The Golden Rule ... :) 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 ================ *~* 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!! ================ "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ , _/ \_ _,--. < , > .-'.' /(/.\ .' .' .""". `/ ` / / / \ /) ; ; ,_.;._ _;-'}/ | | '. )( /' | | /'-._/\_.-' ; ; \_.' \ , \ \ / | _.'/ '. `'-\ /.-/.;,\ '-._ `"""""`_.|`"""`| jgs `"("\/")` |# | \(_/ `-...-' *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels For 2011 *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a 2011 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! ================ >-->Hot Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This Too hot to handle one is from our friends Victor and Johanna. If you like bikes, this one is for you! Some of the hottest bikes were in Germany's Play With Harley 2011 Custom Chrome Europe Dealer Show. These were the winners! Also don't pass up checking out the video! The car is hot and the 101 lady is a delightful treasure! May God bless her to live to be 120! .-.-.=\-. jgs (_)=='(_) Play With Harley http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/harley.html --- ...Thanks Victor And Johanna! I dedicated this page to my uncle who passed on this year. The last I saw him, he came riding up to see me on his Harley. He and my granddad loved riding motorcycles. -<>- >-->From Emergency Email: U.S. citizens are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ US State Dept Issues Worldwide Travel Warning following Iran plot... Travel Warning Details http://www.emergencyemail.org/newsemergency/anmviewer.asp?a=1539&z=29 Travel Warning Announcement http://www.emergencyemail.org/newsemergency/anmviewer.asp?a=1540&z=29 ============================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: .---------. _ |:: [-=-] | | | |_________| |~| |_| ,;;;, ,;;, I\ ,__//`\\\\__, / `\ I |{ // - - \\ } / '' ) I | ) \\_ = _// ( \_- __/ I |{___'-) (-'___}\____)-( I ||~/,'~~~~~,\~~|'---./ \ I \ // \\ | | \ \ I \/ // | \__/-/ I (/ (/ | |/|| I | | || / I | | || | I :-----_o_-----: || | I | /~~|===|~~\ | || | jgs I || |===| || ||_| /^\ "~ '^^^' "" ((__| >HIDDEN FEARS by Mary Jane West-Delgado I just saw a movie about a man who was given a diagnosis of cancer and had a slim chance of coming out of surgery alive. As I sat in the theater alone (my husband is out of town for two days), I couldn't help but think about my own history of brain surgery to remove a tumor that was thought to be cancerous, and that removal of it may cause a stroke during surgery. The scene in the movie that really hit home with me was when, in the pre-surgical room, the family was present until the last second before he was taken away. This is a moment of panic for everyone. As I sat in the theater watching this family and patient clinging to each other, I realized that I had never told my family how very afraid I was after leaving them behind in that room. Though the surgical team was very pleasant and attentive, they were also necessarily pre-occupied and sterile, leaving me to fend for myself emotionally. I lay there worrying about waking up with severe disability, or maybe not waking up at all. I needed someone to be holding me until I was asleep. I really did, but I never told anyone. I was the mother of three toddlers at the time. My doctor advised me to get all of my affairs in order prior to surgery. I wrote letters to each of my children, to be read if they had to grow up without me. Our oldest son was 4 years old, our only daughter was 2, and our youngest son was 11 months old. I felt that I had to be strong for them -- I had to be sure that my kids weren't afraid. I couldn't show my fears, I thought I had to be in "mommy mode" until the very end. It's no secret that a patient and family are desperately afraid at these times. What hit me at this moment during the movie is that, in all these years since then, I never told anyone how afraid I was. I suddenly felt as though I had missed an important step in the grieving process of my own trauma. Those few moments in the surgical suite, before drugged induced sleep, are cold and lonely and downright scary no matter how old you are. So, there I sat in the theater, sobbing uncontrollably for not having let anyone know that I really wasn't the brave little warrior that I had pretended to be. It doesn't matter that I was already a mother at the time. It doesn't matter that I am now 26 years post-op and in good health. What matters is that when I came home from the theater, I emailed my family about it and then cried on the phone about it with my husband. I got it all out, finally. Gosh, I feel so good, now that I've told everyone! -- Mary Jane West-Delgado _______________________________________________ Mary Jane West-Delgado has been published on Heartwarmers twice before with "Cheerleader Mom" and "Wearing 9/11." It is the personal connections she's made, and continued emails from children and parents that make writing a complete joy. Mary Jane is a retired physical therapist and current algebra/chemistry tutor, transplanted from Wisconsin to the Central Coast of California. --- ...Also check out my true story... / \ \ \ ,, / / '-.`\()/`.-' .--_'( )'_--. / /` /`""`\ `\ \ | | >< | | \ \ / / jgs '.__.' Fear: Feeling Kind Of Buggy! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/fearfeelingkindofbuggy.html =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Linda :) TODAY'S INSPIRATION /:.:, O \::/ o /|` _ ' sSSs /:| \\__\_SSSs/::| `--((S\SSSs/ SS\\SSSs sSS//SSs jgs `Ss' "Persistence is the twin sister of excellence. One is a matter of quality; the other, a matter of time." --- ...A Thoughtful one! Great to have you Back Linda! Thank You! [an Et-Ahem] This one reminds me of 'Rome wasn't built in a day' and 'a job worth doing is worth doing well' or as my Mom put it so often to me - 'Don't do that half-assed! Do it right or don't do it at all!' Of course I didn't have the choice NOT to do it ;) Yes, it is in the dictionary: half-assed ? ?[haf-ast, hahf-] Show IPA adjective Slang: Vulgar . 1. insufficient or haphazard; not fully planned or developed. 2. incompetent; lacking sufficient ability or knowledge. Of course, I didn't have to 'look it up dear' - my mom's tone made it perfectly clear what she was saying to me! HaHa! =========================================================== >-->From our Friend Jo Ann :) o--o--=g=--o--o / .' \ o '. o \ / o o \ / o o \ / o o \_/ = >The Necklace The cheerful little girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them, a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box. "Oh mommy please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please?" Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face. "A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself.. Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma." As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten cents. On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace. Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere, Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green. Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night as he finished the story, he asked Jenny, "Do you love me?" "Oh yes, daddy. You know that I love you." "Then give me your pearls." "Oh, daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess, the white horse from my collection, the one with the pink tail. Remember, daddy? The one you gave me. She's my very favorite." "That's okay, Honey, daddy loves you. Good night." And he brushed her cheek with a kiss. About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's daddy asked again, "Do you love me?" "Daddy, you know I love you." "Then give me your pearls." "Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper." "That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you." And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss. A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek. "What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?" Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said, "Here, daddy; this is for you." With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny... He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her the genuine treasure. So it is, with our Heavenly Father. He is waiting for us to give up the cheap things in our lives so that he can give us beautiful treasures. God will never take away something without giving you something better in its place. You can do two things with this story: A. Pass it on and let others be touched by its message; B. Throw it away and not let it touch your heart. The greatest gifts happen when you share love and touch others. --- ...Such a heartwarming classic! Thank You Jo Ann! ============================================================ >-=->From SermondFodder: .::\)`:`, .:;\/~`\``;) ,.~-----, ;;==`_ ~:;( ,,~{*}\~~--,.`. ;:== 6 6;;) ,(((((({*});~~. .\ ;;C } )' (('`)))~({*}) . \ .\ :;` `--'; >6 6`({*}))) . \~~ | `____/ ( { ))())) . .`, ____._| |_____. `--' (((())) . | / \ \__ _| | \ `-- )))))) . .| | ) \/\/\_{@} | ,-| ((((((( . | | \_ \ \ | / | / | / ))))))) .| | |\ : \ |/ | Y | (/*@@*( ' ` ) . | \ \ \_\/_/ | | / */ \ \'/ /. | \ \ |o | | \. \ |'@'| .| \ \ | ; ,'--,.,.,., \ ~*@*~. . | \ \_________._--`((,:{@}.:))_\ |~@~| . | \ ' | ((,{@}:{@}.))-----' ;/\ (, \._____________`-__((;,{@},:))_________/|{ | . ; | | | `';{@},) /`-----'\ |. | | .__/\__ | `{@};,; / / | \ \ \/ .| | / :; \ | `(@))\ / \. . | | /! | \| ';; ))_/`-'/`_`., \. | | | ! | | ';(( | | ! `_ \ .| | | ! | | )) | | ! |.\_| | |/ ! | | (/ | | ! | . | | ! | | | | ! |~~~~' Marriage Counseling A young man was in love with two women and could not decide which of them to marry. He went to his pastor for counseling. The Pastor asked, "Please describe your two loves." "Well, one is a great poet." "And the other?" "The other makes delicious pancakes." "I see," the Pastor wisely observed. "So, you can't decide whether to marry for batter or for verse." -<>- >Marriage Truths After eight days of backpacking with my wife Linda, we were looking pretty scruffy. One morning she came to breakfast in a baseball cap, her shoulder length hair sticking out at odd angles. "Terry," she said, "does my hair make me look like a water buffalo?" I thought for a moment, then said, "If I tell you the truth, do you promise not to charge?" From Sermon Fodder and Joke A Day Ministries. To get a regular dose of Christian humor and a modern-day parable send an email to Sermon_Fodder- subscribe@yahoogroups.com or to ajokeaday7-subscribe@topica.com. Please leave this attached if you forward this to friends or post on the net. ================== October is Pastor Appreciation Month I almost forgot to remind you. Actually, that's why you're getting two Sermon Fodder postings this week. Make sure your pastor and all of your church support staff know they are appreciated. Being a pastor is a lot tougher than it looks sometimes. A lot tougher! -- The Sermon Fodder Guy ================== Worth Repeating..... I must be following my diet too closely. I keep gaining on it. ================= _|_ | / \ //_\\ //(_)\\ |/^\| ,%%%% // \\ ,@@@@@@@, ,%%%%/%%% // \\ ,@@@\@@@@/@@, @@@%%%\%%//%%%// === \\ @@\@@@/@@@@@ @@@@%%%%\%%%%%// =-=-= \\@@@@\@@@@@@;%#####, @@@@%%%\%%/%%// === \\@@@@@@/@@@%%%######, @@@@@%%%%/%%//| |\\@\\//@@%%%%%%#/#### '@@@@@%%\\/%~ | | ~ @|| %\\//%%%#####; @@\\//@|| | __ __ | || %%||%%'###### '@|| || | | | | | || ||##\//#### || || | | -|- | | || ||'#||###' || || |_|__|__|_| || || || || ||_/` ======= `\__||_._|| || jgs__||_/` ======= `\_||___ >Twentysomethings less committed to church VENTURA, Calif. (RNS)—Americans in their 20s are less likely to attend church or read the Bible than older Americans, a Barna Research Group study has found. Thirty-one percent of twentysomethings attend a worship service in a typical week, compared to 42 percent of those in their 30s and 49 percent of all adults ages 40 and older. The level of Bible reading also decreases by age group. Researchers found that 30 percent of twentysomethings read the Bible in the past week, compared to 37 percent of Americans in their 30s, 44 percent of fortysomethings, 47 percent of Americans in their 50s and 55 percent of adults ages 60 and older. The comparisons on giving are more dramatic: 30 percent of Americans in their 20s donated to a church in the past year compared to 61 percent of older adults. Despite the lower percentages in religious practice, researchers found that internal aspects of faith rank higher among those in their 20s. For instance, 80 percent of twentysomethings said their faith is very important in their life; 75 percent said they had prayed to God in the past week; and 57 percent said they had made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important in their life. “The notion that these people will return to the church when they get older or once they become parents is only true in a minority of cases,” said David Kinnaman, vice president of the Ventura, Calif.-based research firm. “More importantly, that reasoning ignores the real issue: Millions of twentysomethings are crystallizing their views of life without the input of church leaders, the Bible or other mature Christians.” The research for the overall study was based on nationwide telephone interviews with 14,091 adults from January 2000 through May 2003, with a margin of error of plus or minus 1 percentage point. A total of 2,660 adults in their 20s were interviewed, with a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points. www.westernrecorder.org -<>- .. ____ ____ . | / + \ || || . | |o x.