The Mountain I See Before Me... :) 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 too hot to handle updated page is from our friend Linda. My son likes to help share my web pages on social media to his friends and had once complained to me that he found this page rather disappointing because it was not what he expected and was rather boring. So when Linda sent me this new version of this inspirational page, I was quite pleased to update the old page with its added beautiful photography. Be sure to check it out here - you may have to refresh your browser to see the updated version: === (`\,;+++;,/`) (- (((^.^))) -) (- ))\-/(( -) (- (() ()) -) \ `/`@`\` / \ / \ / \/ \/ / \ /_/_/_|_\_\_\ ldb Seven Wonders Of The World! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wonders.html --- ...Simply lovely! Thanks Linda! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: _____ _ _____ ____ /_ /, | ,-, ) /'_`\ |_ _| | __| \ \> | `-'< | (_) | | | | _| ) )__ ,_ |_|`\_\ \___/ |_| |_| (_.-'_)__$ ;-'' pb >WHEN LAUGHTER HEALS by Ellie Braun-Haley While visiting mother at the nursing home, I was fixing her hair and placing a colorful barrette in it. Mom hadn't laughed at anything in a long time so we were both almost a pair of old sourpusses. Lately, I seemed to be matching her frame of mind. Mom was watching as I put the barrette in her hair and she commented on her wrinkles which actually are few for someone in her 90s. "Wrinkles!" I said. Spontaneous laughter erupted, "Surely we are not going to start worrying about wrinkles!" Immediately she too was laughing. This was a foreign sound to both of us and I don't know what her thoughts were about that laughter -- that superb burst of happiness. However, I haven't stopped laughing since then. Laughter does some amazing things for us and I think we need to constantly remind ourselves. If we actually laugh, even when we don't feel like it, it wakes up something deep within us. Our organs respond, enjoying the massage they receive with this process. Yes, I am saying even a phony laugh can put us in a good mood and help our organs! Personally, I feel our soul gets outright perky with every laugh! And with a laugh, there is some type of nozzle or goofy button that automatically releases the stress within us! Okay, I don't know the name of it, but I do know that laughter releases stress! There is a release of endorphins. Now we all know that these are chemicals that not only relieve pain but just make us feel downright good all over! And I do know that our health and immune system is bolstered by a good giggle session or laughter after hearing two very silly jokes. Laughter affects our respiration. More oxygen circulates through the body, so our lung capacity is improved! Running or brisk walking would do this too! I have also read articles by doctors and scientists commenting on laughter and how it prevents heart disease. In fact, one man used laughter therapy to repair his heart! When we laugh, people around us are inclined to follow suit. So our laughter may be just the prescription needed for someone who feels lost and lonely! We are quite able to spread flu and colds but have we considered how very infectious laughter can be? And have we considered that we have the ability to spread it around? I can hardly wait to get back and visit mother. Let me see, what are the ways I can get her to laugh? I felt so close to mother when we laughed together last week and hopefully she felt closer to me. Can laughter bind us together? No one else was in on the joke. It was ours and it was goofily, beautifully, wonderful. Now that I replay those moments, I also felt lighter, a bit more energetic. Everything just felt good! So I am looking forward to another visit. I guess I should add that laughter gives us hope! I am inspired and hopeful for a wonderful visit! Next time I feel out of sorts and I feel down because of a visit to see mom, someone please send me these notes back to me! I'll laugh, feel better and be ready to tackle the world and all its problems. -- Ellie Braun-Haley =========================================================== _,,,_ .' `'. / ____ \ | .'_ _\/ / ) a a| .----. / ( > | /| '--. ( ) ._ / || ]| `-. ) _/-.__.'`\ || ]| ::| ( .-'`-. \__ ) || ]| ::| `/ `-./ `. || ]| ::| _ | \ \ \ \| ]| .-' / \| \ \ \ \ L.__ .--'( | |\ `. / / \ ,---|_ \---------, | `\'. '. /`\ \/ .--._|=- |_ /| | \ '. '._ './`\/ .-' '. / | | | `'. `;-:-;`)| |-./ | | /_ `'--./_ ` )/'-------------')/) | \ | `""""----"`\//`""`/,===..'`````````/ ( | | | / `---` `===' / ) | / \ / / ( | | '------. |'--------------------'| ) | \ `-| | / | `--...,______| | ( | | | | | ) ,| | | | | ( /|| | | | | )/ `" / \ | | (/ jgs .' /I\ '.| | /) .-'_.'/ \'. | | / ``` `"""` `| .-------------------.