about God! Jerry reached the bottom and it was there where he started looking upward and not down ward! God was right there waiting for him at the bottom of his ‘hole’ You see, Jeremiah knew in his heart, that God hadn’t forsaken him…It was when he had exhausted all HIS efforts that he felt God again because he realized that God wasn’t just sitting on some throne up in some sky! God was right there in the gloom! And he had been there all the time and Jeremiah finally realized it! He knew that God was compassionate! And Jeremiah tells us that HIS God…..is OUR God! His compassions for us cannot fail, they are brand new…every morning…. Great! Is HIS faithfulness……how about ‘ours’? Tony --- ...Aww, yes. It is thoughtfulness of our lives that bring about a greater understanding of the most important ones in our lives! Thank you Tony! "Stewardship, all that I am, all that I have, I use in dedicated - devotion to God." I just added Financial Stewardship to our BibleStudy teachings. This teaching is so important. I just had to drop all I was doing to get this one prepared, edited, and safely uploaded to the site. I urge all of you to read and study this one. Get into your heart since, of course, today's world is so money and 'thing' based. This will free you of such burdens and help you know and understand how great and good and wonderful God really is when we actually bring Him to the top of our 'think and do' list. Keeping God 1st is easier to do, when we know what His WILL for us is. , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| B I B L E | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Financial Stewardship http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/financialstewardship.html Of course this is from Our Friends at Christian Education Services - God Bless Them richly for their devotion and generosity to us. ===================================================================== >-->A Sweet Classic from our friend Becky :) >~DEATH~ WHAT A WONDERFUL WAY TO EXPLAIN IT!!!!! A sick man turned to his doctor, as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, 'Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side.' Very quietly, the doctor said, 'I don't know.' 'You don't know? You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?' The doctor was holding the handle of the door; on the other side came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness. )..( (.o) `.( ) |||| ptr "`'" Turning to the patient, the doctor said, 'Did you notice my dog? He's never been in this room before. He didn't know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing.... I know my Master is there and that is enough.' READ AND RETURN (sorry - cannot break this) May today there be peace within you. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. I believe that friends are quiet angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly. Just pass this on... Do not break this, PLEASE!!!!! -<,,>- _ / } /'.\ _/ ) (`- ( ,) |/ /| ' ` Elb >Sisters: A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day, drinking iced tea and visiting with her Mother. As they talked about life, about marriage, about the responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter 'Don't forget your Sisters,' she advised, swirling the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass. 'They'll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you may have, you are still going to need Sisters. Remember to go places with them now and then; do things with them.' 'Remember that 'Sisters' means ALL the women... your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other women relatives too. 'You'll need other women. Women always do.' What a funny piece of advice!' the young woman thought. Haven't I just gotten married? Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely my husband and the family we may start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!' But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact with her Sisters and made more women friends each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another, she gradually came to understand that her Mom really knew what she was talking about. As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman, Sisters are the mainstays of her life. After more than 50 years of living in this world, (well, nearly!!!!) here is what I've learned: THIS SAYS IT ALL: Time passes. Life happens. Distance separates. Children grow up. Jobs come and go. Love waxes and wanes. Men don't do what they're supposed to do. Hearts break. Parents die. Colleagues forget favours. Careers end. BUT......... Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach. When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end. Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you...Or come in and carry you out. Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family, all bless our life! The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would I. When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other. Every day, we need each other still. Pass this on to all the women who help make your life meaningful. I just did. Short and very sweet: There are more than twenty angels in this world. Ten are peacefully sleeping on clouds. Nine are playing. And one is reading her email at this moment. Send this message to ten of your friends including me. If you get 5 replies, someone you love will surprise you. Happy days! ---- ...Thanks Becky. This is cool if it were true, but I gotta tell ya before some 'sister' breaks your heart, woman are people too. They'll let you down just as easily or quickly as a man will do. The woman in my life? Well, they haven't been as bad as most of the men in my life, but not something to brag about either. The point I'm trying to make is, the only ones there for me for my entire life have been God and my Lord Jesus Christ. I may have done things that forced them away from me but they were always close and always there for me when I reached out for them. I can't say that of my sister or any of my old girlfriends or my grandmothers or even my own mom! None of them were there for me when I needed them - only God and my Lord. Must be why I love tthem so much :) So, if you want to give your best to anyone, give your best to God and Jesus Christ. They are the ones who are worthy of your total love, devotion, care and service to. Everyone else will get the benefit of you too as God will make sure to bless them through you :) "Stewardship, all that I am, all that I have, I use in dedicated - devotion to God." ==================================================================== >-->From Our Friend Jo Ann :) | | | | | | |.-. | , .-. _.--.'/ :__ :, `\ ;"`.\/ `"\ J ""/_\,_..._ :} \ } o o F {(`,}\ `""-..__.'/ \/ | `-'| \--"""*--...-' ; /`. ; `. ; \ }. `-' /\ \ \ `. _..-" \ `-- / \_ /`,-"`. /`. { \.--" `"""" `"._/ `--' `" ,--..._ .' .-. `""--. _./`-. `-' __/| F `"--i_ `. \|========/`"\ `-. `"--.__.'`|J / /SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSssss.._ _/ _ () | ! {._ / YS !__./ \ | / /.-.\SSSss...__ __.=P / `""--.__!' :| |:`"""""^^SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSP^^"" \ :`""""-----------..........!!_!!______ \ : `"""""""""--------....._____: `"""""""""""----------........._________ | `"""""""------..______! fsc >The Mouse Trap Story A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package. What food might this contain? The mouse wondered - he was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap. Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning : There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house! The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, ' Mr.Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me. ' ' I cannot be bothered by it.' The mouse turned to the pig and told him, 'There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!' The pig sympathized, but said, I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. 'Be assured you are in my prayers.' The mouse turned to the cow and said 'There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!' The cow said, 'Wow, Mr. Mouse. I'm sorry for you, but it's no skin off my nose.' So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and de jected, to face the farmer's mousetrap alone. That very night a sound was heard throughout the house -- like the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey. The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught. The snake bit the farmer's wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital , and she returned home with a fever. Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient. But his wife's sickness continued, so friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig. The farmer's wife did not get well; she died. So many people came for her funeral, the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them. The mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness. So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and think it doesn't concern you, remember -- when one of us is threatened, we are all at risk. We are all involved in this journey called life. We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one another. REMEMBER,,,, EACH OF US IS A VITAL THREAD IN ANOTHER PERSON'S TAPESTRY; OUR LIVES ARE WOVEN TOGETHER FOR A REASON. -<..>- >Shoes in church ____ ___|=--=/ \=--=| :(___.--. .--.