| =**= _ =**= . | |____| || _( )_ || . | || /_____\ || . | ______________//| |/__________________ . |_______^________/ | + | /_ . . _U_ / |___| // . | /_______________________________________// . /|\ |______________________________________|/ >Questions About Tragedy Tragedy causes us to ask big questions about God that simply can't be addressed in one minute, but when it gets real dark, a little light will do. Steve Brown provided some perspective on tragedy in his special 9/11 10-year anniversary You Think About That broadcast on Key Life. Visit the link below for some encouraging thoughts about tribulation, God and trust. Take one minute to get a little something to think about that will brighten your day, give you a bit of hope and make a big difference. For audio of Steve's presentation go to: http://www.youthinkaboutthat.com/ For more from Key Life Ministries and Steve Brown go to www.keylife.org ================================================================ >-->From Our Friend Tony In Australia :) | ,|, ||| / | \ | | | | | | / | \ | | | | | \ / \ | | | | | | \ / | | 8 | | | ""8"" / | \ 8 / \ ,\ ,d8888888888888|========|="" | ,d" "88888888888| ,aa, | a | ,d" "888888888| 8 8 | 8 | ,d8888888b, "8888888| 8aa8 | 8,| ,d" "8888888b, "88888|========|="" | ,d" "8888888b, "888| a a | a | ,d" ,aa, "8888888b, "8| 8 8 | 8,| /| d" "b |""""""| |========|="" | | 8 8 | | | ,aa, | a | | 8aaaa8 | | | 8 8 | 8 | | | | | """" | ,,=| |aaaaaaaaaaaaaa|======""""""""""""""""" Normand Veilleux >Anointing PART 10 God! Empowers us! YOU and ME , through the Power of Gods spoken Word and through the laying on of hands! He releases the movement of the Holy Ghost! BUT!! If we move ahead of God, we are immediately outside His direction….Yer on ya own baby! Fly if ya can! But don’t crash in my backyard!….you will be in utter presumption! Presumption you ask?? Its acting without the ’given authority’… in this case, the authority of God…its acting like being the boss, when you are just a mere worker! Its like acting like the Director, when you are just an actor…an Executive, when you are a secretary…. As ministers…. YES YOU! You are a minister! We are all ‘ministers’……God!! gives you powers! But don’t get ahead of God! Trust in Him at all times! He knows the right time…….HIS time! In our churches, in our homes and especially in our hearts, we DO need to create an environment where the Holy Spirit is welcome, we do need to leave out a welcome mat.. We do need to foster and encourage a strong atmosphere of faith and worship.. Sure! There will be times when it seems God is moving slower than we would like…but let Him! Don’t get impatient! You don’t need to find yourself having to pray for patience!….God WILL move…….but in HIS time.. We mankind…..just don’t have the solutions, we think we have, but we don’t…yes, there have been huge advances in space technology and medicines but in spite of mans intelligence and medical knowledge, we still……..cant…cure…. a….cold! I often wonder why this is…do you??? Could it be that as we have “matured”(would rather use that word than evolved!) has man learned to trust more in his own devices, his own technologies and sciences more than the Love of the Creator?? Are we looking to scientist to provide us with a more secure, happy future? Are they to be our Saviors?? ….. I don’t think so They will pass away…..BUT GOD! (but GOD!) will not pass away, He will still be there “waiting” as we should wait…. We, you and I, have Godly duty to perform….first duty for us, is to listen….and to wait…When we hear the word of God preached and taught, the Power of God manifests itself….and we WILL RISE with wings like eagles….! We shall run and not be weary, walk and not faint…. Father, we thank you again for Your Word. I thank You Lord for using me as Your vessel, Your instrument Lord to not only help myself, but help others to renew their strength through You Father and only You. Teach us Lord, to wait upon You, Teach us Lord to have faith and trust in You. Help us Lord, to recognize the Power of the Holy Spirit which dwells in us, Your Servants.. In Jesus Name we pray Amen………………… --- ...Amen!! Thank You Tony! ===================================================================== >-->From Laugh And Lift: ___ . _~"| ~~ ~.\.~ / : / / \_ ?"" ; ` ,' ) /-, / . . . | / ~-_ / dp . . | .%"": .? |: . . . | % '. . \|:. . .. . . / / '. '.: : :| : .. . . _/ / ~~~::. .:: ::. . .::.:. ..'~ \::... `'.. : : : " . :. . ~~| _____ (:::. .. '.: .:.::. : . : "/__-"" -- )"".> --~~~__. ::::*## :.:.:) : .:` ~\ |..::' >> ####### '.: .' . .` ? \_.___ :''> ######### ::.". ~ ..~'" |, _">~____~~::. #* )#### : ..~ . ) /:.:'';.:::_- _-#####*:;: ::>,, } o__o___q~_-" _-"###### .:.'' ..~~ ~ | ( o() &@&__--" *::####::" ";.. ~~...::.) (o& O& O?S).` .:':::*: : ~~~... "/ oS %@&>/ .:' ::::: :. .~ "'. { \~*~~"" __:/ "::::..L ~ ''/ |::' /##) :':::::\ . % \:; . |#/ : :::::::-___ -" \::::: | : :::::::::::\----" \::::::|:. : :::::::::::| \::::::|' . : ::::::::::::| -::::/ \ :.'::::::::::::/ ~__/ \. ;:.::::::::::_/ Eric Berger \::.::::::::::::/ --_;::::::_-~/ """""" "If I stand, let me stand on the promise That You will pull me through. And if I can't, let me fall on the grace That first brought me to You." -from Rich Mullins' song "If I Stand" The Lift >A Fragile Victory (By Steve Troxel, God's Daily Word Ministries, www.gdwm.org) Elijah was used to demonstrate God's power and call the people of Israel back to a life of worship. Elijah witnessed the miraculous and unequaled power of God as he prayed during his confrontation with the 450 prophets of Baal; "The fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, ... and also licked up the water in the trench" (1 Kings 18:38). After this unquestioned answer to prayer, Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel and prayed for rain - there had not been rain in the land for three years. Once again, Elijah witnessed the miraculous hand of God; "The sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose and a heavy rain came" (1 Kings 18:45). But within a few days of these great spiritual victories, Queen Jezebel vowed to have Elijah killed. As soon as Elijah heard of the Queen's threat, he became afraid and ran for his life into the desert. 1 Kings 19:4 "He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. 