|| `"` `"` >-->A Reflection On Kavanaugh by emb I've been pretty vocal on my feelings of outrage for what this Congress with the Democrats has been doing to our justice system and our law and order in the United States. Never have I seen a person so harshly and unfairly treated by our government and news media. This man has had decades of impeccable public service and endured 6 full FBI background checks. I heard they go back to all the places a person has ever lived and interview neighbors for character references! When the FBI does a full background check, they do not mess around! Yet the Democrats want to give full creditably to a woman who is accusing him of a heinous act of violence that she said happened when they were juveniles in high school. She cannot remember anything such as exactly when or where and the people she said were present have said either it never happened or they can't remember it. Even her best friend whom she said was there said she never knew Kavanaugh and had never been at a party with him any where at any time. Ford has no evidence and her story keeps changing. On Kavanaugh's side, he totally denies it, has a journal calendar from the time period with no entries of a house party and has had over 200 people come forward who knew him then or during his college or judge years vouching for him. Here's some of them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGKYN9hdyNc I believe in the due process of law - INNOCENT until proven guilty. I believe Kavanaugh because he is an upstanding family man who has a long history of treating women with total respect at work and during his many years of coaching his girls basketball teams. We'd hear women coming forward saying what a perv he was at practice or at work if Ford's allegations were true. A leopard doesn't change its spots. Ford is either lying, delusional or has mistaken Kavanaugh for another perv. I got angry enough to add this little writing to you today when I saw women protesting in front of the White House holding signs saying, 'Don't say NO for women. Vote NO for Kavanaugh!' Irritating! Ask any victim (survivor) of a violent crime whether they would be satisfied if Kavanaugh or any other person off the street would be held accountable for what was done to them and they'd look at you like you were nuts! People need closure by seeing the person who actually did the crime pay the time! I don't know of anyone who would be OK if someone else paid for the crime done against them. 'Oh, he violated me so make sure this other guy is put in prison and I will be OK with that.' That is just stupid and illogical and most irritating. It lessens the integrity of women and men who have actually been violated against. The far left has lost their minds! I pray the Democrats get slam dunked this November for what they are doing to us in this country and to this fine godly man and his family! Totally despicable and evil! Check out these: Latest At FoxNews: Grassley says new FBI report backs Kavanaugh, urges Senate to send him to high court http://www.foxnews.com/ Most Interesting! Full Kavanaugh Report Released - This explains it https://1600daily.com/2018/10/01/full-kavanaugh-report-released/ Lou Dobbs 10/2/18 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRYNNupujrM How Fair-Minded Americans Must Assess the Kavanaugh Situation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4NuUdBapV0 =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Cloie :) __,,,__ ,-""-,-" "-,-""-, /,-' , .-'-.7.-'-. , '-,\ \( / _ _ \ )/ '-, { (0) (0) } ,-' / > .---. < \ |/ .-' \___/ '-. \| {, / ,_ _, \ ,} \ {, \ / ,} / ',\. '---' ./,' _.-""""""-._ _.-""""""-._ .' `._.` '. _/_ _ \ .'` `\ | | \ / | | | ; | / |_| | \ ;'---' _ ___ _ _ ___ ; '. ; | | / \| || || _| _ ; `-\ | |_ | | || |/ /| _| .' `, `\ |___|\___/ \__/ |___| | \ \ _ _ \ | jgs `\ | | | /` _/ ,-""-. .'`\ | | | /`-,-'` .-""-, / `\.' `\ \___/ /` './` \ ; .--. \ '\ /' / .--. ; | ( \ |, '\ /' | / ) | \ ; } ;\ /; ` { ; / `;\ \ _.-' \ / `-._ / /;` \ \__.' _.-' Y `-._ '.__// '.___,.-' `-.,___.' >The ...E... life !!!!! The E....Life - Very nice Message Received after Long Time. This is such a Beautiful message - - Please do read it - ?? The ...E... life !!!!! In this world of E-mails, E-ticket, E-paper, E-recharge, E-transfer and the latest E-Governance..E-commerce. Never Forget "E-shwar ( God )" who makes e-verything e-asy for e-veryone e-veryday. "E" is the most Eminent letter of the English alphabet. Men or Women don't exist without "E". House or Home can't be made without "E". Bread or Butter can't be found without "E". "E" is the beginning of "existence" and the end of "trouble." It's not at all in 'war' but twice in 'peace'. It's once in 'hell' but twice in 'heaven'.. "E" represented in 'Emotions' Hence, all emotional relations like Father, Mother, Brother, Sister, wife & friends have 'e' in them. "E" also represents 'Effort' & 'Energy' Hence to be 'Better' from good both "e" 's are added. Without "e", we would have no love, life, wife, friends or hope & 'see', 'hear', 'smell', or 'taste' as 'eye' 'ear', 'nose' & 'tongue' are incomplete without "e". Finally no 'Life' & 'Death' without "e". Hence GO with "E" but without E-GO. --- ...Teehee! A Sweet one! Thanks Cloie! =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: .__=\__ .