The Beautiful Color Of Love... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* Please Consider Giving To ShangralaFamilyFun.com The cost of the website has gone up dramatically due to the ever increasingly wonderful pages and photos being added each week to entertain you and our fellow Christian families. While the ads on the website do help, I don't want to drag the site down with tons of them to pay for it. I need your help! "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels *~* ____ ____ .-" "-. .-" "-. / `. .' \ | (`-"-`) | | /'Y'\ | ; __\_^_/__ ; \ ()_ >o< _() / `\ ) : ( /' `\ / /-\ \ /' `\ ()/ \() /' jgs `\ /' `\ /' `\ /' Y >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a Shangrala Angel, the easiest way to do that is through online giving. It is easy to use, and most of all, it is secure. Please visit the site, scroll down and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL form page comes up. NOTE: Paypal will generate a 'Quantity 1' and 'Price per item' form. Just ignore the price per item and put whatever it is you desire to give in there. With Paypal, you will have your normal receipt for your 'payment' donation in USD (United States Dollars). You can put a memo in there if you'd like. Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS YOU MOST ABUNDANTLY FOR YOUR GIFT! ================ *~* 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! ================ >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This flaming hot new page is from our friend Linda. It is one that'll perk your interest and your IQ as it blows away common myths we've been told about animals. Check this fun trivia one out here... _,-\/-,_ \ / \_.._/ _,/ \,_ / \ / \ ,\ ) ( /, (__/ .''. \__) \,_|| / | ||\ | | /|| \| () || () // || || // || || // || || // || /\ -- '' -'-' ^^' )( '^^-- '' -'-' miK (==) `~` Amazing Animal Facts 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animalfacts2.html --- ...Loved this! Thanks Linda! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: _____ .'.---.'. // , \\ || `| || || | || || -'- || .-"`'-.,_ _,.-'`"-. / .'--,___`"""`___,--'. \ | /:////_'---'_\\\\:\ | \|:|// `_ _` \\|:|/ '-/| (6/ \6) |\-' \\ | | // `| (._.) |` | _ _ | jgs \ '---' / '--.___.--' >ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE by Joseph Walker It's the middle of the day. You're walking -- or driving or working or bicycling – along a busy highway that borders a university campus when you come upon a serious traffic accident that has just occurred. A motorcycle is lying on the roadway, in flames. A badly damaged automobile is stopped near the motorcycle, and the fire is beginning to spread to the car. Suddenly you notice that someone – probably the motorcycle driver – is pinned underneath the car. He isn't moving. For all you know, he might already be dead. But you don't know for sure. And the fire is spreading toward him. What are you going to do? For 14 or so passers-by Monday, the answer was immediate and unflinching: they rushed in to help. They tried to get him out from under the car, but he was stuck under there, and the fire was moving ever closer. A few people tried to life the car, but barely moved it. There was a moment of hesitation, and then a larger group -- including several hard hat-wearing construction workers – moved as one to the side of the car, and with all their collective might they lifted the 3,000-pound burning vehicle up onto two wheels while another construction worker pulled the unconscious young motorcycle driver out from under the car. I'm not making this up. You can see it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwKyRYX2UqQ And please notice the flames lapping at the young man's foot as they drag him to safety. Miraculously, the young man survived, with only broken bones, some road rash and a few bruises to show for his brush with death. Oh, and he has one other thing: a thankful heart. A day after his dramatic rescue he was still in the hospital recuperating from his injuries. But he sent his uncle out to thank the people who risked their lives to save his. "He knows that there are angels out there that saved his life," his uncle said. "People came together, risked their lives, to save him." He paused, then added: "Just... thank you... from all of us in the family." In my mind, there were two remarkable things that happened in those few anxious moments from the time the accident occurred until the time the young motorcyclist was dragged to safety. First was the heroic rush of people -- more than one -- to offer assistance despite the very real possibility of harm to themselves. I think of the gallant police officers and fire fighters who rushed IN to the twin towers on 9/11 when everyone else was rushing OUT, the office workers on the upper floors who ran UPSTAIRS to help others instead of following their natural self-protective impulses to rush DOWN. I'm awed and inspired by such compassionate courage. I don't know that I possess it – and quite frankly, it's OK