The Creator God And More... :) 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 Through no fault of my own we suddenly became an adult club in the love and romance directory so you will have to confirm that you are an adult when you go here. I still have no idea how to change this back as it sends me around in a circle when I try! or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ >-->OoooWeeeee!! oo 8 "} > @ < .8 .-._/| .'_'`')`_.' \| ) / (>'/ |_,_ | (,| .' ,'\| `._/ ) \| '`- -- ''-- --- VK/ejm I'm doing a 'Happy Angel' dance! Why? Because Shangrala has been blessed with another 2010 Angel! Kay from Van Wert, OH has joined forces to help Keep Shangrala Alive this year with a kind donation! She is a sweet returning Shangrala Angel! Please bless her by visiting her Wassenberg Art web site here: http://www.vanwert.com/wassenberg/ If you'd like to help too and be counted as a 2010 Shangrala Angel, please visit the site and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL page comes up. 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 ALL OUR ANGELS MOST ABUNDANTLY! ================ >-->2 Hot Off The 'Shangy' Press! This hottie comes from two of our friends Wesley And Viv. It's the ultimate in RV and camping fun. I was so amazed, that I wasted no time in doing this one up so you could see it too! Oh, by the way, all you truckers, this is a 'must see'! Check it out here... .--------------. |~ ~| |H____________H| |.------------.| ||::.. __ || |'--------'--''| | '. ______ .' | | _ |======| _ | |(_)|======|(_)| |___|======|___| [______________] |##| |##| jrei '""' '"" Extreme Camping! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/camp.html --- ...Absolutely awesome! Thank you Wesley and Viv! This next hottie comes from our friend Wesley. Like the group Aerosmith, my favorite color is pink - hot pink that is! So this one was simply irresistible! See for yourself here... .--. .--. ( (`\\."--``--".//`) ) '-. __ __ .-' / /__\ /__\ \ | \ 0/ \ 0/ | \ `/ \` / `-. /-"""-\ .-` / '.___.' \ \ I / `;--'`'--;` jgs '.___.' In The Pink! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/inthepink.html --- ...A super Fun one! Thanks Wesley! ================================================================ >Freedom From Fear Story Editor: by Andrew Scal Joyce Schowalter California, USA When I was young, fear was a strong influence on many aspects of my life. I've since come to understand that many people go through this, and that as a part of our development we learn how to overcome everyday fears. But it took me a long time, and I needed the help of another person. In my junior year of college in Boston, I adopted a cat. It wasn't a well thought out idea -- especially since I lived in a school dormitory! Fortunately I had a single room, and Neebo, as I called her, was perfectly happy there. She would acknowledge and greet visitors, but was utterly devoted to me. Just having her sit on my lap and purr as I petted her was soothing. As I graduated and moved on to New York, Neebo went with me. She never complained, was always waiting for me when I came home, and came whenever I called her. When times were tough we shared ham sandwiches until I could afford cat food. In the mid-80s I decided to go abroad for a year to work in Japan. I arranged for Neebo to stay with an old friend in Brooklyn. About three months after I arrived in Tokyo I got a phone call from my friend: Neebo was not taking this change well. She took every opportunity to escape, wasn't eating, and seemed quite disturbed. I had decided to stay in Japan for a while, so we made arrangements to ship her to me. She arrived, and after a few days we quickly resumed our life together. After a couple years I noticed Neebo licking a sore on her abdomen. As months went by, the sore became an ugly wound. I avoided taking her to the veterinarian because, what if she had something serious or terminal? I dreaded losing her more than anything else at the time. One day my good friend, Kathy, noticed Neebo licking her wound. "Andrew" she said "I think it would be a good idea if you took Neebo to the vet and had that checked out." She didn't scold me or point out that I was endangering my beloved cat, she just told me what I ought to do. And so I did. Neebo did not live much longer. The vet told me her form of cancer was fatal even before symptoms arose, which slightly assuaged my guilt. Kathy and I are still friends, she and her husband in Washington, my wife and I in San Francisco. I often remind her of that day and what it did for me. 25 years later, I have never let fear stop me from doing something I know I have to do. That's the lesson I took from Kathy's words that day in Tokyo, and it has served me well time and time again. --- ...This reminds me of this one... ,.