__==__, jf' ~~=\, _=/~' `\, ._jZ' `\q, /=~ `\__ j5(/ `\./ V\\, Unknown .Z))' _____ | .____, \)/\ j5(K=~~ ~~~~\=_, | _/=~~~~' `~~+K\\, .Z)\/ `~=L | _=/~ t\ZL j5(_/.__/===========\__ ~q |j/ .__============___/\J(N, 4L#XXXL_________________XGm, \P .mXL_________________JXXXW8L ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~YKWmmWmmW@~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >The Last Good Guy Ronnie Leviner Copyright@ 1998 Taking a page from another book Trying to finish his story to write Knowing the day was drawing near When he would pass through the night Oh to have another page of words Would speak different than the other Think would have been a better man Try harder to love his brother Yes the page from this book Spoke of a way that would last It was called God and called Love A thing that would change his past Now he writes the words in his heart And finds what he was longing for Now a good path to walk upon Not to search for it anymore Feeling good about the lines he wrote He looks calmly toward the sky Knowing in his heart others would follow And he was not the last good guy -<>- __ ."` `;. / .---'. \ \| . . |/ ( > ) \ -- / __)----(__ /` <_\__/_> `\ / : \ jgs | \ : | | >Don't We All? I was parked in front of the mall wiping off my car. I had just come from the car wash and was waiting for my wife to get out of work. Coming my way from across the parking lot was what society would consider a bum. From the looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes, and no money. There are times when you feel generous but there are other times that you just don't want to be bothered. This was one of those "don't want to be bothered times." "I hope he doesn't ask me for any money," I thought. He didn't. He came and sat on the curb in front of the bus stop but he didn't look like he could have enough money to even ride the bus. After a few minutes he spoke. "That's a very pretty car," he said. He was ragged but he had an air of dignity around him. His scraggly blond beard keep more than his face warm. I said, "Thanks," and continued wiping off my car. He sat there quietly as I worked. The expected plea for money never came. As the silence between us widened something inside said, "Ask him if he needs any help." I was sure that he would say "yes" but I held true to the inner voice. "Do you need any help?" I asked. He answered in three simple but profound words that I shall never forget. We often look for wisdom in great men and women. We expect it from those of higher learning and accomplishments. I expected nothing but an outstretched grimy hand. He spoke the three words that shook me. "Don't we all?" he said. I was feeling high and mighty, successful and important, above a bum in the street, until those three words hit me like a twelve gauge shotgun. Don't we all? I needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep, but I needed help. I reached in my wallet and gave him not only enough for bus fare, but enough to get a warm meal and shelter for the day. Those three little words still ring true. No matter how much you have, no matter how much you have accomplished, you need help too. No matter how little you have, no matter how loaded you are with problems, even without money or a place to sleep, you can give help. Even if it's just a compliment, you can give that. You never know when you may see someone that appears to have it all. They are waiting on you to give them what they don't have. A different perspective on life, a glimpse at something beautiful, a respite from daily chaos, that only you through a torn world can see. Maybe the man was just a homeless stranger wandering the streets. Maybe he was more than that. Maybe he was sent by a power that is great and wise, to minister to a soul too comfortable in themselves. Maybe God looked down, called an Angel, dressed him like a bum, then said, "Go minister to that man cleaning the car, that man needs help." Don't we all? [ Author Unknown ] -<>- .-"""""-. / _____/\_\ //`__ __ \\ // (o) (o) \\ (_ (___) _) \ \_____/ / `-._ _.-' __.-)_(-,__ ./'/ |_| \`\. jgs / `""""""""""` \ >The Drive-in Last Friday night, I visited a drive-in movie for the first time in twenty years. I wanted to see how things have changed and enjoy the atmosphere of the event. The price was five bucks per adult, much less than a regular movie and showing were three first run movies "Once Upon a Time in Mexico", Underworld and Jason vs Freddy. I had no intention of staying for the Jason movie, but other two looked interesting. The first thing I noticed that was different, no speakers. The sound came from a low level fm broadcast. This made for much better sound than the old speakers. Another big difference was the price of the concessions. Hamburgers went for a 1.25 and the rest of the food items were decently priced. I guess this is a drawing item as the competition for our entertainment dollars is tough. The biggest change and it was quite positive, were the families. They brought their pets, ferrets, dogs and