with me if I never find out for sure -- but I'm grateful to live in a world in which so many do. The second remarkable thing that happened that morning was that all of these brave, caring people managed to work together to save a life. It would not have happened if they had not. One or two people couldn't lift that car. Even six or seven -- they tried. It took all of them pushing together to get the car up on two wheels so the injured young man could be moved out of the way. There's a lesson in that for all of us, I think. No matter how strong we are individually, we are infinitely stronger in the face of adversity if we work together. Like the young man's uncle said: "A lot of times things happen these days that shake our faith in humanity. But here we have not one person, not two people, but nearly a dozen people rushing together to a burning scene to lift a thousand-pound car. That is absolutely incredible." -- Joseph Walker __________________________________________________ Joseph is a Heartwarmer Gem from Utah. Y --- ...You can view the original picture here: http://tinyurl.com/yclouqxu =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseAu :) More Tips To Be Vigilant and keep the Lion O U T! >Things A Burglar Won't Tell You. This is very informative!! __.------. (__ ___ ) .)e )\ / /_.------ _/_ _/ __.' / ' `-.__ / <.--' `\ / \ \c | / / ) GoT x \ | /\ |c / \.- \ \__/ ) /( ( \ <>'\ / _/ _\- `-. \/_|_ /<> / /--/,-\ _ \ <>.`. \/`--\_._) - / `-/\ `.\ / `. / ) `\ \ \ \___/----' | / `( ___________ \ ./\_ _ \ ______________ / | ) '| __________________ | / \ \ ___________a:f / | |____.) / \ a88a\___/88888a. \_ :)8888888888888888888a. /` `-----' `Y88888888888888888 \____| `88888888888P' Read to the end...worth your time! 1. Of course, I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning carpets, painting shutters, or delivering a new refrigerator. 2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in the yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window -- to make my return a little easier. 3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste... And taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have. 4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door, to see how long it takes you to remove it. 5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway! 6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy. 7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom - and jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there, too. 8. It's raining, you're fumbling with an umbrella, and forget to lock your door - understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather. 9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere -- or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.) 10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table and the medicine cabinet. 11. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook. 12. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors. 13. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing. It's human nature. 14. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it? 15. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets. 16. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address. 17. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation. 18. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. 19. Those big glass sliding doors are an easy in. Try putting something along the bottom runner so it isn't so easy to slide once I pick your lock. 20. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in. --- ...Great Tips! Thanks LouiseAu! We all need to be vigilant! ,w. ,YWMMw ,M , _.---.._ __..---._.'MMMMMw,wMWmW, _.-"" """ YP"WMMMMMMMMMb, .-' __.' .' MMMMW^WMMMM; _, .'.-'"; `, /` .--"" :MMM[==MWMW^; ,mM^" ,-'.' / ; ; / , MMMMb_wMW" @\ ,MM:. .'.-' .' ; `\ ; `, MMMMMMMW `"=./`-, WMMm__,-'.' / _.\ F"""-+,, ;_,_.dMMMMMMMM[,_ / `=_} "^MP__.-' ,-' _.--"" `-, ; \ ; ;MMMMMMMMMMW^``; __| / .' ; ; ) )`{ \ `"^W^`, \ : / .' / ( .' / Ww._ `. `" / Y, `, `-,=,_{ ; MMMP`""-, `-._.-, fsc (--, ) `,_ / `) \/"") ^" `-, -;"\: `""" `""" `"' `---" 1 Pet.5: [8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: . | . \ | / `. \ ' / .' `. .-*""*-. .' "*-._ /.*" "*.\ _.-*" : ; ____ """"': .. ; _.-*" \ `.__.' / "*-._ .' `-.__.