-""``""-., / ,:,;;,;, \ DANGER DANGER \ ';';;';' / WILL ROBINSON... `'---;;---'` <>_==""==_<> _<<<<<>>>>>_ .'____\==/____'. _____|__ |__| __|______ /C \\\\\\\\ |..| //////// C\ \_C//////// |;;| \\\\\\\\C_/ |____o|##|o____| \ ___|~~|___ / '>--------<' {==_==_==_=} {= -=_=-_==} {=_=-}{=-=_} {=_==}{-=_=} }~~~~""~~~~{ jgs }____::____{ /` || `\ | || | | || | | || | '-----''-----' Fear: Feeling Kind Of Buggy [story] http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/fearfeelingkindofbuggy.html =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Heartwarmers: , \'. | *`'-. | ___ `. |.' `'.\ _/ __ __`-. .' _./ /\-/ /\._`-, \ / (_/` \(_/ \(_/ `\-=>*<=- \ \ ' / / / \ I got da bestest gadget! '-. `--...--' .-'_/ `._ _.' (_`) __ .--;---`;-. / / ( _) /\ \ | /`' / \ './ /||-''-||`--' `-._/ || || || || ;|'---|; / /| Y | \ / / | | |\ \ jgs .'` /--' | '-\ `'. (___/'---' '---\___) >CONTROLLING NATURE by Joseph Walker A toothbrush. That's all I needed. But not just any old toothbrush. None of your bargain basement, wimpy bristled, use-it-twice-then-throw-it-out toothbrushes this time. No sir. This time I was going to get a toothbrush that could withstand the beating I seem to inflict upon instruments of dental hygiene (you should see what I do to dental floss -- it isn't pretty). Perhaps I have toothbrush-intolerant enamel. Or perhaps I have latent hostility issues that cause me to turn in to Iron Man in front of the bathroom mirror. Or perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I grew up with two dentist brothers-in-law who insisted on vigorous brushing -- or else. Whatever the reason, I am hard on toothbrushes. My wife, Anita, is still using that really nice toothbrush I gave her for our 28th wedding anniversary five years ago (what, you've never heard of the Toothbrush Anniversary?) I, on the other hand, go through them like Lady Gaga goes through sequins. I buy a toothbrush, it works well for a few days, and then, before you know it, the bristles stop bristling. Or the handle breaks. Or the brush doesn't brush -- it just sort of rubs. So I was determined to get the best toothbrush I could find. It was the only thing I needed when I walked into the store that day. I was prepared to spend as much as three or four dollars on the brush. Little did I know that three or four dollars wouldn't even constitute a decent down payment on a state-of-the-art toothbrush. There are toothbrushes with engines -- I'm not kidding about this. They have more horsepower than my Hyundai. I don't want to compete in the Indianapolis 500. I just want to brush my teeth. Finally I settled on a nice, sturdy, no-nonsense toothbrush that looked like it would get the job done for at least the rest of the month. Then I noticed that this toothbrush was also available in a five-pack for even less per toothbrush than I was going to pay for the one I had selected. If one toothbrush is good, then five is even better, isn't it? Sure, it was more than I was planning to spend during this trip to the store. But it would be worth it in the long run. Wouldn't it? After picking up the box o' brushes I noticed another good deal: a package of four tubes of our favorite toothpaste for a very good price. Well, I couldn't pass on that deal, could I? It seemed so cosmically synergistic: toothbrushes and toothpaste. It flowed naturally from one to the other -- and such good prices! Then I noticed another great price on a multi-bar pack of soap. And then another great deal on shampoo. And they had such a good price on "The Blind Side"... Nearly $100 later I escaped from the store with my debit card smoking. Of course, this isn't unusual for me. Anita often sends me to the store with a five-item list, and I end up at the checkout stand with a fully loaded shopping cart. It's called impulse buying, and I'm about as impulsive as they come. I'm the reason store managers prepare those attractive displays and mega-sales offers -- they want to entice me into being impulsive. And usually I oblige. But no more. Although it is my nature to be impulsive in the grocery store, I've decided it is time to go against my nature. Our burgeoning cupboards and our crashing budget both demand it -- not to mention Anita. And that's OK, I think. One of the most important things we learn in this life is when to trust and act upon our natural inclinations, and when to control them. There are times when "that's just how I am" is an explanation, and times when it's a cop-out. Even when dental hygiene is at stake. -- Joseph Walker ======================================================================== >-->On The Lighter side... .,;//, .