___): { __ ' ) ( ` __ )= ""----'Ahas '----"" ====' I showered and shaved............. I adjusted my tie. I got there and sat.............. In a pew just in time. Bowing my head in prayer......... As I closed my eyes. I saw the shoe of the man next to me..... Touching my own. I sighed. With plenty of room on either side...... I thought, "Why must our soles touch?" It bothered me, his shoe touching mine... But it didn't bother him much. A prayer began: "Our Father"............. I thought, "This man with the shoes.. has no pride. They're dusty, worn, and scratched. Even worse, there are holes on the side!" "Thank You for blessings," the prayer went on. The shoe man said............... a quiet " Amen." I tried to focus on the prayer....... But my thoughts were on his shoes again. Aren't we supposed to look our best.. When walking through that door? "Well, this certainly isn't it," I thought, Glancing toward the floor. Then the prayer was ended............ And the songs of praise began. The shoe man was certainly loud...... Sounding proud as he sang. His voice lifted the rafters......... His hands were raised high. The Lord could surely hear.. The shoe man's voice from the sky. It was time for the offering....... And what I threw in was steep. I watched as the shoe man reached.... Into his pockets so deep. I saw what was pulled out.......... What the shoe man put in. Then I heard a soft "clink", as when silver hits tin. The sermon really bored me.......... To tears, and that's no lie. It was the same for the shoe man... For tears fell from his eyes. At the end of the service...... As is the custom here. We must greet new visitors.. And show them all good cheer. But I felt moved somehow............. And wanted to meet the shoe man. So after the closing prayer........ I reached over and shook his hand. He was old and his skin was dark..... And his hair was truly a mess. But I thanked him for coming......... For being our guest. He said, "My names' Charlie.......... I'm glad to meet you, my friend." There were tears in his eyes....... But he had a large, wide grin. "Let me explain," he said......... Wiping tears from his eyes. "I've been coming here for months.... And you're the first to say 'Hi.'" "I know that my appearance........."Is not like all the rest. "But I really do try................."To always look my best." "I always clean and polish my shoes.."Before my very long walk. "But by the time I get here........."They're dirty and dusty, like chalk." My heart filled with pain............ and I swallowed to hide my tears. As he continued to apologize......... For daring to sit so near. He said, "When I get here..........."I know I must look a sight. "But I thought if I could touch you.."Then maybe our souls might unite." I was silent for a moment............ Knowing whatever was said Would pale in comparison... I spoke from my heart, not my head. "Oh, you've touched me," I said......"And taught me, in part; "That the best of any man............"Is what is found in his heart." The rest, I thought,................ This shoe man will never know. Like just how thankful I really am... That his dirty old shoe touched my soul You are special to me and you have made a difference in my life. I respect you, and truly cherish you. Send this to your friends, No matter how often you talk, Or how close you are, And send it to the person who sent it to you. Let old friends know you haven't forgotten them, and tell new friends you never will. Remember, everyone needs a friend. Someday you might feel like you have no friends at all. Just remember this e-mail and take comfort in knowing that someone out there cares about you..... and always will. -<,,>- .'''. ' ' '. .' '.' ' ' ' /")\ / /\ \ / ()""() |=( . .) | '(o)| /______| | | _ / ____ \ _ ( ) / \ ( ) |_|/ \|_| tre >Too Often Too often we don't realize What we have until it is gone Too often we wait too late to say "I'm sorry - I was wrong." Sometimes it seems we hurt the ones We hold dearest to our hearts And we allow foolish things To tear our lives apart. Far too many times we let Unimportant things into our minds And then it's usually too late To see what made us blind. So be sure that you let people know How much they mean to you Take that time to say the words Before your time is through. Be sure that you appreciate Everything you've got And be thankful for the little things in life that mean a lot. -<-->- .--, .-. __,,,__/ | / \-'` `-./_ | | `) \ ` `\ ; / , , | | / : O /_ | O .--;__ '. | ( )`. | \ `-` / | \ ,_ _.-./` / \ \``-.( / | `---' /--. ,--\___..__ _.' /--. jgs \ `-._ _`/ ' '. .' ` ' . `` ' . >PRESCRIPTION FOR HAPPINESS Make up your mind to be happy. Learn to find pleasure in simple things. Make the best of your circumstances. No one has everything and everyone has something of sorrow intermingled with the gladness of life. The trick is to make the laughter outweigh the tears. Don't take yourself too seriously. You can't please everybody; Don't let criticism worry you. Don't let your neighbor set your standards. Do the things you enjoy doing, But stay out of debt. Don't borrow trouble. Imaginary things are harder to bear than the actual ones. Since hate poisons the soul, do not cherish enmities and grudges. Don't hold post-mortems. Don't spend your life brooding over sorrows and mistakes. Don't be one who never gets over things. Do what you can for those less fortunate than yourself. Keep busy at something. A very busy person never has time to be unhappy. For maximum effectiveness, This prescription should be taken as often as needed. Unlimited refills available. This prescription for happiness bears remembering and repeating... OFTEN! ~~unknown --- ...So True Jo Ann, Thank You! Switching it to the 'orangy side' is all about attitude! :) -<..