The Face Of Christ And More... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our ShangyFunList: Group Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: 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. If every one would chip in $25 or more, we'd be good for the whole year! So Please - I need your help today! "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 *~* >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 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 Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all 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! ================ >-->2 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) Our too hot to handle new page is from our friend Linda. It is full of plenty of eye candy to delight you along with photos that will leave you flabbergasted and amazed. Be sure to check this one out here: .----------. / .-. .-. \ / | | | | \ W O W ! \ `-' `-' _/ / /\ .--. / | / \ | / / / / / | `--' /\ \ /`-------' \ \ Jym Dyer Unusual Photos 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/unusual2.html --- ...Wowsers! Pretty awesome! Thanks Linda! Our next sizzling hot new page is from our friend PatDeE. It'll give you plenty of Ooo's, awes and eye candy with its beautiful scenes. A wonderful road trip! Be sure to check it and its interesting fun video out here... _|\ _/|_, ,((\\``-\\\\_ ,(()) `))\ ,(())) ,_ \ ((())' | \ ))))) >.__ \ (((' / `-. .c| hjw / `-`' Scenic US Route 66 West! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/scenicroute66.html --- ...Absolutely stunning! Thanks PatDeE! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: /\_ _ __ __ _ \( ! )/_/ __ \_\( % )>o<})# )/_/ _(%>o<(_!_)>o<#)_ /_/(_% ( | (_#_)/_/ ( ! (~>O<~) % ) _ _({>O<}(_|_)%>O<%)_> /_/(_!_)# )( (_%_) _(#>o<#)>o< )_ /_/(_#_)(_|_)\_\ \/ hjw >GARDENING, WITH PEN IN HAND by Eva Shaw, Ph.D. I am asking you to look at keeping a garden journal. It's good for the soul, it's good therapy, and it's a good way to grow. Just today I've received a new one -- a hard cover that's stripped like garden onions, with a silky marigold-colored ribbon to mark the progression of my journaling. The journal is pristine, clean and fresh, much like my cutting garden was less than a year ago. Soon, the journal will be spilling over with words like my new garden. Gardens and journals are much the same -- they start with dreams. The one in my front yard was a birthday present from my husband. He hauled bricks, sweated over cement, wheeled in topsoil, all in the name of love. I choose the flowers. I dug in the dirt to create a bit of paradise joining with nature. I planted sweet peas for fragrance, and since their season is short, they tell me to cherish life, reminding me that we do not know the number of our days. I planted bulbs by the dozen. I loved their surprise factor. I can never remember just where I've planted them and BAM! They pop up in unexpected places. They take me to a time when as a child I was ill, feverish and miserable. Mama arranged a handful of King Alfred daffodils in a crystal vase and placed them near my bedside. It was my first grown up bouquet and formed a part of me that continues, now these years later, to share her "flowers make you feel better" philosophy as I give bouquets away. Daisies are in the garden because they're part of my history. When Joe and I were first married, barely making ends meet, he splurged one payday showering me with a small bouquet of daisies. In our 31 years together, I've received more expensive gifts, but the daisy remembrance is wrapped in the velvet of precious memories. I must ask him if he remembers. I am sure he does. Sunflowers are in my cutting garden although I cannot get myself to cut these beauties as they tower over the garden fence and flaunt their faces to the world. They tell me it's good to be sturdy and stand out from the crowd. A journal is like a garden where we "plant" our ideas, some perhaps too dear to share and some that are better left as secrets. We can place words on paper to write out, scratch out, rewrite and ponder at silent moments. There are no rules to journaling as there are no right or wrong ways to garden. Someday when I'm older, I may want to think back and marvel at my (possibly misspent) youthful middle age, juggling writing projects with a garden full of marauding slugs barely waiting until twilight to pay a visit. Taking time to write in a garden journal feels odd, especially if we're not practiced at jotting down thoughts, plans and even jumbled ideas. Knotty memories may shoot up and we may wonder if they're weeds or the sprouts of something to be cherished. Sometimes we have to wait and see. In our garden journal we need not censor or explain. The book can be for our eyes only, to be hidden away from others. That's the "job" of a journal. Journaling about the garden isn't great literature. It's simply a reflection of me. Oh, how I wish my grandmothers had kept journals. So if for nothing but the future, I'll write. Someday, perhaps from this beautiful new journal, a yet unborn child will say, "I'm planting sweet peas. Great Grandmother Eva adored them." This reader will know that in 2005, only lavender sweet peas produced flowers. That "fact" will disappear unless it's in my journal. I'm going to press flowers between the pages, a snapshot of my garden, maybe a bit of poetry, a photograph of my Welsh terrier, Buttons. I will add garden-variety quotes to stir me and thoughts I cannot do without. What will I write? What will YOU write? I'm a simple person and will scribble, "Today I've started this garden