Tell Me Whom You Love ... :) 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: >We've got two new Fun Picture Pages... Artists like Peter Riedel take 'pet rock' to the next level! Find out why here: ______ | O | | ,|._ | | `A _|__ |__|\_\ \ O \ ._|.) \___A _|_ |\ SSt Rock Balancing Art: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/rockbalancingart.html Rock Balancing Art And This 'Smokin' one: _*_ ....iiooiioo __/_|_\__ [(o)_R_(o)] fe Amazing Cop Cars: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/copcars.html Cop Cars -<>- Also Be sure to check out these Bible Study pages: BibleStudy: God's Calling http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/godscalling.html BibleStudy: Trust In The Lord http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/trustinthelord.html BibleStudy: Modern Sayings http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/modernsayings.html ================================================================= >-->Who is on your side? ______________________________________________ | \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ |. |_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_|| |\ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ /\ |\|/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \|||/_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \|/'. .'/|\_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \q O O p\_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/|\_| | \\/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ | ) |_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \|/ \ |_/ |_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ __\_O_/___/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_//\_'. |/ \_| \_/ \_,--._,-" `-._,--. \_/ \_/ |_/ \| |\_/ |_/ \_/ \__/_,-"| |`-._\__/_/ \_/ \_| \_/\ |_/ \_\ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_| | \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ /_/ \'. | \_/ \|/ \_/ \_/ \_// /\ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \|/ \_/ | .'_/ \_/|\_/ \_/ \_/ / / \ \\_/ \_/ \_/ \_/|\_/ \_\ |/ \_/__\___________/ /____\ \_______________\ \_/ '. |\_,-' __/___/ \___\__ `-.__/| // /_____/ \_____\ `\ Gr Ever feel like everyone is against you, think you are all alone against the world, or feel like no one understands you? All us have felt this way at some time or another. The devil just loves to divide and conquer Christians. The best way to do that is to get us depressed and forgetting about our Christian family. We have a Father who is always with us and a big brother who is always there to help us and give us strength and courage when we need it. Jesus Christ will always guide, protect, instruct, strengthen, and care for you. Why? Well here is a teaching to help you understand our Lord better. After all, there is power in wisdom! To know Him is to love Him! >From Truth Or Tradition: What is Jesus Christ Doing Now? That’s a good question. What would your answer be? If you’re not sure, we hope this brief article helps you understand the moment-by-moment involvement of your living Lord Jesus in your life to the end that you grasp the reality of his presence and are energized by it. Sad to say, too many Christians have never been taught what Jesus Christ is doing today, and every day since he became the “Lord” and the “Head” of the Church, which is made up of the members of his Body. We all know that he died for us, was raised from the dead, ascended to heaven and is now “seated” at God’s right hand. But does that mean he is “just chillin’”? No way. He is even busier than he was when he lived on the earth, and Mark 5, for example, is a great chapter to illustrate what kind of days he had then. Whew! Jesus studied the Hebrew Scriptures and understood all the prophecies about his life, death, resurrection, ascension, and future kingship of the world. He fulfilled all those prophecies relevant to his first coming on the earth by being obedient all the way to his torturous death on the cross. Because of his obedience to his God and Father, Jesus was highly exalted as Lord of Heaven and Earth, and seated at God’s right hand (Phil. 2:8-11). In biblical times, the right hand was the hand of blessing, authority, and power, as opposed to the left, which was the hand of cursing. This is where we get our common phrase, “right hand man.” A right hand man does not sit around, but is very vigorous in carrying out the orders of the one he serves. This relationship is typified in the Old Testament account of Joseph and the Egyptian Pharaoh. Because of what Joseph did to save the people of Egypt, the Pharaoh gave him all authority in the land of Egypt. As Joseph said, “God has made me lord of all Egypt” (Gen. 45:9). Pharaoh gave Joseph his signet ring (which symbolized his all-encompassing power and authority in Egypt) and had him ride in a chariot as his Second-in-Command. Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt” (Gen. 41:44). Pharaoh was still Pharaoh, but he had given all authority to Joseph and fully equipped him with the power to carry out his work, thus making Joseph functionally equal with him. God has done the same thing with Jesus Christ. He gave Jesus “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:18), and made him “Lord” (Acts 2:36). God is still God, but Jesus is now functionally equal with Him, and that was God’s idea. Jesus now has everything he needs in order to carry out his function as second-in-command, God’s “go-to-guy” and right hand man. So what is the Lord Jesus Christ doing now? Let’s take a look. Where? Not in People magazine, or even Sports Illustrated. We want to know what the Word of God says. Jesus Christ is now the Head of the Church. Ephesians 1:20-23 (20) Which he [God] exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, (21) far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. (22) And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, (23) which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. As the “Head” of his “Body,” Jesus is constantly connected to each of his body parts, i.e., you and me. Thus we can have continuing communication with him, and that comes in handy as we pick our way through this fallen world. Jesus is the only human being who ever perfectly entrusted himself to God despite all the temptations thrown at him, and he is ready, willing, and able to mentor each of us in the art of faith and help us maximize our unique spiritual potential. We “re-present” him in the world today, and he will help us be our best for him. As our Head, the Lord Jesus is our leader, our example, and the captain of our salvation. He is also our Commander-in-Chief, who leads us into battle. Jesus Christ is building his Church by pouring out the gift of holy spirit to all those who believe. It is the head that regulates the growth process of the body, and it is the Lord Jesus who is adding to his body by saving those who call upon his name. Acts 2:46 and 47 (46) Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, (47) praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:32 and 33 (32) God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. (33) Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. Jesus Christ is interceding for us as our mediator. Hebrews 7:24 and 25 (24) but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. (25) Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede [entugchano] for them. Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died-- more than that, who was raised to life— is at the right hand of God and is also interceding [entugchano] for us. Entugchano means to “make intercession” or “to pray.” What a comforting truth this is. Even if no one on the planet remembers you, Jesus Christ does, and he is praying for you. As per 1 Timothy 2:5, the Lord Jesus is “The Man,” the one mediator making intercession (consulting and speaking) to God on our behalf. Jesus Christ hears our prayers and responds to us. Proverbs 18:24 speaks of “a friend who sticks closer than a brother,” and Jesus Christ is “stuck on you.” He is both a big brother and a friend to each of us. He is our confidante, the one who understands all our frailties and who is “touched with the feeling of our infirmities” (Heb. 4:15). We can pour out our hearts to him any time and know that he completely identifies with us and is there to comfort and strengthen us. Acts 1:23-26 (23) So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. (24) Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen (25) to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” (26) Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles. Acts 7:59 and 60 (59) While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” (60) Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. 2 Corinthians 12:8 and 9 (8) Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it [the “thorn in his flesh”—those who were persecuting him] away from me. (9) But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. Jesus Christ is giving grace to all believers. Ephesians 4:7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. It has been said that grace is “that condition that allows us to go farther than we ever thought possible.” The Lord Jesus has equipped each member of his Body with all we need to serve him in this world of needy souls. Jesus Christ is strengthening and protecting his people. Satan, the Lord’s Adversary, and yours, wants you out of commission. The Devil and his army of evil spirits have one threefold mission: “to steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10). In the face of such a powerful, supernatural enemy, we need a more powerful supernatural friend. What a friend we have in Jesus! 