Thank You Vets! ... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! AND For Facebook Users: Please Friend Me / Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND For Google Plus Users: You can find me here... Shangy Bigham https://plus.google.com/106648555948034085752/posts AND Please Share This email with All Your Friends And Family! ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! :) -<>- * NOTE: An easy way to adjust the size of print in email or any page is to hold down the Ctrl tab while moving the scroll button on the mouse. You can also use the keyboard to change the font size in your web browser or emails. Hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the + key for larger text or the - key for smaller text! ================ .-"""""""-. .' __ \_ / / \/ \ | \_0/\_0/______ |:. .' oo`\ |:. / \ |' ; | | |:.. . \_______ | |::.|' , \,_____\ / |:::.; ' | . '| ====)_/===;===========;() |::; | | ; ; | | # # # #:::::: /::::.|-| |_|-|, \ # # # #:::::: /'-=-'` '-' '--'\ # # # #:::::: jgs / \ # # # #:::::: # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # *~* Praise God We Have A New President Elect - Donald J Trump! AND he will have Republicans on his side as the House and Senate kept their majority rule! That is excellent news for our country! I'm still jumping with Joy for God and America! President-Elect Trump: GOP Nominee Wins the 2016 Election http://em.mrc.org/B2009R0SL00080zB06UYqdK Thank God and our victorious Lord and Savior Christ Jesus! All Our prayers and Our efforts have been answered! Yea God! Thank You For STANDING WITH GOD AND AMERICA! Here's what Governor Mike Huckabee said: "Evangelicals have spoken, with more than 80% helping to elect Trump as our next president. It’s proof that we have a powerful voice! Now, as we prepare to turn our country back to God, we need to take advantage of this opportunity to teach our kids about God’s grace on our nation. It’s why my team at Learn Our History created the kids DVD, One Nation Under God, and right now we’re giving it away for free at freegoddvd.com/choosegod " http://freegoddvd.com/choosegod TOGETHER We overcame this evil and God reigned supreme! Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbjpG0SeXYU Alleluia! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVFzxazTQNM And for all those like me who stayed up until after 3:00am to see the results - I can relate! Well worth it! Our Country is in GOD'S HANDS now! Praise God! May God truly bless our new President Donald J Trump and strengthen him too with wisdom, knowledge, truth and understanding so he leads America to where God wants it to be through Christ Jesus Our Lord! Please Keep President-elect Trump and America in your prayers. Here's what AFA says: http://tinyurl.com/glmu2yv .-"""""""-. .' __ \_ / / \/ \ | \_0/\_0/______ |:. .' oo`\ |:. / \ |' ; | | |:.. . \_______ | |::.|' , \,_____\ / |:::.; ' | . '| ====)_/===;===========;() |::; | | ; ; | | # # # #:::::: /::::.|-| |_|-|, \ # # # #:::::: /'-=-'` '-' '--'\ # # # #:::::: jgs / \ # # # #:::::: # # # # # # # H A P P Y # # # # # # # # # # # # # # V E T E R A N ' S D A Y ! # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # God Bless America And God Bless Our Troops!! Full US Troops Index http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/911andtroopsindex.html Thank You Vets! Veteran’s Day 2016: list of free meals, discounts to thank our military http://tinyurl.com/p8cwxdy -<>- >-->2 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) Our First piping hot new page is from our friend LouiseAu. It is one that stands as an inspiration to us and our children and our children's children. Wisdom from the leaders of our country who with God's Guidance have helped make our nation what it is today. Check it out here... _ (_) |_________________________________________ |* * * * * |##########################| | * * * * *| | |* * * * * |##########################| | * * * * *| | |* * * * * |##########################| | * * * * *| | |* * * * * |##########################| |~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | |#########################################| | | |#########################################| | | |###################################JGS###| |~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | | | | | | | Inspiring President Quotes! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/presidentquotes.html --- ...Wonderful! Thanks LouiseAu! Our Next too hot to handle new page is from our friend Linda. This is what makes our world a better place to live. All the people who step up to do what is godly and right in spite of all the odds against them. Our veterans, our law makers, our police, our firefighters, our medical professionals and care givers are all well known and greatly appreciated for their contribution to our betterment as a people. This page is a tribute to our far lesser known heroes. Check this out here: True Heroes! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/trueheroes.html --- ...Jaw dropping and most heartwarming! Thanks Linda! =========================================================== ( (_) ### . (#c __\|/__ #\ wWWWw \ \-. (/. .\) /\ /`\/\ /\ |\/ \_) (_| `\.' ; ; `' ;`\ `\; ; . ;/\ `\; ; ;| \ ; .' ' ; / |_.' ; | /) ( ''._;/` | ' . ; |.