To Remain Positive... :) 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 ================ *~* 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 new piping hot page is from our friends LouiseA and Geniann. If you are longing for Spring, this will give you a little taste of it along with your daily dose of awwws. Be sure to watch the video for more Spring fervor! __ __/ \__ / \__/ \ \__/..\__/ / \__/ \ \__/ \__/ \__/ || || || .'/.'\.'. ..'.'..'..'.'. Imran Sweet Animals With Flowers http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animalswithflowers.html --- ...Such an adorable one! Thanks Ladies! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: _________________________________________________________ ||-------------------------------------------------------|| ||.--. .-._ .----. || |||==|____| |H|___ .---.___|""""|_____.--.___ || ||| |====| | |xxx|_ |+++|=-=|_ _|-=+=-|==|---||| |||==| | | | | \ | | |_\/_|Black| | ^ ||| ||| | | | | |\ \ .--. | |=-=|_/\_|-=+=-| | ^ ||| ||| | | | | |_\ \_( oo )| | | |Magus| | ^ ||| |||==|====| |H|xxx| \ \ |''| |+++|=-=|""""|-=+=-|==|---||| ||`--^----'-^-^---' `-' "" '---^---^----^-----^--^---^|| ||-------------------------------------------------------|| ||-------------------------------------------------------|| || ___ .-.__.-----. .---.|| || |===| .---. __ .---| |XX|<(*)>|_|^^^||| || , /(| |_|III|__|''|__|:x:|=| | |=| Q ||| || _a'{ / (|===|+| |++| |==| | | |Illum| | R ||| || '/\\/ _(|===|-| | |''| |:x:|=| |inati| | Y ||| ||_____ -\{___(| |-| | | | | | | | | | Z ||| || _(____)|===|+|[I]|DK|''|==|:x:|=|XX|<(*)>|=|^^^||| || `---^-^---^--^--'--^---^-^--^-----^-^---^|| ||-------------------------------------------------------|| ||_______________________________________________________|| Qryz >THE PAGES LONG FORGOTTEN by Michael T. Smith John stepped into the used bookstore and smiled as he smelled the old pages. Here was a wealth of old stories, history waiting to be read, and a host of other joys. On a back shelf, he found what he was looking for... They'd served their use to those who once held them dear, but now gathered dust in the darkest corner of the store. They were Italian, American, French and Greek. They contained secrets from around the world. There were collections of chicken, beef, pastries, bread, and desserts. They waited, hidden in a little explored part of the store, and hoped someone discovered their treasures. John knew what to do. He picked one up, held the spine in his hand and let the book fall open. They always opened to the most used pages, the recipes loved by lost generations. The page in front of him was for a recipe called "Beef-filled cornbread." The picture showed a delicious layer of meat and cheese, layered with cornbread and covered with a hot sauce. The pages were stained with splatters of tomato sauce. It was obviously a favorite of the previous owners. He'd try this one. Those used the most are the best. He found several other books, each with its own marked pages, and carried them to the counter to make his purchase. "I hope you found something you like," the cashier said. "Oh yes. Very much! I'm sure these are exactly to my taste." He paid for his purchase, left the store and carried them in a bag on his way to work. In the locker room, he placed his books on the top shelf and changed into his scrubs. The recipes would wait. He had a duty. Freshly dressed, he walked his floor. "Hello, Mrs. Smith!" He smiled at the elderly lady sitting in the sun room reading a book. In her day, she must have been a beautiful woman. She still was, for a woman in her eighties. "How was your day?" "Horrible!" she growled. He sat beside her, held her hand and looked into her eyes. "My grandson didn't visit me," she continued. "He promised me he'd be here today." She adjusted her shawl and tried to hide the tears about to spill from her wizened eyes. "Maybe tomorrow," he replied. "You know how busy these young people are." He noted the tear in the corner of her eye and changed subject. "Mrs. Smith, didn't you tell me you lived during the great depression?" A smile came to her face. "Oh, yes. What a time that was. There was no work, ya know. But we survived." "How did you get by?" "Well, we all worked together. Everyone worked together. We helped each other." She frowned. "It's not like today, where people are too busy to worry about anyone but themselves. In those days, we worked together. If you didn't, you starved." "It must have been a hard time, Mrs. Smith. I don't know how you did it." "I didn't," she grinned. "We did. We did it together, the neighbors and my family." He left her smiling and hoped her grandson paid a visit the next day. He moved down the hall and stepped into Mr. Walker's room. "Hey, Walk! How's things?" He used the name Walk, as all the others in the center called him. It made Walk feel comfortable. Mr. Walker looked up from a puzzle he leaned over. "Could be better, John. This damn puzzle has me stumped. These eyes aren't what they used to be." "I know, Walk. Just take your time. There's no rush." "There is too," Walk chuckled. "I need to finish it before I die." "Not too soon I hope," John said. "Say! Have I told you about the guy who walks into a bar with a giraffe under his arm?" John chuckled. Walk loved a good joke. "I don't believe you have." Walk's face broke out in a smile. "You see, this guy walks into a bar with a giraffe under his arm. He has a few beers. The giraffe falls asleep on the floor. The bartender looks down, sees the giraffe and asks, 'What's that lying on the floor?' The guy says, 'That's not a lion! That's a giraffe.'" Walk broke into a laugh that turned