-' `. bug .' / . \ `. / | \ ' | ` The more you give, the more you get The more you do unselfishly The more you live abundantly. The more of everything you share, The more you laugh, the less you fret. The more you'll always have to spare. The more you love, the more you'll find That life is good and friends are kind. For only what we give away, Enriches us from day to day. -<>- By RACHEL ZOLL AP Religion Writer W __ __ [ ] |::||::| 3 ._. |::||::| ._. /| |:| ._. |::||::| |/| \|// / |:|_|/| |::||::|_ |/| -( )-| |:|"|/|_|::||::|\|_|/| _ J V | |:|"|/|||::||::|\|||/||:| ___ ' / ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ \ \/ | ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ September 12, 2001 Anne Marie Striebel was angry when she went to a Mass mourning Tuesday's attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Even after praying, she wanted revenge. "I know this sounds horrible, but I would like to see public punishment," said Striebel, among a few hundred worshippers at the Roman Catholic Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. "Who hates us this much?" Stunned by the malice that left multitudes dead, the nation turned to their clergy and to God as they struggled for understanding, filling churches and attending vigils, praying for U.S. leaders and the survivors of the attack. Terry Walsh, who works for a company that sells discount airline tickets, attended a Mass at St. Rita's Catholic Church in Dallas "to gain closeness to God and renew my strength. "I pray for God to stop people who commit acts of violence, hatred and evil," Walsh said. Archbishop Edward O'Brien, who leads the Catholic archdiocese for the military, was in an annual retreat in Washington with 50 armed services chaplains when word of the attacks reached them. They held a special Mass meant for times of war, then tried to return to their military posts. "We were all numb watching the TV," O'Brien said. "We prayed for peace in our hearts, for peace in our community, for an end to the evil that does such tremendous and unimaginable damage." At a Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York, Cardinal Edward Egan told worshippers the Rev. Mychael Judge, a Fire Department chaplain, died in the attack. But Egan warned against "imaginings of retaliation." "Hate never begets peace," Egan said. "Justice does." The prayer line run by Unity, a nondenominational Christian movement based just outside of Kansas City, was swamped, spokesman Tom Taylor said. "Our prayer ministry normally gets several thousand callers a day, but we've been flooded," he said. "I don't honestly think we'll be able to answer all the calls that come in." The Rev. Paul Akin, pastor of a First United Methodist Church in Iowa, spent the afternoon hurriedly typing his sermon for a special prayer service. "I want to talk about that sense of brokenness and vulner- ability we feel and a sense of God's abandonment of us in the face of great tragedy," Akin said. "God's heart is the first to break and this is not God's vision for the world." President Bush asked the nation to pray for the families of the victims and quoted the Book of Psalms: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for you are with me." A special service was held at Bethany Church in Greenwood, N.H., the church attended by Tom McGuinness, co-pilot of one of the planes that smashed into the World Trade Center. Bethany pastor Fred Cheney said when McGuinness' wife, Cheryl, got word of the crash, her first response was, '"My Tom is with Jesus."' One woman told the worshippers, "We felt evil today. Lord, we pray for your mercy tomorrow." Copyright © 2001, The Associated Press Through The Darkness http://www.passionup.com/fun/fun841.htm -<>- ||====================================================================|| ||//$\\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\//$\\|| ||(100)==================| FEDERAL RESERVE NOTE |================(100)|| ||\\$// ~ '------========--------' \\$//|| ||<< / /$\ // ____ \\ \ >>|| ||>>| 12 //L\\ // ///..) \\ L38036133B 12 |<<|| ||<<| \\ // || <|| >\ || |>>|| ||>>| \$/ || $$ --/ || One Hundred |<<|| ||<<| L38036133B *\\ |\_/ //* series |>>|| ||>>| 12 *\\/___\_//* 1989 |<<|| ||<<\ Treasurer ______/Franklin\________ Secretary 12 />>|| ||//$\ ~|UNITED STATES OF AMERICA|~ /$\\|| ||(100)=================== ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS =================(100)|| ||\\$//\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\$//|| ||====================================================================|| -Julian Visch- >The Bank Loan Some years ago two brothers in their early thirties owned a medium- sized manufacturing company. The company had been started by their grandfather, and the two had inherited it from their father upon his death some five years before. Since the two young men had taken over the firm, business had gradually gotten worse. Now, if they were to get things back to normal, they needed about $250,000 for operating expenses. With that money they could turn things around. Accordingly, they approached their local banker, an elderly man who knew both the firm and the family. They explained their situation to him, and stated their needs. "I have done business with both your father and your grandfather," the banker said. "When your grandfather died your company led the industry." "Yes, we know," said one young man, "and if you will grant us this loan for operating expenses, we'll lead the industry again." "But," objected the banker, "when your company was leading the industry 40 years ago, where was George Weber, whose company leads the industry now?" "Oh, he was a mechanic who started up on his own about that time," explained one of the