journal. With paper and pen I will tell myself about my garden." It's my hope you write about the breezes on your face, the soil on your fingers and the sunshine on your back, among other miracles. I pray you'll take up gardening with pen in hand. -- Eva Shaw, Ph.D. ___________________________________________ Eva is a woman who lives to write, garden and mentor. She teaches writing online, speaks nationally on grief and recovery and is the author of the just released, What to Do When a Loved One Dies: A practical and compassionate guide for dealing with death on life's terms. =========================================================== >-->From Daily Encounter: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >The Warrior is a Child “Little Children, you are from God and have overcome them, for HE who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."1 God’s Word frequently uses the reference “Children" when speaking to His people; it even challenges us to be more like them. (Mat. 18:3) Today, as I briefly observed my 5-year-old nephew, I was reminded of this truth. I watched as he practiced his karate ‘blocks and strikes’ with a Sensei who is more than twice his size. The Sensei would strike, and my nephew would block on cue, confident and unafraid of the “enemy" striking at him because he was prepared to block the “attack". In that moment I saw that my nephew was a warrior, and that this warrior is a child! In our lives we are constantly faced with “enemy strikes"coming at us from all sides, in the form of sickness, temptation, feelings of inadequacy or failure, and the list goes on and on. As adults we often find ourselves allowing fear to creep in and doubt to linger. We easily give in to stress and we settle for less because we are much too tired to fight back and suddenly, these “enemies" are more than twice our size. However, we too, can become confident and unafraid because our “God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of POWER…"! (2 Tim. 1:7) Instead, let us become like children, unaltered by the worries of this world that adults carry; and like my warrior nephew, let us block those enemy strikes with the confidence that “… HE who is in me is GREATER than he who is in the world"! Suggested prayer: Dear God, there are times when the problems of this world overwhelm me, and I would much rather ‘sit this one out’; but I thank you for being GREATER than anything that this life might strike at me.Today, I claim the power that you have given me, your child, to be a warrior! Gratefully, in Jesus Christ’s name, amen. 1 John 4:4 (ESV). <:))))>< , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Seeds of Faith "Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap."1 "A woman has a dream where she wanders into a shop at the mall and finds Jesus behind the counter. "Jesus says, 'You can have anything your heart desires.' "Astounded but pleased, she asks for [the fruit of] peace, joy, happiness, wisdom, and freedom from fear. Then she adds, 'Not just for me, but for the whole earth.' "Jesus smiles and says, 'I think you misunderstand me. We don't sell fruits, only seeds.'"2 It's true - what we sow is what we reap. If we sow seeds of bitterness, we will reap bitterness. If we sow seeds of disharmony, we will reap disharmony. But if we sow seeds of joy, we will reap joy, and if we sow seeds of love, we will reap love. So whatever you do, be sure to plant the seeds of whatever it is you want to reap. Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to plant seeds of love, joy, peace, gentleness, and kindness everywhere I go. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus Christ's name, amen." 1. Galatians 6:7 (NKJV). 2. Bruce Mc Nichol and Bill Thrall, The Ascent of a Leader, Jossey Bass, 1999. Cited in Encounter magazine (Australia) June/July 2004 When copying or forwarding include the following: "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2016 ACTS International. =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: ...... ;;;:; ;::;;;. ' ':;;;;. '. ':;;;; '. ':; >Recall Notice The Maker of all human beings is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart. This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units, code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect has been technically termed "Sub-sequential Internal Non- Morality," or more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed. Some other symptoms include: 1. Loss of direction 2. Foul vocal emissions 3. Amnesia of origin 4. Lack of peace and joy 5. Selfish or violent behavior 6. Depression or confusion in the mental component 7. Fearfulness 8. Idolatry 9. Rebellion The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this SIN defect. The Repair Technician, Jesus, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required. The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R. Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure. Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component. No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with: 1. Love 2. Joy 3. Peace 4. Patience 5. Kindness 6. Goodness 7. Faithfulness 8. Gentleness 9. Self control Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes. WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded. DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will have to be scrapped into the fiery furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility. Thank you for your prompt attention! GOD P.S. Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important recall notice, and you may contact the Father any time by direct one on one "knee-mail." -<>- , /), (( -.