cats at least were on their leashes. About one half of everyone had chairs and boomboxes, another great idea. Instead of watching 'B' movies like the old moonshine or cannibal movies from the 70's, the flicks were big budget movies, another positive. There were negatives. The clientele was probably in the lower economic half. The graffiti in the restrooms had more 'gay' references in them. A lot of people brought beer and probably other 'stuff'. When I was ready to leave, it seemed like it was the hour of the zombies. People were staggering/stumbling towards the concession or restroom. The people reminded me of the old zombie movies. All in all, a decent memory filling event. I prefer to watch movies at home on my big screen where I can pause it if I need something. Will I go again? Probably, but not for a year at least. B.J. Cassady Guthrie, Okla -<>- . . : . _ '. _.:._ .' (_) '-. .' '. .-' _;_ ' - ./ \. - ' / | \ - - | | - - """" \ | \ """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" `|\ ` | \ / / jgs / /_ ` >Hold onto your dreams Keep all your dreams so close to your heart, and never give up, when your life's falling apart. Let your dreams give you strength to carry on, and help you find the future, you feel has gone. Build on those dreams that you hold so dearly, and you'll be able to see, your life more clearly. These are your tomorrows you can make today, and through the darkness, you'll find your way. Nothing is impossible, as long as you believe; those felt unreachable are possible to achieve. Have faith in yourself and trust in God's love; reach for the stars blessed by Heaven above. Author ..... ~ Pamela Hall -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Lean On Me http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/leanonme.html Christianity http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/christianity.html Our Valuable Anchor http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html Walking In Power http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/walkingpower.html Maria The Goose http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/goose.html Walk With Jesus http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/walk.html Feather Painting 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/feather2.html Extreme Pumpkin Art! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/pumpkin.html Baby Squirrel Finnegan http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/finnegan.html Alcohol And Drug Use! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/alcoholanddrugs.html Lighthouses Of The World http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lighthouses.html DC Tea Party http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/teaparty.html Got A Nanosecond 2? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/nano2.html Who Is WE? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/whoiswe.html Celebrities: The Long And Short Of It! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/celebrities2.html Farmers Gone Wild! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/farm.html Fall, Frankenstein, Ghost, Halloween, Haunted House http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs_f-j.html The following page allows you to use the left hand side letters to display all the graphics at once on one page - [Word: = Comments Hal and Hallo = Halloween] Vampire, Vulture, Witch, Wolf, Words:Hal-boop, Words:Hallo http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs_u-z.html Full Fall And Halloween INDEX! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/halloweenindex.html -<>- Some of Shangrala's Best Pages http://www.amazafamily.com/index.html -<>- What does the Bible say about consuming alcohol? https://tinyurl.com/y775x95q Giving Equals Receiving http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Promises/GIVING_EQUALS_RECEIVING.htm Alan Jackson - Leaning On The Everlasting Arms (Live) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DObsJ1PSdnQ Amazing Grace Flash Mob https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKd7yIMqWeE “Stand by Me” Cover Story ?Acapella Soul? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDBgOyEN2OU Hallelujah Flash mob https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ympz2j_HD-w Josh Groban You Raise Me Up https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xj8wHfBKoRU "God Bless America" Flash Mob with The Denver Brass https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDdY46iAwHI New product safety alerts have been issued https://tinyurl.com/y84sf5cj Latest At FoxNews: Grassley says new FBI report backs Kavanaugh, urges Senate to send him to high court http://www.foxnews.com/ Most Interesting! Full Kavanaugh Report Released - This explains it https://1600daily.com/2018/10/01/full-kavanaugh-report-released/ Lou Dobbs 10/2/18 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRYNNupujrM How Fair-Minded Americans Must Assess the Kavanaugh Situation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4NuUdBapV0 