Take Action And Make The Change ... :) 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 =========================== >-->From Our Friend Janice :) ####### ##[_]## ,;###########;, <<:{{\|@___@|/}}:>> <<:{{| ( /___\\) \}}:>> <<:{{/\ \\___/( /\}}:>> <<<<:{{| \ _.| |(_\/ |}}:>>>> <<<:{{|`\,'| '-' |'./`|}}:>>> <<<:{{|`\/ \___/ \/`|}}:>>> <<<:{{ \// ) ~ ~ ( \\/ }}:>>> <<:{{`{///' ~ ^ ~ '\\\}`}}:>>> <<:{{,=`. ~ ^.~.^ ~ .`=,}}:>> `-,__.__,-' \ | / jgs // \\ .---'( )'---. `---'-` `-'---` HOPE YOU HAD A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING. --- ...Thanks Janice! As a matter of fact I had a lovely Thanksgiving full of family and feast. Most enjoyable. Thanks to God all went smooth and the meal though cooked mostly by me, turned out yummy! I always rely on God for cooking help - He's the BEST Chef ever! :) ================================================================== >--->Believing = Receiving Thanks to God's Word teaching us about the Law of Believing Note: See... .-=-. YOUR / ! )\ __ \__/__/ WISH / _<( ^.^ ) / / \ c /O IS \ \_.-./=\.-._ _ `-._ `~` `-,./_< MY COMMAND! `\' \'\`'----' * \ . \ * `-~~~\ . . `-._`-._ * * `~~~-, * () * ) <^^> * ( . .-""-. ) .---. ."-....-"-._ _...---''`/. ' ( (`\ \ .' ``-'' _.-"'` \ \ \ : :. It's A .-' `\`.\: `:. _.' ( .'`.` LAW! _.' `` `-..______.-' ):. ( ."-....-". jgs .':. `. "-..______..-" Law Of Believing 1 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/lawofbelieving1.html Law Of Believing 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/lawofbelieving2.html Law Of Believing 3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/lawofbelieving3.html And from secular motivationals like 'The Secret', we know that we are in control of our own happiness. We can NOT rely on others for happiness. It is something we achieve in our inner most beings - our heart. Today we have a teaching that helps us strengthen our faith (believing) so we can achieve what we want from this life. _.-/`) // / / ) .=// / / / ) //`/ / / / / // / ` / || / \\ / )) .' jgs // / / >STRENGTHENING YOUR FAITH IN GOD In order to strengthen your faith [pistis - believing] in God, you must first decide, by your own free will, to keep God first in your life. Matthew 6: 33 -- But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. You must, BY YOUR OWN FREE WILL, decide that you want to get to know Him. God is His Word so you first must study God's Word. II Timothy 2: 15 -- Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Now you know you must do two things: 1) You must decide to keep God first and 2) You, by your own free will, must decide that you will STUDY and APPLY His Word in your life. It should be obvious that I have stressed the term 'free will'. The true God never oversteps a person's free will. The true God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ never possesses or controls a person. You, by your own will, can allow God to work WITHIN YOU by carrying out His Will which is His Word. Philippians 2: 13 -- For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. You must study God's Word. God will not force you to study -- you do it by an act of your own free will. God wants your love because you want to love Him, not because He controls someone to do so. The true God does not make a person quit stealing and He doesn't make a person quit smoking. God can work within a believer to show that person what changes a person must make in their life. God can put a desire in a person's life to do something, BUT IT IS UP TO THAT PERSON TO CARRY OUT GOD'S WILL -- TO TAKE ACTION AND MAKE THE CHANGE. Visit Here for the Full Teaching: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/strengtheningfaith.html ------------------------------------- >NOT Only must we BELIEVE to Receive, but we Have to Take ACTION... This teaching helps us understand this great principle: >Taking ACTION On The Word of God The Epistle of James tells us that it is important not just to say we believe the Word of God, but to ACT on it. There are many other verses in the New Testament that emphasize the importance of ACTION. I Timothy 6: 11, 12 -- But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. Did you every notice all the action verbs in these verses? We are to 'flee' the things mentioned in I Timothy 6: 10 (temptations, error, etc.), yet 'follow' after Godly things. We are exhorted to 'fight' the good fight of believing, so that we may 'lay hold' on eternal life. We don't just sit around talking about God and the Bible, but we are to get up and DO these things. .