brothers. "I must say he certainly has made a success." "Yes, he has," said the banker, "and he did not have $250,000 to operate on, even from a standing start. He started from scratch. His business has come up in the industry while yours has been going downhill. Yet, by your own admission, your company had a great deal of money during this very time when Weber had none. With all your money you lost ground. With all his shortage of cash he gained on you and overtook you. "Obviously, gentlemen, money is not what it takes to make a success in your industry," continued the banker. "Where did your company's spare capital disappear to? How did you lose your customers to Weber? What is the matter with the way you two, and your father before you, have managed your company?" The elderly banker knew the answers to those questions, and he was a shrewd judge of character. He knew that people often fool themselves. They talk about their difficulties as financial problems when actually the problem is within themselves. He also knew that the father of the two boys had been something of a playboy, spending money freely, taking long vacations, and not attending to business. By asking these harsh questions, he was trying to get the two young men to take stock of themselves. The two, rather easygoing young men, were shocked when the banker turned them down. They tried other banks with the same result. Finally, they were forced to face the truth. If they were to save the business, they must do it themselves. And save it they did. They made it back to the top, though the climb back was anything but easy. It took long hours of hard work, scraping by, cutting expenses - especially their own salaries - and, most of all, a change of attitude on their part. Eventually they took the elderly banker to lunch. They wanted to thank him. "You know," they told him, "when you turned us down for that loan - well, it was the best thing that ever happened to us!" Source: Bits & Pieces, -<>- reICareI reICareIC ICareICareICar ICareICareICare reICareICareICareI reICareICareICareIC CareICareICareICareICa reICareICareICareICareI ICarICareICareICareICareI ICareICareICareICareICareI ICarICareICareICareICareICare CareICareICareICareICareICare ICareICareICareICareICareICareI CareICareICareICareICareICareICa ICaICareICareICareICareICareICareI ICareICareICareICareICareICareICar eICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICar ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICar ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareIc eICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICa ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareI reICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICare ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICa reICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareIc ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICare reICareICareICareIICareICareICareICareIca ICareICareICareICareICareICareICarICa reICareICareICareICareICarICare areICareICareICareICareICa ICareICareICareICare areICareICareICa eICareICareI -Grim CareICar reIC eI >THE BEAUTIFUL COLOR OF LOVE What color is God, Asked the child with skin so fair Is he white like me, Does he have light hair? Is God dark like me, Asked the child with skin of golden hue, Has he hair that's dark and curly, Are his eyes black or blue? I think God is red like me, The Indian boy is heard to say -- He wears a crown of feathers, And turns our nights to day Each one of us knows that God is there In ALL the colors above But be sure of this, the one color he is, Is the beautiful color of love So when your soul goes to Heaven, When your life comes to its end -- He will be waiting, and his hand to you Will he extend. There will be no colors in Heaven, Everyone will be the same. You will only be judged by your earthly deeds, Not your color or your name So when your time comes, And you see God in his Heaven above, Then you will see the only color that counts, The beautiful color of LOVE. -- Author Unknown -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: 9/11 Tribute http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/tribute.html The 23rd Psalms http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/psalm23.html Our Valuable Anchor http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html Church Mouse Wisdom http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/churchmouse.html Kids On God http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kidsonGod.html Emergency #'s http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/help.html Funny, Isn't It? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/funny.html Thank You God http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thankgod.html Thank You Lord http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thanks.html Maxine On Jesus http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/maxineonjesus.html God's Paintings 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gpaints2.html Friends And Health http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/friendhealth.html God's Night Lights 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/night2.html Akiane Child Prodigy http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/prodigy.html God's Bumper Stickers http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gbumper.html Attitude Is Everything 5 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude5.html Hong Kong's Noah's Ark http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/noahsark2.html World's Tallest Treehouse http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/treehouse.html I Believe... http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/believe.html Never give Up! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/nevergiveup.html That's God http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thatsgod.html US TROOPS And 9/11 Index http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/911andtroopsindex.html -<>- >From Voice Of The Martyrs: A Day of Inspiration http://tinyurl.com/ybq3uxmj >From Return To Order Please be alerted: this is an extremely disturbing and graphic offense recently made against Our Lord Jesus Christ. In the television comedy, Preacher, Our Lord is depicted taking part in immoral behavior with a woman. Sign the protest, urging AMC Entertainment to pull its offensive Preacher series http://tinyurl.com/yc3b7g9l 10 Things to Pray About After Hurricane Harvey http://tinyurl.com/yaov6wtb Hurricane Harvey Efforts Reveal an America To Be Proud Of http://www.returntoorder.org/2017/09/16096/ Immigration And the Kind Of Nation We Need To Be http://www.returntoorder.org/2017/08/immigration-kind-nation-need/ -<>- >From Hillsdale College: From the book of Genesis to John Locke This course gives you a complete overview of the grand and unique story of the West. I encourage you to take this course and share it with your friends and family. I hope you enjoy your free online course. http://tinyurl.com/yctyynzr POWERFUL Video: Gospel Singers Breaks Out In Emotional Song in Harvey Storm Shelter http://tinyurl.com/ydgmagcm Fraud Alert: Left Wing Political Activist Seeks Donations For Leftist Community Organizers Disguised As Harvey Relief http://tinyurl.com/ybppkwvv Remember When DACA Was Temporary? http://tinyurl.com/y79ululp Business Leaders Eager to Hear President Trump’s Ideas on Tax Reform http://tinyurl.com/y9tnggd5 WOW! Ever Actually See Lightning Blow A Tree To Pieces? [VIDEO] http://tinyurl.com/yagnzu68 -<>- >From Our Friend Cloie :) Your history lesson for the day: On Robert E.Lee http://tinyurl.com/ydc8qy9a --- ...Great Info! Thanks Cloie! -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) One of the cool things about history is that we all have the opportunity to record it in our own way. But sometimes the most interesting recordings aren't always shared so that future generations can see them. Here are some amazing photos that should be in history books for everyone to see. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHvwa2UxDeY --- ...Wowsers! Thanks LouiseAu! 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 ========================================================== | | ,|. ,\|/. ,' .V. `. / . . \ /_` '_\ ,' .: ;, `. |@)| . . |(@| ,-._ `._'; . :`_,' _,-. '-- `-\ /,-===-.\ /-' --` (---- _| ||___|| |_ ----) `._,-' \ `-.-' / `-._,' `-.___,-' ap >Just Come Back Later Story Editor: by Guy Slater Joyce Schowalter Tennessee, USA My wife and I moved to the Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee in November of 2005, from a large metropolitan area to a very rural area. While moving we had the help of our adult daughter and our 2-year-old granddaughter. During the hectic days of moving into our new home, we ate out in the local community a lot. One evening we decided to have dinner at "Cindy's Catfish Kitchen." Cindy's is a buffet style restaurant, all you can eat. It had been a long day of moving boxes and furniture, and tomorrow would see us on the long drive back to our former home for another load, a thousand mile long trip. We were all tired, and our granddaughter was cranky to top it all off. But the buffet was great, and we ended our meal feeling rested and relaxed. When I went to pay our bill, card in hand, the waitress cashier told me that Cindy's didn't have the ability to take either credit or debit cards. Being from the "big city," using a credit or debit card was the norm. Oops! I had no cash in my pocket, but about 10 miles back down the road I'd seen a bank with an ATM. I told the lady that I would leave my family there and return in a few minutes to pay for our meals. "Oh, y'all don't have to do that," she told me. "You just come back some time and pay us then." WHAT!? These people had never seen me before, did not know if I would ever return, yet they trusted me to return to pay for three adult meals? This is not something that I had ever encountered in the big city, that's for sure. We have lived here for almost six years, and every single week I see other acts of trust like this happening. It may be a "country" thing, or just plain Southern hospitality. Whatever it is, I certainly like it, and I pass on this kindness every chance I get. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Laff & Lift: "Greed I've often regretted. Generosity-- never." - Max Lucado , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >It IS the Thought that Counts (By Kerry Doyal, Grace Bible Church) [Minor editing] Great news: Deepening your mark for Christ on others can be very easy! Expanding your impact for God is not usually complicated. Brace yourself for a cheesy phrase on how to increase impact for the Lord. I hope you will stick around for an explanation. Here's the cheese: "Put your mind to it and then just do it." For those still with me, I even have a verse that will justify everything. Pitiful, huh? My assumption is that you desire to maximize your service for Christ seen in changed lives by His grace. That is where we are heading, but first, a story: Paul, an apostle of Jesus, is in jail - again - this time in Rome. Always the disciple-maker, he is writing letters to churches he has served. One is a joy-filled thank you note to the church he started in Philippi. These generous souls had supported him many times in the past, but most recently they lost contact with Paul. Concerned about his babies - believers he was growing into maturity - Paul had sent co-laborers to check on various churches' health. Epaphroditus stopped in on the church in Philippi and was glad to see they were doing well. They were glad to hear news about Paul and be able to reconnect. Seizing the opportunity, they sent a gift back to Paul via Epaphroditus. They once again had a chance to show their love through support. With this backdrop, we better appreciate Paul's words in Philippians 4:10, 11, 14. "But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want... Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction" (NASB). The Message reads: "I'm glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess - happy that you're again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. ... I don't mean that your help didn't mean a lot to me - it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles." Expressed thoughtfulness touches people deeply - even the mature, confident, competent, content types, like Paul. Though their gift was appreciated, it was their concern, their thoughts of him that was valued most. "Thanks for thinking of me!" he writes. "Not that I was in need because, I have learned to be content. Nevertheless, your gift was appreciated. It was a sweet smelling sacrifice that pleases God" (vs. 18). That is lofty language. Thus my cheesy ministry advice: "Put your mind to it and then just do it." When we keep people in our hearts and minds and then express it, we set off parties of praise to God. Prisoner Paul "mega-rejoiced." So do people when you revive your concern for them by expressing it in any one of thousands of ways (chocolate being near the top of the list :) ). Practical acts of kindness encourages others and prompts praise to God. Though Paul had learned contentment - how to live with a little or lots - he was still stirred by their present. They remember him. He was not forgotten. They had ongoing love for him and their gift was proof. Hallelujah. Which life-prisoners would throw a party of praise if you were to let them know you still thought of them, loved and appreciated them? A card, a call, an e-mail, flowers, a txt msg, a gift, dark chocolate. Simple words and acts of love leave deep marks. Some two thousand years later, we still hear echoes of Paul's thanks. Are people disposable or expendable to you? They serve your purposes for a season and then you are done - moving on. "Next!" Hold on a moment, please. The Greatest commandment was to love God. Number Two was to love people, as much as we already love ourselves - untold bunches. People are precious and fragile- they need love, to be remembered, respected and thanked. Many folks are often refueled with hope and purpose by someone simply saying "thanks, good job, I appreciate you, care for some chocolate?" God's love for us was shown in giving His one-of-a-kind, only-one- qualified Son to die for us rebels. He considered our need and - dare I put it so blandly - did something about it. He did not simply hatch a plan back in eternity; He acted on it, conveying His glory, grace and covenant love. Just maybe He is a worthy model to emulate. Soap box alert: We have gotten so used to doing ministry via church programs - which can be great tools of God - that we forget to love on people outside the "ministry" we have. "They are not in my class. Sorry." It seems God only works in 13-week segments, in hour-long blocks inside church buildings. We do our thing and are through for the week. Thus the anemic church (read Ephesians 4:11-16). Extending and deepening your ministry