-' .:) | | ( .' : | |,- .:: | | ,-' .;| jgs_/___,_.:_\_ [I_I_I_I_I_I_] | __________ | | || | | || | _| ||_|__|_|| |_ /=--------------=\ / \ | | >-->From Heartwarmers: This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. -- Elmer Davis Friday is Veteran's Day. Joe Walker tells us about his prospects of being sent to Vietnam. And about his tough friend who joined the Marines. How many of the kids did you go to school with who were always picking fights, but then, decided to fight for their country? It's interesting going from "hood to hero" and on Veteran's Day this year, we thank all the vets -- regardless of their backgrounds -- for their service in keeping us free. >HOOD TO HERO by Joseph Walker As a high school senior in the early 1970s, there were a lot of places I wanted to go: Europe, Hawaii, backstage at a Chicago concert, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders locker room. But there was one place I actually had a chance of going where I definitely didn't want to go. Vietnam. Don't get me wrong. I was as patriotic as the next guy. I loved my country. I was almost an Eagle Scout. And I could play a version of "The Star Spangled Banner" on my tuba that could bring tears to your eyes. At least, it brought tears to my band teacher's eyes. And it wasn't that I had strong feelings one way or the other about the morality of the war. I registered for the draft like I was supposed to when I turned 18, and I wasn't thinking about burning my draft card or moving to Canada or anything like that. The fact is, I didn't know all that much about the war's political implications, and I didn't really care -- not like I cared about my '62 Caddy, my collection of Neil Diamond records and somehow getting a date with a cute little sophomore named Becky. When it comes right down to it, I didn't want to go to Vietnam because... well, there just isn't any other way to say this -- I was scared. Scared of the jungle. Scared of the Viet Cong. Scared of napalm. Scared of Agent Orange. Scared of Russian weapons. Scared of body bags. Scared of being injured. Scared of being killed. Scared of my high draft number. Of course, that wasn't my public position. As far as everyone else was concerned, I was just really focused on getting my college education. And doing some volunteer work for my church. And getting married and starting a family. All of which was true. But the cold, hard fact of the matter was, I was interested in those things because they were a lot less frightening than Vietnam -- notwithstanding the prospect of finals, homesickness and potty training. So it was hard to know what to say when my high school classmate, John, told me he had joined the Marines and would likely be shipping out to 'Nam before the school year was out. "They can't do that, can they?" I asked, worried almost as much for him as I was for me. "Don't they have to let you graduate from high school first?" "I'm 19, almost 20," he said, shrugging his shoulders. He smiled at the puzzled look on my face. "I got held back a year," he said, smiling. "Maybe two, I don't remember." Suddenly I felt less embarrassed about how easily he had pinned me during a 9th grade wrestling tournament. It looked like man against boy, because it was. "Look," he said, "you know I've never been much good at this school stuff. About the only thing I'm any good at is fighting in the parking lot after football games. So I figure I might as well go someplace where they don't give you detention for fighting -- they give you medals." For the first time in the six years I had known John, I saw peace in his eyes. Peace -- because he was going to war. It didn't make sense, but then, few things did those days. I just knew that John, the parking lot warrior, had found his nobility. He was willing to go someplace and do a job that a lot of us were unwilling to do. In fact, just the thought of going there and doing that scared some of us to death. And that made him a hero -- at least, to me. I don't know how many hoods have become heroes in the service of their country. But every Veteran's Day I think about John and others like him who fought for peace. For their country, and for themselves. -- Joseph Walker -<>- _..._ ||||||| ||||||| _|*****|_ ( '-...-' ) {`;-----;`} {(| a a|)} \| _\ |/ \ - / jgs '{_}` >A HOME THAT SOLDIERS BUILT by Shelley Madden The colors of the American flag ripple above as the winds toss and snap it, demanding my attention. I gaze at it in awe as it waves proudly against the cobalt sky. Mesmerizing colors melt and swirl together until they are one. They quickly reform with the next breeze. My mind journeys back in time as I watch it. Red might be the blood lost in battle so we could have our freedom. Blue could be the blue-eyed soldier standing on the battlefield ready to give his life for ours. White may be the color of angels who ultimately guide our nation's heroes to the next and final frontier. A frontier where there are no battles. Highways and bi-ways moan and groan under the weight of thousands of motorists as they journey home in a never ending rhythm of gleaming steel and metal. Malls full of shoppers haggling over goods and rushing to sales. The farmer plowing a field in endless rows, praying for rain. The roar of the buses and trains and planes. Tiny windows glittering amber light within the towering skyscrapers overlooking it all. Our land. Our freedom. Our country. Home after home I passed, as I commuted to my destination. Maybe someone in that endless row lost a father or brother or son or even a daughter. A life given so I could have mine. A century of lives given so we could have futures. Thousands of soldiers who now lie forgotten in cemeteries washed away by time. Granite markers long gone, their names crumbled away by the winds and the sun and the rains. The once dotted hillside no longer carries the scars of their fight for ours. It has become smooth again, only rolling fields of meadow grass dotted with the occasional wildflower, rippling in the silent winds. The same winds that whip the flag above me. I gaze at the flag as people hustle by. They rush back and forth, reminding me of a million ants in an ant farm. One day a year set aside to remember them. One day. A day off work which has become a day for many to lie in the sun at the beach, or indulge in an enormous meal of BBQ and beers with family and friends, laughing