Time To Be Vigilant... :) 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 *~* ,'''''-._ Suricata suricata ; ,. <> `-._ ; \' _,--'" ; ( ; , ` \ ;, , \ ; | | ; |, | |\ ; | | | \ |.-\ ,\ |\ : |.- `. `-. | || :.- `-. \ ';; .- , \;;| ; , | ,\ ; , ; \ ; , /`. , ) __,;, ,' \ ,| _,--''__,| / \ : ,'_,-'' | ,/ | : / / | ; ; | | | __,-| |--..__,--| |---.--....___ ___,-| |----'' / | `._`-. `---- \ \ `""" """ -- `.`. --' jrei `.`-._ _, ,- __,- `-.`. --' `; >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! ================ _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ *~* Our Hearts and Prayers go out to all those affected by the recent Islamic terrorist attack in New York City. May God bless and comfort them through Jesus Christ our Lord. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of yesterday's terrorist attack in New York City and their families. My Administration will provide its full support to the New York City Police Department, including through a joint investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. We offer our thanks to the first responders who stopped the suspect and rendered immediate aid to the victims of this cowardly attack. These brave men and women embody the true American spirit of resilience and courage. I will continue to follow developments closely.” - President Donald J. Trump http://tinyurl.com/y8rycuqv -<>- >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This piping hot new page is from our friends Bunni, LouiseAu and Linda. It's one for you who are fond of dogs. They play such an important part in our lives. This page highlights some of the best parts and will give you your aww quota for the day. ________________ '------._.------'\ \_______________\ .'| .'| .'_____________.' .| | | | | Scooby _.-. | . | | * (_.-' | | | Snacks | .| | * * | .' |______________|.' LGB For Dog Lovers! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/doglovers.html --- ...So sweet! Thanks Ladies! -<>- *~* We Had A Tremendous Month Of Caring And Sharing Last Month! ,--. ,--. ( O ) ( O ) `--' \ `--' \ _ >-. / /| `-.__.' Krogg >Please Be Sure To Visit And Share All These New Pages Right Angle Photography 4! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/anglephoto4.html Useless Signs 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/uselesssigns2.html Morons At Work 6! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mwork6.html Rock Balancing Art 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/rockbalancingart2.html Humor In Politics 17! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/politics17.html Socotra Island! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/socotra.html Autumn Around The World 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/autumn2.html Wisdom Of Peanuts! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wisdomofpeanuts.html Bird Inspirations! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/birdinspirations.html Most Spectacular Places 6! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/spectacularplaces6.html MacGyver - How To Do It 7! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/macgyver7.html . | . \ | / `. \ ' / .' `. .-*""*-. .' "*-._ /.*" "*.\ _.-*" : ; ____ """"': .. ; _.-*" \ `.__.' / "*-._ .' `-.__.-' `. bug .' / . \ `. / | \ ' | ` * May God Abundantly Bless All Our Sweet Contributors! Thank You! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude. -- Cynthia Ozick \\ ///// | | (| _ _ |) |` | '| | __ | >>>___/\_^__/\___<<< / ||| \ Mike Hertz >SAY THANK YOU by Nancy Julien Kopp The men and women in our armed forces are not numbers in a newspaper article. Each one that deploys leaves behind parents, sisters and brothers, spouses and children, as well as myriad of friends. They are not numbers -- they are people. They laugh, they cry, they love, they endure hardships, they work hard. They are human beings with all the emotions you and I experience. They sweat, they like to eat three times a day or more, they enjoy fellowship with others, they pray, they shake with fear more often than we'll ever know. They are warm, living beings. How often do we read that another brigade has deployed? Numbers? No, not numbers, that brigade is made up of people who smile, cry, tell jokes, treasure the photos they carry of loved ones. They have headaches and stomachaches like you and me. They get slivers in their fingers and bruises on arms and legs. They're no less vulnerable to physical ailments than we are, but they face dangers we have never dreamed of. I live near an army post, so I see uniformed soldiers everywhere I go. They stop at the grocery store on their way home from work just like teachers and attorneys and librarians do. They pick up their children at soccer fields as a civilian mom or dad does. We are all very much alike, except for one thing. These soldiers, male and female, have volunteered to serve, to protect our country at home and in foreign lands, to perhaps put their life in danger while doing so. Have you ever thanked a soldier or marine or sailor? Maybe you'd feel uncomfortable walking