========. .========. // I .'..' \ // VI.'.,".\ || II .'..'| || VII..'..| || III .'."| || VIII,'.'| || IV ,','.| || IX.'".'.| || V '..'.'| || X .'..',| jgs .\_________/ .\_________/ Visit Here for this full Teaching http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/takingaction.html ======================================================================== >-->From Our Friend Maxy's Pal :) _ _ _| | | |_ | | |______OOOOo__________oOOOO_______| | | [| | |--------(`,----------\`,---------| | |] |_| | ) ( ) ( | |_| |_| / | | \ |_| | | \\\\\\// | | \ / | - - | \ / / \ ( a a ) / \ | | | L | | | | | \ == / | | | /_.\____/._\ | \ || || / \ | '-..-' | / | ; GOLD'S ; | | / \ | \ / | | | __ | |===[LI]===| )"""`""`"""( / \ jgs / ,____, \ /'-._ .' '. _.-'\ / / \ \ | / \ | (_ / \ _) | `\ /` | |___| |___| |===/ \===| _/\._( )_./\_ /` | | _`\ `""""`"" ""`"""` "The 7-Ups" 1. WAKE UP - Decide to have a good day. "Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice & be glad in it" Psalms 118:24 2. DRESS UP - The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart" I Sam 16:7 3. SHUT UP - Say nice things & learn to listen. God gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking. "He who guards his lips guards his soul" Proverbs 13:3 "Gossip betrays confidence avoid men who talk too much" Proverbs 20:19 "Listen to advice, accept instruction and in the end, you will be wise" Proverbs 19:20 4. STAND UP - For what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything. "Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good..." Galatians 6:9-10 5. LOOK UP - To the Lord. "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength" Philippians 4:13 6. REACH UP - For something higher. As Jiminy Cricket sings "High Hopes" Always try to better yourself. Have FAITH. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1 7. LIFT UP - Your Prayers. "Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING" Phillipians 4:6 PS: I HOPE YOU ALL HAD A GREAT DINNER AND DAY. I'M GIVING MYSELF A BREATHER BEFORE GOING TO BED. ATE TOO MUCH !!!!! HAVEN'T BEEN HOME TOO LONG BUT, THE DAY WAS BEAUTIFUL AND NEXT TIME I'LL EAT ON A SMALLER PLATE !! --- ...Ahh, yes. But It is only one day a year - good to enjoy of God's goodness and bask in the warmth and laziness of a full and happy tummy! We know Attitude is important to our happiness - Believing = Receiving! - Thanks for these quickies to help us Take ACTION and 'flip it to the orangy side' Maxy's Pal :) ==================================================================== >-->Now isn't this funny? According to AFA, the gay rights movement think they have enough buying power to force Wal-Mart to donate to their cause by boycotting them and buying from Target stores. Target actively supports them AND also has banned the dingalingers from the Salvation Army to get donations in front of their stores! Wal-Mart has been trying hard to be a good business by listening to their buyers and doing just what the minority - the gay people - hate. I say YEAH to Wal-Mart! Pass this on to your family and friends... LET's All Show Wal-Mart We THANK THEM by buying from them and NOT from -[Boo Hiss]- Target stores! .-"""""-. .' '. / .-"""-. \ >>>--JUST--> ; / .-"-. \ ; | | ( (_) ) | | >>>--SAY NO--> ; \ '-.-' / ; \ '-...-' / >>>-TO-TARGET-> '. .' /'-.....-'\ Visit here for the full story! http://tinyurl.com/2h6qc6 ====================================================================== >-->In view of people saying we should seperate God from State ... ======;===========;() #######:::::: #######:::::: #######:::::: How Did We Get A THANKSGIVING Holiday? jgs #######:::::: ############# ############# ############# ############# ############# ############# You hear it all the time that they say this country was not founded with God in it and we need to get back to basics and get God out of politics - BUT - Who are they trying to fool? Historry tells us again and again that God was, is, and always should be a most important part of our Government! Today Inspired Buffalo has some of my favorite authors to delight and inspire you. This first will amaze you - so lets get right to it... >From InspiredBuffalo: "WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLIC THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God... " -- Signed