the day away. Day after day they fought for us, year after year. Battle after battle was won, so we'd have a home to come home to, and food on the table. So we could have malls and trains and buses and planes. So we could indulge in the frivolities of existence. I shed a tear to the beat of drums in the distance, as the majestic flag is lowered. It is carefully folded by two misty-eyed soldiers while dozens of watery eyes watch in hushed melancholy. They slowly march to the grieving widow, and solemnly present it to her in unison. Her dark glasses hide her misery. Another life forever changed. Another life given so we could have ours. The sun is setting on my meager home when I return. Golden hues gently light the familiar weathered wood and sagging sills. But today, somehow, it looks different. It looks better. It is a home that the soldiers built. Maybe not by hand, but definitely by spirit. A home within a city, within a state, within a great country. A country the eagle proudly soars over -- an icon of the sacrifices made for our land, for our homes, for our freedom, for our very existence. I will make it a pact to remember the soldiers, and thank them for what they have given us, every day. -- Shelley Madden __________________________________________________ Shelley is an author who resides in Wise County, Texas with her son, Dustin, along with her ponies, poultry, dogs and cats. She enjoys writing, fishing, shooting her pink guns, and falling off her horse, Diamond. She writes a weekly column for an Entertainment magazine, and is a frequent contributor to Heartwarmers and Petwarmers. Her short stories have also been published in newsprint and on numerous websites and e-zines across the nation. She aspires one day to learn how to change the light bulb in her gun cabinet. =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseAu :) THE AUTHOR IS NOT KNOWN. IT WAS FOUND IN THE BILLFOLD OF COACH PAUL BEAR BRYANT, ALABAMA, AFTER HE DIED IN 1982 How very true. ()__ ||**Z__ ||**|**=Z____ ||**|**=|====| ||==|**=|====| ||""|===|====| || `"""|====| jgs || `""""` >The Magic Bank Account Imagine that you had won the following *PRIZE* in a contest: Each morning your bank would deposit $86,400 in your private account for your use. However, this prize has rules: The set of rules: 1. Everything that you didn't spend during each day would be taken away from you. 2. You may not simply transfer money into some other account. 3. You may only spend it. 4. Each morning upon awakening, the bank opens your account with another $86,400 for that day. 5. The bank can end the game without warning; at any time it can say, "Game Over!". It can close the account and you will not receive a new one. What would you do? You would buy anything and everything you wanted right? Not only for yourself, but for all the people you love and care for. Even for people you don't know, because you couldn't possibly spend it all on yourself, right? You would try to spend every penny, and use it all, because you knew it would be replenished in the morning, right? ACTUALLY, This GAME is REAL ... Shocked??? YES! Each of us is already a winner of this *PRIZE*. We just can't seem to see it. The PRIZE is *TIME* 1. Each morning we awaken to receive 86,400 seconds as a gift of life. 2. And when we go to sleep at night, any remaining time is NOT credited to us. 3. What we haven't used up that day is forever lost. 4. Yesterday is forever gone. 5. Each morning the account is refilled, but the bank can dissolve your account at any time WITHOUT WARNING... SO, what will YOU do with your 86,400 seconds? Those seconds are worth so much more than the same amount in dollars. Think about it and remember to enjoy every second of your life, because time races by so much quicker than you think. So be grateful, take care of yourself, be happy, love deeply and enjoy life! Here's wishing you a wonderful and beautiful day! --- ...Sweet! Thanks LouiseAu! =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: _ (_) <___> | |______ | |* * * ) | | * * (_________ | |* * * |* *|####) | | * * *| * | (________________ | |* * * |* *|####|##############| | | * * *| * | | | | |* * * |* *|####|##############| | |~~~~~~| * | | | | |######|* *|####|##############| | | |~~~' | | | |######|########|##############| | | | | | | |######|########|##############| | |~~~~~~| | | | | |########|##############| | | '~~~~~~~~| | | | |##########JGS#| | | '~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | | | | | | >Ambassador to the King Source: David Fisher, The 21st Century Pastor: A Vision Based on the Ministry of Paul (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Pub. House, 1996), 238-239. I served on the board of a Christian college for several years. During that time, the government of Swaziland wanted to recruit Christian school teachers to come to their country and help them set up a Christian school system. Swaziland is a monarchy, and this was the desire of the king. Swaziland's ambassador to the United Nations, Nelson Malinga, came to the college to interview students. I was privileged, along with another board member, to serve as his host for two days. It was an eye-opening experience. My lifetime in a democracy had not prepared me for the power of a monarchy. I had never before met a government official, and I discovered that ambassadors are a very special type of governmental official. Ambassadors of a king are even more unusual. The first thing I noticed was Mr. Malinga's sense of dignity. It was quickly apparent that he was the personal representative of a king. His office bore an inherent power that gave the ambassador great confidence. From his behavior it was clear that he was well aware that he spoke for a king. He was quick to say, "Well, the king says..." If anyone had questioned his authority or his