up to a total stranger and saying, "Thanks for all you do for me and the rest of America every day." What a great gift it would be if you could say that to a member of the armed forces. Think about it the next time you see an American in uniform. A couple years ago, my husband and I were returning from a European trip. We were tired and anxious to get through customs when we landed back in America. As we approached the passport checkpoint, a door opened and an entire unit of uniformed soldiers filed through. They were returning from Iraq, an even longer flight than we'd had. We stopped and watched these fatigued young men and women as they walked by us. Some nodded and smiled, others stared straight ahead. Some I could barely see for the tears that had filled my eyes. I wanted so badly to say Welcome Home to them, but the lump in my throat didn't allow it. The pride that overcame me at that moment cannot be described. I was every soldier's mother for just an instant. And what about the ones who didn't return? The ones who came home in a body bag or a wooden coffin. My pride in them is every bit as strong along with a deep and abiding gratitude in what they gave for the rest of us. They sacrificed so that we can keep living in a free country. Yes, we Americans have many disagreements, but, even so, we are blessed in numerous ways. Don't wait for Veterans Day or Memorial Day, take time to say thank you to a military person. Say it in person or say it in your heart, but please say it. -- Nancy Julien Kopp __________________________________________________ Nancy draws from her Chicago growing-up years and many more in the Flint Hills of Kansas for essays, stories, poems, and articles. She is in nine Chicken Soup for the Soul books, other anthologies, magazines, newspapers, and ezines. A former teacher, she still enjoys teaching through the written word. --- ...Note: It is not only our great veterans and military but also our men and women in blue that are putting their lives on the line every day to protect us that we need to be thankful for and to! =========================================================== , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >-->Time To Be Vigilant by emb The latest terror attack in New York brought us much news and discussion on what we can do to be more safe. Some would have us ignore the threat saying there isn't much we can do to stop this kind of violence and we need to go about our lives as if it never happened. Others say we need to get those in the business of renting out large vehicles to be more proactive in being aware of whom they are renting to. President Trump brought up an immigrant policy that was initiated by Democrat Chuck Schumer back in 1990 that allows what is known as the diversity visa program. It gives random access of around 50,000 a year to those from small countries. It is explained here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity_Immigrant_Visa Most of us didn't even know it existed, but it is how the New York terrorist gained access to our country and according to Trump via chain migration more than 20 of his relatives came in with him. Chain migration is another thing President Trump wants to get rid of by using a normal Merit System that countries like Australia already utilize to ensure that their immigrants are more of an asset to their country and not a liability or a threat. It's Time to Reverse America's Backwards Immigration System http://tinyurl.com/y9cyc9bh I was also impressed by remarks from retired General Jack Keane who reminded us that radical Islamic Terrorists are at war with the entire civilized world but we don't act like we are at war with them! That has to end. Listen to him toward the end here - 28:00 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd9BnbOs6Lw I think the General is correct. Every single one of us needs to realize that we are in a war. Our enemy can be among us like a wolf in sheep's clothing. This terrorist was said to be a friendly man who worked as a Uber driver. It is important for us to pay more attention to our surroundings. It's Now Illegal To Text While Crossing The Street In Honolulu http://tinyurl.com/y9fzb8r7 Other states like Texas are considering making this a law as well. Tells you a lot about us as a society where laws must be made to make people use common sense in their every day activities! , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' The bible teaches us... 1 Pet.5: [8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: These terrorists are like spies or undercover agents. They are good at deceiving others. They infiltrate society and for the most part cause no red flags to go up. However, we need to be proactive and if someone says things or does things that cause us alarm, we need to alert authorities to them. Better to be safe than sorry. We need to step up our game so that we, our loved ones and our country are safe. Sticking our head in the sand just leaves the rest of us exposed. As Christians, we realize that the devil is very good at deceiving people. All you have to do is look at serial killers to see how they were able to easily overcome people. The BTK killer for instance was a very friendly person, family man, boy scout leader and church goer. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Rader It is important for us as Christians to ask our Father God for wisdom and help to be more vigilant in our day to day lives. God knows the wolf under sheep's clothing and can alert us. Pray: Dear God Almighty please help me and my loved ones always know when evil is near us so we may be vigilant and be safe through Jesus Christ my Lord I ask you true, Amen. When it comes to wisdom, I really do not understand why any female would join a terrorist Jihadist group. Only if they are being lied to would it make any sense. How Isis attracts women and girls from Europe with false offer of 'empowerment' http://tinyurl.com/ycmbas57 Women and children are used by them like they are nothing more than property. I liken it to America back before the Woman's Rights Movement. Woman had no real say in society. However, it is even worse with them. A woman is often raped and forced into 'marriage'. Woman and children are used as slaves and abused. Think about it this way. If you are part of an extremist terrorist group and they are trying to get you to lay your life down for Allah, they will be filling your head full of reasons why you should die. They will say how blessed and how much Allah will give you in the afterlife and how glorious it is to give your life for Allah. Yet, one has to wonder, if it is such a honor and such a privilege and such an act of martyrdom to give your life murdering others in the name of Allah, then why don't these leaders do it themselves? Why don't they lead the way in this 'Allahu Akbar' endeavor? Remember Osama bin Laden went into hiding and desperately tried to save his own life? Maybe it isn't so great a thing after all? Maybe the only reason why it is great would be if you were the leader and you were getting others to die for you and your depraved cause. The bible not only calls us to be vigilant... 1 Pet.5: [8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: God says we need to be sober - which is to have our wits about us and be mentally alert. In other words we need to use common sense, not let ourselves be distracted or tricked and ask God to help us with His wisdom. I was reminded of this song this morning while thinking of this: Genesis - Land of Confusion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6OYtwfvJjw I must've dreamed a thousand dreams Been haunted by a million screams I can hear the marching feet They're moving into the street. Now did you read the news today They say the danger's gone away But I can see the fire's still alight Burning into the night. Too many men Too many people Making too many problems And not much love to go round Can't you see This is a land of confusion. Now, This is the world we live in And these are the hands we're given Use them and let's start trying To make it a place worth living in. Oh Superman where are you now Everything's gone wrong somehow The men of steel, men of power Are losing control by the hour. This is the time This is the place So we look for the future But there's not much love to go round Tell me why, this is a land of confusion. Now, This is the world we live in And these are the hands we're given Use them and let's start trying To make it a place worth living in. I remember long ago When the sun was shining The stars were bright All through the night And the sound of your laughter As I held you tight So long ago I won't be coming home tonight My generation will put it right We're not just making promises That we know, we'll never keep. Too many men Too many people Making too many problems And not much love to go round Can't you see This is a land of confusion. This is the world we live in And these are the hands we're given Use them and let's start trying To make it a place worth fighting for. This is the world we live in And these are the names we're given Stand up and let's start showing Just where our lives are going to. Writer/s: MICHAEL RUTHERFORD, PHIL COLLINS, TONY BANKS Publisher: EMI Music Publishing, IMAGEM U.S. LLC Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind We need to put our hands into God's hands and let Him guide us. =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: ,-. _,. / / ; \____,-==-._ ) //_ `----' {+> ` `'--/ /-'`( / / dew `=' >A Time to Be Silent A pilot had turned off his radio in order to elude the enemy, but as he came across the channel, he turned it on again and began turning the dial to find the proper frequency, which changed from time to time. His plane was almost out of petrol, and he was terrified of what might happen if he ran out and did not find his way precisely toward the goal he was seeking. As he twiddled the dial, he broke out in perspiration. Finally, he caught a faint signal and adjusted the dial. The signal came in strong and clear. He changed his flight path onto the signal and landed safely at his airport. We're all trying to do that in life. We're trying to pick up those signals that tell us who we are, what direction we ought to be headed, and where home is. As we fiddle with the dial and adjust the signal receiver in our lives, we begin to hear in the stillness and the quietness a voice telling us where home is. We are able to readjust our patterns and head homeward. That's the promise of the text. If we will be still, we will know that God is God; we will know which way to go toward God. -- John Killinger -<>- _____ / \/_ //\__(\_\ |\ ^ ^ | .