The Master Of The Sea... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* Please Consider Giving To ShangralaFamilyFun.com The cost of the website has gone up dramatically due to the ever increasingly wonderful pages and photos being added each week to entertain you and our fellow Christian families. While the ads on the website do help, I don't want to drag the site down with tons of them to pay for it. I need your help! "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a Shangrala Angel, the easiest way to do that is through online giving. It is easy to use, and most of all, it is secure. Please visit the site, scroll down and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL form page comes up. NOTE: Paypal will generate a 'Quantity 1' and 'Price per item' form. Just ignore the price per item and put whatever it is you desire to give in there. With Paypal, you will have your normal receipt for your 'payment' donation in USD (United States Dollars). You can put a memo in there if you'd like. Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS YOU MOST ABUNDANTLY FOR YOUR GIFT! ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! AND For Facebook Users: Please Friend Me / Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND For Google Plus Users: You can find me here... Shangy Bigham https://plus.google.com/106648555948034085752/posts AND Please Share This email with All Your Friends And Family! ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! :) -<>- * NOTE: An easy way to adjust the size of print in email or any page is to hold down the Ctrl tab while moving the scroll button on the mouse. You can also use the keyboard to change the font size in your web browser or emails. Hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the + key for larger text or the - key for smaller text! ================ >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This red hot new page is from our friends Linda and KarenF. If like me, you are enthralled by dreams, you will enjoy this little bit of factual trivia. Be sure to check it out here - you may be surprised at what you didn't know! ________ \______ \ _______ ____ _____ _____ ______ | | \ \_ __ \ _/ __ \ \__ \ / \ / ___/ | ` \ | | \/ \ ___/ / __ \_ | | \ \ \___ \ /_______ / |__| \___ > (____ / |__|_| / /____ > \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ Amazing Dream Facts! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dreamfacts.html --- ..Quite entertaining and informative! Thanks Ladies! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: _ / | //|| // ); _ __ ,'',// ,-' ' `-. ((// ( ) )// ( / -')))o ,' / ( ( /() / / o ) / (/\ (,_( O(O / ' / > |/ `\. o/ (_ ._/ '. || \ _\ __,'() ,-|| `-( / /( | () () / ( `-',-.'`v/ )/_ |/O `-._( `." `-'\\ // `---.-'\ )\.O _ .' ) / `-. / |\/-.___,-./ | O| ' ( \ / |\\ / ( ;\ Y ,-'(\\) | ) ,-./ ( | ( \` | ,-' ./ -^_/-. `. _\ | ,' `-< ' ,' )\_ .\| |. | (),-. _,--. | | ' ; \ ,-` ))\ \ | \ _,' ; ( ,'/ ) |/,--\ ___))`-'` gpyy `-'-'~~~``---"" '"'"'` >TOO MANY CHILDREN? I am not a writer, and as a matter of fact, English was always my worst subject in school. But this is something near and dear to me, so please hear me out... I work for a very large company with many employees, most of whom I do not know. As I was walking in one morning shortly after Thanksgiving, I overheard two ladies talking about the needy family that had been "adopted" for Christmas by her husband's company. She was very upset over the family that had been selected as they had "too many children" and that they should not have had that many if they couldn't take care of them. My blood was boiling, but I bit my tongue. She continued that she and her husband decided not to give anything this year because why should they help a family that "just didn't know when to stop". The second lady agreed. I couldn't help myself. I turned around and, as calmly as I could, asked them what they really knew of this family. The lady who had been doing all the talking explained that there were seven kids, the oldest of which was only 10. The parents were only thirty and "obviously they started too young, instead of getting an education to provide for their family". She knew their first names, their ages, favorite colors, and items needed and wanted for Christmas. The list of wants/needs was pretty basic -- hats, mittens, coats, a doll for little Susie, a truck for Joe, etc., nothing extravagant at all. The "problem" was just that they had "too many children". At that point, I introduced myself, and explained I was also in my early thirties and had "too many children". I also had seven children, and my oldest was only 8. The women decided my situation was different since I was working and providing for my children and that they were not being "adopted by strangers for Christmas". I then told them that most of my kids also had their names on Christmas