China Cracks Down on Christianity by Demolishing Churches, Confiscating Bibles https://tinyurl.com/yah8bzwr Trump’s New Trade Deals Gets Major Praise The new United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement includes key victories for American manufacturers, agriculture, businesses, and workers. https://tinyurl.com/ydft599b WhiteHouseNews: https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600daily/ Latest From AFA: http://tinyurl.com/j7lakqw Latest From RightAlerts: http://rightalerts.com Latest From MRC News: https://tinyurl.com/ya6uruck Latest From TrueDailyNews: http://truedaily.news/category/news/ Students For Life https://tinyurl.com/yd5nxmu6 Latest From OperationRescue: http://www.operationrescue.org/ Move America Forward http://www.moveamericaforward.org/ 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 AndyChaps: _ .-. / \ _ ^^ / \ /^./\__ _/ \ _ .--'\/\_ \__/. \ / \ ^^ ___ / \_ _/ ^ \/ __ :' /\/\ /\ __/ \ / \ / .' _/ / \ ^ / \/ \/ .`'\_/\ /\/\ /\/ :' __ ^/ ^/ `--./.' ^ `-.\ _ _:\ _ / \/ \ _/ \-' __/.' ^ _ \_ .'\ _/ \ . __/ \ /\ .- `. \/ \ / -. _/ \ -. `_/ \ / `._/ ^ \ / `-.__ ^ / .-'.--' . / `--./ .-' `-. `-. `. - `. @/ `. / / `-. / .-' / . .' \ \ \ .- \% @(88%@)@%% @)&@&(88&@.-_=_-=_-=_-=_-=_.8@% &@&&8(8%@%8)(8@%8 8%@)% @88:::&(&8&&8::JGS:&`.~-_~~-~~_~-~_~-~~=.'@(&%::::%@8&8)::&#@8:::: `::::::8%@@%:::::@%&8:`.=~~-.~~-.~~=..~'8::::::::&@8:::::&8::::::' `::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::' >The Mountain I See Before Me The Mountain I see before me with its cliffs and jagged face makes me contemplate my oneness and bow my head in grace. So majestic is its demeanor so intimidating is its height and to climb it all alone will take all my strength and might. My feet slip as I ascend so uncertain are my steps I look down at the earth below and my heart fills with regret. Taking on this task alone was much more than I could bear but I'm halfway up the mountain and there's no one who can hear. I reach a place of smoothness and I rest for just a while as the sun sets right before me my face adorns a smile. Such beauty amidst my strife makes me feel a warmth inside and I find the strength to push my feet up the Mountainside. For a while the going's easy and then I come upon a cliff too steep for climbing and I wonder what went wrong? I contemplate my position as I gaze in such despair thinking that I must give up- my strength no longer there. My tears form a waterfall down the Mountainside as I grasp the jagged edge clinging onto my own pride. To ask for help is something I feel too proud to do until my footing slips and I feel my life unglue. "Dear God", I cry to the heavens, "I cannot climb this Mountainside." And then I heard a voice which gave me faith instead of pride. "You were never alone, my Child as you climbed this Mountainside. I was always here beside you never leaving your dear side." "But I don't deserve your help. I thought I could do it alone. I thought I could handle anything- even this Mountain made of stone." When will you realize, that there's nothing you can do- that will make me leave your side; for I'll always help you through." I felt my grip grow firm. I felt my legs grow strong- and suddenly I knew that I was very strong. I'm not alone on this Mountain- I'm not alone on the Sea- For God's hand is always there- Reaching out to me. As I gazed upon the earth atop the Mountainside- I felt so very Loved- As God stood by my side. -<>- %%%%%% %%%\__/% %%%%"""% %%c ^\^% %\ _=/ . _.'_( .:: .'`\ `._ _ _..;:::' / '._ .' \ =/ (=(:]::;:::. \__./__.``_/_/ / / ';::;:. / / ) / \ \/ / '::. / /.'`-._( \ / '. / /' `\ `` /.( \ \_(`";-..___ \ |=*==||``` \ || \ || ) )) / || \ || )_|| jgs( \\\ Y\__\\ >Dust If You Must I can't tell you how many countless hours that I have spent CLEANING! I used to spend at least 8-12 hours EVERY weekend making sure things were just perfect - "in case someone came over". Then I realized one day that no one came over - they were all out living life - having fun! Now, when people visit - I find no need to explain the "condition" of my home - they are more interested in hearing about the things I've been doing while I was away living life and having fun! If you haven't figured this out yet - please heed this advice. Life is short - enjoy it! Dust if you must but wouldn't it be better, To paint a picture or write a letter, Bake a cake or plant a seed, Ponder the difference between want and need? Dust if you must but there's not much time, With rivers to swim and mountains to climb, Music to hear and books to read, Friends to cherish and life to lead. Dust if you must but the world's out there With the sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair, A flutter of snow, a shower of rain. This day will not come around again. Dust if you must but bear in mind, Old age will come and it's not kind. And when you go and go you must, You, yourself, will make more dust. Remember, a house becomes a home when you can write "I love you" on the furniture.... -<>- _ __ / \Y \ __/______\__ `~~// 6 6\~~` C 7 | \ '='/ \__/ /\ |\ .