'I have had enough, Lord,' he said. 'Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.'" Elijah was a man who spoke directly with God and clearly witnessed His awesome power; yet, he fell into great despair when faced with this new adversity. Elijah experienced a wonderful victory, but it was quickly shattered. What caused Elijah to become so discouraged? Had he already forgotten God's power? Had a few victories caused him to take his eyes off God and begin to rely on his own strength? Or was he just worn out from being on the front line of ministry? Whatever the cause, in his moment of greatest victory Elijah became the most vulnerable to attack and failure; "I have had enough, Lord." When life is a struggle, we must pray and "trust in the Lord with all our heart" (Proverbs 3:5). When life is running smooth, we must pray harder and trust even more. But when we experience victory and dance on top of the mountain - when we begin to feel strong and "self" assured - we must pray as if our very life depended on it and lean on the Lord as never before. Our moments of greatest vulnerability to enemy attack come when we begin to think we no longer require God's help. After the mountaintop the broom tree is closer than we might think. Lord, remind us of our need! ALL we accomplish is through the strength of Christ; "apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). And as His promises are fulfilled in our lives, we must continue to walk daily by faith. Let's keep our eyes on Jesus and reclaim the life of dependent devotion. Let's remain in His presence and always guard against a fragile victory. --- ...See... , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' You Are The Only You God Has http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/onlyyougodhas.html -<>- ..-------------------.__ .'_______ `-. // .-----.\.--------..--------.\ ||' __'|| || || || __ ||' .=(_ )|| ====== || ==.| ||( _) ||'| \\||________||________||// ||'------\) ,--======\\======-._/ ____|| |/ = = `-. _____________ ||'==. || ...... = = `-. `=============`|| ||_ /////.--. = = `. .--. | .---. || | .----|==| \ \ \ \|==| | .' `. || | .' '--'. |-. | | .-|'--'`. .' \ || .' `. |-.'-|=|-'.-| \ / .-==-. \|| / _.----. \ |-.'-|=|-'.-| | | .' .---. `. ||| .-' .---. `. | |-.'-|=|-'.-| | | / .`.- -.`. \ '\_`---- / .`.- -.`. \ | ' '-|=|-' '_____/ [|_|/ / _ \ \|__________| / / _ \ \ `_____.......-----'_____] ; : / \ : ;'----------'; : / \ : ;[_____.......-----'; : : ; \_/ ; : \ / / ; : \_/ ; : \ \ / / \ \ / /. `- -` . \ \ / / LGB . `- -` . . `- -` . `-----` . `- -` . `-----` `-----` `-----` >"Honk If Something Falls Off" (by Kerry S. Doyal - Grace Evangelical Free Church, www.GetGraced.org) [Edited] It may have been just a bumper sticker. It may have adorned no better than an old worn and dented blue pickup truck. But, it sure stirred my thinking. Hopefully it can do the same for yours. Conjure up the image of that truck as you thoughtfully read a few times its simple yet simply profound traveling message of wisdom. "Honk if something falls off." Did you see it? Do you see it? Yes, I know it was meant in a humorous vein, but it presented me (a preacher's curse / blessing) with some healthy life lessons and holy reminders. Allow me to lay them out here. First, it is no small matter to know and admit you are not perfect. Whether your life is like that humble truck, or be it a spotless, shiny Lexus (pick your favorite fancy vehicle), none of us are perfect. The sooner we admit that, the better off we all are. That truck owner knew he had a well worn means of transportation. One susceptible to falling apart without notice. He did not need us to tell him he was not the picture of perfection. He knew it and wanted us to know he knew it. Wait a minute - you say - if he knew he might lose a part, he should not be on the road. Maybe so. But what guarantee do you have that you will never lose a piece in your travels? Let me be clear: living an "I'm not perfect, so get over it" life is not what we are advocating here. Admitting that your imperfections show up on occasion is another matter. Second, this driver - God bless his sweet soul - assumes that people will be so kind as to inform him if he drops a chunk of truck on his journeys: a muffler, bumper, a hubcap, the transmission. With wear and age, the old truck may just accidentally litter the road. This is not something he wants, but knows may happen. Yet, he is an optimist. His expectation is that - brace yourself for some serious analogy abuse - as he travels down the road of life, his fellow travelers are on the same road he is on. If they see him lose something, they will let him know with a friendly, informative honk and maybe even a wave. Much like they would want him to do for them. Maybe this dear old driver doesn't get off the farm much. Most honking is not friendly. It may be informative, but what is being conveyed is not usually helpful information. Usually it is angry, critical, judging, shaming. Also, the waves that most often accompany a horn blast are often not full-fingered hand encounters - if you catch my drift. Indeed, if something of yours falls off in my lane of life, I'm going to let you hear about it alright. But so much for pity, compassion and understanding. Try condemnation, vilification and humiliation. The way we respond to people's imperfections, one would think their old trucky lives meant to drop pieces in our path, at us no less. "Accident? No way! That was personal. Don't try to tell me your humanity is showing. I know better." Oh for the assumption that if my imperfections crop up at an inconvenient time to you and unbeknownst to me, you will let me know, all the while assuming it was nothing personal. Please let me know, not every one else except me. Such a sweet and humble request: "Honk if something falls off." It speaks of community, a shared commitment to accept and watch after one another, to cover for one another. If one follows me long enough they will indeed see something (s) fall off. It is just going to happen. Do I want it? No. Can I prevent it. Sometimes, yes, but not all the time. Will it happen at a time and in a way that is inconvenient? Sadly, it probably will, possibly causing pain. Does it mean I wanted it to happen? God forbid! But if - I mean when - it does happen, may I ask a simple favor? One which I will try to return the best I can. Can we count on each other to honk if something falls off? Romans 15:7 "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." (NIV) Ephesians 4:29-32 "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (NIV) 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 =============================================================== >-->From Archived InspiredBuffalo: _..--.. ,' _ \ _.-''``';'-''-) ,. \ ,' _.- (( `-' `._\ ,'\ ,' _.'.`:-. \.-' _/ `._,' ,')`; `-'`' / `. ,' ,|_/ / \ \ / `./ ' / /,' \ )\ /`._ ,'`._.-\ / `.' )-'.-,' )__) : /`. `.._(--.`':`':/ \ |::::\ ,'/::;-)) / ||::::: . .::': :`-( ||::::| . :| |==[]=: |||:::| : || : | | ___ ___ '|;:::| | |' \=[]=| | /_ ||``|||::::: | ; | | | : \_``[]--[]|::::'\_;' )-'..`._ \___.>`''-.||:.