into a coughing spell. John slapped him on the back. "Come on, Walk. Cough it up." Walk got himself under control. "You're OK now. I got your back." "I know about covering someone's back." Walk sat straight in his seat. "I was in WWII ya know." "I heard that. Did you have a hard time?" John asked. "John, you have no idea. It was the winter of '41, or was it '42. I can't remember now. Snow was up to here." Walk pointed to his thigh. "We were on the front. The enemy was closeŠ" Thirty minutes later, John said, "WOW! That's a story, Walk. I knew you were in the war, but I don't think I ever thanked you. I want to say, Thank you. You made us safe." "Ah, stop it. It was nothing," Walk turned to his puzzle, too embarrassed to continue their talk. He and others knew what they did, but don't want to take credit. It's an unspoken rule between the veterans. They did what they had to. John continued on his rounds, held hands, shared hugs and listened. Here they were, like the cookbooks, sitting in dark corners, ignored. John knew what to do. He held them, let their hearts fall open, and found the pages stained with use. They are the most valued. They are the pages long forgotten. - Michael T. Smith __________________________________________________ You can read more of Michael's stories here: =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Linda :) [A blind fish with it's seeing eye dog fish! :) () , O -. )', \'._.,-" c '-,_ o ) _,.c cc =[]L] /." ', c __.` -' \('---' '=.____ '-. O \ 0 , \|\_/) \-, |',T( 66,_ o ) '-" \\.___Y) ) ,-.Y _.G snd /-" /.' >THE STORY OF A BLIND GIRL: There was a blind girl who hated herself just because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She said that if she could only see the world, she would marry her boyfriend. One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her and then she could see everything, including her boyfriend. Her boyfriend asked her, “now that you can see the world, will you marry me?” The girl was shocked when she saw that her boyfriend was blind too, and refused to marry him. Her boyfriend walked away in tears, and later wrote a letter to her saying: “Just take care of my eyes dear.” This is how human brain changes when the status changed. Only few remember what life was before, and who’s always been there even in the most painful situations. Life Is A Gift Today before you think of saying an unkind word– think of someone who can’t speak. Before you complain about the taste of your food– think of someone who has nothing to eat. Before you complain about your husband or wife– think of someone who is crying out to God for a companion. Today before you complain about life– think of someone who went too early to heaven. Before you complain about your children– think of someone who desires children but they’re barren. Before you argue about your dirty house, someone didn’t clean or sweep think of the people who are living in the streets. Before whining about the distance you drive think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet. And when you are tired and complain about your job think of the unemployed, the disabled and those who wished they had your job But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another remember that not one of us are without sin and we all answer to one maker. And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down put a smile on your face and thank God you’re alive and still around. Life is a gift – Live it, Enjoy it, Celebrate it, and Fulfill it! -<>- !|| !|||| ,/|||| !|'''| `\ | )\ \ ejm / \ \ \ >Prayer There is nothing better than older people praying for you. We're not getting older, just getting closer to home! The instructions are to pick four people you want God to bless. I pick you. Please pass this to at least four people you want to pray for. This prayer is powerful, and prayer is one of the best gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of rewards. Let's always pray for one another. The prayer: Dear Father God, Thank You for each and everyday You have blessed us here on earth. Thank You for Your tender mercies. Thank You for giving us friends and family to share joys and sorrows with. I ask that You please bless my friends, relatives, brothers and sisters in Christ and those I care deeply for, who are reading this right now. Where there is joy, please give them continued joy. Where there is pain or sorrow, please give them your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence. Where there is need, please fulfill their needs. Please Bless their homes, families, finances, their goings and their comings. Your Will for each of them physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually be done through Jesus Christ I pray, Amen. If you choose to send this to more than four people, you are truly blessed to have friends! --- ...Sweet! Thanks Linda! =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: .-"-. * ( + / \ . ) ) ) |# | ( * . ( . \___/ . + .-"-. * /^ + ( / \ ) ( .