-"`_`;///, /._ <|> `\;:. '._-_ ( )|::, |;-. ///:::,. \ ; .-' `'':::,. _'-; ':::,. ,-;--/ / ':::,._ / /\ ``'.'. _-,-/ / '._ _.-' '.\ ` (,--' `""--.._( '. ` \ .--' \ _) ( \ __.-'_._-'`-. \ ` (.-`) ` `\ \ '. \ \ \ `\ ; | | / / ,__.'.' jgs '--' >As just seen on MyYearbook.com: Posted: I live in Newark Ohio I have aguana for sale if any one enterasted. Comment: She means she has 'an iguana for sale if anyone is interested'. Response: No his not mean at all! =================================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: -=[ baby dragon ]=- _.===._ ,"^^^^", /_\^^^/_\ / ^ ,^ \ , (0\ ^ /0)\ / ^ / ^ \ /\ \ / ^^ ^ \ ^ \ ",." / ) ( ^ ^ ^ \ \ ,' (o_o)^ \ ^ ,) /`^^` ^V^\ ^ \ \_,-"(((( jgs / /`""/ / (((` '((( >The Devil Looks Like a Nice Guy A cartoon in the New Yorker magazine showed some pigs feeding at a trough. As the farmer filled the trough with food, one hog asked the others, "Have you ever wondered why he's so good to us? "When Satan tempts people, he's like the farmer fattening up the pigs for the slaughter. Temptation looks appealing at first, but it always drags its victims into misery, bondage, and heartbreak. --Kent Crockett www.kentcrockett.com -<>- >Staying Strong in the Faith Written by Bev Qualheim [EDITED] As we walk along this rocky pathway back to our Heavenly Home, there are so many stumbling Blocks placed in our path. Opposition seems to fill many of our days, trying to drag us Down. Sometimes we get so far down into the 'valleys' of our journey, that we feel there is no way to climb back up those steep climes, back into the 'mountains' or highs of our faith. I am here to tell you, there is always a way back up! Something we should remember is that with every step we take, we need to lean on the arm of our Savior Jesus Christ. He spent His life showing us the way to take, the course to pursue. The Psalmist David, pled to the Lord, "Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy Paths." (Psalms 25: 4) Jesus, in mortality, also had the adversary trying to drag Him down into the valleys, but He turned to His Father for guidance and direction and He taught us to do the same. He was the ultimate example of love and devotion to the cause of good in this world, to doing the will of His Father in Heaven. My heart resides and soars in one of the most beautiful creations on this earth, the Glorious mountainsides of Utah. I love the symbolism of 'mountains' being a strength for Us. "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord which made heaven and earth." (Psalms 121:1,2) Here are some ideas for pulling yourself out of those spiritual valleys, or staying out of them altogether. It is my prayer that these ideas will help lift each of you a bit higher. 1) Make sure you are having personal prayer--not just in the shower or in the car quickly, in the morning, but humbly, down on your knees. And stay down there for as long as the Prayer you said, to help you feel or hear an answer if you're given one at that time. You Should do this at least once every day, more often is better. 2) Read from the [bible] EVERY single day. Do it however you want--look up a Certain category in the topical guide, read from start to finish, read a certain book in There that you love, whatever works, but read, study, feast and learn. Sometimes I only Read ONE verse, but I analyze it thoroughly--I look up all the references in it and write down things I discover, in a notebook. 3) Hug everyone in your family every day, no matter what. Sometimes with my older boys I give them a shoulder rub as they are sitting next to me, or I put my arm around them and give them a quick squeeze. 4) Do NOT allow Satan to put tempting ideas into your head. He will. He knows where you are most vulnerable and he will be there right away, trying to drag you down, or make you think something wrong, is righteous. He is cunning and he can do that. Pray that you will Be protected from his buffeting, and will be able to discern right from wrong. 