word, he could simply have replied, "Call the king!" Mr. Malinga's dignified confidence rested in his assurance that he spoke for a monarch who had nearly absolute power. Because the ambassador spoke for the king, a certain authority accompanied everything he did or said. At the same time, however, the ambassador was quite reserved. At all times he deferred to the king, from whom his confidence and power came, for neither the message he spoke nor the mission he was on were his own. At night when the meetings were over and we went back to the hotel, Mr. Malinga had one last task. He called home to talk to the king. He had known the king all his life and represented a king he loved and respected. I think that much of the ambassador's dignity and quiet sense of authority came not just from his high office, but also from his relationship with the king. He knew what the king thought and desired. He lived to make the king's wishes come into being. Jesus came to earth to do the same thing for his Father that Mr. Malinga did for the King of Swaziland. He came to make the wishes of the Father come true. He came to die, so we didn't have to. In the same way, we are Jesus' ambassadors to the world, and we should know our King so well and be so united with His purposes that we feel assured of His love, yet deferred to His authority. sermoncentral.com _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` --- ...See these teachings: Ministry of Reconciliation http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Promises/THE_MINISTRY_OF_RECONCILIATION.htm Witnessing and Undershepherding http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Word/Witnessing_and_Undershepherding.htm God Is Our Sufficiency http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Promises/God_is_our_Sufficiency.htm -<>- .-"""-. , (_ _ \ /| ____ _ )= `) ) ,"";, |(| ()___>===(()====( ( (//``;\\ (| ||~\__ `) ( ) ;|| || `==\--`.-; ;|| \\ / |`-._, ;\\ , `---;` / `._`\\ ,/| >~~~~`._ `"` |(| / ' `""---.....___ (| | '. ' _ . ``\ \ '-. '- . _ / \ '. - ._`\ '. '. '-.. _/ jgs '._ - ._ _/ `-..__ .-'` `"'""` >A Note of Encouragement By; Chuck Graham (Adapted) Recently I was strolling through Downtown Disney when I heard a guitar above the clatter of the crowd. As I drew nearer the music grew louder and clearer. I crossed a bridge and found a young man playing away into the summer night. He had several guitars, one a double neck that was part 12 string, part 6 string, part acoustic, part synthesizer. He also had an Australian didgeridoo, not something you see just anywhere. Then I saw his name on a case... Dominic Gaudious. I was stunned. I'd been listening to his music for years. If you've been reading my Notes, you know I tend to discover God in all kinds of ways. By that I mean He will use a person, a situation, or whatever to share with me something about Himself. I don't know Gaudious or his beliefs but God used him to teach me about power and passion. When Gaudious plays, he is absolutely amazing. His fingers fly across the strings, his hands moving independently yet in complete harmony, all with a singular purpose. With incredible expertise and dexterity, he can play complicated instruments while combining different sounds and styles from around the world. Simply put, he can do it. There is power. As I watched him that night, I saw something else. He was smiling, laughing, and talking to his ever-changing audience. He even came over and spoke with me as his fingers (apparently with a mind of their own) ran up and down the neck of his guitar. He was clearly enjoying the experience he was creating. There was passion, his passion, and each piece he played was filled with it. Power and passion. Actual ability to accomplish combined with deep desire and commitment. Power without passion leads us into mindless ritual. Passion without power leaves us only something to talk about. They must both be present to share the message of the music. And when that happens, we see...we hear...we find...we discover...we experience...what we never knew before. In Gaudious' The Frozen Tundra, I see loneliness. In Worthy of Love, I hear assurance. In Acoustic Jubilee, I find celebration. In Dance Reilly, I discover joy. In Life Worth Living, I experience peace. In Encouragement,...well...I mean really. Power and passion. But it takes something on my part, too. I'd like to play guitar like Gaudious and have this experience whenever I want, but that's not likely to happen. So instead of just wishing I could have his wonderful talent, I can share the experience through him. I can go to where he is. I can listen as he plays. And I can let my eyes and ears be opened to the new sights and sounds his music brings to me. The power and passion of God works much the same way. We may be unhappy where we are, with life in general or the situation we may be in. We may simply want to be more fulfilled. We say we want to experience God's power and passion in our lives. Yet often we sit back and wait, as if the experience is supposed to come to us, while we make no effort to find it. To know God's power and passion requires that we seek and follow Him. We must go to Him. We must listen when He speaks. We must learn who He is. And when we do, He opens our eyes and ears to new sights, sounds and a deeper understanding that bring power and passion into our lives...not for us to control, but to experience through Him. Do you want to experience the power and passion of God? Search for Him. Listen to His music. It will change your life... every day. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: I Am Who I Am http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/Iam.html Choose His Children? http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/choosehischildren.html Never Give Up! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/nevergiveup.html Christ's Life http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/jesuslife.html Creation Vs Coincidence http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/creationvscoincidence.html God's Instructions http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/instructions.html Artistic Coffee Mugs http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/coffeemugs.html Leaf Art Paintings http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/art.html Adorable Wrinkly Puppies http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wrinklypuppies.html Invisible Animals http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/invisible.html Running Horses http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/runninghorses.html World Of Squirrels http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/worldofsquirrels.html Extraordinary Photos http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/extraordinary.html Fun With Statues http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/funstatues.html Great Engineering Achievements! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/engineering.html Life's Little Oops 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/whoops2.html The Giver And The Gift http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/givergift.html USS New York LPD-21 Tribute http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ussny.html Medical Health Test http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/medical.html Just Thinking http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thinking.html Nanny Animals http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/nannyanimals.html Keys to Walking with Spiritual Power http://www.truthortradition.com/audio Freedom Isn't Free http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/freedom.html Daily With Our Troops http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/daily.html Proud Of Our Troops http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/troops.html -<>- >In The News - MRCtv http://em.mrc.org/AE0308RB00LK2qd00Y0J06S Broken Glass Ceiling: Kellyanne Conway First Ever Woman to Run Successful Presidential Campaign http://tinyurl.com/govmfc3 Happy 241st Birthday US Marines! http://www.moveamericaforward.org/ -<>>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) When it comes to predator vs. prey, we often think of mice as being prey. After all, cats chase them, snakes swallow them, foxes hunt them down and owls pick them up. But some mice know very well how to defend themselves, even against such lightning-quick and dangerous opponents as the yellow scorpion. Watch this mouse fly into action to defend itself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ohd_mSIWTXk Little Rock's Museum of Discovery scientist Kevin Delaney performs some cool science experiments with Jimmy Fallon, including shooting 'vortex cannons. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=OELiqiIHZEI An incredibly beautiful journey through amazing Tanzania and its varied and stunning wild life! http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6-eZvNJj6Io --- ...Beautiful! Thanks LouiseAu! -<>- >From Our Friend PatDeE :) VJ Day, Honolulu Hawaii, August 14, 1945 https://vimeo.com/5645171 --- ...Love It! Thanks PatDeE! This is breathtaking. Enjoy the ride... https://player.vimeo.com/video/36398302 --- ...Wowsers! Thanks PatDeE! Visit Melissa's Online Store You can get anything you want (except for Melissa ) at the online store http://pdhomes.net/mall/babylissa/mySTORES/ISELL4.html ========================================================== >-->From Laugh And Lift: Knowledge puffs you up - Love lifts you up! "The evangelistic harvest is always urgent. The destiny of men and of nations is always being decided. Every generation is strategic. We are not responsible for the past generation, and we cannot bear full responsibility for the next one; but we do have our generation. God will hold us responsible as to how well we fulfill our responsibilities to this age and take advantage of our opportunities." - Billy Graham , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Mixed Messages (By John Fischer) [Edited] There is a bar in Laguna Beach, California, that becomes a celebrated biker hangout every Sunday afternoon. There is always a live band playing and rows of gleaming Harleys on either side of the street, with people inspecting them as if they were in a showroom. The riders all leave their helmets out with their bikes, and I've found the helmets to be a study in and of themselves. The most popular look like they are from World War I, with various kinds of rebel markings, and a few have little stickers that serve as a sort of biker bumper sticker. ("Biker bumper sticker" - try saying that five times real fast!). One I saw particularly caught my attention because it said, "JESUS LOVES YOU." Now I am aware that there are various biker ministries out there where committed followers ride for Christ and seek to spread the word about His grace and forgiveness. I have always loved this - the Gospel in a rebel context - being aware that the message of Christ is in some ways better suited there than it is in more respectable circles. You can't read about Jesus without coming to the conclusion that He would mix-it-up with the biker crowd. But as I got closer to the Jesus sticker, I noticed there was another message in much smaller print underneath the more visible "JESUS LOVES YOU." It read: "I think you're a jerk!" (That isn't exactly what it said, but it will work for our purposes.) At first, I was somewhat repulsed. Where I thought I had a Jesus biker, I actually had a form of sacrilege. But the more I thought about it, I realized there probably was more than a kernel of truth