-"-. ) + . |# | ( * / \ ( ) \___/ ) ( |# | ( ' * /^ ) \___/ ( * ' ( ^\ * ' . \ , , , , , ' \ + >TO REMAIN POSITIVE A great way to remain positively focused is to have something positive toward which you can direct your thoughts at a moment's notice. That way, when you catch yourself falling into negative thought patterns you can quickly switch your thoughts somewhere else. Imagine what would happen if you made a habit, at the beginning of each day, of finding something new to appreciate about yourself, your life, or your world. Then, any time you felt yourself being drawn into negative, destructive thinking, you could immediately put your focus on that day's object of appreciation and gratitude. Genuine, heartfelt gratitude can have a powerful positive influence on every aspect of your life. It can be an effective counterbalance to all the negativity the world throws your way. Think right now of something for which you can be truly grateful. Then, the next time you feel yourself being drawn into anger, frustration, spite, envy or despair, shift your focus instead to your ready-made gratitude. Keep yourself genuinely and realistically positive with sincere gratitude. And each day will bring even more reasons to be thankful. - Ralph Marston -<>- o o o o o | | | o | __ / | | |/\ /| |/ | | | |\ \ ' \|> \ _|\ | || / / / |" o o o __ | ,o o | / / |_ /__ / `--| |/ | \ \ \ /--. \ \ | ' | ' / | / / >Use It or Lose It "The LORD said to him [Moses], 'What is that in your hand?' And he said, 'A staff.'" I have read how in 1872, at the age of 16, Booker T. Washington (born a slave and then became the foremost black educator of the late 19th and early 20th centuries) decided he wanted to go to school. He walked 500 miles to Hampton Institute in Virginia, and presented himself to the head teacher. Washington later recalled, "Having been so long without proper food, a bath, and change of clothing, I did not make a very favorable impression upon her, and I could see at once that there were doubts in her mind about me." Finally she said to him, "The adjoining recitation room needs cleaning. Take the broom and do it." A lesser person might have been insulted by being assigned menial work. But Washington recognized immediately that this was his big chance. He swept that room three times and dusted it four times. He even cleaned the walls and the closets. Then he reported to the head teacher that the job was finished. She examined that room like a drill sergeant. She even took a handkerchief and rubbed it across the top of a door. When she could not find a particle of dirt, she said, "I guess you will do to enter this institution." As a 16-year-old, Washington could not do many things. But he could clean a room. And he did it gloriously. Extraordinary living begins with using what we have. What gifts and graces do you have that you have not fully activated?2 Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that you use ordinary people to do ordinary things in extraordinary ways as well as using ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Please use me for whatever it is you have gifted me to do and want me to do, be it large or small--and thereby help make my world a better place in which to live. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus Christ's name, amen." 1. Exodus 4:2 (NASB). 2. Bill Bouknight, http://www.eSermons.com, July 2002 -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Give Praise! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/praise.html Walking In Power! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/walkingpower.html Believe In Your Dreams! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/dream.html Think Happy Thoughts! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/happythoughts.html Lean On Me! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/leanonme.html Let's Dance! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dance.html Think Positive! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/positive.html Thank You God! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thankgod.html What I've Learned In Life! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/learnedinlife.html Walk With Jesus! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/walk.htm Until We Write Again! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/write.html Ice Sculpture Art 3! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ices3.html Quilts In The Snow! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/snowquilts.html Snow Sculpture Art! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/snowart.html Animals First Snow! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/animalsfirstsnow.html Baby It's Cold Outside! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/coldpets.html -<>- >From Our Friend Linda :) Watch This Group From Siberia https://youtu.be/A7IMKWvyBn4 Amazing Snow Sculptures http://tinyurl.com/zap4lzl What an ending picture. http://nethugs.com/inspirational/stories/ohio-boys-gift-to-soldier/ 15 Tips to Grow Long, Thick, Healthy Hair http://www.mythirtyspot.com/15-tips-to-grow-long-thick-healthy-hair/ --- ...Awesome! Thanks Linda! -<>- >From Our Friend and my son Victor :) Bionic 'Spinal Cord' Could Help Paralyzed Walk http://tinyurl.com/joafz7o --- ...Very Cool! Thanks Victor! -<>- >From Our Friend Melody :) Defector on North Korea http://tinyurl.com/plmtcru City Council Meeting Opens http://tinyurl.com/jzxsrk5 Obama supporter admits: ObamaCare hurts http://tinyurl.com/glcapyw --- ...Interesting! Thanks Melody! -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseA :) An amazing show of magic and creativity bursts onto the stage in this wonderful magical act of two. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKns1uatyNg&feature=player_embedded Aspirin use http://www.hoax-slayer.com/mayo-clinic-aspirin-advice.shtml It has been perhaps the most eventful 100 years in the history of mankind. The world has changed drastically in the last 100 years, and we've known much suffering, along with an unprecedented rise in individual rights, freedom and technology. But when seeing it all in the space of 10 minutes, one cannot but ask - What's next? https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Xxh-sS8Qoco --- ...Good info! Thanks LouiseA! -<>- >From Our Friend Geniann :) THIS IS DOG IS JUST ADORABLE, AMAZING http://www.youtube.com/embed/PztO-OvzRyg?rel=0 Bull Fight? https://www.youtube.com/embed/tzgRw6V252s --- ...TeeHee! Thanks Geniann! -<>- >From Our Friend Melinda :) She sent us ones we have here... Dogs And Little Ones http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dogslittleones.html Kids With Animals 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kidswithanimals2.html Baby Emperor Penguins Emerge from Their Shells http://tinyurl.com/jrbnknq 104-year-old woman's secret: 3 Dr. Peppers a day http://tinyurl.com/jo6cju7 Send In A Sample of Water http://tinyurl.com/gwtgmp9 Plays Piano without hands. http://tinyurl.com/zmhvou7 Man Saves 2 Million Babies http://tinyurl.com/notug6u --- ...What a man! Thanks Melinda! My mother-in-law was a leading blood donor too! Sweet! 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 CupO'Cheer: >HOW STRONG CONVICTIONS COME For reading & meditation: James 1:2-8 "' that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (v.4) We continue meditating on the first verse of Psalm 73: "Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart." The psalmist has gone through an experience of crippling doubt but the great thing is this: he has emerged from it spiritually enriched and with a deeper confidence in the goodness of God. So he starts with that conclusion and then tells us how he got there. This is one of the great values of the psalms - they reflect and analyse the experi- ences that we are called upon to face. Ray Steadman says of the psalms: "They are an enactment of what most of us are going through, have gone through or will go through in the walk of faith." Every one of us will be able to understand the psalmist's struggle: we start off with a positive faith in God's goodness and then something happens which causes us to be plagued with doubts. The problem then is how to get back to where we were. This is what the psalmist does in this psalm - he shows us how to return to the place where the soul finds true peace. We should not forget that the strongest convictions are born in the throes of doubt. The statement "God is good to Israel" is a statement grounded in experience. In a similar vein, Dostoevsky, the famous Russian novelist, could say: "It is not as a child that I believe and confess Christ. My hosannah is 'born of a furnace of doubt.' " Doubts may discourage but they need not demoralise you. It is not what happens to you, but what you make of it that matters. _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ Prayer: Gracious and loving Father, I pray that You will do for me what You did for the psalmist and help me turn my strongest doubts into my strongest beliefs. I offer You my willingness - now add to it Your power. In Jesus' Name I ask it. Amen. For further study: Psalm 73 1. What characteristic did the psalmist display? 2. What was his confession of faith? as seen in Every Day Light -<>- ( ) |\ _,--------._ / | | `.,' `. / | ` ' ,-' ' \/_ _ ( / (,-.`. ,',-.`. `__,' |/#\ ),-','#\`= ,'.` | `._/) -'.\_,' ) ))| / (_.)\ . -'// ( /\____/\ ) )`'\ \ |V----V|| ' , \ |`- -- -' ,' \ \ _____ ___ | .' \ \ `._,-' `- `.__,`---^---' \ ` -' -.______ \ . / ______,- `. ,' ap >IS KNOWLEDGE ENOUGH TO SAVE? You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-and shudder. - James 2:19 When General Douglas MacArthur was a young West Point student, he was asked to give a report on a section of reading about the time-space relationship later formulated by Einstein as his Theory of Relativity. The reading was incredibly complex and, being unable to comprehend it, MacArthur committed the pages to memory. When he was called upon to give his report, he solemnly reeled off almost word for word what the book said. The instructor looked at him somewhat quizzically and asked, “Do you understand this theory?” “No, sir.” You could’ve heard a pin drop in the lecture hall. The student braced himself and waited. And then the slow words of the professor: “Neither do I, Mr. MacArthur. Section dismissed.” Is often easy to know something without understanding or accepting it. You can know that Jesus Christ came to earth, died for your sins, and rose again, but never really accept it for yourself. Today’s passage says even demons believe the things of God, but they are certainly not saved by it! Instead of just letting the Bible be head knowledge, know it in your heart. Meditate on God’s Word so that it becomes more than what you believe, but what you truly accept! Prayer Challenge Pray that God would give you eyes to see and ears to hear and accept His message of salvation. Questions for Thought Throughout most of your life, would you say you’ve been more of a “knower” or an “accepter” of the things of God? What can you do to move from simple head knowledge to a heart knowledge of the Gospel? as seen in Daily Living For Seniors -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >POTTER We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8 FROM THE FATHER'S HEART My child, did you know I designed the shape of your life? The clay doesn't ask the potter, "Why did you make me this way?" You may think your flaws and mistakes disqualify you for usefulness, but I control the potter's wheel. I have chosen you for My glory. Remember, broken vessels often reflect My beauty and light the most. A GRATEFUL RESPONSE With firm but gentle hands You take this lump of clay—my life— and form it into a vessel of beauty and honor. When I refuse to lie still in Your skilled hands, You patiently remake me from the marred, broken pieces. Thank You for creating me in