5) Pray for strength to fulfill all the Father wants for you. 6) Go to your Church meetings. I know it used to be hard for me to do that sometimes, when I felt I should go with my non-member husband, or I should do this or that... But I have always forced myself (when needed) and it has always strengthened me. 7) Bear your testimony often. Bear it to yourself and your posterity by writing it down in a journal. 8) Don't allow the negatives of life to drag you down. We must learn, by practice, to replace any negative thoughts with positive ones, no matter what. And it is TOUGH some days. 9) Take time for yourself, (at least 15 minutes a day) pursuing the things you enjoy when you have a little time for yourself. 10) Write down on some 3x5 cards, some peaceful scriptures, or peaceful words from the [scriptures]. Try to read these often and better yet, memorize them. 11) When trials besiege you and you feel at your worst, try to find someone *you* can help out. There are some lovely Charity ideas on the Charity page on lds-living. Helping someone else, can really lift you out of your own 'problems'. 12) Learn all you can of Christ and try to emulate His life. Write down various times when He showed us how he handled things and read these over and over when you need them. When we need to cope, to endure, our one true source of help is the Lord Jesus Christ. --- ...See This Teaching... Our Valuable Anchor http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html -<>- .---. / \ | - - | (| ' ' |) | (_) | `//=\\' (((())) )))(( (()))) ))(( (() jgs )) ( >Crabby Old Man When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a small hospital near Tampa, Florida, it was believed that he had nothing left of any value. Later, when the nurses were going through his meager possessions, they found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital. One nurse took her copy to Missouri. The old man's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas edition of the News Magazine of the St. Louis Association for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on his simple, but eloquent, poem. And this little old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this "anonymous" poem winging across the Internet. .---. / \ | - - | (| ' ' |) | (_) | `//=\\' (((())) )))(( (()))) ))(( (() jgs )) ( Crabby Old Man What do you see nurses? .......What do you see? What are you thinking......when you're looking at me? A crabby old man, ........not very wise, Uncertain of habit .......with faraway eyes? Who dribbles his food.......and makes no reply. When you say in a loud voice....."I do wish you'd try!" Who seems not to notice ....the things that you do. And forever is losing .......... A sock or shoe? Who, resisting or not........lets you do as you will, With bathing and feeding .....The long day to fill? Is that what you're thinking? .....Is that what you see? Then open your eyes, nurse......you're not looking at me. I'll tell you who I am......As I sit here so still, As I do at your bidding, ........as I eat at your will. I'm a small child of Ten......with a father and mother, Brothers and sisters .....who love one another A young boy of Sixteen ........with wings on his feet Dreaming that soon now.....a lover he'll meet. A groom soon at Twenty ..........my heart gives a leap. Remembering, the vows........that I promised to keep. At Twenty-Five, now .......... I have young of my own. Who need me to guide ....... And a secure happy home. A man of Thirty My young now grown fast, Bound to each other ......... With ties that should last. At Forty, my young sons ........have grown and are gone, But my woman's beside me........to see I don't mourn. At Fifty, once more, ........ Babies play 'round my knee, Again, we know children ........ My loved one and me. Dark days are upon me .......... My wife is now dead. I look at the future......I shudder with dread. For my young are all rearing........young of their own. And I think of the years...... And the love that I've known. I'm now an old man.........and nature is cruel. Tis jest to make old age ....look like a fool. The body, it crumbles..........grace and vigor, depart. There is now a stone........where I once had a heart. But inside this old carcass ..... A young guy still dwells, And now and again .........my battered heart swells. I remember the joys.......... I remember the pain. And I'm loving and living.............life over again. I think of the years ....all too few......gone too fast. And