in this version of a familiar Christian message. I can think of times when I might as well have been sporting a "JESUS LOVES YOU; I think you're a jerk" sticker for all the thoughts I harbored toward the people to whom I was announcing His love. And, of a certainty, He does love them. The question is, do I? "How can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?" wrote James (2:1), or in the words of John: "If anyone says, 'I love God,' yet hates his brother, he is a liar." (1 John 4:20) It's not enough just to announce the love of Jesus without loving the same people He loves. If "Jesus loves you" is going to be our message, we need to make sure our love goes along with His. SUBSCRIBE INFO Want to receive a Christian inspirational item AND great clean humor in an email to you each day of the week? It's easy and FREE! Read all about Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com ========================================================== _......._ :_ _: ,______ ''''''' ______, {_=_-=._'-. .-"""""-. .-'_.-=_=_} {-=_- `'.\ / \ /.'` =_-=} {-_= \\| (_((_(( |// =_-} {-_=- \( (* *) )/ =-_=} {_-=_=- ) ) ^ ( ( -=_=-_} {_=_-=- (_\ '-' /_) -=-_=_} {_-_=_ `) (` -_=_} {_-= .-`\ /`-. -=_} {_= / ^ \ =_} '-/ _.=. .=._ \-' \/_) ` (_\/ /\ /\ jgs / '. .' \ / '.' \ / \ / \ ';';';';';';';';';' | | | | | | |-|-| / / \ \ `"` `"` >More than a Mere Coupon Story Editor: by Marilda Mel White Joyce Schowalter California, USA There was nothing in the house to eat and I was hungry. I was also downright grouchy because I had to go to the store before I could have breakfast. I don't much like starting a day like that. Adding to my frustration, by the time I got to the market I couldn't remember anything else I needed. I wandered around and finally picked up a 40-pound bag of dog food and a few other things and headed for the checkout. There were only three checkers working and every one of them had a long line, further fueling my bad mood. Then I really picked the wrong line. The people in front of me had two carts full, and as the checker started ringing them up, they worried out loud that they might not have enough money for everything. They started sorting things into "must have" and "maybe" piles and checking the sub-total after every beep. I understood their situation (I've been there too), but they were going to take forever and I just wanted to get home to eat my donuts. Then it hit me -- I'd forgotten to pick up the donuts for my breakfast! I left to get the things that had brought me to the store in the first place, and back at the check stand a few moments later, crankier than ever, I picked a different line. The woman ahead of me there looked at my cart and said, "I think I have a coupon for that." "What?" I said, rather stupidly. I was so sure that every minute of the day was going to be rotten that I didn't realize yet that my fortune was turning. "The dog food," she said, going through an envelope. "I'm sure I have a coupon for that." She found it and handed it to me. I noticed then that she had the same brand of dog food in her cart, so I suggested she might want to save the coupon for herself. "Oh no," she said, "I have plenty of these. You're welcome to it." I took it and thanked her profusely. The woman probably thought I was overdoing it with my many thanks for a $3.00 coupon, but then again, I wasn't just thanking her for a mere coupon. I was thanking her for reminding me that sometimes when I least expect it (and least deserve it), some small, kind act by a stranger can hit me smack dab between the eyes and turn my whole day around. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From AndyChaps: _ (_) <___> | |______ | |* * * ) | | * * (_________ | |* * * |* *|####) | | * * *| * | (________________ | |* * * |* *|####|##############| | | * * *| * | | | | |* * * |* *|####|##############| | |~~~~~~| * | | | | |######|* *|####|##############| | | |~~~' | | | |######|########|##############| | | | | | | |######|########|##############| | |~~~~~~| | | | | |########|##############| | | '~~~~~~~~| | | | |##########JGS#| | | '~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | | | | | | ** Proud To Be An American ** By LC Greenwood He was a featured soloist and sang this at one on the Games in the World Series in New York. It was really moving and a tear jerker! If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life, And I had to start again with just my children and my wife, I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today, 'Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away. I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free, And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me, And I'll gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today, 'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God Bless the U.S.A. From the lakes of Minnesota to the hills of Tennessee, Across the plains of Texas from sea to shining sea. From Detroit down to Houston and New York to L.A., There's pride in every American heart and it's time we stand and say: I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free, And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me, And I'll gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today, 'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God Bless the U.S.A!!