Your image, Lord. SIMPLE TRUTH If we are not content with who we are, then we are not content with who God is. as seen in Daily in Your Presence -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >SERVING BUT STARVING (A Word With You by Ron Hutchcraft) One day I was talking with the owner of a local pizza restaurant; a place where I am known all too well. I was there at the tail end of their rush hour, and let me tell you, this place is a zoo for about 90 minutes around noon. It was slowing down and the owner finally was able to stop to talk with me. When he asked me how I was doing, I said, "Well, I'm doing a lot better now. I had lunch!" The owner said, "I know what you mean. If I wait very late to eat lunch, I start to get shaky." I told him, "Well, I guess you're in a good place then." Actually, he corrected me. He said, "Sometimes we are so busy serving it that we don't have time to eat it ourselves!" I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Serving But Starving." A lot of us have experienced what my restaurant owner friend was talking about - being so busy serving that we don't have any time to get fed ourselves - spiritually, that is. Hey, it happened to Martha, didn't it? It's happened to me way too often, and probably to you, too. Martha's experience is described in Luke 10:38, our word for today from the Word of God. "Jesus came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him. She had a sister called Mary who sat at the Lord's feet, listening to what He said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. 'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'you are worried and upset about many things, but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'" Now, Martha's busy serving Jesus. Mary is sitting at Jesus' feet, listening to Him. Which is better? Most of us make-it-happen, get- it-done types would instinctively gravitate to the doing stuff rather than the being stuff. But Jesus says, "Mary has chosen what is better." I think we've all been Martha-ed...maybe you are right now. You get so busy serving Jesus that you have no time to be with Jesus. It's like my pizza friend. We're so busy serving spiritual food to others that we're actually eating less of it ourselves. Now that's backwards! The more people are looking to you, the more you have to be with the Lord yourself. But, frankly, it's easy to let your spiritual health become a victim of ministry. In fact, serving God's Word without experiencing God yourself is a prescription for burnout! There's a danger in studying God's truth only to prepare lessons, Bible studies, sermons and missing the purpose of studying it, which is to have your life changed through applying it to your everyday life. There's a danger of becoming someone who leads others to experience the Lord while you're slowly becoming a spectator yourself. And you can so fill your life with Christian meetings, Christian positions, and Christian activity that it feels like knowing the Lord. BUT, in fact, those activities have slowly crowded out that precious private time with Jesus. And that time is the fuel for any valid ministry! So you may be serving others while starving yourself. Soon that's going to lead to a Martha Meltdown. Ministry is supposed to be the overflow of your own time with the Lord, not a righteous substitute for it. So if you feel yourself growing weak and tired, frustrated, and negative while you're serving your Lord, don't blame the work and don't blame the customers. You probably have not taken time to feed yourself spiritually - to really be with Jesus. You don't want to lose your closeness to Jesus in the middle of serving Jesus. [Permission to distribute this material via email, or individual copies, is automatically granted on the condition it will be used for non-commercial purposes, and will not be sold. To reproduce "A Word With You" transcripts in any other format, including Internet websites, written permission is needed.] Compiled by: Kimberly B. Quiggle. Available Free by E-mail every other day. To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316kim@sc.rr.com. ============================================================= >Escape Story Editor: by Anonymous Joyce Schowalter USA Our father left us when our mother first began showing signs of mental illness. In between psychotic episodes, my mother told my brother Bill that he was the man of the house. So he did his best to take care of her and his two little sisters. The problem with living with a crazy parent, especially if it is your only parent, is that you don't realize they are nuts when you are a kid. Their craziness is normal to you, because that's all you know. Mom liked to sleep late on weekends, and would always be mad when we woke her up. It's hard for little kids to be quiet. One day we did our best to let her sleep, and she slept until 4:00 in the afternoon. It was a great accomplishment for us, but she was mad that we let her sleep. When Mom attempted suicide the first time, Bill found her and called for help. She was committed and received electroshock therapy, and it frightened us to see her afterwards. She was "out of it," but she liked it, because she got lots of drugs. As we grew up, we were passed around to relatives and back to our mother during her lucid times. The moving around made it difficult to feel like you belonged anywhere. My brother's drug use started in earnest after Mom's second commitment. Certainly, it was an escape. The commitments always followed the suicide attempts. We felt that if we could just be "good enough" it wouldn't keep happening. Drugs not only permitted Bill to