2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Jesus Christ is giving revelation to the members of his Body. The whole book of Revelation is God giving Jesus Christ revelation that he in turn gave to the Apostle John (Rev. 1:1-2). The Lord speaks to his people whenever we need to hear from him. We absolutely need his guidance and direction to negotiate our particular paths of righteousness in this sinful world. Galatians 1:11 and 12 (11) I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. (12) I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is giving ministries to Christians. Biblically, “ministries” are ways of service. Those mentioned in the following verses are specifically leadership functions. It is significant that Jesus was the Apostle, the Prophet, the Evangelist, the Pastor, and the Teacher, and that, as the Head of the Body, he is now “diversifying himself” by enabling some of his followers to serve in these capacities. Ephesians 4:11-13 (11) It was he (Jesus) who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, (12) to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up (13) until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. The Lord also equips members of his body with other functions, as the following verses show: Romans 12:4-8 (4) Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, (5) so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (6) We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. (7) If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; (8) if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Jesus Christ is the Commander of the angels. The world is a war zone, and the battle is being fought primarily in the spirit realm. The Devil has his army of evil spirits, and the Lord Jesus is in charge of God’s army of angels. Their primary job is to serve God’s people. Hebrews 1:4 and 5 (4) So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. (5) For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”? 2 Thessalonians 1:6 and 7 (6) God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you (7) and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. Jesus Christ is eagerly anticipating raising all dead Christians and giving them and all living Christians new bodies when we meet him in the air. It is the Lord Jesus who will both raise from the dead and judge all believers from all time (John 5:21-23), beginning with all Christians at the end of the Church Administration when he gathers us all together to meet him in the air. Philippians 3:20 and 21 (20) But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, (21) who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 (15) According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. (16) For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. (17) After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. (18) Therefore encourage each other with these words. Today, and every day until he comes for us, the Lord Jesus Christ is “alive and well.” It is we who are fellow laborers with him, and he needs us, as members of his body, to walk in sync with his headship and lordship. To the degree that we do, he will be an active, powerful force in each of our lives, and thus he can make himself known to the world. Let us take his hand and walk with him. >From: http://truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=756 ======================================================================== >-->From Our Friend Budha :) !|| !|||| ,/|||| !|'''| `\ | )\ \ ejm / \ \ \ >PUSH A man was sleeping one night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light, and God appeared. The Lord told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to Push against the rock with all his might... So, this the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sunup to sundown, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might! Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, Feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain. Since the man was showing discouragement, thee Adversary (Satan) decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the weary mind: (He will do it every time)! You have been pushing against that rock for a long time and it hasn't moved." Thus, he gave the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure. These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man. Satan said, "Why kill yourself over this? Just put in your time, giving just the minimum effort; and that will be good enough." That's what the weary man planned to do, but decided to make it a matter of Prayer and to take his troubled thoughts to The Lord. "Lord," he said, "I have labored long and hard in Your Service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?" The Lord responded compassionately, "My friend, when I asked you to serve Me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all of your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to Me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back shiny and brown; your hands are callused from constant pressure, your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much, and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. True, you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be