accept the stark fact........that nothing can last. So open your eyes, people .........open and see. Not a crabby old man. Look closer..see........ME!! Remember this poem when you next meet an older person who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within.....we will all, one day, be there, too! -<>- >The Rose ,),-, (\ (>|);----,--`------ `-);' (/ pb 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. "Tell me whom you love," Houssaye wrote, "And I will tell you who you are..." -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment Korokurum Bridges http://www.buffaloschips.com/012138.htm Look http://www.buffaloschips.com/012139.htm Microsoft No More Keyboards http://www.buffaloschips.com/012140.htm uh 60 IN mOSUL http://www.buffaloschips.com/gthr.htm Muschel http://www.buffaloschips.com/ujkyfhtf.htm Pictures To Ponder http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ponder.html Amazing Bike Car http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bikecar.html True Duck Tale http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/duck.html Bear Rescue http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bearrescue.html Best Playmate http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/playmate.html Elephant Hotel http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/elhotel.html Just Have Faith http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/faith.html Visit our site at http://www.inspiredbuffalo.com =================================================================== >-->From CupO'Cheer: ,-=-. / ) ( c/=( `-( _/ _/ (_ / `-- ) < , ) )> / \/ \ (/\ / ,' ) \ \ -=` / / | \ \-` / | '\| <_./ \ / | / , \ <,_./ | / | /_ | | ``--.__.-='! | / \ ! '`'"' ("" '`'`"' `) \_'"'`"" "``''"''`" "'"`''' (_ \_ '"`=-'`" `" " '"" `-'`" '"'`' '`'"' '""`'" >Arise and walk? - Matthew 9:5 NKJV Misguided sympathy is dangerous because: a) it enables someone to feel sorry for themselves, yet take no action to change things b) it digs the hole deeper, so they've less chance of getting out of it c) it creates a 'learned helplessness' guaranteeing they'll feel even more hopeless. Sometimes tough love is what's needed. Although Jesus had compassion for hurting people, He never merely felt sorry for them. Whenever possible He helped them to help themselves. Before He worked on their behalf, He often asked them to do something. And sometimes His instructions seemed radical. For example, '"Arise, take up your bed, and go... "' (Matthew 9:6 NKJV). '"Your daughter is dead."... Jesus... said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid; only believe."' (Mark 5:35-36 NKJV). 'He spat on the ground and made clay... He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay... He said... "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" So he went... and came back seeing' (John 9:1-7NKJV). How could a crippled man rise, take up his bed and walk? How could a man who had just received the report of his daughter's death be expected to stay calm? How could a blind man even see to get to a certain pool of water? Instead of merely feeling sorry for people, Jesus moved them to action. He helped them to get their minds off their problems, and motivated them to do something about them. At times we feel like we're being unkind if we confront people who have problems, when in reality 'tough love' is what they need. as seen in The Word For Today -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >TOP TEN SIGNS YOU MAY NOT BE READING YOUR BIBLE ENOUGH: 10) The Preacher announces the sermon is from Genesis . . . and you check the table of contents. 9) You think Abraham, Isaac & Jacob may have had a few hit songs during the 60's. 8) You open to the Gospel of Luke and a WWII Savings Bond falls out. 7) Your favorite Old Testament Patriarch is Hercules. 6) A small family of woodchucks has taken up residence in the Psalms of your Bible. 5) You become frustrated because Charlton Heston isn't listed in either the Concordance or the Table of Contents. 4) Catching the kids reading the Song of Solomon, you demand: "Who gave you this stuff?" 3) You think the Minor Prophets worked in the quarries. 2) You keep falling for it every time when Pastor tells you to turn to First Condominiums. And the number one sign you may not be reading your Bible enough: 1) The kids keep asking too many questions about your usual bedtime story: "Jonah, the Shepherd Boy, and His Ark of Many Colors." -<>- * + * ' | () .