by George Washington Oct. 3, 1789 entitled "General Thanksgiving." , |\ __ | | |--| __ |/ | | |~' /|_ () () | //| \ |\ () | \|_ | | \ jgs \_|_/ () | | | @' () Psalm 100:1-5 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before His presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with Thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations." --- ...AMAN! -<>- >THE BLOOD DRIVE By: Joseph J. Mazzella . |___________________________________ |-----|- - -|''''|''''|''''|''''|''''|'##\|__ |- - | cc 6 5 4 3 2 1 ### __]==--------------------- |-----|________________________________##/| 'jgs |"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""` I gave blood again the other day. It was such a delightful experience. I arrived early to beat the crowds but found that several other early birds had gotten there even before me. We all smiled about it and waited patiently while the Red Cross finished setting up the equipment in the basement of the local church where the blood drive was being held. Even though we weren't getting paid and had to give up part of our afternoon we were all still happy to be there. There was a spirit of joy, caring, and community among us all. The donors, Red Cross workers, and local volunteers all felt it. We shared stories, talked about our families, and feasted on the delicious food that the volunteers had brought in. We joked and laughed and enjoyed just being together for awhile. We felt the peace that came from doing good, saving lives, and making the world a better place. We felt the oneness that always comes when people join together in loving service to others. Even though I knew I had to leave soon to pick up my kids from school a part of me wanted to stay. It was one of those times when Earth was a bit closer to Heaven. I only wish that everyone everywhere could know in their hearts the simple truth that was so clear during the blood drive: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." If they did then this world wouldn't be far from paradise. It truly is in helping others that we help ourselves. The love we give and the joy we share circle the world and always find their way back into our hearts. Albert Schweitzer once said, "One thing I know: The only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve." Never be afraid then to give, to help, to love, and to serve. We are all One in this world. We are all Children of the same Loving God. The same blood runs through all our veins. May we always give it in joy, and may we always serve each other in happiness. -<>- >FAITH AT WORK () <()> () () () /| #| #|\ #/\ # /| # / \ # \_ #\_\ #\_\ # /_| # \ ### \ ### \ ### \ ### \ ### | # # \_ # # /_ # # /_ # # /_ # # /_ It's one thing to goof. But it's another thing to do it in front of a stadium full of people! In their book Oops (The Rutledge Press, 1981), authors Richard Smith and Edward Decter tell of such slip-ups. One occurred during a soccer match between two Brazilian teams. (To protect the player involved, I won't name the teams.) The first goal was scored within three seconds after kickoff. What made the score particularly hard for the team's fans to take was the fact that it was made while their goalie was still on one knee with head bowed in prayer. There is certainly a time for prayer, but this poor man learned the hard way that there is also a time for action. In fact, both are necessary in a well-lived life. As Gandhi once said, "I have so much to accomplish today, I will have to meditate two hours instead of one." Often, however, the best spirituality begins with the prayer of the heart, and then moves to that prayer which is lived throughout the rest of the day. Several years ago a bomb was detonated outside the huge oak doors of a Greek Catholic church in Jerusalem. The heavy doors were blown inward so that they careened up to the front of the sanctuary and destroyed the chancel area. Windows were blown out, pews were destroyed, and the balcony collapsed. Dr. Ken Bailey, a Presbyterian missionary scholar and friend of the priest of the Greek Church, stopped by to assess the damage. It took little time to determine that the priest was in shock and unable to make necessary decisions. So Dr. Bailey took it upon himself to ask seminary administrators at the school where he taught to close classes, and he invited students to join him in helping the priest. They cleaned the