Obedient and to push and to exercise your Faith and trust in My Wisdom. That you have done. Now I, my friend, will move the rock." At times, when we hear a word from God, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He Wants, when actually what God wants is just simple obedience and faith in Him. By all means, exercise the Faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God Who moves The Mountains. (Faith as a mustard seed will move mountains-Matt.17:20 ) (Moving mountains through faith, not doubting - Mark 11:22-23 When everything seems to go wrong .................................... Just P.U.S.H. When the job gets you down Just P.U.S.H. When people don't do as you think they should Just P.U.S.H. When your money is "gone" and the bills are due Just P.U.S.H. When people just don't understand you Just P.U.S.H. P = Pray U = Until S = Something H = Happens We all need a good PUSH once in awhile, so.... Pass this on to all your loved ones and friends who may need it; they may get it just in time. "Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending." Now unto Christ who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.....Eph. 3:20 ====================================================================== >-->From InspiredBuffalo: __ ___ _// \ _/ \/__|_ \ / __//_/==\_| ___ The Rose Author unknown / | / /|// == \ \ / | | |\|| //_\ | |_/ \ \ \\ / \_/| || \ \___/\\| _ ///___\ \__|\_\=//_// _\_| \___\_____/ !! \____/ !! John Blanchard stood up from the bench, straightened his Army uniform, and studied the crowd of people making their way through Grand Central Station. He looked for the girl whose heart he knew, but whose face he didn't, the girl with the rose. His interest in her had begun thirteen months before in a Florida library. Taking a book off the shelf he found himself intrigued, not with the words of the book, but with the notes penciled in the margin. The soft handwriting reflected a thoughtful soul and insightful mind. In the front of the book, he discovered the previous owner's name, Miss Hollis Maynell. With time and effort he located her address. She lived in New York City. He wrote her a letter introducing himself and inviting her to correspond. The next day he was shipped overseas for service in World War II. During the next year and one month the two grew to know each other through the mail. Each letter was a seed falling on a fertile heart. A romance was budding. Blanchard requested a photograph, but she refused. She felt that if he really cared, it wouldn't matter what she looked like. When the day finally came for him to return from Europe, they scheduled their first meeting - 7:00 PM at the Grand Central Station in New York. "You'll recognize me," she wrote, "by the red rose I'll be wearing on my lapel." So at 7:00 he was in the station looking for a girl whose heart he loved, but whose face he'd never seen. I'll let Mr. Blanchard tell you what happened: A young woman was coming toward me, her figure long and slim. Her blonde hair lay back in curls from her delicate ears; her eyes were blue as flowers. Her lips and chin had a gentle firmness, and in her pale green suit she was like springtime come alive. I started toward her, entirely forgetting to notice that she was not wearing a rose. As I moved, a small, provocative smile curved her lips. "Going my way, sailor?" she murmured. Almost uncontrollably I made one step closer to her, and then I saw Hollis Maynell. She was standing almost directly behind the girl. A woman well past 40, she had graying hair tucked under a worn hat. She was more than plump, her thick-ankled feet thrust into low-heeled shoes. The girl in the green suit was walking quickly away. I felt as though I was split in two, so keen was my desire to follow her, and yet so deep was my longing for the woman whose spirit had truly companioned me and upheld my own. And there she stood. Her pale, plump face was gentle and sensible, her gray eyes had a warm and kindly twinkle. I did not hesitate. My fingers gripped the small worn blue leather copy of the book that was to identify me to her. This would not be love, but it would be something precious, something perhaps even better than love, a friendship for which I had been and must ever be grateful. I squared my shoulders and saluted and held out the book to the woman, even though while I spoke I felt choked by the bitterness of my disappointment. "I'm Lieutenant John Blanchard, and you must be Miss Maynell. I am so glad you could meet me; may I take you to dinner?" The woman's face broadened into a tolerant smile. "I don't know what this is about, son," she answered, "but the young lady in the green suit who just went by, she begged me to wear this rose on my coat. And she said if you were to ask me out to dinner, I should go and tell you that she is waiting for you in the big restaurant across the street. She said it was some kind of test!" It's not difficult to understand and admire Miss Maynell's wisdom. The true nature of a heart is seen in its response to the unattractive. _ _ ( \/ ) .