//_O \O_ \ \_ (_) / \ \_/ / __/\ /\__ / \ \ / / \ / \/\/\/ \ / | . | \ / | . | \ JRO >AH, THERE YOU ARE By: Joseph J. Mazzella I misplaced my joy this morning. I woke up to find it missing like a set of lost keys. I started looking for it everywhere. I looked for it in the morning paper. It wasn’t there. I looked for it in my books. It wasn’t there. I looked for it in some music. It wasn’t there. I looked for it while I ate breakfast, got the kids ready for school, and headed out the door this morning, but I couldn’t find it anywhere. When I finally got back home I decided to take a walk. I thought that if I couldn’t find my joy then at least I could get some exercise. The last leaves of Autumn were thickly covering the ground. I walked for awhile on this beautiful, crunchy carpet and breathed in the fresh, cool air. It was so peaceful and wonderful. After walking for a bit I stopped and smiled. I suddenly knew where to look. I glanced down and saw my joy peeking up at me from deep inside my soul. It had been sitting there right next to my love and God’s love just waiting for me to find it. "Ah, there you are," I said. Then I laughed at myself for not knowing where to look all along. It is amazing how we so often look for joy in every single place except the only place where it can truly be found, within ourselves. We are like a person running around searching for the glasses that are perched on the top of his head. We need to stop the search. We need to look deep into our souls and see the joy that has been sitting there all along. It isn’t hidden and it isn’t hard to find. It is there shining brightly right next to God’s love and our love. It is just waiting for us to smile down and say, "Ah, there you are." Reach down and grab that joy today. Choose it, rejoice in it, and live in it. Take it along with your love and God’s love and share it with the world. And if you ever misplace it again remember where to look for it first. -<>- >Change A Chinese general put it this way: "If the world is to be brought to order, my nation must first be changed. If my nation is to be changed, my hometown must be made over. If my hometown is to be reordered, my family must first be set right. If my family is to be regenerated, I myself must first be." -<>- * * * * ) (\___/) ( * /( \ (. .) )\ * # ) c\ >' ( # ' )-_/ ' \\|, ____| |__ ,|// \ ) ( ` ~ ) ( / #\ / /| . ' .) \ /# | \ / ) , / \ / | \,/ ;;,,;,; \,/ _,#;,;;,;, /,i;;;,,;#,; (( %;;,;,;;,; )) ;#;,;%;;,, _// ;,;; ,#;, /_) #,; // // \|_ \|_ |#\ |#\ -" b'ger -" >The Devil’s Beatitudes Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend an hour once a week with their fellow Christians in Church ~ they are my best workers. Blessed are those Christians who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked ~ I can use them. Blessed are the touchy, with a bit of luck they may stop going to church ~ they are my missionaries. Blessed are those who are very religious but get on everyone's nerves ~ they are mine forever. Blessed are the troublemakers ~ they shall be called my children. Blessed are those who have no time to pray ~ they are easy prey for me. Blessed are the gossipers ~ for they are my secret agents. Blessed are those critical of church leadership ~ for they shall inherit a place with me in my fate. Blessed are the complainers ~ I'm all ears for them. Blessed are you when you read this and think it is about other people and not yourself ~ I've got you. - Author Unknown -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Our Valuable Anchor http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html Choose His Children http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/choosehischildren.html Love Thoughts http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/love.html Play On Words http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wordplay.html Thinking Positive http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/positive.html Who Is This Jesus? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/jesus.html Bruno's Fantasy Art! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/fantasyart.html Akiane - Through The Years http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/prodigy.html Harvest Moonbow http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/moonbow.html No Words Needed! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/nowords.html Stubby War Dog! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/stubbywardog.html In The Wild! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/inthewild.html Friends: Lion, Tiger, Bear! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/liontigerbear.html The Blue Ribbon! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/blueribbon.html Cats Of The Zodiac! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/zodiaccats.html -<>- >Follow Me On StumbleUpon Here: http://tinyurl.com/y7xc4asz -<>- >I love DNA! I watched a crime story where back in the 80's with the infancy discoveries of DNA, they were trying to connect a person with a woman who had been murdered. They found her body by a tree. They searched a man's pickup truck for evidence that he may have been connected to this young woman's murder. They couldn't find anything but some tree pods in the bed of it that looked like they had come from the same kind of tree but that would just be considered circumstantial unless they could prove that it was from the same tree. They looked to a botanist for help. Could there be plant DNA to prove that it came from this tree? Read - Source of DNA -- here... https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/genetic/dna-evidence7.htm Are You An Atheist? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BA-xrXBZGeU Atheists Admit DNA is Proof of Intelligent Design! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAUOpESW7JU Another view - Believe in God in 5 Minutes (Scientific Proof) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQVm8RokoBA More - Science Has Found Proof of the Existence of God! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er9D00DXQQs WMAP https://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/ Timeline of the Universe https://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/media/060915/index.html -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu Revisiting - When cute dog Penny is attacked by a toy snake Maymo the Lemon Beagle rushes to her rescue by taking on the snake and showing it who's the boss. Penny is Maymo's sister and like a good brother he's doing his best too protect her from harm. On a serious note, if you have a dog and live in an area with poisonous snakes find out if there is an emergency animal hospital and know how to get to it. Don't try to kill the snake, just keep your dog calm and get it to the Veterinarian as fast as possible so they can treat the snake bite. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=APioYQEgXhA --- ...HaHa! So adorable! Thanks LouiseAu! Busy Bodies, which initially aired October of 1933. Enjoy the comical mayhem of Laurel and Hardy, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pQango6W0w --- ...These two are such cards! Thanks LouiseAu! "South of Iceland" is wonderful look at Iceland as seen from the air as it was filmed by a DJI Phantom 2 drone. Iceland truly is a beautiful country with many incredible outdoor scenes and this video does a good job of showing them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpW-oEo4zHg&feature=player_embedded A few years ago, the Great Chinese State Circus, one of most famous acts in China, did their version of Swan Lake. Their incredible movement, agility and grace cannot be denied nor my admiration for their execution. If you want to see a little bit of swan lake in a whole new way, watch this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4sMc-p19FIk --- ...So beautiful! Thanks LouiseAu! 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 ========================================================== . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _________________ ____ __________ . . / | / \ . | \ . / ______ _____| . / \ | ___ | . . \ \ | | / /\ \ | |___> | . \ \ | | / /__\ \ . | _/ . . ________> | | | . / \ | |\ \_______ . | / | | / ______ \ | | \ | |___________/ |___| /____/ \____\ |___| \__________| . . ____ __ . _____ ____ . __________ . _________ \ \ / \ / / / \ | \ / | . \ \/ \/ / / \ | ___ | / ______| . \ / / /\ \ . | |___> | \ \ . \ / / /__\ \ | _/. \ \ + \ /\ / / \ | |\ \______> | . \ / \ / / ______ \ | | \ / . . . \/ \/ /____/ \____\ |___| \____________/ LS . . . . . . . . . . >Choosing Kindness Over Profit Story Editor: by Tom Magliery Joyce Schowalter British Columbia, Canada Wow! "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace" was out! Shortly after it launched, five of us guys decided to drive an hour north of Champaign, Illinois, to see the movie in Hoopeston, population 6000ish. Why drive so far? The Lorraine Theatres had a widespread reputation as having the best sound system anywhere in central Illinois. We caravanned in two cars, headed to a 4:30 p.m. showing. It was a beautiful day in May, 1999, with clear blue skies -- a great day for a drive. We found the theatre, a stand-alone building on a small-town main street. Arriving at 4:20 p.m., we pulled up and parked in the angle parking across the street from the theatre. We wondered, hey, shouldn't there be some other cars parked here on the street already? There weren't any, but we thought maybe the matinee business was slowing down since the movie had been out for a couple weeks. Crossing the street, we found the