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q65KZIqay4E We would like to thank ALL MEN AND WOMEN who have served our country and those who are in her services today still defending the USA. Are you proud to be an American? Honor those who fought for us and those who served our country! Call a Veteran and say, "Thank You!" -<>- ======;===========;() #######:::::: #######:::::: #######:::::: jgs #######:::::: ############# ############# ############# ############# ############# ############# >A Single Dollar Bill Take out a one dollar bill, and look at it. The one dollar bill you're looking at first came off the presses in 1957 in its present design. This so-called paper money is in fact a cotton and linen blend, with red and blue minute silk fibers running through it. It is actually material. We've all washed it without it falling apart. A special blend of ink is used, the contents we will never know. It is overprinted with symbols and then it is starched to make it water resistant and pressed to give it that nice crisp look. If you look on the front of the bill, you will see the United States Treasury Seal. On the top you will see the scales for a balanced budget. In the center you have a carpenter's square, a tool used for an even cut. Underneath is the Key to the United States Treasury. That's all pretty easy to figure out, but what is on the back of that dollar bill is something we should all know. If you turn the bill over, you will see two circles. Both circles, together, comprise the Great Seal of the United States. The First Continental Congress requested that Benjamin Franklin and a group of men come up with a Seal. It took them four years to accomplish this task and another two years to get it approved. If you look at the left-hand circle, you will see a Pyramid. Notice the face is lighted, and the western side is dark. This country was just beginning. We had not begun to explore the West or decided what we could do for Western Civilization. The Pyramid is uncapped, again signifying that we were not even close to being finished. Inside the capstone you have the all- seeing eye, an ancient symbol for divinity. It was Franklin's belief that one man couldn't do it alone, but a group of men, with the help of God, could do anything. "IN GOD WE TRUST" is on this currency. The Latin above the pyramid, ANNUIT COEPTIS, means, "God has favored our undertaking." The Latin below the pyramid, NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM, means, "a new order has begun." At the base of the pyramid is the Roman Numeral for 1776. If you look at the right-hand circle, and check it carefully, you will learn that it is on every National Cemetery in the United States. It is also on the Parade of Flags Walkway at the Bushnell, Florida National Cemetery, and is the centerpiece of most hero's monuments. Slightly modified, it is the seal of the President of the United States, and it is always visible whenever he speaks, yet very few people know what the symbols mean. The Bald Eagle was selected as a symbol for victory for two reasons: First, he is not afraid of a storm; he is strong, and he is smart enough to soar above it. Secondly, he wears no material crown. We had just broken from the King of England. Also, notice the shield is unsupported. This country can now stand on its own. At the top of that shield you have a white bar signifying congress, a unifying factor. We were coming together as one nation. In the Eagle's beak you will read, "E PLURIBUS UNUM," meaning, "one nation from many people." Above the Eagle, you have thirteen stars, representing the thirteen original colonies, and any clouds of misunderstanding rolling away. Again, we were coming together as one. Notice what the Eagle holds in his talons. He holds an olive branch and arrows. This country wants peace, but we will never be afraid to fight to preserve peace. The Eagle always wants to face the olive branch, but in time of war, his gaze turns toward the arrows. They say that the number 13 is an unlucky number. This is almost a worldwide belief. You will usually never see a room numbered 13, or any hotels or motels with a 13th floor. But think about this: 13 original colonies, 13 signers of the Declaration of Independence, 13 stripes on our flag, 13 steps on the Pyramid, 13 letters in the Latin above, 13 letters in "E Pluribus Unum," 13 stars above the Eagle, 13 bars on that shield, 13 leaves on the olive branch, 13 fruits, and if you look closely, 13 arrows. And, for minorities: the 13th Amendment. I always ask people, "Why don't you know this?" Your children don't know this, and their history teachers don't know this. Too many veterans have given up too much to ever let the meaning fade. Many veterans remember coming home to an America that didn't care. Too many veterans never came home at all. Share this with everyone, so they can learn what is on the back of the UNITED STATES ONE DOLLAR BILL, and what it stands for... Otherwise, they will probably never know. ========================================================== >-->From Kidwarmers: //((~;; \\ \`_ ,' )) _~o) '; ( ) (''-___ ,_- | | ;---__ | )-|===| \ ~--|====|~~| |====\\\'._ |______\ \ \ |_|__|( ~~---/~\/\ /~_/____ \ ______--/\/\\_ W< >THE FUNNIEST THINGS KIDS SAY Casey, 5, was taking a shower. His mom, Traci, asked him if he had rinsed all the shampoo out of his hair. Casey replied, "I'm not sure. I can't see up there!" -- Traci Walker of Lebanon, Tennessee When Traci and her younger sister Allison were little, their mom overheard them singing a song they had learned in church. The lyrics went: "The angels beckon me from Heaven's open door." Traci and Allison were singing: "The angels peck on me from Heaven's open door!" -- as told bytheir mother Edith of Lebanon, Tennessee Bailey, 6, is quite the talker and loves to use new words as he learns them. There's just never a quiet moment when he's around -- especially when riding in the car. One day after his grandmother, Lyne, picked him up from school, he was really quiet and Lyne could tell something was on his mind. She put some music on that she knew he liked. No comments from Bailey. Lyne turned the volume up ... nothing from Bailey. Finally, Lyne made the music quite loud. Bailey turned with a scowl on his face and said, "Mama, do you mind? You're messing up my