---. \ / .-"-. / 6_6 \/ / 4 4 \ \_ (__\ \_ v _/ // \\ // \\ (( )) (( )) =======""===""========""===""======= jgs ||| ||| | | "Tell me whom you love," Houssaye wrote, "And I will tell you who you are..." -<>- >CHILDREN AND ANGELS __/) (\__ ,-'~~( _ )~~`-. / \/'_`\/ \ | /_(_)_\ | | _(/(\_/)\)_ | By: Joseph J. Mazzella | / // \ / \\ \ | \ | `` / \ '' | / \ ) / \ ( / )/ / \ \( ' `-`-'-' ` unknown I have often felt that children are far closer to the angels than we adults are. They seem far more ready to share joy freely and to give love unconditionally to others. They seem to easily know how to celebrate life, laugh, smile, and embrace delight just as God meant for all of us to do. Nothing brought this point home to my heart more clearly than a story a friend of mine recently shared with me about her daughter. Her daughter while mentally handicapped has a soul that shines brighter than a thousand suns. She loves everyone and is never afraid to express her affection to others. Once when she was at Church with her Mom it came time to give others the sign of peace. Now most people do this with a handshake or a gentle touch. This little Angel Child, however, wasn't one to hold back on her love. She turned around and gave a sweet, elderly lady next to her a huge hug full of both energy and love. Later after Church that same lady with tears in her eyes approached the girl's Mom and spoke to her. "My husband just died a week ago", she said. "I felt so alone that I was going to go home and take some pills to end my life today, but now thanks to your little girl I believe that there still is love in this world." Our children can teach us so much about love. Our children can teach us so much about joy. Our children can teach us so much about life. Let us not ignore the lessons they give us every day. Let us instead learn from them and share more love and joy with others in our own lives. God loves us and put us here to love each other. Sometimes we forget this, but thankfully God is patient and forgiving with us. He never fails to send us joyous angels and happy children to guide us back to love again. -<>- It Was Dark Bill Walker wildbill6807@yahoo.com That day, that afternoon, it became so dark. The sky became blacker then black. The earthquake, the screaming wind, people running where, they had no idea. The Temple falling apart, just like Jesus said. Even the Roman soldiers said, "This was the SON of GOD." These soldiers was non believers of the God the Jewish people followed, but they now were believers of this man. The heavy rain from the blacken sky fell, as if to wash the blood away. I think it was to wash the sins away, the sky had become so dark, as God could not look on the sins. I have noticed that so many Easter times, the weather becomes dark and stormy. I think that is a reminder of what happen so many years ago. It isn't that way every year, but it seems to me to be the case more often then not. Good Friday as we call it, starts out nice, all at once it turns dark and stormy. Maybe Easter Morning it becomes nicer, and maybe not. Some Easter days, the Lady's Easter hat gets a bit damp from the rain. We read in the Bible about the Vail in the Temple being torn from top to bottom. Jesus paid the price, from that time on we have the right to go to God, through Jesus with our problems. No more talk to some church leader, and if he thinks it is a need, he will do the talking. We have the right to call home on the telephone with our problems, and say thanks Father. -<>- > His Boundless Love ...... ...... .:oOOOOo:. .:oOOOOo:. .:oOO:'':Oo:. .:oO:'':OOo:. .:oO: 'Oo:oO' :Oo:. :oO: 'o' :Oo: :oO: :Oo: ':oO: J E S U S :Oo:' ':oO: :Oo:' ':oO. C H R I S T .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' 'oO:Oo' ...... 'oOo'...... .:oOOOOo:.'o'.:oOOOOo:. Oh, by His grace, He saved me, and new life, He gave me. His boundless love, holds me safe, through the storm! Through storms of life are ever near, He is with me I've no fear. His boundless love, always keeps me, safe and warm! He's coming back, oh, one day soon! Won't you come and go with me? To the home He has prepared, for those who care. And when we see His blessed face, we can thank Him for His grace! For eternal life, and for His boundless love! -- by Dot Wilson -<>- Links for Your Enjoyment Bird http://www.buffalosjokes.com/22609.htm Chaplin http://www.buffalosjokes.com/22610.htm Basket Girl http://www.buffalosjokes.com/22607.htm Beer http://www.buffalosjokes.com/22608.htm Going To Work On Monday http://www.buffalosjokes.com/20004.htm >From Shangy New Health Alert: Superbug spread prompts public outreach http://www.emergencyemail.org/newsemergency/anmviewer.asp?a=251&z=1 To subscribe to InspiredBuffalo, send an email to: the-inspired-buffalo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ================================================================= >-->From SermondFodder: __ .' `'. / _ | #_/.