__,' SSt |_______`> "At the name of Jesus every knee should bow..." - Philippians 2:10 A PREACHER TRAVELED across the country for a week of meetings... The only problem was, his baggage didn’t make it. He needed a couple of suits so he went down to the local thrift shop. When he told the salesman, "I’d like to get a couple of suits," the man smiled, led him to a whole rack of them and said, "Good, we’ve got several. But you need to know they came from the local mortuary. They’ve all been cleaned and pressed, but they were used on men who had passed away. Not a thing wrong with ’em. I just didn’t want that to bother you." The preacher said, "No, that’s fine." He tried a few of the suits on and finally bought two of them for about $25 dollars each. When he got back to his room, he began to get dressed for the evening’s meetings. As he put one on, he tried to put his hands in the pockets, but couldn’t. Both sides were all sewn up! The suits looked as if they had pockets, but they were just flaps on the coat. He thought about that for a second. “Of course! Deceased people don’t carry stuff with ’em when they die.” He later admitted: "I spent all week trying to stick my hands in my pockets. Had to hang my keys on my belt." -- Charles R. Swindoll "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." 1 Timothy 6:7 -<>- _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ )`'-.,_)`'-.,_)`'-.,_)`'-.,_)`'-.,_)`'-.,_)`'-.,_)`'-.,_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ )`'-.,)`'-.,)`'-.,)`'-.,)`'-.,)`'-.,)`'-.,)`'-., _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ )'-.,)'-.,)'-.,)'-.,)'-.,)'-.,)'-.,)'-.,)'-., _ _ _ _ _ _ ( `'-.,_( `'-.,( `'-.,_( `'-._( `'-.,( `'-., _ _ _ _ ( '-.( '-.,( '-.,_( `'-.,_ >The Ripple Effect (Author Unknown) In 1855, A Sunday School teacher, a Mr. Kimball, led a Boston shoe clerk to give his life to Christ. The clerk, Dwight L. Moody, became an evangelist. In England in 1879, Dwight L. Moody awakened evangelistic zeal in the heart of Fredrick B. Meyer, pastor of a small church. F.B. Meyer, preaching to an American college campus, brought to Christ a student named J. Wilbur Chapman. J. Wilbur Chapman, engaged to YMCA work, employed a former baseball player, Billy Sunday, to do evangelistic work. Bill Sunday held a revival in Charlotte, N.C. A group of local men were so enthusiastic afterward that they planned another evangelistic campaign, bringing Mordecai Hamm to town to preach. During Mordecai Hamm's revival, a young man named Billy Graham heard the Gospel and yielded his life to Christ. Only Eternity will reveal the tremendous impact of that one Sunday School teacher, Mr. Kimball, who invested his life in the lives of others. -<>- / _, ,_ M\M"_,, `"MMMMMm._ `/MMMMMMP^^", MPTMMM`M `-. .'" MMMm "=, `.`"-. .' / S _"^M :Ww. \ `-. .-' .: ".wW\.; :WP^; `-. `-. .-' .-'/ \ :^WP: ; `--' ;\ `-. `. .-' .-' / /; `..' ; \`. `-. \ / .-' .' / ; .-";`"""--5..`-. `-.\ / .' .-' / | .' ; r`) `-. \\ ; / .-' .-' ;_/ ; _ ; `. \; |' .' .' ( _ _ : `-' :\ `./ `-' / .-r-.`Y `-' : / ; ; .-7" `.`7. | .' | : ' ; ; `--..__.'-""/ ;\ \ ,| | | ..--",-' : ; _ _.7`,_J- ; : ;, _,': /; ; _ .' `--.`-.`-'_.-| `. |/ : .'/ : ; | |`". _.-".+. :`"-. `--`"" ,_: `'7 /.-. ; | / | : 7",' ." | : \ : `-. / ;' / | | `--\ /4 ' / .' ; `. ; \ :`"\ .< ; : _.7 ' `. / /.' \ `.___.-"> ;_/ :---"\ `. ' `.-.. `"--' / fsc `.___..--"/ _mMMMm,.' `-.`-.._ ) `"--. .' `---'"mMMMMMMMMm,_ `-----' `"" `" "^`^MMMP^^mm, >ONE One song can spark a moment, One flower can wake the dream One tree can start a forest, One bird can herald spring. One smile begins a friendship, One handclasp lifts a soul. One star can guide a ship at sea, One word can frame the goal. One vote can change a nation, One sunbeam lights a room. One candle wipes out darkness, One laugh will conquer gloom. One step must start each journey, One word must start each prayer. One hope will raise our spirits, One touch can show you care. One voice can speak with wisdom, One heart can know what's true. One life can make the difference, You see it's up to "You" -<>- % % % % % % % % % % % % ::: % % :::::: %%%%%% %%%%%%%%% :::::::: %%%%%ZZZZ%%%%%% %%%ZZZZ :::::::::: :::::: %%%ZZZZZ%%%%%%%%%%%%%%ZZZZZZ ::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::: ZZZ%ZZZ%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%ZZZZZZZ::::::::::***::::::::::::::::::::: ZZZ%ZZZZZZ%%%%%%%%%%%%%%ZZZZZZZZZ::::::***::::::::::::::::::::::: ZZZ%ZZZZZZZZZZ%%%%%%%%%%ZZZZZZ%ZZZZ:::***::::::::::::::::::::::: ZZ%ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ%%%%% %ZZZ:**:::::::::::::::::::::: ZZ%ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ%%%%% | | %ZZZ *::::::::::::::::::: Z%ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%ZZZ:::::::::::::::::::::::::: ZZZZZZZZZZZ%%%%%ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ%%%%:::ZZZZ::::::::::::::::: ZZZZ%%%%%ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ%%%%%ZZZ%%ZZZ%ZZ%%*::::::::::: ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ%%%%%%%%%ZZZZZZZZZZ%ZZ%:::*::::::: *:::%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%ZZZZZZZZZZ%%%*::::*:::: *:::::::%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%ZZZZZ%% *:::Z **:ZZZZ:::%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%ZZ ZZZZZ *:ZZZZZZZ %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%ZZZZ ZZZZZZZ *::::ZZZZZZ %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%ZZZZZZZ ZZZ *::ZZZZZZ Z%%%%%%%%%%%ZZZZZZZ%% ZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ%%%%% %%%ZZZZZZZZZZZ%%%%%%%% Z%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% ZZ%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% %ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ %%ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% %%%%%%%%%%%%% %%%%%%%%% ZZZZ ZZZ ZZ Z unknown >The Stinger Gets Stung (Author Unknown, Provided by Student Discipleship Ministries, TX) James 3:2-12 (KJV) says: [2] For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. [3] Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. [4] Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. [5] Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! [6] And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. [7] For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: [8] But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. [9] Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. [10] Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. [11] Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? [12] Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. Not only do we harm others with our tongues, but notice that verse 6 says that we also hurt ourselves. The honey bee is a curious creature. When made angry, it stings, burying its stinger in the flesh of its victim. When it does, however, it inflicts a two-fold injury: to its victim and on itself. Shortly after it stings a person, the insect dies. You see, the bee really hurts itself worse than it hurts its victim. What are some ways that a person can hurt himself by saying evil things with his mouth? How does it hurt you when you "sting" another person with your words? -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >PRACTICING THE GOLDEN RULE I read recently about one of the most touching moments in sports I've ever heard about. It took place at a women's softball game on