-.,-"``"-. - o - '=/_ \ | * |::'=._ ; ' ' \::. `=./`, ' + . '-::..-'``' * jgs O * . + . * . + >THE CREATOR GOD By Rick Ezell "Through him all things were made that has been made; without him nothing was made that has been made" (John 1:3 NIV). Flash of Genius is a film about the life of Robert Kearns, a college professor and part-time inventor, who takes on the Detroit automakers, namely the Ford Motor Company, whom he accuses of stealing his idea for the intermittent windshield wiper. The movie's title comes from a legal term in patent law, which was in use from 1941 to 1952, called "The Flash of Genius Test" for patentability. It argued that an invention could come to someone out of nowhere and without years of working on it beforehand. Robert Kearns, as with all inventors, was a unique person, who gave the world something for which we are all thankful, especially when we are in our car on rainy days. Speaking of inventions, and however quirky inventors may be, I want to thank the guy who thought of putting little wheels on luggage. And the guy who came up with contact lens. And the fellow who first gave us wet wipes, duct tape, WD-40, anti- bacterial soap, and post-it notes. As ingenious as inventors are they pale in comparison, however, to the Creator. The inventor has to have something to work with, not the Creator. John opening words to his Gospel, "In the beginning," suggests not only the start of the gospel story but the creation of the world as well. We know that the Word is Jesus, who "was with God in the beginning." In saying, "in the beginning," John describes Jesus as "existing from the beginning." Jesus is the agent of God that brought all things into being. "Through him all things were made that has been made; without him nothing was made that has been made" (John 1:3 NIV). I am struck by the fact that this is a declaration, not an argument. The Bible does not defend divine creation; it simply declares it. Christianity has always believed in what is called creation out of nothing, ex nihilo. We do not believe that the world began with God and something else. It is our belief that behind everything there is God and God alone. Only God creates. We may have a flash of genius that leads to an invention, but we don't create anything. We take existing material, like Robert Kearns did with the windshield wipers, and fashion it into something new. We make things. Only God creates something from nothing. Nobel Prize winner, Dr. Arno Penzias, says, "The creation of the universe is supported by all the observable data astronomy has produced so far. I invite you to examine the snapshot provided by half a century's worth of astrophysical data and see what the pieces of the universe actually look like. . . . In order to achieve consistency with our observations we must . . . assume not only creation of matter and energy out of nothing, but creation of space and time as well." The next time you look at the world, don't look for a flash of genius, look at the genius who in a flash brought it all into existence. That is a God worth knowing and a God worth worshipping. Copyright 2010, Rick Ezell. --- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' ...I want to examine this a little bit closer... I always tell the kids to destory is easy. That is what the devil does. The devil takes what God has created and changes it or destroys it. Like building blocks. How much easier it is to destory a house of blocks then it is to build it. Value life. It is easy to destroy life. Just try to start with nothing and make something out it and you will see the value of it. Life is most precious! Everyone is unique. I also want to comment on this part... * + * ' | () .-.,-"``"-. - o - '=/_ \ | * |::'=._ ; ' ' \::. `=./`, ' + . '-::..-'``' * jgs O * . + . * . + "In saying, "in the beginning," John describes Jesus as "existing from the beginning." Jesus is the agent of God that brought all things into being. "Through him all things were made that has been made; without him nothing was made that has been made" (John 1:3 NIV). I am struck by the fact that this is a declaration, not an argument. The Bible does not defend divine creation; it simply declares it." This is truly awesome. I was just talking to Paul about this. I brought up links from our friend Wesley... Moon Zoo - explore the moon http://www.moonzoo.org/ Galaxy Zoo: Hubble - How To Take Part http://tinyurl.com/c9zteq - Thank You Very Much Wesley -=[ a peek into the night sky ]=- }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} {{ + + + @ {{ }} | * o + . }} {{ -O- o . . + {{ }} | _,.