want lists and would very desperately love to be adopted for Christmas -- permanently adopted by a "real" family! You see, six of my seven children are FOSTER children. They stammered, they stuttered, they apologized, they had never thought of that. I gave them a few other possible cases as to how a family can end up with "too many children". It could be anything -- death of the parents, combined families, grandparents raising grandchildren, etc. After hearing this, the ladies said they wished they would have done something to contribute, but it was too late as the collection had been completed and already turned in. I knew they could see things differently now. I explained how I often got rude comments at the grocery store when I took my kids and used government vouchers (these are government subsidies for food for low income families, and are provided for kids in foster care). Cruel comments like, "you shouldn't have so many children if you can't afford to feed them". My oldest one asked me one day after hearing this, "Mom, can we afford all of this food?" She was truly bothered by these comments (we routinely spend $300 a week in groceries, after the vouchers). I don't explain it to strangers in the store as it would only hurt the kids more, as they have all learned to dislike that f-word (foster) as this makes them different, even a feeling of being unwanted or unloved. But many of our family and friends are teaching others not to be so quick to assume and judge. The ladies and I continued to talk for awhile and I showed them pictures of my seven kids. We talked about the number of children in foster care, orphanages, and waiting to be adopted in the United States. It's incredible that there are so many children in need. In some way, she was right -- the "problem" is that there are just "too many children" -- too many who need to be loved and cared for, and yes even adopted, not only for Christmas but for forever. The following morning, when I arrived at my desk, there sat two bags of Christmas gifts for "my" kids. It's amazing how much people really do care when they really know. -- Kathy Gerst ___________________________________________ Kathy says: Amazingly, we still have the same seven children that we had last year at Christmas, but now only three are in foster care, because we have adopted them. We are also planning to adopt the other three as soon as we can legally. I love reading Roger Kiser's stories, as these often help me see through the eyes of my children some of their feelings, fears, hopes, etc. I hope to get the word out to others before the Christmas adoptions are done -- how sometimes big families are not always what they seem. Please do not be so quick to criticize, the worst part of the rude comments is that these are often done in front of the children, and I know it causes them even more worry and stress. My husband, Ted and I live near Kansas City, Missouri, with our ever growing family, and 3 horses, 2 dogs, and a cat. -<>- /())) //( oo (/|| _ \__ /||||/ '._-' / \ |\ / \ \ \_____ | \ \.___ /==, | ='.___/=. | ) '.______ | (______( | || snd |_|| _/ | |_\ '---'--' >EVER WONDER? Why the sun lightens our hair, but darkens our skin? Why women can't put on mascara with their mouth closed? Why don't you ever see the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery"? Why is "abbreviated" such a long word? Why is it that doctors call what they do "practice"? Why is it that to stop Windows 98, you have to click on "Start"? Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dishwashing liquid is made with real lemons? Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker? Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour? Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food? When dog food is new and improved tasting, who tests it? Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes? Why do they sterilize the needle for lethal injections? You know that indestructible black box that is used on airplanes? Why don't they make the whole plane out of that stuff? Why don't sheep shrink when it rains? Why are they called "apart"ments when they are all stuck together? If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress? If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the terminal? =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Fran :) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * arm * We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. -Thornton Wilder What we fear comes to pass more speedily than what we hope. Publilius Syrus - Moral Sayings Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today. - Lord Chesterfield -<>- >Flower Angel There's a tiny little Angel In charge of all the flowers She checks each fragile petal Then sprinkles them with showers. She makes them smell so fragrant With her wrist she gives a flick She checks them with her tiny nose It's a flower Angel's trick. So when you pick a posie And place it to your nose Remember all the work she's done So you can smell that rose! - Unknown -<>- _ /\.'