escape our home environment, they permitted him to escape from his feelings. He began using at 12. Mostly pot, but by 21, he had been on every drug you could name. He managed to stay in school and get good grades, but when he left home, he did more drugs. Still, he kept a job and appeared to function. He got married and had a family. He was a good husband and father -- surprising, since he really had no personal role models. Then he got into crank. Perhaps our sister's suicide started that. For this drug, Bill lied, stole, and hurt the ones who loved him most. When he reached bottom, he asked me to assist him to get help. I got him into a program, but he did the rest. A week went by, he was still sober; then it was a month, then a year. He began putting his life back together, in part by helping others who were also in trouble. He went back to school, got a nursing degree, and dedicated himself to helping others. The great thing is that Bill helps folks without putting them down. And I have my brother back. He has been sober for seven years. My brother is a drug addict -- and I am proud of his accomplishments. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Jerry's Christian Jottings: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Ahithophel. David's Judas! The heartbreak of a failed friendship "'When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth." Billy - age 4 Friends are like many things in this life. They can be a blessing or a curse depending on what each makes of it. Take marriage as an example. Is it a blessing or a curse? Well, it depends on what you make of it, doesn't it? Is a job a blessing or a curse? Is a house a blessing or a curse? Well, if you have a "new job" 1000 miles away, the house that was once a blessing is now a curse in a sagging economy. So it is with many forms of friendship. How can the adoration of a "first love" become the "hatred" of a failed marriage? Your Bible has many things to say about friendship. Friendship can be one of life's many treasures. One of the ultimate compliments paid by Jesus to His Apostles was to call them friends. But for one of them. it was a disaster. David in many ways foreshadows Jesus. The failure of one of David's closest friendships is like that of Jesus and Judas. When your Bible says that Jesus was tempted in all the ways like we are. it really does mean exactly what it says. Let's explore David's Judas. Ps 55:12-14 "For it is not an enemy who reproaches me, Then I could bear it;Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me, Then I could hide myself from him. But it is you, a man my equal, My companion and my familiar friend; We who had sweet fellowship together, Walked in the house of God in the throng." In the Psalms we have many of David's "private" prayers as he laments the cost of leadership in God's kingdom. Here his friend and close advisor Ahithophel has turned against him presumably over David's dealings with his granddaughter. Bathsheba! It had been many years since the Bathsheba affair and Ahithophel had bidden his time until the time was ripe. Then struck! 2 Samuel 15:31 "Now someone told David, saying, "Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom." When David's son Absalom had rebelled Ahithophel's opportunity to turn on his "friend" presented itself. The clarity of Jesus' order of loyalty stated a thousand years after David foreshadowing is obvious when considering Ahithophel and Judas. Matthew 10:34-39 34 "Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 "For I came to SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; 36 and A MAN'S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD. 37 "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 "He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it." Have you noticed the viciousness often associated with a failed friendship? The ultimate companion is that of a spouse. Why do you suppose the police hate to be called on a "domestic" call? Once Judas turns. love becomes hate and it is a hate that rivals the gates of hell itself! How can anyone live with betraying "innocent blood?" Some can't. but many seem to. I believe some explanation is found hidden in the failure of God's relationship with mankind as described in Romans 1:26-27 "For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools," KJV says "Neither were they thankful." Many people do not know how to value, appreciate or be thankful for anything. If they don't appreciate God, they certainly cannot love Him or Honor him. Judas was chosen as one of the select few. Do you suppose he valued what Jesus had done for him? There is a side of me that feels sorry for him. As Jesus says, it would have been better if he'd never been born. What causes a man to be faithful to his wife? Hopefully two things (among others). His love of God and the value he places on his relationship with her. His value for her becomes a shield against temptation. whether he fears God or not. No value, no shield. When people cease to appreciate the value of their various relationships they toss them away. Why did Jesus choose to first prophecy of, and then to purposely choose Judas? I would suppose (based on I Corinthians 10:6) that it was in order to demonstrate publicly to us that Jesus understands and leads even when friends, family etc. turn on you. He knows first-hand what it is like to pour your heart into helping and/or loving someone only to see them first despise then reject you. It was David's close companion, Ahithophel, that set about to publicly humiliate David then to destroy any hope of David's reconciling with his son Absalom... 