((_)) _,) ,\`.'_ _`-',' `.> <> <> (,- ,', | `._,) (( ) |, (`--' `'( ) _--_,-.\ SSt /,' \( ) `' (( `\ >That's God It was one of the hottest days of the dry season. We had not seen rain in almost a month. The crops were dying. Cows had stopped giving milk. The creeks and streams were long gone back into the earth. It was a dry season that would bankrupt several farmers before it was through. Every day, my husband and his brothers would go about the arduous process of trying to get water to the fields. Lately this process had involved taking a truck to the local water rendering plant and filling it up with water. But severe rationing had cut everyone off. If we didn't see some rain soon...we would lose everything. It was on this day that I learned the true lesson of sharing and witnessed the only miracle I have seen with my own eyes. I was in the kitchen making lunch for my husband and his brothers when I saw my six-year-old son, Billy, walking toward the woods. He wasn't walking with the usual carefree abandon of a youth but with a serious purpose. I could only see his back. He was obviously walking with a great effort, trying to be as still as possible. Minutes after he disappeared into the woods, he came running out again, toward the house. I went back to making sandwiches; thinking that whatever task he had been doing was completed. Moments later, however, he was once again walking in that slow purposeful stride toward the woods. This activity went on for an hour: walk carefully to the woods, run back to the house. Finally I couldn't take it any longer and I crept out of the house and followed him on his journey (being very careful not to be seen...as he was obviously doing important work and didn't need his Mommy checking up on him). He was cupping both hands in front of him as he walked, being very careful not to spill the water he held in them. maybe two or three tablespoons were held in his tiny hands. I sneaked close as he went into the woods. Branches and thorns slapped his little face, but he did not try to avoid them. He had a much higher purpose. As I leaned in to spy on him, I saw the most amazing site. Several large /| |\ `__\\ //__' || || \__`\ |'__/ `_\\ //_' _.,:---;,._ \_: :_/ |@. .@| | | ,\.-./ \ ;;`-' `---__________-----.-. ;;; \_\ ';;; | ; | ; \ \ \ | / \_, \ / \ |\ |';| |,,,,,,,,/ \ \ \_ | | | \ / | \ \ | | / \ | | || | | | | | | || | | | | | | || | | | | | |_||_| |_| |_| /_//_/ /_/ /_/ deer loomed in front of him. Billy walked right up to them. I almost screamed for him to get away. A huge buck with elaborate antlers was dangerously close. But the buck did not threaten him...he didn't even move as Billy knelt down. I saw a tiny fawn laying on the ground, obviously suffering from dehydration and heat exhaustion, lift its head with great effort to lap up the water cupped in my beautiful boy's hand. When the water was gone, Billy jumped up to run back to the house and I hid behind a tree. I followed him back to the house to a spigot to which we had shut off the water. Billy opened it all the way up and a small trickle began to creep out. He knelt there, letting the drip, drip slowly fill up his makeshift "cup," as the sun beat down on his little back. And it came clear to me: The trouble he had gotten into for playing with the hose the week before. The lecture he had received about the importance of not wasting water. The reason he didn't ask me to help him. It took almost twenty minutes for the drops to fill his hands. When he stood up and began the trek back, I was there in front of him. His little eyes just filled with tears. "I'm not wasting," was all he said. As he began his walk, I joined him...with a small pot of water from the kitchen. I let him tend to the fawn. I stayed away. It was his job. I stood on the edge of the woods watching the most beautiful heart I have ever known working so hard to save another life. , , /\\ / \ | )|-""-, \ /' \ / | , | ' '/ / \_...._ .' _ ._o) { .' `'-....-' ; `"--' `/ / | { } | , { } \ \ { } .-' _.'.,_____, ./`| \ \` \ ( ( /\ | \ \ \ \ \ \ \ ; \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ jgs \_\ \_\ \_\ \_\ `## `## `## `## As the tears that rolled down my face began to hit the ground, they were suddenly joined by other drops...and more drops...and more. I looked up at the sky. It was as if God, himself, was weeping with pride. Some will probably say that this was all just a huge coincidence. That miracles don't really exist. That it was bound to rain sometime. And I can't argue with that... I'm not going to try. All I can say is that the rain that came that day saved our farm...just like the actions of one little boy saved another. I don't know if anyone will read this, but I had to send it out to honor the memory of my beautiful Billy, who was taken from me much too soon... But not before showing me the true face of God, in a little, sunburned body. THAT'S GOD ~ -<>- >GREATEST WONDER OF ALL By: Joseph J. Mazzella With the arrival of Spring the forested mountains of my home have come to life once again. Everywhere I look I can see a thousand ,@@@@@@@, ,,,. ,@@@@@@/@@, .oo8888o. ,&%%&%&&%,@@@@@/@@@@@@,8888\88/8o ,%&\%&&%&&%,@@@\@@@/@@@88\88888/88' %&&%&%&/%&&%@@\@@/ /@@@88888\88888' %&&%/ %&%%&&@@\ V /@@' `88\8 `/88' `&%\ ` /%&' |.| \ '|8' |o| | | | | |.