|_ _.-| |\ | / |_ / \ _>-"""-._.'|_ >`-.' `./ \ /`./ \-< `-| |_/ /_| |_\ ) | | | -<| |\/ `'_\ /`< |_/`. .'\_/ \_/ >-.._..-'\_| `-`_| \_\|_/ | `' | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | /\ | | | /| \ |\ | |/ |/ \| \| VK >TRULY GRITTY A few days have passed since the Academy Award ceremonies in Hollywood. I think I can finally talk about my disappointment. And no, it had nothing to do with what I saw on the red carpet (but seriously, whoever heard of a Roger Vivier tube clutch with a silver sequined Gucci gown?) Nor did my disappointment have to do with the hosts for the evening, even though I did find myself subconsciously humming "Thanks for the Memories" a few times during the evening. I was disappointed because my movie didn't win. Not "my movie" in the sense that I wrote, directed, produced, starred in or had anything to do with a movie that was up for an award (although I do have a great little Christmas story that could be made into a movie -- have your people call my people.) It was "my movie" because I saw it, I liked it and I wanted it to win. And it didn't. My movie was "True Grit." I thought it was terrific. Of course, I'm old enough to remember the John Wayne "True Grit," and I liked that version, too -- Glen Campbell notwithstanding. I like the story. I like imperfect good guys -- knights in dingy armor, so to speak. I can relate to that. I like it when the bad guys are clearly bad, and get what they have coming to them. I like justice that is neat, clean and uncomplicated by confusing realities. I like escaping in a darkened theater to a world in which a man with true grit can ride into the fray, reins in his mouth and rifles blazing, and take care of the problem. ANY problem. But mostly, I like grit (not to be confused with grits, for which I have never been able to acquire a taste.) I like the idea of grit. And I like people who have it. According to my dictionary, one who has grit -- true or otherwise -- has "firmness of character, an indomitable spirit, pluck." These are excellent traits, even if they can sometimes get you into trouble -- just like they did with Rooster Cogburn. My wife, Anita, for example, is as firmly charactered and indomitably plucky as they come. Not too long ago she was riding mass transit with our eldest daughter, Amy, and her family to a concert in a nearby city. No sooner had the trip begun than a rather large and mostly inebriated gentleman sat next to her and began to talk to her. Loudly and obnoxiously. Unlike many of us who would be uncomfortable with that situation, Anita chatted pleasantly with the gentleman even though much of what he said was... well... relatively incomprehensible. Watching this conversation, Amy's husband, Brock, moved from his seat on the train to a standing position right behind Anita and the gentleman. I should mention here that Brock has served three tours of duty in Iraq. He can handle himself in a confrontational situation, if you know what I mean. And he was prepared to come to his mother-in-law's aid. But Anita gave him a look that let him know she was fine, and continued her conversation. At one point the man became agitated about something and started using harsh, vulgar language. Brock was about to intervene when Anita straightened up and faced her neighbor. "I don't like that kind of language," she said, looking him pluckily in the eye. "If you don't stop talking like that I'm going to move." Brock waited to see how the gentleman would respond, ready to... well, the "fill your hand!" scene in "True Grit" comes to mind. But the gentleman calmed down immediately. "I'm sorry," he said, firmly chastened. "I'll watch my mouth." Now, you might think that Anita was emboldened knowing that Brock was hovering nearby, just an eye patch away from doing a Cogburn on the man. But I've lived with this woman for nearly 34 years. She would have responded in the same way if she had been traveling alone. She's plucky. Indomitable. Spirited. Hopefully you know someone like that. In fact, you very well may BE someone like that. If so, I salute you. In a world filled with vacillating morality and wavering will, we need more gritty, plucky people. Even if you don't win Academy Awards. -Joseph Walker --- ...Wonderful! Thanks Fran! =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: .;';. ';. ';..;' ' ';. ' ' .;' .;' - = .;' .;', , , :: .;'.;'.;'.;' .;' .;'.;'.;'.;' .;' AsH ';.';.';.';.;' >You Only Get to Keep What You Give Away It's a universal law: You have to give before you get. You must plant your seeds before you reap the harvest. The more you sow, the more you will reap. In giving to others, you will find yourself blessed. The law works to give you back more then you have