is not hard: show genuine concern for others in practical ways. Do you keep-up with people or forget them? What long-lost friend, old teacher or student can you track down and convey your love, respect and fond memories? Who do you need to let know that they are in your thoughts and prayers? Seems that telepathy is faulty stuff. Thinking it is not enough. Thus the profound advice: "Put your mind to it and then just do it." Okay, all the cards on the table: yes, this is Pastor appreciation month (did I mention chocolate?). But, pastors are not the only ones who need blessing. After you thank current and former Shepherds, keep going (read James 2:14-17; 1 John 3:16-20). How about that Camp Director, neighbor, Sunday School teacher, Queen of the Casseroles, Deacon, Elder, nursery worker, Youth worker, Mom, Dad, secretary, bus driver...? It was in response to the kindness of these same Philippians that Paul wrote: "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen" (Phil. 4:19, 20 - NASB). Amen indeed! Now, go get 'em. 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 --- ...A thing I like to keep in mind is ... * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * arm * Always give credit where credit is due. I am most thankful to God for all those who share with me forwards emails, recipes, poems, and general good wishes of joy to be shared with the group - I like to think of our contributors like this: Rom.10: [15]... as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! I'd not be able to do what I do with the group or my website without all their generosity and show of kindness. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _( )_ ( ) ( ) _( )_ ( ) ( ) _( )_ ( ` ' )| |_| | _ _ __ ( ` ' )| |_| | _ _ __ ( ` ' ) > < | _ |( ) ( ) /'_ `\ > < | _ |( ) ( ) /'_ `\ > < (_, ,_)| | | || (_) |( (_) |(_, ,_)| | | || (_) |( (_) |(_, ,_) (_) (_) (_)`\___/'`\__ | (_) (_) (_)`\___/'`\__ | (_) ( )_) | ( )_) | \___/' \___/' unknown Great Big HUGGUMS To ALL OF YOU! Thank You! :) ========================================================== >-->From Kidwarmers: _ .-. .--''` ) _ | |/` .-'` ( `\ /` _) _. -'._ /` .' .-.-; `).' / \ \ (`, \_o/_o/__ / .-''` ``'-. { /` ,___.--''` { ; '-. \ \ _ _ { |'-....-`'.\_\ / './ '. \ \ `"` _ \ \ | \ \ ( '-.J \_..----.._ __) `\--..__ .-` ` `\ ''--...--. (_,.--""`/` .- `\ .__ _) | ( } .__ _) \_, '. }_ - _.' \_, '. } `'--' '._. ,_) / | / .' \ | _ .-' \__/;--.||-' _|| _||__ __ _ __.-` "`)(` `" ```._) jgs (_`,- ,-' `''-. '-._) ( ( / '.__.' `"`'--' >THE FUNNIEST THINGS KIDS SAY Marialuisa was in grade two. Before leaving for school in her little town in northern Italy, she looked out the window at the chickens in the courtyard and exclaimed, "Beate voi galline che non andate a scuola!" (O blessed are you chickens who don't have to go to school!) -- Adua Zampese (older sister of Marialuisa) of Toronto Last week's column ("Hurricane Fantasia") was dedicated to the people who are recovering from hurricanes. Debbie tells about her daughter Kellie and her family who lives in Jacksonville, Fla. As a result of the hurricanes they were without power for quite a while. Debbie was talking on the phone to little Alexis. "It's dark, Gammy," Alexis said. "My lights are broke!" -- Debbie in Tuscaloose, Alabama Neil found his son Jonah, 4, asleep on the couch one morning last week. When Jonah called Neil at work later in the day, Neil asked Jonah why he had left his bed. Jonah said, "I had a really scary dream. Want me to tell you about it? Well, there was this big hairy monster... No, wait a minute. It was Mommy!" -- Neil Grepke of Kendallville, Indiana /())) //( oo (/|| _ \__ /||||/ '._-' / \ |\ / \ \ \_____ | \ \.___ /==, | ='.___/=. | ) '.______ | (______( | || snd |_|| _/ | |_\ '---'--' Melva's 7-year-old granddaughter was in a school without her big sister for the first time. She is in the second grade and her sister had moved on to middle school. The school is only two blocks away and she assured her mother that she could walk by herself. However, her mother was concerned because there are no sidewalks. Finally, her mother agreed -- but said she would stand at the corner and watch her. After getting two houses from home, the 7-year-old turned around and started walking backwards. "See, I can even walk backwards!" she told her mother. Her mother quickly replied, "How will you see the cars?" The 7-year-old replied, "Oh, I forgot about that!" -- Melva Brown of Oxford, Ohio Donald was in first grade and just learning to read. He asked his mother if he could go to meet his father who would be coming home from work. He wanted to show him his new overalls. Minutes later Donald returned home without his father. His mother asked him why he was back so soon, alone. He said, "I saw a sign and it said STOP!" -- Sr. Lita Camozzi (sister of Donald) of Toronto It's the start of a new school year in Beth's 6th grade class and her students are sharing "Me Bags" to introduce themselves to their new classmates and to Beth. One boy brought a country/western CD and said that he likes that kind of music. They talked about the song titles, and that led to some discussion about the fact that many country songs have a drinking theme. Beth jokingly commented, "And we complain about rap!" Another boy blurted out, "Yeah! Country's just like rap, except with a banjo!" -- Beth Fryer of Lebanon, Pennsylvania .' '.' `. _.