2 Samuel 16:21 "Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Go in to your father's concubines, whom he has left to keep the house ; then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself odious to your father. The hands of all who are with you will also be strengthened."" Not only that. Ahithophel in his "newfound" hate wanted to take matters in hand and personally destroy David. Only a short time before, Ahithophel had pretended to love David. 2 Samuel 17:1 "Furthermore, Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Please let me choose 12,000 men that I may arise and pursue David tonight." What can turn such a clear cut love into to hate? David mourned deeply over the loss of his friend. Ps 41:9 " Even my close friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me." Now we can come to the point of this article.. Jesus has already led and can continue to lead us through even this ultimate heartbreak of humanity. How can our faith survive when a spouse "cheats" or a Christian brother "hates"? The answer is simple Jesus has already been there and can lead us all forward past it and through it. John 13:16-18 "Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. "If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. "I do not speak of all of you. I know the ones I have chosen; but it is that the Scripture may be fulfilled, 'HE WHO EATS MY BREAD HAS LIFTED UP HIS HEEL AGAINST ME.'" Please notice that Jesus quotes David's lament for his "trusted" friend who has failed him miserably. and explains that it is in fact a prophecy by type of Judas himself. When you face your "Judas" then you can take heart from the fact that Jesus leads. Jesus not only leads through the valley of the shadow of death but also through the most treacherous chasms of life. He is there and has already been there. Three final passages of scripture. I Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." Hebrews 4:15 "For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin." You see. The Bible is the Word of God! The Bible is complete! This gift from God is able to completely lead us in every part of life. good and bad! John 8:31-32 "So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." Jerry Blount The Pillar church of Christ 316-320-4321 For more visit: http://www.jerryschristianjottings.com/ ========================================================== >-->From Kidwarmers: -|-_ | _ <|/\ | |, |-|-o |<|. _,..._,m, |, ,/' '""; | |, / ". ,'mmmMMMMmm. \ -|-_" _/-"^^^^^"""%#%mm, ; | _ o ,m,_,' "###) ;, (###% \#/ ;##mm. ^#/ __ ___ ; (######) ; //.\\ //.\\ ; \####/ _; (#\"// \\"/#) ; ,/ @##\ \##/ = `"=" ,;mm/ `\##>.____,...,____,<####@ ""' m1 >THE FUNNIEST THINGS KIDS SAY Danielle, 8, was learning to count change with coins printed on the math page. Sally pointed to a Kennedy half dollar, and asked Danielle if she knew which president that was. Danielle replied, "No, but he's worth 50 cents." -- Sally Morris of Wellington, Florida As Irma was helping Adriana, 12, study her science facts they came to one question that asked what the lab rules were. Adriana got most of them right but she was stuck on the last one, which was "clean up properly." Irma tried to give her a hint by saying, "What is it that I want you to do every night?" Adriana thought about it and responded, "Read and follow directions?" -- Irma Cisneros of Phoenix, Arizona ____________________ | | | PSYCHIATRIC | | HELP | |____________________| || ,-..'``. || || (,-..'`. ) || || )-c - `)\ || ,.,._.-.,_,.,-||,.(`.-- ,`',.-,_,||.-.,.,-,._. ___||____,`,'--._______|| |`._||______`'__________|| | || __ || | || |.-' ,|- || _,_,,..-,_| || ._)) `|- ||,.,_,_.-.,_ . `._||__________________|| ____ . . . . . <.____`> .SSt . . . . . _.()`'()`' . Paige, who was turning 5, was having a birthday party two days after her actual birthday. On the day of her birthday her mom wished her a happy birthday but Paige spoke up, "No, it is not my birthday until I eat cake!" -- Great-Mamow Jean Reesor of Battletown, Kentucky Alex, 10, and Ben, 8, were in the car with their mother listening to the radio. An advertisement for a furniture store came on and the announcer said, "No interest until 2009." When Ben heard that he asked, "Would anyone want that?" as though it were a bad thing. His mom asked, "Do you even know what that means?" He replied, "It means you won't like it until then?" -- Therese (mother of Alex and Ben) of Liverpool, New York Tanva's husband went on a hunting trip and brought back some assorted drink flavored Jelly Belly jelly beans. Adalyn, 3, wanted some for her snack and said, "Momma, I need a snack... some smelly beans!" -- Tanva Huval of Eunice, Louisiana Christian, 3, was watching cartoons with his grandmother. He was sitting on her lap in a recliner near her window seat which was decorated with photos, figurines and potted plants. Christian looked at Marilee and said, "An'Ma, you need to clean up your house." Marilee asked him how about his house and he replied, "I poured out my toys in my room and I need to clean it up." So Marilee cleaned up her window seat. -- Marilee Stone of Alapaha, Georgia //((~;; \\ \`_ ,' )) _~o) '; ( ) (''-___ ,_- | | ;---__ | )-|===| \ ~--|====|~~| |====\\\'._ |______\ \ \ |_|__|( ~~---/~\/\ /~_/____ \ ______--/\/\\_ W< The rest of this week's stories are from Bill Santoro of Pennsylvania: When Bill's daughter was about 3 (she is 19 now) he and his wife were talking about a dear friend who is wheelchair bound. They mentioned her "few handicaps" did not stop her from enjoying life. Later their daughter asked if she could have a "few candy-caps." Later when Alex learned what handicaps were she had a favorite dog that their dog had chewed on. The doll's left leg was missing. Bill's parents saw the doll and told Alex they would buy her a new one. Alex explained that the doll was not broken -- she was just "hadicapped." Bill's son, Justin, is autistic. One day in speech class his teacher asked, "Justin, what are the four seasons?" Justin was stubborn that day and refused to answer. When the teacher told him he could not go to lunch until he answered, Justin told him, "The four seasons are concertos by Vavaldi." `_-@@@-_ |, _ - - - ~-_--; |~ = . _ . = | | | ( ) - -__\ _ /,_-- -_ _-~ .