April 26. Central Washington and Western Oregon faced off against each other, with the winner to receive a bid to the NCAA's Division II playoffs. Sara Tucholsky, a Western Oregon player, came to the plate in the second inning with the score tied 0-0 and two runners on base . Sara had never hit a home run in her lifetime. However, things were about to change. She connected on a pitch and hit the ball over the center field fence. Due to her excitement, she missed first base. So she stopped and turned to go back to the base. But when she made the sudden stop and turn, she collapsed to the ground, having torn her ACL. Her first base coach wanted to run out and help her, but if she touched Sara, she would have been counted out. As Sara lay on the ground, umpires conferred and determined that the best thing to do was to allow Western Oregon to substitute a pinch runner at first base (which would have canceled the home run). The coach prepared to make the substitution when she heard a voice: "Excuse me, would it be OK if we carried her around and she touched each bag?'" You see, in softball, a teammate can't touch a player while running the bases, but there's no rule that says the opponents can't touch her. So Mallory Holtman and Liz Wallace, two players on the opposing team offered to carry Sara around the bases so that her home run would not be counted as a single. These two players gently picked up Sara, and carried her around the bases, allowing her to tap each base along the way. After reaching home plate, these two girls handed Sara off to her own teammates. When asked later why she did it, Mallory Holtman said, "Honestly, it's one of those things that I hope anyone would do it for me..." In other words, she was practicing the "Golden Rule" ... "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." There's not much I can add to a touching story like that. May it serve as an inspiration to find ways in your own life to look for people who could use a hand. When we are less concerned about "winning" than we are about helping others, we can truly begin to reflect Jesus Christ in our lives. , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Matthew 7: [12] Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment Unskilled Labor http://www.buffalosjokes.com/3216.htm Jump Care http://www.buffalosjokes.com/3217.htm Shell http://www.buffalosjokes.com/3386.htm Border Patrol http://www.buffalosjokes.com/3387.htm Haunting http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/haunting.html Bizarre: Chapel With Human Bone Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/chapel.html Friends http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/friends.html God's Water Paintings http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/water.html Butchart Gardens (see the FALL section) http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bgardens.html Daily With The Troops 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/daily2.html Cool Hot Air Balloons http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/hotair.html A Love Story http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lovestory.html 'Trust God' Animated Images http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs_p-t.html Visit our site at http://www.inspiredbuffalo.com If you are looking to join any of our other fine e-zines visit www.buffalosjokes.com ============================================================== _,,,_ .' `'. / ____ \ | .'_ _\/ / ) a a| / ( > | ( ) ._ / ) _/-.__.'`\ ( .-'`-. \__ ) `/ `-./ `. | \ \ \ jgs | \ \ \ \ |\ `. / / \ >Three Penny Momma Story Editor: by Don L. Creacy Joyce Schowalter Kentucky, USA The year was 1958 and I was seven years old when I first met my Momma. It's not important how we three children fell into the child-care system, nor how we came to live at that orphanage. Simply stated, the man our birth Mother had run off with didn't want to raise three hungry children after she was killed in a car accident. So there we were. I vividly remember holding each sister's hand through a chain link fence: separated on the boys' and girls' sides. It remains important that we three children stayed close. One day they got us all "fixed up" and took us to the courthouse to see the Judge. To insure good behavior, the social worker gave me three pennies for the gumball machine... "if we were good." When we arrived they walked us right past the gumball machine and, to our great joy, into a room with our biological Dad. The Judge told me, as the oldest, that if I wanted, we could go with our Dad and the new Momma he had for us. I looked her over, a large sweet-smelling, pillowy woman in a flowery dress. I reached into my pocket, pulled out those three pennies and asked her, "If I give you these three pennies will you take care of them?" Somehow she understood I meant a different kind of question. She replied, "Yes Honey, I will." I turned to the Judge and told him we would go with her. For the next twenty-five years she cooked and cleaned and slung hash at the Calico Kitchen all night long only to come to three more hungry mouths. She wasn't perfect, I don't know anyone who is, but she raised and reared us when necessary. Finally, we were all three out of the house and married and raising families of our own. Life was good. Then Dad chose to leave with another woman. We kids were devastated. I wanted to show Momma my support, love, and appreciation for all her gifts and sacrifices. I wrote her a letter and told her that no matter what happened or what anyone else in the world did, she would always be our Momma. To emphasize my point, I taped three shiny new pennies into a card and sent it to her. She called. "I don't need three pennies to remember you children. Besides, I still have the first three." That was fifteen years ago. Momma died this spring, we buried her on Good Friday, but because of her, we will never again be motherless children. As we sorted her things out, I opened her jewelry box drawer. There in tiny individual plastic bags, lay three pennies, dated 1957, 1957, and 1958. I have them in my pocket at this moment. No one will ever make a movie or write a book about her, but to me and my sisters, she is the world's best Three Penny Momma. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From KidWarmers: >THE FUNNY THINGS KIDS SAY .... .' ,: .' \.___.. .' .-' _.' '.\ \/...-''`\ :.' / \ : : () () / (_ . '--' ': .': / |_'-- .' .'.' \ \ .'_\ .'.' .|__ \/_/: .'.' / :\.',;' .' -./ .'{\|)) '. ',_,-.',;'--: / '../_ \,;'_.' :. ,''-'-' \ \'.' / \..': .' /.-. : '. / \ |''\ './--: / \._ snd \. '.'._.