>- This Is Wonderful - Flash card http://tinyurl.com/ywelx --- ...Aww, so beautiful, thanks Jo Ann! ================================================================== >-->From InspiredBuffalo: treasure chest: __________ /\____;;___\ | / / `. ())oo() . |\(%()*^^()^\ %| |-%-------| % \ | % )) | % \|%________| ejm97 %%%% >A KEEPER Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. Their best friends lived barely a wave away. I can see them now, Dad in trousers, tee shirt and a hat and Mom in a house dress, lawn mower in one hand, and dish-towel in the other. It was the time for fixing things. A curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress. Things we keep. It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy. All that re-fixing, eating, renewing, I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more. But then my mother died, and on that clear summer's night, in the warmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more. Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away...never to return. So...While we have it... it's best we love it... And care for it.... And fix it when it's broken..... And heal it when it's sick. This is true...of brothers and sisters that rub us the wrong way... And old cars.... And children with bad report cards..... Dogs and cats with bad hips.... And aging parents.... And grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it. Some things we keep. Like a best friend that moved away or a classmate we grew up with. There are just some things that make life important, like people we know who are special.... And so, we keep them close ! -<>- _ (^) (_\ |_| \_\ |_| _\_\,/_| (`\(_|`\| (`\,) \ \ \,) | | Tom Harvey + David Riley \__(__| >PEACE By: Joseph J. Mazzella A teenager gave me the peace sign the other day. I waved to him as I was walking past his home and he held up the two fingered salute made famous in the 1960's. I hadn’t realized that it had survived the last 40 years to find its way into the hearts of a new generation. The last time I saw it widely used was when I was a young boy. Seeing those two fingers did make me smile, though, because they reminded me of the two truths that can bring peace to us all. I only pray that one day we all can welcome them into our hearts, souls, minds, and lives. The first of these simple truths is that God loves us. God loves us when we do good and He loves us even when we mess up. God loves us enough to forgive us, guide us, and help us through all the mistakes me make, choices we face, and difficulties we must overcome. God loves us from the second of our birth to our very last breath. His love is eternal like our souls not temporary like these bodies that carry them around. He loves us all through this life and His love carries us into the next. ooooooooooo ooooooooooooooooooo oooooooo oooo oooooooo ooooooo oooo ooooooo oooooo oooo oooooo oooooo oooo oooooo ooooo oooo ooooo oooooo oooooo oooooo oooooo oooooooo oooooo ooooo oooooooooooo ooooo oooooo oooo oooo oooo oooooo oooooooooo oooo oooooooooo oooooooo oooo oooooooo oooooooo oooo oooooooo oooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooo Bob Allison The second truth I know that fills my life with peace is the fact that we all can choose and share love as well. We may not always be able to love each other as God loves us, but we can have the time of our lives trying. There is nothing that brings you more happiness, greater joy, and more peace of heart than sharing your love with everyone. Love is the hardest thing in the world to give away, though, because it keeps coming back to you as well. Loving others is what we are meant for. It is the Way of Life that Jesus showed us all. It is the only thing that matters. ."". ."", | | / / | | / / | | / / | |/ ;-._ } ` _/ / ; | /` ) / / | / /_/\_/\ |/ / | ( ' \ '- | \ `. / | | jgs | | The next time you feel troubled then hold up those two fingers and remind yourself of what can truly bring you peace. God loves you and is with you always. Take peace in His love and then go out and share your own love, joy, and peace with the world. -<>- >THE WAY WE SEE IT The eye doctor instructed her patient to read a chart on the wall. He looked at it and read, "A, B, F, N, L and G." The doctor turned the light back on and wrote in her notebook. "How'd I do, Doc?" the patient wondered. She replied, "Let's put it this way -- they're numbers." "But Doc," he argued, "this is the way I see it!" Much of my happiness or unhappiness is a result of my perception. "This is the way I see it," I tell myself. I see some problems as