-'--`-_ ~/ . | | |~| |____(,,) /________\ |_|__| _~__~___\ W< When Bill's daughter made friends at a lsummer camp for Easter Seals, she asked Bill if he knew Joel, her latest best friend. Bill told her he met so many peoplein the camp that day -- maybe she could describe him. She said he was the boy who was always smiling and telling jokes. Bill told her that he still did not know which boy he was, could she describe what he looked like? She said he always wore a baseball cap backwards. Bill's wife walked over and Bill asked her which boy was Joel. She said he was the quadraplegic in the wheelchair. Bill asked Alex why she didn't tell him Joel was the boy in the wheelchair (the ONLY child in a wheelchair). Alex said, "Oh yeah, I forgot." Pnina, 4, was helping to set the table for her parents, two older brothers and herself. She informed her father, "I don't have to count out five forks; I just count out two and then take three more." -- Brandel (mother of Pnina) of Jerusalem, Israel Ruth babysits for her grandson Ty Loshe, 2. Santa brought Ty a train set and now he "needs" some new trains. Ruth asked him if he would like the new ones for his birthday (in March) or Christmas. He said, "No! Neither one! I want them for my train set!" -- Ruth Coppess of Decatur, Indiana / _ `_--/-/_ _ ~\/ / | . _ . |--\ _| # ( # ) / \ _ # / -_ _-~ -'--`-_ / . | | |~| |-----,,) -------- |_|_| _~__~__\ W< Elisabeth's little nephew Justin met Elisabeth's mom for the first time when she was well into chemo treatments for her cancer. She was delighted to have her son and daughter-in-law along with their kids sleeping over during the week of her last bouts of treatment. As Elisabeth's mom was getting ready for bed she removed the kerchief that she wore to cover her bald head. After little Justin went in to kiss "Grandma" and "Grandpa" good night per his Dad's instructions he came out of the room and asked, "Daddy, is your Mommy a Grandma or a Grandpa?" -- Elisabeth Butterfield of Tampa, Florida Faith, 9, was practicing the piano, which is against the back window, when a large flock of robins landed in the backyard. Her dad started counting the robins, and when he reached 30, she looked up at him and smiled as she said, "They came for the music." -- Debbi Armstrong (mother of Faith) of Orlando, Florida Here's another one from Debbi. Tiny 5'1" Grandma had been bugging Faith's Daddy about getting a check-up. When he announced to the family that he had scheduled a physical, he said it was to, "Get my mother off my back." Faith then asked, "Why? Does she weigh more than you?" ,___. |-----| ============ / | OO ~\ ( ) 0 ) \_/-, ,-//-\\ ==== ||| | || -_/| | ||_ (____)) W< Kay was getting things out of the refrigerator and she asked Jake, 6, what he wanted to drink. He grabbed a Red Bull. Kay said, "Honey, you can't have that." Jake replied, "My doctor said it was OK!" -- Chet and Kay Swartz (parents of Jake) of Chino, California Mary Ann was caring for her granddaughter Ava, 3, while her parents were away. It came time for them to leave the house and Mary Ann was encouraging Ava to move a little faster to get her shoes on. Ava continued to dawdle and play with her princess wand. After several tries, Ava's grandma began to get impatient as she was getting no results. Finally she firmly told Ava they had to go and could she please put on her shoes. Ava looked up at Mary Ann, waved her wand and said, "Grandma, you're a pain in the wand." -- Melody Taninies of Des Moines, Iowa Note: You are welcomed to use, copy and share these stories, but please reference http://www.funnykids.com as the source. ========================================================== _ ______ / `'. ,-"` '. / /'-.'. ___ .' \ \/ '.\.' ' | .| .'`\ | /`"'--., / \ , _.--'` \/_ | ,----.| _ `_--;` ``` `\-. | | \ | -- C -- _/ \ \ | \ 0 0 / . | | \| ) | '. _.' |.__/ ; \ `'---` / / __ '. .' | (__) /'-._____,-` \ /---'.-""-.\ '. / ||,- \\ ;---`;-._||-= |\ , ."""-. \ ) `|'.___.' \ ___ \'. / '-. \ /`-`-; / \ ,/ `) \ \| \ `` | | \|| / /'.| )_ / || | | \/ .' \ \ .-'/ ` |` |.-' .-~ ~-~-._ |.'` \ ` '-. \___/,__/ ~` _ `~~-., `-.,_\_)`-.,_\) `~-,___ ~___~,,..-~~/ jgs \___/`\____/'._.' >-->Treasures There are treasures in life, but owners are few Of money and power to buy things brand new. Yet you can be wealthy and feel regal too, If you will just look for the treasures in you. These treasures in life are not hard to find When you look in your heart, your soul, and your mind. For when you are willing to share what's within, Your fervent search for riches will end. The joy and the laughter, the smile that you bring; The heart unafraid to love and to sing; The hand always willing to help those in need; Ones quick to reach out, to labor and feed. So thank you for sharing these great gifts inside; The caring, the cheering, the hug when one cried. Thanks for the energy, encouragement too, And thank you for sharing the treasures in you. - Author Unkownn >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 ************************************************************************