-`\_\_//\ You reap what you sow! /-. `|o |\ __ | | | | \ |\/ / | | |o | \ /`\_/ | | | | Y / | | |o |\ / \ \ | | `--' \ \__|o_| `\ /I=[]=| >Planting and Reaping If you plant honesty, You will reap trust. If you plant goodness, You will reap friends. If you plant humility, You will reap greatness. If you plant perseverance, You will reap victory. If you plant consideration, You will reap harmony. If you plant hard work, You will reap success. If you plant forgiveness, You will reap reconciliation. If you plant openness, You will reap intimacy. If you plant patience, You will reap improvements. If you plant faith, You will reap miracles If you plant dishonesty, You will reap distrust. If you plant selfishness, You will reap loneliness If you plant pride, You will reap destruction. If you plant envy, You will reap trouble. If you plant laziness, You will reap stagnation. If you plant bitterness, You will reap isolation. If you plant greed, You will reap loss. If you plant gossip, You will reap enemies. If you plant worries, You will reap wrinkles. If you plant sin, You will reap guilt. So be careful what you plant now, it will determine what you will reap tomorrow. The seeds you now scatter, will make life worse or better for you or the ones who will come after. Yes, someday, you will enjoy the fruits, or you will pay for the choices you plant today. -<>- >What Do Your Feet Reveal About You? , .---. _// //\_/\\ \_\ |/ 0_0 \| / | ,___, | / \\___// / `"|"` .' .--'/'--' / | | | | | .-'\ | `"""` \ ,---.\ \ \ \ \ \ \ .-\ \ /_.' | /\ jgs \ \ `" There are certain depictions in the Scriptures which illustrate where we are at in our walk with the Lord. Where are you today according to the position of your feet? 1. On A Rock Of Stability Psalm 40:2 - "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings." Perhaps you have just walked through a time of despondency or despair. You seemingly lived in a dungeon, prison, or a pit of noise where calamity, trouble, desolation, and destruction surrounded you. You may have experienced a "lake of misery," filled with horrors, with no hope of ever being rescued. Or you may have felt as though you were at the bottom of a pit - a pit of perdition, surrounded by corruption and moral filth where there was no sure footing. But Jesus saw your need and heard your plea and delivered you from this "horrible pit." Now, your feet are planted on solid ground. 2. In A Place Of Liberty Psalm 31:8 - "And hath not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: Thou hast set my feet in a large room." The enemy was determined to steal, kill, and destroy you. But Jesus "set your feet in a large room." He made you free. He set you at liberty. He enlarged your coast. 3. In A Place Of Great Temptation Psalm 38:16 - "For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me." Psalm 94:18 - "When I said, My foot slippeth; Thy mercy, O LORD, held me up." You may feel very weak spiritually. At the moment, you may be wrestling with the temptation to a besetting sin. Your enemies, who are deadly and strong, are watching for you to be caught off guard and fall so that they can exult over your failure. They would love to rejoice over the ruin of your character or testimony. God's Mercy is holding you up and has thus far kept your feet from slipping or falling into sin. 4. In A Place Of Adversity Job 12:5 - "He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease." The man in prosperity - the man "at ease" - looks scornfully upon you because you are facing adversity at this time. He is standing firm, but you find yourself wavering or falling in your faith. In times past, when things were going well for you, you were as a "lamp" unto others. You were in a place of honor and considered a voice of wisdom and counsel. But now you are treated as though worthless like an extinguishing torch. 5. In A Place Of Provocation Psalm 17:5 - "Hold up my goings in Thy paths, that my footsteps slip not." You have been injured and wronged by others. You feel helpless and spiritually impaired from the constant blows that have come your way. Your goings are very slippery. You find yourself praying fervently for God's grace and strength so that you will be restrained from taking matters into your own hands and reacting in a spiteful or revengeful way. 6. In a Place of Abundance Deuteronomy 33:24 - "And of Asher he said, Let Asher be blessed with children; let him be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil." Job 29:6 - "When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil." The figure of dipping your foot in oil depicts plenty and abundance, having an ample supply of comfort and luxury. The image of washing your steps with butter also denotes great abundance. You may be experiencing a time in your life where you are prospering financially. Every need is abundantly supplied for you and your family, and you are also able to be a generous support for those in need. 7. In a Place Of Victory Psalm 68:23 - "That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies..." Psalm 58:10 - "The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked." The image of your foot being dipped in the blood of your enemies depicts total conquest. The leading thought is that through God's mighty power and grace, you have crushed your enemy under your feet and won the victory. The righteous rejoice when wickedness does not triumph, and the law is maintained. To wash your feet in the blood of your enemies pictures a battlefield where you as the victor tread in the blood of those who are slain. It is very strong language, illustrating the total overthrow of the ungodly in a situation. Wickedness is subdued and vanquished while righteousness triumphs. 