challenges that energize me to action and others as obstacles that stop further progress. It's just the way I see it. And sometimes I see new situations as fun, and other times I see them as fearful. The busyness of my life can be OK if I see it that way, or it can be a major source of stress. And an unexpected intrusion in my schedule can be an irritant or, if I see it that way, possibly the most important thing I could do that day. Even an embarrassing mistake can be the beginning of a new learning or an occasion to berate myself. It's in the way I see it. One of the greatest blocks to my happiness is forgetting that it is not always about what is happening to me -- it's more about the way I see it. Like Marcel Proust said, "The real voyage of discovery lies not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes." It's in the way we see it. -- Steve Goodier Now you can add your own comments to Life Support. http://stevegoodier.blogspot.com/ -<>- .-""""--. / ) / --"` / _`:---. | .-' `\ \ / .----'./ \ : ,-' ~(.).)\ \_| \ ._) | / | \.__, / _.--' )`///-,-' / / _| (_\\ | (____/____) \ ___/ | _ `---( ` ) `-, .' (__.'._/'._/ |`| | __/ / / // | `--. || /_____) jgs `=---` >God's Grace Once in a while he extends it to us for no apparent reason. By Ruth Senter Sometimes there is no way to explain an event, except to say, "It was grace, pure and simple. Nothing deserved. Just something God delighted to do for me." Once in awhile, it happens that way. I have that feeling today as I stand outside our apartment complex in Kihung, South Korea, with a bleeding finger. It happened almost an hour ago as I was opening a can of Mandarin oranges. I try to stop the bleeding but to no avail. The only person I know who speaks English is one of the guards at the front gatehouse. When I show him my finger, he shakes his head gravely and says, "Hospital." But the guard lives an hour away; he has no idea where to find a local hospital. The only person who does know is an elevator repair man who happens to be working on our elevator this very afternoon. He tells the guard (in Korean) he will direct me to the hospital if we provide transportation. There isn't a car or truck in sight. So, the guard phones for a taxi. Suddenly, I realize I'm about to get in a car with an unknown driver and an elevator repair man and go to an unknown hospital to have my finger sewn back together. At this point, I utter the longings of my heart: If only Mark (my husband) would come. Within minutes, Mark is here with our dinner guests, one of whom happens to be a nurse. Several hours later, after visiting the hospital and with my finger neatly stitched, we sit down to dinner with our guests. Mark says grace. And this time, it is truly grace. Once in awhile in our stumblings at life, God reaches down, just at the time we need him most, and extends grace to us, for no apparent reason. Except that he is God. And every now and then he delights to remind us. Maybe so that the next time things don't go as smoothly, we'll still remember he is God. Ruth Senter has written 11 books, has two grown kids, and travels with her husband, a seminary educator. --- ...See? Now that is the type of miracles I was talking about. Things that happen in your life that you know God has a hand in doing. So, come on people... Tell me your story - send it to me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net Miracle stories or angel stories. It is good to tell of God's grace toward you or those you love. Share with us and Bless us too! Thanks!! -<>- Links: Willie You Don't Think I'm Funny Anymore http://www.buffaloschips.com/72202.htm Women Drivers http://www.buffaloschips.com/72201.htm Women's Instructional Video http://www.buffaloschips.com/72203.htm Dog video http://www.buffalosjokes.com/072712.htm Dogs http://www.buffalosjokes.com/072713.htm DOMISLJIJA http://www.buffalosjokes.com/072714.htm Do not wash http://www.buffalosjokes.com/072715.htm Guardian Angel http://www.geocities.com/jpw1936/guardian-angel/GuardianAngel.html Fasting - Spiritually Beneficial or Not? http://www.truthortradition.com/fasting/ Subscribe send a blank email to: the-inspired-buffalo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ==================================================================== >-->From SermondFodder: ____ (__ '. /_____) ()- - ))) 'C ,()(() SMURFier ,.'