sown. The giver's harvest is always full. Those that obtain have little. Those who scatter have much. Nature does not give to those who will not spend. -<>- _ _ ( ` )_ ( ) `) (_ (_ . _) _) _ ( ) _ . ( ` ) . ) ( _ )_ (_, _( ,_)_) (_ _(_ ,) | _ _ \ _ / ( ` )_ -= (_) =- ( ) `) / \ (_ (_ . _) _) | _ ( ) _, _ . ( ` ) . ) ( ( _ )_ (_, _( ,_)_) jgs (_(_ _(_ ,) >Life Is Subject To Change "Life is subject to change without notice and without your permission." Sometimes you will choose change and sometimes change chooses you. We struggle when it reshapes the familiar and breaks up the continuity in our lives. Change can bring growth or grief. Change can be minor, radical, life altering, exciting, challenging, even frightening, but it can also be managed. What was happy can turn to sad, things get rearranged and nothing stays the same. You cannot always choose the changes that come your way. But you can always choose your response. Whether you are facing an empty nest, life after divorce, a new city, change in your health or a change in your daily job policy and procedures, change in weather or a change of heart from a friend/lover/spouse, learn to adapt rather than be a victim of change. Sometimes change is needed but you want to hold on in spite of the writing on the wall. The need to change or let go can be obvious, inevitable and the signs are everywhere to be seen and heard. You may be resisting change with all your will in fear of the unknown or the need to have what's comfortable and familiar remain status quo. Just like the seasons change, your life changes. You have to be open to the change that is coming and willing to learn the lesson it often offer." - Jewel Diamond Taylor -<>- __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >He'll Find You Rev. John Powell, a professor at Loyola University in Chicago writes about Tommy, a student in his Theology of Faith class. Some twelve years ago, I stood watching my university students file into the classroom for our first session in the Theology of Faith. That was the day I first saw Tommy. My eyes and my mind both blinked. He was combing his long flaxen hair, which hung six inches below his shoulders. It was the first time I had ever seen a boy with hair that long. I guess it was just coming into fashion then. I know in my mind that it isn't what's on your head but what's in it that counts; but on that day, I was unprepared and my emotions flipped I immediately filed Tommy under "S" for strange... very strange. Tommy turned out to be the "atheist in residence" in my Theology of Faith course. He constantly objected to, smirked at, or whined about the possibility of an unconditionally loving Father/God. We lived with each other in relative peace for one semester, although I admit he was for me at times a serious pain in the back pew. When he came up at the end of the course to turn in his final exam, he asked in a cynical tone, "Do you think I'll ever find God?" I decided instantly on a little shock therapy. "No!" I said very emphatically. "Why not?," he responded, "I thought that was the product you were pushing." I let him get five steps from the classroom door and then called out, "Tommy! I don't think you'll ever find Him, but I am absolutely certain that He will find you!" He shrugged a little and left my class and my life. I felt slightly disappointed at the thought that he had missed my clever line: "He will find you!" At least I thought it was clever. Later, I heard that Tommy had graduated and I was duly grateful. Then a sad report came. I heard that Tommy had terminal cancer. Before I could search him out, he came to see me. When he walked into my office, his body was very badly wasted and the long hair had all fallen out as a result of chemotherapy. But his eyes were bright and his voice was firm, for the first time, I believe. "Tommy, I've thought about you so often--I hear you are sick", I blurted out. "Oh, yes, very sick. I have cancer in both lungs. It's a matter of weeks." "Can you talk about it, Tom?", I asked. "Sure, what would you like to know?", he replied. "What's it like to be only twenty-four and dying?", I asked. "Well, it could be worse.", he replied. "Like what?", I asked. "Well, like being fifty and having no values or ideals; like being fifty and thinking that booze, seducing women, and making money are the real biggies' in life.", he replied. I began to look through my mental file cabinet under 'S' where I had filed Tommy as strange. (It seems as though everybody I try to reject by classification, God sends back into my life to educate me.) "But what I really came to see you about", Tom said, "is something you said to me on the last day of class." (He remembered!) He continued, "I asked you if you thought I would ever find God and you said, 'No!' which surprised me. Then you said, 'But He will find you.' I thought about that a lot, even though