church and boarded the windows to prevent looting. The next day, Bailey again called on his friend. The maid confided in him that the priest did not cry at the bomb's destruction. However, she added, "He did cry when you and your friends helped clean up the mess it made." Dr. Bailey has since remarked, "I did not teach any theology that afternoon - or did I?" If theology is about love in action, he held one of his best classes that day. The truth is...faith is never so beautiful as when it has its working clothes on. -- Steve Goodier --- ...So True! James 2: 17 confirms this: "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone" ...faith [believing] without works [action] is dead [worthless or useless] because it is alone or by itself. -<>- Tail of Happiness Once there was this kitten that was chasing its tail. It just chased it and chased. An older wiser cat came along and he watched this kitten. The cat watched the kitten for a long time. Then he asked the kitten, "Kitten, why do you chase your tail?" The kitten replied, "Because I will find happiness in my tail." The old cat watched for a time longer then he said, _ _ /\`-"-`/\ )` _ _ `( (`\ |= Y =| ) )_\ ^ /_ ( (/ ;`-u-`; \ \| / \ | \ \_ \ / _/ / jgs (,(,,)~(,,),) "I, too, use to chase my tail because I thought I would find happiness there. But I realized that I didn't need to chase my tail for wherever I went it seemed to follow." And the old cat got up and walked away with his tail whishing behind. --- ...Jesus tells us how easy it is to receive here in John 16 :24 "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." And Again here in Luke 11 :9 "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." -<>- .-. __ _ .-. | ` / \ | / '.()--\ | '._/ _| O _ O |_ =\ '-' /= jgs '-._____.-' ATTITUDE It is your disabled attitude that determines your disability and it's your disability that can or can not close opportunies in life for you. The only disability in life is a bad attitude. You can not be healthy, you cannot be happy, You can not be prosperous, if you have a bad disposition. Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do, Attitude determines how well you do it. (unknown) TO Subscribe send a blank email to: the-inspired-buffalo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ================================================================== >-->From AndyChaps: .-"""-. / \ \ / .-"""-.-`.-.-.< _ / _,-\ ()()_/:) \ / , ` `| '-..-| \-.,___, / \ `-.__/ / jgs `-.__.-'` ** Give Thanks ** For all that God, in mercy, sends; For health and children, home and friends; For comfort in the time of need, For happy thoughts and holy talk, For guidance in our daily walk-- For everything give thanks! For beauty in this world of ours, For verdant grass and lovely flowers, For song of birds, for hum of bees, For the refreshing summer breeze, For hill and plain, for stream and wood, For the great ocean's mighty flood-- For everything give thanks! For the sweet sleep which comes with night, For the returning morning's light. For the bright sun that shines on high, For the stars glittering in the sky-- For these, and everything we see, O Lord! our hearts we lift to thee-- For everything give thanks! ~~~~ Anon to Me ~~~ -<>- ** SUREFIRE WAYS TO DEVELOP A THANKFUL ATTITUDE ** ~~~By Chris Widener This week we celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving here in the U.S. As you take time to be thankful this year, here are a few practical ways to help us cultivate thankful hearts: .-"""-. / \ \ / .-"""-.-`.-.-.< _ / _,-\ O_O-_/ ) ~champagne, monsieur? \ / , ` . `| '-..-| \-.,__~ ~ / ., \ `-.__/ / /"/ / `-.__.-\`-._ ,",' ; / /| ___\-._`-.; / ./-. ( ( |.-"` `'\ '-( / //.-' \ \/ {}{} | /-. /.-' \| / '..' \ , / ( __`;-;'__`) `//'` `||` jgs+/- _// || .-"-._,(__) .(__).-""-. / \ / \ \ / \ / `'-------` `--------'` 1. Spend some time thinking about how good you have it. We know this, but we don't often spend time pondering it. Doing so will shape and mold your attitude and develop healthy thought patterns that will make you more thankful all of the time. As the old hymn goes, "Count Your Blessings, Name Them One By One." Take some time and write down every single thing you have in your life to be thankful about. Do this with your children if you have some, and you will all be astounded at all the good things in your life. 2. Look down the socioeconomic chain instead of up. Focusing our thoughts on the things we don't have, while being a motivator, can also be a source of envy and greed. Focusing, at least on a semi-regular basis, on those who have less than us, causes us to be thankful for what we have. 3. Go work at a food bank. The more success we achieve, the more apt we are to live our lives around others who are successful while eliminating or drastically reducing our contact with those who are less fortunate than ourselves. Working at a food bank will open your eyes once again to a world you may have forgotten about. 