ticket window empty and the front doors locked. Uh-oh. Just as we finished trying the doors, out came the owner of the theatre, a fellow in his 40s with light brown hair, glasses and a beard. He told us that the theatre had stopped their 4:30 showing three days before. Someone mumbled something about the web page, and he said that he hadn't had a chance to update it yet, because his laptop was in for repairs. He asked us where we had come from, and we told him. After another minute or two of small talk I said (half joking, half hopeful), "So you wanna show it anyway?" He looked at his watch, thought a bit... then said, "OK, sure," and showed the movie to just the five of us! We paid him the regular price, and he even let us buy pop and snacks from the concession stand, although it was lucky that we managed to find correct change for everything because he couldn't get into the cash register. It struck me that the theatre owner could just as well have said "Tough luck, fellas", wished us a pleasant drive, and sent us on our way back home. It would have been perfectly reasonable for him to do that. Instead he chose to open his business, start up his equipment, and show us the film we'd driven so far to see. I've no idea of the operating costs of running a projector and a full-scale movie theatre for a showing of a film. But I'd be surprised if the profit margin of five tickets and a few candy bars and sodas would be enough to cover it. I've always remembered this experience because we were treated so kindly by a total stranger. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From SermonFodder: .. blaa blaa blaaa... .((())). cornet -> ( \(( ))==> <- pencil t |//_^ ^)" p e y \)_\V/.-. t y p /||| ( _\ _e/ |'\/__.-.\ _ ___.'_(.'_)_/ ,___))___ _ ___/||___t p .'-'-_-_-'-,:y e .'-_-_-_-_-_-/ (__________,(/mrf keyboard(_.-._.-._. >A Real Person Manning the computer help desk for the local school district was my first job. And though I was just an intern, I took the job very seriously. But not every caller took me seriously. "Can I talk to a real person?" a caller asked. "I am real," I said. "Oh, I'm sorry," the caller said. "That was rude of me. What I meant to say was, could I talk to someone who actually knows something?" -<>- &&&&& && -.-& & . jrei __)` -(_ >DID YOU HEAR THE WHISPER? Have you ever been in a situation – or met an individual – and thought to yourself, "I don't know what it is, but something isn't right". More often than not, we quickly dismiss the thought and later find out that the premonition was right. As Christian leaders, we may desire to give situations and people the "benefit of the doubt", but Scripture teaches that we should listen – and respond – to God's whisper. How often do you ignore the inner whisper that tell you when "something isn't right"? Do you repeatedly wish that you had listened to your "hunch"? It is human nature to size things up by what they look like – but, not all ducks look and quack like a duck. As a result, God will often send a gentle whisper that warns us to be cautious of certain situations and people. The enemy, however, will immediately try to get us to dismiss the message. He will tell us that God's whisper is an example of us being "paranoid". He will fill us with condemnation, and convince us that we're, merely, "judgmental".. Nonetheless, listen to God's whisper. Stand firm in knowing that Jesus forewarned: "Stay alert. This is hazardous work I'm assigning you. You're going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack....Don't be naive" (Matthew 10:16-17, MSG). Naivety wants us to respond to winds, earthquakes, fires, and other disasters. But, God wants us to hear – and respond to – His gentle voice. When the prophet Elijah was in trouble, the Lord came to him in a whisper: "...As the Lord approached, a very powerful wind tore the mountains apart...But the Lord wasn't in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake. But the Lord wasn't in the earthquake. After the earthquake a fire came. But the Lord wasn't in the fire. And after the fire there was only a gentle whisper" (1 Kings 19:11-12, NIRV). Like Elijah, sometimes we will only receive a gentle whisper from the Lord. The questions are: "Will we listen?" and "Will we respond?" If we do, just imagine how much pain, disappointment, and wasted time we'll be able to avoid. Our cry: Lord, thank You for Your gentle whisper that warns and guides me. Please increase my sensitivity to Your voice, so that I may hear – and respond. Teach me how to evaluate all situations and people with keen discernment. Let Your Spirit sharpen my awareness, so that I will know – with certainty – when "something isn't right". In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. For I am Your handmaiden. I am Your servant. Recommended reading: 1 Samuel 16:7, New International Reader's Version 1 Kings 19:11-12, New International Reader's Version Matthew 10:16-17, Message Bible Translation Marsha DuCille Publisher/Editorial Director publisher@calledmagazine.com ========================================================== >-->From Kidwarmers: `-.