_'.' \ __/ ) (--' '._./ \ (_._._._) _|| ||_ mrf(__,),__) >Americans Who Are Religious Are Happier Only 35 Percent of Americans are Very Happy According to a New National "Happiness" Index The Harris Poll® has asked 2,513 Americans about nine areas in their lives that contribute to their overall happiness. They used it to create a National Happiness Index with the intention of tracking changes in happiness in the United States over time. This year's index stands at 35 (out of a possible 100). People who describe themselves as "very religious" are among the happiest of people. Those who say they are "very religious" come in ten points higher than America as a whole on the Happiness Index (45% compared to 35% are considered "very happy"). In contrast, just over one-quarter (28%) of people who describe themselves as "not religious" were measured at that level of happiness. A similar difference is noted among people who say they "pray or study religion at home" on a daily basis compared to less often. Over four in ten people (43%) who engage in "daily" prayer or religious study are very happy. In comparison, just over one-quarter (28%) of people who "never" pray or study religion at home have a comparable happiness level. Due to copyright issues we cannot share the entire poll here. Use this link to access the rest of the report from Harris Polls. http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=900. Additional info on this poll can also be found here. http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=901 ================================================================= >-->From AndyChaps: * MY COMMITMENT AS A CHRISTIAN ** I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have stepped over the line.The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power. My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me because my banner will be clear! -<>- ** NO FUTURE IN THE PAST ** The man looked a little worried when the doctor came in to administer his annual physical, so the first thing the doctor did was to ask whether anything was troubling him. "Well, to tell the truth, Doc, yes," answered the patient. "You see, I seem to be getting forgetful. No, it's actually worse than that. I can never remember where I park my car, where I'm going, or what it is I'm going to do once I get there -- if I get there. So, I really need your help. What can I do?" The doctor mused for a moment, then answered kindly, "Pay me in advance." Actually, forgetfulness isn't all bad...especially when we decide to forget all that pain from the past that threatens to ruin the present. Like one song says, "There ain't no future in the past." The past is to be remembered -- how else will we learn from it and keep from repeating it? But why would I want to remember every time I felt hurt because of my spouse, my children or my friends? Why would I want to fill my mind with a detailed catalogue of past pain? Better to remember the times they brought me joy or love or feelings of warmth. Unfortunately, even those wonderful and magical moments too easily fade away. A friend of Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, asked her about a particular traumatic event in her life. Miss Barton seemed perplexed. "Can't you remember?" the friend prodded. Clara Barton replied, "I distinctly remember forgetting it." Dwell on the past -- but not the negative past, not the pain of the past nor the sadness. Dwell on the good. Be consumed by past joys and obsessed with gratitude. Dwell upon the moments that uplifted you, the times you laughed and the memories of love shown to you by friends and family. Not everything should be remembered, and those who live well know what to forget and what to cherish. Like the song says, "There ain't no future in the past." But there IS joy there. And love. And kindness...if we choose to remember. © 2001 Steve Goodier -<>- _____ / \/_ //\__(\_\ |\ ^ ^ | .//_O \O_ \ \_ (_) / \ \_/ / __/\ /\__ / \ \ / / \ / \/\/\/ \ / | . | \ / | . | \ JRO ** SELF CONTROL ** I've heard it said don't go to bed while hanging on to sorrow, you may not have the chance to laugh with those you love tomorrow. You may not mean the words you speak when anger takes its toll, you may regret your actions once you've lost your self-control. When you've lost your temper and you've said some hurtful things, think about the heartache that your actions sometime bring. You'll never get those moments back, such precious time to waste, and all because of things you said in anger and in haste. So if you're loving someone and your pride has settled in, you may not ever have the chance to say to them again... "I love you and I miss you and although we don't agree, I'll try to see your point of view, please do the same for me." ~ Unknown ---> Visit my CyberHome - ALWAYS OPEN HOUSE :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/index.html Shangrala ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->Bigham's Computer Rescue - PC Sales & Serrvice You can trust us to provide you with quality computer sales and repair. We've been servicing the Van Wert area since 1981 and can help you with all your computer needs. Please phone us at 419-238-5806 ************************************************************************ -->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: This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR Send a BLANK email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ************************************************************************