___: '...' Aunt Elaine went to help out with the Davidson kids while Kim was traveling on business. The Davidson house is decorated for Halloween with a bale of straw, pumpkins and a scarecrow in the front yard. On Monday, the kids were excited to come home to find a digger, dump truck, and a couple small holes in the front yard to fix a water leak which escalated into the sewer line as well. Tuesday, it rained ALL day and let up just before Aunt Elaine picked up the kids from school. Aunt Elaine went inside the house while the boys checked out MUD and holes. Little Katie ran to give the scarecrow a hug. Pretty soon she came running to the front door shouting, "Aunt Elaine, the scarecrow peed his pants!" -- Aunt Elaine of Indianapolis (sister of Mike Davidson of Kendallville) Logan, 5, is a very serious child. He went shopping with his grandmother and mother. As they drove around looking for a parking space, they decided that Logan's mom would just jump out and run into the store. Logan said, "Oh, by the way, you need to go back there and get that person out of the trunk of the car back there. The arm is hanging out and it's all bloody!" It was one of those fake arms that people use for Halloween decorating! When the adults burst out laughing Logan continued, "It's not funny! Get that person out of that trunk!" -- Lesa Price (grandmother of Logan Moore) of Pleasant Lake ___ _.-' ```'--.._ .' `-._ / `. / `. / `. : ( \ | ( \_ ) `. | \__/ '. / ) ; | (___: \ _/__/ ; : | _ ; .' |__) : : |` \ | / / / \ |_ ;| /`\ / / \ ; ) :| ;_ ; / / \_ .-''-. | ) :/ / .- ` .--.' / : _.----._ ` < : -'........'- `. `. `''''` ; `'-.__ ,' ``--. :'-------' jgs : : .' '. Sabrina, 9, awakened one morning and asked, "Mommy, do your eyes roll back when you sleep so that you can see your dreams?" -- Bonnie Scarlett of Tacoma, Washington Here is another one from Bonnie. Hayley, 4 is a complete tomboy. She has an older sister and brother-in-law who enjoy watching boxing. At the store one day, they found some boxers on sale with the characters from the movie Cars on them and bought them. When she got home Haley ran to her room, took off all her clothes, and put them on. She came down the stairs and declared proudly to Daddy, "Look at my fighting pants!" .',',-. \.. :. '. /_[)) '' ( ,_ -,--. / \_ '._ \ ___ .' .'-._':-' .' '. : \ \\ : __ '. .'__ ''' : : '. \ .' '.,,,,,| : : '. \ .' ' \ : : .--._ '. \ '. .' : : : / / _ '._. \ :'. '. : : :: : .' '._ \ \.' '. '.'\ :/)_ :: :.' __ '--..: '. ' \): / .\ :: :: : ''---: \_.'\: :--'[/ :: :: : /--...: : :: : :: : : :' : :' : ' : ` : : .'_ : : :` ' : \_,_,_/ ',_,.'::::::. snd .'.' .-' ,(............), .'.' .' .'.' .' '('(' Last week on the morning of the first visible frost Jared, 4, exclaimed, "Mommy, Mommy, look! Jack Frost was here and he blew his cold breath on our car windows... I wonder if that means Santa really is watching me like you say he has been? Do you think I'm in trouble, Mommy?" His mother Debbie was at a loss for words! -- Debbie Pipkin of Michigan Pnina, age 3 1/2, loves to read. Among other things, she is very familiar with the Torah (first five books of the Bible). The week that the story of Noah was read in synagogues, it was cloudy out. Pnina looked up and said that there were gray clouds, so it was going to rain for 30 days and 30 nights. Her mother Brandel suggested that she reread the story. Pnina replied, "No, for 10 days less! God promised that he wouldn't do that again!" -- Brandel of Jerusalem, Israel , .-'"'=;_ , |\.'-~`-.`-`;/| \.` '.'~-.` './ (\`,__=-'__,'/) _.-'-.( d\_/b ).-'-._ /'.-' ' .---. ' '-.`\ /' .' (= (_) =) '. `\ /' .', `-.__.-.__.-' ,'. `\ ( .'. V V ; '. ) ( |:: `-,__.-.__,-' ::| ) | /|`:. .:'|\ | | / | `:. :' |`\ | | | ( :. .: ) | | | | ( `:. :' ) | | | | \ :. .: / | | | | \`:. .:'/ | | ) ( `\`:. .:'/' ) ( ( `)_ ) `:._.:' ( _(` ) \ ' _) .' `. (_ ` / \ '_) / .'"```"'. \ (_` / `'"` \ ( ) / `"'` ___ jgs `.`. .'.' ___ .` ``"""'''--`_) (_'--'''"""`` `. (_(_(___...--'"'` `'"'--...___)_)_) Ginger was walking with her great-nephew Jordan, 5, to visit the home of a relative. They told Jordan his aunt was probably in Minnesota. Jordan said, "Why do they call it Minnesota? Is it because they have a lot of many sodas?" -- Ginger Thomson of Waterloo, Indiana Several years ago Shirley worked for a dental laboratory making deliveries of dentures and other supplies. One day some young children saw her carrying a box into a dentist's office. One of them asked her what was in the box. When Shirley said, "Teeth," the response from the child was, "Oh, you must be the Tooth Fairy!" -- Phyllis Myers (sister-in-law of Shirley) of Indiana .--""""--. .-" "-. .' `. .' `. .' `. / \ / \ : ; ; : : ; ; -. ._ : ; -.' `. .' `. : ; / \ / \- : : ") -. V .' ( ; \ `. /\ ' /\ /` / \ : : O;/ O; / / `. __d$b j--^-./.db__ .' `.-" """( )"" "-.' .' ) -.`----') ( "-. .' / /`----"; , \ `. .^._ :\ j\_.---'_/ /`_.--\ /.-' )-"; : )-++j"v `, :`( "-._L ,-:' .+" : ;/.'/: \ ; : ; `+., ,\ .-: :-'/ ; ::_.' `./ ; : y / /l (: ; :-' : ;\ /: ; ( /.'.' \\:_l ; / \________/ \ : """" `" / .' .-: : ; ;-. `. \ _.-'_.-' /`-j--^--^--q-'\ `-._`-._ """ .' ./ . , \ `. """ .`+:' _:----:_ `.+', `'dp,-' "-.gb` :$$$_ _$$$; bug $$$$$$ $$$$$$ Sally and her husband are in the process of adopting their granddaughter, Danyelle. As part of the process they went for fingerprinting. The technician was reading the vital statistics from a paper and typing them into the computer. "Hair color? Eye color?" The technician turned to Sally's husband and asked, "6 feet?" Danyelle quickly interrupted, "He doesn't have six feet. He only has two feet." -- Sally Morris of Wellington, Florida Nathan, 2, stays with Linda and her husband on weekends. Daddy is a volunteer firefighter so needless to say Nathan loves anything to do with firetrucks and he even sleeps at his grandparents' house in a firetruck bed. His grandmother, Linda, had put him to bed and a while later she thought she heard him get up. She went to check on him and he was sound asleep. She adjusted his blankets and was getting ready to walk out of the room when she heard in this very soft, sleepy voice, "beep beep beep, firetruck, beep beep." (The beep beep beep is the back up noise they make.) A true future firefighter! -- "Grammy" Linda Davis of California, Pennsylvania Mackenzie, 6, was being picked up at school by her mother. Mackenzie saw a lawman picking up his little boy. Mackenzie asked her mother, "Why are the lawmen here?" Her mother said, "They are picking up their kids." Mackenzie asked her mother, "You mean lawmen have youngens?" -- Myrle Brown (grandmother of Mackenzie) of Georgia /\/\ /, \ \ \\|/_/_ .` (o)o) _...._ __ | ~ ~'' `\_) | | | `-. / | `--.___/ | `. | _/______|``---' (_________) _ jgs / \`(_) / \ Taylor was riding along in the car with her mom singing a song that went like this..."Little Ms. Muffet sat on her tuffet eating her turds and way!" Taylor's mom told her that it was kurds and way. Taylor then put her hands on her hips and said that "Maw Maw" told her it was "turds and way" and Maw Maw is always right! -- Cristy Hazelwood (Taylor's mom) of Peterstown, West Virginia Weston came home from kindergarten and asked his mother if dogs could talk. She told him no, they couldn't. Then he asked if they could talk on the phone. She told him they couldn't talk with or without a phone. He thought for a minute and then said, "Then why do they keep making us sing that song... 