\ __.._\|--. .'_o `=\.' |F-' o ) \ `;=/" ,; _| ." `-. .' `-._,/.`._ ) / 7`. `-..-' _/ ;-' . `-._ .' \ `-. ;-. `"-. / `-._ )|-.`--..___) ; .7`\ | : __ | .': ;' | .'_.`, ;`. | ; :/ |.:-' / ; `-.; | |`", `/ .-' ; /`; : \7.-' : ; `./ \ | ; ; : ; ; : | / fsc :/ ` >THE FUNNIEST THINGS KIDS SAY Mariah, 8, was spinning a tall-tale about her homework. Her mother said, "Now, Mariah, you know where you will go for lying..." Paul, 5, Mariah's little brother chimed in, "Yeah, Congress!" -- Cindy Pugh (grandmother of Mariah and Paul) of Ossian, Indiana Here's another Paul story. He walked off the bus and into the house with only one shoe on. When his grandmother asked where the other shoe was, he replied, "Oh, Nonnia, it must be in the LOST AND FOUNTAIN at school!" Lisa was putting her daughter Cassidy, 3, into the car to take her to pre-school. Cassidy had a bagel and bottled water, and she handed them to her mother when she crawled into the car seat. Then she said, "When I get locked up can you give me my bread and water?" -- Lisa Howard of Alexandria, Virginia Natalie, 5, told her grandmother about a boy who was dropped off by the school bus driver and his mommy wasn't there to meet him. "It was OK," Natalie continued, "the brown man that sells boxes helped him (the UPS man)!" -- Joyce Hosler (grandmother of Natalie) of Fort Wayne, Indiana / _, ,_ 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, A kindergarten teacher took her record player to school along with one of the old records. When she started to put the record on, one child said, "That's the largest CD I've ever seen!" -- Jean Felfe (aunt of the teacher) of Spicewood, Texas Bailey, 2, held out his sippy cup and said, "More milk, please." His mother, who has been encouraging him to learn good manners, got him another cup of milk. Then, as she handed him the milk, she asked, "What do you say?" Bailey looked at her with a worried look. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Moo?" -- Amy Garnsay (aunt of Bailey) of Eaton Rapids, Michigan Julie and her two boys, Sydney, 4, and Benjamin, 3, were shopping for birthday presents at the local mall. While in a card shop, the boys were getting bored and asked to sit on the floor. Julie told them not to touch anything. Sydney was content to sit still, but Ben couldn't. He was looking at a few small figurines and after he touchd one he said, "Ouch! It touched me!" The store clerk could not contain her laughter! -- Julie Adelman of Lake Mary, Florida Timmy's mother made him a sandwich to take to a friend's house while his father was doing yard work there. His mother noticed that it was all gone. "Did you finish all of it?" she asked. Timmy looked bewildred and replied, "I had to eat it all. I could not find a trash can!" -- Lynda Redus (mother of Timmy) of San Antonio, Texas .-. _ .--""" / { `.__ ( ( _ .e"8a-. J ' \ `.._, \ /_`\/8P '.--\/8P-' ) .-. \ e8a `.`. `" / o o`._..--' (;88`-.. \ ""`. `--.>#--.._/ `.-. `8_ 8P`. :_e8P .a. _.' |`\_, \ /-. `.` ,8 ^P" e8P 8a 2 '7.__7" \ \ `": `. ,8P _ /_\ ' / ;e8| 98P .-' `7 `--' |`8: .e8a._..e8" .' : : 88P" .8P`88,8P' / Y8/88 eP"| `YP" / `. `M " :-. .' : .'_ ; _.' \ \ '.' `/_.-e8`,.--. `-: : .'"" " 8P : `""`.e8a ; `"""--. / fsc `---' Haley, 2, spent some time with her grandmother. When she got home, her mother noticed there was black under her fingernails. "What did you eat at Grandma's?" her mother asked. "Wing bells," Haley replied. Her mother had no idea what Haley meant. It was only later, when her husband translated, that Haley's mother learned Haley had enjoyed "Ding Dongs!" -- Linda Diehl (grandmother of Haley) of Avilla, Indiana Kolton, 7, was walking down a trail to the ocean to build sandcastles with his grandmother. Kolton asked, "How old are you, Grandma?" She replied, "I'm 59." Kolton thought for a minute and then said, "Do you realize that in 21 years you will be 80!" His grandmother laughed and said, "No, I hadn't thought of that. And you know what? You'll be 28." Kolton replied, "I hope we're still camping together then, Grandma!" -- Susan Titus Osborn (grandmother of Kolton) of Fullerton, California Note: You are welcomed to use, copy and share these stories, but please reference http://www.funnykids.com as the source. ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend KarenF :) .-. .--..-"""-7_ / : : `: | .' ._`. 7 .=" "`: : , : : It's Pumpkin Time! Pumpkins are gathered Stacked in a pile Look at those colors And look at those styles There are pumpkins aplenty Gathered from the fields Some for plump pies And some for a meal! We hollow and scrape And carve out a face Those pumpkins will decorate All over the place The shapes are amazing The colors intense Put them in dark corners For Halloween suspense Put them with the colors Of bright autumn flowers Put them in the yard Under fall rain showers Enjoy the season At pumpkin time The memories they bring Will last a life time! ~ Marilyn Lott ~ --- ...Wonderful! Thanks KarenF! >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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