| | | | | jgs \\/ ._\//_/__/ ,\_//__\\/. \_//__/_ shades of green. The apple trees, dogwood trees, and cherry trees are full of white and pink blossoms too. On the ground golden wWWWw wWWWw vVVVv (___) wWWWw (___) vVVVv (___) ~Y~ (___) vVVVv ~Y~ (___) ~Y~ \| ~Y~ (___) |/ ~Y~ \| \ |/ \| / \~Y~/ \| \ |/ \\|// \\|// \\|/// \\|// \\|// \\\|/// jgs^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ buttercups and dandelions are everywhere. The flowers in my flower garden are stretching up to greet the morning sun as well. The bumble bees and beautiful butterflies seem to be dancing in delight above them all. The air smells Heavenly with the sweet scents of all this new life. Carried along on the breezes as well are the sounds of birds singing, children playing, and wind chimes tinkling. It is a blessed time. It will not be long either before Spring will give way to the hot days and rich growth of Summer. Then the wonderful fruits and colorful leaves of Autumn will follow. In the coming seven months these hills will see more joyous life, more loving beauty, and more inspiring wonders of God than my simple words could ever share. As uplifting, heartwarming, and inspiring as nature can be, however, I take my greatest happiness in knowing that there is something even more wonderful. That something is us. We may not realize it or wish to believe it, but it is true. If we choose to we can share joy that is more beautiful than all the flowers in Spring. We can give love that is more wonderful than the sunniest Summer’s day. We can live a life that is more glorious than an entire forest in Autumn. We can bloom where we are planted every single day of our lives. We can produce good fruits even during the worst weather. And we can plant seeds of goodness and delight in our souls and in the souls of others that will produce a harvest that never ends. We live in a spectacular world of God’s creation. His greatest wonder of all, though, is us. May we always live our lives in love, joy, and glorious oneness with Him. -<>- .-="""""""""""=-. | . . . . . . . | | .'.'.'.'.'.'. | ()_______________() ||_______________|| jgs W W >SOMETHING FOR NOTHING It seems that almost everyone wants (at least at times) something for nothing, that is they want to receive something which has cost them nothing or for which they do not have to work. "Wanting" something for nothing is not necessarily wrong, in fact, most of us at one time or another has wished that we had something we couldn’t afford to buy ourselves. We sometimes even dream of what it would be like to be rich or inherit riches! Some folks are kind of like the two men in the following little story someone sent me: "Someone in our neighborhood put a huge sofa out by the curb for trash collection. Since it was in good shape, many motorists slowed down for a look. But when they saw how enormous it was, they'd leave. Eventually a compact car pulled up, and two men got out. "This I've got to see," I thought. They removed the cushions, turned the sofa upside down, and shook it hard. Then they picked up all the coins that tumbled out and drove off." (Author unknown) I would suggest getting something for nothing always costs someone something. If you take it back to the beginning, the coins in the sofa came from someone's pocket who had worked to earn them. Yet they cost the men who stopped nothing more that turning over the sofa. Getting something for nothing always costs Someone Something, even if it's not you! You can apply that principle to our daily lives where ever you might live, it is a universal truth! However, it not only applies to our physical life, but to our Spiritual life also. We have available to us life eternal, at no cost to us. It is freely given, you can't buy it, you can't pay for it, because it is a free gift from God. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23 NLT) We like that idea don't we! Some folks like it so much that they miss the fact that God does require something from us, not to purchase our salvation, but because of the love and loyalty we feel towards him! James deals with this idea in James 1:16-18 where he says, "If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do." (NIV) OK, what's my point? Well it's this: Believing is necessary, but is it enough by itself? Is it enough just to say, "I'm saved and that's the end of it"? Did you notice what James said? He said, "faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." You see, it really is up to you! You can just shake the sofa or you can do something with your life to demonstrate your love and loyalty to God. No one is going to force you, it is purely your choice. Russ Lawson, Messages From The Heart (http://mfth.net) -<>- .---. / ,-- \ .--. ( (^_^) ) .--. ,' \ (.-`-'(_) / `. / `-/ \ `. \-' \ : (_,' . / (.\_ ") \ . `._) : | `-'(_,\ \ / /._)`-' | | . `.\,O,'.' . : | | . : ! /\_ /\ ! . ! | | ! |-'-| : ""T"" : |-'-| | | | |-' `-'| H |`-' `-| | `-' | H .:| `-' | . H !|| | : H :!| | ! H !|| | | H ||| | | H ||| Ojo 98 /_,'V.L|.\ >WHAT HAPPENS IN HEAVEN I dreamt that I went to Heaven and an angel was showing me around. We walked side-by-side inside a large workroom filled with angels. My angel guide stopped in front of the first section and said, 'This is the Receiving Section.. Here, all petitions to God said in prayer are received.' I looked around in this area, and it was terribly busy with so many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous paper sheets and scraps from people all over the world. Then we moved on down a long corridor until we reached the second section. The angel then said to me, 'This is the Packaging and Delivery Section. Here, the graces and blessings the people asked for are processed and delivered to the living persons who asked for them.' I noticed again how busy it was there. There were many angels working hard at that station, since so many blessings had been requested and were being packaged for delivery to Earth. Finally at the farthest end of the long corridor we stopped at the door of a very small station. To my great surprise, only one angel was seated there, idly doing nothing. 