'Knick-Knack Paddy-whack give the dog a phone.'" -- Kas Quimby (grandmother of Weston) of Elma, Washington .-"-. /_ _ \ \@ @ / (_> _) `)(_ /((_`)_, \__(/-" __|||__ jgs ((__|__)) Savannah, 6, is usually known for cutting her own hair. This time she did things a little differently. She cut their cat Outlaw's whiskers off. When asked why she would do such a thing, she replied that she was just getting rid of the split ends! -- Susan Wilkinson (grandmother of Savannah) of Alton, Illinois _.-"""-._ / _ _ \ / (9) (9) \ /_, ,_\ | \ / | _ \ \._____./ / __ \`\ \ \___/ / _| \ \ `\ /\ /\ \ / | `\/ /`'-----'`\ \/ / |_|\/ / \ / / /| |\_/ \___/ | | \ \ . | | \ \| | | | | `. .' | \ `-.___.-' / `\ | /' jgs `\ | /' .-.-.`\ | /'.-.-. (,(,(,`^ | ^`,),),) '-'-'-----`-----'-'-' While cleaning out drawers Doris ran across some old keepsakes including this poem her grandson wrote when he was 12. He is now 31 years old. I go to school and listen to teachers They sound a lot like preachers All I hear is do your math do your spelling and don't be bad or I'll start yelling It's bad enough to eat the lunch yes you know it I don't like it much But still yet I'm not a fool I'll just be good and go to school. -- Doris Reesor of Battletown, Kentucky Tatum, 5, and Kaelyn, 2, were visiting Grandma Brenda and Grandpa Ruben. The girls were playing in front of the house and being giggly. The next door neighbor's son Keeton, 6, came over and asked who the girls were. Brenda told them they were her granddaughters. Keeton looked at Brenda very seriously and said, "Now I know why your hair is white!" -- Grandma Brenda Motsinger of Grand Prairie, Texas __ / \ __ .---. _ / / _.~ \ \ `. / \ / /.-~ __/ `\ \ | | |/ .-~ __ \ \ | | | .'--~~ \ \ \ | | ` ' _______/ \ \ | ` / .--. \ \ | ` / \ `.\ \ \ / `\ \ \ `\ ( \ \ \ > ,-.-. \ `. \ / | \ \ \ . \ /___| O |O\ , .-. \ ; | /` `^-.\.-'`--'/ \ `; | | / `\ \ | `. `--..____,' \ `. | `._ _.-'^ \ . / `|`|` .-.\ / | | \ `\ / | | `\ ` | | | \ | | | .-. | | | \ `. \ | | `\ \ | | \ \ | | \_____ :-'~~~~~'-' ; /____;``-. : <____( `. ; \___\ ; .' /``--'~___.-' /\___/^/__/ / /' /`/' \ \ `\ \ `\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ ______ \ \ ___\ \'~``______)> jgs \ \___ _______ __)> _____\ \'~``______)> <(_______.._______)> Voter Winners: Laken is 5 now but her mother, Melissa, remembers when Laken was 4 and they went out to breakfast together. When the food arrived Laken pulled her toast apart -- it was pretty well burnt on the inside. She leaned over and whispered to her mother, "Mom, do you think I should tell her I'm BLACK TOAST INTOLERANT?" Trying not to laugh, Melissa said, "Honey, the word is lactose intolerant and it means that someone cannot have milk products." Laken said, "Oh, I thought it meant you didn't like black toast!" -- Melissa Shepherd of Indiana When Karna's daughter was in kindergarten she heard the very disturbing news, from a classmate, that there is no Santa Claus. Not completely trusting this information she came home and asked Karna if there was indeed a Santa. Trying to explain it in the least traumatic way that she could it went something like this: "Sweetheart, there is a Santa, but it's not the Santa that you envision. Santa is actually Daddy, and Daddy is also the Easter Bunny on Easter and he is also the Tooth Fairy..." Before Karna could go any farther, Kyndra blurted out, "And Daddy is the turkey on Thanksgiving!" -- Karna Krull of LaGrange, Indiana ___ _...__ .-' '--._ .'_ '-. .' .--._ '-._ .'.' \ '. / /__ `'. '. / / `\ \ / / '-. `\ \ /'/' \ | | | '. `\`\ / / _.-'| | | | \ \ \ / / .' | / \ / '. | |,-~-,/ / .' \ / '--' __\ /__ '._.' ." '. .' ". | '. .' | \ ', '. .' .' / /'-.""-._ \ / _.-"".-'\ _.=='''--,/ '/_.--._\'V'/_.--._\' \,--'''--._ .' _'-.__0_;\ /;_0__.-'_ ' '. / ,____..-'\'. """ -'/'--..____, \ / ' \ .=. / ` \ | __ '-. .-=-. .-' __ | \ _.--'' ''---'. .-=-. .'---'' ''--._ / '----' .-' ___ '-. `----' jgs ( ' ' ) '. _ .' '--/ \--' |#| \_/ Beth's grandson Devon is a 6th grader and EXTREMELY proud of the fact that he has been assigned to honors English. The teacher pushes the kids to the limit, and instills in them quite a strong work ethic. Apparently the teacher has told his students he's teaching them upper level materials, maybe even college level. Beth's grandson has his folder beautifully labeled in fancy lettering: "College Englesh." -- Beth Fryer of Pennsylvania ================================================================ .-. | \ __ ( `\ / | \ \ / | | | `\ / / | |\ \ /` / / | | \ \ ./' / / | | \ \ / _/| | | | \ \ /' _/ | | | | \ \ /' / / ) | ( \ \ / / / / ( \ \ \ / / / / \ \ ) ) / / / / \ \ | | / / / / \ \ | | / / / / \ \ | | / / / / \ \ | | ( / / /' \ \| | | / /' /' \ \ /`. |`. \/' /' \ `-;-;-; /' `\ < > .-"-. .-\ / .' ,__ ` \ | | \ /\ | |__ \ |_ \ _.------.._| o\ | |o`|\_ ,-`. `. | | | |''`'-._._ _.-'. `:_|.__|/`'.-- - ;_ ` ' ' ``--.```--.. \/`..--''' ; `-. .-``. -.,-..__._.._._.__. ;`-. ' `. `; | | | .' ` `. `-.| | | _' `.._ . `--''`_.-' ``--._`-...-'" jgs ;: ; >-->The Promise There's a promise in our sorrow and a blessing when we sigh. There's a light beyond the shadows and a cleansing when we cry. So when we are discouraged, and face tremendous grief; it is during those times of trouble, that the heavens send relief. With our heart in tune with Jesus, our source of joy and peace, be mindful of His promise, that all suffering He would cease. He's cried our tears of sadness; He's felt our every pain, He's walked our path before, all glory to His name. Just listen for the spirit, as it whispers to be still, for there is joy and comfort beyond sad Calvary's hill. So if the sky should darken and if the earth should quake, remember life has struggles on the journey that we take. The aftermath of sorrow is beauty and pure light, if we can fight the battle and pray with soul and might. He sent us rainbow colors to follow cleansing rain, He showed us there are miracles that come with all the pain. Seek forbearance in the hardships, or when we fear or roam. Cast your burdens on the Savior, and He'll come and take us home. For He is our great Redeemer our only true best friend, He promised he would never leave, He'll guide us to the end. -- Author Unknown -<>- "We have committed the Golden Rule to memory; let us now commit it to life." - Edwin Markham >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->BECOMING A CHRISTIAN HOW TO BE A CHRISTIAN! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Chriistian 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 DARRE 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 ************************************************************************