-| o | o |-._ .~ `.__.'.__.'^ ~. .~ ^ / \ ^ ~. \-._^ ^| | ^_.-/ `\ `-._ \___/ ^_.-' /' `\_ `--...--' /' `-.._______..-' /\ /\ __/ \__ | |/ /_ .'^ ^ `. .' `__\ .' ^ ^ `.__.'^ .\ \ .' ^ . ^ . ^ .' \/ / / ^ \'.__.' | ^ /| ^ | \ \|^ ^ | `\^ | ^ | `~| ^ | | ^ ^ | \^ / `. ^ .' jgs : ^ ; .-~~~~~~ | ^ ~~~~~~-. / ^ ^ | ^ \ \^ ^ / \ ^ ^ / `~~~~~~~~' `~~~~~~~~~' While making deviled eggs for Labor Day, Melissa got out the paprika. Her 5-year-old daughter Daysha asked what it was. Melissa said it was paprika and Daysha said, "Just like Carlos." Melissa asked her what she meant and Daysha said, "Carlos is Paprikan just like the stuff you are using!" (Their friend Carlos is Puerto Rican!) -- Melissa Buchanan of Youngstown, Ohio MacKenzie, 4, was describing her new baby sister Rosie (a preemie)."Poppy, Rosie has a mall head," said MacKenzie, who can't pronounce "small." Poppy responded, "Of course she does, she gets that gene from her Nanny and Mommy." -- Amy (aunt of Kenzie) of Butler, Pennsylvania After her daughter passed away, Nancy had her two young grandsons, ages 2 and 4, living with her. "I wish I had written down more of what they did and said, but that was a very difficult time for all of us," Nancy recalls. She remembers attempting to teach Gary, 3, to whisper. One evening after reminding him to "talk softly, please whisper," he declared in his typical three-year-old no-nonsense tone, "I like to talk loud!" "Why?" Nancy asked. Gary answered matter-of-factly, "It makes you listen to me!" -- Nancy Johnson of Laverne, Oklahoma , :. , ,__.`|\' , \,^|/|='._=-_. -.,\ \_) \/(^_)\/ (_/ / -:__ .-'~__)` ___-`~. ___ ~(_'-)-~` -^~\ ~-.' _ '. .' _ `.-._~/^~. _.=^<-.'| (@) | | (@) | ->.-^` ~-._>-'`. .'~'. .'`-<~.' .-~^'__^^--~`_...__`~--^^. _,^= `-^ __.;--~`( | )`~--;-~-._`: __...'~``.~ ^'-._\_/_.-'^~-.~-_...__ /. ~- `\-. ^.~ .`~` `.~-. ^.-/~.- ^,\ |^'- .` ~|_`-.._:_._,_:_,_..-'|- ~ . ',| |=|`, .~ '.|====================|^. ',`. |='| |/\__\__\__/|\|/|\|/|\|/|\|/|\|/\__/__/__/|/| | | | | | | | | | | | |(o __ o) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ((__))| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |`--' | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | When Gary, 6, repeatedly failed to pay attention, Nancy asked, "Was your mind somewhere else?" He looked surprised and replied, "No, my mind's right close to mine ears." Pnina, 17 months, was playing on the bed (with supervision, of course!) with one of their pet hamsters. She put the sheet over the hamster, and said, "Geebeegoo! Geebeegoo!" (Peek-a-boo!) -- Brandel D. Falk (Pnina's mother) of Jerusalem, Israel Note: You are welcomed to use, copy and share these stories, but please reference http://www.funnykids.com as the source. ========================================================== _ ______ / `'. ,-"` '. / /'-.'. ___ .' \ \/ '.\.' ' | .| .'`\ | /`"'--., / \ , _.--'` \/_ | ,----.| _ `_--;` ``` `\-. | | \ | -- C -- _/ \ \ | \ 0 0 / . | | \| ) | '. _.' |.__/ ; \ `'---` / / __ '. .' | (__) /'-._____,-` \ /---'.-""-.\ '. / ||,- \\ ;---`;-._||-= |\ , ."""-. \ ) `|'.___.' \ ___ \'. / '-. \ /`-`-; / \ ,/ `) \ \| \ `` | | \|| / /'.| )_ / || | | \/ .' \ \ .-'/ ` |` |.-' .-~ ~-~-._ |.'` \ ` '-. \___/,__/ ~` _ `~~-., `-.,_\_)`-.,_\) `~-,___ ~___~,,..-~~/ jgs \___/`\____/'._.' >-->Don't Quit When things go wrong as they sometimes will, When the road you're trudging seems all up hill, When the funds are low and the debts are high, And you want to smile, but you have to sigh, When care is pressing you down a bit, Rest if you must but don't you quit. Life is queer with its twists and turns, As every one of us sometimes learns, And many a person turns about, When they might have won had they stuck it out, Don't give up though the pace seems slow, You may succeed with another blow. Often the struggler has given up, When he might have captured the victor's cup; And he learned too late when the night came down, How close he was to the golden crown. Success is failure turned inside out, the silver tint of the clouds of doubt, So stick to the fight when your hardest hit, It is when things seem worst that you must not quit. --Author Unknown (¯`v´¯) `*.¸.*´ ¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•. Huggums!... :) Shangy! >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? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe ************************************************************************ >TO SUBSCRIBE:Visit Here This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR For the Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ************************************************************************