8. In a Place Of Chastisement Or Judgment Lamentations 1:15 - "The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me: He hath called an assembly against me to crush my young men: the Lord hath trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, as in a winepress." Because of sin and disobedience, you find yourself in a place of contempt where you are unable to stand. You feel as though you are in a winepress, being trampled upon by the enemy. It seems as though one judgment follows another with no letting up. It is utterly amazing how our own feet can speak volumes about our lives and our walk with the Lord. Where are you today? What is the position of your feet? If you are in place of stability, liberty, victory, and abundance, then give God all of the praise. If you are in a place of temptation, adversity, or provocation, then pray. God will uphold you with His mighty grace and strength. He can and will change your way. On the other hand, if you find yourself in a place of chastisement or judgment because of sin, you and you alone can change that position by repenting and turning your life completely over to the Lord. In Psalm 119:59, the Psalmist said - "I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto Thy testimonies." Have you thought on your ways lately? What do your feet reveal about you? They will tell the true story. May God Bless His Word. Connie Connie Giordano Copyright 2002 by Connie Giordano ========================================================== _.-"""""-._ / .--.....-.\ / / \\ || || || .--. .--|/ /` . \ . | \_ _) | | ,____, ; | \ `--' / _./\ '.____.' _.:::| `\ |\:._ .::::::::`\ '. / /::::. /jgs::::::::|/::\/:\|:::::\ >My Turn to Break Down Story Editor: by John Stevens Clayton Bennett Florida, USA I've been in the pressure cleaning business since 1979, and one of my accounts was a large grocery store chain in Florida. One day in 1984, I came out of a store after dropping off the invoice for the previous night's work, and spotted a woman walking with two small children. She was probably in her early thirties, with dishwater-blonde, shoulder-length hair. One of her children was a boy, about six years old; the other, a girl, looked like she was about four. When her little family arrived at their car, I heard it try and fail to start -- and then the battery went dead. In my truck, I had a battery load tester as well as tools, so I asked her if I could help. She just broke down and started crying. She said her husband had died without insurance, so she and her children were going back home -- somewhere in New England. The young woman had purchased a quart of milk, bread and bologna. She gave it to the children, who acted as if they hadn't eaten in a while. She said she only had $10 to her name, and was going to try begging for money when she ran out of gas. The weather was terribly hot, and the air conditioner in her car didn't work. Her car battery had a dead cell, so I removed the whole battery. Then I went to a parts store, bought a new battery, and installed it in her car. I remember wondering if that old car would make it up to New England, but I could only do so much. Just to make sure she'd be able to get somewhere, I dumped two 5-gallon cans of gas in her tank and gave her $50 in cash. Wouldn't you know it, she started crying all over again. She told me she couldn't afford to repay me right then, so I gave her my business card and told her to pay me when she could. She just kept thanking me over and over and over. I figured I'd never see that money again, but at least I felt good by helping her and her children. My late wife of 27 years used to get halfway mad at me, because I was always stopping to help disabled motorists, who most of the time simply ran out of gas. I just helped because I could. In all those years, only one person took the time to repay me. Almost three years after helping that young mother I received a letter from an unknown address. I opened it to find a money order for $95 and a short note. It was from that young woman, telling me she was finally back on her feet, and thanking me again for helping her when she was broke and broken down. She said she would never forget my kindness. Now it was my turn to shed the tears. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Laugh&Lift: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' "We are not going to move this world by criticism of it nor conformity to it, but by the combustion within it of lives ignited by the Spirit of God." - Vance Havner "Most of the verses written about praise in God's Word were voiced by people faced with crushing heartaches, injustice, treachery, slander, and scores of other difficult situations." - Joni Eareckson Tada The Lift .-=-. .-=-. `) ) ( (` .' / \ '. ( ( _.-'`::`'-._ ) ) \ `'` .::. `'` / `-._\`~` `~`/_.-' _,=` / \ `=,_ ( ,(^\ /^), ) `~~` \0)\ /(0/ `~~` | /` '\ | | | | | | | / \ \() ()/ jgs `._-==-_.' `""` >From Bad to Worse (by Alan Smith) Have you ever have one of those days when, no matter how hard you try, things just seem to go from bad to worse? The story is told of two cowboys who were working cattle one day. One of them discovered he was in trouble when a wild bull, with his head down and nostrils flaring, came charging toward him. The cowboy saw a deep hole in the ground and quickly jumped in it. As soon as the bull passed over him, he jumped out of the hole. The bull, madder than ever, came charging back again, and the cowboy jumped back down into the hole. When the bull passed, the cowboy jumped out of the hole again. He did this several times. Finally, the other cowboy, who was watching it all from a distance yelled out, "Why don't you just stay in the hole?" The cowboy yelled back, "I would, but there's a bear in the hole!" Maybe some of you feel like every day is like that! If ever there was someone who must have felt that way, it was the apostle Paul, though. Listen to him describing his life as a Christian: "From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness..." (2 Cor. 11:24-27) Sounds like a man who ought to be miserable, doesn't it? I mean, how much can one man take? How much worse can it possibly get? It convicts me to read through that list as I think of the minor problems in my life that I allow to create a dark cloud over my life. If I had to deal with the problems on Paul's list on a daily basis, then I'd really have reason to moan and whine, "Why, me Lord? Why does life have to be so hard?" The funny thing is, though, that wasn't Paul's reaction at all. He didn't list all those problems to garner sympathy. In fact, he finishes out this section by writing: "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake....." (2 Cor. 12:10). Taking pleasure in distresses? When is the last time you took pleasure in locking your keys in your car? When is the last time you took pleasure in running your cell phone through the washing machine (don't laugh! I actually did that this week)? When is the last time you took pleasure is hearing the news that you're getting laid off, the biopsy came back positive, or there was a terrible auto accident? The "pleasure" in such things is not the ability to laugh and joke. The "pleasure" is found in the last half of 2 Cor 12:10, "...For when I am weak, then I am strong." Everything that happens to me in life is a reminder that I am not in control, but I am a child of the One who is. It is a reminder that I don't have the power to fix everything that breaks in life, but I serve the one who does have that power. It is reminder that I sometimes don't know how I'm going to have the strength to cope, but I rest in the arms of the One who has promised to be there with me no matter what. And it is during those moments when life throws its worst at me that I feel closest to God. "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor. 12:10) Whatever trials you are facing this day, may you find your strength in God. Have a great day! ========================================================== ._(~)_._. ._.__. .__._(~)_. |_ _| (_) |_ (_) _| |_ ) ( ) ( ) |~ ~| (~) |~ (~) ~| |~ '~(_)~'~' '~'~~' '~~'~(_)~'Randy Ransom >-->GOD'S BIG PICTURE My life is like a puzzle with tiny pieces to numerous to count But I know each piece has meaning but right now the pieces are scattered about The hues of all the colors are displayed in many ways And little by little I see the pieces coming together As each puzzle piece is fitted everyday I am part of GOD's Big Picture that only HE can see And right from the very beginning of time GOD had plans for me Right now I don't understand all life's meaning Why some things have to be But I can't see GOD's Big Picture I can only see the tiny pieces of you and me But one day we will all see GOD's Big Picture Complete and in perfect form And then we will understand the reasons we were faced with life's storms -Janice Stancil Oct. 7, 02 >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->This is for all you who love food and DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe ************************************************************************ >TO SUBSCRIBE:Visit Here This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR For the Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ************************************************************************