'This is the Acknowledgment Section,' my angel friend quietly admitted to me. He seemed embarrassed 'How is it that there is no work going on here?' I asked. 'So sad,' the angel sighed. 'After people receive the blessings that they asked for, very few send back acknowledgments.' 'How does one acknowledge God's blessings?' I asked. 'Simple,' the angel answered. Just say, 'Thank you, Lord.' 'What blessings should they acknowledge?' I asked. 'If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.' 'And if you get this on your own computer, you are part of the 1% in the world who has that opportunity.' 'If you woke up this morning with more health than illness... you are more blessed than the many who will not even survive this day.' 'If you have never experienced the fear in battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation... you are ahead of 700 million people in the world.' 'If you can attend a church without the fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death you are envied by, and more blessed than, three billion people in the world ' 'If your parents are still alive and still married... you are very rare.' 'If you can hold your head up and smile, you are not the norm, you're unique to all those in doubt and despair.' OK, what now? How can I start? If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you as very special and you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment :) Face Of Christ!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/faceofchrist.html The Bible!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thebible.html I Believe...!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/believe.html Chalk Art 9!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/chalkart9.html Christ's Life!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/jesuslife.html Kids On God!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kidsonGod.html 90/10 Principle!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/giving.html That's God!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thatsgod.html The 23rd Psalm!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/psalm23.html Mirror Reflection!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mirror.html God's Instructions!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/instructions.html Salvation Mountain!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/salvation.html Expensive Hotel Rooms!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ehotels.html Driftwood Horses!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/horses.html Church Mouse Wisdom!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/churchmouse.html Our Valuable ANCHOR!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html Tierpark Leopard Cubs http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/leopardcubs.html Kinkade - Painter Of Light!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kinkade.html Shangrala's FULL Easter Index!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/easterindex.html -<>- Bible Study Index http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Contents.htm How “Divine Intervention” from God Saved This Police Officer’s Life And MORE: https://www.christianlifedaily.com/ Jesus Painting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8M4_IlbaZHA God Only Knows https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5cPQg3oq-o Keep Me In The Moment https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtGzwy7N0_w Jeremy Camp - Overcome with Lyrics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0csB3us2gA -<>- >In The News: VA News: Year Round Veteran Discounts, Vietnam War Veterans Day, Stimulus Payments https://tinyurl.com/v8ba5uve Hannity – Ingraham Angle - Ticker Carson - 3/24/21 | Fox News https://one-news.net/hannity-%E2%80%93-32421-fox-news/ Leaked Documents Show How Obama Made Google a Monopoly The company was rewarded for Obama’s re-election https://tinyurl.com/4uv35xwb The FBI knew killer’s Islamic views before CO shooting / Oakland CA to Launch Guaranteed Income Program but Only Minority Families Qualify / 42 Million in Latin America Want to Migrate to the United States And More: https://reliablenewsnow.com/ CANADA Showing EXACTLY What Biden’s Martial Law Will Look Like! http://2020conservative.com/ Latest From Deep State Journal: https://deepstatejournal.com/ Latest From Independent Minute: https://independentminute.com/ Latest From TPN News: https://threepercenternation.com/ Latest From AFA: http://tinyurl.com/j7lakqw Students For Life https://tinyurl.com/yd5nxmu6 Latest From OperationRescue: http://www.operationrescue.org/ Latest Product Alert: Water Recalled, Health Risk http://www.emergencyemail.org/products/?fmt=text Latest Health Alert: http://www.emergencyemail.org/health/?fmt=text Click to Give Free https://tinyurl.com/y2abb8d2 -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) Trump Golfing Vs Biden Tripping while Kamala Laughs it up https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tf25_4Jex-4 --- ...Oh My! HaHaHA! Thanks LouiseAu! I feel sorry for Biden - he needs to be able to retire with grace instead of them propping him up as their puppet! Half the time he doesn't know what is happening or what he is saying or what he is trying to read or even where he is! Sad! Certainly not a leader. -<>- Revisiting... >From Our Friend Brenda :) You may have to watch this a few times; watch the front cop react, then watch the guy on the motorcycle, and finally watch the cop’s partner react. Motioning Cop http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LRtticU6ZU --- ...LMAO - Good One! Thanks Brenda! -<>- >From Our Friend PatDeE Absolutely unbelievable!!! This runs over and over so it isn't as long as you think. Lets see if this gets your attention and tells you how illegal aliens (and any one else can) vote... I know you MN folks will like this. https://tinyurl.com/tc5u2tdw --- ...Geesh! Sure seems wrong! Thanks PatDeE! From zero to 100km/h (62 mph) in just 2.9 seconds sounds very nice. But would that help in our XXXL-experiment? Don't try this at home with your dishes. Or your mom's ones. BMW S1000 RR. Dinner for RR. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cM9S2AzU28 What A Jump! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SjX7A_FR6g --- ...OoooWeee - VICTORY! plenty to spare too! Thanks PatDeE! -<>- >From Our Friend Wesley ripped : duck inna Truck http://youtu.be/z_nJ2zfajIU ripped : 10,000 year clock http://goo.gl/g6ZQH --- ...Wowsers! - Thanks Wesley! 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 Our Friend BettyJ :) >A Sweet Classic - Quilt of Holes __(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//_ //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ //___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\ /) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___( /\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) / \ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) __(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//_ //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ //___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\ /) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___( /\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) / \ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) __(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//_ //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls. Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life. But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all. I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened. My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air. Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise. My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me. And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was. I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes. Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, "Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you." May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through! Please share this with someone you love, care about or even someone who needs Jesus in their heart. They may scoff, but at least the seed has been planted, and God will do the rest. May God bless you today and Forever! ------ ...Beautiful - Thank you Betty! ==================================================================== ///. // 7 Y `-__.`. .\\ / .----' 7'/ / / \\/ \ /___/ | a=' \ \ /_ / / / \\ \ / .' \\ \ `--` ''-' AsH >Moving On Story Editor: by Amanda E. Savieri Julane Marx Victoria, Australia My childhood was a rough one. My mother had me when she was very young. She blamed me for my own existence every day of my life. She screamed at me even when I was very small, saying I had ruined her life and her marriage. She called me names and told me I would never amount to anything. I got used to it and believed the things she told me, not knowing the effect it would have on me later on. After her second marriage failed, my mother gave up on me completely. She took me down to Social Security and told them if they did not remove me from her care she would kill me. She admitted she had no feelings for me at all and was not capable of being a mother. I was put up for adoption at 8 years old. I kept seeing my mother as I drifted from foster home to foster home. I was nearly adopted twice, but the adoption fell through both times. Mother moved on and took on new kids belonging to her current boyfriends, but she still didn't love me. I blamed myself, thinking I was the problem. At 18, I completed high school and moved out on my own. I met the man of my dreams but couldn't accept his love. He was the only person who cared about me but I didn't know how to react because I didn't know how to be loved. Many bad decisions and much relationship trouble later, I was discussing work problems with my fiancee's parents. His dad recommended I see someone for an aptitude test. Though I didn't know then, he phoned six psychologists, and Noni was the most helpful and genuine. I was nervous at first because the counselors I'd seen before through Social Security hadn't been at all helpful, but Noni soon put me at ease. Noni showed me that work wasn't the issue, instead it was unpleasant details from my past that I had to deal with in order to move on. She showed me it wasn't my fault, that my childhood wasn't normal, that I no longer had to carry this blame. Over time, my low self-esteem faded and my relationships improved -- I began to learn how to love and be loved. Noni didn't judge me, she supported me, and showed me how special I am for coming through it all. Thanks to Noni, I now have a wonderful relationship, I got the strength to remove my mother from my life for good, and best of all, I start university this year. I will use the horrible things in my background for something good. I will be a psychologist specializing in childhood trauma; I want to help others as I really know what it's like. It is amazing what you can do if just one person believes in you. Noni believed in me... and now I believe in me. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From SermondFodder: >BACK TO THE BOOK __ (`/\ B I B L E `=\/\ __...--~~~~~-._ _.-~~~~~--...__ `=\/\ \ / \\ `=\/ V \\ //_\___--~~~~~~-._ | _.-~~~~~~--...__\\ // ) (..----~~~~._\ | /_.~~~~----.....__\\ ===( INK )==========\\|//==================== __ejm\___/________dwb`---`_________________________________________ Seven ways to ignite a passion for reading the Bible. By Kathy Widenhouse In Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith, Kathleen Norris recounts the story of a South Dakota rancher and his bride who received an expensive Bible as a wedding gift from his grandfather. They wrote a thank-you note and stowed the Bible away on a closet shelf. As time passed, the grandfather repeatedly asked the couple how they liked the Bible. The rancher was confused as to how to respond. Hadn't he already expressed his appreciation? But the grandfather persisted. Eventually, the young man dug out the gift. As he leafed through it, $20 bills fluttered out, 66 in all-one at the beginning of Genesis and in each succeeding book. While the rancher had left a monetary treasure waiting to be discovered, he had also left something even more valuable untouched between those pages: spiritual riches. All because he had not opened the Book. In American homes the Bible has taken on the status of an icon with little practical value. When asked, "What book has most influenced your life?" in a recent Library of Congress survey, respondents awarded the Bible the top position. But only 34 percent of American Christians read God's Word on their own during the week, and of that group, only 13 percent claim to read it daily. "Americans revere the Bible," says pollster George Gallup, Jr., "but, by and large, they don't read it." Why not? Excuses, excuses Reading the Bible is not illegal here as it is in Laos. It won't lead to fines and imprisonment as it might in Vietnam. It doesn't cost a week's wages to obtain a copy as it does in the Philippines. While we do not battle external obstacles to reading the Bible-such as laws or financial restrictions-we face internal barriers every day. Perhaps you rank among the majority of Americans who do not read the Bible regularly. You've considered it, been exhorted to try it, and even attempted it a few times, yet you can't seem to make it a habit. What can you do? If we truly believe that the Bible is divinely inspired and that it instructs us in righteous living and equips us for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17), then we should be eager to delve deep into it pages. Unfortunately, even though we understand intellectually that reading the Bible will help us grow spiritually, we can't quite seem to get around those internal obstacles. Here are seven excuses that prevent us from cracking the Book-and how to overcome them. 1 "I don't have time to read." But we do have time-if we read in spurts. Unleashing Connection reports that in one year, the average American reads 3,000 forms or notices, 100 newspapers, and 36 magazines-but only three books. These trends suggest why the USA Today format is so popular. We like to get our information in short doses that are easy to digest. "Half the books of the Bible can be read in 10 to 45 minutes each, and many of them can be read in less than 20," says Nashville-based pastor and author Robert Morgan. "The entire Old and New Testaments can be read aloud slowly and with expression in less than 71 hours." Read just one chapter of the Bible each day, and in a month you will have completed the book of Proverbs (31 chapters) once or the epistle of James (five chapters) six times. 2 "I don't know where to begin." If starting "In the beginning" with Genesis seems too daunting, flip to the Psalms or Proverbs and start there. Or begin your journey in the New Testament with Matthew. You can also poll Bible-reading friends and ask them what their favorite book is-then try reading it. Or use a Bible with a built-in reading plan, such as The One-Year Bible (Tyndale House) or The Daily Bible (Harvest House). These devotional Bibles present Scripture in manageable portions and work through it in logical sequences. 3 "I just don't get it." Many of us think of the Bible as a technical manual written in Christian-ese. But there are "biblical help" buttons a reader can push to get some quick guidance: Translations. Choose an easy-to-read translation, like the New International Reader's Version (NIrV; written at a third-grade level) or a paraphrase, like The New Living Translation (NLT) . Reference tools. Invest in a few basic references, such as a Bible dictionary(an index of biblical-word definitions) a Bible atlas (a collection of maps of biblical lands), and a concordance (a biblical word locator) to bring clarity to the text. 4 "The Bible is so dull." Not if you enjoy romance (Ruth), adventure (Jonah, Acts), or conflict (Judges). There are tales of conquest and war (Joshua), scandal and suspense (David and Bathsheba in 2 Samuel), and deceit and corruption (Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5). God stocked his library with a variety of genres: narrative, letters, poetry, history, and prophecy. If you naturally gravitate to the biography section in a bookstore, start with the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). If you love poetry, spend some time exploring Psalms or Song of Solomon. 