4. Send a good-sized check on a regular basis to whatever charity you choose, of course. Giving money away breaks the power money can wield over us. Remember, money isn't the root of evil, the love of money is the roots of all kinds of evil. Giving a good chunk away on a regular basis keeps things in perspective. 5. Simplify. Ralph Waldo Emerson said that the true measure of a man's wealth is in the things he can afford not to buy. When we simplify, we realize how we can make do on so much less. It makes us thankful for all the extra's we have most of the time. Read the classic "Walden." If you really want to get radical, fast for a day or two. You will really be thankful when you get to eat again! _()_ )( _..-''''''-.._ .' . ' ` . `. .' . . `. .-. : . ...... . : : : . .' ) ( `. . : `. @: . : < > : . : .-----. `.: . :--`--'--: . :.' `. .---:: . : .--. *: . :: _ : .'.' `:. . : :__. : . .' : '.`: : : : -. : `._ `.______.' _.' '`._ .' ' jgs `. `'' .' ``-......-'' `. ``` .' `---' `-----' 6. Remember, ultimately what we have has been given to us. Yes, we work hard, but it is God who allows us the breath to continue each moment. Billy Graham was asked what surprised him most about life and he answered "The brevity of it." Life is short. We can't take it for granted. We should remember that life, and success, is a gift. That is something to be thankful for. ---- ...Be THANKFUL for Normal - if you are ever deprived of being your physical normal self - for a long time -[years]- you will understand what I mean here. Truly be grateful for every minute of every day that you are able to spend being physically normal. It is God's greatest gift to you. Check out this teaching: Prosperity And Health http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/prosperityhealth.html ================================================================== >-->It's Up to You .:::::::. .::::::::::::. .::::::::::::=='=-, _;;;;=='''` _; / __,,==::::. \___,,,===''':::::::::::. ;|_ __ `::::::::::. :\__. __.` ::-.::::::: ::)#_\ `#_\ : _,\:::::. ::| ` _/:::::: ::| ,. |\::::::: ::; / ;:::::: :::\ .-._, / ;::::: ':::\ \^/ / ;::::: ':::\ ` /` ;::::: ':::'.__.:\ ;::::: ':::::::::| ;::::: :::::::::| .-. \::::: ::::::::/__.' '.\:::: ::::::(`/ / \|::: ::::-'--'`|--'--'--|::: .::' / | | | / |::' .:/ `"---"'`| | /:: jgs .:; | |-'|' One song can spark a moment, One flower can wake the dream. One tree can start a forest, One bird can herald spring. One smile begins a friendship, One handclasp lifts a soul. One star can guide a ship at sea, One word can frame the goal. One vote can change a nation, One sunbeam lights a room, One candle wipes out darkness One laugh will conquer gloom. One step must start each journey, One word must start each prayer. One hope will raise our spirits, One touch can show you care. One voice can speak with wisdom, One heart can know what's true, One life can make the difference, You see, IT'S UP TO YOU! ============================================================== >-->Quotes: Every choice one makes either expands or contracts the area in which he can make and implement future decisions. When one makes a choice, he irrevocably binds himself to the consequences of that choice. - Marion G. Romney "Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name. For the Lord is good" --Psalm 100:4-5 "When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. --Deuteronomy 8:10 "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;" --Ephesians 5:20 Were there no God, we would be in this glorious world with grateful hearts, and no one to thank. ~~-Christina Rossetti "Giving is the greatest way to receive." -- Rick Beneteau I do not think much of a man who does not know more today than he did yesterday. -- Abraham Lincoln ---> 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 ************************************************************************