constipation!" -- Lyne Hitt of Statesboro, Georgia __ (_ `-~~~~--. ( _- ( \ \ _)o) ( |_ `-,__ ) _ ) ) ---, ` / ,^^^^_ | \ \ | \^^\ ------``` /________\ _| |__| ~--~----~ W< Sally took her grandson Ross, 4, to church and he wanted to sit in the balcony. On their way up the stairs, the minister came flying down the stairs, his robes billowing out. Ross asked, "Was that God?" -- Sally Hershiser of Kent, Ohio Two of Theresa's foster children are a brother and a sister, ages 2 and 3. A couple of nights ago the 2-year-old started crying very hard for no apparent reason. Since he had a cold, Theresa suspected that he had an ear infection. But before driving him to a clinic, she decided to check with his sister. "Did you hit your brother?" she asked the 3-year-old. She hastily replied, "NO!" Then after some serious thought she added, "I hit him yesterday..." -- Theresa Gibbs of Green Bay, Wisconsin Bev asked her grandson Michael, 2, if he would like some graham crackers to eat. He said, "Me don't like them!" Bev tried to correct him and said, "I don't like them." He replied, "Yea, me don't like them either!" -- Bev Garber of Lima, Ohio Debbi was with her children at a small fair and stopped by a table offering a free drawing for a new boom box. As the girls were handed a piece of paper to fill out their names and addresses, Anna had one question for the man running the booth: "What do we have to draw?" She thought she needed to draw a picture on the paper. -- Debbi Armstrong of Orlando, Florida ,-~~-.___. / ()=(() \ ( ( 0 \._\, ,----' CURSE ##XXXxxxxxxx / ---'~; YOU / /~|- =( ~~ | RED /~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\ /_______________________\ BARON! /_________________________\ /___________________________\ |____________________| |____________________| |____________________| W< | | Marlena's father-in-law, who loved to fish, died from cancer when her youngest son was 3. Brady understood death pretty well for a 3-year-old because they had lost a few pets. One day as they passed by the cemetery, Brady said, "I bet Grand-Dad is up in heaven catching dead fish!" -- Marlena Roye of Pampa, Texas Alex, 9, and his mother were doing some yard work in the back yard. Mom was cutting the branches and Alex was taking them down to the edge of the street for the waste pickup. After one trip seemed to take Alex an extraordinary amount of time, his mother called out his name. When he hollered back, she asked him if he'd "gotten lost." She was trying to be funny about his dawdling. He very seriously replied, "Mom, I've lived here for eight years. Do you really think I could get lost just walking to the front of the house?" -- Sandi (mother of Alex) of Florida Jacquie's little girl was feeling poorly. That night when her dad came home, she went and sat on his knee, looking for some sympathy. Her dad said, "You poor thing. Are you feeling sick and weak?" She said in a sorry voice, "No, Daddy, just today!" -- Jacquie of Alabama ,--""""-., .'` ', / | | _ / __,'(,-'/ `\ _. / .=="=| '-. | .'===,=|-. | / /===\==\| \ \ _;' | |====\==\ '.___,u' \__/ |===.##,=\ |==/####\='-.__ \#|#####|`/^|_))._________________ #######/`| |_.-'""""""=' ] #####/\/ /__,________;------.---' jgs `###' |_/ V V Megan, 4, went out to dinner with her family to a favorite seafood restaurant. On the way to the restaurant, Megan's family had discussed ordering Hush Puppies, a specialty at the restaurant. When the waitress got ready to take Megan's order she replied, "I don't want any of those hush doggie things!" -- Laura Ellis of Elk Grove, California Note: You are welcomed to use, copy and share these stories, but please reference http://www.funnykids.com as the source. Note: You are welcomed to use, copy and share these stories, but please reference http://www.funnykids.com as the source. ========================================================== __ @@;, ( ; ? : ); _| |_ | | || | | _| |_ | \ \ \/ || \/ ___ / / | __| |\ __||____||___||______/| | ||| | |_______ _________| | ||| ||| |____ | | ____| ||| Design by \ \______ ) | | / ______/ / || | | | | | /___| || Samule J. Neptune || | | |_ /| | |\ _| || || || | \__, / | | | \<__/ | || >--"Soul Food" (Author Unknown) I love the taste of T-bone steak, Delicious every bite, But there's nothing like the Word of God, For my spiritual appetite. The Word of God has milk and meat, And even ice cream and cake. Take a slice of the Bread of Life, And coffee to keep us awake. Open your Bible and turn to Psalms, For David's famous buffet. You can drink all the wine of the Word you want, And still feel fine the next day. There's enough of the Word for everyone, And no one has to cheat. The Word of God is a smorgasbord, So take all you are able to eat. Let's have a little long-suffering, Job gives the recipe. Patience is the main ingredient, Self-denial is the fee. Wrap that up in temperance, It may not make much sense, Cover that with contentment, Then add some joy for strength. Let's have love for dessert, Jesus made this dish, Cream of joy and peace together, Sift out all selfishness. Add some deeds of righteousness, Enough to make it sweet. Humility is the frosting, That makes the dish complete. Or are you on a diet, Because the race seems hard to run? For a weight losing menu, Try Hebrews 12 and 1. Are you suffering from malnutrition, And don't know what to do? Your spiritual growth seems hindered, Try I Peter 2 and 2. If when every time you battle, The enemy always wins, Try some Holy Spirit Protein, And spiritual vitamins. God's Word can feed millions, And still have plenty left. Because the Word of God is Soul Food, Sent from the World's Greatest Chef! >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->This is for all you who love food and DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? 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