5 "I don't see how the Bible applies to my life." The Bible offers practical advice on issues we face every day: love (1 Corinthians 13), leadership (Nehe-miah), marital bliss (Song of Solomon), courage (Esther), and investments (Matthew 25). It has how-to articles (Proverbs 31) and time- management models (Matthew 6:33). Get a topical Bible (a Bible arranged according to subject) and read every passage about an issue that challenges you. Take notes as you read. Become an expert on what the Scriptures say about that particular subject. 6 "I hear Bible readings in church every Sunday. Isn't that enough?" "The Bible," says Billy Graham, "is the road map for life." When I examine a map, an expert like my pastor can show me the most effective route to take. But I become more familiar with how to navigate the road-life-when I read the map and follow it myself. 7 "The Bible makes me feel uncomfortable." Many of us associate the Bible with negative experiences. Instead of examining Scripture on its own merits, we plop it onto a "discard pile" along with dry worship, hypocritical congregations, and insensitive Christians from our past. We'd rather label it and put it in a box than face up to what it might be telling us about ourselves. But conviction is an important and necessary function of Scripture. "For the word of God is living and active," says the writer of Hebrews. "Sharper than any double-edged sword . it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" (4:12, NIV). As we read the Bible we may find we have to face some hard truths about ourselves and our inner motives. Is that worthwhile? Said the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, "The life which is unexamined is not worth living." Statistics say that 92 percent of all Americans have at least three Bibles in their homes. Perhaps like the South Dakota rancher, yours is secreted away in a closet. And like him, you don't suspect that there's a fortune hidden within its pages. There's a priceless treasure within your reach right now. Get it off the shelf and read it today. Reprinted from Signs of the Times (October 2002), © 2002 Kathy Widenhouse. =================================================================== >-->From AndyChaps: ** SPECIAL THOUGHTS: ** .--._..--. ___ ( _'-_ -_.' _.-' `-._| - :- | _.-' `--...__| .-' '--..___ / `._ Yesterday \ `. `._ | `. `._ / '. `._ :__________....-----' `..`---' |-_ _- |___...----..._ |_....--' `.`. _...--' `.`. _..-' _.'.' .-' Tomorrow _.'.' | _.'.' | __....------'-' | __...------''' _| '--''' |- - _ | .. ;::| - _ |/) ;;;:::. (o) ;;::., |_ - - |;;;: (\'/) ::;; (o) | -_ -_L ``::;;;. .;;' (\ '/) | -_ _ G (o) ..;; ''' ;:;;.,|(o) _-B(\'/) ;;;;::: ;::(\'/);;:|;:; ;' When we feel we have nothing left to give And we are sure that the song has ended When our day seems over and the shadows fall And the darkness of night has descended, Where can we go to find the strength To valiantly keep on trying, Where can we find the hand that will dry The tears that the heart is crying? There's but one place to go and that is to God And, dropping all pretense and pride, We can pour out our problems without restraint And gain strength from Him at our side, And together we stand at life's crossroads And view what we think is the end But God has a much bigger vision And He tells us it's only a bend For the road goes on and is smoother And the "pause in the song" is a rest And the part that's unsung and unfinished Is the sweetest and richest and best So rest and relax and grow stronger Let go and let God share your load Your work is not finished or ended, You've just come to a "bend in the road." -<>- ..::''''::.. .:::. .;'' ``;. .... ::::: :: :: :: :: ,;' .;: () ..: `:::' :: :: :: :: ::. ..:,:;.,:;. . :: .::::. `:' :: .:' :: :: `:. :: '''::, :: :: :: `:: :: ;: .:: : :: : : :: ,:'; ::; :: :: :: :: :: ::,::''. . :: `:. .:' :: `:,,,,;;' ,;; ,;;, ;;, ,;;, ,;;, `:,,,,:' :;: `;..``::::''..;' ``::,,,,::'' >"GOD KNOWS" When you are tired and discouraged from fruitless efforts... God knows how hard you have tried. When you've cried so long and your heart is in anguish... God has counted your tears. If you feel that your life is on hold and time has passed you by... God is waiting with you. When you're lonely and your friends are too busy even for a phone call... God is by your side. When you think you've tried everything and don't know where to turn... God has a solution. When nothing makes sense and you are confused or frustrated... God has the answer. If suddenly your outlook is brighter and you find traces of hope... God has whispered to you. When things are going well and you have much to be thankful for... God has blessed you. When something joyful happens and you are filled with awe... God has smiled upon you. When you have a purpose to fulfill and a dream to follow... God has opened your eyes and called you by name. Remember that wherever you are or whatever you're facing... GOD KNOWS!! -<>- "I believe with all my heart that standing up for America means standing up for the God who has so blessed our land. We need God’s help to guide our nation through stormy seas. But we can’t expect Him to protect America in a crisis if we just leave Him over on the shelf in our day-to-day living." --Ronald Reagan, November 16, 1982 >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->ShangyFunList AD RATES: $25 will get your a message (of up to 40 words) out to all web site list readers. Email me to secure dates. Ad Request ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->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 **********************************************************************