my search for God was hardly intense at that time." (My clever line. He thought about that a lot!) "But when the doctors removed a lump from my groin and told me that it was malignant, that's when I got serious about locating God. And when the malignancy spread into my vital organs, I really began banging bloody fists against the bronze doors of heaven. But God did not come out. In fact, nothing happened. Did you ever try anything for a long time with great effort and with no success? You get psychologically glutted, fed up with trying. And then you quit." "Well, one day I woke up, and instead of throwing a few more futile appeals over that high brick wall to a God who may be or may not be there, I just quit.. I decided that I didn't really care about God, about an after life, or anything like that. I decided to spend what time I had left doing something more profitable. I thought about you and your class and I remembered something else you had said:" "The essential sadness is to go through life without loving. But it would be almost equally sad to go through life and leave this world without ever telling those you loved that you had loved them.'" "So, I began with the hardest one, my Dad. He was reading the newspaper when I approached him. "Dad." "Yes, what?", he asked without lowering the newspaper. "Dad, I would like to talk with you." "Well, talk." "I mean... It's really important". The newspaper came down three slow inches. "What is it?" "Dad, I love you--I just wanted you to know that." Tom smiled at me and said it with obvious satisfaction, as though he felt a warm and secret joy flowing inside of him. "The newspaper fluttered to the floor. Then my father did two things I could never remember him ever doing before. He cried and he hugged me. We talked all night, even though he had to go to work the next morning. It felt so good to be close to my father, to see his tears, to feel his hug, to hear him say that he loved me." "It was easier with my mother and little brother. They cried with me, too, and we hugged each other, and started saying real nice things to each other. We shared the things we had been keeping secret for so many years. I was only sorry about one thing --- that I had waited so long. Here I was, just beginning to open up to all the people I had actually been close to." "Then, one day I turned around and God was there. He didn't come to me when I pleaded with Him. I guess I was like an animal trainer holding out a hoop:" 'C'mon, jump through. C'mon, I'll give You three days, three weeks.' "Apparently God does things in His own way and at His own hour. But the important thing is that He was there. He found me! You were right. He found me even after I stopped looking for Him." "Tommy", I practically gasped: "I think you are saying something very important and much more universal than you realize. To me, at least, you are saying that the surest way to find God is not to make Him a private possession, a problem solver, or an instant consolation in time of need, but rather by opening to love. You know, the Apostle John said that. He said: 'God is love, and anyone who lives in love is living with God and God is living in him.'" "Tom, could I ask you a favor? You know, when I had you in class you were a real pain. But (laughingly) you can make it all up to me now. Would you come into my present Theology of Faith course and tell them what you have just told me? If I told them the same thing it wouldn't be half as effective as if you were to tell it." "Ooh I was ready for you, but I don't know if I'm ready for your class." "Tom, think about it If and when you are ready, give me a call." In a few days, Tom called, said he was ready for the class, that he wanted to do that for God and for me. So we scheduled a date. However, he never made it. He had another appointment, far more important than the one with me and my class. Of course, his life was not really ended by his death, only changed. He made the great step from faith into vision. He found a life far more beautiful than the eye of man has ever seen or the ear of man has ever heard or the mind of man has ever imagined. Before he died, we talked one last time. "I'm not going to make it to your class", he said. "I know, Tom." "Will you tell them for me? Will you tell the whole world for me?" "I will, Tom. I'll tell them. I'll do my best." So, to all of you who have been kind enough to read this simple story about God's love, thank you for listening. And to you, Tommy, somewhere in the sunlit, verdant hills of heaven --- I told them, Tommy as best I could. If this story means anything to you, please pass it on to a friend or two. It is a true story and is not enhanced for publicity purposes. With thanks, Rev. John Powell, Professor Loyola University in Chicago -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Doug Landis Mouth Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mouthart.html Designer Toilet Paper! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/designertp.html In The Pink http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/inthepink.html Watermelon And Egg Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/watermelon.html Whale Rescue http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/whalerescue.html Crayola Art! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/crayolaart.htm Awesome Tree Houses! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/treehouses.html Chocolate Train http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/chocolatetrain.html My Bulldog Life http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mydoglife.html Jesus Clinic! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/clinic.html Christ's Life! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/jesuslife.html Walk With Jesus! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/walk.html 90/10 Principle! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/giving.html I Believe In You! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ibelieveinyou.html World Of Squirrels http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/worldofsquirrels.html Animal Friends 6 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animalfriends6.html Leaf Art Paintings http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/art.html Who Is He (God)? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/who.html Autumn Of Life http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/life.html All Occasion Cakes 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/aocakes2.html Friends http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/friends.html -<>- Some of Shangrala's Best Pages http://www.amazafamily.com/index.html -<>- President Donald Trump EXTREMELY Heated News Conference following United Nations General Assembly 73rd Session High Level Meetings in which he defends Judge Kavanaugh amid accusations https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XtnsvhifE8 New Article: Fight For Your Life https://tinyurl.com/yb6tumzn What does the Bible say about Communion? https://tinyurl.com/yccqv88a Stumbling Upon Heaven God Is Relentless in His Pursuit God’s love is unquestionable https://tinyurl.com/yaacdvwv Loving Touch http://www.reflectionsofsouthbreeze.com/Pages/lovingtouch.htm When God Paints http://heavens-gates.com/whengodpaints/ When They Ring Those Golden Bells http://carolynspreciousmemories.com/Spiritual/RingThoseGoldenBells.html A Music Minister Having Too Much Fun https://www.youtube.com/embed/0jwkpd2nAto Carol's Poetry Site http://www.carolspoetry.com/ -<>- >From Our Friend Geniann :) In My Seat Please take the time to watch this video. I doubt that you have ever seen it before. It is about a pilot who was supposed to be on American Airlines Flight 11 the morning of 9/11. Flight 11 was the first Boeing 767 to fly into one of the buildings at the World Trade Center on 9/11. It is unlike anything I have seen, read or heard about 9/11. It really is one incredible story that must be shared and watched to the end. https://www.youtube.com/embed/cLj4akmncsA --- ...Awesome! Thanks Geniann! -<>- >From Our Friend Brenda :) On our recently completed Uganda: A Trekking Adventure expedition, frequent Zegrahm traveler John King came across a family of silverback gorillas. Check out his incredible video, filmed by Zegrahm field director Jonathan Rossouw, of these gentle creatures. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvWjBlzArII --- ...Sweet - A great one! Thanks Brenda! -<>- >From Our Friend Linda :) What's behind Sapporo Beer? https://www.youtube.com/embed/K-Rs6YEZAt8 --- ...Wowsers! I am left speechless! Thanks Linda! -<>- Revisiting... >From Our Friend Fran :) LOOK AT YOURSELF AFTER WATCHING THIS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc4HGQHgeFE&feature=youtu.be --- ...Wow! Amazing! Thanks Fran! 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 GloriaB :) _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ >Beautiful Words: Someone has written these beautiful words. One must read and try to understand the deep meanings in them. They are like the Ten Commandments to follow in life all the time. 1] Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out when in trouble; it is a "steering wheel" that directs us in the right path throughout life. 2] Do you know why a car's WINDSHIELD is so large & the rear view mirror is so small? Because our PAST is not as important as our FUTURE. So, look ahead and move on. 3] Friendship is like a BOOK. It takes few seconds to burn, but it takes years to write. 4] All things in life are temporary. If going well enjoy it, they will not last forever. If going wrong don't worry, they can't last long either. 