-----.,_ o | }} {{ + * .-'. .'-. -O- {{ }} * .'.-' .---. `'.'. | * }} {{ . /_.-' / \ .'-.\ {{ }} ' -=*< |-._.- | @ | '-._| >*=- . + }} {{ -- )-- \`-. \ / .-'/ {{ }} * + `.'. '---' .'.' + o }} {{ . '-._ _.-' . {{ }} | `~~~~~~~` - --===D @ }} {{ o -O- * . * + {{ }} | + . + }} {{ jgs . @ o * {{ }} o * o . }} {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ Paul related to me how NASA with the aide of the Hubble telescope decided to look at a seemingly blank little area of sky and found to their amazement that there were many complete galaxies in there. The universe is even much bigger then they originally thought. So think of this with me again... "Through him all things were made that has been made; without him nothing was made that has been made" (John 1:3 NIV). 'him' being Jesus Christ. We know that Jesus was with God in God's foreknowledge before the foundation of the world. And we know that we were with God in his foreknowledge before the foundation of the world... John 17: [24] Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. 1 Pet.1: [2] Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. Eph.1: [4] According as he[God] hath chosen us in him[Jesus Christ] before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him [God] in love: Without him - Jesus Christ - nothing was made that has been made. That is saying that had God seen in his foreknowledge that Jesus Christ would NOT do His will and would not be mankind's savior, then God would not of gone to all the trouble to create this world. What would be the point? Without Jesus Christ doing the will of the Father we are dead because' all have sinned and come short of the glory of God'. Rom.3:23 Rom.5:12 You see how awesome that is? This world - this huge vast universe - God's great creation all hinged on one thing and one thing only. Jesus Christ. That is why the bible from Genesis to Revelation is all about Jesus Christ. Because without Jesus Christ, we wouldn't be - period. God never MAKES Any one do Any thing. Freedom of will is a rule with God. ALWAYS. So if Jesus Christ did not want to be our living sacrifice and give his life for us, then it was not a go. No universe. God saw in his foreknowledge all the crucial events of man all through the ages and knew that we would need Jesus Christ to bring us back to Him. BEFORE The foundation of the world He knew Jesus would do His will and so with that knowledge He also was able to choose US who would believe in Jesus Christ and be saved again BEFORE the foundation of the world. What an Awesome God and Savior we Have! Praise God! -<>- ,;;;;;, ,;;;;;;;;, ;;;'____ ; ;;;(\\\\\; `/'((||||| ___< C))|||| ,' \__(((||), | \ _)))))))\,_ /| |/"\`\`""""' |) ; \ \ ) \_____/_| | |\ \' _.,-' | | ' \ \.,-' _./ | ( _,-\ _.-'' | ; "'|___\__.-' ; ) |----| _.--,;' ; ,' , | ( __.,-' | ,' ,' `""'' `. | ; ) `, ( ) | ( ,' | | ( | | | | | | | |___________| | | | | Normand Veilleux based on work by Tua Xiong >WHEN SOMEONE IS HURTING, C.A.R.E. Connect - When someone is hurting, we often don't know what to say or do. But even simply expressing, "I'm sorry and I care about you," can make a tremendous difference. Accept - When we try to help someone, it's easy to direct their emotions or give advice. But emotions need to be shared openly. You'll be a blessing by providing a safe place to grieve. Respond - While it is important to take action. What you do can be practical (like providing a meal) or symbolic (like sharing a thoughtful gift). Extend - People are flooded with attention when a loss first occurs, but support usually decreases over time. By remembering and continuing to reach out, you can bring comfort and healing. This excerpt is from Comfort & Encouragement: A One-Year Ministry Guide for Helping Those Who Are Hurting by Holley Gerth. from www.Dayspring.com To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 CChristian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->Pass this on as it should be of intereest to all who served. The study was carried out in Austrialia on their Vietnam Veterans. ABC Nat. Radio Health Report Autralian Vietnam Vets: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/HealthReportVV.mp3 VV ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->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 ************************************************************************