\==/.\ (, \_/ \\_/ | -' | ,\ = / /| .-'|`-. __.' / | / | `-.__.' .-\ /-. | | { _/ \_ } | | `| | | | | '. | | .' jgs '-.| |.' `"` >Reading by -Steve Klusmeyer - 10/3/2002 The marquee in front of our local elementary school read, "Readers are Plenteous - Thinkers are Few". At first this sounded ok. However, the more I thought about it - the more I disagreed. One of the reasons that there are so few thinkers today is because readers are not plenteous. While it is possible to read without thinking, reading is an essential element to thinking. When was the last time you read something other than the morning paper or that lengthy list of e-mails that you pull up each day? I confess that it has been a while since I have just picked up a book and read for the pure joy that it can bring. How about your Bible? Has it been gathering dust lately? The Bible has much to say about the importance of reading God's Word. For instance, His Word directs our steps and keeps us from sin (Psalm 119:11, 104, 133). In 1 Samuel 3:1, the writer says, "In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions." This probably refers to the spoken word of God, but applying it to the written word does not take it out of context. Notice that without the presence of God's Word, there is no vision (thinking). In seeking God's purpose and direction, His voice must be heard. And how can His voice be heard today? While it may be possible that some will hear God in an audible voice, it is more likely that most of us will hear Him by consistently reading His written word. Why not take a few minutes today to experience hearing God's voice again. And maybe we could even squeeze in a little time from TV and computers to just get into a good book. Let's become thinkers again. >><>(o:} Steve, 10-3-2002 {:o)<>< >From Blessed to Bless! -Subscribe to "Blessed to Bless" by mailing to sklusmeyer@yahoo.com ===================================================================== >-->From AndyChaps: ** A Never Ending Love ** By:< ~~~TDDMTony@aol.com~~~ .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. ( ` )( ` )( ` )( ` )( ` )( ` )( ` )( ` ) `. .' `. .' `. .' `. .' `. .' `. .' `. .' `. .' `.' `.' `.' `.' `.' `.' `.' `.' "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? (Matt. 6:26) NKJV" So many times in our lives we fall in and out of love. I have finally come to the realization that I am not in love, but more along the lines of, "in love with the idea of being in love." I want to have the feeling that someone cares for me. I want more than anything to be able to have someone to hold and to love and to cherish. To be able to spend quite nights with and to have as a best friend. The more I think about this, the more I understand that I long for a never-ending love. One that only a relationship with Christ can offer, not the opposite sex. God really does want us to be happy and to have a significant other. God created Eve for Adam so he would not be lonely. It is not that we cannot have this type of relationship. What does matter is that we put our relationship with God first. If we put our trust and faith in someone other than God, we are setting ourselves up to be hurt. But, if we rely on our heavenly Father and base our faith in Him and not at the whim of the girl or guy of the week, then we can focus on a true love that will not leave you high on life one minute and then plunge you into the depths of depression the next. If you have ever cried because of an ex then you know what I am talking about. If you ever hurt over the loss of a loved one, then you also understand where I am coming from. If you stay awake late at night and dream about one day finding that special guy or girl in your life, then rest assured I am with you. But, the difference comes not from searching the stars for that long lost love, but comes with searching the heavens for a God that will meet your every need and desire. Focus on a relationship with Christ first. Get lost in His love and melt in His grace. Jesus taught that God cares for His children and beings that He created. Read the verse above. God takes care of the animals of the earth; He meets their every need, yet we are more important to God then the birds of the air. If He cares so much for them, then just wait to see what He has in store for you. God Bless and keep the faith! ====================================================================== "We do two shows a night for five weeks. A lotta times we'll go upstairs and sing until daylight - gospel songs. We grew up with it...It more or less puts your mind at ease. It does mine. I know practically every religious song that's ever been written." --Elvis Presley >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->Bigham's Computer Rescue - PC Sales & SService 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 DDARE 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? 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