5] Old friends are like Gold! New friends are Diamonds! If you get a Diamond, don't forget the Gold! Because to hold a Diamond, you always need a base of Gold! 6] Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, GOD smiles from above and says, "Relax, sweetheart, it's just a bend, not the end! 7] When GOD solves your problems, you have faith in HIS abilities; when GOD doesn't solve your problems HE has faith in your abilities. 8] A blind person asked St. Anthony: "Can there be anything worse than losing eye sight?" He replied: "Yes, losing your vision." 9] When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them; and sometimes, when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for you. 10] WORRYING does not take away tomorrow's TROUBLES; it takes away today's PEACE. If you really enjoy this, PLEASE pass to others. It may brighten someone's day... Praying for love and peace to fill the coming year. --- ...Awww, so heartwarming! Thanks GloriaB! ========================================================== _____ / \/_ //\__(\_\ |\ ^ ^ | .//_O \O_ \ \_ (_) / \ \_/ / __/\ /\__ / \ \ / / \ / \/\/\/ \ / | . | \ / | . | \ JRO >Just Come Back Later Story Editor: by Guy Slater Joyce Schowalter Tennessee, USA My wife and I moved to the Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee in November of 2005, from a large metropolitan area to a very rural area. While moving we had the help of our adult daughter and our 2-year-old granddaughter. During the hectic days of moving into our new home, we ate out in the local community a lot. One evening we decided to have dinner at "Cindy's Catfish Kitchen." Cindy's is a buffet style restaurant, all you can eat. It had been a long day of moving boxes and furniture, and tomorrow would see us on the long drive back to our former home for another load, a thousand mile long trip. We were all tired, and our granddaughter was cranky to top it all off. But the buffet was great, and we ended our meal feeling rested and relaxed. When I went to pay our bill, card in hand, the waitress cashier told me that Cindy's didn't have the ability to take either credit or debit cards. Being from the "big city," using a credit or debit card was the norm. Oops! I had no cash in my pocket, but about 10 miles back down the road I'd seen a bank with an ATM. I told the lady that I would leave my family there and return in a few minutes to pay for our meals. "Oh, y'all don't have to do that," she told me. "You just come back some time and pay us then." WHAT!? These people had never seen me before, did not know if I would ever return, yet they trusted me to return to pay for three adult meals? This is not something that I had ever encountered in the big city, that's for sure. We have lived here for almost six years, and every single week I see other acts of trust like this happening. It may be a "country" thing, or just plain Southern hospitality. Whatever it is, I certainly like it, and I pass on this kindness every chance I get. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Laugh&Lift: _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` "I had nothing to give. I had exhausted my material. I had exhausted my body. I had exhausted my mind. Yet the preaching had far more power. It was God taking sheer weakness - it is when I get out of the way and say, 'God, You have to do it.' I sat on the platform many nights with nothing to say, nothing. Just sat there. And I knew that in a few minutes I'd have to get up and preach, and I'd just say, 'Oh, God, I can't do it!' And yet, I would stand up and all of a sudden it would begin to come...just God giving it, that's all." - Billy Graham | \ _ / -= (_) =- / \ _\/_ | //o\ _\/_ _ ___ __ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ | __/o\\ _ =-=-_=-=-_=-=_=-_=_=-_=-_-_=_=-= _=_=-=_,-'|"'""-|-,_ =- _=-=-_=- _=-= _--_ =-= -_=-=_-=_,-" | =- =- =-= =- = - -===- -= -= ." jgs >Be Still My Soul, Despite the Waves (By Kerry S. Doyal - Grace Ev. Free Ch. - www.GetGraced.org) Remember the story of Jesus calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee? His disciples were looking - they thought - death in the face and He was snoozing in the back of the boat. Gripped with fear and faithlessness, they woke Him in a panic. "We are going to die, don't you know or care?" The disciples had been hearing faith-building teaching from Jesus all day. They were on their way home from church and yet had a failure of faith. How soon we forget what we have heard. Having been roused from a well-earned nap after a full day of teaching, Jesus rebuked the wind, waves and His worry-wart disciples. In their honor, as one who also has heard far more than he has learned and lived, I offer this poem. First, here is the story from Mark 4:35-41: "On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, 'Let us cross over to the other side.' Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, 'Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?' Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, 'Peace, be still!' And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, 'Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?' And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, 'Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!'" (NKJV) The Poem: I'd been a long day of teaching, Speaking ship to shore No wonder Jesus slept hard. Did I hear Him snore? The masses had crowded along Galilee's bank To glean truth from Jesus, Have Him fill their tank With parables given and lessons conveyed The Master was ready to call it a day "Let's head to the other side, please send them away It's time for a nap. Now anchors away." Experienced sailors were minding the ship, So tired Jesus did easily into sleep slip Wouldn't you know it, it's not 'till He sleeps That life's difficulties do more than make peeps A sudden fierce storm attacked that small boat And terrified fishermen feared they'd not stay afloat Took quite a big storm to panic these men Yet they were sure the waves would do 'em in. Taking on some water and taking in fear Can't you hear them like Piglet screaming "oh dear'? Yet Jesus was snoozing, seemingly unaware "O Teacher, please wake up, do you not care?" "We'll soon meet our maker, we're all going to die Please Rabbi, oh help us, please hear our cry." "Be quiet you winds, Be still oh ye waves," That's how He kept the sea from being their graves As soon as He said it, as soon as they heard The elements yielded and were undisturbed Yet one more rebuke was needed that day His fearful disciples let their faith run away. In seeing what Jesus had done in that hour The disciples now feared a new source of power "Who is this Man that the wind and waves obey!? What shall we do, & what shall we say?" When the storm is your focus, and your boat's getting wet 'Tis easy to forget Him and panic - you bet! Yet the Master of heaven and earth is aware The waves & wind drown Him? They wouldn't dare If you have invited Him into your boat Here is a lesson you do well to take note Though waters get rough and squalls make you bale Just keep trusting Jesus and life will go well. When Jesus seems sleeping, unaware of your state Resist the urge to wake Him, 'cause He's never late. If life's waves are crashing and the Savior seems asleep Remember to rest in Him, 'cause He cares for His sheep ---- Some final faith lessons for us fellow fearful doubters: - Sometimes God has to rock your boat to expand your view of Him. - The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:1-7). - Fear of life reveals a too-small view of God. Fear of God will keep you from fear of life. - Faith makes a comfy pillow. - Ultimately, what matters is not who is in charge of the boat, but the waves (see Psalm 121). SUBSCRIBE INFO Want to receive a Christian inspirational item AND great clean humor in an email to you each day of the week? It's easy and FREE! Read all about Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com ========================================================== .--.-. ( ( )__ ^^ (_, \ ) ,_) ^^ '-'--`--' | \ / ~, .-'-. /| -- / \ -- ~^~`^~^`^~ / |\ ~^~~^~``~~^~~^^~^~^-=======-~^~^~^~~^~~^~^~ ~^~ ~^~ ^~ /__|_\~^~ ~^~^~^~_~^~^_~-=========- -~^~^~^^~^_~ ~^~ ~^~^ ~ '======' `~^-~~^~-^~^_~^~~ -=====- ~^~^~-~^~^~^~~^~ jgs ~^~ ~^ ~^~ ~^~^ ~^~-~^~~^~-~^~~-~^~^~-~^~~^-~^~^~^-~^~^~^~ ~^~ ~^~ ~^~ ~^ ~^~ ~^~^ ~^~-~^~~^~-~^~~-~^~^~-~^~~^-~^~^~^-~^~^~^~ >-->Rescued By The Master Of The Sea I found myself lost and alone on life's raging sea No charted destination, no course mapped out for me Riding the raging billows without a motor or a sail Fearing I would capsize in life s frightful gale Unfamiliar waters raged beneath me dark and deep I was ravaged by fear getting no rest and no sleep A ship tossed to and fro with no hopes of reaching shore Alone and heavy hearted with nothing to live for But then The Master Of The Sea saw my despair He charted my course, He answered my prayer When all seemed lost and I was helpless as could be Then I was rescued by The Master Of The Sea I no longer man the ship, I hold a hand that is sure Now He is my Pilot and my destination is secure The waters don't seem so deep, dark and fierce The fear is all gone because my Pilot safely steers I will never set out again, alone on life's sea Since I was rescued by The Master Of The Sea I sail secure, forever saved by the love of the man Who pilots my ship with His nail-scarred hand O yes, The Master Of The Sea saw my despair He charted my course, He answered my prayer When all seemed lost and I was helpless as could be Then I was rescued by The Master Of The Sea ~ by Donna M. Davis ~ >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->This is for all you who love food and DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? 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